2015 Year of Firsts – 2016 What’s Next
After Christmas is done and all the decorations are put away, it’s time for reflection. What was accomplished in 2015? What will 2016 bring?
For me, 2015 was a year of firsts. My debut novel, A Demon’s Witch, came out on September 25, 2015. I dared to dream of becoming a published author since I was young, and through dedication and determination made it happen. The feeling was beyond description to hold my creation in hand and have people enjoy reading it, well — it’s fantastic. I have to admit the promotion side of the business had a steep learning curve.
First interviews on blog sites for both me and my characters were nerve racking. What to say, how to say it and would people like my book? Thunder clap campaign was an experience all its own, thought it brought much needed name recognition.
Participating in my first Facebook Party after the release of A Demon’s Witch was overwhelming, but exhilarating at the same time. Learning to create my website was fun, but ramping it up to promote my books was interesting to say the least. January 9, 2016, will be my second Facebook Party a release party for a fellow author, Mary Morgan and promotion for my second release, Charm Me. I’m ready. Please feel free to join several well-known authors and myself.
Now let’s talk about a first author’s newsletter. I chose Mail Chimp as my provider, but that nasty learning curve rose up and slapped me upside the head, AGAIN. Just type the info in the boxes. Right? All kinds of wrong, arrange the boxes, add the art work, then the content. After blood, sweat and tears, in the end, I won and produced a newsletter my readers enjoyed. Whew!
Whats next for 2016? I’m glad you asked. Charm Me has a release date of January 6, 2016 and A Witch’s Journey will be out later this year. I have work in progress that I hope to submit, one is the second book in the Demon’s Witch series, the other a fun Christmas novel. I continue to strive to reach my goal of 5000- 7,000 words a week, which I met in 2015. Spend quality time with my family and friends, take long 
walks with my dog and more play-time with my parrot. Camping is high on my list of priorities, I’m in the process of making reservations for my family’s favorite camping spots.
How was your 2015? Did it meet your expectations? What about 2016? Any resolutions, changes you want to make, plans or vacations you want to take or do? Please leave a comments as to what you are looking forward to in 2016!
Wishing you a safe, heath, prosperous and Happy New Year!
Next we tackle camping plans and making reservations for the summer. See you then.
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Posted in Camping, Food for Thought, For Fun, My Say What Blog and tagged 2015, 2016, A Demon's Witch, camping, Charm Me, goals, New Year Resolutions, novels by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Uncontrolled Dogs – A Tragedy Waiting To Happen
This morning as I sat at my desk searching for a blog topic, I learned of a terrible tragedy that broke my heart and angered me beyond belief. After I calmed down, I decided the best thing I could do was bring awareness to this situation.
The heartbreaking tragedy was posted to my Facebook page by a good friend and dog breeder. A puppy
he’d placed with a loving family several years ago was viciously attacked by two other dogs and died. I deliberately didn’t mention the perpetrators breed, as there are good and bad in ALL breeds. However, this family is devastated and grieving due to the loss of their beloved Chow caused by a tragedy that could have been prevented by responsible dog ownership and training.
In my humble opinion, these situations happen because people fail to keep their dogs on a leash or fail to maintain their fence so their dog escapes on a regular basis. Or people allow the escape of their canine out the front door. Now I realize accidents happen. But knowing where your dog is when you open the door. Training your dog to stay away from the door when it’s open. Or simply holding onto your dog when the door is open goes a long way to stop escape.
A couple of months ago, I faced a similar but much less devastating situation. Out for an early morning walk, a neighbor’s dog (he’d escaped confinement) charged at my dog and I, growling, barking, with hackles raised. (It was a breed that you don’t associate with attacks, so I was caught by surprise.) Adrenaline pumping enabled me to sling my 45-50 pound Chow up on my shoulder and kick at the advancing dog, connecting several times until the dog retreated. That was the first and last time I’ve left my house without an air horn, pepper spray and collapsible metal baton.
It is a sad state of affairs when you have to pack protective gear before venturing out with your dog in your own neighborhood. Yet, I meet several people daily that carry a large walking stick, among other things, for protection of themselves and their dog(s). Some go as far as to carry a concealed weapon. A recipe for disaster. But, an air horn can be a great deterrent, hopefully allowing escape without harm to anyone.
