There's something magical about the quiet hours of a cold evening when the world feels still, and all you have are your thoughts, your words, and a cup of something delicious to keep you company. Tonight, that magic is wrapped in my favorite ritual: proffee.
Oh, how I love proffee. I make a half gallon of it every day - a rich blend of protein, milk, water, & coffee that's practically the fuel for my creative engine. It's positively delicious, a hug in a mug (or mason jar, depending on the day). Some people need music or candles to set the mood for writing; I just need this concoction and my laptop. With these two things, I can take on the world-or at least finish a chapter.
This week has been one of those rare and beautiful stretches where everything seems to fall into place. Words have been flowing, stories I started months (okay, maybe years) ago are finally seeing the light of completion, and my creative energy feels limitless. It's the kind of week where I don't just feel like a writer - I feel like myself.
Today, in particular, has been an extremely productive day. It's the kind of day that makes me fall back in love with the process of writing all over again. Not just the glamorous ideas of writing, but the gritty, coffee-stained, butt-in-chair, messy, beautiful work of it.
Next week, I'll be taking some time off to celebrate something monumental - my daughter's graduation from Army training. Even as I sit here, bundled up against the cold, I can't help but think about how proud I am of her. It's moments like this that remind me why I work so hard, why I pour myself into my stories and projects. Life's milestones deserve to be celebrated, and her achievement is at the top of my list.
When I'm not writing, I've been sneaking in time to read - a luxury that sometimes feels rare in the whirlwind of daily life. I grab my nook every morning as I head to the gym so I can take advantage of my daily cardio time and entertain my mind as well. I don't know about you but it's just not thrilling to walk on a treadmill and I almost certainly always getting bored. To keep myself motivated to continue moving every day, I read and walk at the same time. Best of both worlds, even if only for 45 minutes every morning.
When I'm home and find time to read, there's something about the cold weather that makes curling up with a good book all the more comforting. Whether it's revisiting an old favorite or diving into something new, reading always feels like a gentle reminder of why I started writing in the first place.
As for my stories, they're finally coming together. The characters I once put on pause are speaking to me again, their voices clearer than ever. It's funny how stories have their own timing. Sometimes, they demand to be written immediately; other times they quietly wait in the background, patient and persistent, until you're ready to give them the attention they deserve.
So here I am, enjoying this quiet night, this cup of proffee, and the satisfying click of my keyboard. It's nothing grand or earth-shattering, just a simple moment of peace and creativity - and that feels perfect.
If you're reading this, I hope you find your own little corner of comfort tonight, whether it's in a book, a cup of something warm, or the act of putting pen to paper. Sometimes, the best moments are the quiet ones.
And now, back to the stories waiting patiently for me to finish them. Cheers to writing, reading, and of course, proffee.