Quarantine Life

Good evening, ladies and gents. It’s Inion. I say good evening because at the time I am writing this it is nine o’clock at night here in Otto, North Carolina. I am currently trying to fend off two children who want nothing more than to destroy my laptop and laugh as I cry at the remnants. (My oldest daughter is almost two and my youngest is almost one. Which means, they are Irish twins and both nothing short of emotional and financial terrorists.)

I write to you all today because I, like may of you, have quarantined. Yes, in mine and Mathair’s time away it appears we’ve entered some apocalyptic reality where toilet paper and hand sanitizer are the new coin. Social distancing is now the norm and having groups of more than ten people are not only discouraged, it’s punishable by law.

Now, most of you all know that Mathair and I work at Walmart and are wondering why we are quarantining ourselves given we are essential workers. Unfortunately, we were exposed to someone who had a family member pass from the covid-19 virus. We immediately took a two week leave from our store so as not to expose any of our colleagues or customers and were tested for the virus. As of right now, (04/06) we have not received the results from those tests.

I thought, while in quarantine, why not catch up. Mathair and I had taken a small hiatus so that I could focus on becoming a mother and I was blessed with two beautiful girls: my sassy Rowan Belle and my dainty Willow Barry.

Between working fulltime at Walmart and the two new additions to our family, it was hard to find time to write: even with our stories constantly growing like vines around our brains. Paragraphs here and there, plot twists scribbled on receipt tape and taglines thrown at our colleagues for constructive feedback were beginning to become a part of our everyday lives. It wasn’t enough. I wanted to immerse, to lose myself, to escape. I wanted walk down the halls of the Mildred Pierce Academy. I wanted to smell that crisp autumn air in New Salem. I wanted to feel the passion behind Kevin’s fight for freedom. I wanted his arrogant one-liners on the tip of my tongue.

And then came covid-19. As a woman who was born with chronic asthma, this is terrifying. I mean, I soldiered on because… bills and kids and life. My grandmother, (Mathair’s mother) is 77 with chronic asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. My father who is in his fifties has diabetes and COPD. My sister-in-law is one month away from giving birth to my niece. Covid-19 is something that all of us in my family are trying to take as much precaution with as we can.

But, quarantining hasn’t been easy. We are people on the go. We work full-time jobs and have two new babies while getting ready for our newest addition (my niece Avalynn). Sitting at home is not in our wheelhouse. Mathair has been attempting to finish her renovations on her home while I am attempting to master being a stay-at-home mom. (Mad respect for stay-at-home mom’s btw.) Losing my mind and having the worst case of cage crazies, I did what every thirty-something does when they are unsure of life… I called my mom.

“These kids are driving me nuts. I can’t go to work. I can’t leave the house. I don’t know what to do, mom.”

Mathair replied with, “Baby, just breathe. When you put the girls down for a nap or they’re preoccupied with toys or one of their favorite shows, bring out your laptop and escape. Visit Asaria and travel through time or hit up Kevin and face the apocalypse. Let’s remember that in this crazy fast-paced life, we are writers and we’ve drifted from it for far too long now. We all have responsibilities and our family is waiting on the results of a very frightening test so take the time to escape.”

“Can’t just act like it’s not happening, mom.”

“I didn’t say to forget it, but don’t dwell on it, baby. It’s a serious, scary and sad time right now in the world. There’s not a source of media or a newsfeed that doesn’t have the coronavirus updates just plugging into people’s psyche. So, let’s give them an escape. Let’s make them laugh, make them cry, make them fall in love. Let’s send them to New Salem for some show and tell with Sara or have them fight demons with Kevin at the White House. Let’s give them an escape even if it’s just for a little while.”

“Yes ma’am.”

And, here we are… laughing, crying, falling in love. We’re in New Salem listening to a history lesson from Sara then we’re on our way to Alaska to slay demons alongside Kevin. We’re escaping even if it’s just for a little while.

It Happened One Night or The Waterboy?

The other day I was at work and overheard a mother & daughter arguing about which movie they would watch on their “Movie-Night.”

