Musings on Fall

I have always loved this time of year--there is an indefinable quality to the air or the light--or both--that seems so poignant to me. The drive along the Columbia River, toward Northport--for me that will always be the road home--turns spectacular during the autumn season, as the leaves turn every color from palest gold to brassiest orange to deepest crimson. The sight is breathtaking--each leaf seems to shimmer from within, as though lit by some other sun, in some internal universe.

There are birch trees in my front yard--or cottonwood. :) I'm not sure which. I do know this much--they are beautiful, with their sleek white trunks and dancing, coin-like green leaves, shimmering in every breeze. The sight always makes me think of the sequin-like bangles trimming the costumes of gypsies and bellydancers.

I probably shouldn't drive much around this time of year. :) I'm too fascinated by the scenary to keep my eyes on the road.

And so, fall is here, whether the calendar agrees or not. It gets a person to thinking about cycles--this year's flower and vegetables plants will eventually land in the compost bin, and return next year as food for new flowers, new tomatoes, new herbs...

In the words of Louis Armstrong, "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..."

Today's Sunrise

Is a beauty! You can get a look at it on my Twitter page. http://twitter.com/lindalaelmiller

There is a definite feel of autumn in the air, even though we're in line for more hot weather. There are more tomatoes and green peppers in my deck garden than I can rightly use, and we still have plenty of bees buzzing around, that's for sure. (I've heard bees are endangered. Not to worry. They are all congregated on the Triple L, outside Spokane, WA.) I have raised exactly one eggplant, small but perfect. The zuchinnis, on the other hand, are spooky, the way they grow. One day, they are four inches long, the next day, I swear, they're HUGE. Next year, I'll use compost and all that experience has taught me this year. :)

Still thinking about that next recipe to try. The bread doesn't count, because that's something I've made before. Never made lasagna, though...

Our county fair is this coming weekend. I might just have to attend--or not.

Here is the great thing about being me. I have a lot of responsibility, yes, but I also have a lot of freedom. :)

More tomorrow.

Thank God for the Geek Squad!

I have been plagued by computer problems for so long now that I seriously considered holding a drum ceremony and lighting sage-bundles to expel evil cyber-spirits. I was sure the place had to be haunted.

Alas, the Geek Squad guy came on Sunday (yes, Sunday), and banished all the boogey-men. I can post to this blog, get my email and tweet with ease! Hallelujah.

I'm into "Garrett", big time, the second book in my Texas McKettrick series.

Over the long weekend, I made another batch of Boeuf Bourgingnon (sp?) and it was SO delicious. I froze most of it for later consumption and enjoyment. My bread experiment, as I may have mentioned, wasn't great--the loaves tasted okay, but didn't really rise they way they should have. It turned out that, as with so many things I do, I tried too hard. :) Remembering when I last made bread (am embarrassingly long time ago), it came to me that I had used a much simpler recipe. So I bought myself a Betty Crocker Cookbook, like the one I had as a young bride, and sure enough--easy, simple bread recipes. Needless to say, I plan on trying again soon. I'm also planning on trying some special sauces for fish--I love fish, and it's healthy, but let's face it--it's pretty bland without something to dress it up. My nephew, Mike, and niece-in-law, Sara, do marvelous things with tuna, soy sauce and a touch of brown sugar.

I also painted over the weekend--my big 30X30 painting is coming along well. I added green Gallery Glass to the headdress, and it looks great if I do say so myself. I painted a few backgrounds, too. At some point, I will probably put the above-mentioned picture up on my Twitter page.

And now, back to doing what I love best: writing.

Happiness

Abraham Lincoln once said that most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. I guess the simplest stuff is the easiest to forget.

I've had a lot of great experiences in my life--and there are more to come. Still, I get the most joy from the simple things--the company of my beloved dogs, cats and horses--a book, painting or recipe that works--talking shop with my writer-daughter, Wendy, witnessing a comeback, like the one Whitney Houston is making on Good Morning, America even as I write this. A voice like that one should never be silenced.

I'm trying a new (for me) recipe, and it's quite a process. It's white bread, from a Paula Deen cookbook--I haven't made bread from scratch in YEARS. It begins with a starter, that sits at room temperature for 24 hours, and then for another 12, before I can even start the kneading and rising process, let alone the baking. Look for a picture of the finished product on my Twitter page in a couple of days. :) Lately, I've been posting dog pictures and flowers from my garden. I cut some zinnias today that are so beautiful, I almost can't stand it.

Sister Sally, the non-nun, pointed out that I gave the wrong title for the wonderful Julia Cameron book I mentioned yesterday, and I corrected it on that post, but I want to repeat it. This is an important book and if you're struggling spiritually, or you know someone who is, you need to read it: "Faith and Will-Weathering the Storms in Our Spiritual Lives."

Books. Flowers. Cats sleeping in the sunshine.

It's the simple things, gang.

Tomorrow.

Blog Goblins

According to Sister Sally, who is NOT a nun, she would have you know, I gave you a bad link for my Twitter page. It's:



http://twitter/lindalaelmiller



I am a Twitter pest--I post pictures of my dogs, my flowers and I am considering a shot of my Boeuf-B next time I make it. Which will probably be soon.



My beloved friend and editor, Joan Marlow Golan, is down with strep throat today. Everybody send white light! Get well soon, Joanie.



Today, I'm writing the outline for "Garrett"--I've been working on it for a day or so. Yee-haw! I'm so excited about starting this new book, with a brand new hunky hero and a fiesty lady to show him who's boss. :)



What I'm reading:

"Everything You Need to Know to Feel Go(o)s" by Candace Pert.

"The Real Wizard of Oz"--a biography of Frank Baum.

"FAITH and Will" by Julia Cameron--one of the best books on spirituality and creativity I've EVER read. I've been a fan of Cameron's work since the release of the landmark, "The Artist's Way", and I still use the Morning Pages exercise.

I'm listening to Dean Koontz's "Relentless" on my iPod. Scary and incredibly creative--I'm not sure I can handle the suspense. Koontz is the master, and