Today is October 1, 2014. It is a momentous day! So many good things have happened on October 1st and this year is no different.

Image credit: Kevin Buchanan

Some October 1st history (in no particular order):

1908 – Henry Ford introduces the Model T. Price tag? $825

1970 – My friend Jeff Baar is born. I grew up with Jeff. Our houses were back-to-back. We were out in the back yard every day. Both of our parents still live in those houses.

1938 – Chicago Cubs clinch the pennant. (I know. I was shocked too.)

1880 – John Philip Sousa becomes Director of the Marine Corps Band. (This one is VERY high on my list of great October 1st events!)

1924 – Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States is born. Happy 90th Mr. President!!

1971 – Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida opens. (Shout out to my friend David Dollar.)

1948 – California Supreme Court voids state statute banning interracial marriages.

1653 – Russian parliament accepts annexation of Ukraine. (Seems to still be an issue.)

1864 – A cyclone strikes Calcutta killing 70,000 people.

And then we come to today. October 1, 2014.

I have two items to add to the list today. Both are important. Both are a bit scary for the people involved. But hey, if we haven’t learned anything else in the last 14+ plus months, we have learned to “Punch fear in the face.” Thank you Jon Acuff.

First (and most certainly not the more important of the two): I’ve committed to writing for 31 days in a row. I have a team of people in the wings to support me (kick me in the rear), and I intend to make this happen. Every. Single. Day. (Yikes) Some people in the group will be posting to their blogs every day. I’m not planning to do that. I will be posting every Wednesday, and I may post a few other random times. We’ll see what happens.

On the days I don’t post here on the blog, I’ll be sending my writing to my designated butt-kicker. Should we put an over/under on how many days I can go before she has to kick me? Most of my writing will be focused on my book. It needs a kick in the rear. Writing EVERY day for 31 days should do the trick.

Secondly, and BY FAR more important: My cousin, Larissa Theule, is releasing her 1st book!! Here’s the link! Click it! Do it! You know you want to. Go buy it and make her day!

Fat & Bones: And Other Stories (Fiction – Middle Grade)