It's my parents 49th wedding anniversary. Congrats to them today!
I'm terrible at remembering anniversaries. Barely functional on birthdays. Thank goodness for commercials on things like Mother's day, Father's day, Christmas, and Easter, etc. It's not that my friends aren't on my mind. I think I have some kind of mental block. I will buy the cards well in advance-only to forget to mail them. sigh. Or I'll mail them and they will arrive too early or ridiculously too late.
One year I had Christmas cards all signed, sealed and stamped...nope- they didn't go out. I vowed to save them and send them out for the 25th of July as a joke- only...yeah, I forgot. By Christmas, I could no longer find them (I think I put them in a box somewhere to save....)
I'd like to say it's because I have my head in a story, but that is too easy of an excuse. Truth is even if I organize myself I'm not on time... I have come to terms with my own imperfections and I know the people who love me accept that I'm not the friend or family member who "always remembers." Because of this, I simply smile when I'm 'forgotten" and am happy to know that I'm not the only one who misses the Hallmark moments. Cheers!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
May 6
From my window:
The sky is hazy white today covered in thick clouds with indeterminate edges. The sun a white brightness overhead. Light filtered through water. The trees surrounding the lake are pale green and spotted like an impressionistic landscape. Some leaves still yet to unfurl while others have sprung out in infancy still growing to full size. The water itself is a dull mirror. Shadows of green and brown reflect the trees at the edge. The center reflects the hazy light of the sky. No wind moves it. Still, smooth, it rests. Fresh blooms of algae drape around the edges. The recent rains are gone and the banks recede leaving the scent of rot and mud. Geese scream and honk their presences. Babies follow after their mother, their fat yellow grey feathers give them a fuzzy coat. Red-winged black birds call as they hop through the tree branches. In the distance is the ever present sound of lawn mowers and trimmers...a staple in the suburbs. May comes softly in the world, hiding the scars of March and April with new grasses, new growth.
The sky is hazy white today covered in thick clouds with indeterminate edges. The sun a white brightness overhead. Light filtered through water. The trees surrounding the lake are pale green and spotted like an impressionistic landscape. Some leaves still yet to unfurl while others have sprung out in infancy still growing to full size. The water itself is a dull mirror. Shadows of green and brown reflect the trees at the edge. The center reflects the hazy light of the sky. No wind moves it. Still, smooth, it rests. Fresh blooms of algae drape around the edges. The recent rains are gone and the banks recede leaving the scent of rot and mud. Geese scream and honk their presences. Babies follow after their mother, their fat yellow grey feathers give them a fuzzy coat. Red-winged black birds call as they hop through the tree branches. In the distance is the ever present sound of lawn mowers and trimmers...a staple in the suburbs. May comes softly in the world, hiding the scars of March and April with new grasses, new growth.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Cinco de Mayo
Wow- May 5th- Most people don't really know what cinco de Mayo celebrations are for- so to clarify: "It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves of any foreign intervention. Especially those from imperialist states bent on world conquest. "*
It's not really Mexican Independence day as some think, but in a way it celebrates their ability to stand up for themselves...which is independence...isn't it? So, here's celebrating community and personal independence. Cheers!
* quoted from clnet.ucla.edu.
It's not really Mexican Independence day as some think, but in a way it celebrates their ability to stand up for themselves...which is independence...isn't it? So, here's celebrating community and personal independence. Cheers!
* quoted from clnet.ucla.edu.
Monday, May 4, 2009
May 4
Today is a math day- 5.4.09. 5+4=9 5x4=20
That is where my brain went today... I'm working on revisions for a project I'm doing with a friend. I'm also doing some research reading and best of all, I'm weeding the gardens. The thistles are back, but no worries I have evil chemicals ready to kill them dead. I tried the old fashioned organic way. But thistles need something stronger than me and my weed popper (a metal device that you shove in the ground and it pulls the weed out...mostly.) So with gloves on my hands and a nice face mask, I'll be out there with a spray bottle. Much easier on the back, I think. Some times you have to be ruthless. (This also applies to revisions and editing, too.) Judicial ruthlessness is important no matter what you do. Cheers!
