Taking it extra easy Sunday night Priorities
Eight forty five PM Priorities
And it’s time for a new post on my Facebook page
I’ve played bagpipes for the last 3 days Priorities
I’m exhausted and recovering Priorities
Back to work on my book tomorrow Priorities

Okay, so Elton John did a much better job on those lyrics than I did…

Time for a quick update — some maybe not so new…

Life of a bagpiping budding recipe book author — it has a certain quirky romance to it, but in reality it can be a juggle … well, on top of fixing a truck, contributing to finish building a house, and helping to support one’s parents. Since late last year I’ve had to prioritize these things — and shift my priorities depending on the week! Priorities

I’ve been working to knock down my ToDo List, and frankly … I’ve had a few things to get out of the way to where I can refocus on finishing my book. Priorities

Frankly … today has been spent resting

The last 3 days I’ve been on a St. Patrick’s Day tour playing Celtic-rock both with Geoffrey Castle and my own band, Nae Regrets. Each day things ramped up. Thursday I opened for Geoff in Kirkland. Friday morning I had a Nae Regrets rehearsal in the morning and then played for Geoff in the historic Mount Vernon Lincoln Theater (video below). Saturday Nae Regrets played in Mountlake Terrace, then I flew down to Auburn to play for Geoff, and then I flew back to Maplewood neighborhood in North Seattle for Nae Regrets to play a house party. And then I got my tired self home and CRASHED until 10AM Sunday morning.

goofy juggler — Imagine each red ball as things I’m working on — yeah, it’s about like that right now

All of the shows went well. Taking off for three days and playing was also a nice break from everything I’ve been focused on. AND NOW …

I’m pleased to announce that a variety of ToDo items are out of my way and I can make finishing my recipe book my prime focus …. at least until something else comes up. Yeah, I never learned to juggle in practical terms however I sure can figuratively juggle!

So this week I aim to… bake cookies and take pictures to make some step-by-step instruction photos, work up the surprise content, and address some final writing. And depending on how I’m feeling tomorrow, rest-up some more from this fantastic past weekend!

LINKS

Mount Vernon, WA – Official Website and Wikipedia
Elton John & Rocket Man (song)
How to Juggle: 7 Steps with pictures

Yeah, it’s about time to replace my chanter reed (what makes the melody) — it’s become sensitive to over-blowing.

https://www.facebook.com/pugetsoundproduc/videos/1855116361200032/?fref=mentions

And now Elton John in the event you got the tune in your head — or wanted to hear it right after my lame parody lyrics.

Priorities

I seriously looked like this for a few days... — I seriously looked like this for a few days…

Just over a year ago I was nearly ready to publish my recipe book … when my not-backed-up hard drive CRASHED. I researched getting the information on my hard drive recovered through a number of data recovery companies. That proved prohibitive — I was going to have to start over! Fortunately, I found an old back-up on one of my other computers. To my relief I did not lose any of my recipes, which is of course the most important part — but for all the rest of my work … I was going to have to start over. What did I learn from all this? Priorities

priorities That’s right… priorities

BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE.

CheckChick.com — Writers — need an AWESOME editor — ask for Linda…

So, using the partial back-up I found, I restarted my book during June 2017 and I have been working on it since. I even got a SUPER COOL editor by accidental fortune and dhum luck …. er, I mean, dumb luck. I am here to say that things have been going well and I’m nearly done! Again. Priorities

BagpiperDon — Like this from the 2013 tour but this time with more hair.

This past holiday season, despite my preferences, I had to take a bit of a break from this work. I needed to prioritize on things other than my book. On top of working my day-job, baking a ton of cookies as gifts for friends (that’s kinda my thing), I was preparing for time with my family, and my truck let me know it needed a number of repairs. In addition to all that I had been asked once again to contribute to the annual Celtic-rock Christmas tour by the esteemed fiddler, Geoffrey Castle. Given my previous music experiences with Geoff, that was an opportunity was I was NOT about to miss! Priorities

So now it’s January 2017 … I mean 2018, and I am back to work — on my book, on my day-job, on my truck, on my music, on … on … on … TOO MUCH! Out of necessity, I prioritized during the holidays to get things done, so why not now? That occurred to me last week, and it’s left me thinking…. Priorities

Tonka dump truck — This looks a little different than my truck

I need my truck for coming events. My book needs to be brought to completion because … well … with trials & tribulations the project has been going for a prolonged period. I want to enjoy the next stage of it — having it published and connecting with people about baking and good food.

So it makes sense to put everything else aside and focus on these, right? I think so!

I’m sizing things up — I’m considering this temporary shift. If I do it, I see it as being possible that I could be done with my book in a matter of weeks, my truck too! By doing this I would reduce the directions I’m stretched in and attempt to keep my sanity (/CHORTLE), and then be better able to focus on both the work that remains and the work ahead. This could also better allow me to promote my coming book — which has been a challenge with everything already happening. Priorities

So there’s my thought, maybe my Plan Of Action — we’ll all know soon enough — wish me LUCK! Priorities

All the Best ~ Don

Linda at CheckChick.com

Geoff at GeoffreyCastle.com and Wikipedia

If you have ever wondered what it is like to be a small business owner … it’s being both of these kids … and you have to wear the costume.
Yes, in front of Everyone.

Whidbey Island Baking Company

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