Organic & Local

I just read an article by an organic farmer at http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_22627.cfm.  I receive the Organic Consumer Association's newsletter and always find it interesting, even though I often disagree with them quite a bit.  In fact, I haven't joined the organization, as they make some pretty shoddy choices on their activism, in my opinion.  Yes, they trod on sacred ground...they attacked Starbucks.  There was this whole 'Frankenbucks' campaign that absolutely lost them my support, and I fervently believe they were wrong in attacking a fairly eco-friendly company (as in, they're more likely to cave to our pathetic pressure than those other companies!).  However, despite their BIG misstep there ;), I still like to read their articles. 

I suppose I'd say that their big problem is their total dissociation from--no, antagonistic behavior towards--the larger economy and society.  They're right more than I'd like to admit, though.  For example, they disliked when the mainstream grocery stores started carrying organics--because it put health food stores out of business.  They don't like big conventional farmers going for the organic seal--again, it's hard for the little guy to compete.  Of course, given who runs the organization (small organic farmers and health food store owners), it does make sense that they're protective of themselves.  However, I found their views on these matters petty...until I saw some of the anticipated fallout.  For, once the mainstream stores induced us organically-inclined folks to shop in their convenient locales, they've slowly been weaning us from our organic products.  One by one those products have been disappearing, and, rather than go to the trouble of visiting the health food store, we opt for just-one-more 'conventional' product at a time.  It's convenient.

I don't know if there was any subterfuge intended, but that has been the effect.  Not that I'm saying I agree with OCA--just that I don't feel as contrary towards their views as I had.

Back to the article, though.  They argue, as any good health extremist should, for the new gold standard of both local and organic foods.  They bring up Barbara Kingsolver--a brilliant, poetic, self-righteous, obnoxious, egotistical, truthful genius.  I adore her and can't stand her.  My biggest gripe?  She doesn't want to be vegetarian, so she justifies her position to the extent that she wants to convert vegetarians to her choices--which are even more restrictive and risky than ours, in my opinion.  She argues for buying local, organic, free-range meats...a far, far more ethical choice than most meat-eaters make.  However, in her deranged 'conversion' of vegetarians to her meat-loving way of life, I wonder how many of them are going to continue opting for 'veg' foods when the local, organic, free-range meats aren't available, or when their money is tight?  She's doing a big disservice to animal welfare and the environment with her misguided attempts to induce vegetarians to eat animals.  Perhaps she has the personal strength and ethics to insist upon 'ethically' produced food, but I even wonder at that.  Grr...her inspiring (yes, it was) book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle relates her family's experience of restricting themselves mostly to local foods in North Carolina for a year.  My heart went out to her young daughter, who begged for fruit, only to be refused by her pompous, judgmental mama.  Guess who went to Italy later in the year and ate out at restaurants and totally violated her strict locavore diet?  Yes, the mama--with little to no compunction, only scoffing at the critics and justifying her own 'moderation'.  Grr!  However, while I do feel terribly sorry for the little girl in some respects, she is a lucky duck to be growing up next to such a powerful mind.  Barbara Kingsolver is an amazing, brilliant woman--and I've no doubt that her daughter is overall 'lucky' to have such a mother.  But geesh, poor kid... 

Oops, once again, back to the article!  The article argues against the move towards 'local' foods over 'organic' foods and makes some pretty solid points.  However, a KEY factor they neglect to mention is that local, fresher foods have far more nutritive value than old food--often the problem with imported, shipped goods.  Also, they don't really acknowledge the fact that some local farmers don't attend to the many, complicated requirements for the 'organic' seal because it's so danged expensive and cumbersome.

However, I did appreciate their points, and the article made me very pleased that I, at the last moment last week, signed up for weekly local, organic produce boxes once again (first disbursement tomorrow!).  I have a few reservations, but I've really fallen into buying mostly from my local Food Lion with its non-local foods these days and would like to get back to a more healthy, environmentally-friendly diet. 

Oh, on the local foods note, our chickens have started laying eggs again!  It's so exciting after weeks of nothing much at all.  We only have two chickens at the moment, but in the spring that translates to nearly two eggs daily--a significant amount for us.  They forage in the yard and eat table scraps and a bit of bird food and scratch feed, but, after the initial investment in the coop and all, they're not really much expense at all.  No, they're not 'organic'...we buy cheap feed to supplement what they get (gosh, it would seem ironic to buy them organic food and not us, wouldn't it?), but they seem like pretty happy chickens.  They run all over the yard, scratch madly through leaves and straw, eat bugs...we don't clip their wings, either.  I think they're pretty happy hens, and I'm relieved at the thought of not buying more store eggs.  We plan to get a couple more chicks this spring, too, at some point.  I'd ideally like to get to the point where we're able to share eggs with friends and neighbors.  Wouldn't that be nice?

Also, though we're not going for a real garden this spring, Michael's planted some lettuce starts and a whole lot of basil seeds (basil is fabulous as fresh greens in soups and sandwiches).  We're watering them right now with water from our rain barrels--an economical as well as environmental choice.  Last year, it was quite upsetting how much the water bill ran when we were watering the garden a lot. 

So, anyhow, that's the update on our food choices.  I'm glad that things are looking up and continuing to improve.  That 'gold standard' that they mention in regards to local and organic will be met to some degree by our delivery boxes (the cardboard of which I can now recycle, woohoo!), the rain barrel water meets the needs of our own spring plants, and our pet chickens are once again providing us with a few eggs.  I'd really like to tread as lightly as possible on the planet...and I do believe it's worth it.

Savannah Appreciation

What a gorgeous day.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect.  Absolutely ideal--no bugs, no sweat, no chill.  This afternoon we took a ride down to Bonaventure Cemetery, which is mentioned in the draft of Keyes' book, which is set in Savannah.  We found a couple of landmarks that he mentioned, and it was all so exciting and more interesting than usual.  Anyhow, the camellias were in prime form, the river was so scenic, the live oaks and magnolias were so pretty...the kids seemed to enjoy it, a lot.  After that, we went downtown for just a little while to find a couple of other landmarks, which were so fun to imagine as part of Keyes' fantastical world.  You know, I often want to visit places mentioned in books, and I felt so lucky that this was so convenient.  I realized how lucky we are to live in Savannah, especially at this time of year!  Hmm, I would tell more about specifically what we saw, except that I don't want to give away Keyes' story elements!

Camellias and a Taoist Thought

Taoism teaches that we should go with the flow of things.  It doesn't always pay to be rigid about schedules and plans--we'll be happier if we can glide along with how things are meant to be. 

So, today we all headed down towards the nursery near our house to look for fruit trees--specifically fig trees and blueberry bushes, but we also meant to see what else they had in that general category.

However, when we arrived, we were told that the fruit trees will be arriving over the next couple of weeks.  We were about to leave, but I saw some camellias and asked about them.  The salesperson showed us all of the camellias--including a few that were on 'clearance'.  They should have been $30 per plant, but these were ours for $5 apiece.

