Song of the day: “Crazy” by Patsy Cline. I like it, every now and then the good ol’ classics come by again, offering sweet relief to the pounding modern music, such as “I like it” by Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull, which was in my head yesterday. Hah.
The edit is finished. Yes, yes, YESSSS! Finally! Yesterday afternoon we got third one over and done with, and now it is time to start on the query letter and synopsis. I anticipate that to take another week or two, but then, finally then, we’ll be able to start on the new project. Thriller genre, remember? It will be interesting to know whether I’ll be able to do it without leaning back toward the romance genre, eh? It’ll also be a learning experience, seeing as I’m going to try to go for plot-based, this time, rather than just seeing where the characters will take me.
Yep, I’m seeing lotsa frustration, reading up on subjects I’ve never heard about, trying to figure out how to fill a pesky plot hole (I’m going for complicated with this baby) and basically learning how to describe characters without getting too flowery. I mean, how do you get a reader to fall in love with a character without letting them fall in “love” with them. That will be something I’ll have to learn.
Sure, the W.I. Investigations were not all that romantic either, but they were short stories, for crying out loud; this will be a full length novel that’ll have to be filled with information that needs to fascinate merely because the plot and characters are fascinating. *sigh*
So yeah, going for serious, intense, amusing, and complex…it’ll be an experience, I’m sure.
So yesterday…besides the finished edit, was mostly about taking out the tarp partition in the carport and putting a picket fence in, instead. There was wood to gather and saw, and then the tarp to remove, only to put in the slats until the dogs could once again be contained away from grandpa’s and tenant’s dogs. Only took a couple of hours, but since there was dog feeding before that, and the laundry before that, our time for projects was over and we headed down to the basin terrace to finish that edit.
Went rather well, if I do say so myself. We’re definitely getting better at the whole process. I mean, really, if you remember how often we had to edit “Saving Nina “ to get it to this level. Gawd, I think we edited that one at least eleven times. Aaaargh.
But anyway, after the edit, it was down into the yard to start watering, while big brother and Cousin Ed planted melons in the yard. I did about half when it was time for me to go on up to the field kitchen to start on supper. Made chickpea/red/white bean/cornflower patties for Sally. She’s still on that gluten free diet, and is just barely managing to get her daily dose of food in because she isn’t at all good at experimenting. Since making something like that takes me about fifteen minutes, and she really likes it, I don’t mind making them.
Since I was busy anyway, I also made pattie dough for us, with a nice veggie mix on the side. All fresh, of course, with zucchini, broccoli, white cabbage and sugar peas. Prepared in a tomato sauce it went down well.
Close to twilight there were dog veggies to cut. Luckily I’m starting to get marginally good at the whole chopping thing, so it only took me about thirty minutes to cut the whole lot. They got a nice diverse mix of veggies that was cut during the course of the evening on the wood stove. So far that’s working pretty well, I admit. The dogs love the bread, veggie, kibble mix, and their health is improving vastly.
There was another trip for bricks sometime yesterday, and the end of the evening was spent online, catching up on messages, making some tentative tries at the query letter, chatting, and of course working on that interview I agreed to do. There were some nice questions, and I think I’ve got enough of them answered to work with. Now there’s the excerpt I need to find from the W.I.s, a picture, maybe a banner. *sigh* Now I need to find where I put all that.
So let’s get to today. This morning I managed to sleep through 15 minutes of the alarms screaming. Don’t ask me why, it just didn’t make its usual startling impression. Hah. The dogs didn’t agree with it either, in fact, Dax, at some point woke me up (instead of the alarm) by jumping on the bed and settling on my legs. *sigh* The others, well, the moment I stirred they got up, of course, and started their usual racket. I gotta admit that I’m not at my most alert early in the morning, meaning that I have to work on Knight II some in the future. He starts bouncing, tries to rush out of the cabin, so at the moment I’m keeping the door closed and stand in his way until he quiets down. There are some mornings when I forget, however, meaning I’ll struggle with the door, trying to keep my toes tucked under my feet (restless paws tend to be painful, you know) while I let the pack out. We’ll get to some sort of agreement yet. Age is already mellowing the lot, but training is still necessary, I fear.
