The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

My Mama Didn't Tell Me...

       When I was growing up, my mother told me all about becoming a woman. At least, she told me about what becoming a woman would be like when I was a teenager. What she didn't tell me was what it would be like in my 40's and 50's.

        For example, my mom didn't give me a refresher course on gravity. What was once high and perky...eventually falls. Droops. Hangs in pendulous rolls. I would have appreciated that booster class in my 40's.

photo by Lyzlachian

       Also, my mother didn't tell me that I would be able to see the Grand Canyon--every day--just by looking in the mirror. The crevices in my face are deep and wide. I don't need no stinkin' mule trip to see this breathtaking sight (because I do stop breathing when I see the wrinkles and furrows in my face).

       And I've become texturized! Adding texture to painted walls is a wise decorating move, but skin tags? Not so attractive...

      Finally (at least for now), I wish my mother had let me know that I would resemble a seal when I got to be in my 50's. Whiskers in all sorts of weird places have appeared. They're long (by the time I catch sight of 'em) and are white.

      Yes, growing old is fun--and that's just the physical appearance part of it.  What bucket of fun have you opened up as you've gotten older? Old, forgetful but still inquiring minds want to know...

       

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Let It Snow, Let It Snow...And Let the Words Flow

      As much as I've joked about snow storms in March and April and even freaky ones in May (in my hope that we get another snow day or two we get enough precipitation to help our plants this spring), I did not want this one that came in the middle of the night (and it's still snowing). After all, my spring break begins tomorrow and I have family in town and things to do and places to see.

photo by land [e]scape

      But not today. It's too slippery and my car's too low-to-the-ground.

      Today, with me all pumped up and no place to go, and my daughter and son having plans for lunch and a movie (in spite of the snow), I'm writing.

       I began a submission for Publishing Syndicate's Not Your Mother's Book On Cats and I plan on finishing it up today. And then sending it off. (There's a May 1 deadline on those submissions.) 

       I also have a self-proposed deadline. I'm working on a longer project, I'm going on a writing retreat with a wonderful editor-friend in early June, and so I hope to get at least a completed rough draft done by then. (The retreat is at an abbey, so there are no distractions--all weekend!)

       (Part of the story has evolved into a road trip, and I got a Trip-Tik from AAA, so I can research some off-the-beaten track places the characters can stop at along the way. Today seems like an ideal day to make some progress on the plot.) 

          If you're snowed in today, what are you doing? And if you're Lisa or Cathy and you're sippin' on a mint julep right 'bout now, enjoy.