Today is my birthday, and I thought I would celebrate the day by making a list of things I treasure. These are in no particular order, starting with …
- You! (my sweet readers, family, and friends)
- Courage
- Kindness
- Resilience
- Creativity
- Gratitude
- Goodness
- Grace
- Laughter
- Knowledge
- Good books
- Truth
- Compassion
- Empathy
- Deep conversations
- The sound of mountain streams
- Shade trees on hot, sunny days
- Connectedness to nature
- The beautiful mountains of North Carolina where I live
- Good stories
- Mystical and mysterious things
- Inspiration from all sources
- Birds at the birdfeeders
- My dogs (and author assistants) Jack and Charlie
- Our planet
- Our country
- Milk chocolate with almonds or hazelnuts
- A good cup of tea with friends
- Change that transforms for the better
- My inner journey of thoughts, feelings, and aha’s
- Humility
- Nourishing, satisfying foods
- Caring friendships
- Confidence
- Curiosity
- Good luck
- Best wishes
- Good reviews
- Feeling satisfied with my work
- A good night’s sleep
- A walk by the river when the leaves are falling
- Leisurely walking through an art museum
- Spending time in libraries and bookstores
- Music that touches me
- Warm soup on a cold day
- A good series on television
- Forests and wildlife
- Picnics
- Honesty
- Understanding
- The privilege to vote
- The chair I sit in to write my novels
- Forgiveness
- Thoughtful people
- Porch swings
- Thresholds
- Creating art in my studio
- Tenderness
- Perseverance
- Gentleness
- A good poem
- Synchronicity
- Wellness
- Being alive
If you are so moved, I’d love for you to tell us one or more things you treasure.
Stay safe, resilient readers!
Sending you love,
Susan
P.S. To those of you who are curious about where I am in my writing process, I have finished a rough draft of the new novel, the final book in the Temple Secrets series. (Book 1 is Temple Secrets. Book 2 is Gullah Secrets.) There are still months of revising and polishing to go. I usually read it through and make changes 5 or 6 times before I finally give it to my first readers, who are a handful of people that provide me with feedback. I make changes again based on their feedback, and then it goes to my editor. All that to say, I’ve made good progress in the last few weeks, and I’ll keep you posted!
Long hugs
Learning, growing and changing at 63.
Kindness, connection, courage, compassion, love, love, love
Time
Friends
Laughter
Happy Birthday Susan. Yes, lots to treasure. Thanks for the encouragement. Hope you had a great day.
I LOVE these comments. Great suggestions. Thanks, everyone. I treasure you! 🙂
Happy Birthday. Love all of your choices.
I am thankful for my health considering my age and second is my dog. He is the reason I get out of bed each morning since this virus thing.
Happy belated birthday Susan. Hope it was your best birthday ever! Do we really need a special event to celebrate life itself? It’s Saturday, let’s go have tea and celebrate our life. Love life, love yourself.
I can’t remember whose tea room but, I’m ready to read it. Happy writing Susan. I’ve loved all your books, they never disappoint.
I love to learn. Literature and history fascinate me and always leave me more inquisitive than ever. Learning about people is at the top of my list! What I learned best while in college was how much more there is to learn. ❤
I love that you are so curious about literature and history, Elaine. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I bet you do, too! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
Happy Very Belated Birthday. Hope the rest of 2020/21 was kind to you and NO COVID. You share your birth date with my husband of 36 years. Nevertheless, I have read and loved your books so much. I am looking forward to the 3rd Temple Secrets book. I laughed out loud at the come to life characters in the first book. Loved The Wildflower series and cried for those wonderful people. We lived in Asheville for many years before moving up to Ohio for family. That is my number 1 favorite place to be, mountains, rivers, waterfalls…..sure do miss it. AND we share the same first name. kindness abounds.
Hi Susan. Thanks so much for your sweet comment. All is well here in the Land of Waterfalls. I’m so glad you are enjoying my books and the characters I’ve created. Give your (Libra) husband my best.
As soon as I finish writing you I will be continuing my work on the 3rd and final Temple Secrets book. The pandemic has slowed me down a bit, just in terms of energy, but I am enjoying being reunited with these characters.
Take good care of yourself. Thanks so much for being in touch and for reading my books. 🙂 xo