Monthly Archives: November 2017

Dedications, Gratitude, and Appreciation, Oh My!

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The Monday after Thanksgiving seems appropriate to share my intense gratitude for all of the people who have helped me on the path to publication for my newest book, Pre-Meditated Murder.  Even though it’s not out until January, the individuals mentioned below helped me over a year ago, meaning that this thanks is well overdue.  To all of the people who help me every day of this life, I probably don’t say it enough, but I appreciate you!!

Dedication:

To my precocious German shepherd pup, Ana. Thank you for filling my days with laughter and my nights with warmth.

Acknowledgements:

The longer I write, the more I realize that writing is a team sport.

Thanks, as always, to editor Sandy Sullivan at Midnight Ink and freelance editor Marta Tanrikulu. Your insights and feedback both amaze and humble me. Thanks also to my agent, Margaret Bail, and editor Terri Bischoff at Midnight Ink. I am grateful that you were willing to take a chance on this newbie author five years ago.  Without you, my series would still be gathering dust at the bottom of my closet.

Special thanks to Jane Gorman, Brandy Reinke, and Renee Turner, who helped me understand the complex process of immigration and the particular challenges faced by immigrants coming to the United States from Mexico. Any errors are solely my own.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the town of Cannon Beach, Oregon, which is one of my favorite places in the world. I took some liberties with the Sand Castle Festival, including moving it to autumn instead of early summer, but the loveliness of the town is unchanged. I hope to retire there someday.

My husband, Marc, gets extra kudos for designing and maintaining my author website, as well as for listening to all of my grumbles and supporting me through all of my challenges. Ana Pup, the new canine love of my life, gets my eternal gratitude for keeping life interesting.

Finally, thank you to all of my readers, who keep me glued to the keyboard even when I feel like giving up. I write for you.

Tracy

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All four books in the Downward Dog Mystery Series are available at booksellers everywhere!

Finding Gratitude

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The holidays are almost upon us, and with them come more activities than most of us know how to handle. I’m no exception. Therefore today’s blog post will be short and sweet.  Here are ten things I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving, in no particular order:

  1. My husband, Marc, who is my best friend, my confidante, and the love of my life. I don’t know what I’d do without him.
  2. My crazy pup, Ana, who fills my life with mischief and keeps me challenged every day.
  3. The wonderful students who’ve taught me so much over my past 17 years as a yoga teacher, particularly those in my yoga teacher training programs.
  4. My readers! I never thought I’d write a single book, much less be working on my 6th. Without the readers who’ve contacted me, I never could have kept going.
  5. My body, challenged though it may be. They say some of the best healers are injured, and I’m no exception. I sometimes angst over my body and wonder what I could have accomplished had I been healthier, but every ache and injury has taught me a valuable lesson that I can use to help others.
  6. Microsoft. I left the company in 2000, but without it I never would have had the financial ability to open Whole Life Yoga.
  7. My friends, who stick with me through hard times, remind me to enjoy simple pleasures like bingeing on popcorn while watching The Walking Dead, and drag me out of my cocoon when I’m feeling isolated.
  8. Champagne and dark chocolate. (OK, that’s two, but they go SO GOOD together!)
  9. Grey’s Anatomy. Fine, I admit it.
  10. Those of you reading this blog. I feel blessed to be able to spill my soul on paper and have people who are gracious enough to read it. May you all have rich, joyous, love-filled holidays!

What are you grateful for?

Tracy

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All four books in the Downward Dog Mystery Series are available at booksellers everywhere!

Happy Fall from Kate, Bella, Tracy, and Ana at Green Lake!

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Hi everyone and happy fall!  I’m taking a week off from writing a new Whole Life Blog article, but that doesn’t mean I’m silent.  I’m blogging  this week at Killer Characters, a group blog for mystery writers.  You Seattleites might appreciate all of the fall photos of Green Lake.  Everyone might want to check it out for a contest!

Here’s the contest:

Mention your favorite fall location on the Killer Characters blog, and you’ll be entered to win an advanced copy of my next Downward Dog Mystery, Pre-Meditated Murder!  Check out the article at the link below, and good luck!

http://www.killercharacters.com/2017/10/happy-fall-from-seattle.html

Tracy Weber and her sidekick, crazy Pup Ana!

 

 

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All four current books in the Downward Dog Mystery Series are available at booksellers everywhere!

 

Softening the Belly Meditation

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Welcome to Week 5 of my Meditations to Change Your Life series.  I love this meditation because it helps you be present in your mind–and your body.  Enjoy!

Flachwinkelige Ganzkörper-Ansicht einer auf dem Rücken liegenden jungen Frau in einer Variante der Yogaposition "glückliches Baby" (anada balasana) auf weißem Hintergrund.

Softening the Belly Meditation:

  1. Sit comfortably, with your spine erect and the crown of your head floating up to the ceiling. Sitting either in a chair or on the floor is fine, as long as you are physically comfortable and your spine is in “neutral”.   This meditation may also be done lying on the floor, if desired.
  2. Allow your eyes to close or keep your eyes at “half mast” gazing quietly at a place below and in front of you.
  3. Allow your awareness to gradually settle into your body, by noticing the breath as it moves in and out of your nostrils, then your chest, then finally down to your belly
  4. Allow your belly to soften, and imagine the breath moving gently in and out of it.   With each successive breath, allow the belly to soften a bit more, as if you were letting go of anything you’re holding in that area, be it tension, sadness, fear, or anything else.
  5. If your attention wanders (and it will!) just notice it, and invite your attention back to the sensation of softness in your belly. Try not to criticize yourself. Instead congratulate yourself for bringing the attention back to the point of focus.
  6. Continue this meditation for 10 minutes or longer if you’d like.

Tracy Weber

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All four books in the Downward Dog Mystery Series are available at booksellers everywhere!