Archive for previous entries this month
May 1, 2007
The car
The van has been having problems for quite a while, but over the last few weeks it went from bad to dangerous. Russ started looking around for a car... something cheap because we couldn't do payments, having no steady work. He happened on this one and bought it today. It runs very well, and though it has a little rust trouble here and there, it is in really good shape. This is a huge relief. Russ has to go to Omaha on Friday to teach a class and had no way to get there.
So we're happy. We took a ride in it tonight, and except that it idles rough, it was very nice. We haven't had a car in a long time (had vans for several years) and it takes getting used to being so much lower, and closer together and all. But I think we'll get used to it.
That was the big news of the day.
I don't have Vision quite done yet. I'm waiting on one more piece that I hope will show up real soon now. Then off it goes and I'm done for a couple months. FM is updated. I have some work to do for the county, but I can get that right after I finish this entry.
I've started my first short story for the month. I hope to finish it tonight, though I might not. I'm tired.
May 2, 2007
Bacon Creek Park
It took a bit, but I finished my first story of the month today. 4832 words. I need to write shorter if I want to do this!
But I'm happy enough with it, even if it did take forever, and the ending line is very weak. I'll fix that later. Just glad to get it done!
I also finished a nice little picture tonight. That's something I've been working on for a week, so it was good to get it finally to a stage where I liked it!
I've also been working a bit out in the yard. That's a first! But I've been cleaning up the area around my bird feeders and putting down some stones and stuff. I really like it!
And that's it for tonight! I need to go to bed!
May 3, 2007
Sunset
I am writing drabbles tonight -- stories that are exactly 100 words long. It's an odd little bit of work, and not really worth anything except as an exercise. I'm enjoying it, though. It's fun to work and rework material to cut something from 161 words to 100 and still retain the spirit of what you wrote. Great practice for learning to write concisely, in fact.
Something it really doesn't hurt me to work at.
It's rained all day today, so I couldn't go out and work with the little area around my bird feeders. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, too, and maybe all weekend. Ah well. I'll get back to it.
I'm tired tonight, though. I've been fighting a cold all day. And it's bee cold here, too. I had to turn the heat back on in the house yet again! 90f one day, and so cold you have to wrap up in blankets the next.
Weather is odd, that's all.
May 4, 2007
Lovely Colors
I think this is just a wonderful picture. It's from a little garden stand. If I had the money, I'd buy all the flowers and put them out in my yard. I love the colors!
It's been raining for two days, so I haven't had a chance to go back out and work on my rock stuff again. It's supposed to rain all weekend, which is all right, really. I have a cold. I feel awful and messing around in the yard probably wouldn't be that much fun.
I need to get my brain back around the idea of working. It's been turned off for most of the evening. I'm not sure I can get it to kick in again. That's all right. I think I want to kind of relax this weekend anyway. Now might be a good time to start!
May 5, 2007
Female Cardinal
Long day with very little done. I scanned pictures for a few hours. I have not made even a dent in what I need to get done. These aren't even MY pictures, but rather family stuff.
I've started another short story -- Rina is Running -- which shouldn't go too long. I hope to have it done and posted yet tonight. That's if I can make myself focus on it for awhile. If not... well, there's always tomorrow.
I don't know if I'm going to get much else done this weekend. I'm in a 'rest' mode. I don't think that's such a bad idea.
May 6, 2007
Odd fish
That was from one of my earlier zoo visits. I didn't go to the zoo in April, which was my first miss in over a year. I hope to get back to it sometime this month, but there are no guarantees.
I'm working on short stories still, and doing odd work with other things. The weather here isn't as bad as it is elsewhere in the midwest, but the rain is keeping me out of my little rock garden -- though it is cleaning the rocks up rather nicely. And the birdbath has water in it, though I had rather used it for bird seed -- easier to get pictures if they're on something open like that.
I've finished my third short story for the month. I hope I can write a few more -- one every other day would be nice, but I just don't see that happening!