Ever since my mother and I took a stroll one day early last year, I've been in love with camellias--it was one of those super-enthusiastic notions I take at times.  Michael and I even looked a bit for some, but we never actually purchased any.  But today, though we'd gone intending to buy fruit trees, we came home with four camellias that are now planted in our flower bed and side yard--only a bit over $20 for $120 worth of plants!  We have one bloom, but we're not supposed to expect them to really be pretty until next year, but time flies, doesn't it?

Anyhow, we still want to give the fruit trees a go, although we tried once before with fairly dismal results. 

Oh, yes...in clearing a couple garage bins, I found the book, "The Te of Piglet" and was reminded of a favorite, "The Tao of Pooh".  I think I have my next books for the kids--or at least the Pooh one will get a shot.  We'll see how they like it.  Of all books not to insist on, I suppose the Taoist ones would be it, right?  Just go with the flow...

A Fiona Day

Fiona presented a slapstick puppet play on Cleopatra at school yesterday with two of her gifted classmates.  She really took charge of writing the play and creating the puppets.  Unfortunately, the media center was very busy, and the play was hard to hear.  I did video it, but, as you can't hear the words, it's a bit pointless to bother with posting.

Yesterday evening, she and I went to hear the Silver Winds Ensemble at SAA.  To tell the truth, we were both a bit disappointed.  Firstly, I'm not sure why I had this notion (perhaps the title 'Silver Winds'?), but I thought that the group was a flute choir, or, at least, a woodwind group.  While the symphonic band was quite good, Fiona had it right when she pointed out that the percussion and brass rather drowns out the woodwinds.  Our favorite song was a Korean folk tune begun by the clarinets and then the flutes.  Just beautiful.

Secondly, the Silver Winds concert started with the Still Waters Ensemble--what I at first took to be SAA's symphonic band.  I was dismayed that they sounded exactly like, well, what I'd expect a high school band to sound like!  So, we sat through that, waiting patiently for the 'flute choir'.  The Silver Winds ensemble was fantastic, though, so far as symphonic bands go.  Very, very nice!  (That 'pro' level that I expect from SAA!)

Fiona and I slipped out at intermission, as the last half of the program was all Jazz band stuff--of no interest to either one of us. 

Instead, we went to the Barnes & Noble cafe and got treats.  So fun!  After Fiona finished her apple purse (which I stole a nibble from while I drank my mocha), we went to the fantasy section so I could show her Greg Keyes' 'New York Times best-selling' books.  Yes, I feel a bit like a groupie now--I apparently signed into the parent register at Ellis about two minutes after him, and I was totally thrilled about it.  Can't wait to meet him!  The story is great! 

Then we went to the music section and listened to the samples of their CDs.  We were quite enthused about the Lady Gaga and the Carrie Underwood CDs on display, and we rode home to Carrie Underwood belting out her pop-country warbles.

Oh, and on the way home I finally dropped off Tapestry with my first Silk reader, despite planning on yet another edit with my ever-savvier BFF (who has been under a learning curve herself in dealings with a pro editor for her own short stories).  Very exciting for me, though, to finally share the novel with an enthusiastic reader!  I am under the fanciful notion that Keyes won't long be the only best-selling author with a first draft on this here laptop!  :)

A Welcome Review Request

Oh my gosh!  I'm so excited!  A quite well-known fantasy author has requested--get this--for Alex and one other male classmate to review his first draft of a book for middle-schoolers!  The invitation and contact was made via the Ellis librarian, who is a wonderful librarian indeed!  I had no idea that the author's child attends Charles Ellis, though I'd heard that the author lives in Savannah (he's a friend of a friend). 

A new film, written by an Ellis mom, is in the works here in Savannah, too.

Well, I won't go through listing every writer that I know, but there are a host of them, and I'm tickled to pieces to have just downloaded a first draft of...hmm, is there anything wrong with sharing his name?  I don't see why not...Gregory Keyes' new novel.  Yay!  I feel so lucky!  I'm embarrassed to say that I don't believe I've read any of his published works yet, but first draft's first!  :)

A Skinnier Month

Skinny-fying Month 1 is successfully under my one-size-smaller belt!  Despite a couple of trips and birthdays and various mochas and setbacks, it worked!  Honestly, I really need to say all this because, being the perfectionist I am, I generally only recall the 'failures' of the month, and that leads to me wanting to scrap the whole thing and ignore calories as much as possible.

So no, apparently I don't have some amazing metabolism or intractable genetic predisposition.  In fact, I have a couple of heavy relatives who have gone through the gastric bypass surgery and have lost tremendous amounts of weight (i.e., I'm suggesting that they'd have done so if they'd merely controlled the calorie intakes, right?).

It seems I can even splurge occasionally, take trips, eat out and everything and STILL lose weight.  I merely have to carefully watch calories and try to show a wee bit of self-restraint.

Now, we'll see how Month 2 goes, though.  I'm not sure if I'm still doing alright or if I've become more lax with myself, but we'll watch the numbers and see if they continue in the right direction (and they were travelling the wrong direction before the emergence of the Skinny-fying calendar, remember?).

What have I learned from Month 1?  Well, I'd say the first thing is that you can have some pretty fantastic meals at a very small price.  Tasty fillers are the key. 

Honestly, for breakfast this morning, I had--for less than 300 calories--a big sandwich, a bowl of 'soup', a glass of mint water and a mug of hot Scottish Breakfast tea.  Except for the first item, virtually no calories were consumed, as the 'soup' was a tasty veggie broth.  The 'big' sandwich was actually 'big' because of a bunch of buttercrunch lettuce.  Real calorie items consisted of Morningstar Veggie Bacon strips, Tofutti cream cheese, and a whole wheat mini-bagel.

A lunch variation on this often includes the 'soup', a salad, sandwich, and hot tea.  Feels pretty deluxe at under 500 calories.  If I hold off on breakfast and have this as 'brunch', then I can wiggle in an afternoon mocha, a 100-cal bag of popcorn (or even two), plus dinner--and still have a gold-star day! 

Yep, this is a pep talk for me!  It's not so hard if I plan it right--but I have to consider and plan and pay attention.  So, that's what I'm doing.  Not so rough!

Exercise has not played much of a role at all.  I have exercised no more than usual and probably less--only 2-4 elliptical session per week.  I'd like to get that up a little, but I'm not applying too much pressure on that end.  The stamps are maybe helpful, as I feel the need to get in there if I have gone a few days without a stamp, but it's hard to believe that I could have exercised less before.  I don't think it was less, but, then again, it's hard to believe that I consumed as many calories as I did before!

So, hat's off (to myself !) for Month 1's successful completion, and here's to Month 2's commencement!  Wish me diligence, perseverance, and another month of properly metered-out tasty treats!

