“STICK-TO-IT-IVENESS”

~ marilynm

This has been something I’ve done all my life. When I start something, I have to finish, whether it’s a chore, a volunteer job, writing a book, or anything that comes up in life.

Yes, I’m old, so there has been a lot to finish along the way. Right now I have 20 books in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series in print and available for Kindle, 16 books in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series in print and on Kindle, 8 stand-alones, 2 short stories and one cookbook (which is always my best seller).

I’m working on a new as yet-unnamed Rocky Bluff P.D. and have had a lot of other things I’ve had to do, so it’s slow going.

However, my biggest accomplishment, one that isn’t finished yet, is the fact that my husband and I reached 70 years of marriage on October 24th. Believe me, it hasn’t been easy. We didn’t really know each other well, were just kids (18-21), came from two different coasts and very different families and cultures. Because hubby was a career Seabee, he was gone a lot during the time we had young children (five in all), not ideal. When he retired, life became better for all of us. Both of us worked various jobs. I went to college to get my AA Degree in Child Development.

When the kids were all grown and all on their own, but one, we moved from our near the beach home to the foothills of the Sierra and became the owners and operators of a residential care facility for six women with developmental disabilities. This was a great time for both of us, though lots of work, we loved it.

And yes, I wrote, published and promoted during this time. I also wrote articles for the local newspaper for several years. I did many other jobs related to the residential care business, teaching classes, publishing a newsletter for other providers, and putting together an organization for providers.

We also enjoyed many mystery conferences all over the country, saw interesting sites, made many wonderful writer and reader friends. We did other fun things, gave lots of parties, went on cruises, and traveled to meet with writing groups.

All that is behind us now, but they were good years.

We have a big family we love and enjoy and those who are close by give us much pleasure, and  needed support in what is called our “golden years.”

And yes, if I start a project or job of any kind, you can be sure I’ll stick to it until I’m finished.

Marilyn

Published by marilynm

Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty-five books, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. She is also the author of the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. Her two latest books are Seldom Traveled and Unresolved. She's a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Epic, Public Safety Writers Association.

11 thoughts on ““STICK-TO-IT-IVENESS””

  1. At a high school track meet many years ago, I developed a deep admiration for “milers,” those runners who began slowly and plodded determinedly four times around the track then gave every last breath to the finish line. I was not a miler. When husband Bill and I met, I recognized that stick-to-it-tiveness in him that I admired so much. When we had been married two years, and he was working on a project, I asked about his determination to finish everything he started. I had unfinished things hanging in closets, on my sewing table, on a work table in the garage, beside the typewriter, etc. He was never critical. What he said was I began many more projects than he did; that he didn’t begin one until he was ready to see it through. He visualized finishing one before he began another. We’ve been married 58 years. I still begin too many projects at once, but I do finish more than I did before. I write a novel to “the end” before I begin another, although I will do short pieces alongside those. He is still patient with my distracted efforts and I still applaud his dedication. Opposites do prosper together when we recognize, discuss, and tolerate the other’s “imperfections.”

    Like

  3. Marilyn, you are an inspiration to all of us. You are an accomplished woman on many levels and I can sense you never let life get you down. When the going gets tough, the tough come out swinging. That’s you, Toots. And congratulations on 70 years of marriage, a wonderful family, and a lucrative writing career.

    Like

  4. You’re an inspiration to all of us who keep saying we’ll “get back” to that book. What a lot you’ve accomplished! You can certainly be proud of every one.
    Carol Viens

    Like

    1. Marilyn, you have a wonderful legacy and you are truly an example for all of us. I so admire every step you’ve taken in your journey, and fortunate are the women in your care home who benefited from your generosity of spirit and wisdom.

      Like

Comments are closed.