Saturday, May 30, 2009

Too Many Things To Do by Margot Justes

Nice to know some things never change. I have so many things to do and projects to finish that I find I’m not doing anything at all.

Last night I needed to get a couple of books from Barnes & Noble, so I called my friend Miriam and said ‘Do you want to meet for coffee?’ The coffee thing I have going is real, my heroine Minola Grey would attest to that...

At any rate, Miriam said sure. So we met up for coffee after dinner and we sat and talked. I complained about the things I must finish, all the while sipping my coffee and having a good time. And yes I felt guilty that I was sitting in the café enjoying myself when my projects weren’t getting done. Odd.

I wonder if it’s procrastination. I’ve always told my inner voice that I work best under pressure. Lately my voice has been telling me, yeah, you’re lying to yourself and get to work, the pressure is already here.

So, today while writing this blog, I set out my list of things to do-have a cup of coffee, finish editing A Fire Within, have a cup of coffee-make a serious dent in A Hotel in Bath, have a cup of coffee-write a travel article about Paris, have a cup of coffee-do some marketing, have a cup of coffee-or I could just forgo everything and drink the darn coffee in peace and quiet.

But, my inner voice won’t let me, maybe more coffee…

Till next time,
Margot Justes
http://margotsmuse.blogspot.com
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris ISBN 978-1-59080-534-3
Art brought her to Paris, then a stranger’s death changes her life.
Missing ISBN 978-1-59080-611 1
available on amazon.com

Saturday, May 23, 2009

A Long Weekend by Margot Justes

This weekend marks the traditional beginning of the summer season, At least for me.
A few people I talked to said they are going to relax; grill and basically veg out.
Sounds good to me, I decided to write the blog on Friday because I don’t get to veg out.

I have a book signing Saturday, and if you’re in the area, please stop by and say hi at the Borders on 49 S. Waukegan Rd in Deerfield, IL Saturday May 23rd 1:00 -2:30 pm. I’ll be on hand as will a few other authors among them Joe Konrath, Luisa Buehler, Robert Goldsborough, Mary Welk, Susan Gibberman, Norm Cowie and we’ll be signing the Missing Anthology. All royalties are going to the missing and exploited children foundation. How is that for a plug?

At any rate, Saturday I’ll be signing, writing and spending time with my daughter who is visiting. Sunday, the same except for the signing substitute a birthday party.

Ah, Monday! I get to veg out-not so fast-I have to finish a couple of projects and do some marketing. And I haven’t mentioned the condition of the house where I happen to live-the dust bunnies are having bunnies. Come forth and multiply and they do…

And so it continues, this thing we call life-but it beats the alternative. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Till next time,
Margot Justes
http://margotsmuse.blogspot.com
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris ISBN 978-1-59080-534-3
Art brought her to Paris, then a stranger’s death changes her life.
Missing ISBN 978-1-59080-611 1
available on amazon.com

Saturday, May 16, 2009

A Lovely Saturday by Margot Justes

I was asked recently for a blog thingy what makes me feel sexy-and the immediate response was-shoes, shoes and more shoes. I certainly wasn’t going to get personal.

Somewhat wired this morning, too many things to do and not enough coffee. I wasn’t planning on going anywhere today but stay home and work on A Hotel in Bath, write an article about Paris and finish editing A Fire Within and of course write my weekly blog. So, I had a few more cups and got ready to write. I’ll get back to the shoes-promise.

My friend Miriam called and asked if I wanted to go to Old Orchard. I said sure, I’ll meet you.

We had a bite to eat at Nordstrom’s café; it’s a lovely, sunny day, everything is lush and green so we ate outside.

And of course we’re at Nordstrom’s, so we went to the shoe department-see, we’re back to shoes. Nordstrom and shoes go together. It’s a must visit. Tried one pair after another, and Miriam looked at the shoes I was trying on and said-those look really sexy on your feet. Sold.

I’m going to Killer Nashville in August and needed a pair of brown sandals. Tried a pair and they were lovely. And sexy. Sold.

In the process of trying shoes and chatting with people, I met a teacher from Park Ridge, gave her my business card and told her about the upcoming signing at Borders in Deerfield on May 23rd. She told me she’d share the information with her high school students.

All in all a pretty good Saturday, and I still have time to write.

Till next time,
Margot Justes
http://margotsmuse.blogspot.com
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris ISBN 978-1-59080-534-3
Art brought her to Paris, then a stranger’s death changes her life.
Missing ISBN 978-1-59080-611 1
available on amazon.com

Saturday, May 9, 2009

A Special Sunday by Margot Justes

This will be a short blog. I would like to extend Happy Mother’s Day greetings to all moms.

I’m cooking today, because I refuse to cook tomorrow. My older daughter (she happens to be a mom) is recovering from surgery, so I thought I’d bring dinner over on Sunday. I have no other plans. Well, except to write in the morning.

This is a perfect opportunity-at least I’m making it the perfect opportunity-to mention the May/June issue of Crimespree Magazine and my article on Bath, England. Can I say Yipeee!

I’m in the process of wrapping up A Hotel in Bath, but I have not been idle; I finished the novella, A Fire Within and hopefully someone will want to publish an article on Paris that I’ve been working on.

Now back to Mother’s Day.

My friend Gina said she’s leaving it up to the men in her life to make plans, and as an afterthought she said, “I hope I won’t go hungry and be lonely.” Hmmm. I’ll follow up with her on Monday.

At Costco this morning, I found many men carrying flowers and Godiva chocolates. Not a bad beginning…

Till next time,
Margot Justes
http://margotsmuse.blogspot.com
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris ISBN 978-1-59080-534-3
Art brought her to Paris, then a stranger’s death changes her life.
Missing ISBN 978-1-59080-611 1
available on amazon.com

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Simple Pleasures by Margot Justes

Yes, simple and inexpensive pleasures can be found in Paris; for that matter, anywhere you may find yourself. Take a few moments and make them uniquely your own. Don’t neglect them.

You have to be willing to by-pass the tourist frenzy-the bus waiting to take you somewhere else-the time crunch because said will leave without you. Take timeout, by yourself and get to know Paris, you won’t be disappointed. The intimate side streets, the age old buildings-the charm of the city awaits you.

I found I love writing travel blogs, but if you’re tired of them already, drop me a line and I’ll write about something else. For now we’re going back to Paris.

It is early morning-the city is asleep, yet on the brink of wakefulness. You’re strolling along the Seine, alongside the closed bookstalls. Peaceful. Quiet. Serene.
You glance at Notre Dame before the tourists storm the place.

Yes, sort of like storming the Bastille, but without significant damage and destruction. In the early morning mist, see the flying buttresses of Notre Dame glisten, as the sun rises and casts a spell on the stained glass windows; see the colors sparkle and glow in the early morning sun.

That little walk will cost you nothing, but you’ll never regret it. Listen to the bells peel. The steps quicken. The stalls open, one by one. The tempo picks up and life resumes. The pulse of this vital city is alive and well.

You will be seduced by Paris just by walking down a street. Stop in a café and order a ham sandwich and be satisfied, it doesn’t have to be an expensive restaurant. Don’t forget the coffee; if your tastes run to the brew; as mine do.

Personally, I love the early mornings. As the city wakes, I head to a café for a respite and of course coffee, listening to the abundance of life around me.

There is a reason my heroine is addicted to the brew.

Till next time,
Margot Justes
http://margotsmuse.blogspot.com
http://www.mjustes.com/
A Hotel in Paris ISBN 978-1-59080-534-3
Art brought her to Paris, then a stranger’s death changes her life.
Missing ISBN 978-1-59080-611 1
available on amazon.com