My Little Authors include a Burgeoning Teenager

Fiona was supposed to clean her room this weekend.  Therefore, of course, she began writing a new story while 'confined' to her room.  I asked her to let me publish it in my blog, but she was very firm with me, "Not until it's finished."  I can't stand waiting!  Yes, I think it's fabulous so far.  So, so cute and well done!  I totally think it could fly as a real young girl's book (or at least the beginning), with a little help on spelling and grammar--but leaving the content almost virtually as is.  I can't wait to share it.  And...I'm even a little intimidated.  My EIGHT-year-old can write like that???  I'm about ready to hang up my own author's cap in deference, I swear!

So, my enthusiasm was pretty effusive.  Alex listened to her story so far, and he was pretty gracious about it, but shortly afterwards, almost completely unprovoked (I was talking about scheduling), he told me, "You're not going to control my life!" 

A bit later, I was saying how I avoided thinking about student loan and interests as much as possible, as I get so depressed when I do, to which he responded, "and you're already depressed enough!"  Ouch! 

Also, in that same conversation, I was talking about the financial benefits of him living at home through college and paying tuition with the Hope Grant and scholarships (to avoid our student loan nightmare), when he informed me that he was planning on living in a dorm--I shouldn't worry, as he plans to cover it with scholarships.

Boy, I was like, "Perfect!  That's quite alright with me!"  Geesh, like I'm dying to cater to his butt for an extra many years?  I mean, he is a perfect sweetheart most of the time, but he's messy and I have to deal with his food and dishes and all... but, yeah, I'd be happy to let him stay here as long as he wants to.  I love my wonderful little guy to pieces. 

But, wow, I was a bit blindsided by his new little defiant, snippy tone with me.  Yes, I was being perfectly sweet to him.  I don't know where all that came from!  Except...I was wondering about whether his feelings had been hurt by my overt enthusiasm for Fiona's writing.  I certainly didn't have that for his.

So, I was contemplating this and went up to speak to him, explaining how proud I was of him writing his little book/screenplay and how it was just so completely not my genre.  I think Tron is boring and comic books are boring--so I just am not his target audience.  I just wanted to make sure I hadn't hurt his feelings by my enthusiasm for Fiona's writing, which is much more 'girly' and to my taste.

Alex replied, "Look, I know my writing's good.  My friends think it's awesome.  Honestly, Mom, what annoys me more than anything is this conversation."

OMG!  I was flabbergasted.  Can you believe that?  From my sweet, sweet boy?  OUCH again!  Yes, by the time he's college-age, I may very well be shoving the fellow into his dorm-room, brushing my hands off with satisfaction and saying, "Good Riddance!"  Grr!

I related these conversations to Michael, and he said, "That's your son, hitting where it hurts," though I think the tone of this very comment might beg to differ who's influence that is, right?

Fiona's noted Alex's 'crankiness' for a while, too, and she's asked me if we can make his new 'hormones' go away.  If only!  And this is only a hint of what's to come... 

Dropping like Flies & Paying Respects

My extended family seemed to have immunity to the whole death thing for the longest time--until six years ago.  Honestly, I remember going to one funeral as a kid--my mother's cousin, who I didn't really know.  At this point, though, the family's making up for lost time.  Grandparents, uncles, brother-in-law, cousins...we've had a lot of funerals.  We've also been hit with all sorts of serious illnesses--lots of relatives in chemo and radiation and all such.

Part of it is probably as simple as similar age groups hitting those times.  My grandmama was 97, I believe, and Granny was 88.  My maternal grandfather passed before I was born, though.  Ah, and that brings us to Granddaddy, who I saw yesterday.  The decline in the past couple of months is awful.  Two months ago, I was delighted at his dynamic self and felt quite pleased with his vitality and intact mind.  Sure, he wasn't in the best of health, but when the doctors quietly asked my father if he wanted to continue with all the blood and platelet transfusions, I was right with Dad in thinking, "Of course!  What's the matter with them?"  However, Granddaddy is generally in a lot of pain and is somewhat delirious now, possibly due to all the medications.  So sad to see.  He's 91, but I hope he doesn't have to endure this state for too long.

Oh, I just got back from a funeral for my Uncle Jesse, age 86.  He'd been married to my Aunt Mildred over 50 years, so though not blood kin, he definitely felt like family.  His granddaughter, my cousin Angie, passed away about a month or so ago, too.  We were of similar age and spent time together as girls.

Anyhow, there are a host of folks who seem on the brink.  It's kind of funny, but when we lived in Washington, I was so afraid that I'd be stuck out there and not able to be with family through deaths and funerals and all that.  I didn't miss many then, either.  Now, it seems like funerals are a hobby of mine, I swear!  Hope it slows down soon, though all signs indicate that it won't.  I do think it's important to pay our respects--not only to the deceased, but to the surviving family members.  At this past funeral, I was certainly there more out of respect for Aunt Mildred and my cousins than anything.   

My Children's Book Choices for Now

Fiona had a field trip to Massie Schoolhouse yesterday.  The kids actually go there a lot for field trips.  I've wondered why, with all the historic sites around Savannah, that the kids keep going back there so much.  I believe they've both been at least 3 times. 

However, Fiona had a great time yesterday.  She wrote with a quill pen and told me about the dunce cap and how girls and boys dressed in those days and how they had to sit at their desks.  She was so animated and excited.  I just love it, too.  I'm sure it doesn't hurt that she's in the middle of reading the Felicity American Girl books right now.  Though Felicity is about 75 years earlier than the Massie schoolbuilding, it's still somewhat analogous, and I think the stories help bring the history to life for her.

This morning Alex was detailing some sort of violent scene.  Honestly, I hadn't been paying that much attention, but the graphic descriptions bothered me and I remarked upon it.  He reassured me, "Mom, I need to understand the bad guys so that I can write really interesting action scenes."  How funny--as I feel the exact same way!  I was like, "Of course, proceed!"  Apparently he's tacked an extra scene onto the end of his book (a strange, somewhat horrific little story).  Hmm...you know, I don't think I talk about my books with him, but perhaps he overhears me talking to Michael about my progress.  Funny that he'd be tacking on extra scenes to an already-written story just as I'm adding new introductory chapters to my first book.  Of course, I have always felt that he was a bit of a mind-reader with me. 

I've begun reading them a simple little 'Magic Tree House' book on Irish folklore--leprechauns, clurichauns, banshees, pookas, etc.  It's actually quite fascinating.  While I'm not a big fan of the 'Magic Tree House' fiction books (a wee bit lame!), I have really, really enjoyed the nonfiction ones.

I'm a little bummed about our Bible stories.  I took painstaking care in selecting the Bible story book that I have.  I drooled over some beautifully illustrated books, but I actually sat down and read similar sections to see which was more well-written, and the book I chose won hands-down.  It's action-packed and keeps moving, not getting weighted down with a lot of outdated speech or much philosophy.  I think it's pretty well done.  The kids didn't throw it out like they oh-so-sadly did my Celtic Read-Aloud Myths (I tried to start that at least two different times), but they do whine about it.  I think part of the problem is the inconsistency with characters.  It's always something new, someone new.  Lots of unrelated stories. 