And I have other things I need to get back to. Really.
May 7, 2007
Lilacs
I had beautiful lilacs this year... had being the term to use. The storm winds pretty much destroyed all the flowers. It's a shame -- I love the lilacs and I barely got a chance to see them before they were gone.
I am working on my forth story. I wish I could just fly with it, but I keep getting distracted. It isn't even stuff that should distract me sometimes, but it does. I need to get my attention focused back on writing and just settle down and do the work that needs to be done, which is far more than just the short stories.
I go through these phases. You can tell them here in the journal because my entries get short. Like this one. (grin)
May 8, 2007
Yes?
You know, it's great to do these entries, but it also helps to upload them. I don't know where my head has been over the weekend, but it obviously wasn't in taking logical steps like nothing that if you write something, it does not automatically show up on your website without that little FTP stuff.
Duh.
Anyway, it's not like you missed anything. It's been a dull few days. I'm working on my forth short story for the month and hope to have it done tonight. That would be nice! But I'm getting antsy about finishing some other work now, too, so I suspect the short story writing will be put aside again. We'll see. Maybe I can get my act together and manage both.
I think a raccoon just fell onto my roof. Whatever it was, it was large and thumped and startled a number of cats and the dog across the alley. Just the kind of thing I need to worry about -- raccoons falling through my roof.
Ah, and here it is an hour later and I haven't uploaded this yet. I begin to see how I keep forgetting.... time to go do it right now!
May 9, 2007
Flowers
Russ is very ill, poor guy. And he has to teach one more class tomorrow, but at least it's only half day.
I spent all day working on anything but writing. I'm barely getting my 1000 done for the day, and I'm still not done with the short story. It's taking me longer now because I got pulled out of it and I've lost some of the 'feel' and I'm not entirely sure if I can get it to go where I wanted. I think I'm going to have to just end it and then fix anything I can later.
I ache tonight, which makes me think I'm coming down with what Russ has. Ack.
Right now I'm just going to finish up my writing and get to bed, I think. Maybe tomorrow will look better. I hope Russ feels better by then!
May 10, 2007
Painted Lilacs
Not a particularly great day, though it could have been worse. I spent most of it in bed too dizzy and ill to get up. I eventually felt better, but not great. And I ache from my head through my shoulders and back.
Not a pleasant way to spend the day.
I still haven't finished the story. I haven't done much of anything, in fact.
Oh, and tomorrow is Russ's half day of work (Friday). I don't know why I thought it was already Thursday when I wrote the last post. Of course, I'm lucky if I can keep track of anything right now.
I hope we both feel better tomorrow.
And I hope I can finish this story.
May 11, 2007
Pretty
I just got the 2YN stuff posted, so I'm caught up there. I barely remembered to do the Friday Snippets thing, but I got it posted as well.
Russ is not feeling well tonight, poor guy. I hope he's better soon. But for now, I'm going to go spend some time with him and see if I can help.
May 12, 2007
Night Street
Russ is much better today. He spent most of the day with a friend who came up from Omaha. I spent most of the day sorting through things at FM and making some decisions on moving boards. We'll see how it works. I'm probably going to do a big part of it tonight or tomorrow.
Had a pretty boring day, really. Finally finished the short story, though, so that's something. I don't know if I'm going to bother to try and do another one. I've had far too many interruptions and it's annoyed me -- makes it hard to work on the short stuff. I should probably work on outlines and some of the things I already have going.
And that's it. Nothing going on.
May 13, 2007
Happy Little Bird
Over twelve hours of work, but I got a good amount of FM restructured. It's now 8:30am, though, and I'm just now finally breaking from it to go to bed. So yeah, this is late.
I can't say that the work I did was very exciting, but it's good to have it done. I have a couple more things to finish on it later, but right now... happy to have it out of the way. This has been in the planning for a year or more. I just had to have a night where I could sit and do nothing but move and rebuild boards.
