That Time Of The Year Again / Happenings In The Outhouse 06-Nov-2026

The days grow shorter.  Darkness envelopes the land much earlier each and every day.  A biting chill claws its way down from the north, whipping the fallen leaves across the lawn.

It is that time of the year again.

For us Minnesotans, hordes of men, women, and children don their bright orange gear and clamor to the woods for that one pastime that is practically a state holiday: deer hunting.

I have very fond memories of hunting, back from a very young age to now in my older age.  Over four decades, if my math is correct.

The two deer in this picture were taken when I was sixteen.  The larger of the two is an 18-point buck, a non-typical whitetail.

At that point, I knew I would never get another buck as large as that.

And I never have since.

But one can still dream . . .

Two Is Far Better Than One (Our Fitness Journey) / Happenings In The Outhouse 30-Oct-2026

There is a saying that two is better than one.

I wholeheartedly agree.

My wife and I have been going to the gym, investing even in personal training, for well over a year.  Prior to meeting her, I did go to the gym by myself, thinking I could do it all, and saw very little results.  At least not what I wanted, which was to lose weight.

Needless to say, this time around we wanted to do it right, and learn how to do it correctly.  That's where our personal trainer Shantea comes into play.  We see him weekly, for an hour, and he teaches us so much, knows exactly how much to push us and when to pivot to something else.

We have seen tremendous results.  So much so that we were featured in this month's couple spotlight for the gym's newsletter.

More Than Just A Pet / Happenings In The Outhouse 23-Oct-2026

Pets are a part of many people's lives.  Dogs, cats, fish, rabbits, horses, cows, you name it, many have them.  Big or small, they are more than just a pet.  They are parts of our family.  We celebrate their birthdays, play with them (even when we don't feel like it), take naps with them, and do all kinds of quirky things with them.

Growing up, I had a little white poodle runt named Max.  We loved him so much.  I remember the day he passed as if it were yesterday.  I was a teenager, and my friend Kregg had come over to the house to watch Weird Al's movie UHF.  The movie hadn't even started and my Dad looked next to the chair he was sitting in and said something like, "Um, I think something's wrong with Max."

Sure enough, he was gone.

We buried him in the backyard.  I still remember the wooden "resting place" Dad made him, and we all wrote notes on the outside, and he had toys and his comfy bed with him.  There had never been one just like him.

On a side note, I never have watched UHF and probably never will.

My parents did get another dog a few years later.  Ernie was a Pekinese, so another small dog.  He was more my sister's dog than mine because, by that time, I was going to college and not home very much.  I do not remember when he passed, truth be told.  It was still devastating though.  Again, he was more than just a pet.  He was a loved member of the family.

My grandpa Ray passed away in August 2019 and, prior to his passing, his health started to decline and my parents took care of his little dog Rusty.  It did not take long and, yes, he became more than just a pet, he was another loving member of the family.

Long story short, dear old Rusty took a turn for the worst last week and joined his furry brothers in Heaven along with my grandpa.

No matter what, pets truly are more than just pets.  They are loving members of the family.

The Sweetest Thing That Popped Into My Social Media / Happenings In The Outhouse 16-Oct-2026

I am still scratching my head on how this happened.  Over the past few weeks, I discovered videos on social media that not only captured my attention, they also made me want to know more about them (and buy candy!)

Let me introduce you to the small, family-owned business Logan's Candies. Home Page - Logan's Candies

Opened in 1933 (nearing on the 100-year mark in a few years!) they are a family-run business, located in Ontario, California, that has videos with millions of views online about . . . making candy.  Their videos are pure fun!  The owner Jerry gives a spiel in each video, exactly the same way, and I enjoy watching them so much.

But don't let me tell you, find out for yourself by clicking on the link to their website and scrolling down to all of their social media channels.

Fall Is Rolling In / Happenings In The Outhouse 09-Oct-2026

Fall is definitely in the air once again.  I don't know about you, but I love this time of year.  If I had to pick a favorite season, it would be the fall.

