Well, I got to messing with my crafting--burned fingers are healed, for those concerned--and got to the blog page late.
The nonfiction book about Buck is on hold, but I'll keep you posted on that. Meanwhile, this just in--I'll be rewriting an older book, "Willow", over the course of the coming year. It's a dandy western, and I've always wanted to make it longer and stronger--go into more depth with all the primary and secondary characters. When I sold that book, there was a paper shortage on, and the publisher wanted things kept short. "Willow" will have a new title and a new cover, and I'll keep you up to speed on all the details as the project progresses. I promise, even if you've already read the story, even if you LOVED it, it will be bigger and better in every way.
I'm off to San Diego--yes, San Diego--on Thursday to participate in the annual LaJolla Writer's Conference, put on by my good friend, Antoinette Kuritz and her wonderful husband, Rich, and son, Jarod. It was fun last year, and I expect it to be great this year, too. Big added bonuses: my daughter Wendy will be attending, at least part of the time, and friends Lisa Jackson and Natalie Bush will be there, too. (I've been assured the fires will not stop these intrepid writers from gathering.)
I'll take my laptop and blog from the conference. More tomorrow--hopefully, on time.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Craft Injuries
You have to be smarter than the hot glue. Alas, here I sit with two burned fingers, so this blog will probably be short. I have to keep dunking my hand in the bowl of cold water at my side. :) Undaunted, I WILL craft again.
And of course I will write, because that's my job. I have a new appreciation for my fingers--they are really quite useful, all things considered.
Fortunately, it wasn't my slot-machine hand. :)
Sadie is recovering beautifully from her surgery--hardly any limp at all and, thanks to her new dog diet--she's lost about 5 pounds--she's as spry as a puppy.
Gayle Mackie and Regina Winkler, if you read this, call me. I lost your cards.
And of course I will write, because that's my job. I have a new appreciation for my fingers--they are really quite useful, all things considered.
Fortunately, it wasn't my slot-machine hand. :)
Sadie is recovering beautifully from her surgery--hardly any limp at all and, thanks to her new dog diet--she's lost about 5 pounds--she's as spry as a puppy.
Gayle Mackie and Regina Winkler, if you read this, call me. I lost your cards.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Catching Up
Well, I missed two blogs, and some of you were concerned, which I think is very sweet. Here's what happened: I finished "A McKettrick Christmas" sooner than expected, so I decided to goof off! I went to Walmart on Thursday, early, and by the time I got home, I was, as my mother says, too pooped to pop. Yesterday, Jen, Mary Ann and I went on a day-trip to Canada, with a stop-off in Northport to visit Auntie Marian. (She's Mary Ann's mother.) She was making soup for Soup and Games night at the church, and did that house ever smell delicious.
Boxes of art supplies have been rolling in--I'm on a real tear. I made a great necklace from an old photo of Dad and I on his horse, Peanuts. It must have been taken in 51, 52 at the latest; I was about two, and sitting that old horse like a pro. Anyway, I shrunk that photo down and cut it to fit a necklace setting I'd bought on eBay. I had several false starts before I got it right, but if there's one quality I can lay claim to, it's persistence. (A good trait everywhere but at the casino.) First try, the ink bled, so I painted the next attempt with a sealer. That didn't work, either, because the sealer was water-based. So then I took a different trail and used liquid polymer clay instead of sealer. That worked great, but the lines where I'd drawn the circle around the photo showed. So I ripped that one out, too. I finally succeeded, and poured a wonderful product called Diamond Glaze over the picture. It hardens to a beautiful transparency, and there are Dad, Peanuts and me, looking out of that locket.
I plan to do some more goofing off today. I got way behind on it when I was working on the last book. :)
Monday morning, though, I'll be back at the computer, dealing with Olivia O'Ballivan, direct descendant of Sam and Maddie, in "A Stone Creek Christmas." Olivia is an animal communicator, as well as a veterinarian, and the appearance of a reindeer named Rodney at the foot of her driveway starts a whole chain of events. A reindeer in Arizona???? Well, that's a stretch even for Olivia.
If you can goof off today, do it. It's refreshing. :)
Boxes of art supplies have been rolling in--I'm on a real tear. I made a great necklace from an old photo of Dad and I on his horse, Peanuts. It must have been taken in 51, 52 at the latest; I was about two, and sitting that old horse like a pro. Anyway, I shrunk that photo down and cut it to fit a necklace setting I'd bought on eBay. I had several false starts before I got it right, but if there's one quality I can lay claim to, it's persistence. (A good trait everywhere but at the casino.) First try, the ink bled, so I painted the next attempt with a sealer. That didn't work, either, because the sealer was water-based. So then I took a different trail and used liquid polymer clay instead of sealer. That worked great, but the lines where I'd drawn the circle around the photo showed. So I ripped that one out, too. I finally succeeded, and poured a wonderful product called Diamond Glaze over the picture. It hardens to a beautiful transparency, and there are Dad, Peanuts and me, looking out of that locket.