The daughter said, “Let’s get something really old…a comedy or romance.” The mother’s eyes lit up with excitement and she quickly accepted the offer with several black & white choices. After listing them the daughter rolled her eyes and said, “Old not ancient.”

I listened and realized that the mother had been working on her daughter for years trying to convince her to give the classics a chance but the daughter wasn’t buying it.

The daughter who I’m guessing was around thirteen or fourteen began whining and told her mother. “Oh please not another one of those. They’re so boring & the people are so stupid. They put me to sleep mom!”

The daughter wanted to watch The Waterboy.

while the mother wanted to watch, It Happened One Night.

Needless to say the mother gave her daughter what she wanted.

I guess I was lucky in that sense as I always referred to Inion as my “old soul.” She seemed to gravitate towards the old films, books and songs.

Still, I can’t imagine someone referring to that era’s artists as “stupid or boring.” So, this post will be a tribute to the artists of old. Those that paved the way for the youngen’s who now occupy our big screen and the audience.

And how beautiful, brilliant & exciting they were! What’s your favorite oldie?

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Different Perspective

Inion N. Mathair

A phantom wind

A shadow cast from a tree

The beach at sunset

A single daisy in a field

A foggy graveyard

An empty bench in the middle of an abandoned park at midnight

They all sound mundane to most, but to an artist, they are deliciously inviting. The world is changing, evolving around us. We have no choice, but to grow with it or perish. No sunset is ever the same, no expression on a child is ever duplicated in another.

Perhaps it’s life who has the last laugh, desperate to challenge our artistry for her mere amusement.

Mother Nature gives us these inspirations knowing we’ll return the gift uniquely changed once touched by our imaginations.

As we began to take a closer look at certain arts we were able to see the seeds that bloomed into the grand flowers.

1924: The grim reaper decides it’s time to take a long, overdue vacation from his job as death-collector…

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Daddy’s Girl

Inion N. Mathair is all about female power. We have three generations of women in our business and just welcomed the fourth generation of woman into our circle with the birth of my daughter. Being surrounded by such strong women has given me a solid foundation and they are the symbols of inspiration that have helped shape me into the person I am today.

However, I would not be who I am or where I am without my father. It’s odd to hear that a man can be so integral into shaping a woman, but it’s very true especially in my case. My father, Vincent Anthony Perrone, has always been there for me and my brother. There has never been a moment in either of our lives that we haven’t been able to go to our father for anything.

As a self-described daddy’s girl, our relationship was founded on love and honesty. I was never so fearful of my father that I kept things from him or had to watch what I said for we had too much respect for each other to do so. The love he shows my brother and I is unyielding and constant and he has one of the biggest hearts and sensitive souls I have seen in another human being.

He is one of the hardest workers I have ever known. My father has worked multiple jobs at one time to keep a roof over our heads and food on our table and managed to spend every spare moment he had with the three of us. His determination, drive and work ethic is a constant inspiration for me. In our family there is a saying, “If you want it done right and thorough, let daddy handle it.”.

More than anything he has shown me what a real man is and should be as a father and a husband. My father has always told me that he married his best friend and I see that every day. He says that no relationship is perfect and that it takes hard work and determination fueled by love to make it work. “Every day is a battle, baby. You just have to be willing to put in the work and love someone enough to fight for them.”

It took me a long time, but thanks to my father, I have found that someone and it’s his first father’s day. I am engaged to my best friend and though every day is a battle, I love him enough to fight for him. I have never questioned his love for me or our daughter and he’s been a constant support system for the both of us. So I would like to wish a happy father’s day to my fiancé, Hunter Blane Vilardo. These last two months with our daughter has been full of highs and lows and I couldn’t have done it without you. These last three years with you have been the best of my life and I love you more than anything in the world.

