This sunny, warm weather is something to celebrate. Absolutely gorgeous. I can practically feel my winter-logged brain cells lighting up for action, hear them shouting, "Yeehaw!"
When will the peonies pop? That's the big question around the Triple L these days. It usually happens while I'm off in New York, attending BEA, but I don't mind coming home to all that color and fragrance and swift-passing beauty. The roses will be lovely, too--especially the Veteran's Honor ones planted in honor of my dad--and of course they'll last the whole summer.
I love these trips to New York. I won't be there long, but I'll get to see dear friends and sign books and cruise the aisles looking for famous people. :) (A couple of years ago, I saw Dog and Beth, the bounty hunters.)
There is so much to be glad about, and to be grateful for, but I can't close this entry without mentioning the passing of my friend, Darlene Layman. Darlene was a long-time member of Romance Writers of America, serving on the national board and at the chapter level, too. She was generous and supportive and funny, and she will be sorely missed. She was very dear to a great many people, including me.
Godspeed, Darlene.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Blog On, Big River
Sometimes I just can't resist playing with words, even when the results don't make sense. :)
I wrote a chapter yesterday, so the book is up and running. Chapter One is always a challenge, getting everybody on-stage, etc.
I'm reading Jennifer Lauck's new memoir, "Found". Like her previous works, it's fascinating--"Blackbird" was one of my all time favorite books. An incredible testimony to the resilience of children--Lauck's stepmother was a piece of work, I'm here to tell you. She should have been in jail.
On the iPod front, I'm listening to John Hart's "The Last Child"--I made John's acquaintance at the Pike's Peak Writer's Conference down in Colorado Springs at the end of April. This one is a thriller, and it's hard to push that 'stop' button--I thought I'd already read it, and I decided a review would be in order, only to discover that I'd never finished it. I'm making up for that now--it's a great book, beautifully written, but be warned. The action and the emotions are intense. I can't wait to find out what happens!
And that's the great thing about a good book, isn't it?
I wrote a chapter yesterday, so the book is up and running. Chapter One is always a challenge, getting everybody on-stage, etc.
I'm reading Jennifer Lauck's new memoir, "Found". Like her previous works, it's fascinating--"Blackbird" was one of my all time favorite books. An incredible testimony to the resilience of children--Lauck's stepmother was a piece of work, I'm here to tell you. She should have been in jail.
On the iPod front, I'm listening to John Hart's "The Last Child"--I made John's acquaintance at the Pike's Peak Writer's Conference down in Colorado Springs at the end of April. This one is a thriller, and it's hard to push that 'stop' button--I thought I'd already read it, and I decided a review would be in order, only to discover that I'd never finished it. I'm making up for that now--it's a great book, beautifully written, but be warned. The action and the emotions are intense. I can't wait to find out what happens!
And that's the great thing about a good book, isn't it?
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday and Me
Monday is normally one of my favorite days. Today, I don't feel quite ready for it---:). I had so much fun goofing off over the weekend that I'm a little tuckered out.
I went to Costco on Saturday morning, early. (Yes, yes, I know--Costco on Saturday morning--whose bright idea was that???? But I work on weekdays, after all.) Among other things, I bought my friend Debbie Macomber's new book, "A Turn in the Road", the usual huge packages of fish and meat, vitamins and soap, etc. Did I mention that I love Costco, even though it wears me out?
After I'd loaded my stuff into the back of my truck, I headed for another favorite hangout, Spokane Art Supply. Thanks to Mary Jo McGraw, an art-stamp enthusiast with DVDs, books and appearances on "The Carol Duval Show" to her credit, there is plenty of amazingly cool stuff for making artist trading cards and similar hobbies. I'm happy to say I've signed up for Teesha Moore's visual journaling class--I was so disappointed to miss her legendary "Artfest" this April--and I can hardly wait. Teesha's designs are merely fabulous.
This morning, I put down a deposit for an art workshop in France, in September of 2012, with Lynne Perrella and Lisa Renner. Think ahead, that's my motto.
I just learned that "Creed's Honor" will be the Book of the Month at K-Mart during June. I'm tickled pink by that news, and while I'm at BEA this month (Book Expo America), I'll be filming an interview for the Rhapsody Book Club, which will eventually be shown on their websites. That's a thrill, too.
Sadie-beagle is snoring away--I love how that dog gets me up at daybreak to make a trip to the backyard, then promptly goes back to sleep, leaving me awake for the duration. As my friends often point out, the Beag has me well trained. :)
It's raining here today. Big surprise.
That's the latest from my kitchen table.
I went to Costco on Saturday morning, early. (Yes, yes, I know--Costco on Saturday morning--whose bright idea was that???? But I work on weekdays, after all.) Among other things, I bought my friend Debbie Macomber's new book, "A Turn in the Road", the usual huge packages of fish and meat, vitamins and soap, etc. Did I mention that I love Costco, even though it wears me out?
After I'd loaded my stuff into the back of my truck, I headed for another favorite hangout, Spokane Art Supply. Thanks to Mary Jo McGraw, an art-stamp enthusiast with DVDs, books and appearances on "The Carol Duval Show" to her credit, there is plenty of amazingly cool stuff for making artist trading cards and similar hobbies. I'm happy to say I've signed up for Teesha Moore's visual journaling class--I was so disappointed to miss her legendary "Artfest" this April--and I can hardly wait. Teesha's designs are merely fabulous.
This morning, I put down a deposit for an art workshop in France, in September of 2012, with Lynne Perrella and Lisa Renner. Think ahead, that's my motto.