I was really disappointed when, just a day or so ago, there was a reference to one of the Bible stories I've read them recently, and Fiona didn't remember it at all.  She doesn't relate to those characters, I suppose--but how could you forget John the Baptist's beheading and the whole scene behind it?  (Yes, it is supposed to be a Children's Bible Storybook!)

Our book consumption has been drastically reduced, however, as a family.  I think the kids are reading more on their own now, but also I don't spend nearly the time in the car with them that I used to, when they had almost daily after-school activities.  We went through a lot of stories that way, via audio CDs.  

Fiona's growing out of her Rainbow Magic Fairies books and is now mostly absorbed with the American Girl stories--very wholesome and comforting for me :).  Alex has been reading Artemis Fowl books, which I like but find a bit jaded and not really idealistic or wholesome.  Entertaining and not too bad, though.  He also reads the Alex Ryder books, which I haven't read, but I've seen them in the teen section at Barnes & Noble.  I suppose I'm not going to micromanage him, so long as I don't see anything too alarming.  I've made my suggestions for really classic, fabulous boy-oriented literature, but he's generally not terribly interested...sigh.

The second Red Pyramid book is out, and a new addition to the Percy Jackson world--but I haven't read either of these.  Alex has read both.  Those are both by Rick Riordan and help solidify Egyptian and Greek mythological associations, respectively.  Not incredibly inspiring to me, except as a fantastic learning tool.  They're pretty entertaining and action-packed, though, which is why Alex loves them.

Upcoming reading plans?  Oops...I do have some books that I'd like to present to them, but I'm afraid of their reactions.  I have a really pretty kid's anatomy & physiology book, and I will try it, but I won't be surprised if I don't really get a shot.  You know, I have to tread carefully, because if I introduce too many not-so-great books, I'm afraid I'll negatively impact their love of reading.  I don't want it to be a chore for them! 

Books Update

Tapestry is feeling pretty durn close to complete.  Still finishing up the last run-through with Michael.  Meanwhile, I've gone back to Silk.  Chapter 2 is now written, and I'm completely revising what will now be Chapter 3 (or perhaps possibly Chapter 4, if a new 3 enters the scene.  Not sure it's important enough, though, so it's looking like a 'no' at this point.)  In fact, given the way my writing has developed, I'm afraid that Silk is possibly up for a pretty big revision.  I need to adapt some of the exposition to action and conversation--more of that 'show, not tell' that Laura kept reminding me to do.  Well, not really more 'action', just more 'show' than 'tell' about the action.  I honestly didn't see how to adapt it when I first wrote it, but I think I better understand now.  I think that the most revision needs to occur at the very beginning, though, so here's to hoping it won't take too long to do.

A Rapunzel Movie

Fiona and I went out to see Tangled yesterday after school while the guys went to Alex's first boy scout meeting.  I have to admit that it was my favorite Disney animated cartoon yet.  I loved it!  Okay, well, I'm sure that has to do with the whole Rapunzel association I have going on with my book Tapestry. 

You know, I was a bit uncomfortable about the number of associations I made between the two, though there should be that a bit, right?  Mother Gothel was more like my villain, Jessie, than any Disney character has been yet.  She was manipulative and, well, mostly out to take care of #1.  What she did was perfectly rational to her own mind.  In fact, she wanted Rapunzel to be happy.  Didn't she agree to travel on a 3-day journey just to get some silly shells to make a special paint that Rapunzel wanted?  See?  She didn't want to make that journey, but she only turned back because she was alarmed at signs of palace guards heading towards the tower. 

You know what 'done her in' in the end?  Well, she was too durn soft-hearted.  She'd stabbed Rapunzel's beau, who was out to rescue Rapunzel from Mother Gothel.  She wouldn't have stabbed the chap if he hadn't been, in fact, threatening her own life in trying to rescue Rapunzel (you'd have to see it to catch why she needed Rapunzel, but she did).  Though Mother Gothel wanted Rapunzel to be happy, she resorted to chains because she had to.  I mean, it was her own life at stake, right?  But she did want Rapunzel to be happy.  That's why she allowed Rapunzel to go and heal her fellow--who then destroyed Mother Gothel's lifeline and thus killed her.  If she'd let him die on that tower floor, she'd have been fine! 

Oh, I loved it!  So, so my Jessie character (maybe with a gypsy flair and a bit softer)!  And, you know, I was pretty put out that Rapunzel didn't grieve her death at all.  She'd been raised and tended by Mother Gothel (lots of 'I love you', 'I love you more', 'I love you most' warmth and such).  Yes, Mother Gothel had stolen her as a babe, but only because she had to to survive.  Poor Mother Gothel...  and yes, I like my own villain, too :). 

Oh, Rapunzel's character was great, too--one of my favorite Disney 'princesses'.  I loved that they finally had a character with both spunk and innocence.  They went from helpless innocence (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty) to jaded spunk (think Meg in Hercules), but Disney finally got it right with Rapunzel.  Hmm, maybe with Ariel, too...but Rapunzel's story was a little more fun than Ariel's crush on Prince Eric.  

Fiona and I pronounce Tangled a Triumph!

P.S.  Fiona and I agreed on our absolute favorite scenes:

1.  Rapunzel's ambivalent wailing and screeches of joy when she finally left the tower.  Absolutely hysterical!  From "Yippee, Yippee!" to "I'm a terrible, awful daughter!" and throwing herself face down on the ground.  I nearly had a conniption at the rapid back-and-forth.  Well done and so funny!

2.  Rapunzel trying to put Flynn in the closet, once she'd knocked him out with a frying pan.  Actually, the whole scene from the first whack until Mother Gothel arrived.  Again, hysterical.  No, it wouldn't have been so funny if it had been Mother Gothel.  It was this sweet, innocent girl doing so that made it hilarious.

The Land of TOO MUCH

A multitude of special days occur in February.  Birthdays we celebrate include those of Michael, my mother, my father, my father-in-law, my nephew, and Nana.  Valentine's Day, of course, has become a major holiday in our household, which has gone haywire with the holidays, I do believe.

I'm not quite sure how it happened.  It is sweet, of course...  Michael's always been quite the sentimental gift-giver, and his son seems to be following his footsteps.  Alex buys presents for everyone!  Can I say that I don't enjoy all the presents?  No... the kids even got me a beautiful ring.

However, to be truthful, it all becomes such a production, for we have to take Alex shopping, and then there's the after-mess for mommy to deal with...but those are fairly small compared to the 'peer pressure' of the occasion.  Yes, I have fully succumbed, and I showered multitudinous gifts on Michael and the kids.  It's really pretty ridiculous, but oh well...  I suppose this year seems a little more elaborate than most, as I saved some of Michael's birthday presents for Valentine's Day, after spending most of his birthday preoccupied with the PianoFest.  He was really gracious about that, thank goodness!

Michael got up and cooked breakfast and prepared lunches--to make things easier on me and to do something special for the kids.  So, things are all out of kilter and it's more stressful than usual.  AND Alex forgets his lunch--usually something I'm more on top of, as I'm the one fixing them.  So, I get to spend a good chunk of my day running his lunch to school and then hanging out until they're out of school...and I don't do well with disruptions. 

