Books and Bags

Hiya

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I want to tell you a little about what's going on in my world right now.

Firstly, writing-wise I'm up to my eyes in edits for my next book in 'The Men of Moone Mountain' series. This one is called 'The Red-Light Wrangler' and centres around Rich Buchanan, the local billionaire's son.  If you have read 'Ménage on Moone Mountain' you will recognise Rich as the guy who took Brooke Anderson to the Country gig.  You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one, though.  I am writing this as a series of stand-alone novels, although it is a series and therefore the same characters will pop up from time to time.  'The Red-Light Wrangler' is a ManLove story, (MM), which has been real fun to write.  It is the first complete MM book which I have written, although there was a homosexual couple in 'Secrets of the Siren' and a bi-sexual pairing in 'Ménage on Moone Mountain'.

In my home-life I am busy making bags for a large hospital where I receive follow-up treatment for my breast cancer,  The bags I am making are simple, fabric bags, some with shoulder-straps and some with a long across-the-body strap.  They came about due to the old adage 'necessity is the mother of invention'.

When I had major surgery last year I woke up to find myself attached to several drains (plastic 'bottles' which drain fluid and/or blood from the body), which had to stay in place for several weeks.  While I was bed-ridden this wasn't a problem, but once I started to get up and walk around I found it very difficult to carry all of the drains (6 at one time!) especially as I was so wobbly on my feet and really needed my hands to help me grab onto whatever I could to help keep my balance.  (I also have osteoporosis and any fall can be quite dangerous).

After a while of struggling (and trying not to have to trek all the way to the loo too often), one of the nurses gave me a paper bag to carry the drains in, which freed up one of my hands.  Unfortunately, the bag tore easily with the weight of the drains full of blood and fluid, they rustled on the bed when I moved - thus causing me to try to stay awake all night so I wouldn't inadvertently move and wake the other patients - and finally disintegrated on the wet bathroom floor.  After this I was given a pillow-case to carry them in.  I slept much better but still found it hard to keep my balance with only one hand to steady myself.  The nurses told me there was nothing else they could offer me, so I persevered until I left hospital.  I had to go home with some of the drains still in place, and while at home used a small basket to carry them in, which I was able to hang around my wrist thus freeing both hands for balance.

I felt much more confident with this until I went back to the hospital for a check-up.  The hospital is in the city, and the nurses found it hilarious that I used a basket instead of a bag.  (I live in the country and we use baskets all the time here, so I was shocked and embarrassed at their reaction).

After this I came up with the solution - a bag which is soft, strong and can be worn by keeping the hands free for balance.  I have now been making some of these simple bags and will be giving them to my Consultant Surgeon later this month when I go back for another check-up.  I hope they are of some use to the patients, and can solve just one small problem they are facing.  Fingers crossed!  :)

Have a great week, everyone, and keep smiling.