Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thursday Thirteen #265
1. I used to believe I did not stick with things, but after spending years obtaining degrees and 265 weeks doing Thursday Thirteen, not to mention six years writing this blog and more than 20 years writing for local publications, I think I need to rethink that notion.
2. If I can do this stuff for this long, surely I can write a novel.
3. Writing for me is somewhat like eating candy - you stuff, you stuff, you blow out your guts. Eww. Not a pretty visual!
4. Let's try this: Writing is like seeing a unicorn dance across a rainbow as it chases a butterfly - full of imagination and fancy, a dream that can't be touched. At least it doesn't involve vomit.
5. "Unless a writer is extremely old when he dies, in which case he has probably become a neglected institution, his death must always be seen as untimely. This is because a real writer is always shifting and changing and searching. The world has many labels for him, of which the most treacherous is the label of Success." - James Baldwin
6. "Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer." - Ray Bradbury
7. I'm posting quotes because I ran out of things to say. It is 7 a.m. as I write this and I don't do mornings all that well.
8. However, I don't really want to post more quotes so now I'm just making stuff up to get the 13 items in.
9. You may have noticed I am going to be teaching a class in journaling soon. I am looking forward to this; I have been keeping a journal since I was about 8 years old. However, I burned all of my early ones after my mother found them and read them, so I don't have those. I sometimes wish I did; I'd like to meet that girl again.
10. Blogging is a kind of journaling, not so introspective, though, at least for me. Some of my journals are so crisis-centered or self-centered that they need to join my old ones in the burn pile.
11. Okay, here's another quote: "The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home." - John Campbell
12. And another: "It is perfectly okay to write garbage--as long as you edit brilliantly." - C. J. Cherryh
13. And another: "Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." - E. L. Doctorow
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 265th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
2. If I can do this stuff for this long, surely I can write a novel.
3. Writing for me is somewhat like eating candy - you stuff, you stuff, you blow out your guts. Eww. Not a pretty visual!
4. Let's try this: Writing is like seeing a unicorn dance across a rainbow as it chases a butterfly - full of imagination and fancy, a dream that can't be touched. At least it doesn't involve vomit.
5. "Unless a writer is extremely old when he dies, in which case he has probably become a neglected institution, his death must always be seen as untimely. This is because a real writer is always shifting and changing and searching. The world has many labels for him, of which the most treacherous is the label of Success." - James Baldwin
6. "Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer." - Ray Bradbury
7. I'm posting quotes because I ran out of things to say. It is 7 a.m. as I write this and I don't do mornings all that well.
8. However, I don't really want to post more quotes so now I'm just making stuff up to get the 13 items in.
9. You may have noticed I am going to be teaching a class in journaling soon. I am looking forward to this; I have been keeping a journal since I was about 8 years old. However, I burned all of my early ones after my mother found them and read them, so I don't have those. I sometimes wish I did; I'd like to meet that girl again.
10. Blogging is a kind of journaling, not so introspective, though, at least for me. Some of my journals are so crisis-centered or self-centered that they need to join my old ones in the burn pile.
11. Okay, here's another quote: "The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home." - John Campbell
12. And another: "It is perfectly okay to write garbage--as long as you edit brilliantly." - C. J. Cherryh
13. And another: "Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." - E. L. Doctorow
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 265th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Autumn Comes
Deer bathe serenely in sunlight
Acorns at their hooves.
Autumn comes.
Leaves turn dull brown
flung to the earth
by ruthless winds.
Rains slash skies,
gray, dark, light dimming
like a mother
drowning love.
Autumn comes.
Okay, so maybe not the best poem ever. :-)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
An Autumn Sigh
Sunday we took a ride on Route 39. This Virginia Scenic Byway goes through Goshen Pass, over Warm Springs Mountain, into Warm Springs, and on into West Virginia. At Warm Springs, we took US 220 back home instead of continuing west.
We were about a week late for the peak in that area, which did not surprise me. Generally speaking, we are always a week late when we go to look at the leaves!
We were about a week late for the peak in that area, which did not surprise me. Generally speaking, we are always a week late when we go to look at the leaves!
This is a mountain on the way to Goshen Pass.
The Maury River at one of the overlooks at Goshen Pass.
The Maury River again. I love this shot. The colors came out great.
The river once more. Can't get enough of the river and colors.
The Maury cannot be a navigable river, it is so rocky. Maybe in a canoe.
Water is amazing, isn't it? The way it carves through stone.
We saw a crane sitting majestically among the rocks while we were driving along (I couldn't get a photo of it). Many people were fishing.
