Green Scene

It's good to be reminded of the abundant life which surrounds and sustains us. It's all gone cold and dormant now, and that's good, too, but the occasional reminder is good for the spirit.

I was going to say something about denial. I changed my mind when all I could muster was "Denial is a cow."

Hoofed mammal, two stomachs, chews cud, gives milk. No, can't quite get what I was trying to say with that.

Maybe I mean it's sacred. Or a good source of leather.

Whatever it was I am not denying the cold. I like it. It's good for writing. But I do think that as the days get colder and darker we need to be reminded it's only sleep, not death, and it'll be green and vibrant again.

Happy days of cold everyone. Enjoy it for what it is because it's all we've got.

Peaks and Valleys

Banff National Park

Peaks are less intimidating the closer you get. But they're still high.


I had a very good writing day yesterday. I had a reasonable idea for a scene and a character and had fun writing it. I've alway felt good when writing, but it's been decades since I felt this good. My paraNano project has been wonderful. I'm inventing creatures and writing dialogue. It seems to have blasted through some barrier. I was never very good at dialogue and got to the point where I told myself I couldn't write it.
Now I am writing it.
Stop thinking and start doing. Or, as I tell people who are annoyingly negative around me, "Stop telling me what you can't do and start telling me what you can do."
I am supposed to hit the 20,000 word mark today, 20004 in fact. As of yesterday I was less than 1,200 away.
It is logical to assume I will get there.
And if I fall short today, so what? There's always tomorrow and there always will be a tomorrow as long as I'm enjoying it.

Gratitude Monday - Philosophical Edition

I’m grateful I decided to write a novel and take my imagination out for an airing.
It’s surprising me.
Characters are doing unexpected things and I’ve got a new a character who insisted on joining in the fun. It’s a pre-adolescent and neither male nor female. It insists that it’s important to the story.
I decided to parallel NaNoWriMo which means that I’ve committed myself to 50,000 words before the month is up. I’m keeping pace so far and I’m grateful for that, too.
My husband is very supportive. When I told him I was writing a novel he responded with a fist pump and a hearty “About time!”
I thought 50,000 words was good in that it represents 1,000 words for every year of my life. I’m grateful to say this got me thinking about my memoir. My next project should be 1,000 words about every year of my life. Whether I do it or not it sounds like a great exercise. And I’m grateful to get the writing juices flowing again.
Meanwhile, novel writing has put almost everything else on hold including freelance work and the contemplation of deeper meanings.
This brings me to the question posed by today’s photo.
I’d be grateful for any insight you might have.

Why?

For the love of all that hops and purrs, why is this chicken crossing the road?

Why?

Big Month

Some green, some gold, some reflection. It's a good time of life.

November is a big month all around for me, this one especially.

Reason No. 4: As of the end of the month I'll have lived in Rocky Mountain House for 20 years. That's the longest I've stayed in one place. Ever.
Reporters move around a great deal. It's good for life experiences.
I found the love of my life here and thus found legitimate cause to stay.

Reason No.3: Within about two weeks I'll have been blogging for two years, and this marks my 444th post.

Reason No. 2: I'm unofficially Nanoing. I lacked the personal courage, and the plot, to sign up for NaNoWriMo, the national novel writing month. But then one fine night last week I got a brilliant idea in the bathtub. I realized I could combine an old, bad story that I never finished with a not-quite -as awful story that I'd barely started. Both had been around for years.
My fantasy novel opens somewhat like the bad story and I was able to use the bare bones of a few scenes. Somewhere along the line a plot fell into place. Who knows if it'll stay there.
The writing is fun. I haven't been this tickled about writing since my first manuscript.

Reason No. 1 for November being a big month: I turn 50 in just over two weeks.
I'm looking forward to it.

Now, how about you? What are your big months? Do you have any? Or is life one big, juicy celebration?

A Beautiful Day

Thank you, thank you, thank you US voters.
Maybe later I'll have something of substance to say, but for now I am overcome.
President-elect Barack Obama.
I am filled with hope.

To The Light

Today is the US election. I have great faith in American voters. They will usher in change in some manner no matter who their ballot goes to.
It is said there are only two emotions, love and fear.
The world is changing and our old ways are crashing, or at least restructuring, around us. Sen. John McCain represents the old, fear-based ways while Sen. Barack Obama has campaigned on hope and positive change.
McCain uses fear in an obvious manner. Obama has taken the position of love though it takes a while to see it.
Fear is cold and dark and keeps us at bay while love is warm and light and encourages our growth.
As the US goes, so goes much of our reticulated world.
Please, US voters, go to the light.

Gratitude Monday - US Election Edition

I am very grateful that the US is a free and democratic society in which regular elections are held. I am grateful that the regular election is tomorrow and the current reign of error will come to a close.
I am darned grateful for the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution which prevents anyone from being president for more than two terms. Ever.
And I really like it that the Constitution prevents an ex-president from sneaking in the back door by taking a turn as vice-president.
I don't have much else to say about it as a foreigner although my grandmother was from Nebraska and I have American relatives on both sides of the family. This allows me, in my mind, to take a few liberties.
Enjoy your election.
#
Meanwhile, I love this picture. You might have to be of a certain age to think it's funny, but I am and I do.

see Sarah Palin pictures