“Twiggy. What are you doing?”
“Catching a few rays before the snowstorm.”
“Very funny. It’s going to be in the 80s today.”
“You never know lately.”
Here it is, Friday already. I did not get half of what I wanted to accomplish this week accomplished. Well, maybe half is an exaggeration. I had to make a list of what I did accomplish to keep myself from thinking I wasted the week. No surprise, the list was gratifying. I think the problem is I have been stymied on the WIP, and so I haven’t produced the word count that I originally planned. These things do happen, so I’ll just shrug it off and try to do better next week. Besides, I have not gotten one call from the commercial editor at Simon and Shuster demanding the manuscript and threatening my million dollar advance. So why sweat it?
Yesterday was the official Earth Day. I will still be celebrating Earth Day on my post on Sunday. We have a Question Find It scavenger hunt going on, and we need to wrap it up. There are five more stops to go. Also, I have invited Kid Rock to join us. He’s going to do “All Summer Long while you eat the sumptuous brunch that will be served.
This week’s JohnKu talks about what to do when faced with not accomplishing what you set out to do. I hope you all have a great weekend.
Accomplishments By John W. Howell © 2021
When you start to feel,
Like you are falling behind . . .
Look at all you have done.
Fiction Favorites 
Sorry your muse has taken a brief hiatus, John—know how frustrating that can be. Hopefully she will smile upon you again soon. And in the meantime, as you say, best to focus on all that has been accomplished. ☺️ Happy Friday!
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I have found the best thing to do is keep thinking of a path and eventually it will come. We are remodeling our powder room and that has taken more time than originally thought. Lots of stumbling blocks to overcome. It will be finished today or tomorrow so I can focus back on the book. Thanks for the well wishes, Lori.
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I love the photo of Twiggy basking in the sun! Ahhhhh . . .
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Ahhh is right. She loves to do that. Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John. 🙂
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You have my sympathy, John and I’ve no better advice than you’ve already given yourself.
Sixty thousand words into Andrea: in search of space (the sequel to Making Merry), I’ve hit a “now what?” wall. I’m hoping a critical edit run from the beginning will get me back into the story.
We need a holiday – India looks out of the question for a while, so perhaps a trip to Florida later in the year?
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Let’s hope you can do a nice trip. What about Spain or Italy? (I think I should eat breakfast before making travel suggestions. I have a vision of food in my head.)
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Spain for Christmas is something we’ve done a few times and is a possibility – we can drive down through France, depending on the COVID situation and availability of a cabin (we don’t have a motorhome any more). I still fancy Florida, though.
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It is a fun place to go for sure. Have you ever done the Keys? Like Key West or some of the others.
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Not yet. Our son lives in Deltona so we’ve done that area, as well as the Kennedy Space Centre (of course) and two-centred to take in Maryland, DC, NJ, NY, Pennsylvania and other East Coast parts. Last year, visiting with our daughter, we did Epcot. Clare stayed at home for that trip and I so want her to see the attraction. I don’t normally go in for that sort of thing but was pleasantly surprised on many fronts. The Keys are on the list for a future trip.
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Claire did miss something with Epcot.
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Good advice. Setting the bar to basics can pad the list for self-esteem.
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Which is always a good idea. Let’s see…didn’t spill the coffee this morning..check. 😁
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Wise words in your JohnKu this week. 🙂
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I sometimes pay attention to what I say. Other times not so much. Thank you, Staci.
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Your organization has always impressed me. Meanwhile, I wonder how Twiggy would react to a blimp hot air balloon or a blimp?
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She watches airplanes and birds. She has a fascination with vultures so I think a blimp would keep her attention. I’ve given her the safety instructions regarding eagles so I think she would enjoy a good blimp.
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She may dream of chasing them.
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That could be as well
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Warm belly on an even warmer cement pad … hmm, that looks inviting. Sometimes a perfect solution to our frustrations is just within sight. 😁 Have a great weekend, John.
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Thank you, Gwen. Wishing you a great weekend as well.
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Your JohnKu is terrific advice, John. This is why I keep To-do lists on everything. Checking off the tiniest task makes me feel as though I’ve accomplished something. Great photo of the girls! Happy Friday!
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I stopped doing lists but need to focus once and a while on what is being accomplished. Thanks, Jill.
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I’m always behind. I stopped worrying about it a decade or so ago.
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Pour something while you reflect on your accomplishments. Dehydration can be a serious condition. Fight dehydration. Always. Now that is an accomplishment.
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I have to remind myself of that also, John. Sometimes I feel like I’m busy all day, but don’t even come close to accomplishing what I’d hoped.
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So true. Well maybe we need to smell the roses omce in a while.
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Such wise words, John, for all of us, and I’m sure you’ll pick up speed soon. I’m a bit frustrated because my book probably won’t be out this month, a few delays. But hopefully it will be in early May. Focus on the positive, though, and Twiggy has the right idea, a scene so inviting. Happy weekend! (our son leaves Sunday, so wish me luck in containing my emotions because it really is all good and exciting.) 😍
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If you get emotional at least he’ll know you care. (talk about positive)
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Oh, believe me, he knows I care 😂😂
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I’m sure he does.