After you leave Goshen Pass, you go through Goshen and a few other little places, then you climb up Warm Springs Mountain. There is an overlook with nice parking at the top. This is the view!
It was worth the drive just to see this. The rolling mountains, the spots of color.
The majesty of the world spread out before me, showing me the meaning of life.
I could have looked at it all day.
This is beauty.
Even the road brings a quiet loveliness to the landscape.
After we passed through Warm Springs (we didn't stop) you must go up and down Warm Springs Mountain on the other side. This overlook is on US 220.
What a view!
I love the way the mountains fold.
How can you not love this view?
Monday, October 22, 2012
Question Mark
No, I'm not asking a question! Question mark is the name of this butterfly! I spied it fluttering about in the woods recently when I was taking photos of the colorful leaves.
According to my guide book, it feeds on elm trees and nettles, and hibernates in December, January, and February.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Bird Watching
Red-bellied woodpecker. Except the belly isn't red. It's definitely a woodpecker of some kind, though.
I think this is a black-throated blue warbler, but I am not certain. It is the closest picture in my bird book. Anyone know for sure?
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Meet Chippy
Recently I stepped outside to take a few shots of the change of season. I had the camera on a tripod. I was standing so still that the squirrels and birds were not bothered by my presence.
I spied movement at a woodpile in the woods below the shed.
A chipmunk!
I had never been able to photograph a chipmunk before. They are so swift they're difficult to catch with the camera.
He raised his head up over the log to have a look-see. He emitted a bark (which sounded nothing at all like Alvin).
There he is! So cute!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Thursday Thirteen
1. The box of brownie mix began calling to me from the pantry yesterday around lunch time. "Come make me, come make me!" it begged. Finally, I could stand the pleas no longer, so I turned on the stove, prepared the mix, and popped the dish in the oven.
2. There was no other chocolate in the house, as I had banned it from the premises. The brownies (now in a plate on the counter) were the last of it.
3. Fortunately I don't have to eat all of the brownies. I have people I can send them too.
4. On the walls of my home office: a picture of doe nursing her fawn that I took several years ago, a "license to laugh" that "entitles the bearer to perform random acts of spontaneous laughter," and a card from a friend that bears this sentiment: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild & precious life?" - Mary Oliver.
5. Sitting on my desk: a bottle of Chloraseptic sore throat spray, a bottle of Rescue Remedy, and Nasonex. I'm still battling a bad infection but seem to be getting better, finally. (The Rescue Remedy is always on my desk, though.)
6. Best thing I saw on Facebook this morning: "Me, I got a binder 47% full of big birds. Sheesh!" said by a friend who is a professor at a my Alma mater.
7. Alma mater means "nourishing mother" in Latin. In the US it is used to refer to an institution of higher learning from which you have graduated. I rather like the notion that Hollins University is my nourishing mother. It is certainly the place where I feel most at home and have done the most growing.
8. I have been trying to instill better work habits into my days, but being sick for several weeks has really put a dent in my efforts. It is hard to establish a routine when you have to go to bed when you're supposed to be doing something else.
9. My new career involves teaching, something with which I have little experience. Starting in November I will be an adjunct instructor at the local community college. I am eager to see if I like it and if I am good at it.
10. My words today are fretting me as I keep ending sentences with prepositions, and then I must edit said sentences. Usually it doesn't bother me to end a sentence with "at" but today it feels wrong.
11. The Internet is a strange place. I think it tends to bring out the worst in some people, but it has brought new people into my life. Earlier this week I had an inquiry about genealogy in Botetourt, and the woman turned out to be my husband's distant cousin. After looking at my blog, she sent me a photo of her father and he looks a lot like my fellow!
12. Also on my desk: 164 pages of a very bad novel that I wrote in the early 1980s. I have been trying to see if I can rewrite it. I am starting to think it is hopeless. I may need to keep the basic plot line and start all over.
13. I hear the brownies calling to me from the kitchen now. I think this Thursday Thirteen is done!
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 264th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
2. There was no other chocolate in the house, as I had banned it from the premises. The brownies (now in a plate on the counter) were the last of it.
3. Fortunately I don't have to eat all of the brownies. I have people I can send them too.
4. On the walls of my home office: a picture of doe nursing her fawn that I took several years ago, a "license to laugh" that "entitles the bearer to perform random acts of spontaneous laughter," and a card from a friend that bears this sentiment: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild & precious life?" - Mary Oliver.
5. Sitting on my desk: a bottle of Chloraseptic sore throat spray, a bottle of Rescue Remedy, and Nasonex. I'm still battling a bad infection but seem to be getting better, finally. (The Rescue Remedy is always on my desk, though.)