 

Thanks to my father, I am a well-rounded, strong, independent woman with a rock solid foundation in family; I am thirty-two years old and have published multiple novels and collected works with my mother; and I have found the love of my life and in that love we have created a beautiful, perfect creature that has captured all of our hearts. This “daddy’s girl” wants to say happy father’s day to her hero. I love you, daddy, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. Thank you for everything that you have done and continue to do for me. I only hope I can be half the parent to Rowan Belle that you have been and are for me.

Happy Father’s Day to all.

A Daughter Becomes A Mother

This mother’s day is super special for Inion N. Mathair. This Irish trifecta has two generations of mothers that inspire me (Inion), that have mentored me and continue to do so.

My grandmother, Lavinia Mallory, is our business manager, our support system, the one that lifts us up and the heart and soul of Inion N. Mathair. She is a constant support system that is always there for us no matter for what, when or where. There is strength in her silence, pride in her gentle smile and stern wisdom in her soft voice. No one loves like my Nana and she has taught me to love unabashedly and embrace my heart and every twingey beautiful feeling that bursts forth from it. She is the backbone to our entire family and her positivity shines through our cynical pessimism. Nana is our heart and soul.

My mother, Natalie Perrone (Mathair), is my other half, my best friend and my writing partner. She is the strength of Inion N. Mathair. She is constantly driving me to do reach my full potential and to be independent and secure within myself… while doing everything she can for me so I don’t have to. 😉 There is vulnerability in her confidence, softness in her wise eyes and fervor in every tight embrace. No one has strength like my mother and she has inspired me to be the pinnacle of resilience and embrace every ounce of that fighting Irish spirit and feminine power within me. She is the force to be reckoned with in our family and her fire and passion shines through our self-doubt and insecurities.

And it’s these reasons that make this year the most special mother’s day for me. On May 2, 2018 at 10:59 pm, I gave birth to the fourth generation of Inion N. Mathair. Her name is Rowan Belle Perrone-Gilhaus and she is the most perfect thing her father and I have ever done in our lives. My heart is full and my soul is light, but I have a daunting task ahead of me. I am now somebody’s Mathair and I only hope, wish and pray that I can be a quarter of what my Nana and my mother were and still are for me. I am honored that Rowan is growing up with so many strong, loving women around her on my side and her father’s and it’s in these women that I find my strength, my love, my inspiration, but it’s in my daughter’s bright blue eyes that I have found my motherhood. Happy mother’s day to you all and know that you are beautiful, strong, and loved.

Hearing Voices? Maybe You’re a Writer

Today’s post is from another Blog: WRITE IT SIDEWAYS By Susan Bearman. This is an excellent piece that we wanted to share.