There's another major FM project to do. I can get it now that the site is put into the proper order. I might even go ahead and do the majority of it this week.
Writing? Yeah, actually, I got some good nonfiction done earlier. I even worked on a Daz picture between things.
But now I need to work on crawling into bed and sleeping... or else just stay up all day. Ah, to be young again when that kind of thing didn't bother me for a day or two. I'll just go crawl off to bed instead.
May 14, 2007
Dandelion seeds
Still working on the site and trying to get it straightened around. I'm surprised at how well it's gone, to be honest. I've never trusted myself with the site structure, but after three and a half years, I guess it's time to get things sorted out.
I'm a bit worn out tonight. Napped for a while this evening, and then Russ came over early and went to bed as well. He's not feeling well, poor guy, and has to head to Omaha every day to work.
Good news there is that they're giving him another two weeks.
I'm not getting much done for work at all, though. Ah well, it'll come back to me.
May 15, 2007
Mine, all mine!
Last night I stumbled upon a short story idea, so I'm back into the challenge at FM. I hope I can keep going on it. It's been fun so far, and I really like the two main characters. I'm going to go do some notes on it in a few minutes and see if I can work out the rest of the story so I can write straight through.
That's my big news of the day. Russ had to get some medication today to get rid of the nasty could/bug he picked up. He figures I'll have it soon, which is not a fun thought at all.
Oh, and I forgot to upload the stuff from yesterday again. I don't know what that's all about this year. Very odd.
There are two nice reviews for the Double Dog book with Farstep Station over at Amazon.com. That was really nice to find out about!
Other than that... not really anything to say. I want to go work on this story.
May 16, 2007
Edmond Sleeping
I got work done today. I'm even happy with a good amount of it, though I didn't do nearly enough. I still have things on my list that I really, really need to get done. Maybe tomorrow.
I am happy with my new short story. I'm enjoying the story so much that I might find other uses for the two. They're quite fun.
Ah. Late. I got sidetracked by very many things and now here I am back with really nothing more to say.
I think it's time to upload this and go to bed!
May 17, 2007
Mourning Dove painting
I'm not sure, but I think I'm coming down with Russ's cold from hell. Or it might just be that I'm tired. I really had bouts of 'let's sleep now' today. The cats appreciated it. Two or three would curl up in bed with me and nap. Cute little guys.
So, you can tell I don't really have anything else to write about. I'm getting a little bit done tonight, but not much. Mostly, I just want to go crawl back into bed. Not a good sign.
I am, however, going to get this up before midnight for a change. That's something at least!
May 18, 2007
Time to Rise
I only got about 3 hours sleep last night and it is just now catching up to me big time. I was about to go crawl off to bed, but I remembered this barely in time.
Things are fine. I actually stayed up doing odd, fun stuff last night -- rearranging some computer file stuff and reading. But now my eyes are going closed, and I feel like I could fall over asleep right here. I'm heading for bed, at least for a few hours.
Thunk.
May 19, 2007
Pretty
A friend, whose car was hit, has our car for a day or two, and we're back to the van. It was odd running to the store. I had trouble climbing up into the car -- I've gotten so used to the other one already!
I am, in general, just worn out the last few days. I can't concentrate very well, so I'm doing mindless stuff life sorting files. It's helping.
And that's all the news, really. Things are quiet here. There isn't anything exciting going on.
May 20, 2007
Pretty piece of rock
I'm found of pretty rocks. I have a little box with many of them in it, and they're lovely to look at. Nice shiny rocks, and some bits of crystal. I used to buy a pretty piece or two at tourist spots. I suspect I will again, when we get a chance to go somewhere.
That doesn't look likely to happen soon, though.
I am tired tonight. This time there is an excuse in the form of allergy meds. I was out working on my little rock garden by the bird feeders and obviously inhaled some sunflower seed dust. Ack. I took the pills about two hours ago, and I've been in bed most of the time since. I want to wake up!
