There isn't much I love more than a rainy morning when I'm snug and cozy in my bed. The thunder rumbles are soothing, and the rain against my window is refreshing, like it's washing the troubles of the world away.

I'm having just such a morning today. A giant peal of thunder woke me up early, around 5 a.m. My cat came and snuggled up, and I just lazily stared out the window for the next hour until she convinced me she was literally expiring from starvation.

I'm back in bed now, with a sweet, creamy latte, writing you this note.

The time off my feet had an unexpected blessing. I was able to do something that has been my goal since I was a little girl: I wrote and published a novel.

Many of you have been following along with the first draft I have been posting on The OP. But now, you can finally grab The Widow in the Woods on Amazon and read the entire thing at once.

If you enjoy it, your five-star reviews on Amazon help me immensely! After reading, if you could pop over and leave a little note on Amazon I'd really appreciate it.

This week, I'm having the second surgery. The last one was on my ankle and this one is on my foot. I'm really not looking forward to it, but it must be done. I have another lengthy recovery in my future before I can revisit physical therapy.

There are a few reasons I think (hope) this won't be quite as bad as the first one:

I already know how to get around on my knee scooter.
I already know how to get up and down from a seat, use the bathroom, and do many other necessary things one-footed.
I'm going to pass the time working on crafts and another story - wouldn't it be great if I could finish a second book while I'm stuck in bed?
I know what to expect - at least to some degree.
I have all the things in place to make my life easier, such as shower chairs, rails in the bathroom, crutches, and scooters.
I have a huge stack of unread Dean Koontz novels, and another stack of Alice Hoffman novels. (Thank you, Thriftbooks, for making this affordable!)
I already know how to get up and down from a seat, use the bathroom, and do many other necessary things one-footed.
I'm going to pass the time working on crafts and another story - wouldn't it be great if I could finish a second book while I'm stuck in bed?
I know what to expect - at least to some degree.
I have all the things in place to make my life easier, such as shower chairs, rails in the bathroom, a huge stack of unread Dean Koontz novels, and another stack of Alice Hoffman novels.

Will this surgery work?

I honestly don't know. I'm cautiously optimistic but I do know that even if it doesn't heal completely, I will adapt. If the past year has taught me nothing else, it's that we can adapt to the most astonishing changes in circumstances. It has given me an opportunity to see how much my beloved daughters love me right back. It has given me rest, whether I wanted it or not.

It was really difficult to learn I needed further repairs. Initially I raged and ranted and cried about the unfairness of it all. I was so upset.

Once I got that out of my system, a sense of peace and acceptance settled over me. Regardless of the outcome, I'll do what I must to make my life comfortable and pleasant. I'll adapt and I'll be happy. Will I be able to go on epic trips to distant lands? Who knows. But if I'm not, I am so very glad I ignored the naysayers in my life who told me not to go before. I have had a lifetime of incredible experiences traveling, trying new things, hiking new trails, being a mom, and seeing the world.

If my time is up for that, then I'll spend the next part of my life writing all the stories in my head that want to get out, spending time with my family, making a beautiful home that is adapted to my needs, and displaying some of the amazing photos I took and keepsakes I brought home. Life isn't over if it's different unless you allow your injury or disability to steal the rest of the time you have on this planet from you.

I'll be taking about a week off to get through the worst of the recovery and look forward to talking to you all afterward!

Lots of love,
Daisy

Grace Sherwood is no ordinary old lady.

In the shadows of an apocalyptic world, she has survived with her home, her mysterious garden, and her cat. With a sharp mind honed by years of solitude and a soft heart that has not been hardened by the trials of a world gone mad, Grace is the unexpected heroine this broken world never knew it needed.

Nestled within the protective embrace of her forest cottage, Grace has carved out a life of quiet dignity amidst the chaos. But when ruthless intruders invade her sanctuary with a captive teenage girl, Grace knows that the time for action has come. Armed with nothing but her wits and the wisdom she has earned over a lifetime, she embarks on a perilous journey to reclaim her home and rescue young Lexie.

As Grace navigates the treacherous event, she discovers that survival is not just about strength, but about cunning, compassion, and the ability to adapt. With every step, she draws upon the lessons of her past, weaving together a tapestry of survival that is as intricate as the forest itself.

"The Widow in the Widows" is a gripping tale of resilience, love, and the indomitable spirit of a woman who refuses to be defined by the world around her. In a place where the line between hero and villain is blurred, Grace stands as a beacon of hope, proving that sometimes, the greatest power lies not in the might of someone bigger and stronger, but in the wisdom of an unlikely hero.