I just learned that "Creed's Honor" will be the Book of the Month at K-Mart during June. I'm tickled pink by that news, and while I'm at BEA this month (Book Expo America), I'll be filming an interview for the Rhapsody Book Club, which will eventually be shown on their websites. That's a thrill, too.
Sadie-beagle is snoring away--I love how that dog gets me up at daybreak to make a trip to the backyard, then promptly goes back to sleep, leaving me awake for the duration. As my friends often point out, the Beag has me well trained. :)
It's raining here today. Big surprise.
That's the latest from my kitchen table.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
My To-Do List, etc.
Yes, I checked off 'paint mermaid tails'. :) Nothing quite so whimsical on today's list.
I get a lot of satisfaction from crossing something off the list and, naturally, I get more done, but there's an even better reason for writing down the tasks I want to accomplish in any given day, be they large or small. Making the list helps me to focus on one thing at a time instead of constantly trying to round up all my stray thoughts. That helps me avoid procrastination, too.
Strange weather today--started out sunny, now it's overcast. Go figure.
I started "Big Sky Country" yesterday. The first chapter usually takes several days, and this one is no exception. It sure feels good to be working on a new book and a new series.
What I'm reading/listening to: The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure, a memoir about the author's long-time fascination with Laura Ingalls Wilder. As a major fan of that series myself, I'm definitely enjoying this one. Maybe I'll reread all the Little House books, just for the fun of it. What is their great charm? Simplicity, I think, and the happy, resourceful comraderie of the Ingalls clan--these were people who knew how to look on the bright side and make the best of whatever came their way.
Not a bad way to live.
And that's the news.
I get a lot of satisfaction from crossing something off the list and, naturally, I get more done, but there's an even better reason for writing down the tasks I want to accomplish in any given day, be they large or small. Making the list helps me to focus on one thing at a time instead of constantly trying to round up all my stray thoughts. That helps me avoid procrastination, too.
Strange weather today--started out sunny, now it's overcast. Go figure.
I started "Big Sky Country" yesterday. The first chapter usually takes several days, and this one is no exception. It sure feels good to be working on a new book and a new series.
What I'm reading/listening to: The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure, a memoir about the author's long-time fascination with Laura Ingalls Wilder. As a major fan of that series myself, I'm definitely enjoying this one. Maybe I'll reread all the Little House books, just for the fun of it. What is their great charm? Simplicity, I think, and the happy, resourceful comraderie of the Ingalls clan--these were people who knew how to look on the bright side and make the best of whatever came their way.
Not a bad way to live.
And that's the news.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Here in Lindarella's Castle
(Okay, so I'm in a whimsical mood. :) I gave myself the name "Lindarella", when so many cool things began to happen in my career--and although this house is big, it's definitely not a castle.) Call it artistic license.
Thanks for the prayers and the good thoughts: Sadie-beagle's test came out fine.
We are in for MAJOR sunshine here in Spokane, and I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled. The predicted high is a delicious 70 degrees. The trees are literally sparkling with light, the sky is sugar-bowl blue, and there are wild turkeys on the lawn over by the shop, pecking at the rich green ground. YEE-HAW!
After writing my Morning Pages this a.m., I made my to-do list for the day. Don't all writers love paper? I know this one does. Anyway, one item on the list jumped out at me as I was reviewing the plan--"Paint mermaids' tails." I had to smile. Bet that one doesn't turn up on a lot of to-do lists, between, say, "rotate the tires" and "pick up the dry cleaning". Of course it refers to a set of artist trading cards I'm doing for a swap called "Ocean". The mermaids' tails will be painted and glittered up and, naturally, attached to mermaids--using brads so they will move. I have some little bitty library pockets from the Colorado Springs shopping haul, with tabs inside that can be lifted out, but I haven't decided how to use those yet. Like my mother and my daughter, I dearly love tiny things, especially if they're interactive in some way. I have some new rubber stamps, which I love, and I treated myself to 2 large sets of Copic markers, my faves.
This morning, however, there is no time for art--at least, not the kind that involves paints and brushes. I'm due in Parable right after breakfast, and I plan to be there on time.
That's the news from my kitchen table.
Be kind, not just to other people and, of course, animals, but to yourself. Times are tough out there, and folks need a smile and a good word more than ever.
Thanks for the prayers and the good thoughts: Sadie-beagle's test came out fine.
We are in for MAJOR sunshine here in Spokane, and I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled. The predicted high is a delicious 70 degrees. The trees are literally sparkling with light, the sky is sugar-bowl blue, and there are wild turkeys on the lawn over by the shop, pecking at the rich green ground. YEE-HAW!
After writing my Morning Pages this a.m., I made my to-do list for the day. Don't all writers love paper? I know this one does. Anyway, one item on the list jumped out at me as I was reviewing the plan--"Paint mermaids' tails." I had to smile. Bet that one doesn't turn up on a lot of to-do lists, between, say, "rotate the tires" and "pick up the dry cleaning". Of course it refers to a set of artist trading cards I'm doing for a swap called "Ocean". The mermaids' tails will be painted and glittered up and, naturally, attached to mermaids--using brads so they will move. I have some little bitty library pockets from the Colorado Springs shopping haul, with tabs inside that can be lifted out, but I haven't decided how to use those yet. Like my mother and my daughter, I dearly love tiny things, especially if they're interactive in some way. I have some new rubber stamps, which I love, and I treated myself to 2 large sets of Copic markers, my faves.
This morning, however, there is no time for art--at least, not the kind that involves paints and brushes. I'm due in Parable right after breakfast, and I plan to be there on time.
That's the news from my kitchen table.
Be kind, not just to other people and, of course, animals, but to yourself. Times are tough out there, and folks need a smile and a good word more than ever.
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