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

Snow or No Snow?

Many in the world, at least in the Northern hemisphere, are experiencing the beginning of the winter season. Cold temperatures are not welcome.

What about snow? I love the photos of snow and remembering playing in it on Long Island in New York when I was a little girl. Sledding and snowman building with trips to a nearby pond to ice skate was fun. As an adult, walking across campus in New Hampshire in bulky clothing while trying to 'keep pretty' was hard. I did ride a toboggan at night into a very steep gorge with others. Horror! Thank goodness we did not hit any of the trees.

As a young mother, bundling the children simply to get them to the sitter or a food store was a jumble of legs and tears. Once they got a little older, taking them sledding and walks through the woods was fun. Ice skating behind Nana's house on her lake was bitter cold but memorable.

As an older (and wiser?) adult romance writer, I wrote a book about an idea triggered by a season of green...when no snow fell in my new home in Raleigh, North Carolina. What would happen to a small Vermont town and its fire department that relies on income raised during their annual winter festival? The problems this causes; the Manhattan businessman who has lost his way; the female firefighter with the job as her only future...well, check out what happens.

The ebook is ON SALE wherever you download ebooks such as Amazon, NOOK, KOBO, Apple, and more HERE

The audiobook is downloadable HERE at Apple.

Whatever winter brings, remember that a good book, a warm blanket, and a cup of cocoa can make the dreary days pass wonderfully.

Happy Holidays!

Nancy Lee Badger

The Holiday Spirit

 

Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on November 27th. It commemorates the meal the Pilgrims shared with their new Native American friends on the shores of Plymouth, Massachusetts. After landing there, from England (via the Netherlands) in 1620, and after losing 1/2 their numbers in the first harsh winter, they certainly needed something to celebrate.

Learning to grow corn and finding the less-than-pretty turkeys quite tasty, I am glad that the 50+ who survived kept living and thanking the good Lord. My husband shares his blood with six of those brave surviving Pilgrims, so Thanksgiving means a lot to us.

This is the first family celebration since my mom passed away in September. The group at the table is smaller but the laughter and dreams go on. With the Christmas holiday right around the corner, why not dream a little? Yes, most of my decorations are up and we will work on putting exterior lights out next week. I have no room for our little tree since I still cannot get rid of an extra couch, since I inherited mom's pretty green one, but that's okay. 

What plans are filling your date book? Travel? Sleeping-in? (we are retired so we can do that) I hope to continue writing while reading a new book, here and there. I am almost through the TAF Omnibus IV which includes my story Neighborly Love. It is a modern take on new neighbors and Scottish Highland games in a contemporary setting. 

Reading is a perfectly wonderful way to spend a cold weekend or dark, snowy night. We don't get much snow here in North Carolina, but we do get nasty weather. The camp lanterns are ready along with the gas fireplace. We will enjoy its coziness. Enjoy! And, if you need more book ideas, check out all my titles HERE.

Happy Holidays!

Nancy Lee Badger

CHECK OUT MY STORY

 

CHECK OUT MY STORY  

NEIGHBORLY LOVE 

IN THIS FUNDRAISING ANTHOLOGY

just released by the Writing Group

TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION 

of FREELANCERS (aka TAF)

I step out onto my back deck. The leafless trees cannot disguise the monstrosity behind my small cottage. The four-level structure leers down at my property, but I am getting used to it. I bought the cottage for a bargain during the big building’s construction. The former owner knew what was going up.

I’d prepared for this. My bedroom and den have thick, room darkening, navy-blue curtains. Noise is another bother. If I leave windows or my back screen door open for air flow, I hear cars in the parking garage beneath the structure. Worse, car alarms blare at all hours.

As if on cue, an alarm blasts, nearly making me spill coffee on my slacks.

“I am a writer, y’all! Have a heart and keep the noise level down!” Yelling into the wind makes me feel better, but it wouldn’t accomplish much.

The alarm stops.

“About time!” Taking a deep breath, I sit at my deck’s table. As I think about whether or not I should bring my laptop outside, or return to my claustrophobic den, a voice answers.

“Sorry, sir. I must have hit the alarm button instead of the lock. My car be new and this bloody fob be verra’ weird.”

