The Groundhog

There is a groundhog burrow not too far from my house, close to the a stone wall that separates my property from my neighbor’s. A couple of weeks ago the next door neighbor kids, I assume, sneaked onto my property, took big stones from the stone wall that separates us, and dropped them into the groundhog burrow. I found it the next morning and removed all the stones to give the groundhog access again. I thought the groundhog might never go back but a few days ago I was in my garden and saw the groundhog going to the burrow. I said hello to him and he looked back at me. And then this morning, as I was having coffee, I heard something at the glass door. I looked over and saw Ollie Cat sitting inside, right up to the glass. On the other side of the glass was the groundhog, tapping at the glass. Ollie just stared. I went up to the glass and looked. The groundhog looked back and then ran off. I may have a new friend.

Now What

I guess it’s obvious that I’m not much of a blogger. I tend to forget for weeks (er, months) at a time that I even have a blog.  It’s been worse recently because of some serious family health issues, both human and feline. And yes, my cats are family. 

Things are a little bit more under control now so I thought I’d do a blog post. This is it. The main thing I wanted to say is that yes, I’m still here. I’m still writing and I hope to have something out before too long. Fingers crosesd (it’s hard to tyep with fingers crosesd.)

What's Up

A few people have asked me what I’m up to these days. I know I’m supposed to share amusing and interesting posts here, mostly about my writing. People also tell me to promote my work and do it regularly. It’s supposed to be easy. The truth is that none of this is easy, at least not for me.  I’ve recently started a rather difficult project. Maybe eventually I can find something amusing about it to pass along. If I can make some progress and see daylight and not get lost in the woods, I’ll do that, so don’t send out the search parties yet.   Fingers crossed. 

As for self-promotion, I’ve always been dreadful at it. This is about the best I can do:

amazon url (there’s more than one page here): 

https://tinyurl.com/y2nmeda5

barnes and noble:

https://tinyurl.com/yyancveu

apple books: some of my books are also available here; I think you need to type Noel-Anne Brennan into the search bar after you sign in

but wait, there's more!

Not Out of the Woods is now available on Barnes and Noble and also Apple Books. And they tell me the paperback will be out pretty much any minute now. This should give you a choice of links to the online stores:
books2read.com/u/47zqXa

New Book Out

I have a new book out! Before anyone gets too excited, it's poetry and right now it's on Amazon for kindle only. But it will be available on other ebook outlets soon, and it should be out in paperback in maybe a week. Check it out!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R8FKW6T/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_y3iXCbM458GC3

An Update

In answer to a question, yes, I am still writing. It has not been going well. In large part that’s because I’m still not over the death of my daughter. People say I should not let that paralyze me me and it’s not, but it certainly has been slowing me down and making work very difficult. I’m not giving up, though.  I know people want fiction and I still want to deliver it. I plan on delivering it but something may come first. That something is a poetry book. I know, I know, it’s not the same thing as fiction but poetry can be not only beautiful and emotionally touching but intellectually accessible as well. At least, so they say, and that's my experience. And poetry can be fun. I’ve been told mine can be. So the poetry will probably come first and then the fiction.  Soon, I hope. Stay tuned.

My New “Job”

This summer I have had a very demanding new part-time job. It wasn’t one I wanted but there’s no turning it down. The job is going to doctors.  My husband’s been sick, I’ve been sick, even the cats. Illness and injury and “conditions.” One thing after another. I just got back from a bunch of x-rays today, never mind what happened. Not my idea of a good time. I figured it was because I’m “getting older” but I’ve heard from people much younger that they have been going through similar things. Stuff happens, so they say. Doctors, doctors, and more doctors. What would we do without ‘em? But those appointments can sure be a time vortex.

What has all of this meant for my writing? Well, let’s say it hasn’t been good. Progress has been slow and unsteady. As someone recently told me, though, “Stop making excuses.” Well, we’re not talking excuses here but I know what she meant. I intend to do better.  I plan on getting to work as soon as I get back from the vet where I’m taking a cat for her rabies booster.