Why Is The Grass Always Greener?

Have you ever noticed that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?

Are you the "swinging single" who has all your paycheck to spend as you desire? Who lives your own life, never having to report to anyone when you do something, who works when you want to and plays when you want to? Are you the one everyone envies because you have control over your own life?

You're also probably the one who struggles to pay bills with one paycheck when all your married friends have two incomes. You're probably the one who hates social functions because you face going to them alone or with a "new friend" who is a gorgeous hunk, but in reality that hunk is either boring or unfamiliar and you envy those "couples" who always attend functions together, always knowing how the other will react.

You're probably the one who lives the "exciting life" when in fact you're bored and restless, wishing for some of the contentment your couple friends enjoy.

Or, are you perhaps part of the married couple that has everything going for you? Who has so much in common? Who has a couple of lovely kids? Who has all the nice things like a big home, new car, boat, ATVs, etc?

You're probably the one who envies the excitement of meeting a new man like your single friends do. You're probably the one who envies the freedom and the control of your life your single friends have. You'd love to just once spend a paycheck on you rather than the kids and necessities. You'd love a change rather than the contentment (maybe boredom sometimes) you think your life is today.

Why is it we never are satisfied with our lives? Have you noticed everyone feels someone else lives a better life?

I wonder how many of us really sit down and realize that we are the reasons we're happy -- or not. Everyone, no matter what lifestyle they live, faces problems and frustrations and depending on how they react, can be happy.

I know it sounds too easy, but it really is.

The following are my philosophies but I'd like to share them with you.

1. Decide what you want. It's up to you to take the steps to achieve it.

2.  Don't blame others.  You made the decision to be where you are in life. It's up to you to change it.

3.  Where are you? Look closely at yourself.

4.  Have you tried to improve or change? If not, why not?

5.  Talk to people (friends, relatives, etc)

6.  Do you really want things different?

7.  Accept things -- go for it if you really want to change. 

8.  It's up to you to be happy --- make the decision to look at things positively.

I love these thoughts:

You can achieve anything but
sometimes it comes at a cost
      ....Annie Oartman

When you say yes to something
You say no to something else!
    ....Unknown

Okay, I'm done. Have a great day -- decide to be happy.  You deserve it!

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

www.KRBailey.com

It's Here!

Received my cover for my newest story, Dark Secrets, from my cover artist.  I think she did a fantastic job and I'm excited to share it with you.

Dark Secrets is a romantic mystery and here's a short blurb:

She’s searching for answers ...

Under the guise as a journalist learning the ginseng trade, Moira Dawson is determined to learn the truth about her brother’s death. Someone knows the secret of how he died.

 He’s determined to protect what’s his …

Beau Johnstone looks like a rugged mountain man, and he hates ‘sangers who tear down his fences and destroy his property to dig the coveted roots. When Moira meets Beau at the end of his shotgun, he’s the last person she plans to trust.

Together, can they succeed?

As Moira unravels the mysteries of Cold Hollow, Beau may be her only chance of survival if she can get past the secrets he’s keeping. But without his help, she’s destined for the same fate as her brother.

I'm excited about this story. It should be available later this summer.

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

http://www.KRBailey.com

Want To Be A 'Sanger?

What's a 'sanger you ask? Well, until I watched the reality TV series on the History Channel, Appalachian Outlaws about digging ginseng, I had no idea either.

Ok, why am I blogging about this? Because it gave me an idea about a new book - Dark Secrets that should be coming out later this summer.

I had no inkling that ginseng grew wild in parts of the United States, as well as areas of Quebec and Ontario. When I started doing some research, I found not only that it grows wild but that many states regulate the entire ginseng business from those who dig the roots to being a registered dealer. You need a license to be a 'sanger or ginseng digger. There's even regulations about how old a plant must be before it can be harvested.  How do you know a plant's age? Count the scars near the base of the stem. Each year the stem and leaves die back and leave a scar. Count these and it will give you an approximate age of the plant. The berries must be replanted near the harvested plant so more can grow.

Many of these facts are placed sporadically in my story.

There's even websites on how to dig, harvest, store the roots and when it can be sold or certified and when the actual season is. I was amazed at all the information about harvesting ginseng. I thought it was just something from China and Korea, used in herbal medicine. Boy did I get my eyes opened.

Of course my story, Dark Secrets, is a work of fiction with a few facts sprinkled throughout. The TV program portrayed the business as very competitive thus I've tried to  bring that into my story.

I enjoyed creating this story. It has a few twists and turns that I hope will keep you wanting to read more.

Dark Secrets should be released later this summer.  Watch for it!

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

www.KRBailey.com