Coming Home to Myself

Remnants of a Cruise—Books

I like meditative walks, walks that allow thoughts to surface. Walking with Sophie—when she plods slowly along without too many stops—can be very satisfying. Now that we’ve entered the cooling season, she’s more willing to take an evening walk around the block, and thoughts of my blog crept in. The hodge-podge of ideas left meContinue reading “Remnants of a Cruise—Books”

Notes from a harried writer

Ah, the hats we wear! I came back from our trip all fired up to begin the final revisions before a (as yet undetermined but imminent) deadline with a copyeditor. Before leaving home, I had sent out the remaining 80 pages (minus the epilogue) to my critique group. On my return, the first person toContinue reading “Notes from a harried writer”

Vacation Snippets

In Amsterdam, we took a canal tour. It was fun, scenic* and informational. We learned that the number of bikes in the city exceeds that of its population—single speed bikes that whiz along the flat land. We saw far more parked bikes than cars. In the U.S. we have more guns than people. Which doContinue reading “Vacation Snippets”

Deadlines and Emotional Support

One of the hardest things about taking a trip is leaving Sophie behind. I think of her as my Security Animal, but what does that mean? It’s not that she makes me feel secure—in the danger sense. She’s deaf to all but the loudest noises (so thunder is no problem any more). She doesn’t seeContinue reading “Deadlines and Emotional Support”

Shaking Loose—

Last night I noted in my journal that I was going to miss another blog deadline. I had been doing so well at making weekly entries and then . . . And then—besides paying a visit to my daughter—my head got tied up with the current opus revisions. Any spare blog thoughts kept flying awayContinue reading “Shaking Loose—”

Reaping the Whirlwind

Well, maybe I don’t wish for any whirlwinds, but I have been harvesting, some even edible. Potatoes: That rotten potato I planted in the spring—in four pieces; each plant produced one potato before fading away. The longest surviving one produced a potato with two little ones attached. Knowing nothing about potato growing (yes, I shouldContinue reading “Reaping the Whirlwind”

Going for Change

My life has felt stuck for many months. This second year of loss has been, in ways, more challenging than the first. You can excuse a lot about what you’re doing, or not doing, that first year. But right now I’m tired of being in limbo, yet finding it really hard to break out. OneContinue reading “Going for Change”

Wrestling with the Sun

I did enjoy those few days after my initial Covid miseries, having cancelled appointments and commitments. I felt like my time was my own to be lazy in. Consequently, I dug deeply into my revision work , and also began a new project. When I mow the lawn, a different kind of grass appears hereContinue reading “Wrestling with the Sun”

Give me a break!

Here I am, back to my blog—a week later than planned. It was hard to dig myself out of the house, but I also welcomed the chance to get away. A writer can only do so much before needing to refresh one’s creative spark. Flying out on the first leg of my journey to visit myContinue reading “Give me a break!”

Timing is Everything

Hooray for Deadlines Anticipating change is hard work. These last weeks I’ve spent more time throwing stones at what needed to be done than actually attacking the jobs. And after that “struggle”, I would settle down with something escapist so as not to think about the work. Or else, I did something entirely different, likeContinue reading “Timing is Everything”