Father’s Day and random thoughts
Happy Monday! Hope you got to spend some time with your dads yesterday, either in person or in thought. It is interesting to me that both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day happen on Sundays, which was traditionally a day of rest. When I was growing up, a lot of places were closed on Sundays so people could spend time with their families. I’m sure that is why Sundays were picked for those holidays.
For some people close to me, Father’s Day isn’t a happy day. Their dads aren’t the best people. I know we say, ‘he is still your dad,’ but sometimes it doesn’t make it any better for them. But I am proud of my second cousin. She is making it a positive day for herself by focusing on the father of her three month old baby instead of her own dad.
As I look through my Facebook posts, I see all the different ways my friends and contacts celebrate their dads. Each celebration is as unique as the dad is. Some families have their traditional activities. Some will have picnics today, some will visit their favorite bakery for breakfast, or some will just stop by for a few moments just to say hi.
For us, it is a day about pie. Jim is making his dad an apple pie, his favorite, for us to bring over. Then we will meet up with my dad for an after dinner slice of pie and chat for a bit. When I ask the boys what they want to do for Jim, they aren’t sure. I know he would like to hang out with them and have dinner together, or maybe even go fishing. Since the boys have busy teenage lives and work schedules, I think we will be working towards a weekend at the cabin in July to spend time together and celebrate him.
From the writing house, I was offered an opportunity to have my book announced at a work related luncheon last week. It was neat to have the shout out done with my colleagues. Many didn’t know I was a writer much less published a book. I handed out a few of my book business cards there.
Part of my marketing plan is to donate a couple of my books to libraries next month. I’m learning marketing the book is going to cost something whether it be in time or a book. The focus of this cannot be about making money. Most authors don’t make a lot of money at first, if at all. It is the reason why a lot of us have day jobs to support the habit.
I have heard the same advice over and over from authors who have walked the path before me. You have to love it to do it. It is a lot of hard work to get the book out there for the world to see. I was thinking about doing a 30 day writing and marketing challenge next month to help promote my book. I did a lot of soul searching yesterday and decided that the timing isn’t good for me right now. My day job is going through major transition and will demand a lot of my time for the next couple of weeks. And wanting to spend time with my family too doesn’t leave enough time to take that on right now. I really want to do it, but I also don’t want to stress myself out. Will just have to take it on when timing allows. Just one of the many hard decisions to make to balance the day job with writing. One day, I hope to just be able to write, but I’m not quite there yet.
Enjoy your week.
Now, I will take this opportunity to plug my book, The Hard Way.
Be sure to pick up your copy of The Hard Way! It is available on Amazon.com in both paperback and e-book.
Here is the link! The Hard Way