Book blogger, Mrs. Condit Reads Books, posted a super nice review of RULE NUMBER ONE today. Please come by and check out what she has to say. If you leave a comment, you’re automatically entered into a drawing for a free e-copy of the book. Love to have you stop by and talk to me!

My Dearest Grandson,

Being a parent didn’t prepare me for grandparenthood—I know that sounds silly, but it is so true. Of course, all the basic baby care stuff is there. I know how to change your diaper, feed you a bottle, pat you through a tummy ache, and snap up your onsie. What I wasn’t prepared for was the overwhelming love I feel for you, little guy. And it’s different from the love I feel for your daddy not more intense, just different. When your dad was born, I knew from his first breath that he would be always be the love of my life and he is. I tried once to explain that feeling to him, but there are no adequate words for a mother’s love for her child. Your mommy knows now–I told her that the awesome is so great, you can’t even find words to describe it, but she didn’t know until you were born. You are now the love of her life, little one, and now I have another love in mine.

Here’s the best part, little man: Mom love is completely unconditional. Any mother I know would walk across hot ground glass for her child, no matter what his age. A friend once told me that to be parent allows you a brief glimpse at the love that the Creator feels for us—to be a mother is to know the heart of God. Being your grandmother shows me another piece of that divine love. The first time I held you, my heart was so full, it nearly burst. It’s an incomparable rush. I suddenly realized how life works in circles that widen ever outward. Mommy and Daddy are continuing the cycle of our family and one day they too, will know this rush of overwhelming love for your child.

But for now, be indulgent as they ooh and ah over all the awesome “firsts” of new parenthood. They will be amazed at all the things you do that you know are perfectly normal behavior for a human being. Let them be thrilled when you smile, enjoy how excited they get when you poop and burp and coo and start to form words. That’s part of the joy of being a mommy and daddy, and even though you know that kicking your little legs and grasping Dad’s finger or grabbing Mom’s hair is exactly what you should be doing, they’re going to be charmed and just adore you more each day.

Most of all, recognize how lucky you are to have two such awesome parents. Daddy is so smart and he will teach you wonderful things about the world and how it works. Listen and learn. Trust him, his instincts are good, just like his father’s are. Even though you may butt heads as all sons and fathers do, he’ll never ever steer you wrong and he will love you beyond reason forever. Your mommy is made for motherhood–you couldn’t have chosen a better woman to be born to. She’ll be a gift to you all your life and love you more than anyone else ever. She’s wise and her world is full of art and fascinating events and people. Indulge her, let her love on  you, and always, always let her hug and kiss you. Moms need that and so do boys, even though you might go through a time when you think you don’t. Most of all, enjoy your mommy and daddy—they’re fun people and laughter and music and play will always be a part of your life with them.

Remember that even though Nanny and Pops and Grandma and Grandpa J live far away, the miles between us can never diminish our love for you. We all adore you across mountains and prairies and you’re always in our hearts. We’ll visit often and send you little reminders of how often we think of you. We can’t wait for you to visit us so we can show you off to our friends. We’re all so glad that you were born into a world of awesome technology so we can  Skype and email and Facebook with you and Mommy and Daddy. That makes the time away from all of you just a little easier to bear.  For us, stay a child as long as you can—the world moves so fast today. It’s important to live life to its fullest and enjoy each moment.

I love you, little one,

Your Nanny

My friend Lora at LitDiva does a nifty thing each month called Memos that I find fun and charming and witty. I thought I’d give it a try here. So, with a nod to LitDiva, here goes.

Dear Mother Nature,

I’m over the drought and the heat wave. The lake water was 90 degrees this weekend—really too warm to be all the refreshing. Temps in 100s and 90s can stop now.

Swelteringly yours,

Nan

Dear Walmart,

Love, love your Spring Valley Glucosamine/Chondroitin orange creme chews. Ever since I started using them, my arthritic  knees and hips actually move immediately when I rise from a seated position instead of  having to straighten slowly before I take a step. These things rock!

