Saturday, November 4, 2017

Celebrating Being Home


I seem to have fallen by the wayside when it comes to blogging in recent months. Preparing for travels, our trip to Spain and Portugal, and trying to put finishing touches on notes for recent books, all distracted me from both blogs. We got home Monday evening, and I've been busy ever since then, catching up. But I do have things to celebrate:

First, Celebrate the Small Things  is a blog hop co-hosted by Lexa Cain at: Lexa Cain,  L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge , and Tonja Drecker @ Tidbits Blog(You can go to any of these sites to add your name to the links, if you want to participate. )

Now to the celebrations:

1. As some of you know, I discovered last year that I have glaucoma. It was really severe, too, when the opthamologist discovered it. I've had surgery in the eye most severely affected, and I've been taking drops in both eyes to bring the pressure down. I am diligent in taking my drops. Still, one can't help but be nervous. So in my last exam -- GOOD NEWS: The pressure came down some more in both eyes. I am so happy about that.

   

2. As mentioned earlier, my picture book, Dragonella, was released October 20th (in time for Christmas.) Here is the LINK if you want to order a copy for a little one: 

3. But I also have a contract for my story collection for children, The Carnival of the Animals, which will  come out next year. As you can imagine, I feel like turning somersaults of joy.

4. A book I ordered came in my absence: Memoirs from Mrs. Hudson's Kitchen, by Wendy Herman-MarsawAs many of you know, I am a great Sherlock Holmes fan. (My book, Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls, includes him among the characters.) This book includes many details of Victorian society during the time of the Sherlock Holmes canon, as well as recipes for meals served in various classes — all through the eyes of the Great Detective's landlady.   And here is a LINK for it.



5. I'm submitting my cosy mystery novel now, and waiting with bated breath for the sound of the pebble landing somewhere. 

I'm also caught up on a lot of things, now, so I expect to be blogging more faithfully, both here and on my Fourth Wish blog next door. 


How about you? Have things distracted you from blogging? Have you had good health news lately? Are you submitting your writing projects? Do you have any good summer 

28 comments:

Julia Thorley said...

There's lot to celebrate here. One of my yoga students was diagnosed with glaucoma earlier in the year. She, too, has had surgery on one eye and is persevering with drops. She kindly allowed me to write her up as a 'case study' for Om Yoga magazine, due to be published in December's issue.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Julia. Always nice to have you stop by. I'm intrigued by the write up for Om Yoga magazine. Does she also do yoga? If so, do you think that affects the stability of her eye pressure?

Julia Thorley said...

Yes, she's still doing yoga, but under strict instructions from her surgeon not to do any inversions. We've worked together to find modifications so that she can still come to general class, and she has excellent body awareness, so I know I can trust her not to do anything she shouldn't. It's been a frustrating time for her, but we're getting there.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

In my case, after the surgery was a success, my doctor told me I could be active, but not to do any yoga that would involve pressure rushing to my head. (I don't do yoga, but I'm mindful of not having my head below my heart for any length of time.)

Julia Thorley said...

Better do as you're told. Nice to connect with you today.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Likewise! Enjoy the rest of the week-end.

DMS said...

Such wonderful news about the eye pressure going down in both eyes. Yay! That is something to celebrate for sure.

You have been busy enjoying life- and sometimes blogging takes a backseat for a while. :) Congrats again on the release of your book!
~Jess

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks, Jess, for all the good wishes. It's nice to be "back in the saddle again." Have a great week ahead. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep you got last night. :-)

Tonja Drecker said...

Glad to hear that your eyes are doing a little better. I'll keep you in my prayers. Yay to that contract! That is exciting.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks, Tonja. I believe in the power of prayer, and I appreciate that. Yes, I'm excited about The Carnival of the Animals contract. It's been a year of blessings , personally, even though difficult things have been happening in the world.

cleemckenzie said...

I'm so happy to hear that your eyes have responded to treatment. What a scare, Elizabeth. And now your good news is ever better. Many congratulations on all that you're accomplishing.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks, Lee. Originally I really was frightened. I'm so grateful I was born at the time I was. They can save your eyes, now. Fifty years ago I really would have been doomed to blindness. Thanks for the congratulations. Have a great week.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Good to hear the pressure has come down in your eyes. And a big congrats on all your writing success!

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks, Lynda. I'm so happy about both. Have a great week.

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

You're one busy person. That's good about your eyes. I'm in the early stages of glaucoma myself. Hopefully, I won't need surgery anytime soon.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Richard. It's amazing how many people I'm learning have glaucoma. We were all born at a good time, since there is something doctors can do now. In the past it was a sentence to blindness. The earlier you catch it the less likely you'll need surgery. Mine was really advanced. Good luck with good results from your medication, and thanks for stopping by.

Elephant's Child said...

Sandra Cox sent me. I have to say I have been seeing Dragonella everywhere in the blogosphere - and it looks like a heap of fun. (too many dragons would be barely enough). Congratulations - and hooray for getting the pressure down in your eyes.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I came by from Sandra Cox's blog. She gave you a wink and a nod today, so I had to stop by and see your new book.

Sorry to read about your glaucoma. I had a cat that had it, and he eventually lost his entire eye and eyeball as a result. Back then (about 16 years ago), cats didn't have much chance of having eye surgery. Not sure about today, so it's good that you are a human and your eye surgery was successful and the pressure has been reduced.

I can't wait to read your new book.

JFM said...

Hi Elizabeth, I'M Jan. I am visiting from Sandra Cox's blog today. I am so happy for you that your surgery went well and that the pressure in your eye has gone down.
You sound as if you have a full and exciting life...wonderful!
Have a lovely day 💮

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Elephant's Child. Thanks for the good wishes. People have been very kind to spread the word about Dragonella. And yes, I'm very happy about the eye pressure. I was so scared when I first learned I had glaucoma. You aren't aware of it. It was discovered during my eye exam for a new prescription.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Sandra's blog is one of my favorite blogs. I hope you enjoy Dragonella. For some reason, dragons are so popular with young people. Unlike vampires and werewolves, they don't seem to go out of style.

Sorry about your cat. Our pets really yank our hearts when they go through things like that. I hope the prospects of eye surgery for pets has advanced. Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hello, Jan, great to meet you. It's always nice to meet new friends. Sandra's blog is one of my favorite blogs. Thanks for all the good wishes. I'm very happy about those eyes! :-) I'm off to visit your blog now.

Sandra Cox said...

So glad you got good news about your eyes, Elizabeth.
And many congrats on the contract. You're smokin':)

Sandra Cox said...

One of our senior cats also has glaucoma and is on eye drops.
Our vet told us that surgery would run around 6K.
The other has thyroid and heart issues and gets pills everyday.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

That's an amazing cost! Ii suppose that explains now why some companies offer health insurance for pets. But if the eye drops work, don't bother with surgery. I only had the surgery in one eye because it was so severe. The other eye is controlled by drops, as is the operative eye now.

I have an affinity with your cat! I, too, have Thyroid issues. Had a thyroidectomy a few years ago, and now take pills. Luckily, no heart issues.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks, Sandra. I appreciate how supportive you have always been. I'm really pleased about it.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello there Elizabeth ...
I too am visiting from Sandra's blog.

Glaucoma does affect many and I am so pleased to read the good news about your eyes ... brilliant.

Take care and enjoy your weekend

All the best Jan

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks so much for the good wishes, Jan. I am so grateful we live in an age when something can be done about it. Have a nice day.