The Daniel Dimension

I lived my dream today. I got up early, made my coffee, sat down, and started writing. My wife brought me lunch, and I kept writing. I finished and edited one chapter, then completely wrote another, and now I’m taking a nap. This is the life! (now if I could just convince people to buy the books I write) #danielwshegrud #barbeesatthebeach #pnwa #spokanewriters https://www.instagram.com/p/Cof96Qbvt3W/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mary and I stood at the sink today processing apples and pears we picked from our own trees, getting them ready to throw in the dryer. As we worked, I couldn’t help but think of Clark and Laura Carroll, two dear friends who, over the years, have inspired me in more ways than I can imagine. Look at us, Clark and Laura! We’re following your lead and processing food from our own yards. Thanks to you two, there might be hope for us yet. PS – miss you guys bunches! #DanielWShegrud #Metaline https://www.instagram.com/p/CjmQGSDLBRI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Well, phooey! I was having a wonderful time sitting on the back porch in this amazingly, pleasant, mid-October weather, making progress on my book, BARBEE’S AT THE BEACH. Working on chapter 30, by the way. I was enjoying the warmth, the sunshine, the scenery, and the smell of freshly picked pears on the table in front of me. Then, for some ridiculous reason, the sun, which had been perfectly positioned, moved, and I could no longer see my screen. Don’t mourn for me, however, because I have a comfy chair inside just waiting for my author-sized backside. #DanielWShegrud #BarbiesAtTheBeach #PNWA #metaline https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjloi-RvDft/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Sally the riding mower, Sadie the electric push mower, and String the weedeater, and I just finished our every-2-weeks, 2-hour lawn manicure. Now it’s time to sit in my comfy chair, pop open a cold fizzy drink, and contemplate how the work is done, and yet, at the same time, undone. You might want to tap this link and read a poem that explains that last thought. https://www.danielwshegrud.com/yet-undone After that? A nap, of course. #danielwshegrud #yetundone https://www.instagram.com/p/ChqFrTRvQSe/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The life of an author is a hard one. I am forced to sit in this insanely comfortable recliner in my heaven-sent dream house in this absolutely gorgeous mountain town of Metaline while I write. The horror of it all! #DanielWShegrud #BarbeesAtTheBeach #PNWA #metaline https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg7X4HJpc1M/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Meet the newest member of our lawn care family. We bought it to get the edges around the fence because our riding lawnmower can’t get that close. This little electric lawnmower is from American Lawnmower Company. It’s American made, not just American sold or American assembled. American made. Right here in the good old USA. Take that, China! #danielwshegrud #americanlawnmowercompany https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgh-KtVPmwM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Aye yi yi yi! I didn’t think I’d ever get to the end of chapter 24. What with months of househunting and weeks of moving, followed by weeks of settling in and then a family vacation, I’ve only written two chapters in my novel BARBEE’S AT THE BEACH in five months. It was beginning to feel like a conspiracy! But not to worry. Things are settling down and I’ve gotten back to my keyboard. How I’ve missed these wonderful people and their wonderful story. I can’t wait until you get to meet them, too! How’s your novel writing going? #DanielWShegrud #BarbeesAtTheBeach #pnwa https://www.instagram.com/p/Cggc40uOL0H/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Chapter 21 of BARBEE’S AT THE BEACH is done and as far as I can tell it’s perfect. If you read the little snippet here, you’ll see that it’s also deadly serious. Or is it? #barbeesatthebeach #danielwshegrud #pnwa #bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc85bscv-QE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We’ll, fiddle-de-fizzle and foodle-de-do! My Pampered Chef dishbrush is broken in two. Well, fizzle-de-fizzle and foodle-de-dee, It’s broken apart, as plainly you see. I’ve used it for nigh onto 24 years, And losing it now sends me nigh into tears. I’ve used it on pots and on pans and on platters, On cookware befouled with my sauces and batters. I’ve used it to scrub every plate, cup, and flask, And never, not once, did it shirk from its task. I’ve scrubbed my utensils, each cranny and nook. Its bristles would scour each elbow and crook. For Twenty-four years it served faithful and true, And now that it’s broke, I’m not sure what to do. My dishes will miss it. They like to be clean. It makes them feel special, contented, serene. They’ve lost a good friend on whom they’ve depended, But now that relationship, sadly, has ended. And I, in this moment of heartache and sorrow, Must seek a replacement, but not ‘til tomorrow. I’ll give my dear scrub brush a proper brush send off Before I engage in a new dish brush spend off. Goodbye, my dear scrub brush, you proved yourself true. There’s more I could say, but… I’ve dishes to do. Pampered Chef Scrub Brush 1998-2022 #pamperedchef #danielwshegrud https://www.instagram.com/p/CcvaahlFpm5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Chapter 19 of BARBEE’S AT THE BEACH is done and ready for an editing. Now it’s time to ask my characters what happens in chapter 20. This love story about is getting exciting! #barbeesatthebeach #danielwshegrud #pnwa #lovestories https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb871IyrJBR/?utm_medium=tumblr

Here’s a moral dilemma: I woke up from an hour long nap. My bride was asleep next to me. At least I thought she was asleep. I couldn’t hear her breathing and she wasn’t moving. Was she still alive? Should I check? If she were dead, I suppose I ought to know. However, if she were sleeping, I’d disturb her nap. What to do?! I decided, whether dead or alive, I’d let her Rest In Peace. She told me I made the right decision. #danielwshegrud #thehusbandlife #ilovemywife https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb80njapkHp/?utm_medium=tumblr

I won the lottery! This package clearly says “14” Polish sausage dogs. But lo! Behold! Witness! A 15th! (name and address of lottery winner withheld by request) #barshotdogs #danielwshegrud #winning https://www.instagram.com/p/CaP-OC4PRnR/?utm_medium=tumblr

I just finished writing chapter 10 of BARBEE’S AT THE BEACH. It’s a warm, fuzzy, love chapter, and now I feel all squishy inside. Don’t you love it when your writing makes you feel that way? #BarbeesAtTheBeach #DanielWShegrud #Bookstagram #LoveStories https://www.instagram.com/p/CaIQua4P4Gd/?utm_medium=tumblr

I have a funny raised bump on my head. Been there for years. Doctor says it’s seborrheal keratosis. Not cancerous. A few months ago it changed texture so I went in and had a dermatologist look at it today. She took a biopsy, which was a fun experience, and said we will know in 7 to 10 days if I have anything to worry about. Whether we have something to worry about or not, I’m not going to worry because worrying is just too much work. https://www.instagram.com/p/CYmvofDvLTm/?utm_medium=tumblr

Rejoice! Emmanuel! In the Bible, the word REJOICE is translated from two Greek words meaning to jump up and spin around with great emotion. Put simply, rejoice means to dance for joy, as Copper the Wonder Poodle is doing. The Bible also tells us the word EMMANUEL means God with us. Therefore, I send you this Christmas greeting: Dance around with joy – God is with us. In other words: Rejoice! Emmanuel! #merrychristmas #rejoiceemmanuel #christisborn #copperthewonderpoodle https://www.instagram.com/p/CX6ifwFpztn/?utm_medium=tumblr

Chapter 11 of BARBEE’S AT TGE BEACH is IN THE BOOKS, if you’ll pardon the pun. Only 11 chapters, and I’ve already laughed and cried a dozen times each. I love love stories. Don’t you? #BarbiesAtTheBeach #danielWShegrud #bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CXAUyCGl_NA/?utm_medium=tumblr

#danielwshegrud