Meet Cover Model Len Gunn

Hello Friends!

Hope you are doing well and keeping busy during this time. Be safe everyone. Now on to the second three question interview with a cover model!

I met Len about 8 years ago in Kansas City, we hit it off right away. I love his easy-going, down to earth attitude. Here's what he had to say to my questions.

#1 What are you doing to keep busy during this pandemic?

Answer: well besides going from scrambling to find gym equipment to survive, I’ve gone back to my roots and have been doing all the physical labor for my lawn irrigation company. Great way to stay in shape, great opportunity to maintain a normal schedule, and making people happy fixing things. Not sure if there’s been any “Hildie’s” taking pictures of me working in the yard .

#2 How many people are you self-isolating with?

Answer: I have been all alone! My son took off to his mothers a month ago because I had a bronchial infection. I didn’t want to risk getting him sick. He decided to stay there for now. I’ve only seen him a handful of times since; most importantly on his 18th birthday March 20th.

#3 Do you have any big plans for after the quarantine is lifted?

Answer: honestly, other than having the freedom to give big hugs, I am planning on taking a cruise in the winter assuming all is safe at that point. To feel a sense of freedom will be great.


My IG, Twitter, and Facebook page are all the same- lengunnmodel

Three Questions with Cover Model & Actor, John Quinlan

Hello Readers & Friends!

I miss blogging and have decided to kick off weekly blogs with interviews.  They are fun short and give you insights into some of the most interesting people I have met.

My first guest is John Quinlan, who I met at a Reader's Convention.  I believe it was in Kansas City, we sat next to each other at breakfast and the rest is history.  He is a great guy who had seen some trying times, but never lost his sense of who he is and remained kind.

So here's my feature.  Three Questions with John! 

#1  What are you doing to keep busy during this pandemic?

Answer: Just trying to keep busy and stay positive. I'm working out in the morning with some weights with additional training to help keep fit until this nightmare is over. 

#2  How many people are you self-isolating with?

Answer: Just with my girlfriend, all we do is stare at each other, ha ha ha!   

#3  Do you have any big plans for after the quarantine is lifted?

Answer: I will be a character in an action, Sci-Fi TV Series. I can't say the character yet as it's not official but I love the character.    

Here are the links to get to know John better!

https://www.johnjquinlan.com/
https://www.johnjosephquinlan.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5561507/
https://www.pinterest.com/johnquinlan1974/
https://twitter.com/#!/JohnJQuinlan
https://www.facebook.com/johnjosephquinlan/
https://www.instagram.com/john_joseph_quinlan_official/

The Orphaned Twins RAGT Boardroom

This year our room will only have two of the four twins.  We will be open on Thursday only!!!

We promise weirdness, lack of decorum and even flying furry creatures!  Because those things often happen in our worlds!

Join Eric Asher, Hildie McQueen and guest author appearances for a day you will talk about for days... if not years to come!

Orphaned Twins Boardroom Schedule:  

Noon - 1:30 PM  WHAT STARTED IT?

We will be reading an excerpt from a first book in a series! Prizes and special sale follows.

1:45PM - 2:45 PM - PUZZLE ME THIS! 

Do you like performing under pressure? Of course you do!  Not only that, but we will hook you up with strangers in a timed puzzle game that will add even more pressure to your day.  Bring a couple nerve pills and play to win amazing prizes.  

3:00PM -  4:00PM -  YAY, A CRAFT!

Stop by to play with scissors, glue and shiny stuff! Crafting time, which I'm sure Eric will enjoy (snicker)  Paper crafting at it's best!

4:15PM - 5:30PM - FLASH FICTION (Eric, Hildie, Guest Author Melanie Jayne)

You know who you are, wear your protective undergarments, cause we gonna laugh! Lots of Prizes, so bring your readers so you can see the numbers!!  Young people just come as you are (insert jealous expression) 

Mail Order Bride Story

While doing research on mail order brides I came across a story of a bride headed west to California who's stagecoach was held up by robbers.

The robbers took all the her luggage to include her wedding dress. She noticed that one of the robbers had a jagged scar on the back of his right hand.

Days later when she finally arrived in California and married to a miner, she was shocked when he signed the marriage license because he had the jagged scar on the back of his hand.

From all accounts, the bride fled and it was assumed she returned home.

Wouldn't this be a great start to a book?

Article about this is found here:  https://www.theunion.com/news/the-bride-and-the-brigand-she-was-en-route-to-grass-valley-to-marry-a-man-sight-unseen-when-robbers-struck-the-stage/

The End of a Great Year

Two important things to consider doing at the end of the year...

REFLECTION

RENEWAL


Reflection:  As I look back over 2018, I am mostly pleased.  However I will be remiss if I don't note what I would have done differently.

I would have spent more time in the moment and not so much time allowing my mind to wander to what came next.

I would have done more things that are simple but give me joy. Feeding the birds in my yard, reading on the back porch, meditating and journaling.

I would have been more intentional and focused on what worked best for my career and not what pleased others.

Things I am pleased about include going on girlfriend trips.  A day trip with my husband that we both enjoyed tremendously.  I laughed a lot with friends at lunches and while visiting one another.  I continued to pursue my hobbies and made new, wonderful friends through them.

I am also glad I took time to stretch my boundaries and wrote in different genres. This gives me a clearer idea of what direction to head in 2019.

A New Start:  The main thing that I take with me into 2019 is the word "Intentional".  I plan to be more intentional about what I do, say and how I spend my time.

I will say "no" to things that won't further my career and take time away from what I enjoy doing with my friends and family.

I will write down a plan so that I have a clearer purpose of what I set out to accomplish.

Lastly, I will be KIND.  Do my bet to spread kindness into this world that needs it so desparately.

So dear friends, I urge you to consider what you would have liked to change about 2018 and take this information forward to the new year so that you can be clearer and more focused. It's best to be prepared so that at the end of the year when you reflect, the list of things you are glad for is much longer than the list of regrets.

Happy Holidays for those of you that celebrate and I wish you an amazing and fruitful 2019!!

Life in the Writer's Lane

I'm fat.

There I've said it.  Bring on the comments about how I shouldn't put myself down.  Body shaming.  blah blah blah.  My ass needs to lose weight. Hard to do when I hate exercising and love eating.

I'm beautiful.

There is such a thing as feeling great about yourself despite not liking some things.  Whether it's gray hair, extra pounds, stretch marks or whatever.  Beauty is not physical as much as it is internal.  It's a state of mind.

I am successful.

No matter your position, how much money you make or how many people call you famous, you can be whoever you want to be. In my opinion, success is measure by friendships, impacts on others and being the best you possible.

I'm tired of writing...sometimes

Every writer gets tired of it.  Some days I wake up and want to be normal.  I want the stories in my head to stop. It's hard to have a mind that won't stop whirling.  I suppose I'm tired because it's hard to sleep.  

I love being me.

One day maybe I'll retire as a writer, I'm thinking maybe in ten years, or maybe fifteen.  For now, I'm excited to see what my future hold.  I will keep being me.  Hildie, the fat, beautiful, successful writer!

Happy Reading!

Are you a Dog or a Squirrel?

Bark. Bark. Bark.

Every day, my little dogs constantly bark at the squirrels through the window. The dogs are inside on the couch while the squirrels are outside raiding the the bird feeder. I'm pretty sure both find the activity enjoyable.  Me, not so much.

The dogs tails wag wildly as they bark non-stop. Meanwhile, the squirrels jump from the tree branch on to the feeder, grab seeds and hop down. Ignoring the barks, the pesky squirrels sit on the grass munching out while staring toward the window. 

This brings me to consider. Am I more like the dogs or the squirrels?

Do I make noise and criticize others as they take chances? Do I work as hard as those that are willing to go out on a limb?  Is it easier for me to find excuses than to take risks? After all, its much safer to remain inside, protected by a screen than to be out there exposing myself to criticism and doubt. It could be some of us prefer to do the talking than to be out there being talked about.

I think I'd rather be the squirrel in this case. The go-getter that takes chances and tries new things. I want to think I'm on track to becoming more successful by going out on a limb (pun intended) and ignoring the "barks" from critics. Yes taking chances and working hard is not the easy way. 

In my opinion, its better to one day say I did my best than to wonder what if.

What about you? Are you the dog or the squirrel? If you are more like my little yappy dogs, what are you planning to do about it?

Happy Reading!!

Picture of Marty, the squirrel