This morning after dog feeding and chores, big brother and I got to work on the small trailer. For a few hours we made new fenders (the darn thing was damaged really bad by the previous owner, luckily we got it cheap) which we should be able to attach tonight, or tomorrow. Probably tomorrow, seeing as we have to go out later today to pick some stuff up.
Since I had to write this blog, I lost an hour or two, which I really should have been using for the query letter, so I’m going to leave it at this, and get back to the boring stuff next time ‘round. Hah.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Throw me the ball
Song of the day: “Only the horses” by the Scissor sisters. I know. Don’t ask me why. I can find thought nor rhyme behind these ear worms that bother me every single day. *sigh*
Except for this morning the last couple of days were wonderfully relaxed. Garden stuff ruled, of course, which is only natural, considering it is that time of the year, but okay, let’s see if I can find some order in this gray mass I call my brain. Hah.
Yesterday…well, there was no workout. There simply wasn’t time for it, because I had grand plans for the day. I woke at the normal time, and immediately headed down to the main house to start on the days chores and laundry. As usual big brother reads up on the news, sharing the outrageous bits and pieces about world politics, which causes fierce discussions without fail. What can I say, politics get us riled big time, and at some time we had to tone it down, lest we wake the sibs. Hah.
Once we fed the dogs and went to get our own breakfast. Chatted with tenant, who slept good for a chance, now that we put a fan in her room to keep the mosquitoes at bay. She looked much better, with that good night after two bad ones. During breakfast I gathered stuff for the field kitchen, which I fully intended to set up during the course of the day. Food, utensils and pans and such. All got stacked in creates and bags, and soon we were on our way down.
First thing I did, while big brother started in the yard, was attach last year’s counters to their tables. Then the cleaning started. Both cousin Ed and I worked on that, while tenant spent the majority of the morning with mom, who’s trying to teach her some about the internet. She’s doing some reading of newspapers and such, but I sometimes doubt that she really enjoys it. I think that she rather read her Konsalik novels.
Built a couple of constructions of reed. One for our cucumber plants (plucked out first cucumber yesterday afternoon. Big brother basically swallowed it whole) and the other for the melons in the lower field. Both are different from usual, so we’re going to have to see how they work out.
What with summer so close now, big brother and I decided to change our routine again, and take our three to four hours of editing in the afternoon again. It will take some getting used to , of course, but since the edit is almost over and done with, it’s not bad to do it now. Soon, after putting a synopsis together, and a query letter, I’m going to start with the new book anyway. Let the writing commence. Hah. I am getting to be so very impatient, darn it.
As to the dogs. Fortuyn is getting crazier every day. Remember that terrier (mutt?) in Dr. Doolittle? The one that wants to learn not to go after the ball.
Mutt: “Throw me the ball.”
Dr.: “Think of something else.
Mutt: Throw me the ball, throw the ball.”
Dr.: “Think of something equally nice.”
Mutt: “Throw me the ball, throw me the ball, throw the ball.”
Dr. throws the ball in exasperation, mutt goes in pursuit.
Mutt: “He threw me the ball. He threw the ball!!!”
Remember that part? Well, there you’ve got Fortuyn. Only instead of a ball, he wants rocks, and once he gets the idea in his head, he will keep waiting for it, dancing for it, jumping for it (tail going a mile a minute) and basically making himself a nuisance for it. Sometimes I wonder how long he would keep it up. Hah.
I don’t remember the time, but there was a short trip to the construction company to get some building bricks, which meant hauling around loads of bricks from the car, of course. Which made for a nice workout, in particular since we had to go uphill, most of the time. Hah.
But anyway, the end of the day was spent doing some messages online, and chatting on the fora. Then blissful bedtime had arrived and I was happy for it…but then, I always am happy about that. Slept well, and got up in time to (not early enough for a workout, but what the heck, did carry the bricks yesterday)
Did a nice experiment cooking yesterday. Made onion cheese patties, and boy did they go well with the veggie mix I made for dinner in the afternoon. Had in fact a couple left today, so we had them as a snack during today’s edit. (Only 14 pages to go, yay!)
There were of course two harvests, with today red beets, which made an awesome supper. They were huge, I tell ya. The size of a small pumpkin, or a good sized honey melon. *sigh* Had to eat them immediately, and yes, with boiled potatoes, onions, fresh herbs and some cheese and pannier it was absolutely divine. Wish I’d made enough for tomorrow, but it’ll be a snack at most. But anyway. Got a big load of beets out, along with broccoli and zucchinis. Boy are we getting a lot of the latter. Harvested five today. Yay.
