Five Things - April 28, 2025

Welcome to my blog titled ‘Five Things’ where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. I’ll also share a quote I find meaningful as a point of focus for the week. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things, starting with the quote of the week…

1. “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” - Billy Graham

2. We’re on the road again! This week, we’ve set up camp in Newport Beach, CA. It feels so good to be near the ocean again. For a girl who grew up on the coast, the desert never felt quite right. Like if I drove far enough, I should run into the beach. Anyway, we’re near the coast for a while now, and we look forward to spending time with our kids, watching a few of them graduate, and enjoying our continued adventures.

3. This is my last week of class, and next week marks the last week of the semester. Once I turn in my final assignments, I will have officially finished my first year of graduate school! My final paper in the survey class is a reflective piece. It asks where we were as writers when we started, how we hoped to grow, and what practical things we actually learned. I’ll be thinking about this over the next two weeks, and as soon as I have my thoughts together, I’ll share some of the highlights here.

4. I’ve been matched with my thesis mentor, Cindy Skaggs, and I’m really excited to work with her! She and I will have a kick-off meeting next week to discuss which project makes the most sense to focus on. I’m particularly pleased to have Cindy as my mentor because, in addition to working on this thesis, she’s eager to discuss industry stuff with me as well. It will be great to have someone else to bounce ideas off of, and to ask advice about publishing pathways for different projects. I’ll keep you updated as we get going.

5. I haven’t mentioned Milo, or any of the pets really, in a while, but all is well with our furry friends. Milo is sixteen and requires a little extra daily TLC, and I’m truly happy to do it. She’s such an affectionate little love, and I think her monthly arthritis shot, her daily thyroid meds, her extra calorie treats, and her calming pheromone collar truly make a difference in keeping her happy, comfortable, and as healthy as possible during her twilight years. It honestly makes me feel really good to take care of her after all the joy she’s brought, and continues to bring, to our family. Also, Daisy turns four next month, so happy birthday to our tiny travel dog!

Monday Musings 11-2-20

Last week we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Gabby. What we thought was aging joints and inflammation turned out to be bone cancer. One afternoon, she went outside, curled up on the deck, and couldn’t get back up. It was probably best for her that she went so quickly as things were only going to get much worse, but we were devastated.

Gabby was already four years old when she came to live us. When we bring an animal into our lives, we can pretty much guarantee that because of their shorter lifespan they’re going to break our hearts at some point. Yet, they give us such joy and love, we know we’d do it all over again.

Gabby came into my life just as I’d started working from home. Although it was my daughter who wanted a dog, I needed the companionship too. Our sweet girl didn’t disappoint. She slept at my feet while I worked, always one paw touching me somewhere. She hiked with me for miles, happy to be out in all weather. She attended numerous baseball and football games, excited to be part of our third son’s cheering section.

I have pictures of everyone in the family giving Gabby full-body hugs. Actually, it looks more like she is giving us a full-body hug. Ray and I would often joke that we hoped to be worthy of her unconditional love, and that no one was happier to see us when we’d walk through the door than Gabby.

I miss her when I sit out on the porch. I miss her when I’m working at the kitchen table. I miss her when I spill something on the floor. I miss her howling comically at the cookie jar, begging for a treat. She was a beautiful soul and I am eternally grateful that she shared our home for the last six years.

Rest easy, dear Gabby. We love you.

In other news…

Save the date! The RI Author Expo is going virtual this year. On December 5 from 10 am - 4 pm, we will have a fantastic line-up of FREE panels, programs, and virtual author meet and greets. We’re using the Grenadine platform and it would be best to register ahead of time so you can plan your day. On the day of the event, live links will be available for every program. Check it out here: RI Virtual Expo. Click the blue button on the top navigation bar to register for the event.

Here’s my schedule for the day:

• Tabitha’s Kaffeeklatsch (meet and greet) 10:00 - 10:45 am

• Not Your Mama’s Romance (panel) - 11:00 - 11:45 am

• Kick Your Scene into Action (presentation) 12:00 - 12:45 pm

• So, You Want to Write a Series? (panel) 2:00 - 2:45 pm

• A Hero, an Anti-hero, and a Villain Walk into a Bar… (panel) 3:00 - 3:45 pm

Hope to see you there!

Monday Musings 7-15-1

Most of you know that we lost one of our kitties a few months ago. He was a gentle soul, always right there when I needed him most. I wasn’t ready to open my heart to a new furry friend - until my kids convinced me, of course. There’s nothing quite like snuggling a tiny ball of purring fur. This little fluff muffin makes us all laugh with her playful antics. Yennefer (yes we’re Witcher fans) certainly isn’t a replacement for our beloved Bede, but she is finding her way into all hearts!

In other news, EQUINOX is now available on audio! Grateful thanks to amazing voice actor, David Draffin, for bringing this series to life. If audible books are your thing, I hope you’ll check it out. Click on the picture for purchasing options.

Monday Musings 3-25-19

One of my sweet kitties died this weekend. I’v written about this guy before and posted many pictures of him on social media. He’s the one who always seemed to know when I needed a little extra love. One of his favorite spots was sprawled next to my computer on the kitchen table, sometimes even on top of the keyboard if he thought I needed a break.

The thing about pets is we know they’re going to break our hearts. Their short lifespan pretty much guarantees we’ll have to say goodbye to them before we’re ready. But the unconditional love they offer to us, and their quiet, unwavering presence in our lives makes the sadness worth it.

As hard as it was to watch my furry friend fade away over the last few weeks from kidney failure, I got to take good care of him and hold him when he passed. Hopefully, I gave him back some of the comfort he brought to me over the last couple of years.

RIP sweet Bede. You will be missed.