That is where my brain went today... I'm working on revisions for a project I'm doing with a friend. I'm also doing some research reading and best of all, I'm weeding the gardens. The thistles are back, but no worries I have evil chemicals ready to kill them dead. I tried the old fashioned organic way. But thistles need something stronger than me and my weed popper (a metal device that you shove in the ground and it pulls the weed out...mostly.) So with gloves on my hands and a nice face mask, I'll be out there with a spray bottle. Much easier on the back, I think. Some times you have to be ruthless. (This also applies to revisions and editing, too.) Judicial ruthlessness is important no matter what you do. Cheers!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
May 3
We are lucky enough to have sunshine. I took the dogs for a long walk. Now everyone wants to take long naps. :)
I'm meeting with other writers today to have fun, talk about writing and possibly forming a new support group-small and mighty. I'm not looking forward to the drive, but I am looking forward to the meeting. Small sacrifices are easy to make.
Happy Sunday!
I'm meeting with other writers today to have fun, talk about writing and possibly forming a new support group-small and mighty. I'm not looking forward to the drive, but I am looking forward to the meeting. Small sacrifices are easy to make.
Happy Sunday!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
May 2
Spent the day running errands, doing yardwork and went to see the movie "X-men Origins, Wolverine." The errands were average. The yard work- well, we are only getting started on the mess that mother nature made of our yard and gardens. But the movie? Hmmmm. A picture tells a thousand words. Cheers!
Friday, May 1, 2009
May Day
Happy May Day everyone!
Question to all writers out there-- Have you ever wanted to quit? Have you ever quit?
I've heard on loops when someone talks about being burned out, lost, done...they are just done. Done with rejection. Done with trying to hit the market. Done with revisions and critiques. Done with never getting it right. Done.
Other writers pop up immediately to "support" them with-you're not done, you're just tired. Take some time off...you'll be back. Or don't quit. Never quit. LOL we turn into a cult... or The Firm-once you write a book you can never stop...you can never get out...
Truth is one book may be enough for you. Ten books may be all you have. Pushing passed who you are just to "never quit" doesn't do anything but waste your time and kill your creative heart.
So, next time someone says they are done, for goodness sakes, let them be done. Hug them. Be understanding. Don't push. There are real limits to how much abuse a person can take and yes, the writing life is full of abuse. The only reason to do it is because you LOVE it. If you don't LOVE it, move on- no shame-no harm- no foul.
In support of all those creatives who are done, today I am not a writer. Today I am a house frau with a teeth gritting bad back who is going to take one too many pain pills, watch old movies, make cookies and actually interact with my family.
FREEDOM! Happy May Day everyone.
Question to all writers out there-- Have you ever wanted to quit? Have you ever quit?
I've heard on loops when someone talks about being burned out, lost, done...they are just done. Done with rejection. Done with trying to hit the market. Done with revisions and critiques. Done with never getting it right. Done.
Other writers pop up immediately to "support" them with-you're not done, you're just tired. Take some time off...you'll be back. Or don't quit. Never quit. LOL we turn into a cult... or The Firm-once you write a book you can never stop...you can never get out...
Truth is one book may be enough for you. Ten books may be all you have. Pushing passed who you are just to "never quit" doesn't do anything but waste your time and kill your creative heart.
So, next time someone says they are done, for goodness sakes, let them be done. Hug them. Be understanding. Don't push. There are real limits to how much abuse a person can take and yes, the writing life is full of abuse. The only reason to do it is because you LOVE it. If you don't LOVE it, move on- no shame-no harm- no foul.
In support of all those creatives who are done, today I am not a writer. Today I am a house frau with a teeth gritting bad back who is going to take one too many pain pills, watch old movies, make cookies and actually interact with my family.
FREEDOM! Happy May Day everyone.
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