Go Figure

Woke up to rain and a heavy, gloomy sky, but now the sun is peeking through in brilliant flashes of light. Good writing weather, either way.

Last week, "Tate" was #18 on the New York Times list, this week, it bounced back up to #12. This has been one wild, wonderful ride, and I so appreciate all of you taking to my cowboys the way you have.

I will be finishing "Austin" today and tomorrow. I'm thrilled, and I'm sad.

Go figure.

Yep, it's February all right!

Snow! Yesterday, the weather was glorious, summer-bright. This morning, when Sadie-beagle and I made our normal trek to the backyard, the flakes were coming down fast and furious. She was feeling a little off, so I picked some grass for her and she nibbled a few bites and drank some water. She's snoozing now, and since her nose is cold and her eyes are bright, I think she's okay.

According to the weatherman, the snow won't stick. However it turns out, the stuff is beautiful, and I'm enjoying it. Of course, I don't have to commute, and that makes a huge difference.

I am SO close to finishing my book. I will be writing the last chapter tomorrow, and I can hardly believe it. I will be both happy and sad, as I've mentioned before.

I sent my mom a rubber stamp the other day. It says, "What if the hokey-pokey really IS what it's all about?" She and I share a corny sense of humor, as you can see.

And there's always the chance that the answer to this philosophical question is "yes".

Wouldn't that be a kick?

Choose to have a good day, and be kind.

This Can't Be February!

It is beyond beautiful outside, bright as June. What a (welcome) change from last year!

I admit to a case of cabin fever--that's why I bought the seed packets I mentioned yesterday--but I'm on the homestretch with the new book, and sunshine makes it easier to write.

I thrive on sunshine. I know this about myself. Next month, as I've mentioned, I'll be spending three and a half weeks in Barcelona, with my sister, Sally. I fully expect to be restored and strengthened by this lovely holiday, but of course I'll miss my dogs, cats and horses a lot, and I'll be happy to return home when the time comes.

I've been listening to some interesting books on my iPod lately--"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" was one that really fascinated me, and now I'm into "Nella Last's Peace", which is comprised of diary entries written by an English housewife after WW2. I understand there was an earlier book, "Nella Last's War", and I certainly intend to look for that. I have always admired the British, but Nella's account of day to day life following the end of the war makes me even more aware of their courage and fortitude, in the face of privation and staggering loss. Nella was very good at making the best of what she had to work with--not much, by today's standards--and she constantly found reasons to be grateful.

I have a new painting surface set out to work on later, when I've written my pages. It is cradled birch, 24x24 inches in size, and I have a basic plan, but I know I need to be adaptable--lots of times I start a piece and it evolves into something else entirely. That's just one of the things I love about art--that sense of discovery. Bob Ross called the phenomena "happy accidents", and I couldn't have said it better.

I continue to make ATCs, too, and trade them on Swapbot and Art42.org. It is so much fun to receive other people's art work in the mail, and I love it when someone leaves a nice comment about one of my cards on the websites.

And that's the news from Linda's kitchen table.

Possibilities

The view from my kitchen table is so bright on this lovely February morning that I had to adjust the blinds in order to see the screen of this laptop. Yesterday, at the grocery store, I happened upon a HUGE rack of seeds--various herbs, my beloved zinnias, a mix of flowers that will produce an absolute comedy of color.

It's only February, I said to myself.

I'm leaving for Spain in a few weeks.

I can't be planting things now.

As so often happens, Self paid no attetnion to my wise counsel. I loaded up with seed packets. I simply could not resist the flambouyant possibities of pink zinnias, and fresh Sweet Basil, and tomatoes...well, I could go on (and on) but you get the idea.

It's all about the possibilities.

And That's the News...

Sunshine! Honestly, it is so beautiful here in Spokane that I want to dig holes in the dirt and plant things. I won't, of course, because it's still only February, after all, though you wouldn't know it by looking out my windows. In fact, the sun is SO bright that I had to adjust the blinds in order to see the computer screen.

"Austin" is very near completion--just a few more days to go. What a challenge, and what a joy, writing this trilogy has been for me! I have been so utterly and completely absorbed in the stories that I am behind on just about everything else in my life.

It's been a while since I updated you--still not smoking, and don't intend to--but I've gained some weight for sure. That will be a main area of concentration once the book is finished. I seem to be a one trick pony these days, and right now, that trick is writing. :) (Fortunately, it's a pretty useful trick.) On February 23, I will have 8 smoke-free months. I'm told it gets easier.

I have some other goals, too, for when I've finished, besides the trip to Barcelona. I want to catch up on all five seasons of "Lost". (No, I'm not kidding.) I want to knit socks and the sampler from a book called "The Sweater Workshop", (author Jacqueline Fee) because I heard on one of my favorite podcasts (Knitpicks) that if I do that I'll be able to knit sweaters without a pattern forever and ever amen.

Works for me. I love sweaters, and the brighter and more outrageous the colors, the better!

Sadie is doing her best to avoid going to her workout session. She gets lazy around the end of the week--don't we all?

But it's sunny out. It's all good.

And that's the news from Linda's kitchen table.