I pause.

The woman with a lovely accent sounds young, but I can’t see her through the windowless walls of the parking garage. Never mind, she worked her magic and quiet has resumed.

Sipping my coffee, I think about my new book. The decision to write a Scottish historical novel came out of left field. Mom reminded me last month of our Scottish ancestry, although our ancestors emigrated centuries earlier. I feel American, not Scottish. However, a visceral need to write a novel with a Scottish theme hit me one night, so here I sit wondering how to approach it.

Watching movies like Braveheart and episodes of Outlander isn’t enough. My niece made me sit through the animated Brave movie. They all gave me a sense of Highland life, but not enough to write an outline.

“Ye be looking deep in thought, but I again wish to apologize for the rude noise. Will ye forgive me?”

I choke on my coffee.

 Get your copy today and check out the stories, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as poetry, from over 30 members as they raise funds to keep the organization striving to help its members achieve their writing goals. TAF is 501(c)(3) nonprofit group of professional freelance writers primarily based in the Triangle region of North Carolina.

Print Versions

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APPLE   KOBO

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and many other Buy Links HERE

Happy reading!

Nancy Lee Badger

Vacation Time...Where will you Go?

The beach? The mountains? A foreign country? There are many choices, even if funds are few. 

'Vacationing in Place' is a concept many take to heart. Turn off the phone, make some cool beverages, and find time to read.

Check out all my novels. 

Ebooks and print copies.

Find all Buy Links HERE

Enjoy!

Nancy Lee Badger

Green with Envy

While writing my next novel, I was looking forward to celebrating Saint Patrick's Day on Monday March 17th. Imagine my surprise when Ancestry.com/DNA no longer lists 'Ireland' as one of my ancestor's ethnicities! What happened? I know it was there, but now the closest they show is Scottish ancestry, specifically from the Isle of Mann. That little island is spitting distance from the eastern shore of Ireland. 

So, I will sip some non-alcoholic beer and wear a green shirt and cry. Maybe it will come back because I have found a couple of ancestors who came from Ireland, but the percentage is so small, it no longer shows.

While I cry in my beer, I would like to announce that the short story I submitted to TAFNC.com has been accepted. NEIGHBORLY LOVE will appear in the book TAF Omnibus 4 in September. This is the Triangle Association of Freelancers fourth annual fundraiser that has accepted my stories. 

With that completed, I am re-editing three books in my formerly published Warriors in Bronze series after the publisher closed its doors and the rights returned to me. The story lines are paranormal and set in North Carolina and I am removing and adding words to make them more timely. I am thrilled to bring my characters back to life. The next step? Making new covers!

March weather earlier this week was brutally cold for North Carolina. As I write this the temp is heading toward 80F. The daffodils are enjoying the sunshine and I am heading out for a walk.

Nancy Lee Badger 🍀

Weather is Going Whacko

The California fires were not unexpected, since they are frequent, but these turned into a never-ending furnace of despair. I feel for everyone involved. As a former firefighter, I worry about their health and safety. Breathing in those burning chemicals and smoke is hazardous to everyone involved. The news is currently talked about 'Valley Fever.' Yuck!

These wildfires should not make us forget our North Carolina neighbors to the west. Their tragedies were never considered...a Noah-like flood in the North Carolina mountains? Many spent Thanksgiving in tents and Christmas in temporary trailers or hotels (if they were lucky). They all still need help. I am praying FEMA does not forget them as they race (ha!ha!) to Los Angeles. 

Here in Raleigh we had some odd weather, too. Not too bad, but it has been years since snow or ice has coated the ground. Schools closed early, before a flake fell, and the food stores were swamped days ahead. Some people lost power, but we were fine and knew our gas fireplace would keep us warm should the lights go out. We get many more hurricanes as well as tornado warnings than snow storms. 

Most people I know are PREPARED for possible weather events. As most homes in WNC were not considered in a flood plain, preparation was not 'a thing to do.' It will be months before California explains what happened in their state. 

The cold weather and lack of sunshine on the entire east coast this week is so different than what is occurring on the west coast. Keep everyone in your thoughts and please...BE PREPARED. We are staying home, keeping warm, and reading books.

Find suggestions on my 'BOOK' page.