And there are all those little things...like, when Michael cooks, he turns on all the lights.  Early in the morning, I like soft lights here and there.  I turn on the light over the sink and the one over the stove.  I feel affronted by bright lights so early.  We have huge windows, so the outside light is really sufficient in and of itself--and isn't so chafing. 

Such little things, right?  I obviously have NOTHING to complain about.  So sweet of Michael to make the breakfast and lunches.  Perfectly FINE for him to want to see while he does these things.  Totally NORMAL for Alex to forget his lunch (his responsibility, not mine or Michael's--but, so long as it's not a regular thing, I do feel an obligation to bring it to him).

Is this normal?  Do we, in our American culture, truly need quite SO many special days?  They are a constant stressor and continually distract and interrupt our normal projects and activities.  Yes, Michael also has a huge to-do list that he's stressed about not getting to.  Not only that, but we have bills and large-ticket items that are waiting for attention, and yet we feel duty-bound to purchase STUFF that we have no room for!

I know that the argument is that we have to find balance.  Perhaps we can limit our celebrations a little bit.  I think part of what we're doing is ensuring we don't end up on the FLIP side.  Wouldn't it be sad to not celebrate or be remembered at all?  I think Michael and I are terrified of the thought of each other or the kids feeling neglected or left out.  We wouldn't have to worry about it at all if there weren't so many freakin' special days!  Ugh!  Such a commercialized, exploitative economy!

I'm incredibly lucky, though.  I should be immensely grateful that I happen to fall on the side of the spectrum of having too much of a good thing.  You know, my favorite holiday in recent memory was a Thanksgiving when Michael and the kids went to Mississippi, and I stayed home alone.  Three days of absolute silence were BLISS.  I realize that I wouldn't feel that way if I were chronically alone, though, so I need to be grateful and appreciate my lovely presents and my thoughtful hubby's meal preparations. 

I guess it's like food, though.  How ridiculous is it that we have to struggle NOT to overeat in our country?  This sort of abundance is ridiculous, and it makes us unhealthy.  Same with clutter.  We HIRE folks these days to come and throw away our things, so that we can move around without injuring ourselves.  While I resist this on principle--waste not, want not--I do feel like I need to succumb to the disposable stuff philosophy (I'm speaking post-injuries!).  I feel awash with too much...too much food, too many holidays, too much stuff, too many lights, too much technology.

What a strange society we are, with our diets and professional organizers and all.  Despite all this, we still, and I am completely guilty of this, take advantage of bulk-buying of cheap commodities.  My own and my kids' closets are more full than most folks', and we are THE stereotype of what I'm complaining about!

You know, I did try once to buy 'Adopt-a-Seal' and 'Adopt-a-Bear' type presents.  I thought, "How nice, it comes with a tiny plush toy and a certificate--this should make a great present."  However, when I received the tiny, cheap plush animal and saw the cheap nonpersonalized printout, I knew that I still had presents to buy, as those would never fly.

I am floundering in the Sea of Plenty.  I want to be grateful, yet I only see how much more STUFF I have to make room for--and much of it, I BOUGHT.  But at least it was great stuff, and my dear little family felt loved and remembered, right?  I hope so... 

You know, I have to say that there is one peculiar benefit to having such abundance.  You'd think it would make you more materialistic, right?  But, actually, it seems to me that it becomes more about showing your caring.  As a girl, I can remember longing intently for material goods, and they seemed so important.  I don't think my kids feel that way, really.  I think they see STUFF as STUFF.  If the house burnt down, they'd be bummed, but they would care more about their family members and pets than their things, which they'd consider replaceable.

In the film My Fair Lady, Eliza Dolittle shares her speculation about how she thinks they'd 'done in' her relative, as they wanted her fancy hat.  Such meager goods, but when folks are poor it can feel a bit desperate that way...

So, this is a reminder to myself to strive for that balance, to realize that all this abundance is a GOOD thing--to be grateful.  Like I've said before, it's a shame we can't meter out things more.  It's like a newborn baby--how exhausting the wonderful baby is.  Wouldn't it be nice to 'store' a few of those days to enjoy periodically?  Nope, you get them all at once, then they're gone.  Life might not always be this abundant, this full.  I need to appreciate it! 

Oh, Grammy just designated the day between Michael's birthday and Valentine's Day as Mom Have a Great Day Day. Cute! I suppose we can happily deal with that, as we try to catch her in there around Michael's birthday and Valentine's Day anyhow!

PianoFest 2011

It's a dichotomy...  I am having trouble fathoming how very polar the talents of children are. 

Ellis Montessori is a good school, and over a quarter of the children are in the gifted program.  It's a magnet school, which means the kids are there because the parents are involved and interested.  Yet, when I see the semi-annual musical concerts there, it sounds...well, a bit like kids are stereotypically expected to sound.  You listen and try to smile patiently and encouragingly.  After all, we all have to start at the beginning, right?

So, this is what I'm used to.  I've worked a lot with my own kids, and they seem quite the musicians to me, from this perspective.

However, at the PianoFest, it's like a whole different world.  The children are all like small piano masters.  Afterwards, Fiona said, in tears, "They made me feel like an amateur!"  The small girl who was 1st runner-up for elementary school looked about five years old.  She sat in her pink, frilly dress at that huge grand piano and played exquisitely.  Later, I found out that she was eight years old, which made me feel marginally better...

Anyhow, it was a good experience for the kids to play for the judges.  We had a bit of a learning curve with poor Alex.  I was unaware that he was expected to memorize his music, and he was extremely disconcerted when the judge wouldn't hand back his music!  He made it through one selection, but the next was a mess until the judge relented and gave it back.  How awful for Alex! 

Fiona happened to have memorized her pieces already, thankfully.  She did actually receive an 'award', of sorts.  I'm unclear whether she was second-runner up or simply honorable mention.  I believe all of the elementary students who participated received at least 'honorable mention', though.  

The children both received participation certificates, and the judges were extremely supportive and kind on their evaluations.  They were both chided a bit on keeping their tempos consistent, so I'm afraid we may have to finally break out the metronome!  (So, good feedback for me as well!  While I knew the tempo issue, they've fought against the metronome.  Now I have backup!) 

The keynote guest gave a concert the night before, which Alex and I attended (while Michael and Fiona were boogie-ing at the daddy-daughter dance).  Alex was first loathe to go, being all 'concerted out', but then he changed his tune upon seeing the speed-demon pianist at work!  He left saying, "I want to be like HIM when I grow up!"  Always practical, he quickly caught himself and modified his wish with, "Well, play piano like him, anyway!"

Seven Edits

I've heard that you should read through your book seven times before submitting it for publication.  That sounded excessive, but I realize that I'm approaching that number with Tapestry!  In fact, before writing each day, I generally reviewed the previous day's work, so that could be considered a 'first' read-thru.  Then, in the evenings, I would read the new pages aloud to Michael, hence a second and third read-thru/edit of sorts.  Before submitting the story to my friend for proofing, I gave it another big read, with a lot of changes (#4).  Then, she reviewed it (#5).  Now, I'm going thru again (#6), still finding small problems.  After my personal edits, I'm again reading aloud to Michael in the evenings (#7 and #8!).  Even scrapping Laura's and Michael's read-thrus and only counting mine (which I think that 7 read-thru recommendation was talking about), I'm up at about five times now!  I suppose it's true!

