Coming Home to Myself

In Praise of Play

One time when in the middle of writing a novel, I got stuck. I didn’t know how I was going to proceed. And with a full-time job, I had only a half-hour in the mornings to write. My solution was to put a calligraphy class to use by filling a small notebook with italic handwriting.Continue reading “In Praise of Play”

Covid Excuses

For the first time in two years, I shook hands with someone. And I’ve recently hugged two friends! I’ve stopped putting on a mask when a workman comes to the house, and sometimes even when entering a business. But are we really back to normal? Covid hasn’t gone away yet—or maybe never. These last twoContinue reading “Covid Excuses”

Life as an Introvert

Connections For me, living as an introvert (recently described as an extreme introvert) means my contacts with people are even more—not less—important. I discovered in my librarian days that continual contact with the public was too much, and that no contact was far too little. Which is why, in retirement, I enjoy my peaceful writingContinue reading “Life as an Introvert”

Stepping Out, Part 2

A group of teenagers stood on the surface of a strange planet. They had no idea why they were there…

Stepping Out

When ground squirrels ate up my garden last summer, I began filling two water containers. Since the squirrels continued eating squash leaves and other sprouts, I realized they weren’t eating for moisture alone. However, the water containers did attract birds and so I continued. This fall after we stored the patio umbrella, I placed aContinue reading “Stepping Out”

Gardening in this time of COVID

These last several months, I’ve stayed busy with writing, but any time I attempted a blog, I set it aside, unable to complete it. This time I’m going to post! I love growing winter squash, but living in the southwest, I’ve had very few successful seasons since we’re plagued with squash bugs, and they seemContinue reading “Gardening in this time of COVID”

Hurdles

The nippiest day of the year—so far. Sophie resisted going for a walk this morning—she was far too cozy on the couch—so I put her in her jacket and she hopped down. The wind has effectively swept the sidewalks clear of leaves, but Sophie’s first hurdle was leaping the dam in front of the doorContinue reading “Hurdles”

Gotta Keep Learning

Sophie Dog Goes to School. My friend Jane, who keeps Sophie when we’re out of town, thinks Sophie should be a therapy dog. I totally agree. She’s the perfect temperament, friendly, gentle, and soft to the touch. We got home from our family reunion at the same time that Jane was attending the first doggieContinue reading “Gotta Keep Learning”

Attachments

I’ve always been attached to home—no matter where home is. Sophie has her own attachments. The rule at the park is: All dogs must be leashed. I got in trouble once when meeting a neighbor with his two dogs. In order to keep from tangling leashes while the three sniffed and swapped ends, I releasedContinue reading “Attachments”

Facing Fears

I was thinking about Fear this morning. Partly because the heroine (in my current revision work) has to face her fear as she moves into the story’s climax. Partly because I’m discovering that ignoring my own fears stifles creativity. Too much of this year I spent in the doldrums, unable to move. I overate andContinue reading “Facing Fears”