Spring is fine, but with the snow melting it creates such a mess everywhere.  Summer is also fine (when compared to winter here in northern Minnesota) but it can go from high humidity to scorching high temps in a matter of days . . . if not hours.

Winter is probably my least favorite.  Very unpredictable here.  Some winters, some weeks, some months we can get frigidly chilling temperatures and then go to almost melting the next.  And if it's warmer, then we get hit with a ton of snow.

Last weekend, all of our children were up to visit and take family photos.  Even our dog had to get in on the action.

Photos taken by Captured By Carly

New Focus For Q4 2026 / Happenings In The Outhouse 02-Oct-2026

The last three months have been a smashing success, in my opinion.  Two novels completed, and at least three more short stories done and published in the last week.  It's mind boggling, to say the least.

In fact, when I look over the year so far, I have published . . . drum roll please . . . 4 novels!  And that doesn't include quite a number of short stories published too.

But wait, there's more!  There are still 3 more months left to go in 2026!

Normally, at the end of each quarter, I sit down and write down my next five things for the next quarter.  These are the five things I want to accomplish.

Not this time.  This time, for the last three months of 2026, I have a whole lot more on my list!  There are a lot of little things I want to accomplish, to set myself for success starting in 2027 and beyond.

As a side note, I'd like to share this with you.  For the past several months, I have brought my writing to my work with me.  My wife and I ride together three days a week (I work at home the other two days).  Since she starts much earlier than me, I get to work at least 90 minutes early.  Prior to the start of my shift, I sit in this little desk in what our company calls a collaboration area.  It's relatively quiet, and I am able to get a lot done before I start work.  Pretty cute, isn't it?

New Novel - Missing Pieces / Happenings In The Outhouse 25-Sept-2026

I did it!

Missing Pieces, my latest novel, has been published!

Amazon.com: Missing Pieces eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Like two ships passing in the night, Zack and Ellen Perkins are just going through the motions.  They appear to be the perfect couple, successful in their careers, successful in their marriage, with three great kids.

But both are self-proclaimed workaholics who have devoted themselves entirely to their careers at the risk of their on the rocks marriage.

As their twenty-five-year wedding anniversary nears, the unexpected happens and they find themselves reliving their younger years.  Will they finally rediscover the reason they are destined for each other, rekindling the romantic fires that bonded them as soulmates?  Or will those fires die out as they seek out love in other places?"

Please check out "Missing Pieces" on Amazon Kindle ebook store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks!

Amazon.com: Missing Pieces eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

Changes In The Last Quarter Of 2026 / Happenings In The Outhouse 18-Sept-2026

I am looking ahead to 2027.

Really, Mark?  2027?

Yes, really.

In doing so, I need to set myself up for success.  This quarter, my main goal was to write and publish two full-length novels.  One is done and the other is so close, it will be by next week.

Although I will not share what I have in store for the last three months of 2026 to lead into 2027, rest assured that it'll be good.  I will still be publishing stories in the last three months of 2026, but I will not have a major challenge like I did for this quarter.  I do have a story in mind to write.

Stay tuned.  It's going to be a fun ride!

Great Progress / Happenings In The Outhouse 11-Sept-2026

Another short one today.  But I still wanted to make sure something was posted, to keep the weekly blog streak alive.

I am making tremendous progress on my current work-in-progress.  I have written over 40,000 words so far.  The end is in sight.  Maybe a week or so.  Worked on the cover a bit this past weekend too and more this weekend.  I'll probably also tackle updating some of my other stories with new covers, blurbs.

Difficult Decisions / Happenings In The Outhouse 04-Sept-2026

As I look at what I have accomplished so far this year over the past few years and what I want to do for the future, I am at a precipice.  I have some difficult decisions to make.