With great agility and very little creaking,

Nan

Dear Abba,

Watched Mama Mia this past weekend and it’s even better watching it up at the lake with good friends, but now I have the music stuck in my head. Pierce Brosnan’s voice is an earworm singing “When All Is Said and Done.” He won’t shut up!

Lyrically

Nan (The Dancing Queen)

Dear Little Ants in My Kitchen,

WTF??! Where did you come from and why are you on my counter top? Go away this instant! You’re icky and I don’t like you.

Eeewww,

Nan

Dear Precious New Grandson,

We can’t wait to meet you! We’ll be there soon, and Pops and I plan to spend a week simply passing you back and forth. Get ready for massive hugs and kisses and stories and yes, I’ll admit it, lots of tears of joy.

Big love,

Nanny

I’ve been trying to figure out why it’s so hard for me write at the moment. It’s not that the books aren’t there. My brain is so full that frequently I have to stop whatever I’m doing, find a scrap of paper and a pencil, and make notes, or my head might explode. The stories are in me, churning and trying to find an outlet, even if it’s nothing more than a post-it and 10 minutes at the kitchen table in between lake laundry and tossing a salad for supper.

So why, when I sit down to actually write, can I not translate all these little chunks of paper covered with hastily scribbled bits of dialogue and description into a story? I’m not blank, I’m just…unable to put my hands on the keyboard and do it.

But I think I may have figured this out. I’ve been a little overwhelmed with work. The editing gigs have been coming in fast and furious. Now this is not a complaint, not in the slightest. I’m always happy for work. I enjoy editing and the best part is they’re paying me. Sometimes the work is easy and the read is pleasurable, while other times, it’s an arduous edit and I’m gnashing my teeth, but I’m glad for my wonderful job. Heck, the commute is the length of my upstairs hallway and I can work in my jammies at midnight if I’m inclined. Now, that’s a terrific job, n’est pas?

No, the problem is that I spend all day in front of a computer, editing other people’s work, so when I sit down in front of my computer to write, I simply can’t make my fingers do it. The world I’ve created in my head is present, the ideas swirl and buzz, but several minutes and lots of deep breathes later, I end up shutting down and just going to bed. A couple of weeks ago, my friend Mae and I did a little writers mini-retreat up at the lake. I didn’t work on any paying gigs. We wrote. Did some 1K/1H sprints and talked writing and stories and creativity for two whole days. (Okay, we may have also drunk some wine and margaritas, but we did write!)  I didn’t have a problem writing at all when that was my whole focus. But even writing a blog is hard at the moment, unless I’m doing it first thing in the morning, like now.

So therein may lie the answer to this little dilemma. Well, one answer anyway. I’ve always done my writing late at night–at the end of the day. I’m going to try committing to writing in the morning instead of waiting to do it after midnight. That may mean I’m working on the editing gigs later into the evening, but that’s not a big deal. I can do that easily.  So I can either get up earlier, like set my alarm for five a.m. and write for an hour before my household begins stirring, or I can come upstairs after breakfast and simply write for two hours before I begin working for the day. Either way, it’s worth a try, right?

I have books that need to be written. I have readers—fans (I can’t believe I’m using that word about me!!)—who are asking where my next book is. Well, at this point in time, the symphony conductor’s story is with my agent, the wonderful Maureen Walters at Curtis Brown Ltd. She’s sending it out to publishers now and I’m fidgeting waiting for a response. Send good energy toward that, won’t you please? The romantic suspense is nearly finished—about four chapters from being done. The widow’s tale is written but needs to be revised, and the time travel story is brewing in the back of my head. I’m going to cast it and see if sister PJ will let me come to her craft room and do a collage…after I get back from meeting the glorious grandson.

You guys had to know I’d find a way to fit my darling little jumping bean into any post, and here’s the latest picture of him, looking quite alert and thoughtful. Maybe I should discuss this whole dilemma with him. He looks like he’d have some brilliant answers for me!