Memories: The A to Z Blogging Challenge

April 4, 2022

It occurred to me this morning that it was April and I never checked out the A-Z Blogging Challenge page. I did the A-Z for six years, from 2011 to 2016, and it was fun - for the first five years, anyway. I don't remember what it was in 2016 that made me decide that was my last year, and it hardly matters now. 

The A-Z is currently underway, so given that I donated so much time to it in the past, I thought I'd jump on its bandwagon and post links back to the beginning of those previous years. It will be a nice stroll down memory lane for me this morning. 

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2011 A-Z Blogging Challenge. I forgot I shared my A-Z calendars! I heard about the challenge at the eleventh hour and blundered forward with it. And it worked out fine!                             https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/2011/03/gearing-up-for-a-z-blogging-challenge.html

2012 A-Z Blogging Challenge. Again, I shared my calendar to get it going. And I hadn't yet gotten on the fact that someone had made alphabet blocks for each day. That came later. 
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/2012/03/2012-to-z-blogging-challage-kick-off.html

2013 A-Z Blogging Challenge. My 2013 challenge had a theme: All About the Books. Once again, I did a calendar and A Hard Habit to Break was my "A." I'd finally discovered the alphabet blocks at this point. 
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/2013/03/welcome-to-2013-to-z-blogging-challenge.html

2014 A-Z Blogging Challenge. In 2014 the mere blocks were green and I used that color on my calendar. I don't know if I did that on purpose for a tie-in or if it was mere serendipity. My theme in 2014 was "A Rural Life," and I shared bits about living in far out in the country on the side of a mountain.
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/2014/03/readysetgo-2014-z-blog-challenge-begins.html

2015 A-Z Blogging Challenge. My theme was "Many Sundry Things," and the blogs were all over the board. Someone at the challenge headquarters did a calendar, and while I had my own, I didn't post it. 
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/2015/03/ready-set-go-2015-to-z-blogging.html

2016 A-Z Blogging Challenge. My theme was, "It's All About Time." Apparently, time management was on my mind at that point in my life. Amber Quill had just closed and I needed to self-pub a lot of books, we'd had a blizzard, my mother had surgery, my best friend moved away, and I'd just gotten an eight-week-old puppy - Deuce! And to top it all off, I'd had the hair-brained idea that my alter-ego, Rayne Forrest, should also do the A-Z. 

https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-is-for-analyze-your-time-2016-to-z.html

https://twentysixkeys.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-is-for-always-be-true-to-yourself.html

2017 A-Z Blogging Challenge. My walk down memory lane has jogged my memory. Something in the format was changed in 2017 and I bowed out. 

So there it is. My history as part of April's A-Z Blogging Challenge. I hope you'll enjoy the old posts if you decide to go back and read them. 

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 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 

http://kckendricks.blogspot.com

Visit my bookshelf at: 

https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/the-bookshelf-of-kc-kendricks-and-rayne_3.html

Social media links:

Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com

My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: KC Kendricks Between the Keys

twitter.com/kckendricks

pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards

instagram.com/kc_kendricks

facebook.com/kckendricks

The Passing of September

September 28, 2014

I recall mentioning I thought September would be a busy month. Looking back, I was being a bit naive. The month was busy. It was hectic and I may have brought it on myself. You know the old saying "be careful what you wish for" don't you? I think the universe misunderstood my blog post and thought I needed even more to do. 

This September brought sadness to a day which should have been celebrated. My young cousin passed the day of his second wedding anniversary without his bride, who left this life this past June. There is little any of us can do to ease his grief except stand with him, and this we willingly do. 

We did accomplish much of the outside work. Flower pots and beds are cleared, patio furniture is stored in the shed for the winter, the little pool is rolled up and put away for next year, and a new drainage ditch is dug behind the house. There are two cords of split firewood at the ready. Yes, we did a lot of hard work but looking back it feels more like accomplishment than chore. 

On the writing front..... things have been weird on the writing front. Refer to my statement above about being careful what you wish for. I wanted to spread the KC Kendricks brand, the theory being readers who never heard of me would buy a book and then go looking for my backlist. Sounds reasonable, does it not? So I submitted to the industry acknowledged largest epublisher. Won't do that again... It's been supremely interesting and alarmingly educational. 

