This morning I was doing laundry. I had just started the dryer when I heard a loud bang and then smoke spiraled from the breaker box—the new breaker box that they electricians put in for the basement finishing job. Turns out the culprit was a red wire that was supposed to be better connected than it was. Fried. Thankfully, I wasn’t fried or the new basement. The electrician arrived about 10 minutes after the breaker blew to finish the wiring in the master bath. Good timing. So he fixed the dryer issue and spent most of the day rewiring the bathroom for that remodel job. All the mirrors are now installed in the yoga room; all that’s left for that space is the wallpaper. And finally, the guy who was supposed to redo our decks last June showed up today to confirm materials and measurements. He says they’ll start tomorrow, but I’ve learned not to hold my breath. I guess five months late is better than never, especially since I already paid him a deposit.

This afternoon I participated in an online panel discussion with other memoirists/biographers, sponsored by the county library and open to the public. The event is part of Indie Author Week. A handful of people showed up, so that was nice. Every little bit of publicity helps sells books.

Went for a late afternoon walk at the cemetery. They’ve put up poles all along the main drive; not sure what for unless it has something to do with Veterans Day tomorrow. Plenty vets are buried at Chestnut Grove, evidenced by the wreaths they lay at Christmas, including several dating back to the Civil War—Confederates, of course, in these parts.

This evening I finally was able to hire someone I’d been after for months to help me with Amazon ads for my books. I’m so excited to have her on board to drive sales—and maybe help find me that influencer I keep crossing all fingers for.