There are some things I have done, and done for quite some time.  But as I have now shifted to writing and publishing novels instead of short stories, and gradually seeing the fruits of those labors, I am reviewing what direction I am going.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about what things could be stopped.  These were non-writing tasks.

Now I am evaluating where my time is best spent.

A Good Start / Happenings In The Outhouse 28-Aug-2026

A short post today.

I am in the midst of another novel, another work-in-progress, to complete my 2 novels in a quarter challenge.  The first one was Broken Roads and is already for sale wherever you can purchase your favorite ebooks.

I have currently surpassed the 25,000-word mark and going strong.  It is a very good start.

What Have You Stopped Doing? / Happenings In The Outhouse 21-Aug-2026

A number of weeks ago, I stopped doing something.  I stopped doing something that I had been doing for a few years now.  Hours upon hours of time devoted to it.

What is it?

A game.  On my phone.

At first, it didn't take up that much of my time.  A little bit here and a little bit there.  But over time it started to consume more and more time . . . 

I've joked to my kids that I would be uninstalling the game app from my phone.  None thought I was serious.

Until one day . . . I had enough.  It started getting glitchy.  So I thought to myself, "What if I just uninstall this now?  What would I be better off doing anyway?"

The answer to the second question is easy: writing.

I did it.

I stopped doing it.  Stopped playing it.

Now I am spending more time devoted to other endeavors, including writing. 

Another Completed Novel In The Books / Happenings In The Outhouse 14-Aug-2026

A few weeks ago, I completed my latest novel.

Broken Roads - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Contemporary Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

"When Abby Lee, divorced mother of two, volunteers to organize the church's garage sale, she never expects to meet the man of her dreams.  But when Dean Korbin stumbles to the garage sale by accident, still drunk from last night's ordeal, he isn't looking for any kind of relationship.  But true love has a way of turning things around.

Broken Roads is a meet-cute contemporary romance that will tug at your heartstrings and will have you reaching for the tissues."

Check out my new novel Broken Roads on Amazon or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

Broken Roads - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Contemporary Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

How Could I Forget? / Happenings In The Outhouse 07-Aug-2026

When you're working on your first story (or first piece of art or whatever you're doing for a hobby or business) it's easy to count the number of items you have created.  But as time goes on, that list begins to grow.

I highly suggest keeping a list of items you have created early on--very early on, in my opinion.  I have been keeping a list of stories I have written since I first started publishing, but truth be told I have written so much before that.

Over the past year I have been trying to be more organized.  I have a board behind me in my office that I have stories tacked onto.  Stories that are out making the rounds (i.e. Writers of the Future) and many that are works-in-progress.

Then, every once and a while or while I am going through folders (either physical or digital) I discover a story I either started or finished.  Or a story idea that was good at the time but did nothing with it.  Is the story still good?  Is it worth writing now?

I have three completed novels that I wrote long before I started publishing, and they are just sitting in the proverbial folder just waiting in the wings.  Two are horror novels and one is a large epic fantasy.  At last count I have well over 100 stories that I have either written/completed or have started to write.

And I am just getting started . . .

July Ending Strong / Happenings In The Outhouse 31-July-2026

Just a quick note for all of my readers out there.

July is starting out very strong on the writing front.  I am currently around the 45,000-word count for my work-in-progress.

My goal within the next few weeks is to complete it, do what needs to be done with it, and get it out to the world.

New Covers for Shadowkill Trilogy / Happenings In The Outhouse 24-July-2026

My Shadowkill Trilogy has been out for a while.  But boy oh boy did they need a bit of a makeover.

The Shadowkill Trilogy (3 book series) Kindle Edition

The Complete Shadowkill Trilogy (The Shadowkill Trilogy) - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Here are the updated covers:

And here is for the boxset of the complete trilogy.

I also updated the blurb (description) for each one.  These are so much better than the first ones.  More in line with what the stories are.

Starting Out Strong / Happenings In The Outhouse 17-July-2026

Hard to believe, as of this writing, that we are already in the middle of July.  It's been an interesting year so far.  Lots of stories being published, and lots of updates to older novels that just needed to be polished up a bit.

