Five Things - December 2, 2024

Welcome to my blog titled ‘Five Things’ where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. I’ll also share a quote I find meaningful as a point of focus for the week. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things, starting with the quote of the week…

1. “People speak of hope as if it is this delicate, ephemeral thing made of whispers and spider's webs. It's not. Hope has dirt on her face, blood on her knuckles, the grit of the cobblestones in her hair, and just spat out a tooth as she rises for another go.”

2. I’ll be in RI this weekend for the Annual Rhode Island Author Expo on Saturday, December 7th from 10 am - 4 pm at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick! Signed books make excellent holiday gifts, so if you are in the area, come check us out. With over a hundred local authors, you’ll likely find something for the readers on your list. The event is also packed with panels, author Q&As, raffle items, and more. I’ll be hosting a kaffeeklatsch focused on the pros and cons of using a pen name at 11:30 am and moderating a panel titled “Pathways to Publishing” at 2:45 pm. Hope to see you there!

3. We are slowly settling into our winter home here in the southern California desert. As with any project large or small, things always seem to take longer than expected. Finishing our outdoor space has been no different, but we were able to host the family here for dinner this week, and my mom and dad helped decorate for the holidays, so it’s feeling rather cozy now.

4. I’ve recently started a meditation practice. I’ll admit, I was skeptical as to whether or not I’d notice a difference day to day. The last time I seriously worked with meditation I was in medical school, and everytime I’d relax and try to Zen out, I’d fall sound asleep! These last couple of weeks, though, I’ve been using an app. I’ll choose a five to ten minute guided meditation in the morning and another before bed, and I actually notice a difference. It’s subtle, but my sense of well-being feels solid. During the day, if something rattles me, I can recenter more quickly. I guess the practice is worth the hype!

5. Last week, while family was in town for Thanksgiving, we made a trip to Joshua Tree. Although I’ve been once before, every time we visit a National Park, I’m reminded of Planet Earth’s beauty and diversity. If you have a chance, it’s worth the trip!

Five Things - November 18, 2024

Welcome to my blog titled ‘Five Things’ where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. I’m also starting a daily meditation practice. I’ll be using a quote I find meaningful as a point of focus for the week, and I’ll share as the first item on the list. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can also follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things, starting with the quote of the week…

1. “All forms of heartbreak, loss, or defeat will require you to embrace a temporary state of uncertainty if you want to someday move forward effectively. Because it is within the unknown where you will find the clarity to rebuild. Pay attention to who or what helps you feel grounded whenever you are overcome with feelings of fear and doubt, then, make those elements your primary focus and watch as your life naturally begins to sort itself out.” - Kyle Creek

2. Ray and I both need a travel break for a little while, and I’m ready to settle into our winter space. I’ve already found a great yoga studio, the best local grocery store, and a good hair stylist. I’m joining a book club while we’re here, and I’m planning lunch dates with some new friends. Ray found us a great acupuncturist, and my body is so grateful! While we aren’t ready for a permanent home yet, we think taking a little down time for the next few winters will strike the right balance between adventure and rest.

3. There’s still a lot to do before wrapping up the semester for winter break, but I feel so satisfied with what I’ve accomplished and learned already. I’m currently workshopping a mystery story, which is way out of my comfort zone. The inspiration for this particular story came from a couple of places. First, I’ve been obsessed with the Lizzie Borden case since I visited the museum a few years ago. There was a particular legal element in the case that stuck with me. I won’t say, because it directly inspired my story, and no spoilers, but if you ever have a chance to visit the museum, I highly recommend it. Another piece of inspiration was a graphic on social media that said, “They didn’t burn witches, they burned women.” Growing up in New England, and having taken many a field trip to Salem, MA, this resonated. The Lizzie Borden case and the Salem witch trials took place almost exactly two centuries apart, so I had to pick a time period and focus on getting the details right. I chose Salem twenty-five years after the trials, and it’s been really interesting to take a deep dive into the research. As soon as I work through edits, I’ll find a way to share my story with anyone who’s interested.

4. I am so grateful that the art I am so passionate about has become my life’s work, but a funny thing happens when your art becomes your work. Well, it’s work. I’m not complaining, and I wouldn’t change a thing, but I do miss having something creative in my life that I do just for the joy of it. To that end, I’m planning to sign up for a glass art class. It doesn’t start until the new year, but I’m really excited. I’ll let you know how it goes.

5. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The unique thing about Thanksgiving, as far as holidays go, is that it’s only about food, friends, and family, and our gratitude for those things. There is no other agenda – no gifts to buy, no atonements to make, no goals to set. Just a gathering around a table. I hope you all find joy and peace around your table next week. Happy Thanksgiving!

Five Things - November 20, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. I was accepted to grad school! After the fiasco with my missing transcripts, I have to admit, I was a little nervous, but everything turned out fine. The MFA program is two years and three summers. I’ll start in June with the summer session and a July residency in Colorado, which is not a bad place to be for a week or two in the summer! I’ve been asked why I decided to go back to school when I’m already smack in the middle of my writing career. Here’s what I wrote as part of my personal statement on my application…

   The purest answer is that I love to learn. I love to surround myself with smart, creative, driven people who help me stretch, and it’s time for me to stretch as a writer. This program will allow me to focus on genre fiction and will help support the career I’m already building, while at the same time challenging me to grow artistically and professionally. I’m truly excited to learn in an academic setting once again. I’d also like the option to teach at the college level, and an advanced degree will allow me to do so. As much as I love the freedom and creativity that being a novelist allows, I thrive in a community and I miss teaching. 

   I’ve circled the idea of earning an advanced degree for years, and the timing finally feels right. While this may seem counter-intuitive considering we are nomads at the moment, we actually have a great Wi-Fi system on board, and both my husband and I are committed to our careers even as we enjoy our unconventional lifestyle. I very much look forward to the years of creativity, learning, and professional development this program will undoubtably offer.

2. We’re in Orange California for the holidays! When we started our journey from Rhode Island just after the holidays last year, we couldn’t imagine how much we’d see and do in a year and just how fast the time would fly. We’re really excited to be in SoCal as three of our four kids live here. Just being able to grab dinner or take someone shopping or let our dogs play together is such a pleasure. We look forward to settling in for the season!

3. Amy and I are back on a roll with the Author’s Buzz podcast. If you’re a new writer looking for advice on how to navigate the publishing industry, have a listen to our latest episode: Publishing Pathways. As always, we keep it real!

4. This Thanksgiving week, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the past year. It was a year of big changes for us. We sold our home, along with pretty much everything else we owned, and embarked on a grand adventure to see the country. And what a grand adventure it has been! I’ll share more thoughts on that soon, but as this holiday of giving thanks approaches, I’m immensely grateful for the important things like our family and friends, our good health, and the good fortune we have to enjoy this unconventional lifestyle. What I’ve also realized along the way is how little we truly need, not just to survive, but to thrive. Our living space is about 1/10th the size of the home we sold. We share one car, a Jeep that also doubles as our garage to store beach chairs, golf clubs, and yoga mats. We sleep in a comfy bed, and we have all the amenities of a luxury hotel in what is essentially an oversized bus. We eat well. We have our beloved animals with us everywhere we go. In many ways, it’s a simpler life than the one with the big house and the fancy cars, but it’s no less rich, and I am grateful for the experience. I recognize even with this simpler version of things, we have more than many people on the planet, and I don’t forget that. So, as I write this post on the Monday of Thanksgiving week, I feel grateful, and I’m going to hold that attitude of gratitude for as long as I can!

5. “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” ― Epicurus

Our itinerary, subject to change:

November 19 - January 3, 2024: Orangeland Park, CA

January 3 - 14: Oceanside, CA

January 19 - February 2: San Diego, CA

February 2 - 16: Palm Springs, CA

February 16 - March 1: Las Vegas, NV

March 1 - March 5: Meteor Crater, AZ

March 5 - 15: Albuquerque, NM

March 15 - 17: Amarillo, TX

March 17 - 24: Oklahoma City, OK

March 24 - April 5: Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

April 5 - 12: Fredericksburg, TX

April 12 - 19: Hot Springs, AK

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Monday Musings 11-21-22

I’m writing this from the airport as I wait to board our flight to LA for Thanksgiving. Last year at this time, we flew out with heavier hearts as one of our kids needed urgent surgery. Everything turned out well, and we were certainly filled with gratitude when we shared our Thanksgiving meal, but it had been another scare on top of an already scary year.

When illness or tragedy hits us close to home, it’s easy to spiral down the rabbit hole of worry. Amidst the turmoil and uncertainty that is our world, it’s easy to allow worry to consume us. The older I get, the more complex life seems. Maybe it’s because our circle is wider, with children, friends, and extended family all living their own lives filled with joy, sadness, love, and loss, and those things touch us. Maybe it’s because as we age, different concerns loom. Our physical health may be more fragile, our work life may be in transition. In our case, this year all our children have moved out and we’ve sold our family home of nineteen years.

I find that whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed or afraid or simply exhausted by the chaos of life, if I focus on gratitude, it can reframe my mindset. The unique thing about Thanksgiving, as far as holidays go, is that it’s only about food, friends, and family, and our gratitude for those things. There is no other agenda – no gifts to buy, no atonements to make, no goals to set. Just a gathering around a table. So, for this week, I’m going to do my best to appreciate every moment. Happy Thanksgiving!

“When gratitude becomes an essential foundation in our lives, miracles start to appear everywhere.”
- Emmanuel Dagher

IN OTHER NEWS:

Save the date! It’s time for the 10th Annual RI Author Expo. Signed books make great holiday gifts so come on down to the Crowne Plaza in Warwick on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 10 am - 5pm for a festive event featuring over 100 local authors. The day will be jam packed with panels, programs, signings, raffles, and even Santa. Hope to see you there!

Monday Musings 11-25-19

The holidays are fast approaching and my to-do list is about to become unmanageable. There’s shopping, and cleaning, and cooking, and house guests…

I love the holidays, though, and I don’t want to get completely bogged down with chores and errands and stress. So, every year around this time, I tell myself the season doesn’t have to be exhausting, and I make a list (because lists are a thing for me) of go-to reminders to help me chill. Maybe you need these reminders too?

Simplify. Not everything is urgent. Some things really can wait. Edit the to-do list. The non-essentials will be there when the hectic holiday season is over.

Do a manageable amount every day. I’ve mentioned many times on this blog that I may have an OCD-level organizational system. But, when I take the time to use my calendar and plan ahead, I feel in control of my time. I’m proactive instead of reactive. This time of year, it’s especially important. It’s also important that I’m realistic. I simplify first, and then try to tackle a little something every day.

Ask for help. This is probably a hard one for most of us, but other people can contribute. I host most holidays, but the guests bring nearly all the food. My husband and I make our shopping list together and then divide it up. The kids all pitch in to catch up on laundry, get the guest rooms ready, etc.

Focus on experiences, not stuff. Years ago, we made a decision in our house not to go crazy with Christmas gifts for our kids. We decided they’d each receive three thoughtful gifts. Instead of focusing on one day of opening presents, we tried to create a season of experiences and memories for our family. Cookie baking day, tree trimming, attending A Christmas Carol, watching It’s a Wonderful Life the Friday after Thanksgiving. We have a whole list of traditions associated with the holidays that have nothing to do with shopping or presents. This approach creates a season of things we look forward to rather than a couple of days we need to stress out about.

I remind myself to enjoy the small moments, especially as my kids get older and we aren’t in the same place together very often. It is a busy time of year, but, it’s special too. I try not to lose sight of that.

Happy Thanksgiving!