I just finished my last personal read-thru this morning.  I'll continue with Michael in the evenings, and we're about half done right now.

I plan to go back to Silk for a while after this and, when I've edited that once again, come back to Tapestry for a final read-thru.  FINAL, right?  It's hard to fathom that I've been at it for nearly a year now, when it only took me a month to write the first draft of Silk.

I received a fortune cookie a while back that said, "Your dream will come true in six months."  I thought, six months?  But my books will be out before then!  I'm starting to think that fortune knew its stuff, though!

Parenting Objectives

Tonight concluded one of my 'goal objectives' related to parenting.  No, not a sticker and stamp one, but one nonetheless.  This one had to do with visiting high school open houses with Alex.  Yes, I do realize that he's young and that it may seem a bit like overkill, but he said something that validated the evening for me (despite tonight's failure...more to come).  I was explaining to him that I'd visited the schools already and had formed my opinions, but that I really thought it was important for him to see the schools in person, too, as I didn't want him to feel like I was making his decisions for him.  He actually said that he was glad he'd gone to the first two open houses, as he had felt a bit like I was deciding things for him, but now he feels like he's making his own decisions.  And, guess what?  They do correlate with mine!  But there is a world of difference between him choosing a program because he wants to versus because I want him to, so, even though I felt a bit like I was spinning my wheels (I've already seen it all), it was useful.  Well, sort of.

See, we only actually went to two of the three schools that he was interested in.  Tonight was supposed to be the third choice, but we had navigational issues and I ended up, frustrated with going in circles, scrapping it and going instead to a concert at Savannah Arts Academy.  Given that his opinions thus far have agreed with mine, I think he decided to take my word on school #3.

This was the first time I'd seen the SAA choral groups, and I was again floored.  There were two magnificent barber shop quartets and a lovely female group called the Skylarks.  One of the huge choral groups is going to sing at Carnegie hall soon, and I completely get it.  You know, I looked at getting tickets to see Celtic Women in Savannah, and the prices of the tickets dissuaded me.  These choral groups were incredible, and, dare I say, almost comparable in talent?  One of the barber shop quartets just returned from singing in Las Vegas!  Tickets for tonight were only $5 for adults and $3 for students.

Anyhow, SAA is single-handedly fulfilling my need for culture and arts here in Savannah.  I am increasingly thrilled with their productions.  Yes, I'll admit that on occasion I'll see something that does look 'high school' level.  Some of the art, a few of the dances...but the BEST art and the SAA Dance Company (the best dancers) are generally tight and utterly breathtaking.  I didn't hear anything in the choral performance that wasn't absolutely wonderful, either.  

Oops, sidelined on my tangent, hmm?    Let's see, I suppose I was just feeling as though I'd received a 'sticker' from Alex, when he validated that he felt as though all my efforts to figure out the high school thing with him have been valuable for him.  It helps a lot to hear that when I feel like I'm the only parent I know to care that much about all this prep--can you say OCD?  Oh, Michael is supportive of my efforts, but it's not really his thing.

Another conversation with Alex tonight dwells on my mind.  I remarked, with a sigh, that I often don't feel much like a grown-up.  I was referring to my chronic feeling of needing someone to instill some order in my life! 

Alex replied, "Well, sometimes I don't feel much like a kid."  A little sad, hmm?  But really, the poor chap is so responsible and takes all his schoolwork so seriously!  I've barely looked at his work since fourth grade, as he's so self-directed and capable. 

Alex and Fiona have that PianoFest this Saturday, and they have both been working so hard on their piano selections.  They can really play!  I love that it's become so enjoyable to hear them practice.

On Monday, though, Michael is taking Alex to his first boy scout meeting.  At least, that's the plan.  I know the scouts teach responsibility, but I hope they can have some fun and Alex can be a 'kid' a bit more.

Yes, Michael's been really hands-on with the kids, too.  He's attending the Daddy-Daughter dance with Fiona tomorrow, and he's planning on taking Alex to the Boy Scout camping trip next weekend.  I'm tickled pink about it all!

Cafe writing on Influences and Idealism

So, I'm sitting here at the Sentient Bean, a funky little cafe here in Savannah.  I thought it would be cool to write in a cafe, like JK Rowling, you know?  But, actually, it's not so much.  How do people relax and focus with a bunch of other folks milling about?  Maybe you get used to it...

Let's see, I did have a thought brewing about influences.  It's interesting how many folks influence your life.  You can try so hard to resist, and yet, your sheer reaction to being influenced is evidence of being influenced in and of itself! 

Hmm, but that's life, I guess.  We would do nothing if not inspired by what we see and hear.  If we like what we see, then we may be inspired to incorporate or include bits of that in our own lives and thoughts.  If we react to what we see, we might eliminate bits that would naturally be present. 

I guess it's evidence of the interconnected web that we all share.

I can think of how fairly minor conversations or remarks by friends have helped to shape major elements of my life.  It's often a combination of these elements that lead to the formation of many of our decisions.  Yes, it's often difficult to pinpoint a single remark that was the turning point, but certain ones do stand out.  For instance, I was very excited about reading my friend's new novel, when another friend casually remarked, "Sonya, YOU should write books."  That small, lighthearted comment had major impact.  I needed to hear that little bit of encouragement, and, you know, I don't think she's yet aware that I acted on her suggestion!

What's the impetus for this blog, though?  I realized that I've gotten away from my more philosophical or inspirational blogs in lieu of more mundane topics.  Those mundane topics are great, of course, and I love to talk about what the kids are doing or recount the specifics of my progress towards goal objectives.  However, I think that my diversion from more thoughtful discussions occurred as a result of influences, or perhaps resistance to those influences--and, you know, I have a real issue with living my life as a reaction to others.  I suppose we all do respond to others, to a certain extent, but I hope to have more solidity, more groundedness as a person. 

That said, I'll discount that completely with the thought that perhaps it also has to do with my novel writing, which is emotional and mostly devoid of philosophical or moral lessons.  I don't really mind that so much, as I'm getting in touch with my fundamental nature and allowing my creativity and emotions free reign in a safe environment.  It's truly liberating, but I do miss my more idealistic, humanitarian self.

It's funny, but you know who comes to mind?  Angelina Jolie.  Maybe I'll be like her--put out my exciting, money-making work and then have even more power to effect a difference in the world through humanitarian venues.  We can only hope.  :)

  

New Product Tips for Calorie-Watching

After a particularly stressful weekend that completely trashed my diet, I'm in need of some refocusing!  So, here's a bit on foods again:

I have always shunned low-cal products, opting for taste and good quality.  I figured I'd rather limit quantity than not be satisfied!  However, in my shock over the actual calorie counts in so many foods, I've been turning a sharp eye towards those counts and have actually tried some new products.  I was so elated with my most recent find last night that I thought I'd list them here (for my benefit as well, as I have a tendency to completely forget this sort of thing):

1.  70 cal, So Delicious Frozen Fudge Bar Minis, made with Coconut Milk--incredibly good!  No sacrifice at all...best fudge bar ever!  (This'll be in the health food section--I found them at Kroger.)

