. . . much I fight it, things really do come in balance. Since only the lovely side of this matters in the long run, I am excited to announce that my little story "The Triplets" has been given second place in the open fiction contest by Prick of the Spindle. I love these folks, and they obviously have wonderful taste, so you should stop by and peruse the site. Thank you Spindle folk!
Yesterday we took the dogs to a dog wash event that was collecting funds for rescue. Bean was a terribly good sport, in his element with all those hands on him and treats to be had. He even likes the water. Poor Sam on the other hand was experiencing the same event as a molestation of his person. All I know is that meant one less chore for me, and the smell of wet dog in the car on the way home.
Cooler weather coming this week. I can't wait! Open windows! Fresh air! It's about time.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
all things that . . .
. . . can be good about summer: going to the beach in lovely 80 degree weather; baking fresh honey wheat bread from scratch; going out of town; reading a biography on Virginia Woolf; visiting a favorite grocery store not in Wilmington that has gorgeous heirloom tomatoes. All of these, I have done in the past week. Including the collecting of shells and sand for Baby Gemma. Someday, she will have these mementos and wonder why on earth her mother saved them for thirty years.
Woolf has long been one of my favorite writers and I am convinced that if she were alive today she would enjoy blogging. She'd have a voice beyond the demanding ones of her intimate group. She'd probably get herself in a bit of trouble, but she'd be championed into something beyond the strong personalities that Bloomsbury afforded her. I also think that my other favorite writer, Flannery O'Connor, would blog. I've thought a lot about this lately. Many not-yet-known writers blog, but I'm hard pressed to think of any well known writers who do. Maintaining a website is different - something I think writers who are getting recognition finally for their work start to transition toward with an element of blogging involved. I'm not sure what is behind my own urge to blog except that I enjoy it and it gives me a space to write. I am, of course, hawking my book about (although not strenuously by any means as the demands of motherhood are more vocal than the demands of the book), but I feel in a year that I will be in the website mode. . . as things change and progress and I am able to be more serious in this internet endeavor. It also begs a lot about the privacy/public question. . . the internet being this vast and forever thing.
If only Woolf and O'Connor had websites where I could ask their opinions on the matter.
Woolf has long been one of my favorite writers and I am convinced that if she were alive today she would enjoy blogging. She'd have a voice beyond the demanding ones of her intimate group. She'd probably get herself in a bit of trouble, but she'd be championed into something beyond the strong personalities that Bloomsbury afforded her. I also think that my other favorite writer, Flannery O'Connor, would blog. I've thought a lot about this lately. Many not-yet-known writers blog, but I'm hard pressed to think of any well known writers who do. Maintaining a website is different - something I think writers who are getting recognition finally for their work start to transition toward with an element of blogging involved. I'm not sure what is behind my own urge to blog except that I enjoy it and it gives me a space to write. I am, of course, hawking my book about (although not strenuously by any means as the demands of motherhood are more vocal than the demands of the book), but I feel in a year that I will be in the website mode. . . as things change and progress and I am able to be more serious in this internet endeavor. It also begs a lot about the privacy/public question. . . the internet being this vast and forever thing.
If only Woolf and O'Connor had websites where I could ask their opinions on the matter.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
everyday feels like . . .
. . . a completely new beginning. What will we be doing today? Will the baby be interested in an outing? Will I get any writing done? Will Wilmington stop being so humid? I can think of three life-changing events I am working on right now and I am equally excited about all of them and I also wish at the same time that I had a little less to deal with at one time. But then it occurs to me that this is actual life!
Right now it is storming here and the windows are coated with rain. Amazingly enough, the dogs are rather chill about the thunder, although Sam's usual MO is to freak out. Last night we watched Marley and Me, and it made me absolutely appreciate every dog I have ever had, even when I've had seven at one time. There is no way on earth any of my dogs were as destructive or disobedient as Marley. Kathleen Turner as the dog obedience instructor cracked me up! I saw that whole episode coming from a mile away.
Julie & Julia is out and I confess I want to see it. Meryl Streep is a favorite of mine, and Amy Adams has proven to be extremely talented in every movie I have seen her in. As for books, yes I am reading! Finding time somewhere (stealing fifteen minutes from sleep, in the bathtub, during baby naps when I should be folding laundry). My ultimate recommendation is for The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I didn't want to finish it. Ever. The voice of the main character is so entrancing, so likeable in her attempts at mediocrity. Another stellar read is Middlesex. I've been wanting to read it having been a huge fan of Orlando by Virginia Woolf. The main character in this is also fascinating. Both books propel you to want to know what is going to happen next, which is something I have been thinking about in literary fiction lately. How does great literature assume that same plot-driven feel of, say, a thriller, and remain essentially a character derived novel? Hmmm. More thoughts on this later.
Right now it is storming here and the windows are coated with rain. Amazingly enough, the dogs are rather chill about the thunder, although Sam's usual MO is to freak out. Last night we watched Marley and Me, and it made me absolutely appreciate every dog I have ever had, even when I've had seven at one time. There is no way on earth any of my dogs were as destructive or disobedient as Marley. Kathleen Turner as the dog obedience instructor cracked me up! I saw that whole episode coming from a mile away.
Julie & Julia is out and I confess I want to see it. Meryl Streep is a favorite of mine, and Amy Adams has proven to be extremely talented in every movie I have seen her in. As for books, yes I am reading! Finding time somewhere (stealing fifteen minutes from sleep, in the bathtub, during baby naps when I should be folding laundry). My ultimate recommendation is for The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I didn't want to finish it. Ever. The voice of the main character is so entrancing, so likeable in her attempts at mediocrity. Another stellar read is Middlesex. I've been wanting to read it having been a huge fan of Orlando by Virginia Woolf. The main character in this is also fascinating. Both books propel you to want to know what is going to happen next, which is something I have been thinking about in literary fiction lately. How does great literature assume that same plot-driven feel of, say, a thriller, and remain essentially a character derived novel? Hmmm. More thoughts on this later.
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