Slice of Life Day # 2

Shorbet Adas bubbling away in the instant pot, fragrant with cumin, turmeric and freshly-squeezed lemons...

Bamieh cooking in the oven, the flavors of coriander, garlic and cumin (oops! I forgot the pomegranate molasses... I'll be right back) melding into a delicious dish.

A big pot of freekeh cooling in the fridge...

Some shakshoukeh sauteed at 5 this morning and already safely stored in a plastic tub--ready for transport...

In few hours I'll be headed to Columbia with 7 of my students to meet Ibtisam Barakat. We're bringing some Palestinian dishes. Hopefully--even though I probably didn't get all the flavors on point, she will feel honored that I at least tried...

... because I was so honored that she shared her story in the memoir Tasting the Sky.
   

Slice of Life # 1

             Today I had a snow day. A gift from the gods. A much-needed break from my routine.

          One of the things I got to do (since I wasn't slaving over a hot smartboard) was play two long games of fetch with Radar. My dog loves to race after a ball--over and over. Leaping into the air for it, chasing it across the yard, running circles around a tree--he's thrilled. All I have to do is put on my coat and head towards the kitchen door and Radar's so excited, he's whirling in circles.

          What if we got ecstatic over such a simple thing? What if we were willing to show our excitement... so that others could share in our joy?

           I think I've linked this video before, but it shows exactly why I'm drawn to golden retrievers...

(I'm taking part in the Slice of Life Challenge. This blog is where it all began.)

Can an Old Dog Learn New Tricks?

This, of course, is not an old dog. This is one of the golden doodles that was born into our rescue seven months ago. This little guy has a forever home and is living a wonderful life.

However, I'm not a young dog. I'm a fat, sassy and somethings arthritic dog. Can I still learn things?

Yes. I recently reflected on it, and found four things I've learned about writing, and I posted them here.  Just a hint: They involve yardsticks, my pants(ing) habits and unexpected nudges.

How about you? What "tricks" have you learned lately? Inquiring minds want to know...

A Reformed Pantser?

cards to help me organize my next novel...

I usually write creative nonfiction. Personal essays. Short memoir pieces. Novels are definitely not my thing.

However, over two years ago I began writing a novel for middle-graders. I wrote it during NaNoWriMo of 2016, alongside my middle-school students. Because it's historical fiction, I could fly by the seat of my pants. I didn't create an outline. I didn't do any pre-planning. I followed the timeline of the historical event (it took place over a two-day period) and it seemed to work.

(Now I'm shopping it around, hoping to snag an agent or publisher.)

For NaNoWriMo of 2017, I started another novel, this one for young adults. Since there was no historical event to help me pace out the story, the plot has floundered. There's lots of character development and unconnected events, but no true "story." I was frustrated because I had written around 25,000 words and nothing had really happened. 

Then destiny came dashing in. I was asked by The Muffin to review a book. After I read it, my opinion of planning and outlining completely changed.

This book is so user-friendly and presents an innovative way of helping writers organize their novel. However, there's plenty of room of room for me to pants around (write by the seat of my pants) as well.

I'm heading to a writing retreat this weekend. Hopefully, I will get enough note-writing done so I can do some outlining during the retreat.

A pantser becoming a planner... It's a miracle.

Slice of Life Day # 5: Comfort Trumps Chic

I admit: one of those words in this post's title makes me shudder. But I'll try to get over it.

At my age, I've given away all my high-heeled shoes. I don't buy clothes that are fashionable yet uncomfortable. I embrace shoes that feel like slippers, and clothes that are comfy. 

Getting home last night, I was cold. For Christmas a couple of years ago, my daughter gave me a fleece jumpsuit that is hideous-looking, but is so delightful to wear. (It's like the old-fashioned baby sleepers.) 

Curling up on the couch. Watching The Voice while trying to stay awake. The plush fleece feels like a blanket.

It doesn't take much to make me happy...

Sioux... A Real Character

More than half a century ago, I was born. My birth mother named me Margaret. (I could see myself as Maggie.) My parents named me Susan. When I was 13, I took on the name Sioux... When I was in my 40s, I legally changed my name.

I was a real character. I shunned the popular fashion choices. I railed against authority. Of course, some of it was due to me being a teenager.

Recently a piece of mine was chosen to be published in NCTE's journal. My letter to a former teacher will appear in the 2019 fall edition of the National Council of Teachers of English journal.

If you'd like to read a little more about me as a teenager, along with finding out how my teacher reacted to the news, check out my blog on The Muffin. 

This is me as a high school senior.