Today’s post is written by Susan Bearman, a semi-finalist in the Write It Sideways regular contributor search. Thanks, Susan!
Do you hear voices? I mean from people who aren’t in the room, but in your head.
If the voices are telling you to harm yourself or others, seek psychiatric help. If the voices are telling you stories, explaining who they are, or having dialogues with other characters, chances are you’re a writer.
In my case, every time I take a shower, I hear dialogue. This has been going on for as long as I can remember. It took me years to discover that this was both unusual for regular people and perfectly normal for writers.
Hearing voices is important for good writing. I’ll go so far as to say it’s essential. Which voices you listen to and how you respond will make all the difference.
Listen to your characters
It’s ironic that hearing your characters’ voices in your head is probably the best (and only) way to get inside of theirs. Let them speak to you:
Absorb their dialects.
Note their quirky speech patterns.
When do they get shrill? When are they quiet? When do they shout with joy?
What does it sound like when they laugh? Or cry?
You also need to listen to your character’s wants and needs, hopes and dreams; in other words, your character’s inner voice. When any character, especially your main character, tells you something you couldn’t possibly have known or made up, you’re on the right track. Only then will you be telling your characters’ story, not your own.
Listen to your heart
I recently heard a writer say: “It’s all about me. What interests me, what questions I have, what bugs me. That’s what I write about.”
Listen to the questions in your head and your heart. Some of the questions that can lead you down the right path are:
I wonder why nobody has ever written about this?
Can I write this another way? Can I write it as fiction? Or nonfiction? Or poetry?
Can I write this for another audience? Can I write it for teens? Or children?
If you’re interested enough to ask the question, do the research and write about it well, that’s practically a guarantee that someone else will want to read it.
Listen to your head
Finding a good critique group or a couple of trusted beta readers is a must for the revision process. Their input can be invaluable, so listen carefully, don’t interrupt or be defensive, and take good notes.
Now comes the hard part: learning to evaluate that criticism. This is an entirely different skill because, as writers, we tend to listen with our hearts. But when it comes to criticism, it’s important to learn to listen with that keen editor’s voice in your head. That takes practice, a little distance and a lot of objectivity.
After a critique session, take your notes home, and put your writer brain to bed. Wake up your editor brain and read your notes over again. Your editor voice should be ruthless. It will know whether your critiquers are right and will advise your writer self to go back and revise.
But if your inner editor tells you that your critics are way off track, listen to that, too. Give their suggestions a fair shake, take the good suggestions to heart, and ignore the criticisms of those who only want you to rewrite your story their way.
There is one voice you should ignore at all costs. You know the one. It’s the voice of Self Doubt.
We all have an inner devil buzzing in our ears occasionally, telling us that we’re foolish, talentless and wasting our time. That demonic voice can paralyze you, drowning out the creative voices that got you started.
Learn to trust yourself. It’s one thing to set aside a fresh work and come back to it with a little perspective and a more objective eye. This is an essential skill for every writer. But don’t let that fiend Self Doubt get you down.
F. Scott Fitzgerald once said: “Writers aren’t exactly people … they’re a whole lot of people trying to become one person.”
E.L. Doctorow said: “Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.”
I say, you’re not crazy, you’re a writer. Embrace your other voices. They are a gift.
Susan Bearman is a writing veteran of more than 20 years, working as a ghost writer, technical writer and business editor. She teaches writing and social media for writers, and her current works-in-progress include several picture books, a memoir and a mystery. You can follow her on Twitter.

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LEMONADE FROM LEMONS

So as you all know I’ve been worried about Inion for the past three months. She’s been sick and battling several things.

Stressed and fearful this was leading to something big, I demanded she go have some tests run.

She fought with me and argued that it would pass, but eventually caved and gave mama what she wanted.

Thinking of everything awful this could possibly be, I feared I was going to get terrible news. I prayed, meditated, paced, was miserable to everyone and crazy with worry.

We waited on the bloodwork for what seemed like forever when finally I received a phone call from my daughter who informed me that I needed to sit down because she had to have a serious talk with me. She was in fact ill.

As a matter of fact, she would not get better for another seven months.

Still fearing the worst, mom couldn’t put it together what kind of illness would have such a long term effect. What is it?

She laughed and said, “Mama….seven months!”

Well needless to say I put two and two together and got one!

One little grandbaby which I will meet in seven months.

I can’t tell you how happy I am. Shocked, elated, eager to meet my new grandbaby and happy to have joined the Grandma Club.

So to all our blogging buddies and friends in the blogosphere, if you get a chance give a shout out to Inion who is expecting her first child sometime around mid April.

And remember this, not everything is as it seems.

Some of the best gifts come from unexpected times of challenge.

 

Through darkness comes light and from fear comes love.

My two beautiful children & their Nana; and now a new generation.

Why I’ll Never Run Another Goodreads Giveaway Again … Probably … Maybe

Carrie Rubin

I’ve wanted to write about this for a while, so I’m emerging from my blogging peek-a-boo and publishing an actual post.

I could have just as easily titled it “That Time Winners Made Money off My Book but I Didn’t.”

I’m referring to winners of book giveaways who immediately sell the book on Amazon (or some other venue) without reading it first or leaving a review, which, although not required to win, is certainly the hope. Why enter a book giveaway if you’re not interested in the novel?

Of course, not all winners leave reviews. Maybe they never got around to reading the book. Maybe they didn’t like it and want to spare the author a bad review. No problem. Expecting everyone to review the book is unrealistic. I net about a 30% review response from giveaways, and from what I’ve read that tends to be the norm.