The latest installment in Ian Coulter's Amethyst Cove is almost complete. In fact, I should be working on that manuscript right now instead of blogging. (I'm letting my brain rest.) An idea for another story hit me and I banged out about 3K on it while the opening was fresh in my mind. I'm never out of ideas, just time. 

So now I'll leave you with a little promo - Dreams to Sell, book eight of the Men of Marionville series is available. It's a story about a guy who falls for the Realtor who sells him his dream house. I enjoy writing characters who have some maturity about their relationships. 

That's about it on this last Sunday in September 2014. I'm going into the writing cave. It's safe there. See you on the other side! 

KC

http://www.kckendricks.com

http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks

I survived the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge

April 30, 2014

'Nuff said! 

X is for Xs and Os

 April 28, 2014

2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge

A Rural Life

Day 24

X is for XXX and OOO

Only two days to go until the closing notes sound on the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge! It’s been a lot of work but I’m very pleased to complete the challenge for a fourth time. And I will complete it. Why would I quit now?

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Ah, the letter X. It’s a challenging entry for the A to Z blogger. I fear originality may suffer when almost two thousand bloggers take on the daunting X. I’m going with Xs and Os.

If your best friend sends you a birthday card signed with “XXX” and “OOO” you probably know it means she/he is sending you “hugs” and “kisses.” My BFF uses it and it always makes me smile. We’ve pals for a long time - since we were in elementary school! When she calls me, my cell phone plays “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen. Using X and O is a common custom today, but did you know its roots are in the Middle Ages?

In those days, Christians would draw a cross on a document to show their sincerity and honesty. They would then kiss the cross to show the document carried their sworn oath. This was quite common as a lot of people didn’t know how to write their name.

Since the O goes with the X we should note the O was used by Jewish immigrants who arrived in the New Country and only spoke Yiddish. Being Jewish, the cross didn’t have the meaning to them, but the sentiment of the O being their sworn promise was the same.

So there you have it. Xs and Os as sincere and honest hugs and kisses. Remember that the next time your best friend sends you a card. It’s a sign of sincerity, faith and honesty, and yes, abiding affection. 

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You didn’t really think you’d get away without a brief book promo, did you?

Newest release - MOON DANCES, book IV in the Sundown saga. Available now at 
www.allromanceebooks.com/product-riverwalk-2004040-145.html 

KC Kendricks
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O is for the Orange Maple in Fall

April 17, 2014

2014 A to Z Blog Challenge

A Rural Life

Day 16

O is for the Orange Maple in Fall

Welcome to my corner of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. 

This year, 2014, I’ve chosen the theme, “A Rural Life.” I’m so blessed to live in rural America, close to nature. Big cities aren’t that far away by car so I’ve got the best of both worlds. Just like life, this year is turning out to be a mix-up - a wonderful combination of this and that all rolled into one that may seem chaotic on the surface but blends together to create the whole.

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It’s an old adage we know well - “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Sometimes it’s true. So while it’s barely spring in my corner of the world, I’m giving you a taste of autumn as it has appeared from my front porch for each of the last thirty years.

This beautiful tree is the herald of fall in my yard. It's a little taller and broader now since this picture was taken, but its vivid fall color sets my heart alight with joy every fall.

O is for the Orange Maple that crowns the tiny rise in my front yard.

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You didn’t really think you’d get away without a brief book promo, did you?

O is also for OPEN ROADS. For more information please visit my website at

https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/open-roads-by-kc-kendricks.html

KC Kendricks

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L is for Life! (2014 A -Z Blogging Challenge)

April 14, 2014

 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge

A Rural Life

Day 12 

L is for Life!

We’ve made it to week #3 of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge and tomorrow marks the halfway point. This is the fourth year I’ve participated in the challenge and this year I’m focusing on A Rural Life. It’s my life and it’s a darn good one! . 

Will I do a little promo along the way? Sure! Writing is a big part of who I am. I can’t blog if I cut out part of my life, now can I?

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How did we get here? Did the building blocks for life come here from another world? Did we spring into being on the sixth day? Did we evolve? All of the above?

I suspect it’s all of the above. On the risk of upsetting folks on both the right and left of the political spectrum, I think a powerful hand brought all these things together to create life, using what was necessary to create order in a natural realm. It’s easy to imagine this great being looking over the recipe for life and saying, “Okay. I need some comet dust here….and now some protozoa right there….”