2.  Newman's Own Light Honey Mustard Dressing--only 35 cal per 2 tbsp.  I'm used to making my own dressings, which have far more calories.  This one is really good!

3.  Old El Paso Taco Shells--only 50 cal apiece!  Not your typical diet food, but it works for a low cal count dinner.

4.  Thomas Everything Bagel Thins--110 cal.  Yay!  An Everything Bagel I can afford to eat!  Those regular bagels have about 3x the cals!  I spread Tofutti Cream Cheese on mine.

5.  Thomas whole wheat mini-bagels--110 cal, again.  These are great for all sorts of sandwiches.

6.  Thomas Light whole grain English Muffins--about 100 cal apiece.  I've actually begun opting more for these for sandwiches actually.  My daughter prefers them to #5, as well.

7.  Mott's Pomegranate Applesauce cups--50 cal.  Surprisingly yummy!

Hmm, that's all of the specific products that are coming to mind at this moment.  I do have a few naturally low-cal foods that provide a lot of filler:

1.  Cucumbers.  All other veggies, too, but I'm a cucumber fan for sandwiches, salads, etc.

2.  Miso soup.  Just boil water in the tea kettle and pour over a scoop of miso in a bowl.  Smush and stir until mixed, add a whole green onion, chopped.

3.  Teas.  Yum.  Big tea cabinet full of an assortment of herbal teas.  I've discovered that tea manufacturers actually know what they're doing when they mix teas, so try some of the different ones.  I don't like them all, though...  Favorites are Stash Moroccan Mint, Stash Black Chai (I add soymilk), Kroger's Honey Ginseng Green tea, Celestial Seasonings Orange Zinger, and Earl Grey.  The tea I drink most, though, is simply Luzianne Orange Pekoe unsweetened tea, kept in a big pitcher in the fridge.  No calories!

4.  Veggie Broth.  I've used up my favorite one, so I'll have to get back to you on the brand name.  I especially like to have a bowl of this with a cuke-loaded sandwich.  Makes the meal seem really full while staying low-cal.

Medical Melee, Mama's Passion & a Rather Bleak Poet

The tentacles encircled her, and the boneless creature slid with her down into the trench. I dove down after them and blindly felt for her, but instead I felt the first aid medical supplies, so I brought them to the surface and frantically tried to hand them to Michael and Alex in the boat. I knew we’d need the supplies to save her, too. When I returned to the bottom of the sea, though, I couldn’t find her. She’d gone deep into the trench, into a land where I could not follow.

I woke in desperation, but my Fiona was lying right next to me on the air mattress. It didn’t take long for me to figure out what my dream was about—not Fiona, but my mother. I went to see her in the hospital yesterday, post-appendectomy. She was miserably attached to a number of tubes—tubes draining the surgical wounds, IVs, pressure sleeves with tubes to increase pressure on her legs, and a catheter. Also, she had breathing treatments. She had to breathe into a spirometer and periodically, with a therapist, into a large breathing machine. I noticed that she very easily lost her breath, as well.

I should be grateful for modern medicine, for, in this case, its very best foot is forward. A hundred years ago, my mother probably would have died from the ruptured appendicitis. Yes, it did rupture. Of course, knowing how suit-conscious the hospitals are, I wouldn’t be surprised if it ruptured during the surgery and they didn’t want to admit it. But I won’t go into my paranoid distrust of hospitals and medical institutions… Truthfully, I doubt I’d really feel hard at the surgeon even if it were true, as I’m sure it was as easy as popping a balloon while trying to hold it with knives. But it was an elaborate surgery that lasted four hours, and she’ll have to follow-up to ensure that they cleaned it all out of her.

The nursing staff was warm and friendly and supportive. I got very good vibes about the hospital, actually, and the staff seemed solicitous and not overworked or stressed. On his way out, the head surgeon of the hospital stopped by, in his coat, just to check in on my mother. He knows my grandfather (as a patient) and father pretty well, though, so there’s a connection there.

Anyhow, they’d pumped poor Mom full of saline to wash her abdomen out—hence the need for drainage tubes. Between the saline and the breathing machines, I’m not surprised that I dreamt of ‘her’ drowning.

So, I showed up yesterday, at last, fully prepared. At least, I thought I was prepared. I’d brought my book and computer and dictionary and Synonym Finder. I planned to sit with Mom for the entire day, and, while she napped, I was going to do my work. I was so relieved to be with her, and I was equally happy to spend her waking and sleeping hours with her.

See my passion? Yes, I’m a bit of a workaholic with my book(s). I love it and obsess about it. I get that trait honestly, though. No, Mom doesn’t write books. Her passion is directing music at her church.

I was truly so relieved to be with Mom. I was perfectly happy to assist her while I was there. In fact, I stayed pretty busy with all that, and I worried that she wasn’t getting enough rest. Finally, I managed to get her to fall asleep. Within 5 minutes or so after I’d opened my printed book and begun to edit, Knock-Knock-Knock and “Hey, it’s me!” There was my dad and Michael. Mom was woken immediately…

By the time they left and we’d been through another big round of chat and assistance, I encouraged her to go back to sleep. Yes, I wanted her to sleep, but I’d also been starting to feel a little antsy at wanting to edit. Together, those factors really coalesced to make me feel pretty strongly about it. However, I was again thwarted, for my mother’s passion won the day.

See, I don’t believe I’ve ever gone into it in my blog, but my mother is most happy with her church music when she has her children join her. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that she’s not really perfectly content with the music unless I’m there—or perhaps Lancer (my brother). She’s traditionally wanted us both there. My sister sings in the choir, but she never learned an instrument, so she’s not in on the performance requirements, excepting the constant demands of the choir and running the CD player during services (actually a constant bit of work).

So, today’s Saturday, right? I’d actually already agreed to play the flute with her for Sunday’s music. Not a huge deal, if we’ve already decided to visit. The flute is easy for me, and I don’t have to prep a whole lot. However, knowing she was hospital-bound, I left my flute at home. The church does have CDs to sing to, so there’s always that option, which Mom really doesn’t care for very much. She much prefers live music.

Over the years, I’ve worked hard to draw a firm boundary with my mother. She would gladly insist that I be there every Sunday, if I’d allow it. However, she had me yesterday at her beck-and-call. And, while she loves me and very much enjoyed me being with her yesterday, she happily sacrificed my presence for her PASSION. She asked me to take over part of the music, and I agreed. While she was at it, she went ahead and roped me into the Easter cantata. I couldn’t say no, and she reveled in her position.