I am currently at work on a new novel.  I am roughly 26,000 words into it, and hope to get it out and published within a month.

My goal for the quarter is to publish two full-length novels.  I have other goals, but this one is a biggie.  I have a spreadsheet that I'm tracking my daily progress.  I have a daily, weekly goals, writing a particular amount of words in any given day and week to make that goal.

Two More New Short Stories / Happenings In The Outhouse 10-July-2026

Greetings again, fellow readers!

Once again, I have more tales for you to peruse at your leisure.  Two more short stories.  One is a science fiction story with a bit of a twist at the end and the other has elements of time travel to one of my favorite eras, the 1980's.

The first is Over The Cosmos.

Amazon.com: Over The Cosmos eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Welcome to Hailey's Gate, the luxurious, elegant cruiseliner, as it gives the finest tours of the entire galaxy.  Your tour guide is none other than Alonzo Cupid.  No matter who you are, from the ultra wealthy to a young couple in love, Alonzo treats all of his guests with the utmost care.

Over The Cosmos is a quirky science fiction story that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end."

You may purchase Over The Cosmos here at Amazon Amazon.com: Over The Cosmos eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

The second book is Closed For Winter.

Amazon.com: Closed For Winter eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Patrick Oakland has never been back to his hometown in over twenty-five years.  But on a chance meeting as he passes through town, he stops at a small cafe.  Across the street is an old movie theater that has been closed for many years.

What he finds inside not only brings back memories of his youth, it also transports him to a time when a young boy his age went missing.

Will he finally be able to unravel the truth behind the disappearance?"

You may purchase Closed For Winter here on Amazon Amazon.com: Closed For Winter eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

Enjoy!!

A Pair Of Romance Stories / Happenings In The Outhouse 03-July-2026

Fellow readers, here are two romance short stories that may have you tugging at your heart strings.

The first is Giant Among Legends.
Giant Among Legends - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

"Colton James and Denise Schwartz have a bond few can fathom.  A bond that goes beyond simple friendship.

For as far back as they can remember, Colton and Denise have been best friends.  They share so many interests and dreamed of one day being astronauts, of building a colony together on the moon.

Giant Among Legends is a cute teen romance short story that will have you reaching for the box of tissues over and over again."

Here's the Amazon link Giant Among Legends - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. or you can also find it wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

The second story is Cashing In.  It is set in my Short Order Cop Cozy Mystery series.

Amazon.com: Cashing In eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"When Carla Deere learns that her new client is Kevin Stubbs from the Charity Police Department, she wonders if it is the same Kevin Stubbs she went to high school with.  They were supposed to go on a date their senior year but they had to cancel due to an unexpected blizzard.  Is it finally time, after all these years, for a second chance at a first date?

Cashing In is a cute meet short story in the Short Order Cop Cozy Mystery series."

Here is the link to Amazon to purchase Amazon.com: Cashing In eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

Here is the link to the cozy mystery series: The Short Order Cop Cozy Mystery Series (1 book series) Kindle Edition

New Mystery Novel / Happenings In The Outhouse 26-June-2026

Page Turner (Tad Wellstone Mysteries Book 1) - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

"It is the one case Detective Tad Wellstone hopes to solve before retiring.  Twenty years ago, a young lady disappeared without a trace.  Only a single drop of blood on a cell phone was found.  He soon discovers, written within the pages of a bestselling novel, as if the story is ripped right from the headlines, a detailed path leading to her body.

But that isn't all.

Page Turner is a suspenseful mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing to the very end."

Check out this new novel on Amazon or wherever you purchase your ebooks.

Page Turner (Tad Wellstone Mysteries Book 1) - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

And be sure to check out the two short stories, Along Came The Bodies and A Sense Of Place, also in the same series. Tad Wellstone Mysteries (1 book series) Kindle Edition