Or maybe now. It's late. I could go to bed and just sleep instead.
Contrary person that I am, I now feel more awake.
May 21, 2007
House Finch
I almost feel as though I'm on top of things today. I don't know why I feel this way. It's not really true. But nevertheless, it has put me in a much better mood for the night.
I did get quite a bit written on the new short story today and set up for a nice little bit of conflict tomorrow. Or later tonight if I go back to it. We'll see.
The little birds have been great at the feeders this year. Russ has been wonderful keeping them filled for me. I'm horribly allergic to sunflower seeds -- the kind of swell up and can't breathe allergic, including hives the last time I accidentally ate any -- and I can't put the birdseed out. We might have to start buying the kind that doesn't have sunflower seeds in them, though I do like the draw the bigger birds.
We have crazed squirrels, too, of course. I'm amused some days to see the way they can hang upside down and sideways if it means a few more sunflower seeds.
I would like to get out a little more, though. I should go walking before the weather gets worse. It was nice today, but I stayed in my little room, working on the computer.
Bad zette. Must get out more.
But not tonight.
May 22, 2007
Peony Painting
I took a break from other things and did a little digital painting tonight. I like it.
And that's about the best I can say for today. It wasn't a horrible day, for the most part, but the computer unexpectedly shut down and took some of my work with it, and I'm just tired enough that it really annoyed me. It wasn't even that much writing!
Th Daz stuff is going well.
And that's it. Really.
May 23, 2007
Willow in the sunlight
Willow is our problem child. Even three years after coming into the house, she freaks if we reach for her. She has allowed us to pet her recently, so I guess there's hope... but it could drive you crazy after awhile.
She's a very small cat, too. And that means she can get into places we can't find her.
She is rather found of food, though. (grin)
Russ and I had a late dinner tonight, and it's thrown me completely off. I keep thinking it ought to be about seven instead of nearly midnight. At least I've gotten quite a bit done earlier, so I'm feeling pretty good about that, at least. I think I can almost see the end of the short story coming. Thought I don't know if I can call something that is already over 11,000 words 'short.'
We are not going to ConQuest this next weekend. That's two years in a row we've had to miss it because of finances. Ah well, maybe next year things will look better. I'm just going to stay at home, play with Daz stuff, and not worry about it.
I do regret that this is the second month I've missed going to the zoo, though. The weather is going to start turning too hot soon, too. I much prefer going in the spring, though I like to go in general at any time of the year. The good thing, though, is that it'll be past all the school trips soon, so there won't be much in rude children when I get a chance to go again.
Well, time to get back to work on writing. I have a lot to get done still!
May 24, 2007
Me grade 3 (Eight years old)
I rarely had my hair that long when I was young. My mother hated working with it, so it was most often cut very short. But it grew fast, and I guess this was one of those years where it just didn't get cut off. I was shocked to see it.
I was not shocked to see the damned plaid dress. My mother loved plaids. I don't know why, because she hated them when she went to school at a Catholic school where she had to wear them. I think it was her way of doing at "I had to suffer and now you will" sort of thing. I dislike most green and red plaids to this day. I like the ones with a lot of blue and yellow in them, though.
Anyway, here it is, actually Friday morning. I'm trying not to be depressed about not going to ConQuest again this year. I need just to get out for a while. ConQuest was my best chance. Oh, and I was so looking forward to seeing Squaw Creek again.
Maybe next year. Or not. I thought things would be much better by now, and they're not, so I can't really have that optimistic feeling toward 2008 this time.
I did get quite a bit written on my story today. It's actually closing in on the end. Good thing since it's over 14,000 words now. Short story? What short story?
But it's been fun to write!
And I'm going back to work on it and the Daz stuff. I'll get both done eventually!
May 25, 2007
Rain water
(Forgot to upload this last night before I went to bed!)
I took that picture a while back and messed with it in Paint Shop Pro. I really like the look of it, and would love to do something like that with a pond picture or something.
