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Copyright © 2023 Amanda Hughes | Haint Blue Creative®

Dear friends,

From the winter solstice to the spring equinox, I took a winter break, unplugging from social media, emails, blogging, and business meetings that extended outside of my Muggle career. During my hiatus, I steeped my heart, body, mind, and spirit into an entirely different world—a world of immersive research, painstaking planning, voracious reading, and academic writing. The latter, while enlightening, has been grueling. I’m at the final chapter of the nonfiction book I’ve been working on for two solid years. More on that in this month’s “musings.”

For now, I’m going to be honest; I haven’t wanted to rise from my creatively intoxicating winter hibernation… which sounds ironic in writing: a “thrilling hibernation.” In reality, however, this three-month hiatus has been one of the most exhilarating and nourishing gifts I could have ever allowed myself. Without focusing energy on posting and responding and blogging, I have been able to direct my attention toward rest, taking nature walks, road trips, spending time with family and friends, and writing without distraction. Again, in being completely truthful, I’ve felt terrified of coming back to posting, emailing, blogging, and such—not because I don’t want to see and engage with my fellow writers and beloved readers, because I do. I have sincerely missed y’all and wondered how you’ve been doing. You and your endeavors and families have been close to my heart and with my spirit. What scares me about jumping back into the grind is that once again I will be exposing myself to doubt, comparison, envy, and all the negative aspects of being a self-published author. And because I’ve grown exceedingly protective of my time and energy—defensive, even—I won’t compromise my peace. Ever again. And—I’m gonna “should” all over you right here—neither should you.

Whether you are my valued reader, trusted friend, colleague, or someone who’s reading this newsletter for the first time and wondering what in the world you’ve gotten yourself into, when your soul is tired, your spirit weakened by the perpetuated expectation that one must always be productive, please take a break. I implore you to unplug from the devices, uninstall the apps, and propel yourself into the direction of whatever or whomever fills your cup. Make time for the people you love. Prioritize your peace.

When you decide to unplug, I promise you three things: 1) The grind will be there when you return. 2) Catching up won’t take as long as you imagine. 3) You will not miss out on anything more valuable than your mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

If you are still reading, this edition of my Haint Bluesletter is entirely “Mandy’s Musings,” a section of my newsletter in which I share what’s been going on in my world. As such, because there are so many photos and stories to share, I have created a slideshow of where I’ve been and where I’m headed… including a sneak peek at what I’m working on. As for the future format of this Haint Bluesletter, for now I am going with my intuition and creating experiences as they resonate with me. I do hope you enjoy.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Love,

Mandy

For several months leading up to the holidays I promised everyone who would listen that I was NOT putting up that grizzly bear of a Christmas tree. Not this year. Not ever again. Nope, I wouldn't do it... I did it.

It boasted and bragged outside my office door the entire holiday.

Speaking of the holidays, I've loved snowmen as long as I can remember. I've loved cookies just as long. Yet again, Starbucks didn't disappoint this season.

And speaking of cookies, Shederal asks for snickerdoodles every year, and this year Jalan asked me to make white chocolate chip cookies but with dark chocolate cookie mix. They were divine.

My birthday is December 1, which means the day has pretty much always been Christmas-themed. I'm okay with that. In fact, my Mama gets me a snowman for my birthday each year. This year, she gave me this precious pillow, and Jalan gave me the throw behind it. Both are so cute I can't stand it.

Meanwhile, my best friend Stacie gave me a new framed photo for my office desk. She and Griz are two of the most important people in my life.

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was a mug I scored from a Dirty Santa game. There were truffles inside, so I gave the stink eye to anyone who even looked like they were going to steal my gift bag.

Nobody tried me. Everyone was safe.

New Year's Eve was louder and smokier this year around our way. Right as the ball dropped in Times Square, UGA won the Peach Bowl. Watching these guys celebrate with fireworks and hilarious family stories felt like I had won the night.

Right after the new year, Griz hosted our friend group at her house for our annual holiday porch party. The night was full of delicious food, drunken laughter, and an eclectic karaoke session with songs that spanned at least five decades. The only thing missing from this magical night were three of our fellow Sisterhood: Courtney, Maria, and Rhiana. Those who made it are pictured above. Clockwise from top left, they are: Robin, me, Jill, Ursula, Nancy, Ava, and Griz.

Here are some of the (succulent and well-deserved) carbs we consumed...

And what party is complete without bread and a butter board?

My Meme was with us that night. I found these red candles in her sewing table drawer and Griz used them in her super chic candelabra. Red was Meme's favorite color, and she loved these girls so very much. Even though the wind swept through, knocking over decorations and unmanned Solo cups, her candles never once blew out. Not until the party was over and we were cleaning up.

Right after Valentine's Day, Stacie and I went to the Claude Monet Immersive Experience in Atlanta. The photos that follow do no justice at all to the color, movement, sound, and smells. Not pictured: the Impressionism-themed dark chocolate truffles that didn't make it past the parking lot.

In this room, the water and fish were in motion. It really did feel like being inside Monet's Water Lilies series.

The largest room in the exhibit, this room featured works and stories spanning Monet's evolution as a painter.

