If you like fountains, the gardens at the Villa d'Este, in Tivoli, Italy, are a must-see. The gardens are on the grounds of the former residence of Cardinal Ippolito d'Este. They were built in 1572. Today, this garden is part of the UNESCO world heritage list.
January 7 question: Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn't get done in 2025?
I honestly didn't do much writing in 2025. Mostly it was because of the grieving due to the death of my son. I wrote some in a memoir. Maybe I'll finish that. I will continue marketing my newest book, Happy Birthday to US! which I wrote in 2023 and was published in December. I have a picture book manuscript that I might clean up and see about getting published. I also have some ideas I came up with in 2024. Maybe I'll work on those. This is the year of recovery. To rest and to feel I'm on my feet and can keep marching.
What about you? What are your writing plans for 2026? Anything you need to finish from 2025?
Speaking of Happy Birthday to US! there's a tour going on. If you'd like to have a chance to win an Amazon gift card, visit one of the stops and enter the drawing.
You had a rough year. May this year be a good one!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope this one will be a good one.
DeleteTime to recover. Bubba will always be with you.
ReplyDeleteYes. I know he's always with me, but I still miss his physical presence.
DeleteTime to recover is good. Rest and recovery and discovery are all good places to be. Congratulations on Happy Birthday to US!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteDear Sherry, your photos are beautiful. I love children's books. I have been having health issues and my heart goes out to you, dear friend. Our health is so important and in fact, the most important thing! Please take good care of yourself and I sent you much love and warm hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am sorry about your health issues. I hope your health improves!
DeleteHang in there. It sounds like you keep moving forward and that's a plus. Maybe a trip to Italy could help (mmm pasta, gelato, and oh yes, gardens). This one in Tivoli sounds fabulous. Good luck on your book - I hope the grocery tour sales are worthwhile. Big hug and take care.
ReplyDeleteThe grocery store sales have been good. I've sold 50 books there. Italian gelato sounds good. I think a trip to Italy might be nice! :)
DeleteBest wishes with your year of recovery. You have some great writing goals. I've found picture books to be a nice change of pace from writing adult books, especially if you need something more lighthearted to work on for a little while.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy writing picture book. I especially like seeing the story come to life through the illustrations.
DeleteI can't begin to imagine the pain of losing a child. You have been on my mind since his death. Perhaps the grief will abate a little during the coming year. I don't know. Several years ago when I was in a lot of pain over something that happened, a therapist told me that when I needed to cry I should cry until I was done crying. So I did. Every time the tears came, no matter where I was, I let them come without shame.
ReplyDeleteSo much love for you,
Janie
Thank you, Janie. Yes, this is really tough! I was talking to my daughter about it just yesterday. We agreed that time doesn't make it less. You just learn to develop and continue around the pain.
DeleteHi Sherry - you certainly had a really sad year and it's good to see you moving on, however slowly, grief is there ... with thoughts. I'm so glad you've got your music, your writing - the memoir seems a good place to bring some sense into your life ... remembering the highs and as Janie mentions ... the tears. That garden must be extraordinary ... so much to see and learn about the 1600s ... while all the fountains look extraordinary. Cheers and sent with thoughts in this New Year - Hilary
ReplyDelete2025 felt like I was trudging through it. Hopefully, 2026 will be a bit easier to traverse. Thank you for your well wishes and good thoughts!
DeleteWater gives such a lovely element to every garden.
ReplyDelete2025 was such a shitty year, pardon my French, cannot imagine 2026 being worse, so there is that.
I'm so very sorry, Sherry. Grief is all encompassing. I'm amazed that you were still able to work on your upcoming book. I hope 2026 is a better year for you and you find a lot of healing. These gardens are beautiful. I so want to go to Italy someday.
ReplyDelete