Watered plants, but frugally. Considering today was a cloudy one, big brother decided that it would be smart to save on water, rather than hose everything down. It was rather wonderful time of the day, since the sun shone some at the very least, and cast everything in a rather magical gold. Seriously, nothing beats working in the yard at the end of the day. The light is beautiful.
But anyway, we didn’t get to that edit down by the basin terrace until late today. Had to leave early to go to the bank to get my tax papers. To my regret the director was at the verge of leaving, so I was left to the mercy of the other staff, who don’t speak a word of English. There was some confusion, but luckily there was a lady there who was kind enough to translate for me. Everything had bee arranged so I thanked the nice lady, and returned to the car. Continued on to town to go past the insurance company. The renewal for the Land Rover had arrived and we had to fork that over…just as at the end of the month the Opel needs the same. Gawd, that makes me wanna sigh again.
Had to do some groceries, get glass, and dropped Cousin Ed off (she came along) before heading back home.
The day ended unloading the car, preparing tomorrow’s dog food, and then settling down with the computer and writing today’s blog, of course. Well, it’s past midnight now, so I’m heading out.
Except for this morning the last couple of days were wonderfully relaxed. Garden stuff ruled, of course, which is only natural, considering it is that time of the year, but okay, let’s see if I can find some order in this gray mass I call my brain. Hah.
Yesterday…well, there was no workout. There simply wasn’t time for it, because I had grand plans for the day. I woke at the normal time, and immediately headed down to the main house to start on the days chores and laundry. As usual big brother reads up on the news, sharing the outrageous bits and pieces about world politics, which causes fierce discussions without fail. What can I say, politics get us riled big time, and at some time we had to tone it down, lest we wake the sibs. Hah.
Once we fed the dogs and went to get our own breakfast. Chatted with tenant, who slept good for a chance, now that we put a fan in her room to keep the mosquitoes at bay. She looked much better, with that good night after two bad ones. During breakfast I gathered stuff for the field kitchen, which I fully intended to set up during the course of the day. Food, utensils and pans and such. All got stacked in creates and bags, and soon we were on our way down.
First thing I did, while big brother started in the yard, was attach last year’s counters to their tables. Then the cleaning started. Both cousin Ed and I worked on that, while tenant spent the majority of the morning with mom, who’s trying to teach her some about the internet. She’s doing some reading of newspapers and such, but I sometimes doubt that she really enjoys it. I think that she rather read her Konsalik novels.
Built a couple of constructions of reed. One for our cucumber plants (plucked out first cucumber yesterday afternoon. Big brother basically swallowed it whole) and the other for the melons in the lower field. Both are different from usual, so we’re going to have to see how they work out.
What with summer so close now, big brother and I decided to change our routine again, and take our three to four hours of editing in the afternoon again. It will take some getting used to , of course, but since the edit is almost over and done with, it’s not bad to do it now. Soon, after putting a synopsis together, and a query letter, I’m going to start with the new book anyway. Let the writing commence. Hah. I am getting to be so very impatient, darn it.
As to the dogs. Fortuyn is getting crazier every day. Remember that terrier (mutt?) in Dr. Doolittle? The one that wants to learn not to go after the ball.
Mutt: “Throw me the ball.”
Dr.: “Think of something else.
Mutt: Throw me the ball, throw the ball.”
Dr.: “Think of something equally nice.”
Mutt: “Throw me the ball, throw me the ball, throw the ball.”
Dr. throws the ball in exasperation, mutt goes in pursuit.
Mutt: “He threw me the ball. He threw the ball!!!”
Remember that part? Well, there you’ve got Fortuyn. Only instead of a ball, he wants rocks, and once he gets the idea in his head, he will keep waiting for it, dancing for it, jumping for it (tail going a mile a minute) and basically making himself a nuisance for it. Sometimes I wonder how long he would keep it up. Hah.
I don’t remember the time, but there was a short trip to the construction company to get some building bricks, which meant hauling around loads of bricks from the car, of course. Which made for a nice workout, in particular since we had to go uphill, most of the time. Hah.