6. Best thing I saw on Facebook this morning: "Me, I got a binder 47% full of big birds. Sheesh!" said by a friend who is a professor at a my Alma mater.
7. Alma mater means "nourishing mother" in Latin. In the US it is used to refer to an institution of higher learning from which you have graduated. I rather like the notion that Hollins University is my nourishing mother. It is certainly the place where I feel most at home and have done the most growing.
8. I have been trying to instill better work habits into my days, but being sick for several weeks has really put a dent in my efforts. It is hard to establish a routine when you have to go to bed when you're supposed to be doing something else.
9. My new career involves teaching, something with which I have little experience. Starting in November I will be an adjunct instructor at the local community college. I am eager to see if I like it and if I am good at it.
10. My words today are fretting me as I keep ending sentences with prepositions, and then I must edit said sentences. Usually it doesn't bother me to end a sentence with "at" but today it feels wrong.
11. The Internet is a strange place. I think it tends to bring out the worst in some people, but it has brought new people into my life. Earlier this week I had an inquiry about genealogy in Botetourt, and the woman turned out to be my husband's distant cousin. After looking at my blog, she sent me a photo of her father and he looks a lot like my fellow!
12. Also on my desk: 164 pages of a very bad novel that I wrote in the early 1980s. I have been trying to see if I can rewrite it. I am starting to think it is hopeless. I may need to keep the basic plot line and start all over.
13. I hear the brownies calling to me from the kitchen now. I think this Thursday Thirteen is done!
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 264th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Wordless Wednesday
A tree in my brother's yard. We should be in full fall regalia in another day or two.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Fired Up For a Cure
October is Fire Prevention Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this morning my husband wore a pink shirt to work. The fire department is promoting awareness via the shirts to help “extinguish” breast cancer!
During October the firefighters wear these pink uniform shirts to show support for the community and to remember those that have passed from breast cancer, those battling or those who have won the fight.
This is the back of the shirt. I took a picture of my husband from the front, too, but I was half asleep and the photo is blurry.
In September, the fire department held a walk/run and other events to help prevent, educate and advocate about the importance of self breast exams, mammograms and also to remind citizens to practice their fire safety plans. Here is an article about that event.
Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer in all reported cancer cases, accounting for a little more than 10 percent of cancer diagnoses around the world. Women are about 100 times more likely to develop the disease than men; however, the survival rates are about the same regardless of the patient’s sex. About 519,000 people died from the disease in 2004.
Women over 40 should get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. I'm a little overdue for mine and this is a good reminder to get this taken care of.
Be well, my friends!
During October the firefighters wear these pink uniform shirts to show support for the community and to remember those that have passed from breast cancer, those battling or those who have won the fight.
This is the back of the shirt. I took a picture of my husband from the front, too, but I was half asleep and the photo is blurry.
In September, the fire department held a walk/run and other events to help prevent, educate and advocate about the importance of self breast exams, mammograms and also to remind citizens to practice their fire safety plans. Here is an article about that event.
Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer in all reported cancer cases, accounting for a little more than 10 percent of cancer diagnoses around the world. Women are about 100 times more likely to develop the disease than men; however, the survival rates are about the same regardless of the patient’s sex. About 519,000 people died from the disease in 2004.
Women over 40 should get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. I'm a little overdue for mine and this is a good reminder to get this taken care of.
Be well, my friends!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Muted Colors
When I went out this morning, I saw that the colors had changed overnight.
They are not very brilliant yet.
We are on the cusp of the season, the trees still shy and not yet fully dressed in their finery.
This is my favorite time of year, when the colors come, and the days take on a golden hue.
This cedar wears a crown of red!
Yellow against the sky.
Thank you for your kind wishes regarding my health. I am sorry to say I am still ill. I returned to the doctor today and she gave me a different antibiotic. Fingers crossed that this is the one that will help.
I have been sick for three weeks! That's a long time to feel poorly. I have things to do that require me to be well, so I am hoping for good health soon. At the least I would like my voice back! It's been missing a long time.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Wild Turkeys
This flock of turkeys has been in the front yard several times now. I think it is a couple of hens with their spring brood. I counted 21 birds when I was taking the photos.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Zoe Does Her Dance
My niece performed a solo dance at Greenfield Elementary this morning for their fall festival as part of the Floyd Ward School of Dance event at the rear of the school.
I took pictures and this little bit of video tape. She is so much fun to watch! Such energy. I can barely remember being that small.
The video is a little dark because of the full sun and reflections off the concrete. I have no idea what the music is; it is not something I recognize.
The Raccoon
We caught this fellow on the game camera earlier this week. Still no bear. I keep hoping for a bear.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)