In memory of this wonderful family companion, please keep your dog under control and on a leash while going for a walk, make sure your fence is escape proof, and your dog is contained before opening the outside door. Also check your dog’s collars and leashes for wear and replace the items when necessary! Taking these simple steps may help prevent this tragedy from happening to you and your dog.
One last request, please pick up after your dog, illness and disease can be spread through feces. Not to mention the irritation and aroma a person experiences when stepping in a pile. Yuck! That way everyone can enjoy our parks, trails and neighborhoods.
Thank you!
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Posted in Food for Thought, My Say What Blog by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Spring Equinox Arrived!
Sure enough, according to scientists, astronomers and people that know these things, Spring Equinox arrived at 12:57 p.m., on Thursday, March 20, 2014. You wouldn’t know it here in the Colorado Rockies as lots of big wet snowflakes blanketed the tulips and daffodil plants that should know better than to stick their tender green sprouts above ground this early.
Also known as the Vernal Equinox, it brings a plethora of traditions and rituals including more sunlight hours, which makes me happy. Easter for Christians falls the first Sunday after the full moon subsequent to the Spring Equinox. Others celebrate the Spring Maiden or Goddess who watches over the emerging flora and fauna, a reminder of earth’s fertility. Still others have traditional dances and hunts to celebrate the arrival of Spring.
As the snow melts, the thirsty ground sighs with relief soaking up the much needed moisture. Hope springs eternal for the promise of warm sunlit days that awaken the budding flowers and bring spectacular color to our world. Happy Spring everyone!
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Posted in Food for Thought, My Say What Blog and tagged Colorado Rockies, Daffodil, Easter, rituals, Spring, Spring Equinox, Tulips by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Spring Must be Right Around the Corner!
Yep, my Chow, Mystic, is starting to blow her massive coat. She knew it would be a cold winter and geared up for staying warm. Over the past three weeks, my husband and I have filled almost four grocery bags full of caramel colored fur from our weekly brushings. That’s enough to make at least one doggie playmate for her.
Alas, she will remain an only dog, because that’s all we can handle, not because she is a problem, quite the opposite, we hit the almost perfect canine companion lottery with her. Besides our parrot, Taco, can only keep up with one dog at a time.
Then there is our 40 year old box turtle, Sammie, who has placed our Chow at the top her s**t list since Mystic’s arrival nineteen months ago. As a puppy Mystic picked Sammie up, while the turtle was sunning herself in the sunroom and took her outside, apparently to play, not once but twice over a week’s time. The turtle did not appreciate this offer of playtime in any way shape or form. After we figured out how this was happening, we strengthened Sammie’s enclosure, so she couldn’t get out, thereby, thwarting the puppy’s efforts. Still, each time the dog passes by Sammie’s indoor enclosure, she hisses her displeasure loud and long.
But I digress, Spring is a time when green sprouts poke their heads out of the brown winter landscape with promise of a colorful transition. Mother Nature awakens not only plants, but other creatures too, pesky ones.
Each year blood-sucking mosquitoes kill thousands of humans and animals alike. They transmit West Nile virus, various types of Encephalitis, Malaria, Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever. They also threaten the lives of our canine companions with the insidious Heartworm disease. In the southern United States mosquito season has already begun and by May will be in full swing throughout the entire US. Take precautions to reduce the chances of mosquitoes hanging around your home.
• Make sure there is no stagnant or standing water around your home.
• Check your window screens for slits or holes in them and repair or replace them as necessary.
• Consider obtaining commercially available Mosquito traps.
Finally, protect your pets with readily available Heartworm preventatives.
One last thought, snakes, skunks, raccoons, foxes and various other creatures are active with the arrival of Spring. Check your yard before allowing your pets outside, especially early morning and after dusk to prevent unwanted encounters, such as the one we had last summer with a skunk in our back yard. That’s a tale for another day, until then have a magical Saint Patrick’s Day and a productive week.
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Posted in Food for Thought, My Say What Blog and tagged Heartworm, Mosquitoes, Pets, Spring, West Nile by tenajean with comments disabled.