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What a great JohnKu this week! I often feel that I haven’t accomplished all I set out to do, but I love your philosophy, and going forward, will focus on what I did do instead of what I didn’t I look forward to Sunday’s post! Happy Friday, John, and girls!
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Thank you, Jan. 😁
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List-making is a great way to remind you that you have not been sitting still. I also feel like it was a doing nothing week, but then I had a splurge with writing this morning. I never know what that muse is going to make an appearance.
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So true, Noelle.
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‘Everyone has to be somewhere’! 🙂
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And someone.
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Someone, Every one, alive and dead, ARE Somewhere! So, there! I’m dreaming of a place with pearly gates for me – Somewhere around age 105… I figure you will follow me a couple of years later…I’m assuming you will want a ‘bar’, so I can include that for you…but it won’t be as nice as mine, AND, you have to settle for ‘Maker’s Mark’!!! So, there! Again…
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If I must. Give me three fingers of MM.
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Sound advice … I go to bed most every morning thinking of all the things I did not accomplish. Perhaps I would sleep better if I focused, instead, on what I did accomplish? You got a million-dollar advance from S&S? Wow … I’m impressed! 😉 Have a great weekend, John!
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Thank you, Jill. I’m a fiction writer remember?
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🤦 Silly me! I guess I’ll forget about asking for that loan, then.
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I was going to ask if you could spot me for the next edit. I guess that would be a no.
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Sorry, my friend … I’m strapped!
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Hahahaha
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Your muse is just taking a break, John, this pandemic thing has taken a lot of some.
I’m looking forward to Sunday’s bus ride!
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Looking for suitable food right now.
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That muse is always active here!! 😁
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Always a good thing. 😊
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Misery does love company! Sorry you didn’t get done what you set out to do, John — welcome to my world, ha!
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Hahahaha. Thanks Debbie.
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Twiggy Zen Friday is the clue for such situations, dear John. However, there are circumstances that are beyond us, so let any week flow as it might be. Have a great Earth week-end! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, Maria. it is supposed to be nice here so I will enjoy. I wish for a nice weekend to you as well. 😁
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Good advice, John. I lament lost time, and low word counts. Still, anything is better than zero.
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The key is believing that any word count is better than zero.
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Take some time to soak in some sun with the girls, John. You are much too hard on yourself! But I know you have your standards. Glad you made that list for yourself! TGIF! Cheers!
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Thank you, Jo. Have a great weekend too. The weather is supposed to be nice.
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Twiggy is right. You never know about the weather.
When that S&S editor calls, send them my way as well. 😉
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Will do. 😁
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It’s always good to focus on what you have accomplished. Here’s to a better week, next week, John.
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Yes indeed
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It is a good idea to focus on what you’ve done over what you didn’t:)
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I so agee.
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I am definitely feeling the same way this week, so thanks for the JohnKu.
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It must be one of those weeks.
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Not sweating the stuff out of our control was always an easier said than done dynamic for yours truly. But it got to the point where I had no choice but to let things go. It IS better that way.
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You drive yourself so hard that the muse is forcing you to stop and smell the roses 😉
There is no way you never accomplish anything so maybe focusing on what you did do versus what you didn’t is best.
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I agree. I really wanted to get the second Eternal Road book out the door ny June but it’s not going to happen. There I said it and now I feel better.
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Sometimes pushing too hard is just not the way to go. Glad you said and feel better! And hey… we’ll still be here when it does happen 🙂
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Yes, that is true. I have just finished a couple of projects so next week should be good one.
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There ya go!
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😁
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😊
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Ah, she does look comfy and warm out there on the patio. It’s so windy and chilly here today I’m staying in and hopefully, finishing your book Eternal Road. I finally started it yesterday.
It’s always good to turn around and see where you’ve been. It’s quite enlightening.
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I’m so pleased you are reading Eternal Road and it is a good sign that you are going back to read more. I hope you enjoy it. 😁
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Your johnku should be my mantra. I’ve only recently started listing what I’ve done as well as what I want/need to do. If I didn’t make a to-do list, I’d forget some important things 😉 But the list of what I’ve done is so much more gratifying. Maybe your muse thought y’all needed a brief respite. I’m sure she’ll be back soon 🙂
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Feels much better remembering what you did as opposed to what you didn’t. Thanks, Marie.
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Well said, John.
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Thank you, Mark.
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Good advice
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Thank you, Elizabeth. 😊
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I often feel like I’m falling behind, John. There’s always so much to do and the week flies by. It’s better, as you say, to look at all we’ve accomplished. Happy Friday even though I’m reading this on a Monday! 😉
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Thanks, Barbara. I call you early for next Friday.
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Haha! That’s good 😂
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😁
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