How the trip came about:
Let me start by saying though we ended up having a blast in Austin and our day trip to Waco—we actually did the trip with minimal planning because we originally set to attend and camp out at Bonnaroo. We (my brother, G., and his girlfriend, M.) made the call on Monday night (flipped a coin) before the whole thing was officially canceled. It was definitely the right decision by the organization with the weather—and official cancellation 24 hours later—and I was definitely lucky that the only impact the horrendous hurricane had on me was a change in travel plans.

 On to the fun stuff.
We picked Austin because we were planning to camp and so were driving. Austin was the same distance away (10 hours from the starting destination in Kansas) and we had camping gear in the back. 90 degrees in August was maybe not the smartest choice, but live and learn (my deodorant melted when I left it in the tent one day). 

Hate to say it but did not see any armadillos. Also did not see any bats—on every top ten list of Austin we saw mention of the bats at the congress bridge. We got eaten alive by mosquitos, but no bats. Is that something people in Austin say to trick the tourist?

We stayed at a Hilton right off the highway close to the district. This was nice because it meant we were in walking distance to some really good food and where we ended up seeing a stand-up comedy show. The hotel itself was lovely because it had air conditioning and also a shallow rooftop pool.

So all in all, there was a lot we didn’t get to see—but I’d go back! Food was good, parking was easy to find and cheap (I've been in Chicago too long when finding downtown parking for a couple of bucks becomes a highlight), and a lot to do for varying interests and budgets. 

I was putting together my monthly journal spread for October and realize it had been a while since I blogged! So, here’s just an update about some things I’ve been up to while the blog has been quiet since Middle Ground is out.

I’ve been trying to stay careful with the delta variant of the COVID-19 having an impact in my part of the world( I am fully vaccinated) while balancing going out and doing things. Managed to do a vacation to Austin, TX, which was a lot of fun. We also did a day trip out to Waco, TX. It was great to get to camp, jump off rocks, eat some great food, and explore a new place to me. I may end up doing a longer post about it for those looking for recommendations or ideas.

Aside from that, I’ve been doing some research and some planning for my next novel. For example, I now know more about Aztec Farming—which was a rabbit hole I enjoyed going down. How that will come back to the book is still in the works! With that and at that stage of planning I’m in, I’m tentatively considering doing NaNoWriMo. It’s all virtual again this year. Nanowrimo is where a group of like-minded individuals get together to crank out their first draft of a novel in just a month. The goal is to hit 50,000 words in thirty days.

Hope everyone is doing well!
Olivia

This blog post is a twofer! A review of both the book and the method related to the organizational phenomenon of bullet journal or "bujo".

Surprisingly the way I first hear about the Bullet Journal System was when I bought my first Leuchtturm 1917 notebook. Lechtturm 1917 company has a notebook that specifically mentioned bullet journals. So I checked out the website and various reviews.

 It's one of those productivity modules that appealed to me as it starts with the basic notebook and pen. Which--check. I like writing things out longhand. I like notebooks. I like the whole process. I also really love lists. (You can check out my ode to the to-do list here).

Bullet Journal seemed like the combination of those two loves along with the requisite anecdotes of being able to get your life in order. The website for bullet journal method may be found here: https://www.bulletjournal.com/.

The basic premise of the method is to have a notebook and pen. Using said pen, you first create an index. Within the index, you then record the pages and titles of the things you want to keep track of within the notebook. The method also advocates setting up monthly logs along wit daily logs.

If your chose notebook doesn't have numbered pages, put on that next podcast episode and number the pages yourself. You don't need a fancy notebook or specialized one. The one I'm using right now is a400-page beaut of a Moleskin. I do use fancy-colored markers and pens because that's one of my simple joys.

Suffice to say I was incorporating pieces of the system into my life and decided to read the book. The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future by Ryder Carroll is a good read. It's also well set up to jump to different sections that might interest a reader or if someone wants a quick refresh on a section.

It's definitely suited to someone trying to figure out the best way to approach a new project or challenge in their life. Perfectly suited for a read before making a New Years' resolution. The reason I say this is that Carroll takes the reader through both his method of tracking and planning but also goal setting.

