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Books Laurel on Life Writing

Peace by Piece:

10 Lessons from a Jigsaw Puzzle!

Nadine Collier, book co-author, and her daughter, Sarah Collier, our cover designer!

My Michigan best friend and her daughter, Sarah, spent the past week with me finalizing our new book: Peace by Piece: 10 Lessons from a Jigsaw Puzzle!

We hope you will enjoy this “lite” life lessons book! It’s based on my experience completing my very first monster jigsaw puzzle, and every chapter ends with reflections from Nadine based on her years of experience as a licensed professional counselor! There’s something for everyone in this book, and you don’t need to be a puzzler to enjoy it!

Pre-order the e-version today! Both e-version and paperback will be available by Labor Day, so stay tuned for updates!

This is the puzzle that started the discussion about writing a book! It’s a CEACO brand 2,000-piece monster called “Coastal Escape,” and it proved to be a worthy challenge!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Books Laurel on Life Podcast

In Flight!

Wish I had wings!

My ducks have discovered their wings!
Listen to my latest COVID and Khaki Campbell Duck update!
The girls are still working on sticking their landings!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Books Writing

“Choices”

— a new microfiction story for my next DARK EBB: GRIM TALES collection!

Faced with an unbearable situation, a daughter must make a decision.
  • This is a 100-word (microfiction) short story! Please let me know what you think.
  • Find other short stories of horror, intrigue, aliens, and bizarre elements in my book DARK EBB: GRIM TALES
  • I’d love it if you’d leave a short review! Please let other readers know what you liked!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Books Podcast Writing

Meet Adam Ross!

A Positive Man Doing Great Things for his Community!

Author, entrepreneur, Star Wars fan, coffee lover Adam Ross!
Visit with us on YouTube!
“Just audio” here!

Show Notes with Links

We agree on some favorite TV shows!
  • Adam Ross agreed to be my first COVID-19 interviewee!
  • We discuss coffee–and different strokes for different folks!
  • Adam’s online shop: RosscoLorenzo
  • Adam’s entrepreneurial venture, including event planning for authors: RL Productions
  • We discuss the importance of having a positive attitude, particularly during troubling times
  • We talk about how many unique ideas exist in the universe and how every…single…person has their own voice!
  • We talk about NaNoWriMo and other motivational writing platforms
  • What has been Adam’s most difficult transition during the COVID-19 pandemic?
  • Lots of shout-outs to local business owners in Parker, CO who have helped him get established, and laugh about the hair dresser (because, well, as you can see in his profile photo…!) Specifically, Lynne Hurlburt of Parker Hair Xpress and Susan Bertolicchi of Kilwin’s Parker
  • I ask how his job as a paper salesman at Dunder Mifflin has interfered with his day job!
  • Find Adam across social media platforms by searching on RosscoLorenzo!
NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Books Laurel on Life Podcast

Q Diaries 32

More Mental Health Tips and Writing Inspiration

Read my story “Tanked” in my Dark Ebb: Grim Tales collection!
Listen here, y’all! And please click “LIKE” if you enjoyed it!

Show Notes with Links

NO TOUCHING!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Books Laurel on Life Podcast

Leap Day, the Corona Virus, and Dark Ebb: Grim Tales

A “quickie” episode!

With just a bit of advice!

Hey! I recorded a “quickie” episode yesterday (Leap Day, February 29, 2020) with info about my upcoming new release and some tips on the novel Corona Virus. Hope you take a “quickie” listen!

Pre-order now for April 1 delivery!
I’m recording in my closet now!

If you enjoy my podcast episodes, you might enjoy my books!

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!

Categories
Books Laurel on Life Podcast

Alligator Preserves Episode 31: Divide by One*–Grace Ragland Challenges The Tour Divide

Grace works on her pre-interview “magic paper” drawing!

Some might say that the Tour Divide would challenge the fittest among us. After all, this annual bicycling epic spans 2,745 miles between Banff, Canada and Antelope Wells, NM, right on the Mexican border. Some might even say that a person with Multiple Sclerosis would be a fool to attempt such a feat.

But not Grace Ragland. Having lived with M.S. since age ten (and she admits to being “50ish” now), she has yet to meet a challenge with an “I can’t.” When a friend mentioned trying this ultra-endurance event, Grace knew she had to challenge it. Spoiler alert: Grace is the first person with M.S. to complete The Tour Divide.

The mountains, the trail, the bike, the rider, and home! Get your own “magic paper” (your water painting disappears soon after you paint!) along with my books at Fire On The Mountain in Leadville!

*I offered the book title suggestion “Divide by One” to Grace and to Brent Goldstein, another TD finisher (I’ll interview him soon!).

Listen here, and see daily photos of Grace’s epic journey on her website:

 Show Notes with Links:

  • Grace discusses the years before her diagnosis with “relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis” and how she dealt with the news.
  • Her mother’s encouragement and advice
  • Personal physical challenges in the years before The Tour Divide
  • Link to David and Jana Zangerle’s episode (tandem bike racers)
  • Denver Post article from Grace’s 4th LT100 Mountain Bike finish (buckled!)
  • When she’s not training, Grace has another secret talent
  • Links to Elden Nelson’s episode and his blog
  • Meeting Brent Goldstein, and the First Descents Organization
  • National Interscholastic Cycling Organization (NICA), its inclusive mission, and Grace’s involvement
  • Grace’s friend, riding for Shami Butter, suggests the Tour Divide at “Inn the Clouds, The Leadville Hostel and Inn”
  • Link to Ken Chlouber’s episode (Founder of the Leadville Race Series)
  • Grace talks about how she got her Salsa Cutthroat Touring Bike
  • More about The Challenged Athletes Foundation
  • Special gear (aside from her touring bike) that helped
  • Guinness Book of World Records? We’ll see!
  • Finding “Da Brim” to protect her from the heat
  • Grace discusses her worst, scariest day (bacon lovers out there will love this part!), her best day, and trail angels
  • CLIF BAR! How about a sponsorship?!
  • What’s next for Grace? Steve Justice . . . get ready to be a ghostwriter for her book!
  • Grace’s blog: https://graciedamnit.wordpress.com/
  • Grace’s email: graciedamnit@yahoo.com
  • Grace’s local news link to her story: Local Mountain Biker says . . . 

More Links:

If you enjoyed this episode and others, please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!