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Excerpt from Manuscript – Snow

12 Wednesday Oct 2016

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Excerpt from Manuscript – SNOW

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Autumn, a time when the leaves changed from green to yellow to orange and then red. The days were warm in the mornings, as the nights escaped into the most certain chill.

This time of year had always been January’s favorite. Moving to San Francisco had been his idea, but now that she had warmed up to it, she too loved the quaint city with all its undying charm.

Standing out on their balcony, with her faux-fur coat wrapped around her body, fighting to keep her warm, but desperately failing, she watched the city lights flicker in the distance. Jack seemed to be spending more and more time away from their home and from her.

She perniciously had too much time on her hands to think. She didn’t like when her mind drifted over to the darker side, but it had been hard not to lately.

She missed him so much that her heart ached. She knew in her heart that she was losing him, but she couldn’t compete with this. She had to let him go, but she didn’t know if she had the courage to do so.

She had always hated that stupid saying, “If you love someone set them free and if they are yours to keep, they will come back to you.”

“Dumb saying.” She thought, despairingly wiping away the tears.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: JCW
Copyright: October 12, 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript – Snow

28 Wednesday Sep 2016

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Excerpt from Manuscript – SNOW

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She lay there, in her expensive Donna Karen suit, carefully watching him, as his chest slowly went up and down with each reserved breath.

January knew she should change her clothes and grab a bite to eat, but she was afraid. She was afraid to leave his side.

In the past, she had taken life as it came. In other words, she hadn’t taken it seriously. Not until today.

Jack stirred, moving only slightly in his bed. Startled, January hastily pushed the lock of hair away from her eyes…digging in her purse for a bobby pin, quickly shoving it in her mouth, and nervously pushing her hair behind her ear.

Starring intently, only inches from his face, she waited, waited for him to wake.

“Jack Honey…can you hear me? Jack?”

The room fell silent once again…nothing could be heard, except for the breathing machine, as it went beep, beep, beep…driving January mad.

She wasn’t a religious person, although she had been around plenty of people claiming they were, but she needed to get her voice out…she needed God to listen to her prayer.

“Dear God, please bring Jack back to me…I promise to love him more and help him to get clean and stay clean.”

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 28, 2016

SERENITY

25 Sunday Sep 2016

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SERENITY

09024-2016

It is better to have loved than not to have loved at all.

It is better to take risks than to stay in your same box.

Life is about change.

Written By: Unknown Author
Photography By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript – SNOW

21 Wednesday Sep 2016

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EXCERPT FROM MANUSCRIPT – SNOW

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They both lay in bed, exhausted, but satisfied by their late night excursion.
January cuddled up closer into Jack’s arms, nestling her head in between the nape of his neck, just under his ear, as her slender fingers gently glided over the dark hair that now appeared on his chest.

At first, she had thought she would hate the thought of her man having a hairy chest, Jack had always been a clean-shaving guy, but over the past few years, he had let it go. January loved it.

“I love you, Jack…you know that, right?”

“Of course, Sweetheart. And I love you too, with all my heart.” He said, bringing her lips up towards his, kissing them tenderly this time. “Why do you ask?”

“I just get worried sometimes…that’s all.”

“Worried about if I love you?”

“No, worried that it won’t last. It’s all too perfect and when everything is perfect there is always something that comes along and ruins it. It seems like I am never completely happy and when I am, it is taken away from me.” January sadly said, stretching out her long legs from under the sheets.

“Baby, I love you now and forever. That’s all that really matters for right now. We have the present…that’s all we can be certain, we can’t foresee the future, Sweetheart.”

“I know that Jack…I just hope you’re right.”

“Trust me.”

Sadly enough, that was what worried her.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photography By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 21, 2016

Mt. Whitney – Eastern Sierra

18 Sunday Sep 2016

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MT. WHITNEY – EASTERN SIERRA

Mt Whitney Labor Day 2014

There are days when I just want to hop into my car, roll down all the windows, crank up the stereo, and just drive.

Destination…The Eastern Sierra Mountains in California.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 2015

Excerpt from Manuscript – SNOW

10 Saturday Sep 2016

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SNOW

ASKMSMANDI 05.01.2016

His sacred words echoed through her ears, reaching all the way up to the highest rafters in the blessed church. Rows of fragrant Calla Lilies lined the pews, sweet, succulent pink roses filled the air with just a hint of Baby’s Breath to add color to the arrangement; January was filled with peace.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Jack had a look of endearment upon his face, as he looked down and into his wife’s sparkling blue eyes.