But anyway, the end of the day was spent doing some messages online, and chatting on the fora. Then blissful bedtime had arrived and I was happy for it…but then, I always am happy about that. Slept well, and got up in time to (not early enough for a workout, but what the heck, did carry the bricks yesterday)
Did a nice experiment cooking yesterday. Made onion cheese patties, and boy did they go well with the veggie mix I made for dinner in the afternoon. Had in fact a couple left today, so we had them as a snack during today’s edit. (Only 14 pages to go, yay!)
There were of course two harvests, with today red beets, which made an awesome supper. They were huge, I tell ya. The size of a small pumpkin, or a good sized honey melon. *sigh* Had to eat them immediately, and yes, with boiled potatoes, onions, fresh herbs and some cheese and pannier it was absolutely divine. Wish I’d made enough for tomorrow, but it’ll be a snack at most. But anyway. Got a big load of beets out, along with broccoli and zucchinis. Boy are we getting a lot of the latter. Harvested five today. Yay.
Watered plants, but frugally. Considering today was a cloudy one, big brother decided that it would be smart to save on water, rather than hose everything down. It was rather wonderful time of the day, since the sun shone some at the very least, and cast everything in a rather magical gold. Seriously, nothing beats working in the yard at the end of the day. The light is beautiful.
But anyway, we didn’t get to that edit down by the basin terrace until late today. Had to leave early to go to the bank to get my tax papers. To my regret the director was at the verge of leaving, so I was left to the mercy of the other staff, who don’t speak a word of English. There was some confusion, but luckily there was a lady there who was kind enough to translate for me. Everything had bee arranged so I thanked the nice lady, and returned to the car. Continued on to town to go past the insurance company. The renewal for the Land Rover had arrived and we had to fork that over…just as at the end of the month the Opel needs the same. Gawd, that makes me wanna sigh again.
Had to do some groceries, get glass, and dropped Cousin Ed off (she came along) before heading back home.
The day ended unloading the car, preparing tomorrow’s dog food, and then settling down with the computer and writing today’s blog, of course. Well, it’s past midnight now, so I’m heading out.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Asked?
Song of the day: “I can feel your heartbeat” by Enrique Iglesias and Nichole Sherzinger (sp?). I only recently heard it for the first time, so I only have the chorus going through my head, which is a bit annoying, of course. Hah. Still, a nice song.
Well, lots going on again, nothing massively interesting, mind you, but still, life’s busy, as it should be. First off, I had tried to do a workout yesterday, but I overslept so that didn’t come to happen (did it today instead, yay!) before I went down to the house and started on laundry over coffee, naturally. Hah.
Started filling the pool, thank you very much. I’ll be hopping in soon for sure.
There were dogs to feed (twice, naturally) and tenant to help since caregiver was at her other job once more. Went well enough, took only an hour or two to get her ready and down to my terrace where she settled in for the day. Knight II is giving trouble during feeding time again. Seriously, I have never met a dog who’s as picky in eating as him. *sigh*
There was two day’s worth of yard work of course. A good watering yesterday, and then the youngsters again today. Put in a full field of peppers on the lower terrace. Along with a small field of melons that soon will need a construction of sorts that keeps them off the ground. Had planned to do that today, but since big brother has pulled his leg this morning, we decided to postpone ‘till tomorrow. It’ll be sure to take some time, since these are going to have to be pretty sturdy. Those melon vines are strong and heavy, once they start growing.
Since that is of course inevitable, I also harvested. Got our first zucchinis, yay, and tomatoes, as usual, along with broccoli, sugar peas (the last batch, I fear) along with fresh herbs, naturally.
Once everything that HAD to be done in the yard, was done, it was back up to the carport to work on the box we’ve been putting together to transport the decorative classic car. Got it all done, despite the fact that for some reason the box ended up a bit twisted (old wood will that do to ya) so I had to chisel some edged out of the lid, but other than that it worked out splendidly. Put some papers in there to keep the thing in place, and then put it in the storage. If disaster doesn’t strike, mom and the sibs should be able to take it to the market next Sunday.
Big brother did the dog veggies, and since caregiver returned late from her job, I brought tenant back to her bungalow. She helped me make supper. Prepared chili sin carne with large pancakes on the side. It went down well to boot, so it was definitely a successful endeavor.
