It’s been many months since I’ve blogged on this space, so an explanation is in order. The short of it is, I moved. And the home I bought needed—and continues to need—a lot of work. Some of that work I contracted and some I’ve been doing myself. Making my new home livable has placed demands on my time, as have all the other changes that come with settling into a new community. But the lion’s share of the work is done, and I can continue at a moderate pace with what remains. That will allow me to get back to my routine, so I hope to be posting more regularly here. But first, let me catch you up on things in Rushworld.

The author outside his new home.
  • I’m now officially a Yankee carpetbagger, having left the People’s Republic of New Jersey for a Free State in the southeast.
  • My mortgage payment for a three-bedroom house on .4 acres of land is less than the rent for my dingey studio apartment in New Jersey.
  • An electrician discovered bats in my attic, so I took the necessary steps to evict them, tacking up steel mesh over the eave vents and placing a bat-cone there for them to exit. I don’t know if they’re gone, or if I inadvertently sealed them inside. I’m afraid to go up in the attic.
  • I painted my living room, hallway, guest room and office, an experience which has thoroughly convinced me that I hate to paint.
  • I bought a piano, a fabulous Charles R. Walter upright with a beautiful walnut finish. I’ve had five lessons, and am coming along nicely.
  • I invited the pastor of my new parish to perform a house blessing. Afterwards, I treated him and four guests to a sumptuous four-course dinner. Then we opened up for the neighbors to drop by.
  • My backyard has an enormous oak tree, which is home to various species of birds. I enjoy watching them fly around.
  • I got a phone app for identifying the plants growing in my yard. Virtually every one is a “highly invasive weed, very difficult to eradicate.”
  • I have not gotten a dog.

Finally, The Wedding Routine continues to be a hit with readers. Here’s an excerpt from a Four Star Out of Four Review that appeared at Online Book Club:

How will Celia manage her struggling business, her difficult relationship with her business partner, and the prospect of new love? Find out in this amazing book.

There are a lot of positives in this book. The book has a lot of dynamic characters, from the exotic heartthrob that is Janos to the lovable nerd that is Rupert and the wise yet savage Father Burke; each character is so distinct, yet their interactions with Celia produce nothing but comic gold. Also, I love the balance of romance to comedy in the book. It is not so romantic that it makes you cringe and, at the same time, not so humorous that it loses substance. I also love the author’s use of imagery, particularly in parts where Celia narrates the terrible dancing she is witnessing; it makes for a hilarious experience.

If you haven’t gotten your copy of The Wedding Routine yet, I suggest you drop everything and place your order. Kevy’s got a mortgage to pay.

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