Life is a glorious mystery no matter what you believe as an origin story. Or even if your personal philosophy doesn’t include the myths of origin. Life is still a wondrous event to celebrate. 

Here on this wooded hillside it’s easy to see the order in life. Every spring the tips of the maple trees turn red until the entire forest appears to blush. Then the leaves sprout and a wave of green sweeps up the side of the mountain. The color darkens and holds steadfast until late September. Then in ones and twos, the leaves along the high ridges change until autumn claims the mountain in a march of red, yellow and orange soldiers leaving a trail of brown and gray behind until spring once again seizes power. It's amazing to me how nature is every-changing and yet so constant. 

I think we humans need nature's gentle anchor in our lives, ones that can let us move a bit to avoid harm but not get blown too far off course. I like to celebrate life in my stories, not politics that restrain us or doctrines that cause us distress.

We’re all here in this place and in this time - together. Let’s enjoy our lives and the lives of others. We’re all valuable and we all value our lives. If we truly love one another as we love ourselves, the world will be a finer place.

==================

You didn’t really think you’d get away without a
brief book promo, did you?

L is for LEATHER JACKETS, book six of the Men of Marionville series. For more information please visit my website at kckendricks.com .

LEATHER JACKETS 
Book six of the Men of Marionville series
Contemporary gay romance available now 

Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and other online book sellers. 

KC Kendricks
Website: http://www.kckendricks.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
Blog: http://kckendricks.blogspot.com
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kckendricks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kckendricks

J is (not only) for Jingle Bells - 2014 A-Z Blogging Challenge

April 11, 2014

**page links updated 4/3/21**

2014 A to Z Blog Challenge

A Rural Life

Day 10

J is (not only) for Jingle Bells….

We’re almost through the second week of the challenge, and so far I’m right on track. This is the fourth year I’ve participated in the challenge, and this year is all about My Rural Life and the forces that come together to make my unique world. 

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The title of today’s blog might make you think I’m “pine-ing” for Christmas. While it’s an idea for a blogging theme, I’m not ready to embrace Christmas 2014 just yet. Let’s enjoy summer and fall first, okay?

When I built my house, so long ago in the way-back time, it happened that I moved into my new home in November. And as is often done, family members came by to see the “new digs” and nose around. My father’s sister arrived with a housewarming gift - Christmas bells she’d made.

Now, this was a big deal. My aunt didn’t normally do any sort of needlework but she’d made me this adornment for my new home. I was beyond appreciative. She instructed me to hang the bells on my front door, which I did until she left. Then I hung them inside of the house, on the coat closet door where they’ve been every Christmas season since. You see, my front door is due south and the winter sun would have destroyed the fabric in a few short seasons. I did not want that to happen.

In the course of time, all the cousins got the same bells when they moved into their own homes.  Of the five sets of bells my aunt crafted, only mine have survived. (Please don’t display fabric heirlooms in the sun!) My aunt is gone now and last Christmas I gave serious consideration to giving my bells to her son, but I didn’t.

It may be selfish of me but I want to touch the fabric she touched every year when I hang them and remember a lovely lady who graced my life and who was called away from us far too soon.

J is not only for Jingle Bells, it’s also for Aunt Jane.

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You didn’t really think you’d get away without one more brief book promo, did you?

J is also for JONAS CHADWICK of Passion’s Victory, a 2008 CAPA nominee. 

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PASSION'S VICTORY
 
Available at
 
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071Z5YRB4
 
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071Z5YRB4
 
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B071Z5YRB4
 
Apple/iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1236569692
 
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passions-victory-kc-kendricks/1017484051
 
Rakuten/Kobo: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/passion-s-victory
 
Universal link to additional booksellers: https://books2read.com/u/3yPjBn
 
Passion’s Victory webpage: https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/passions-victory-by-kc-kendricks.html

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 KC Kendricks

My home on the web- Between the Keys: 

http://kckendricks.blogspot.com

Visit my bookshelf at: 

https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/the-bookshelf-of-kc-kendricks-and-rayne.html

Social media links:

Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce: deucesday.blogspot.com

My country life at Holly Tree Manor: hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

twitter.com/kckendricks

pinterest.com/kckendricks/boards

instagram.com/kc_kendricks

facebook.com/kckendricks

C is for Caboose - 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (KC Kendricks)

April 3, 2014

2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge

A Rural Life

Day 3

C is for Caboose

Welcome to the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge! This is the fourth year I've participated in the challenge, and this year is all about living in rural America. It’s sort of like Walton’s Mountain meets the big city meets middle America. 

