Don't Worry Be Happy (song, Bobby McFerrin, 1988)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Wednesday, October 15, 2025  in my corner of blog land.

  As you may know, one of my attributes is that of being a short story writer. With that, comes the need to create a general outline, and a general idea of the characters in a given story.

I found an article about this topic at Reedsy Editing, with which excerpts are presented below to more less examine oneself.

We spoke of mental health in our previous post, and this is a further add-it to that topic.

The title of the post is "The Proust Questionnaire."

Excerpt Below

6. What is your idea of happiness?

Is happiness something that your character feels every day, or something they strive for? What in this world brings them the most joy? (If you want to go one step further, think about what your character’s perfect day would look like.)

Notable answer: “Everybody around me is happy, my spirit is right, and just nothing but peace and tranquility in the building.” — Snoop Dogg, Vanity Fair

7. What is your idea of misery?

What does misery mean to your character? Is it something they see all around them, a state of being that can be eradicated with positive thinking, or do they believe their own misery to be unique? Consider a certain scenario or situation that they’d never want to find themselves in. What would it mean for them to hit rock bottom? (And if you want to go one step further like with the previous question, imagine how the worst day of your character’s life would go.)

Notable answer: “Picking up dog poop.” ― Rita Moreno, Vanity Fair

A dog running in a field

Picking up after one's dog rarely makes anyone's list of top pastimes. (Image: Joe Caione/Unsplash)

I like the thought that went into this post and this excerpt shared with you. Don't worry, no wrong answers, this is for you and I to contemplate on our own time.

In other things, I will be starting to read a book by the late Elmore Leonard later this month, a legal thriller of sorts. He is seen by one on Reddit, as one of the great authors of all time.

Until our next visit, may the Lord bless and keep us. Thanks for your visit!

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell, Author

Happy World Mental Health Day Today and Tomorrows

                Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Friday, October 10, 2025 in my corner of blog land, World Mental Health Day. This according to the World Health Org who say in their post:

10 October is World Mental Health Day

The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

My big contribution to the day is to wish you and yours Happy Mental Health, let you know of my forthcoming short story collection titled, From My Red Chair: A Short Story Collection, David C. Russell.

This is tentatively to be published during the first quarter of 2026. Stay tuned!

Another is to practice what I need to do to ensure my own mental health care. Usually that boils down to: talking with a trusted friend or my wife, prayer and reflection, reading the Psalms, reading fiction, light exercise not overdoing it, rest, listening to music, a little cussing to be quite honest, a mini-vacation.

I suppose many of us silently carry out a plan to tend to our mental health just as we do our physical and spiritual health. The three are interwoven IMHO.

Until our next visit, God bless and keep us continually.

Mellow Rock

David C. Russell

 

Out With The Old In With The New (original)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Sept. 30, 2025 in my corner of blog land and predicted to be a mostly sunny day with temps in the high seventies or low twenties Celsius.

Here in the U.S., the Federal Government faces the prospect of a temporary shutdown at midnight tonight, eastern time. Of course, officials may come up with something to keep the lights on and the money flowing.

Also here, post-season major league baseball games begin today. This will lead up to two teams contending in the MLB World Series in late October.

Do you have some major accomplishments to commemorate during October?

I began reading a psych thriller two days ago titled, The Argument. The author is one Victoria Jenkins. It's quite captivating and will likely hold one's attention when reading this title.

As to my forthcoming book, From My Red Chair, I am adding two or three more short stories to increase the page count by one-third to one-half the total.

I will release it hopefully in February just before the National Reading Month begins, March 2026. Of late, I have been addressing some tech issues with my seven-month-old computer.

The Jewish High Holy Days or Holidays are in progress. The culminating day will be Yom Kippur, The Day Of Atonemen. Accordingly, this goes from sundown Wednesday Oct 1st, until sundown Oct. 2nd.

I wish to thank you for stopping by. Would you please Invite a friend virtual or otherwise to visit this blog? I close with a health note about vegetables offered by the Mayo Clinic.

Finally, did you know Mayo Clinic recommends that adults aim to fill half their plate with fruits and vegetables at every meal, which translates to roughly five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables per day, with a greater emphasis on vegetables for a total of four or more servings of vegetables daily, as suggested in their Mediterranean diet plan. 

May God continue to bless and keep us.

Mellow Ropck

David C. Russell, Author