Wine and Me

What do you think gets better with age?

A good wine and a good whiskey – Jameson to be precise – gets better with age, they say.

I have gotten better with age too, in a lot of ways.

More confidence in myself and my abilities. I was painfully shy when I was younger and now I’d talk to anyone who’d listen to me.

I give my opinion more freely than I used to, without offending anyone, although I don’t get concerned about those in today’s society who are easily offended by everything.

I’m not afraid to say no to people. I remember the days when I done things I really didn’t want to do, or feel comfortable doing, because it was to please someone else.

I value my time more than I used to.

I accept my faults and don’t beat myself up about them because we all have them, and I don’t think mine are all that bad! [Insert Smiley Emoji]

I do realise though, that our health doesn’t improve with old age. I hope my physical and mental state doesn’t deteriorate too much as I get older.

I don’t sweat the small stuff, and what others think of me is not my business.

I laugh in the face of the begrudgers!

I’m not afraid to die. But I don’t want to go just yet!

One of the reasons I decided to self-publish my first novel was because it took me quite a few years to complete it to the standard I wanted it, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I kept thinking, what if I die before it sees the light of day? I’m only 56 by the way!

Would you like a quick peek inside?

Set in a gossipy small town in Ireland at a time when marriage is for keeps and sexuality is repressed, Secrets in the Babby House is a family saga over three decades that starts in 1956. It is a story of love, deception, and stolen diaries filled with sins and secrets.

Also available on Rakuten Kobo book.

MORE ABOUT ME, MY BOOKS AND MY CHARACTERS IN THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO!

Selfhood #99WordStories

This week’s story challenge in 99 words from Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase, “I’d rather be…” You fill in what comes next. What would a character(s) rather be doing and why?

I’d rather be what I am

Than what I thought I wanted to be

I wanted to be perfect like people I knew

Back then

Long ago

Not anymore

They weren’t that perfect at all you see

I’d rather be me

I have what I have

Because it’s meant for me

I’d rather the hurt that came my way

The experience of healing was mine alone

I’d rather not walk in your boots my friends

That road is yours

It’s not for me

The future is mine

It’s not for you

Whatever I do

May you stand by me

Here’s a collection of 99 word stories from last week’s writing challenge. Zippers Collection.