I’ve been such a dud at blogging this summer as I try to pull my To Dos into a manageable list, determine my daily and weekly priorities as Colleen M. Story suggests in her new release, Overwhelmed Writer Rescue, and set some long-term goals. After all, I’m getting older and we only have so much time to do the things we want to do in our lifetime.

I’m not ready to quit writing yet, but I do recognize my tendency to wander off from my computer and do other stuff. Like mess around a little with that ukelele I impulsively purchased online. Or read a book written by someone else. Watch television (but only at night). File a few papers. You know what I’m talking about. Stuff that leads us to that state of being overwhelmed.

Today’s post is about a few little things that have my attention this week.

First, I just found out that a wonderful book review blog and mystery publishing discussion site will be ending its online reign at the end of 2017. Hey, There’s a Dead Guy in the Living Room: Mystery publishing from idea to bookshelf is going away. I’m sorry to see that blogging team say farewell, but I wish them all well.

Second, I spent last Thursday evening through mid-day Sunday at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference in Denver and had a fantastic experience. It was double the pleasure because I missed last year and had so many old friends to see and hug. And I made many lovely new friends that I hope to see again often. I had new author photos taken (by the amazing mystery author and photographer and all-around nice guy Mark Stevens) and need to get busy replacing the pictures on all my sites and social media.

Diana Gabaldon’s keynote address Friday evening was so entertaining I keep replaying her words in my mind.

And I ate CAKE! It was a delightful and sinful violation of my “no added sugar” diet — I’m happy to say I’m back on target now…but that CAKE was really good. All three pieces!!!!

Because I’m a fan of certain “reality” shows (Big Brother, Survivor, and Amazing Race), I must mention that the summer fun of Big Brother will expand into a winter experience this year: Celebrity Big Brother. Can’t wait to see who will be on!

And American Idol is coming back, this time on ABC. I love that one too. The other stuff I watch: Broncos football, Grey’s Anatomy, and Blue Bloods. There are some other things I’ll watch if they don’t interfere with my favorites, but mostly I want mindless entertainment when I’m too tired to read or write. Finding mindless entertainment on television is very easy, isn’t it?

Before I wander off to work on other stuff, let me remind you that there are Goodreads giveaways still active for (advance review copies of) Wishing Caswell Dead by me (now through Oct. 6) and (newly released) Colleen M. Story’s Overwhelmed Writer Rescue (this one ends tomorrow Sept. 13th–HURRY!!!)