From the Cane Walking Trenches

Post Op Day 12

I made it.

(This is not me. But it is me trying out AI generated pictures, which scares me so I’ve decided to try it to make it less scary, if that makes sense.)

Full disclosure: this time last week, I wasn’t so sure I would make it, but by golly I am here, and I see a distinct light at the end of my recovery tunnel.

I had total hip replacement surgery on May 20. I had a bit of trouble getting past the spinal block so I got to have a hospital sleepover which was probably a good thing, considering. Came home midday on May 21 and plopped into a recliner where I stayed more or less for a solid three days, feeling super duper sorry for myself.

Now it’s June 1 and I am walking with a walking stick (the cane I graduated to post-walker phase was making my hand and arm go to sleep I was pressing on so hard so Mr. C The Engineer sorted that out for me. I am eternally grateful). I’m sitting up like a normal person at a desk to type out my lil’ substack this morning by way of letting you know that I’m back. Not 100% but creeping and crawling my way there.

The walking stick that changed everything….

I had major surgery back in the summer of 2022 as well and recall feeling a similar way. Frustrated at being unable to operate 100% independently, tiring easily, lingering pain, all of the same crap that I’m having now. I am not that person who asks for help much, and requiring help to do the most basic of tasks (i.e. putting on shoes and socks) makes me twitchy and, dare I say it, super grumpy.

But it’s a beautiful start of summer June on a Saturday and I am doing all I can to battle that, to recognize my many privileges and get off my lazy butt to promote my upcoming book release. I’ve got a publicity campaign bought and paid for that should launch in about 10 days so that will hopefully help but I still need to stack up some TikToks and what nots and I just do not have that kind of energy.

All that said, let’s review:

My very first domestic thriller, Cul-de-Sac is releasing June 11. I have a book release party scheduled for June 14 at a local Indie bookstore (Fiction Addiction in Greenville SC) and know at least 10 people will be there, there’s that. I’ve got some solid reviews in pre-publication so far. I’m guessing not everyone is or will be into this book given its subject matter (a polyamorous upscale neighborhood in the midwest chock full of jealousy, pettiness, fake friendships and… a death). As I listen to it unfold in audio version that will release around the same day as the print/ebook I realize I could have done a better job with parts of it (ugh) but it’s too damn late now (oh well). I’ve even got a book club brunch scheduled later this month, so, go me!

I have another project that’s pressing down on me. One that’s a collaboration I initiated and I’m having a bit of trouble finding a groove with, but I did hit a decent word count milestone last week. So there is that. I’m committed to ONE BOOK A YEAR or every other year, at most, at this point, being realistic about my capability/energy/desire for promotional activity that falls on deaf ears. (Not whining. Stating facts.)

Oh, by the way, it’s summer. Did I mention that already? Summer does strange things to those of us who consider ourselves fall people. It’s light so damn late, when am I allowed to go to bed? And the pressure to be on vacation somewhere nice is so strong, it’s guilt-making. The flowers (even the ones in my own little garden attempts) are so…I don’t know…aggressive and bright. All the happy pool goers and comers in their purple and orange golf carts on my not-as-friendly-as-advertised neighborhood streets. I don’t know. It’s just not…me. I’m not winter. But I am def not summer.

If you are, enjoy. Don’t let me bring you down. I admire you, trust me. I just want the leaves to be more than one color, a nip in the air, deeper blue skies and darkness at a decent hour, and football on the weekends. I found a poem that kind of reflects this for me. Enjoy, while I contemplate how and when to put out my rainbows for said neighborhood to enjoy.

I think part of my melancholia, other than what’s always there for me because it’s baked into my personality, is that my baby, my youngest, has reached a major milestone with her recent graduation from Vet school, and will be fully embarking on her life as an adult in another week. As we speak she’s moving back to her beloved Michigan, putting her another 7 or so hours away from me. While I know full well she still needs me, part of of me also realizes that she won’t, not as much, not anymore. Weird, this feeling. And while I know it could lead to bad decisions, vis a vis getting another dog or cat, I also know it’s perfectly natural. So I’m going to let it happen, then let it go. (and I won’t be adding to the current menagerie)

RE: audio books. I have finished my 2nd Sarah J. Maas series, and enjoyed it very much (more than the first one). The sexy bits were baked into the story in a way that felt natural and I adored how she created a modern world chock full of creatures and what nots who went about their businesses in a Big City, until they realized they were basically all slaves to a bunch of creepy overlords who were zapping their natural magical abilities for their own sustenance. Nice ending too.

5 thumbs up for the Crescent City Series on audio. VERY well narrated.

I also listened to my own book this month but you know, I think it’s pretty damn good. Traci Odom is narrator and she knocks it out the park. Cul-de-Sac in audio will be available on or close to June 11.

Go on. Get outside. You know you want to. Me? I’ve got a rom com to write.

xoxo

Liz