NECKS, PIPES & BOOKS

karenringalls

Where have I been? Why have I not been blogging?

  • A neck injury from an auto accident 40 years ago, has been giving me continual pain for two months, especially when I am on the computer.
  • Injections, medications, acupuncture, exercises, and manipulations have slowed its progress. Now a more aggressive and invasive treatment is on the horizon. What exactly that will entail is yet to be determined.
  • A water pipe broke underneath our house causing damage to two areas of our home. We canceled a two-week vacation trip to New England because of my severe headaches.
  • So, I am grateful for the headaches. Otherwise, we might have lost our home due to water damage!
Life can be a pain in the neck.
The average head weighs 11 pounds
The neck consists of 7 vertebrae
A giraffe with its l-o-n-g neck has the same number of vertebrae.
I wonder if it suffers from headaches?!

The bright side of this two month challenge has been the number of books I have read. One such book published by Fresh Ink Publishing is The Autumn Tree.

The Autumn Tree by Aysha Ehsan

Four young and very different individuals, Amanda, Catherine, Matheus, and Brad lives become intertwined in San Francisco. Spring brings hope and love, but can they survive the challenges of autumn?

My 5-star review: Two of the primary characters, Amanda and Catherine, lives are intertwined. Each young woman has issues that they must face and either learn from or succumb to. There are some disturbing scenes that might be upsetting to some readers. The author presents sexual, drug, discrimination, and family issues that each character needs to deal with. I loved this book, and read it quickly. Congratulations to the author for a well-written novel.

Please give Aysha your support by reading and reviewing her first novel.

26 thoughts on “NECKS, PIPES & BOOKS”

  1. I’m sorry to hear about your neck pain due to the car accident 40 years ago, Karen. I’m sure you’ve tried everything you can think of. Good to hear you were thankful that you couldn’t make it to your vacation and caught the pipe problem.
    I have chronic low back pain. Sitting up too much in front of the computer would increase the pain to a point that I couldn’t sleep at night. Sometimes I laid on the couch and used the phone to check the blogs. But I’m not consistent. I wish there’s formula and I could stick with it.
    Take care of yourself and your neck, Karen.

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    1. Miriam, I am sorry about your lower back problems. We put a lot of stress on our skeletal system starting in childhood. Our posture, activities, body mechanics, weight, and accidents or falls all play into affecting a very important part of our bodies.
      Take care, Miriam. Thank you for sharing.

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  3. Thanks for sharing your review, Karen. It’s good to see you online.
    I am so sorry to hear about the neck and headache problems you’ve been having, and that you had to cancel your vacation. It’s good you caught the water damage, so perhaps a bit of a silver lining.
    Take care of yourself and be careful with your neck. Wishing you good days ahead!

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  4. A super review, Karen. So sorry for your neck problems. I suffer from the same as a result of an accident. I try to keep alternating my time on the computer to keep it in check. I wish you well. Good thing you had to be home when the water line broke. Demonstrates the silver lining theory of the black cloud. Take care.

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    1. There are always silver linings IF we open ourselves to listening to our inner voices (angels, I believe). I know and believe with all my heart that these headaches are my wake-up call to make some positive changes. I am listening to and making healthier lifestyle changes and choices. Thank you, John, for your empathy. I’m sorry about your neck pain and glad you have learned to balance your time.

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  5. Sorry about your neck and headache issues, Karen! But very lucky you were home to shut off the water. Hope you get some relief. Sounds like a good book you read too! Xo

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    1. Denise, thank you for your support and concern. Writing with pencil and paper has replaced the computer to some degree. I am lowering the stress in my life which is one of my lessons.
      I know you would enjoy the book, The Autumn Tree.

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  6. Oh Karen, I hate hearing such news for you, but it’s good to see that you can still find the positive side. The book you’ve shared, the cover is beautiful. I’ll definitely have to check it out. I hope things get better for you and the headaches ease. I feel like a lot of people don’t understand the pain a simple headache can cause. They’re not exactly simple to us that know. Sending you positive thoughts, sweet friend.

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    1. There are always lessons to be learned: for me, I need to slow down and stop staying “yes” to everyone and everything. I am pacing myself better, relaxing/meditating more, and exercising every day. Pencil and paper for writing have replaced the computer in some respects.
      Thank you for your good wishes, Marlena.

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  7. Karen, I am so sorry about the neck issue you are experiencing and the pain. But I love your perspective about not being able to travel and saving your house. This looks like a fascinating read! Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Life is always full of challenges. And, I do believe in the angels whispering, or sometimes yelling, at me with guidance and warnings. I found I could do a lot of writing without pain by going back to the old-fashioned way: paper and pen.
      The Autumn Tree was an excellent book. I know you will enjoy it.

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  8. I’m so sorry to hear this news, Karen. You’ve had serious health challenges and don’t need anymore. Hope you’re on the mend soon.

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    1. Life is full of bumps in the road and these headaches are one of the bumps. Lesson: listen to and respond to your body’s warning signs (I was ignoring the stress and increased workload I had taken on). Thank you, Harriet, for your words of encouragement.

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  9. Oh Karen, I do t like knowing you have been in such pain. Thank you for educating us and also showing how gratitude triumphs!

    Thanks for the blog!

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    1. Thank you, Jayne, for your kind words. My goal is to write as much each day as the headaches will allow. There might be only short times, but that is better than none. I am very grateful for the concern and support I am receiving.

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  10. Oh, Karen, I’m so sorry for the pain, the treatments, the agonizing interruptions to life. I followed a similar path as you until a neurosurgeon discovered two CFS leaks, not usually seen/recognized by most doctors. I wonder if this could be at the root of your difficulties. God Bless you. 💗

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    1. I researched CFS leaks and I do not have any of the symptoms except the headaches and neck pain. I will talk to the doctor about it when I see her next week. Thank you for the information.
      One of many lessons: not to take things for granted. The time to write is one of the most enjoyable moments in a day.

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    1. I have so much to be grateful for and the issue with these tremendous headaches makes me more aware of how blessed I am. That may sound like an oxymoron, but I do believe that every challenge is an opportunity to grow and be a better person.
      I have had to work through my frustration that I cannot sit at the computer and do the writing I want and need to do. I appreciate your support and good wishes…your words are healing.

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