Unscheduled Sunshine

Rain was predicted.  Instead, the sun is shining--brilliantly.  Oh, darn. 

:)

Gearing up to head out for Colorado Springs tomorrow--if you're coming to the Pike's Peak Writers Con (Kimberlee, this means you), be sure to come up and say howdy.  As stated yesterday, I will have some ATCs (artist trading cards) on hand to trade.  I'm taking my iPad along and I think I know how to blog on it, so I hope to keep you up to date on my doings.  This conference promises to be GREAT--lots of fun and lots to learn.  And I won't have to lug my laptop along.  Yeehaw!  It just gets better and better.

I'm learning to meditate.  I say 'learning'  because sitting still is a challenge for me, if I'm not doing something with my hands.  So I set the timer on my phone--nifty, zen-like brass gong--for 10 minutes, with the goal of just sitting quietly.  Thoughts roll by, as do cars on the high road on the other side of the valley.  At present, I allow myself coffee and my electronic cigarette (the miraculous little device that keeps me a non-smoker), but nothing else.  I just sit there.  Once this has become a solid habit, I will eliminate my coffee and e-cig from the process.  After sticking with that for at least a week, I'll work up to closing my eyes.  :)  At around four in the afternoon, I repeat the whole process.  Sounds like a slow and persnickety path, doesn't it?  Especially when my ultimate goal is 20 minutes of true meditation, morning and afternoon.  But it's a lot better than just knowing I SHOULD meditate, as before. 

Did you know that meditation, among other things, actually restructures the brain, and we're talking physically here, not metaphorically???  It's a phenom called 'neuroplasticity'--the brain can actually be altered by various methods, including nutrition, exercise, etc.  If you're curious, check out any one of Daniel Amen's books on the subject, and that's just for a start.  This is a fascinating field--depression, for instance, literally damages the 3 pounds of gray matter inside your head.  The good news is, there are many, many things we can do to reverse that damage, and to keep sharp as we get older.  I'm all for that, and I suspect a few million other baby-boomers are, too.  :)

I'm beginning what I call a Creativity Experiment with the new book, "Big Sky Country", the first of the Parable series.  (By the way, a few of you noticed that the town in "The Vow" was called Parable, but it was in Nevada.  My explanation: I like the name so much, I want to use it again).  It's no big secret, this C.E., and it won't sell for trajillions of dollars and turn me into a self-help guru, but I hesitate to pass it on before I'm sure it works.  So about a month into writing the book, I'll know whether it works for me or not and, either way, I'll pass it on.

And that, amid dog snores and rapidly fading sunshine, is the news from my kitchen table.

Be well, be safe, and be kind. 

Houses - Mixed Media & Resin Painting by WYANNE

Freaky Tuesday

OK, I swore I wouldn't complain about the weather, but I'm just saying.  This is so weird.  Snow and rain this morning--on April 26????

Is it just me?  I'll be so glad when the Royal wedding is over, including the inevitable rehash of every nuance of the dress, the guest list, the honeymoon destination, etc.  Lest this sound too harsh, let me just say that I've spent a great deal of time in Great Britain, mainly London, and I love the place.  I love the people.  I especially love the cab drivers, who, unlike their counterparts in just about every other city in the world (especially New York), are highly qualified for the job.  I think William and Kate are beautiful, I pray they will be kept safe and well, and that their marriage will truly be a case of Happily Ever-after.  You can't help but admire their spirit and, let's face it, Princess Diana is a hard act to follow, no doubt about it, so Kate is a brave woman.  I had the delight of seeing Diana in person once, in London, while going about my ordinary business on an otherwise ordinary day, and she was every inch the princess, tall and stately.  She actually glowed. 

Yesterday I did a lot of catching up, as you might have guessed from the brief blog.  I made a run to the grocery store, polished an outline, did some art, checked a manuscript that will be going into production soon, and printed out airline tickets and a few other things.  I'm off to Colorado Springs this Thursday--I'm keynoting the Pike's Peak Writer's Conference, and I'll be bringing along some ATCs to trade if anybody's interested. 

Today, I'm launching into Chapter One of the new book.  I meant to do it yesterday, but there you go.  The best laid plans of mice, men and romance writers.

Speaking of writing, I'll be reading Peter Elbow's classic, "Writing With Power", on the plane and in my hotel room.  I was clued in about this book by another book, previously mentioned here, Mark Levy's, "Accidental Genius."  (That is an accident I'd like to have, but, so far, nada.) 

The roses are sprouting more and more shoots every day, and the peonies, too.  My fabulous dinner-plate dahlias have broken ground, but most of the daffodil bulbs must have been duds, because except for those rogues on the other side of the fence, making a break for it, there's no flower action.

Can you tell that I'm starved for flower action?  Believe it.

A belated or, with luck, on-target happy birthday to my sister-in-law, Anna, whom I happen to adore.  For some reason, I can't keep the exact date straight in my mind.

That's the news from my kitchen table, folks.

See you tomorrow.

Mental Health Day

Today, I'm brainingstorming for Chapter 1 of the new book, "Big Sky Country", the one set in Parable, Montana, and going to grocery store.  Thrilled by the former, accepting of the latter.

I feel great, so nobody worry, and I promise a longer and better blog tomorrow.

Or even later today.

Easter Wishes

May your Easter season be joyous indeed, and may your heart be lifted by the long-awaited arrival of spring.

He is risen!

See you Monday.