Wanting It To Matter @magnolia1959 - Tumblr Blog

Hi, I wanted to let you know to check into my website at https://ptorres.wordpress.com for all updates on my upcoming book: Because I Chose You. Coming early this Fall, 2026.

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Because I Chose You

Chapter One The smiley‑face alarm clock grinned at her like it knew something she didn’t, and Savannah glared back as the second hand bounced around its perky little circle. Sleep? Ha. That ship had sailed hours ago. But the headache? And her stomach doing gymnastics? Those were in it for the long haul — deeply committed, apparently — which felt especially unfair considering she needed to be…

A Little Update

Today I am happy to say that my book, “Because I Chose You,” has officially passed the Developmental Edits and Line-by-Line Editing stage. Thank God! Talk about stressful. Next up is Final Proofreading. Yeah. This stage makes me nervous. Okay, all stages make me nervous. Are they going to add words, delete them or change them? Will my story still sound like my story when they’re done? So many…

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Exciting news! Finally able to share the face of my book! Yes, the one I've been working on for a very long time. Still finishing up the ending, and have more proofing, edits, etc... but I just couldn't wait to share the face of my story with you. Stay tuned for more.

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Happy Labor Day!

I love that scripture verse. I’m pretty sure it means something different to each person that reads it, because we’re all coming from different places and perspectives. For me, it always helped while doing a job that I didn’t enjoy doing. For example, scrubbing floors and baseboards, cleaning my oven after the holidays or wiping down the ceiling fan blades. I was raised by a mom who loved hearth…

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A Magical Place

My grandfather carved out the attic in my childhood home in Southern California for my sister and me. We called it “the playroom.” It was a magical room where dolls were my babies, and the wooden rocking chair soothed them to sleep. This is where I dreamed of being a mother. The hand-crafted kitchen cupboard with drawers, countertops, and a sink was filled with miniature cookware and plates with…

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The Professor

Happy Wednesday. Just wrote a little preview for a possible short story, and hoping it might be something that opens up a door into a world that will change the lives of Lucy and Will, forever.

Professor Samuels laid his glasses on the podium and looked out at his class of 123 students. The air was filled with enough sparks and tension to make the dim overhead lighting brighten. Squinting, he wondered what all those young vibrant men and women were thinking. Not two minutes ago, the noise level from debates between Ms. Mallory and Mr. Haner had been enough to tempt him to turn his…

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Winter Wonderland

I decided to post something today on my “favorite things” page simply because I’m feeling grateful. I typically list three items every season. There are no hard fast rules here, and I am the administrator, so I can list as many or as little as I want. Pretty cool huh? It’s winter, and the weather is being just that! Chilly days, cold nights, overcast, drizzly, rainy, snow up north, and just…

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A Thankful Thursday

Photo by Jessica Lewis on Pexels.com This year, Thanksgiving was a relaxing affair at Zoe’s house. She lives in a charming little house in a historical district. Exposed brick, stained concrete flooring, two bedrooms, and one tiny newly remodeled bathroom. The kitchen is white countertops and lower cabinets, and open shelves above. She has a white pained window above her deep farm-style sink.…

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Yuri Turned 14

It’s hard to fathom that I’m a grandmother to a 14-year-old. Yep, that just happened on 10/29/2021. Yuri, my first-born grandson is now officially a teenager. The emotions that stir up in me, are mixed. My first thought is how can that be possible? Where did the time go? Can’t we turn back the clock and get a chance to do a few things that somehow eluded us? That trip to Disneyland, the beach,…

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Happy September 1st

Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com As summer makes it’s final hurrah and kids start back to school, September has always felt like the beginning of the end to me. It’s the start of the last quarter of the year, it’s the season that takes us from color and warmth, to colder days, longer nights. That’s not always a bad thing, just different. I love each and every season, but if I had to choose one, it…

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It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since the last time I posted anything. Life has been a little weird over the last 18 months or so. Don’t worry, I’m not going to talk about the great Pandemic or Covid, mask wearing or vaccinations. To be honest, I’m just plain tired of hearing about it. I’m grateful things are getting better and I’m doing my part, but in all honesty, my hope and trust…

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pluviobrew

It’s the 3rd quarter of the year and we’ve spent most of it indoors.

Instead of the usual “take better care of yourself” or “love yourself”, I challenge everyone to be a little more SELFLESS. Find ways to serve or help individuals, your community, total strangers. Do these without expecting anything in return.

“A feeling of fulfillment is something greater than a feeling of happiness. And fulfillment doesn’t come from proving someone wrong. Or winning a debate. Or getting the first rank. Fulfillment comes from doing good to others. Selflessly.” -Pratik Shelke