Back To the Beginning
Posted: December 9, 2008 Filed under: Goals, Writers Write | Tags: writers, writing 2 Comments »I took two weeks off, well, almost two weeks. I wrote two brand new scenes on different days. I spent a day organizing and printing a draft that only Bacon has read. I spent the better part of another putting the pages into manageable packets, making notes, and dividing the number of words possible by the number of writing days available between now and my next self-imposed deadline in February.
I got up early this morning. The number, 1383, is marked neatly in pink on today’s calender. 1383 is the number of words I set as a daily goal. It isn’t a big number. I can write that much every day. So, why didn’t I?
I stared at the pages. I changed the sheets on the bed. I bought a digital converter box. (The TV Fairy isn’t going to drop a big screen down my chimney this year.)
So, I’m here looking for a push. I’m committing myself, and since you’ve read this far, I can’t back out. I’ll do what I have to do.
The truth is I’m cranky when I’m not writing. Many friends and family members have suggested I take time off. None of them live with me. My bad mood says it’s time to get back to work. I have a schedule, a list, a routine, a goal, and now, a little pressure.
Read This, Please
Posted: December 7, 2008 Filed under: Writers Write 1 Comment »The New York Times published an Op Ed piece close to my heart. Please click over and read this.
Winter Gardening
Posted: December 6, 2008 Filed under: Aha!, Housekeeping, Writers Write | Tags: cottage garden, winter garden Leave a comment »If you can call it winter in San Antonio, I spent several hours outside today. I pulled the dead morning glory vines off my Old Blush rosebush, and planted lettuce seed in the bed where, yesterday, I yanked up the tomato plants. We had our first freeze last night. My whole family was outside after dark picking green tomatoes and covering the container garden.
I’ve been planning to move the five lavender bushes I grew from seed. They were scattered, and I wanted to consolidate for a bigger show. Digging new holes, I moved the plants, one at a time, to their new home. When I pulled up the first shovelful of lavender, I stuck my hand under the blade to steady the roots. That’s when I felt the sting. The little lavender was growing in a fire ant den. My right hand was covered with bites. I washed the off the ants, and finished the job. Then, I slathered on hydrocortisone and popped a couple Benadryls. The sting is no longer staggering, but still uncomfortable. Gardening is over for the day.
It’s audacious to plant anything in December. Audacity–can I use that word?