Two of the most important members of our family are also two of the most fun...

Indigo (Indy) and Kirby bring so much joy to our lives. In this photo, Devan was home from college and these two didn't want to leave his room. Not pictured: the abundance of hair splayed across Devan's bed.

This is how they sleep while I'm working in my office. Notice the ears folded back... One swivel of my chair and they perk up.

They also enjoy office yoga. This is a modified downward dog pose.

In the afternoon hours, when the sun's rays angle downward through my suncatchers, Indy and Kirby "chase" the reflections. I've named them "butterflies," which also applies to the light reflected from my hand mirror, phone, seatbelt buckle, or laser pointer. These dogs go nuts.

When we're not looking, they also go nuts on shoes. This is my desk around midmorning every day: shoe contraband.

But just look at these faces. They can pillage my shoes all they want.

(I'll just go shopping for more.)

During my first ever Tarot reading, my friend's mother peered down over the cards and told me that she could tell that my favorite way of escaping was anyplace where there was a vast, wide-open sky. The beach, the mountains, a field. And she was right. I adore a big sky. There's a park across the street from my house, and the skies there are just lovely.

On a mid-morning walk last month, I looked up and saw the moon peeking over the first sign of spring. That moon NEVER lets me photograph her, so I was shocked when I looked back through my pictures and saw her winking at me.

Recently, I learned that mistletoe is a parasitic plant that attaches itself to trees after being born from bird poop. Thanks to that knowledge, every time I stand under it to sneak a kiss, I'll be thinking of bird poop parasites.

Apparently, mistletoe was a sacred symbol to the Celtic Druids. It represented vivacity and fertility. And that's no poop.

Like mistletoe, lichen, moss, and ferns grow everywhere at this park. When I was a little girl, I used to think they were fairy forests.

The weeds are even beautiful! I've been watching this thistle growing for a few weeks now. It may as well be a cactus, what with all those thorns.

Butterflies are also everywhere right now. Once, I heard that when a butterfly follows you (like this Eastern tiger swallowtail one day on my walk), it's the spirit of a loved one sending a blessing or trying to connect from heaven.

Also everywhere right now are azaleas. They're absolutely gorgeous and they grow in abundance here in Georgia. Sadly, they only stay in bloom for about 27 minutes.

There's a new Mexican restaurant in town. My husband will keep going back for the cheese dip. I'll keep going back just so I can gaze at this Frida Kahlo portrait hanging over the register.

So, I gave up creamer. And at first I thought I would be IRATE AND HATE EVERYONE, but you know what? Coffee is even more delicious without creamer. I've been adding a little cinnamon for flavor and health benefits (antioxidants and metabolic boost), and now I'm just as happy as a caffeinated clam.

Around mid-February I was able to capture another shot of the moon, this time with Jupiter and Venus! Felt like I was eavesdropping on a conversation. Maybe the others will join them in a line and I'll win the lottery.

#RoadieGoals

Thanks to Griz for my latest read. I'm tryin', y'all! I'm tryin'!!

While we're on the subject of reading and trying to get rich, I've been writing in the mornings and reading in the evenings. While I have a fiction TBR stack a mile-high, with Sonja F. Blanco's Witch of Ware Woods series on top, I've spent the last three months reading for research... Research into a new fiction project of my own...

...but first, I have to finish this nonfiction book. Word count at the time of typing this: 105,588. This photo was taken one early morning (prior to giving up creamer) while surrounded by Tarot cards. Because that's the theme: Tarot for writers. Now, there is already another book with that exact title (by Corrine Kenner), and a few others with various writer-related subject matter, but this one is unique to the way in which I use the Tarot for inspiration while planning and penning my novels. As you can see per the word count, I'm terribly excited to share my methods and insights with whomever finds themselves intrigued.

I can't give away the title or any other details yet, as I am submitting the manuscript for traditional publishing. However, I do have an elaborate plan to offer resources, activities, videos, and even classes related to Tarot and writing in the very near future. When I am able to share news of a book deal and publishing details, YOU will be the first to know.

After the book has been submitted, it'll be time to dive into writing my next fiction project... and, whoa, what a project it's turning out to be...

If the eclectic, controversial, and spooky nature of this research stack are any indicator of the project's overall theme, then I believe I'm right on course...

The project? A six-book series spanning four centuries, several Southern cities, and a moss-burdened family tree of characters as twisted as its roots. The genres are magical realism and Southern Gothic literary fiction.

The overall theme? Water magic.

That's all the sneak peeking you get for now, but I will leave you with a few cryptic muse photos.

From a mural on the interior of Athena Restaurant, St. Augustine, Florida
Huguenot Cemetery, St. Augustine, Florida
Tolomato Cemetery, St. Augustine, Florida
The Fountain of Youth site in St. Augustine, Florida
A rose grown from my garden.
My "get ready fast" shelf in my office. Meme is pictured in the background. The photo is dated 1949.

If you enjoyed this update, please let me know. Send me an email, DM, or comment on a social media post. As always, thank you for your support of my writing and publishing dreams.

Love, Mandy

Credits:

All photos are copyright © 2023 Amanda Hughes | Haint Blue Creative®