Nancy Lee Badger

Summer Reading at the Beach

Are you fortunate enough to be able to spend time at the beach, a lake, a river, or a pool? Lucky you! Our last home was on a pond that connected via a canal to Lake Winnisquam in New Hampshire. We enjoyed trips on our boat or swimming at our community's sandy beach.

We decided to move to Raleigh, North Carolina and are three hours from the ocean. A little too far for a day trip, so we will enjoy our front yard where rabbits stop by for a carrot, or sit under an umbrella on our recently fixed up back deck. 

Lately, back yard visitors are deer, which still amazes me since we live in the capital of North Carolina! Chain link fence? No problem for these beauties. Reading keeps me occupied every month of the year but there is something about July that makes the mornings special. 

Whether I have a print book in my hands or an audio book speaking into my ears, reading is the best. I am a writer. Some medical issues have slowed me down, but I am writing. 

Don't forget...the 2024 Olympics ARE ON! If you like sports, check out my tennis-star character, hoping to be on the U.S. Olympic Team in ...

WITH EVERY HEARTBEAT

I want to remind folks of the 30+ books (written by me) available from many sources. (26 in print) My ebooks start at $.99 (US). Find all BUY LINKS HERE. 

Will You Welcome Beltane 2024?

Beltane is a Celtic word for what most Americans call 'MAY DAY.'  In the Northern hemisphere where I live, it is celebrated April 30 through May 1 2024. 

Most people consider May Day an ancient European festival. I am not sure if anyone in the United States will gather flowers to decorate a May Pole, or crown a May Queen, or dance around an actual May Pole, but it sure looks like fun.

If you would rather sit on your porch and read one of my many books, here are a few...

Find all buy links HERE and enjoy your day,

Nancy Lee Badger

Read Audio Books for EARTH DAY 2024

Why waste paper when you can listen to my books? This April 22, 2024 is Earth Day. I remember the first one in 1970 (54 years ago!) There was no such thing as books you could read on a phone. Although paper from trees is renewable, try the convenience of listening to my stories.

I released My Honorable Highlander in its Audio version years ago. It has been very successful. Find the Audio Book at:

   Amazon    Audible 

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Now, I have found distributors of other books such as...

Rescuing Christmas; It might not be the season for it, but the story is one I love and set in Vermont, a state where one of my sons lives. As a former EMT and firefighter, while living in nearby New Hampshire, the story is very dear to me.

                                                    Find the Audio Book at:

APPLE    Overdrive 

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With Every Heartbeat is the first of 5 books in my Opportunity Falls series. 

Find the Audio Book at:

Amazon    Audible

But if you prefer Ebooks or Print Books, check out all my titles HERE 

Happy Earth Day, Nancy Lee Badger

This Summer Everyone is Hot

 About 7 a.m. each morning, when it is not raining, I grab my lawn chair, side table, coffee, and a book and set up in my front yard. Two old-growth trees shield me from the rising sun. The air is usually in the mid-70s F and I find the near-silence comfortable.

I have neighbors, and many walk by with their dogs. Everyone is respectful of property and usually share a friendly wave. As the morning progresses, others bring out their young children in baby carriages.

Reading is soothing and I am happy that I can finally hold a book without using a lap desk. My broken wrist is nearly healed and can hold the weight of a book or my cell phone. After checking my messages, I get back to reading. 

Tuesday I was met by a chipmunk and a small rabbit. Across from me, and standing in my yard was a doe. This looked like the same one that was recently parading around my neighborhood with three speckle-backed fawns. 

One neighbor wants nothing to do with any wild animals. He has a big garden and... well... animals like to eat. I share carrots and sunflower seeds...but not if he is watching!

The other day I heard the call of a hawk. I was expecting this since they leave their nests around this time and are hungry. Just last year I watched one land on a rabbit, holding him to the ground. I jumped outside and he let go. The rabbit ran, but a second hawk took him. Life and death within 5 miles of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. 

My wrist has started to feel more flexible and I have just started typing with both hands, so I will get back to writing the next book soon. If the weather each morning is perfect, though, I will continue to read while sitting with my 'friends.'

Keep cool and read a book!

Find al Buy Links HERE