I plan to do some more goofing off today. I got way behind on it when I was working on the last book. :)
Monday morning, though, I'll be back at the computer, dealing with Olivia O'Ballivan, direct descendant of Sam and Maddie, in "A Stone Creek Christmas." Olivia is an animal communicator, as well as a veterinarian, and the appearance of a reindeer named Rodney at the foot of her driveway starts a whole chain of events. A reindeer in Arizona???? Well, that's a stretch even for Olivia.
If you can goof off today, do it. It's refreshing. :)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday Musings
Well, I got up late again, though I did get to spend some precious time with my journal. This is a form of prayer for me, and it never fails to get me on the right track.
The fires continue in the San Diego area, as you know. I encourage you all to pray along with me, and to contribute whatever you can to the appropriate charities. My contribution will be going to the Red Cross, because I think they do wonderful work, but there are certainly other good ones. And here's an experiment. Instead of sinking into the doldrums, let's all believe together that those who suffered losses will come out of this stronger and more blessed than ever. Yes, even in a disaster of this magnitude, there can be blessings. Clap your hands if you believe.
I am almost finished with "A McKettrick Christmas", and I've gotta tell you, I LOVE this book. I know, I know. I always say that. But it's still true. I poured my heart and soul into the story, and it seems like a part of me now. Maybe it always will.
Be blessed.
The fires continue in the San Diego area, as you know. I encourage you all to pray along with me, and to contribute whatever you can to the appropriate charities. My contribution will be going to the Red Cross, because I think they do wonderful work, but there are certainly other good ones. And here's an experiment. Instead of sinking into the doldrums, let's all believe together that those who suffered losses will come out of this stronger and more blessed than ever. Yes, even in a disaster of this magnitude, there can be blessings. Clap your hands if you believe.
I am almost finished with "A McKettrick Christmas", and I've gotta tell you, I LOVE this book. I know, I know. I always say that. But it's still true. I poured my heart and soul into the story, and it seems like a part of me now. Maybe it always will.
Be blessed.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Back Home
I came home a day later than planned, which is why I didn't have a blog up yesterday.
My visit to Oregon was absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed my gig at the Northwest Women's Show enormously--put a microphone in my hand and I turn into Oprah--but by far the best part was spending time with my lovely sister, Sally and her funny, fabulous family. I visted my niece, aka Miss Lang, at the wonderful little school where she teaches. I honestly did not know there were still schools that small--it was even smaller, I think, than the one I attended in Northport. I also dropped in on my other niece, Sam, at the shop where she works. What fun it was to see my nieces in such an adult context. Didn't get to hook up with nephew, Jesse, but next time. I did get some time with his beautiful little son, Jaden the Extraordinary.
Sally and I, along with sister Pam, are craft fanatics. We visited Craft Warehouse, in Salem, and I went absolutely crazy. I had to buy an extra suitcase to carry home the loot, and Sally STILL has to send three boxes!
My heart is very heavy over the fires in the San Diego area. So many people losing their homes, and all those displaced pets. I'm praying hard, and know all of you are, too.
As for the homefront, we're ready to begin the staff house on the adjoining property--the lumber has been delivered. We're all believing Mary Ann and husband Larry will be in by Christmas. I'll be giving you regular updates on that.
My visit to Oregon was absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed my gig at the Northwest Women's Show enormously--put a microphone in my hand and I turn into Oprah--but by far the best part was spending time with my lovely sister, Sally and her funny, fabulous family. I visted my niece, aka Miss Lang, at the wonderful little school where she teaches. I honestly did not know there were still schools that small--it was even smaller, I think, than the one I attended in Northport. I also dropped in on my other niece, Sam, at the shop where she works. What fun it was to see my nieces in such an adult context. Didn't get to hook up with nephew, Jesse, but next time. I did get some time with his beautiful little son, Jaden the Extraordinary.
Sally and I, along with sister Pam, are craft fanatics. We visited Craft Warehouse, in Salem, and I went absolutely crazy. I had to buy an extra suitcase to carry home the loot, and Sally STILL has to send three boxes!
My heart is very heavy over the fires in the San Diego area. So many people losing their homes, and all those displaced pets. I'm praying hard, and know all of you are, too.
As for the homefront, we're ready to begin the staff house on the adjoining property--the lumber has been delivered. We're all believing Mary Ann and husband Larry will be in by Christmas. I'll be giving you regular updates on that.
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