Wornoutwoman

So from time to time, I take a few photos.  Okay, so maybe I do it every day.  I'm a cloud fanatic.  I'll often post them on Instagram at @KMcKay and tag them with #cloudporn or #cloudlovers. Last week, I was walking around the lake, with my best friend, Susan, when I stopped for this photo. Susan and I walk as our boys kayak or paddleboard during the week. It's good for her as she needs to get her steps in for the day, and it's good for me as I get to snap random photos along our walks. It's therapeutic for us both as we talk about what's going on in our lives, and we're able to let go of stresses or celebrate triumphs. And she allows me my indulgence of photo-snapping as we take certain turns around the lake.   As I snapped the above photo, she paused and smiled - knowing I had to get 'just one more.' She doesn't skip a beat once I finish and we go on our way. I loved this photo so much that I changed m...

This has been one of the busiest summers I can remember.  As my kid gets older, there are more parties, interests, and activities he's delving into which means more drive time, which I'm happy to do.  I know my ever-changing Manual for Motherhood is filling up, as I grow as a mom with my child's different stages. Every phase, I marvel at how blessed I am to be my kid's mom. This summer, we decided to try something different. Lil' T is at the age, where church intramural teams have aged out, and team sports for school don't start till next year. So he's been in limbo, without something motivating him to stay active.  I didn't want him sitting inside all summer, on his computer playing Minecraft. As we were researching our options, a friend recommended kayaking. Oklahoma City has a training site for top rowing athletes, in which they train Olympic athletes.  Our friend told us about their program for kids, which seemed like a good introduction ...

This week has been very productive.  Not only did I get the final cover signed off on - for COMING HOME, but I also got the mock cover finished for the re-release of FINDING KYLIE, which will be available next month as well.  This way - I can have a few copies of FINDING KYLIE available at my book launch party for COMING HOME. Speaking of COMING HOME - I woke up today to an email from a writer, who gave a very positive review. It was published in Blogcritics magazine and the Seattle pi. You can see Blogcritics review  here and the Seattle pi review  here  -- but if you don't want to read the whole thing, then let me post the best part for your convenience: " Coming Home   is really about Anne and her ability to come to terms with the things that have shaped her past: the death of her parents, the inability to live in the elite world of her grandparents, the failed relationships, and, most of all, the alienation of her little sister Grace. But...

I hope you never have to deal with a severe allergic reaction, as it's not only scary but can be life-threatening.   Through the last thirteen years, I've dealt with not only my husband having severe food allergies but my child. Not once - but twice have I had to watch my husband go through an anaphylactic attack, which is the most terrifying experience.  Most of you might be saying an 'ana what?' But trust me, you need to know what could happen.  Anaphylaxis  is an allergic reaction, which comes on quick, shutting the airways down and can result in death.   Needless to say,  EpiPens  are severely important to my family.  My son, thankfully, has outgrown his allergies, but we keep one ... just in case. A close friend of mine, John Schwab, is a champion for the Anaphylaxis Campaign , an organization, which tries to educate the general public about this serious condition.  He is also a believer in having his  ...

Run for your life! It's a common phrase.  We've all heard it.  It means to get the heck out of dodge to save your own skin. However, since a friend of mine took a personal pledge to save lives in third world countries, by running four marathons over a course of four consecutive days, that phrase has a whole new meaning. Let me introduce you to Katie, a very compassionate and driven woman. I saw her at church today, hobbling ... suffering from every step she took, to catch up with her family.  Anyone, from the outside ... not knowing her journey, would never know she just ran from Tulsa to Oklahoma City in four days.  They would think she was an invalid. I'm sure you're thinking, 'why would anyone put themselves through that?' ... 'why would anyone abuse their body like that?' Ever hear that song by Matthew West, called Do Something ?   Katie gets those lyrics wholeheartedly.   She couldn't stand by one more day without doing somet...

From time to time, readers will email me photos of themselves, with a copy of my books. I've seen some pretty fantastic pics over the years. A few are displayed here . However, this week I received THE photo of all photos when a reader sent me her idea of what I call book blasting (the art of taking a book and post pics with it everywhere). Below you can see her scuba diving, with a copy of FACING REDEMPTION. And, she was also kind enough to make a video for me. I have been on cloud nine all week!!  I am in awe of her thoughtfulness and creativity. See for yourself ... talk about not being able to put a book down. And you've got to see her video - here at this link .  Or you can watch it here: OKAY --- now here's your challenge.  I'd love for you to top that.  Send me your creative photos at kimberlymckayauthor@gmail.com.  And if you're a tablet reader - no worries ... those count too.  Just make sure the book title can be seen on y...

This week my kid was playing Minecraft  online, with one of his friends.  He'd not seen this kid since school let out, last month, so I was happy to give him a bit more time than normal… as it was social - not solitary play. When it was time, I called him in for dinner, to which I knew he was going to inhale so he could get back to his friend to play. He happily ran in, and said, "I'm having so much fun with Garret, and his friend, Janet. (names have been altered) My ears perked up and I said, "Janet? Who's Janet?" "Oh, it's okay.  She's Garret's friend.  She's cool." In digging deeper with my kid, I found out it was not a friend in real life, but a friend Garret had found online.  My kid knows better than this. He knows never to give out personal info and to ignore anyone that was to reach out to him in global chat, in Minecraft, for anything outside game questions.   Come to find out Garret found an a...