I have a vivid imagination. Amazing, stupendous ideas come to me at the strangest times. I can spot the most mundane object and weave a fascinating story in my mind.

Hours later, I will sit down at my desk to write it down and… nothing. I can’t remember a thing. I don’t even have a nugget of the original idea.

I have the same talent with to-dos, shopping needs, and honey-do lists.

Fortunately, I found a great crutch to help me remember. I carry a pocket-sized recorder that allows me to instantly store any idea, suggestion, or dream at the mere touch of a button. When I get to my desk, I can play the recording and immediately take myself back to the original thought. It’s saved me from so many lost items over the years.

Until I couldn’t remember where I had left it.

I sat down at my desk, opened the drawer to get my recorder, and spied the empty spot. Perplexed, I went to the laundry hamper and checked pockets of pants and shirts. I searched the car. At one point, I was checking the refrigerator, silverware drawer, and trashcan. Don’t laugh. You’ve done it too.

When an object is not much bigger than a pack of mints, it’s easy to misplace. When it’s black, it’s hard to spot.

Desperate, I re-started a search. I checked every drawer in the house. I went through closets and used a flashlight under furniture. I even went back to the refrigerator, silverware drawer, and trashcan. Seriously. Stop laughing.

The searching went on for nearly two weeks. Finally, under strong advice from the Ever Patient Partner In Life (who had grown tired of my requests to search just one more time), I ordered a new recorder. A couple of days later, it arrived in the mail. I placed it on my desk, walked over to the supply cabinet in my office to retrieve a pair of scissors, and … you know this is coming … found my recorder.

Oh, I should mention this happened a few weeks ago. At the time, I laughed and said it would make a great story. I forgot to write it down then. It came to me while we were walking the dogs. I recorded it then.

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Update On My Next Novel

Revisions are moving rapidly, a book cover is being designed, the title will be announced in Wednesday’s newsletter, and even the marketing blurb is nearly complete (and will also be shared in this week’s newsletter). It’s been a very productive week and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Unfortunately, that means no Books Read again this week. At least not the fun fiction I share with you, though I did devour a couple of non-fiction books for author stuff.

I did start reading a new novel this weekend from one of my favorite authors. Will share that next week.

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Interesting Link

The Internet Is Rotting—As someone who has designed and operated websites for nearly two decades, one of my nightmares is maintaining links and old domains. I’m not alone, as this article shows. What I hadn’t really thought of are the difficulties this is creating when even Supreme Court Justices include links in their opinions, a huge problem when the owner of the website can change the document. Don’t think that’s an issue? A study showed that half—half—of the links embedded in court opinions since 1996 no longer work. That makes for even murkier law than normal.

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Gratuitous Dog Picture

With deadlines looming, I need to keep myself focused and working at my desk. Fortunately, I am surrounded by encouraging creatures who, well, make it difficult to leave my chair. On the flip side, they make it difficult to get back to my chair as well. Roscoe and Frankie have the current duty.