Hmm, that…

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Who Makes You Smile?

I had a really rough day at work the other day. So, when I got home, I grabbed my Diet Pepsi, kicked off my shoes, then laid back in my recliner and began to surf my T.V. for something to watch. It was a tough call between Narnia or The Abyss when I decided to scrap both and go with something different.

  

Instead, I watched a roast for the late, great Don Rickles, comedian extraordinaire.

The two hour show was basically famous faces giving back to the insult king who was known for his quick-witted vicious tongue; and no one was safe.

The Comedian laughed at himself too as the show hosted a number of fellow comedians putting him on the spit while showing excerpts from his long and brilliant career.

 

What I realized while watching it, is how much fun they all were having and how everyone kept it light not taking anything too seriously instead just laughing. By the time I was done, I had a smile on my face and felt much better.

Isn’t it funny how a smile or laugh can make your day better? Just one giggle can turn your day around.

There are so many incredible people or comedians that have mastered the art of making us laugh. Robin Williams was one. A comedian that has made many generations find their laugh.

Eddie Murphy

I used to love Lucille Ball.

So if you had to pick, who’s your favorite laugh master? Who makes you smile when you’re feeling down?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re Baaaack!!!

“Mother is the name of God in the lips and hearts of little children.”

William Makepeace Thackeray

 

Let’s dust off the old keyboard and get these fingers back to doing what they love, telling stories. Hi, everyone. Inion here and yes it has been way too long. Mathair and I have missed you all. Why the long break? Well, our newly published novel New Salem Chronicles: The 13 Reapers required much tender, love and care as it was the first book we ever wrote together and was definitely not publishable at its state. After that we took some personal time off. Mathair and I were promoted at our 9-5 and I’ve moved into a new place with my boyfriend. As you can see, a lot has been going on for us in the past month or so. Yet, we’ve always tried to stay connected in one way or another with our writing community while working on the last installment of the Bastard Chronicles, Come and See.

Once we regrouped, Mathair informed me that our writing community and platform was the most important aspect of our career as it is you all that we owe everything to. Mathair thusly spake, “Tis you, reaper of the scribes, that will breathe life back into ‘Two Voices, One Thought’.” Or at least that’s what it sounded like to me.

So, it was my turn to post something on the blog and I happily obliged. I sat down on the couch with Supernatural quietly in the background (#waywardsonsanddaughters) and… nothing. I had something I never experienced before, writer’s block. Had it been too long? Was the writing mojo gone? Did I need to forgo the glass and just drink the wine right out of the bottle? (The last question gets a yes every time.)

I called Mathair immediately and told her of my dilemma. As you all know, Mathair and I don’t sugarcoat things with each other so this should come as no surprise to you that she informed me to get off my ass, stop pouting like a baby and do what I do best”, which is writing. At least I hope that’s what she was implying. I’d hate to think her idea of my potential greatness was limited to mahjong. (Not to sound cocky, but I am boss at mahjong.)

I racked my brain and found inspiration in the oddest of places. One would never think of retail as a source for creativity, but you would be surprised. It is a constant source as it is a cesspool of people, people with stories. I was promoted to department manager of Fabrics/Crafts, Stationary and Celebrations and it was in the latter that I found inspiration for this new post. After finalizing the Mother’s Day area of seasonal for celebrations, I realized the importance Mother’s Day.

Working retail gives one a complete disdain for any holiday. You grow cynical and indifferent to things that once held such wonder and excitement. Of course, mother’s day, father’s day and grandparent’s day has lost a lot of its importance, being reduced to a mere annoyance and rush to any Hallmark aisle and/or floral shop.