Others may be familiar with the techniques he talked about. I found the exercises helpful and grounding. They were excellent ways to frame my own goals and set priorities. With a more formal understanding of the method underway, I've tried the month snapshots--and I've fully embraced the adapted week schedule.

I need my week planned out. I do less the daily log so much as the daily end. It's helped keep me on track with journaling and listing out gratitude as well. Each week, I also try to write down a quick list of the events that I want to remember.

All in all--if you're feeling stuck or uninspired, you can check out very talented people's "bujo" on social media. You can also check out Carroll's website for the basics. I've also peppered this post with images from my own attempts. The book is great to understand the building blocks, along with the why, and also ways to approach your time. The whole may not be for everyone (me!) but I have to agree with Caroll's claim--there's probably something that will resonate with you.

A month later after I published Middle Ground!
First, let me start by saying thank you! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the website, who purchased one of my books, favorited me on Smashwords, and wrote a review.

It’s always so surreal to finalize a project—and even more so with the way the entire world has seemed to be in upheaval over the past year. I remember when I first started this blog, a little over five years ago, and I wasn’t sure where any of this would end up. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to build the life I wanted, I wasn’t sure where my next paycheck would come from.

Sometimes, I dwell on the negative and so I wanted to pause and write this post mainly for me as a reminder of how much I have been able to accomplish. I’ve self-published four books in a little over six years. Full stop.

When I first started to explore self-publishing, it was something that I needed as a way to balance out the job applications, the insurmountable denials, and staring down life after college. Now I write for different reasons, but I still write. I still have to make time, carve out moments to the plot, research, edit, format—and then, oh right, actually write. And then write again.
It’s easy to get mired down in what I haven’t done—yet this is a moment for me to realize not everything may be possible at once, but commitment does bear root over time. Little by little, I write. Little by little, I can add yet another book to my shelf.

Here’s your final sneak peek 😉

God, Englishmen, she thought. Morals at the worse times. He looked soft. Hair mussed, lips red. He was flushing, red up his cheeks. Fists clenched slightly as though he wanted to touch again.

Copyright Olivia Orndorff 2021

Later that night, his mother pronounced the event a success before heading upstairs. His father chuckled. His sister danced up the stairs with so much joy. He left walking out into the dark sky. He should have danced with other ladies. He should have called on others. He shouldn’t have taken Clara to see her. He shouldn’t have gone to the opera. Mrs. Ash was showing him how easy it was to get trapped in the game and how much she did not want to play.
Still, he thought with a smile, that was some dress.

Copyright Olivia Orndorff 2021

Here’s another teaser 😊

She rode well as benefitted a cavalry officer’s wife, he supposed. He wondered what drove her out of bed in the morning. It had been disconcerting to see her with only a lone footman out so early. She had the same smile whether she was in a ballroom, study, or on a horseback. As if all suited equally, or none at all.

Copyright Olivia Orndorff 2021

Here’s a teaser in preparation for Middle Ground coming out May 1! Just two weeks to go!

Eveline had surprised most of society when she had danced the waltz before getting the nod by the Matrons of the Almanac. Robert hadn’t told her. Either way, last time, the Matrons had only fluttered fans and muttered quietly but no one gave Eveline or Robert the cut direct. It was widely assumed she had already been the permissions when she had danced in polite society abroad.

She had never danced in polite society before England.

Some days, she missed the dancing of her youth.

Copyright Olivia Orndorff 2021

In honor of National Poetry Month, I wanted to share the collection of poetry I am currently enjoying. Over the past year, I kept seeing lines of poetry from Mary Oliver in numerous places from research texts to Instagram accounts. I’ve found it’s one of those odd things about books or really any art. Even a prolific or cannon writer may not always be one I stumble on, or it may not the right time.

Receiving Oliver’s compilation of work as a gift turned out to be a gift at the right time. Complied by the poet, who unfortunately passed away in 2019, Devotions was created and arranged by Oliver.  I have taken my cue from the title and used it as a way to start my morning. While I have struggled in many ways with the idea of faith and with the structure of religion, beginning the day with a poem and one by Oliver who focuses so much on nature, on spirituality through the senses, and wonder, I have found it as centering.

What poetry have you been loving this month?