I just wanted to let you know about two neat things available this week. From May 25 to May 31, you can download Writing Wisdoms: 20 Brilliant Tips from Successful, Professional Writers eBook FREE from Ultimate Bundles. In it, you’ll find the answer 20 writers gave to the question: What is the #1 piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?
Yours truly is included, and my answer is a bit smarmy, but hey, I’m all about being honest.
Then Infostack is having a contest. The Grand Prize winner gets ten paperbacks every writer should have plus $100 in Infostack credit, a 1-On-1 Coaching Call With A Certified Book Profits Accelerator Coach, 1 Year of Access to ProWritingAid Premium, and 1 Year of Access to NovelFactory Premium.
The Second Place Winner still gets all ten books. Not too shabby for a runner-up prize. You know I love books!
If I were you, I’d head on over and enter today! The Ultimate Writer Giveaway started May 24 and ends on June 6, with the winners announced on June 7.
Since it was now in the middle of April and had no job on the horizon, I kept applying for different positions on Indeed. I believe my application was rejected by some because I don’t have a TOESL certificate. In lieu of that, I have a Bachelor’s in Science in Education with endorsements in English, Spanish, and ESL. But since I had to check a yes/no box, I had to check no.
Another issue that most likely kicked my application out of review was that I no longer have a valid teaching license. I had two, one from Nebraska and one from the state of Virginia. However, having not lived in the US for over 15 years, those licenses have expired with no way to renew them. Again, the yes/no box foiled my chance to explain the situation.
Some of the jobs had ridiculous expectations that I didn’t have a chance in hell in meeting. One required 50 Mpbs internet speed. Another stated applicants must be South African citizens. With some jobs, the requirements and pay didn’t match up. One position paid $10 an hour, but the applicant must have a Master’s Degree in Education, for example.
I also tried to figure out what was going on with the internet. It was so bad some days that I couldn’t even fill out online applications. What I discovered is that the company through which we have our internet service discontinued the modems and wasn’t providing further maintance. So we had what we had until the company decided to shut it down completely.
Looking at other internet options was fruitless. Telcel requires a physical address, which we don’t have in La Yacata. Wifi Moroleon only has coverage to the cemetery, which is where the last light posts are too. A mere 2 kilometers away. Every other company requires a phone line to run the cable, which we don’t have.
My brother thought he’d be helpful and looked into Starlink for me. HAHAHAHAHA! Not only is it not available in all areas, but the cost is also prohibitive.
In addition, I had some health issues amidst all this stress, or perhaps because of it. My hypothyroidism reared its ugly head, and I went hyper, which resulted in inflamed knee joints, ravishing hunger, and general irritability. I did get blood work done to verify the cause and am working on getting stabilized, but geez, Louise, what a month!
It’s been a while since I’ve done a plug for Herbal Academy, but once you see what they have to offer this month, you’ll understand why I’m bringing it to your attention.
Herbal Academy has THREE new and exciting summer workshops that will inspire you to keep your plant studies going strong all summer long. These workshops are short, sweet, and most importantly—fun! Each workshop comes with an optional companion product to enhance your herbal exploration.
Imagine for a moment:
Serving botanical mixed drinks at a summer cookout and soaking up the compliments while your friends and family marvel at how your herbal creations double as the star ingredients in your cocktail (or mocktail!) cabinet.
Pressing natural herbs and flowers, walk into your beautiful plant press and then using the delicate pressed plants in your materia medica and summer craft projects.
Sipping on a refreshing herbal iced tea that you formulated yourself—tailored specifically to your tastes and featuring herbs that support your physical, emotional, or spiritual state.
Honestly, these sound like heavenly activities, but you know I’m a little obsessed with herbs anyway.
The Tea Blending 101 Workshop begins June 7. In this 3-part online workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to know to start blending and brewing custom herbal tea blends at home today!
The Flower Pressing for Herbalists Workshop starts on June 21. In this creative online workshop, you will learn how to press flowers, leaves, and other plant parts to preserve their color for years to come.
There are 4 in-depth lessons, a handful of printable charts and graphics, detailed plant-pressing instructions and troubleshooting tips, 4 inspiring videos, and 5 hands-on craft projects, showing you the skills you need to weave botanicals into every aspect of your home—from your apothecary to your kitchen to your art collection.
The Botanical Mixed Drinks Workshop is available on July 5. You will learn everything you need to know to start making flavorful herbal drinks at home, explore the anatomy of a well-made mixed drink, discover easy ways to transform a cocktail into a mocktail and learn how to create a well-stocked bar with basic supplies and herb-infused essentials like Honeysuckle Liqueur, Wild Vermouth, Hibiscus Syrup, and Orange Bitters.
Each course is $45, but you can get all three and save $20 by purchasing the bundle! Act quickly, though. The bundle deal is only available from May 21 until May 31.
Surviving Mexico 