Will I do a little promo along the way? You know I will! Writing is a big part of who I am. So thanks for coming along for the ride in the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge.

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The part of Maryland I call home has a long and storied rail history. My great-grandfather was a railroad man, as were two of his five sons. Around here, it’s hard to find a family that doesn’t have a connection to the rails. Even today, the CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Winchester and Western Railroads roll through town on a regular basis.

When I was a little girl it seemed every trip to anywhere meant a stop at a rail crossing to wait as a train rolled past. It was a big deal to count the number of cars in the train and then to blow the horn at the caboose, especially if the conductor was rear platform waving.

I’ve grown up some since those days but I still have a fondness for trains. It’s rare to have traffic stopped since in the last fifty years a concerted effort was made to build overpasses for cars. But every once in a while it happens and I’m drawn into memories of being in the car with my elders, counting.

These days, even when I see a train, I don’t see many cabooses, and I think that’s a shame. I guess it’s not cost effective to drag the weight of the caboose when it doesn't carry a payload, but I miss them. It makes me sad that it’s one more thing the little ones in my life will never know.

But caboose or not, I still wave when the last boxcar goes by. And sometimes I look over at the vehicle next to mine and the people inside are waving, too.

A note from the author: When a publisher call came for a stories with an “all aboard” theme, I pulled from the local history for the opening to the story, “Station to Station.”

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You didn't really think you’d get away without a brief book promo, did you?

C is for Catching Fireflies. For more information please visit my website at www.kckendricks.com/CatchingFireflies.html

Catching Fireflies is available at
Amazon, iTunes/Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo,
and other online booksellers. 

KC Kendricks

Website: http://www.kckendricks.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks

Blog: http://kckendricks.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kckendricks

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kckendricks

Simple morning joy

November 13, 2012

This morning, before dawn, the wind carried in the sound of  hoot owl off in the woods. I paused to listen, wondering how many more times this country joy will come to me in our changing world. 

I stood on my cold patio listening to the low, seeking call and laughed at my aging "puppy" - a black Labrador Retriever who’s been by my side for going on twelve years. He listened, too, but he didn't like what he heard. Maybe the dog knows the owls are descended from raptors and raptors ate his distant kin. Just a thought.

For those of you living in more populated areas, what we call hoot owls are Great Horned Owls and what we call screech owls are Eastern Screech Owls. The little screech owls (picture) are more common in my woods and I'm sure the dog would have gone on about his morning business if they'd been calling.

Autumn is fading on my mountainside. Most of the leaves have fallen from the maples and mighty oaks, and the skies are graying. Squirrels are everywhere gathering what acorns the deer didn’t eat. The spicy scent of fall, that mélange of drying leaves, mowed lawns, and harvested fields, has given way to acrid wood smoke. The sound of busy chain saws drifts on strong winds as our neighbors hurry to build their woodpiles.

I usually have a lot of energy this time of year. Ideas for stories come faster than I’ll ever be able to write them, but I do try. After what seems like an incredibly long stretch, I have two books coming out within weeks of each other. I certainly didn’t plan it that way, it just happened.

The first is entitled, “Doors of Time,” and is about two high school friends who reunite as adults. “Doors of Time” will be part of the This Old Gang of Mine PAX along with stories from Clare London, Stevie Wood, Sean Michael and Aislin Kerry. If you want to read an excerpt, check out the page on my website. The page is under construction, but the excerpt is there. Look for “Doors of Time” in mid-December.

The second story, “Desert Snow,” will be out the first weekend of January. Is it about snow? Nope. It’s about two guys who meet at the Palm Springs White Party. Palm Springs - desert. White Party - everyone dresses in white but is still unique. Get it? I thought it witty but I’m just the author so what do I really know? Here again, check out the page on my website, also under construction at the time I type this.

So that’s all there is for this time around. Thanksgiving is a bit more than a week away. It's the Season of Cheesecake. Hide the scales. 

KC