The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Put a Sock in It!

      A better post title would have been "Put a Sock ON It" but I was trying to snag a few readers with a familiar phrase.

      In case you're not of my two regular readers, I just found out I'm getting old. Falling apart. Getting decrepit. A diagnosis of osteoarthritis last week was like the cherry on top of an already overflowing ice cream sundae.

     Heat helps the knee. However, those things you microwave are expensive... at least more expensive than a sock, a needle and thread and some white rice.

     Directions:  Sew most of opening shut. Use a funnel to get the uncooked rice in. Fill most of the sock up with rice. When you've gripped the bag of rice so firmly that you've dug a hole into the bag and the bag starts leaking into your lap and floor and the dog gets excited because there's now things to lick off the floor, put the bag of rice into a plastic baggy. Finish sewing the sock shut. Microwave the sock for 1 1/2-2 minutes.

     I just heard from my daughter's mother-in-law (via my daughter) that moist heat helps the most, so I will put a damp towel between my knee and the sock when I do it tonight.

     However, the "put a sock in it" applies to what we sometimes say about our writing. Sometimes we speak of a writing project and mumble things like, "Well, it probably won't go anywhere," meaning we doubt it will ever get published, or "It's really not very good."

          Put a sock in it.


      Just state the facts, such as:


  • I'm working on ______ project and hope to get it published by _____.
  • I'm in the beginning stages of  _______  project.
  • I've sent it off to _______ and am waiting to hear from the editor. (You should not add, "which will be when not-heaven freezes over.")

       When was the last time you denigrated your writing, and what did you say about it?


20 comments:

  1. I have one with corn. I have worn out two and on my third. Wonderful things!!!! Don't worry about getting old, just be glad you can DO it!!! Believe me, it isn't so bad when you have to face the alternative. Just go with the process and enjoy being the best old lady you can be!!!

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    1. Claudia--When I hear from you, I realize I should be quiet and consider what the alternative is. You are right, of course. We only have one choice if we don't want to grow old, and that alternative choice is NOT pleasant...

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  2. That rice in a sock trick is awesome. We have several and it's amazing how long the rice holds heat. Plus the sock conforms nicely to curvy body parts like the neck or a knee.

    As far as denigrating my writing, I'm sad to report I do it a lot. My guess is such behavior helps gently prepare the mind for a potential letdown.

    Pat

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    1. Pat--If we're lucky enough to reach the state where we're falling apart (and not so gently), we learn firsthand about rice thingies and the joy of a nap and so many other temporary, comforting cures.

      And yes, I think most writers do that... And if we get a acceptance, we're pleasantly surprised.

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  3. I don't consider it denigrating my writing, because it's pretty much true. I'll say, "Oh, I rushed that out because I procrastinated, and I can't believe it will ever win anything (or be published)." Still, I should just shut up and spend more time and effort perfecting my craft.

    My mom gave me one of those rice thingies. I don't know where it is now, but I used it on my neck a few times, and it worked great.

    Funny how this "put a sock ON it" post appeared to me this morning, right after I "took a sock OFF it." That's a story for later in the week. You know both places to find me!

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    1. Val--And I guess you won nothing at the most recent All Write Now conference? Really you expect me to believe that you NEVER win anything?

      I hope the IT you took the sock off doesn't involve Hick and the poolio and his choice of swimwear (or lack of).

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  4. As I'm not very handy with a needle and thread, I've paid for the "sock" thingies. LOVE them, and the ones I have are pretty old. They are made to generate moist heat. I don't generally have knee issues, but for my lower back...ahhhh.....

    Regarding the nasty things we say to ourselves and others about our writing, all I can say is that it seems to bloom the moment we label ourselves writers. And though I can't prove this, I think women do this more often than men. A woman says, "An author? Me? Well, I've published a few things. Nothing that will ever go anywhere, but it keeps me busy." A man will say, "Yes, I'm an author. Have you read my blog or visited my website. Here's a card."

    Shortly after my books were contracted I met the Inklets for breakfast (I think it was our last get together before Deb moved). Anyway, the subject came up about my books, of course, and I began to say something self-deprecating---can't recall what---and about five words in Cathy C. Hall (my writing Yoda, because she's amazing) interrupted me with a sharp glare and the words, "Stop it. Why do you do that? Don't you dare minimize this." I'd never been scolded for it before. lol It made me think, though, about what I was doing. She was right. As usual.

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    1. Lisa--Sometimes I hiss--a la Caesar Milan--and it's usually at Lynn...

      I found that moist is key, so I put a damp towel under my rice thingy. And I think you are spot-on when it comes to men. They are confident and assuming writers... even when they have little to be confident about.

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  5. Yep, I have a rice thingie, too. And thank you for reminding me that I have one because on top of everything else, I can't seem to remember a darn thing these days.

    Ha! I forgot I fussed at Lisa (see? terrible memory!) but I'm not surprised; I often fuss at writer friends who denigrate their work. I should probably fuss a little at myself. :-)

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    1. Cathy--Yep. You should practice what you preach. ;)

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  6. Just. Just a poet. Always just.

    I swear by those rice thingies!

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    1. MZ--Well, I guess I need to hiss at you like Caesar Milan.

      You should proudly proclaim, "I am a poet." There are lots of writers who would love to be able to write as giftedly and as succinctly as you do.

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  7. I hope your knee improves. Keep ricing and writing.

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  8. Ah, I'm making the rounds, finally. I know I won't get to everyone and I'm avoiding writing my own blog. Feels like forever since I've been online with this stuff... oh wait, it has been since July! I'm just a busy little bee.... bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

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    1. Lynn--I can't wait to hear what you've accomplished in the last month.

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  9. I used to have a cherry pit thingie I put in the microwave. It was awesome.

    I not only denigrate my writing, I denigrate myself. "Oh, I'm so stupid" gets me a "Shut up" from one of my co-workers...and I shut up. It seems that now that I am writing all day long, and have frequent deadlines, I feel like I am always in the midst of a submission...but it's for my checkbook, not for my enjoyment. Perhaps I'll figure out how to work myself up into a lather to start writing for me again.

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    1. Kim--A cherry pit thingie? That's one I've never heard of.

      I'm sure when the time is right, you'll get back to writing for yourself again.

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  10. I haven't tried the sock and rice thing but I'm at the age also where I need to try that. Hmm, and I'm a knitter. I bet I could knit a bag for the rice! Thanks for the suggestion.

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    1. Pat--Make sure it's tightly knitted... or else you'll just have a bunch of loose rice on the floor (eventually). And you're welcome.

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