Will Wyckoff's Blog: Rabbit Trails II

...new tricks! Only because I accidentally clicked upon "kindle" when ordering a book lately, I had a book waiting for me to be picked off the cyber-shelf. So, after selling many, many kindle copies of books I've written over the last 10 years, a friend taught me how to put a Kindle app on my phone and my laptop.......FOR FREE!

Only recently have I begun reading aloud with my youngest grandson. Via FaceTime we bridge a great distance without blinking an eye. The best parts? He has begun taking the initiative and calling me to read. This is a good sign since his mom hoped we might increase his interest in reading by hooking us up. Time will tell if it works. Another plus is that I’m getting to know him better. Geography has built a wedge between us until now. Fingers crossed!

Long I have marveled at natural wonders, especially cycles. For example, at this very moment I looked out our dining room windows and see daylight, albeit dim, when last month it was dark at this time. Outside the very same window, there is no snow to be seen. It’s been a mild winter here in NE PA…60 tomorrow! Finally it’s the bird population that catches my as well. Same seat but different window this time: seasonal changes bring our feathered friends our way.

The fine folks (computer...A I?) here at Goodreads put a question in my ear...over a year ago! I just found it tonight! I enjoyed answering it so much, I'm going to make it a blog entry as well. The question what about a mystery in my life and could it be a plot for a new story? My reply (finally):

Oh my gosh! I just (tonight 1.25.23) found this question. I hope the person who asked finds my answer.
Therein lies the mystery. Have I handled my years...my time...my lifetime wisely? An entire year passed before I discovered this question. Why did that happen? Answer to this is easy: I have not been a regular here at Goodreads. Sometime life just gets in the way.
A story re: looking back and inspecting what I've failed to do might be good fodder for a story. Perhaps have a character in jail cell? on a death bed? Suddenly there's a chance at a "re-do!" Hmmmm...I wonder!

Woke up this morning to the first ever review for my latest book I FINALLY GET IT. That which made it feel like a warm and fuzzy experience is that I successfully made someone smile...and that was my intention! A home run...at least one. In the past, I have been told I'd made readers tear up. But to elicit a smile? That's huge for me. Sadly, the review you see isn't here on Goodreads. The kind words you see below were submitted to Amazon by a reader who is not a Goodreads participant. Maybe some of you will discover it below.

*****
"Will Wyckoff has out done himself...this book is short and sweet...I laughed out loud so many times. This book of life lessons learned is written with such insight and in such a way...you can't help but LOL and say, "Oh to be able to remember such life events!" Hats off to Will. Thanks for sharing this part of who you are....an interesting fellow for certain. Read the book and enjoy."

This has been a season of reconnecting with a variety of personalities. In no particular order, a gent who was a classmate of mine as far back as 6th grade caught up with me on Facebook. We'd not "spoken" in 50+ years! Not too long ago, a young lady who was a student in my class 10-20 years ago reached out and asked to meet. We invited her into our home, and we discussed her writing, a plan she's had brewing in her mind for quite some time. The provervial icing on the cake was learning that she is now teaching in the very room where she was my student! And she's teaching the same subject! It gets better. Just this morning, yet another student, who has written several children's books, suggested we team up and have a co-book signing as a fundraiser. Hope to hear from others!

Today is Thursday. On Monday of this week, as I was walking to my 85 year old friend's house for our morning cup of coffee and allotment of local gossip, I met an attractive young lady standing by her car.
"Is this your house...may I park here?" she asked politely.
"Sure!" I replied. "Headed to work?"
She assured me that was exactly what she was doing, and we went our separate ways. She left out a detail: she intended to park there for days! That wasn't so bad. However, originally, I failed to notice she left very little room for any visitors who might stop by to see us. Again, I admit, I had made the mistake of of assuming ( yeah yeah yeah...I know...assuming) she was there for the day.
Here's the fun part...really. Choosing to leave a note requesting she not park there so long the "next time," and not wanting to seem unfriendly, I put the note and a brand-new copy of my novel ONE ACT OF KINDNESS (is that appropriate or what?) inside a Ziploc bag and placed it under her wiper. Too, I autographed it and left in a friendly inscription.
While we were not looking, she finally returned this morning. Let's see what happens! To be continued?

I'm baaaaack! Do you believe in Divine Intervention? I ask because as I am entering my first blog in years...and I mean YEARs, our church is ringing its songs just outside my Recluse Room window.

"Recluse Room" is our family's name for the tiny room in which I choose to write. 6' x 12' when a child this little room was my bride's playroom., Not as big as a lot of modern-day closets, it's perfect for me.

So why am I back? Therapy maybe? =-) I like to write, so this is a good fit. Will I bet more consistent than I was years ago? We'll see!
During those years I've been gone, I have written several books. Actually I attempted various types: novels, a novella, short stories, a children's discussion book, and now memoirs of my youth. To be honest, I do not feel that I lean toward any genre or 'flavor' of writing. I just write. Oh! Website! Try this: WillWyckoffbooks.com

Hope this finds all of you (all?) safe and happy!

March 9th:

WE HOPE THIS IS HELPFUL...
Our 3 year old granddaughter is named Piper. It's been determined that she is autistic to some degree, & Piper's Mom (our daughter) has opted to dedicate a blog in the hopes of helping others as well as herself.

Perhaps you need not deal with autism, but if you know some who does, someone who might be interested, feel free to share this site:

https://drivingthestrugglebus.wordpre...

This morning I learned of the passing of someone I have admired for more than forty years, so today my thoughts are summoned directly from the DEPARTMENT OF MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.

In a nutshell, I hope this note of mine is the clarion that catches everyone's attention and reminds them that too often we don't tell people we care about them and/or we are grateful for their friendship.

Throughout my life, I have had few heroes, and this gentleman will always be one of them. Before he passed, I made it a point to share my sentiments with him, and it felt good to do so. People, do not miss out on such opportunities.

See you again, my friend. Watch over us...