Oh, to be clear, it’s not that I dislike these things. I enjoy music and playing music. It’s nice. However, it’s rarely done to my taste, and my mother is so zealous that she becomes a little tyrannical with it at times… and, as I have trouble taking advice on my stories, so my mother refuses advice about the music—to an even greater degree!

Once I’d agreed to play the music (on her guitar) for the children’s choir and agreed to look at the choir anthem (for which they have the CD), I expected to mellow out with Mom and maybe get some editing done if she could sleep. As she finally began to settle down (and her next dose of morphine began to kick in), she kicked me out. No, not so that she could rest. She liked me being there and felt better with me there. In fact, her fever disappeared once I was there, and, when I joked it was because I was finally there, she agreed with seriousness and said how much better she felt with me there. She sacrificed my presence, though, so that I could PRACTICE. Yes, once I’d agreed to play for the church, she needed me to go and practice. Right then. No dilly-dallying.

I wanted to stay. I was willing to stay. I was asking to stay. I truly wanted to stay with my mom as long as possible. I can’t believe she booted me out for her passion! Ironically, once I got back, though, Dad had gone to visit my granddaddy, and I had to wait a good while before I could get into their house to practice!

You know, not only did it mean I had to leave early yesterday, but it also means I don’t see her until late tomorrow afternoon. This may be the first time ever that I attend her church without either of my parents! Of course Dad will spend the morning with her. After church, we’ll head up to Kingstree to visit with my granddaddy for a little while before heading to Manning to see her. So, we’ll pop in for a quick ‘Tally-ho!’ and be back off for Savannah—and that’s where the dream analogy comes in for her slipping away, into the trench, where I can’t see her.

I get it, though. It’s rather like I needed to meet deadlines for a book, and, somehow, though I was temporarily incapacitated, my child was able to help me meet those deadlines. While it might be nice to have her by my side, the best thing she could do to really help me would be to leave my side and finish my business for me. I have no doubt she’d willingly relinquish everyone else to the same cause!

So, I’ll do it for her sake. I’ll travel up here and spend the bulk of my time carrying out her business rather than spending it with her…sigh. But, you know, it was a little fun yesterday evening to do things my way! The kids’ songs now include boy/girl division of labor and two solos! The choir anthem? We’re sticking to the CD, but I practiced with the adults and little girls here at home so that we can keep up the tempo (Mom’s big concern about the CD version). Oh, yes, I drafted the newly-minted soloists, Fiona and Elizabeth, into the adult choir as well! They can both belt it out, and Fiona’s an ace at holding her part—which is desperately needed with a choir of slow, Southern-style singers.

cont. on Monday morning:

The children did well, and I want to give my sister due credit. While I managed the children’s choir, she took care of the rest of the music—plus printing off bulletins and her own work for the church. She’s been secretary for ages and is now taking over as treasurer as well. She’s always been a member there, and she devotes a lot of time and energy to the church, including much for the music program with Mom.

Mom was down one tube yesterday afternoon—whew! Bye-bye catheter! She had a fever and headache again—and, like me, Mom’s not particularly prone to headaches. I only saw her for an hour or so with my family before heading back to Savannah. She looked pretty miserable, but she seems quite accepting and pleasant about it all. Michael graciously offered to let me spend the week with her, but she declined. I think she just wants to hole up and be alone.

After church we visited my granddaddy first, who is again not doing as well. I was sad to see him so gray. Last time I was there, he had a twinkle in his eye and was so animated—sharing stories with me for over 3 hours. He can’t hear a word I say, but he can tell I’m interested in his stories. This time, although he tried to talk and share stories, he was clearly feeling run down. His last platelet transfusions were quickly nullified by his immune system, so they didn’t do him a lot of good.

You know, Granddaddy loves to entertain, but he seemed a bit uninspired, so I wrote a question for him (I’ve never done that before, but he couldn’t understand us and was a bit at a loss, so it was a desperate attempt.) I asked him if he had any childhood stories to tell the kids. He shook his head and said, “No, I’m afraid I really don’t. We were so poor and my childhood was pretty bleak.” He did go on to share a little bit, but I was struck by his usage of the word ‘bleak’. I think there’s a bit of a poet in him. Honestly, I think he was feeling a bit bleak himself yesterday, which is not his characteristic mood.

Poor granddaddy. Poor Mama. I hope they both feel better soon.

Tangible Rewards

So, I know that I've fallen off my skinny-fying calendar reports this week, but that's because it's all been pretty smooth sailing.  I've kept up with the calorie counting, and things are on track pretty well.  While I give myself constructed rewards, such as the stars and stamps, that's all just for moral support (strange term, isn't it?  Should that be morale?).  However, I am back to report the first tangible reward of my month.  

Like I said, I had been slowly packing on the pounds, and I was unhappy about the whole clothing issue.  That's what often clues me in--when things start getting tight!  Anyhow, it was partly the realization that I'd soon have to go buy even more clothes that prompted my skinny-fying calendar, and now I'm delighted to say that I put on a couple of items last night that were giving me a bit of hassle before!  It feels great to slide into them and feel right.  So, that's just six pounds, but it makes a substantial difference in clothing comfort!  

Oh, I do have a lot of really nice clothes packed away in smaller sizes, so it'll be this rewarding for quite a while to come if I keep it up! 

Printed Matter

So, I excitedly printed off a copy of Tapestry, eager to share it with Silk's first 'reader'.  Of course I started to read it myself, just to see how it looked in print, and I sadly realized that there was much more editing to do...so, while it feels like a big set-back, it was clearly needed, and, sigh, I'm in the process of reading through the printed version to find mistakes and smooth things out, yet again.  Trying to catch those big boo-boos, like a ",." together and out-of-sequence meal activities again (possible, but not what I had in mind), as well as inserting needed paragraph breaks and finding better words.  Also, you probably have no idea the amount of deliberation that goes into some phrasing.  Ironically, the idea is to make it 'sound' smooth and effortless.  Also, my poor 'Synonym Finder' has already been taped back together, I use it so much (it's invaluable!).

I was also hoping to get copies printed for my mother's birthday.  Yes, I decided to share with her, as she's shown curiosity and interest.  I'm a little nervous about it, but I keep comforting myself that she enjoys all sorts of craziness on TV, and I've warned her!  However, it's not going to happen yet...

How is it that it takes longer for the editing process than the writing process?  I guess that's how some of these writers are so prolific.  Once you're a big name, you can hire editors to smooth it all out.  Except that there's something special about putting the finishing touches on your own baby.  That said, Michael was remarking on how much more relaxed I am about editing suggestions and changes.  I suppose, with time, you chill out a bit.  It's all so personal and intense when you first write...

An example of  how much more mellow I am about it occurred yesterday, when I found a big chunk of a paragraph I may just entirely delete!  I have done it before, but that feels huge to me, though I know professional editors will slice out entire pages and chapters! 

Projected Timeline?  Months, I suppose.... Yes, I'm frustrated about it and anxious to write book #3.  Some ideas are beginning to coalesce, and I'm a bit afraid of them sifting back into the ether and out of my grasp.