I'm still working on the not-so-short story, but it's coming toward an ending. I know what the last line will be, at least. Not entirely sure how I'm going to get there.
Working on Daz stuff, still getting it sorted out and realizing I have far too much left to do. How many things do I really have? This is getting strange!
I wish we were in KC at ConQuest, but since we can't be, I'll have to make the most of it. I've felt lousy, so I'm probably coming down with Russ's stuff. Great. But another good reason not to have gone.
May 26, 2007
Magic Woods
Russ took me to DeSoto today! That was really great, even though we didn't see much in animals and a good part of the refuge is closed down while they work on the road. But I got out at one spot and took the mile long hike. Too many mosquitoes, which I am still paying for -- and my shoes are not the ones I should have been hiking in. I have blisters on top of my toes. But...
I got some great pictures, like the one above. That's remade with Paint Shop Pro, of course, but it turned out so nice!
I still have writing to do tonight, and other things... but I feel so much better than I have in a few days. Getting out really helped, and though I would loved to have gone to KC... ah well. I love going to the wildlife refuge, and it's certainly cheaper.
I got home to find my little check from the county was in. (Yay!) and I had a letter from my favorite zoo trying to get me to re-up my membership, which we had to let lapse back in March -- one of the reasons I haven't been there since. They have a nice discount as long as I do it before May 31st. I made out the check and I'm sending it in. I plan to go back as soon as I can! Yay!
And that's it. Good day all the way around.
May 27, 2007
More experiments in pictures
It's interesting what you can do, messing around with stuff on a computer. This one is kind of interesting, though I think I would soften some of it up more now that I look at it.
I am still working on the short story. I'm still working on the Daz stuff, though I got the majority of it done tonight. It will still take me a few days to get the rest of it. It's 3 am and I have been working on this stuff for hours. I really thought I was making progress until I saw how much is still left to do.
I'll get there. And it will be better for it. Really.
I think it's time to go to bed!
May 28, 2007
Iris Painting
If all goes well, I think I'll be heading to the zoo tomorrow.
Yay!
I'm busy charging up batteries at the moment. I've kind'a let them go lately. Now I'm busily getting everything all gathered together and ready to go in the morning. It's not going to be a long day, which is fine by me.
The story is going fine. Still not done. About 18k long. But fine.
I'm not done with the Daz stuff, though I can, finally see the end. It's a few more days away, though... especially if I take tomorrow off.
It'll be good to get out of the house again!
May 29, 2007
Rain
I didn't get to the zoo after all. But we had a storm today! Since I love storms, it wasn't so bad to stay home. And I got lucky, because Russ and I had to go out right after it had passed... which meant a lot of neat pictures.
I might get to the zoo tomorrow or the next day. We'll see. There are some things going on that Russ has to stick around town for, so we may not get a chance to go. I'll get there eventually!
Writing is still going. I'm drawing near the end of the story, finally. It's coming up on 20k.
Here are some pictures from today's rain. It was quite lovely!
May 30, 2007
River Painting
Zoo tomorrow for sure. I think. Russ has to go to Omaha anyway, so I'll go along, spend a few hours at one of my favorite places, and we'll head back home. I am so looking forward to it! I haven't been there in two months!
Working away on things, but not getting much done. Down to the last few bits on the story, but I can't quite get the feel. I'm going to have to just write what I think should happen, and then go back and edit it later.
Still like the story and the characters, though.
And that's it. Time to head for bed so that I can get a couple hours of sleep in!
Zoo! Yay!
May 31, 2007
Hard day at the zoo
I am sooooo tired. Would have helped if I had slept more than an hour or two last night. I'm about to go make up for that by crawling into bed at 10 pm. I might be back up later, but right now I just want to stretch out.
Good day. Fun time. Obviously out of practice with some types of shots because many of them didn't turn out. Need to go back soon.
Need to go sleep now.