On this beautiful October day in Mesa, Arizona, I’ve decided that there are primary focuses in my life.

Writing my short stories, ghostwriting two books, editing other books and making certain my authors win awards! OK, that might be a large focus spreading in ripples across the lake of my life journey. My brother, a long-time football coach, used to say, “What is your job? Your job is to row the boat. There will be crowds over here yelling and crowds over there. They don’t matter. What is your job? You row the boat to get from one side to the other. That is your only job!” He set the record for SEC specialty teams at University of Memphis, so he knew what he was talking about.

My newest short story is titled “Purple Turban Tales,” which will be the opening to my compilation of short stories. I have other short stories already in mind based on my experiences as a journalist: My all-nighter at the truck stop talking to truckers and ladies of the evening; the wake for Sonny Boy with his three ex-wives held at the bar with the coon hound snoring on the porch (his ashes ringed by beers and topped by his cap); the Jackson Symphony violinist who was one of the first soldiers walking through Nagasaki after the bomb was dropped; the lady with a copy of the Declaration of Independence that her granddaddy found in the walls of an antebellum home; and some other interesting tales. 

Designing beautiful Reconfigured Art Jewelry that pleases me creatively — and if it pleases others who want to collect my jewelry — that’s lovely! I believe in designing based on the Fibonacci principles. Not everyone is familiar with that term, but you will be familiar with the feel of it, since this is repeated throughout nature. You’ll find the Fibonacci principle in seashells, flowers and human faces, as well as throughout art and architecture.

And I love my gemstones. I used to tease my husband that our retirement was in the trays in my jewelry cases. He was my No.1 supporter of everything I wanted to do, so I know he’s cheering me on now that I have finally begun designing again. How many nights did we sit quietly as he read or watched TV, and I worked at my design table!

My focus is also on my beautiful daughters, Sara and Lea, and my granddaughter, Fiona, who lift my spirits daily, make me laugh, and bring such joy into the simple moment of waking up, having a cup of coffee, and wondering what adventures they’ll bring into my day.

In doing, in being, in loving, I am blessed.