What followed was the usual editing session of about eight pages. And then started on writing down answers for an interview I’ve been asked to do. Oh, I hadn’t said that yet, had I? Well, Laurie (a blogger/reviewer/interviewer) asked if I would like to do an interview/feature of my W.I. Investigations, so of course I said yes, and am now TRYING to fit in answering the questions she sent to me. I’m supposed to do about six or eight, but I gotta admit that there are some really nice ones in there, so it is hard to chose. Hah.
Was late getting to bed last night, but did manage to get up in time for a workout this morning. Yay. Pounded and kicked the bag, did laundry, fed the dogs, and then had my own breakfast. Like said before I spent the majority of the afternoon in the yard. And checking storage for rats and mice. Only one mouse so, nothing disastrous. Reorganized containers, pallets and whatnot, creating space and a semblance of order down there, before it was time to head back up.
Since big brother did the cooking, I am now doing my blog in the afternoon, leaving tonight for edits…which is good, since we’re only thirty five pages, or so, from the end. Hah. I can’t wait for it to be done. I so much want to get started on the new book. *sigh*
Well, I still have to head out for a donation in about…carp! Thirty minutes! Okay. Gotta go.
Well, lots going on again, nothing massively interesting, mind you, but still, life’s busy, as it should be. First off, I had tried to do a workout yesterday, but I overslept so that didn’t come to happen (did it today instead, yay!) before I went down to the house and started on laundry over coffee, naturally. Hah.
Started filling the pool, thank you very much. I’ll be hopping in soon for sure.
There were dogs to feed (twice, naturally) and tenant to help since caregiver was at her other job once more. Went well enough, took only an hour or two to get her ready and down to my terrace where she settled in for the day. Knight II is giving trouble during feeding time again. Seriously, I have never met a dog who’s as picky in eating as him. *sigh*
There was two day’s worth of yard work of course. A good watering yesterday, and then the youngsters again today. Put in a full field of peppers on the lower terrace. Along with a small field of melons that soon will need a construction of sorts that keeps them off the ground. Had planned to do that today, but since big brother has pulled his leg this morning, we decided to postpone ‘till tomorrow. It’ll be sure to take some time, since these are going to have to be pretty sturdy. Those melon vines are strong and heavy, once they start growing.
Since that is of course inevitable, I also harvested. Got our first zucchinis, yay, and tomatoes, as usual, along with broccoli, sugar peas (the last batch, I fear) along with fresh herbs, naturally.
Once everything that HAD to be done in the yard, was done, it was back up to the carport to work on the box we’ve been putting together to transport the decorative classic car. Got it all done, despite the fact that for some reason the box ended up a bit twisted (old wood will that do to ya) so I had to chisel some edged out of the lid, but other than that it worked out splendidly. Put some papers in there to keep the thing in place, and then put it in the storage. If disaster doesn’t strike, mom and the sibs should be able to take it to the market next Sunday.
Big brother did the dog veggies, and since caregiver returned late from her job, I brought tenant back to her bungalow. She helped me make supper. Prepared chili sin carne with large pancakes on the side. It went down well to boot, so it was definitely a successful endeavor.
What followed was the usual editing session of about eight pages. And then started on writing down answers for an interview I’ve been asked to do. Oh, I hadn’t said that yet, had I? Well, Laurie (a blogger/reviewer/interviewer) asked if I would like to do an interview/feature of my W.I. Investigations, so of course I said yes, and am now TRYING to fit in answering the questions she sent to me. I’m supposed to do about six or eight, but I gotta admit that there are some really nice ones in there, so it is hard to chose. Hah.
Was late getting to bed last night, but did manage to get up in time for a workout this morning. Yay. Pounded and kicked the bag, did laundry, fed the dogs, and then had my own breakfast. Like said before I spent the majority of the afternoon in the yard. And checking storage for rats and mice. Only one mouse so, nothing disastrous. Reorganized containers, pallets and whatnot, creating space and a semblance of order down there, before it was time to head back up.
Since big brother did the cooking, I am now doing my blog in the afternoon, leaving tonight for edits…which is good, since we’re only thirty five pages, or so, from the end. Hah. I can’t wait for it to be done. I so much want to get started on the new book. *sigh*
Well, I still have to head out for a donation in about…carp! Thirty minutes! Okay. Gotta go.
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