He couldn’t believe that she was actually his. He loved this woman with all his heart. He had almost lost her once, but now redemption was on his side.

January batted her long, black lashes for less than a second, before closing them, as the anticipation grew, waiting for his kiss.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: PMW
Copyright September 10, 2016

TO LIVE

08 Thursday Sep 2016

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To Live…

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There are some days meant to stay in bed and hide under your covers,
then you see something like this and it all makes sense.

We are small compared to the grander things in life.

Life isn’t meant to stay in one place, it’s about exploring all that life has to offer us.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Strawberry Rock – Humboldt County, CA
Copyright September 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript – Snow

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

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SNOW

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“Oh my God, Jack. I am so sorry.” January had no words.

“It’s okay. I’m over it now.”

“Over it! How can you say such a thing. What happened is just terribly horrible. I don’t know what I would do, if that happened to me.”

“January, you are a strong girl. You would get over it and move on.”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you would and just like me. I know I sound heartless, but there are only two ways to go in a situation like this, you can either not accept it and go insane or you can accept it and move on. I am not the insane one, he was. I can’t beat up on myself for his poor choices and his insanity.”

“Gosh Jack…I don’t know if I could be as brave as you. That’s a lot of stress for a kid, you know.”

“January, we are not kids. We may be only 17 years old, but we are both much older than our years and very wise.” He reached down, pulling her face up to his, softly kissing her sultry lips.

“I love you, do you know that…do you Jack?” At that moment, she realized actually how much she really loved this man.

“I know that, silly girl. I love you too. You are my hero!”

She smiled sadly, knowing she would always love him and would do anything for him… she knew she would even die for him, but she hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: PMW
Copyright August 24, 2016

Excerpt from Manuscript – SNOW

17 Wednesday Aug 2016

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Excerpt from SNOW…

08.03.2016

January couldn’t help but stare. It didn’t feel real. She felt as if she were in a dream. Her once perfect life seemed to have shattered. Everything she had once known was gone.

She felt betrayed. She was lost. Defeat became her.

But she couldn’t help but think how beautiful it looked. It looked just like snow. Soft white snow that had fallen down onto the glassy, icy lake.

She was startled, seeing herself looking back through her own reflection in the mirror.

“Baby, what are you doing?” January jumped, half out of her skin.

“Woa…there baby girl. Are you okay?”

“My God, Jack. You scared me half to death.”

“What are you doing? We are all outside on the patio playing Quarters.”

“I was just coming back. I got lost, I guess. I didn’t know Ice did cocaine?”

“I guess…” Jack stammered.

“Did you know?” January asked.

“Of course not…how would I know!” Jack snapped.

“I don’t know, Jack. Calm down…I was just asking. What’s your problem?”

“No problem, babe. Let’s get back to the party and get another beer. You in?”

“Sure…” January replied, looking back at the table.

“Jack, may I ask you a question?’

“Sure.”

“Never mind.” January knew better to ask him, besides, she already knew the answer, so why bother.

January smiled weakly up at Jack as he pulled her hand, leading her across the room.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright: August 2016

Visiting San Francisco

14 Sunday Aug 2016

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Visiting San Francisco…

08.14.2016

I know I always say that this place and that place are my favorite places to visit…but San Francisco is truly one of my favorite spots in the world. If you ever visit California or already live in our Golden State, you must visit San Francisco.

Haight and Ashbury are a blast from the past. Walking down the streets is as if you are still living during the 1960’s. Jim Morrison, from the Doors and Jimi Hendrix appear to still be living, as you look up and into their faces on the side of buildings.

The Wharf and Pier 39 have all the shopping you could ever imagine, while you’re waiting for your boat trip across the bay to the legendary Alcatraz island. Alcatraz is a must see.

Union Square is for the more savvy shopping goer. It’s beautifully lined streets, looking up to the high rises; such as, Juicy Contour, Nordstrom and Ghirardelli Chocolates.

And we can’t forget the Financial District. This is where success is created.

Make sure you pack your shorts, sweaters, and jackets…you never know what the weather will be like in San Francisco…it’s as unpredictable as your decisions on where you should go to next in the great city of San Francisco.

Written & Photography By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright August 2015