Run in with a boxer...

...a dog, that is.

Talk about freak accidents!

Last Wednesday I was with my dog, Chase, and a few of his friends at the playground across the street from my house. A normal morning of running and playing together. Just as we were getting ready to leave, a new friend arrived, a husky. Of course, we had to let the dogs run around for just a few minutes more.

That's when I was talking to the owner of Butch, a 90 pound boxer, one of the friendliest dogs you could meet. I looked up to see Butch barreling right towards me and couldn't back up in time. He apparently couldn't change course either and rammed right into my left knee, knocking me onto my right side.

The dog's owner helped me up, but I couldn't put any weight on the knee. In the emergency room, they originally thought it was likely a tendon pull or tear at the worst, but xrays showed the break.

After sending me home in a full leg brace and crutches, I went to see the orhthopedic doctor on Thursday and learned I needed surgery to repair it, but it likely would just be one screw to hold the broken bone in place.

Ended up to be a metal plate and two screws. I'm home now, still in the leg brace and crutches and have to wait a few weeks to have xrays before I can attempt to put weight on it.

Goes to show how an accident can hit you at any time. I'm just glad the surgery is out of the way and I can now move forward. And best yet, this actually gives me more time to write, since I'm unable to care for the dog and do household chores.

Have to look on the positive side.

Weekly excerpt at Slip Into Something Victorian

I'm posting an excerpt from my Civil War Christmas story over at Slip Into Something Victorian today. Sort of a Christmas in July theme.

This excerpt is from the historical Christmas anthology, An American Rose Christmas.

At Slip Into Something Victorian today

And I'm talking about the first major battle of the American Civil War, First Bull Run or First Manassas, depending which side you were on.

Find out at Slip Into Something Victorian how local civilians added to the legend of this historic battle.

A week to revive

Since my husband was on vacation last week, we took a trip to Gettysburg, PA. We've visited the town several times in the past, both for reenactments, and just to do the tour and take in the Civil War atmosphere. This trip we wanted to visit the new museum, but we also did another tour of the battlefield. We stopped at Little Round Top and Devil's Den and spent a night walking the sidewalks of the town and visiting a few of the shops.

Oh, and of course we had to visit our favorite ice cream shop. Love that butter pecan! Ummm!

I also took a week away from writing. And now, I'm ready to jump back in, refreshed and ready to start revising and editing my new Civil War novella, Cole's Promise.

Redefining goals

On New Year’s Eve, I posted a list of writing goals that I wanted to accomplish over 2011. Since it’s now about mid-year, I thought I’d review that list to see what I’ve accomplished so far, what I still have to do, and what goals I’m putting aside to make room for unexpected projects that have cropped up.

Here are the original goals, with notes on my progress.

2011 Writing Goals

* Proofread and submit novel, Cassidy’s War – complete – This novel has been contracted by The Wild Rose Press and I’ve just completed the second set of edits.

* List at least 6 or 7 ideas for short stories for True Romance and True Confession magazines – complete

* Write and submit stories – complete – sold all but one story which I’ve submitted elsewhere after learning True Romance has temporarily suspended publication and am awaiting reply.

* Finish first draft of time travel novella – complete

* Revise, edit, polish and submit – will start in the fall

* Outline series of science fiction romance novellas based on novel I put aside – have decided to temporarily put this project aside, because I was invited to write an historical novella for a new series my publisher is putting out. I’ve written the first draft and now have to revise, edit, polish and submit by mid-August.

* Plot out first novella – put aside

* Write first draft for first novella – put aside


In addition, I was given reversion of rights for my paranormal, Civil War novella, Angel of My Dreams, part of the Civil War romance anthology, Northern Roses and Southern Belles. I plan to re-title the story, revise to lengthen it, then resubmit elsewhere.

So, I’ve accomplished a lot, changed a few goals along the way and taken on a few new projects. I’ll see how I do by the end of December.

A German American regiment

Blog post at Slip Into Something Victorian today on a regiment formed by German Americans early in the American Civil War.

Finished edits...finished story...

Just sent the second round of edits for Cassidy's War back to my editor. And I also completed the first draft of my new Civil War set novella, Cole's Promise.

And next week I'm off to vacation in Gettysburg. I've been working hard on both projects and am looking forward to a much needed break. When I return, I'll re-read Cole's Promise and start making revision notes.

In the meantime, I'll start fooling around with a blurb for the novella.

And if you scroll down, you'll see my beautiful cover for my American Victorian post-Civil War romance novel, Cassidy's War.