I start each day with a walk. The days I can't, it's like I don't wake up. Sometimes, it's the only mentally quiet part of my day. It's always full of small beauties like this very fancy and frilly fungi. Doesn't it look like the forest put on a party dress?

There's nothing like the joy and pride of two geeky parents with a houseful of teenagers in the dining room for a giggle-filled D&D session. We've waited a long time for the kiddo to follow in our footsteps!

Another sleepy Saturday night. I used to be such a night owl!

#newrelease A little bit of promo today, y'all. I've got a story in this new anthology from Crone Girls Press, coming soon! If you love horror, or are just horrified about the dismantling of reproductive rights, I hope you'll check out this charity anthology. You can bet I'll share the buy links as soon as I have them.

We had such lovely weather today. It only hit the 80s, in a summer that has often gone over 100°. So we went to Duke Gardens and watched the ducks for a good long while. #familytime

Another peek into my writing oasis. This is the all important tea corner, with my electric kettle and collection of writing related mugs. Today's advice to myself: write, revise, repeat.

This made me spit take my tea. #wordnerdhumor

When my eldest went off to college, I got a "room of my own" for the first time in more than a decade and it's been a joy creating my writing oasis. Here's the Gill-man corner, featuring my movie poster signed by Ricou Browning and a painting of my favorite Universal monster by a local artist. Do you have a space all your own? What's in it?

Here's another pretty rock from my office. It's sitting on top of my new productivity journal which I'm using to try and get myself back on track with my writing life. I find I'm much more a "carrot" than a "stick" person when it comes to motivation. How about you?

I always love reading the conversations here, but I've been really irregular about checking in. I'm going to try and be better about that, but I feel like I"m getting worse at meeting people and making new friends as I get older. I miss the days when I could make friends with another kid by showing them the shiny rock in my pocket.

I’ve never figured out make up. And fancy clothes make me itchy. But there is something about getting my hair done. Always makes me feel pretty.

Well, it's almost 4:00 p.m. in my neck of the woods, and I still feel like I never actually woke up today. Just a few more hours and I can shelve today and try again tomorrow.

It's "gotcha day" for these little mooks. They've been Bryants for a year now, and they might be 4 years old-ish. They add smiles to every day, and have come a long way from their rough start. #rescuedogs

I'm old school. I still blog. LOL. Just in case you have any interest, here's my latest post: about my recent travels in Ireland. https://samanthadunawaybryant.blogspot.com/2022/07/travels-in-ireland.html

Damnit. Had to buy a refrigerator today. Every tind I think we’re gonna break even. #middleclasswoes #daylatedollarshort

Good morning CoSoNauts! Welcome to my disconnect between want and must--so much to do, and I really want a slow, lazy day. How's your day starting?

Contract signed! "The Other Jack" will appear in an anthology from Crone Girls Press this fall. It's got an urban legend sort of feel, or it might be the origin story of a slasher film killer, depending on what Jimmy does later. #CoSoWriters #horror

One of the fun things about still having a teenager in the house (the youngest is 15) is the new music they expose you too. This one is based on a videogame I've never played, but feels as much like a commentary on capitalism as anything. https://youtu.be/vvANy49Kqhw

I got to go to The Carolina, tonight, a hundred-year-old theater in Durham, NC, USA. I'm a regular for their Retro film series. Tonight, it was another pirate movie in Movie Diva series: Frenchman's Creek 1944. Any other old movie buffs here?

It's one of those nights. 8:00 p.m. and I'm ready for bed. Is it a COVID relapse? Is it menopause? Is it just modern life? Hopefully trying to figure out why I'm so flipping tired so early doesn't keep me awake.