Let’s look at this in a different light. Don’t think of Mother’s day as just a reason to head to your local store and pick something up last-minute for your mom so her feelings aren’t hurt or so she doesn’t nag you to death about being a bad son/daughter. This is a holiday. By definition a holiday is a day of celebration or remembrance fixed by law. This is a day to honor the woman who helped bring you into this world, who gave you life, who carried you in her body for nine months and took care of you until you were able to care for yourself. If you’re like me and my brother, (who are 30 and 20 btw) Mathair is still taking care of us in some aspects of our lives. Of course, Momma has always said that a mother’s job is never done. And so, in light of this very special month coming up, I dedicate this post to Mathair… and my Nana, who helped raise me and is the head momma in our family. 😉

Inion N. Mathair is, after all, a three generation business. I represent Inion (Daughter), Momma is Mathair (Mother) and our manager is truly the heart and soul of our family, my Nana and Mathair’s Momma. Rooted firmly in Mathair’s Celtic heritage, our business is represented by the triquetra. For those of you that do not know the triquetra honors the Neo-Pagan triple goddess in her three stages: mother, maid and crone. It celebrates all stages of female life with the last cycle of Crone being the most regarded and respected of the three as she is the wisest.

I would like first to talk about my mother, Natalie Dawn Mallory-Perrone. Married at seventeen and a mother before she was nineteen, Natalie managed to get her GED and work up to becoming Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crimes Against Children bureaus head secretary while attending college to further her career before I was one.

She always challenges me to be the best person I can be to better the world rather than for my own selfish gain. She sees potential in me when no one else does. She uplifts me in my darkest times, inspires me to reach higher planes when I am willing to accept defeat, finds beauty in my flaws, loves me when I am unlovable and knows me better than I know myself.

Her untamable spirit, powerful independence, feminine strength and unconstrained creativity are just a few of the many qualities that I aspire to have. I love you, Momma, and I want to thank you for all of your sacrifices (you’ve made so many to ensure mine and my brother’s happiness), for all of the laughs (you are quite literally the funniest person I know), for the tough love (because God knows it prepared Vince and I for hardships of life and bettered us as human beings), for being THE shoulder to cry on (even though I try to hold back the tears), for your unceasing love, understanding and open mind and your ability to put up with our unfathomable stupidity. Happy Mother’s day.

Next is my Nana, Ginger (Lavinia) Elizabeth Mallory. Married at fourteen and a mother at fifteen, Ginger Mallory overcame so many hardships but you could never tell by looking/talking to her. The heart and soul of Inion N. Mathair and our family, if it hadn’t been for Nana, we’d have already killed each other. They say patience is a virtue and so I believe that my Nana should’ve been officially sainted a long time ago. Nana never shows any sign of irritation, aggression or worry and it’s not because we haven’t put her through the ringer. The Mallory’s/Perrone’s are champs at trying people’s patience, but Nana never broke.

Whereas Mathair is the wild, spirited mustang, Nana is the strong, quiet oak and her love is just as unbreakable. The first person to cheer us on and the loudest cheerleader in the room, Nana has been to every school function, church play, holiday, book reading/signing and step we’ve taken.

My grandmother was the first person to hold me when I came into this world and she’s been first in line for me ever since. There is nothing I can’t do in her eyes, no height I can’t reach and it’s that positive reinforcement that continues to keep me striving for the best.

I’ve never experienced a love as strong as the one I receive from my grandmother. I’ve never seen a heart so or soul so pure. And while it’s in our Celtic nature to bite and devour one another, Nana is always there to keep us together. The heart and soul of our family, the glue that binds us, the positive smile in our sea of cynical frowns and arrogant smirks, my grandmother is truly the embodiment of strength and love. Happy Mother’s Day, Nana.

I have a fount of feminine inspiration and heroes that I aspire to be. And though I’m partial to mine, I’m sure you do as well. So this mother’s day, don’t moan and groan as you shuffle into the store the night before because you forgot; don’t shy away from mushy cards because you damn well know your momma will appreciate it and don’t forget that the best gift any mother could ask for is simply to show that you care. It can be a card, candy, afternoon tea, a phone call, kiss on the cheek or a simple ‘I love you’. Happy Mother’s day to all of the momma’s out there. Thank you for putting up with us and loving us unconditionally. I mean, just look what our momma’s gotta put up with….