When Your Birthday Falls on Friday the 13th

I celebrated a birthday recently and I am still feeling guilty. 

Why? Well, my birthday fell on Friday the 13th this year, just like it did on the day I was born. My mom saw it as lucky, as do I. Unfortunately, this past November13th will go down across America as 'unlucky.'

In the south, people are talking about the 'Miracle on the Mississippi' that occurred when a huge tanker named the Atlantic Asphalt, lost control of their steering and slammed into a beautiful docked riverboat. The approximately 200 people on board the American Heritage at the Port of New Orleans jumped into the muddy river when it capsized. By the grace of God, all survived.

The bigger mystery surrounds why the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a rare nationwide ground stop in the afternoon of Friday the 13th. Every single departing flight across the country was stopped. All incoming flights were quickly landed, with some using various unconventional methods to get the job done. What the heck happened? Why were all these people left stranded inside planes or airports on a clear, bright autumn Friday? The 'Big Guys' are still trying to figure this out. Until then, always make plans to fly earlier than you need to!

Others say the day was jinxed simply because it happened to be Friday the 13th. I say "Hogwash." I actually celebrate any time the 13th falls on a Friday. In 2026, I was able to celebrate three! We had February 13, March 13, and November 13. We will not see another until August 13, 2027, and that date will be the one and only 'Special Holiday' I will celebrate next year. 

What about you? What do you believe?

Nancy Lee Badger

Release Day is Here! TAF Omnibus Volume V

 Opening sentences alert you to what is ahead for you to  step into, or not! It lets you know that you have a reading experience that may impress you or even change your way of thinking! Words from fictional stories, essays, memories and poetry; each has its own unique emotion to share with you. Do you dare to step inside the mental workings of another? Are you up for the challenge? This wide collection of writings may make you smile, cry, laugh, cry, shout in horror or make you feel warmly hugged. Fulfill your appetite for the written word and the hidden messages within. Read this omnibus, it may make you wonder, shake your head and let you absorb another's thoughts. 

The TAF Omnibus Volume 5

is the 5th annual published volume of stories, essays, etc. created as a fundraiser to benefit the continuation of The Triangle Association of Freelancers and the group offers monthly meetings with authors and editors, an annual conference, and an email group where members can ask questions and share good news.

Here are a few opening sentences:  She never knew exactly where she was going. . . .The clock on the mantle barely read 5:00 . . . I didn't mean to stomp on Ed Binns' foot.. . .You there!. . . . It is because she is invisible that I see her.. . . a friend exposed me to Wordle. . . . .Gossip is a word that's heard. . . . . I wipe steaming beads of sweat. . .When Emma's white curls bobbed like coiled springs. . .I don't hate him. . . . Being a kid isn't always easy. . . . .Without a thing to guide me. . . . Three of us stood vigil at Central Prison. . . . . . Windows down, her red hair flying. . . . she wants to grow a garden. . . . . It wasn't safe in the city shelter.

The book is available as an ebook and many distributors and libraries will offer print copies. Check out these BUY LINKS

Take a moment to check out the book and consider helping raise funds for a great non-profit in North Carolina.

The summer is over, the Labor Day Holiday barbecues are a recent memory, and a very sad 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has passed. What is next you ask?

HALLOWEEN!

Headstones are not scary, though. This photo is of me and the grave of my my great grandfather John Olaf Johnson. After leaving Sweden, he arrived in America as a seaman on a ship,

Without young children in our family in these parts, we decorate the house and sometimes hand out candy. It is a way to meet your neighbors or see how big the kids have grown. We have a lovely neighborhood with plenty of families of all ages. 

Have a SCARY good time!

Nancy Lee Badger

What Happened to my Summer?

 

NO, I HAVEN'T MADE IT TO THE BEACH ALL SUMMER! I was reminded the other day that my older son's birthday is right around the corner on September 1st. What? Isn't it still July? Dear Lord, its actually nearing the end of August and I have not blogged since June!

What happened? Well, life gets in the way in subtle ways and you 'roll with the punches' and get back up, or die. I got up. I wrote a short story and it was rejected after six months by a publisher, so I rewrote it and submitted it elsewhere. Guess what? It will be published in a fundraising anthology in October. The earnings from sales go to a writing group, not me, but that's perfectly fine. Seeing it alongside other stories in a book I can add to my bookshelf is the goal.

Hubby and I traveled to western North Carolina for a lovely wedding, then continued south to Florida to check on my parents' gravesite. Come September 1st, mom will be gone one whole year. In mid-July we spent the weekend in Banner Elk and Linville area of North Carolina to attend the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.  The weather wasn't with us, but we had a blast.

Wait...I remember now...August was the month of hardly any rain AND 100 degree days! Yes, the heat has been brutal but unlike our friends in New England, we have whole-house air conditioning. The power company loves it every time we touch the thermostat, so shorts and tank tops are the daily outfits unless we have to go out in public. 

