My life in southeastern Colorado overflows with activity this week. It was out with the old furniture and in with the new in my living room in my house there. In the midst of this major change, I have been finishing up the last read-through of my new book and selecting the book cover.
My Old Furniture
The sofa sleeper in the living room at my house in southeastern Colorado sinks down when you sit down. Older people need aid to get up. I have no idea how old it is. In reality, it could be 30-40 years old! So, I had been laboring over how to replace it for several years.
Then last year, my brother bought a new beautiful leather sofa at Woody’s Furniture in Trinidad, Colorado where we shop. So, when I was here in August, I went by the store and got their online store information.
Thinking ahead in Panamá, I looked at their sofa sleepers online and saw their prices. So, I had an idea what I was facing.
Life in a small town, there’s no place to buy something here, so it was back to Trinidad to shop on Tuesday.
Woody’s Furniture Store
We made Woody’s our first stop of the day. When my brother and I walked in the door, we spied to our left a light-colored loveseat. Immediately I said no because of the light color—it would be ruined immediately in the country! I had measured another space in the living room where I had a wicker loveseat that sagged and crackled when two people sat on it, so I was looking.
So, slowly that loveseat became a possibility but I couldn’t imagine a light colored any piece of furniture out in the dusty country. But the size won me over, and I thought, “I can put some throws over it. I can use Scotch guard on it. I like it!” And the selling feature: it was a sleeper!
Then I found a beautiful sofa (not a sleeper) made out of the same material as our rocker/recliners are in Panamá. It appears to be leather, but not. Also, it has recliners on both sides—what a treat!
So, it all worked. And on top of everything, both pieces were on sale, so I ended up paying the same price I would have paid for a sofa sleeper for these two pieces of furniture.
Furniture Delivery on Friday
Woody’s delivered the two pieces and took the two old pieces back—what an advantage. The two young men who delivered them helped place them and explained the features of the sofa. I didn’t realize the sofa has computer charging stations on both ends! What a surprise that was! I always bring all kinds of chargers with me with the electrical plug! No more!
Now Where To Put Them?
I mis-measured the loveseat. It is four inches bigger than I thought, so it won’t go back in the space where the wicker loveseat was. My brother and I have it at an angle now, but I have other possibilities: flat against the dividing wall to the dining room or next to the desk facing the TV.
When the delivery guys set the sofa up, they left it away from the wall so I could fully recline. Also, I need to get a power strip for the sofa’s electrical cable because of lightning storms here, so we left it out, but it takes up more of the space of the living room, especially with the loveseat out more.
When we get the power cord, we will probably move it back some and move it out when I have company.
What a beautiful experience this transition has been.
My brother looked into the dining room and said, “Your cover for the loveseat matches the cow skull Cheryl painted for you.” I looked and he was right!
Now My Book Life & New Book!
I have such a rich full life! I’m finishing up the last read-through on the layout of my new book, Time Measured Out!, which requires me to look at a .pdf of the print version to see how it appears. I will do that for the e-book version also later, but right now I’m focusing on the print version.
Taking a poll on the book cover of my new book, I received about 40 responses, so first of all—thank you to all that took the time to respond! I really appreciate it.
Most of the people put the number of the book cover they liked and no comment. That’s what I normally do on a poll like this, but some people added their reason for their selection, and a couple people and my husband commented on “the mystery” they felt with cover #1, so I went with it, and the cover designer has already sent the e-book cover back to me.
Next, I received an email from the designer requiring four things:
- KDP Paperback cover template (PDF)
- Back cover blurb/description (ideally 50-200 words)
- (optional) Short author bio (ideally 50-75 words)
- (optional) Author image/portrait (must be high-resolution
First
I wondered why he wanted the KDP Paperback cover template because I was having them design the cover, but I realized it gives specific data KDP needs for the cover. I’ve used this company for the last 4 or 5 books, so I trus them.
So, I generated it and it looks like this:
Second
About a month ago, I had the description for the back cover created Bryan Cohen’s Best Page Forward company – See what you think:
Sharing raw moments of love, loss, and joy, this memoir-in-verse invites readers to discover their own quiet strengths.
The pen knew what Larada Horner-Miller’s heart couldn’t say aloud. Collecting her thoughts on everything from the harrowing dawn of 9/11 to light-filled RV treks across desert highways, she used poetry to capture ordinary breaths suddenly split open with grief, wonder, and grace. And as her forties brought amazing triumphs and shattering sorrows, she translated days spent teaching and coyote-haunted dawns into soul-soothing stanzas.
An award-winning poet with more than seven decades of life and three-dozen sober years behind her, Horner-Miller invites you to her kitchen-table memories—where resilience is brewed as strong as morning coffee and saguaros raise silent hymns beneath an Arizona sky. And as she lays out insightful observations of the world in pensive verse, her deeply felt truths offer up a healing warmth.
Time Measured Out! is a candid and inspiring book of poetry, and the second volume in the Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry series. If you cherish reflective verses, vivid travel vignettes, and bold celebrations of self-reinvention, you’ll adore Larada Horner-Miller’s heartfelt collection.
Buy Time Measured Out! to count the beauty of every second today
Third
I sent him a copy of a short biography of mine. So what do you think?
Award-winning author Larada Horner-Miller weaves rich stories across multiple genres, from heartfelt memoirs to insightful poetry. With numerous literary accolades to her name, including Book Excellence Awards recognition, she seamlessly moves between historical biographies, personal reflections, and lyrical verse. Her diverse catalog reflects both scholarly precision and emotional authenticity, drawing from her background in education and deep connections to her southwestern roots.
Last
The designer requested a photo I use for most of my books. Here’s the professional headshot I took years ago and like:
Finally,
My life had a mixture of activities this week: saying goodbye to old furniture, enjoying new furniture and creating a new paperback book. I love it and the variety!
Now you need to buy my book! Soon, I will let you know how you can get your copy, either in paperback or e-book version!
My Newest Books
Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book – FREE
Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry e-book on sale for $.99
Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book on sale for $1.99
Buy My Audio Books:
This Tumbleweed Landed
Let Me Tell You a Story
Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook
