I always go through periodical silences on my blog. Life is life, and does what it needs to do. Sometimes there just never is enough time for what we want to do. There's been a great deal on my mind, lately. There usually always is. I love October. I love Autumn. The change of the season brings those gorgeous magical colors to the world. The Reds. The Oranges. The Yellows. Golds. The fallen leaves on the ground transform even the most urban cityscape. Beautiful.

I thought I'd take a moment to share a few updates:

(1) I still haven't been able to afford the hard-drive recover on my old computer. The money I had saved up went to Pest Control. We finally have resolved the squirrel issue in the house. I just couldn't take it anymore. Nature's squatters HAD to go. LOL.

(2) I'm up to Chapter 2 of my novel. There will be no details about the storyline until its finished, but I am loving its vibe and its voice. So much of the story is taking place and form in my mind. I can see the scenes as clear as water. I know that trying to get published will be a hard road to walk, but I earnestly want to give it a shot. I believe in myself, and I feel truly motivated. The project is taking up (obviously) most of my free time, but i just know it will be worth it. Who knows, perhaps some day (not too far away), people will be picking up a book or two written by Roberto Mendoza off the shelves...

(3) My father has been in the hospital since Sunday. Again, they find nothing wrong with him. I am tired and blue in the face from telling everyone to look for signs of mold in my parents apartment. I am convinced my father's respiratory issues are being caused by something external. My father's older brother is also in the hospital. My mother discovered this early in the week, by chance. She hasn't told him, nor has she gone to see my Uncle. I realize that there is a great deal of physical and emotional distance on my father's side of the family. My mother used that as her justification for not wanting to see my Uncle. "They don't call us." His only son left him years ago to go live in Peru (I think) with his girlfriend. That man is alone. He will die alone... and she's fine with that... and will take no steps to prevent that. I don't know what history lies between him and my father ~ as they say, 'The Devil is in the details"... but does anyone deserve that? Is she REALLY that vile? or do I just by default now always paint her the villain of my life story? Does SHE deserve that?

(4) I've been reading Holly's awesome Halloween tales almost every day. I love how this season just gets everyone into that Halloween-vibe! I can't wait for this year's New York Halloween Parade!