I do like Autumn weather and am looking forward to finishing my current manuscript because I would love it to come out this November, but we will see. Every time I reread it to check things or add a section I find typos. Let's just say the eyesight isn't the best. To all, keep cool and march on until the air temps grow more comfortable!

Nancy Lee Badger

June is Popping Out All Over

POP! Flag Day is June 14th. Americans commemorate this day because in 1777, we adopted the 'stars and stripes' as our brand new country's national flag. Here at our home in Raleigh, North Carolina we fly a flag from the front of the house and from the rear deck every day. 

POP! June 17th! My husband also flies a flag that commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill. Even though the majority of the fighting happened on Breed's Hill in Charlestown, his ancestors fought there as Patriots. 

June 19th is Juneteenth National Independence Day and is now a federal holiday that started in 2021 in the United States. It commemorates the ending of slavery in America.  For my husband and I, it has been the anniversary of our wedding for much longer! In fact, this year we will celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary! 

June 21st is the first day of summer, also called the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere. This also means it is the shortest night of the year. From that day on, the days get shorter as we head toward fall and winter. 

June 21st is also father's Day this year. Fathers are particularly honored by their children. It is a movable holiday, landing on the third Sunday in June. One of our sons was born on a different date, but it was also Father's Day. 

If any of these dates mean anything special to you, enjoy them and the weather that, for me this week, has seen lovely cool mornings. I can be found sitting on our back deck instead of my lawn chair in the front yard because we are having new windows and a front door installed. Energy savings, we hope. I read and still throw carrots and birdseed to feed the rabbits, chipmunks and deer. I listen to the birds and dream of visiting the beach...soon! 

On a serious note, June 1st is a special day for me, this year, because I signed my 5th contract with the Triangle Association of Freelancers to publish my short story, THE HONEST TRUTH in a book titled the  TAF Omnibus Volume V which will be released around October 1, 2026. 

I also hope to self-publish a historical pirate romance set in Scotland this Christmas.

Enjoy the weather wherever you are. Read a book or two. If you need a book, check out my book links HERE and enjoy the summer. 

Happy June to y'all,

Nancy Lee Badger

Let's Welcome May

May Day is May 1st, and has its roots as a Pagan holiday, more like an agricultural celebration. Ever seen a Maypole? Kids or prettily-dressed women would dance around them to welcome planting times. Some countries consider it a Worker's Day (although here in the USA we celebrate that on Labor Day in September.) 

May the 4th is a nod to STAR WARS, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. So wish all you see 'May the 4th be with you!' They should respond in kind with 'And also with you.' 

May 5th is also known by our Latino friends as Cinco de Mayo. (Cinco mean '5') and many go out and celebrate with fantastic Mexican food as well a margarita or two.

May 10th is Mother's Day this year. It always falls on the second Sunday in May. This is a special day for anyone that has had a hand in raising a child. (Dads have to wait until June.) I miss my Mom.

May 25th will be celebrated as Memorial Day. It used to be May 30th, but was changed to wherever the last Monday of May lands. I wish I could have met my Uncle David, but he died during WW2.

However you celebrate May, do it with smiles and laughter and remember to enjoy the sunlight. If its raining (it's Spring, remember) try reading I have a few books out there. See the list and all Buy Links HERE

Nancy Lee Badger

E-Books Help Earth Day All Year

I loved the Kindle I owned, then found I could send the same books I buy to my Android Smart Phone. Now, I take books everywhere. 

Waiting in a medical office? READ! Waiting in the airport Cell Lot for a relative to land? READ! Want to read outside or so you don't disturb your partner with a exterior light in a dark room? READ on a device that has its own light.

I still prefer the written book in print, but even I have problems holding a heavy hardcover book at times. Also, the words seem to be getting smaller! Another plus for reading via a Kindle or Smart Phone is that you can enlarge the size of the words.

Amazon sells the Kindle, Barnes & Noble has the Nook Book, and Apple does it all. Whichever way you like to read, you might find you can read a new favorite for a lot less than a printed book. My published books are discounted because an ebook is cheaper for a distributor to distribute.

But...please remember. It still takes the author the same amount of time to create the story. You will get all their hard work whichever way you buy it. You are buying the same sweat, creativity, hours of work, editing, and more.

For EARTH DAY 2026 I am reminding you of my published  ebooks available now at great, low prices and instantly downloaded to your device. 

Check them all out on my Blog BOOK Page HERE.

Here are a few examples of ebooks you might like:

So, whatever you plan to do to celebrate Earth Day 2026 which falls on Wednesday April 22nd this year, remember that caring for our planet can include saving a tree all year long by READING AN E-BOOK!

Nancy Lee Badger