Hey folks,

Just thought I'd update my blog with some tidbits.  Not, by any means, a comprehensive overview of my life, over even key points--as things have been crappy on a grand scale as of late.  So, don't take any cheery talk to mean that my life is perfect or even good.  For any assholes out there, please note that if I'm cheerful for a single damn moment, it doesn't mean I'm happy--so don't feel obliged to ruin my momentary second of peacefulness, please.

That said, this is my blog, and there are some things that I want to share because, well, it's my blog.  So, know that you're welcome to read on if you are a well-wisher and kindly person only--a person who respects boundaries and is basically honest and forthright in your dealings with others.  

Okay, so you have some of the gist of what's been sheer shit in my life lately--at least a big segment of it.  I have had a lot of bright points, too, and I'd like to honor those moments and treasure them, as we all should do.  

First of all, I've finished the rough draft for Homespun--the final novel in the Silk Trilogy.  I'm not as happy with it as with the first two, but I am thrilled to be approaching the completion of the trilogy.  Part of the trouble I had with it is that I didn't relate to my main characters as much as I did to Caroline or Gaynelle or some of the more idealistic, high-minded others.  It reflects a rougher time, with fallout from Jessie's rearing and all...  The book's in the editing process right now, and I hope to get it where I like it nearly as much as the other two by the time it's published.  We'll see.  I'll be quite pleased to get it out there.  Here are a couple of potential covers for it above.

So, those images are my two favorite options so far.  I haven’t come up with a subtitle, but I don’t know that I’ll bother for this one.  To tell the truth, it’s not as much of a fairy-tale or idealism-based tale, so I’m not feeling that compelling urge.  There is a bit of idealism in the story, though, and that lies with Vivian.  She always was idealistic, in her way, and that aspect of her character comes through again in this story.

[Note that this is my personal blog, not created for author purposes except personal motivation, so I apologize for any spoilers that may leak through.]

Jack, Rosa’s son, is another idealism-motivated character.  However, his mindset is far more conventional than Vivian’s—and you’ll find that they don’t exactly relate.  He is still an honest person, though, so he’s a favorite of mine.

Well, that’s cheery tale #1.  Not much else to share of positive note on the writing front, except that the reading and research goes on for the Hanoverian books.  We’ll see how the inspiration for those goes.  I’ve got a slew of potential stories, and I’ve started one of them.  The issue that I’m feeling most nervous about is the feeling of needing to adhere with known historical facts—which makes it quite restrictive when wanting to build a story.  No impromptu trips or changes—everything has to concur with history, as far as we know it.  That complicates things, to say the least—especially with regards to just setting down and pumping out the word counts.  Almost tempted to ignore facts, write the books, and then make adjustments as needed, y’know?  Besides, I’ve been noticing gross negligence in other historical fiction.  I wouldn’t want to be guilty of the same, but it is FICTION, after all, true?

Okey-dokey, so that’s my joy number one.  Number two on the list is the same-ole, same ole—my lovely chilluns.  Nope, not always perfect, but pretty wonderful anyhow.  Okay, I’ll admit to a bit of disappointment with my eldest, on a small scale—his current obsession (and yes, like me, he generally has some extremely absorbing keen interest) is with violent weapons, militaristic combat.  Sigh.  What to do?  I just pray he outgrows it.  These fiendish interests generally last him at least a couple of years, though, so let’s pray this one ends before he graduates high school and can commit himself to the life of a soldier.  Pretty sure he’d be all over that if it were an option right now!  Mommy is not so keen, though, obviously!  Oh, note the ‘Mommy’.  You know what?  My strapping teenager has been addressing me as ‘Mommy’ of late.  So weird, to me, but sweet, too—so I let it go with a smile and am wondering if he’ll do the same in front of his buddies!  Will try to take note…

Aside from the testosterone-related violence passion and the fact that he’s recently quit the piano (such a shame), my dear boy continues to be a thoughtful sweetheart.  He’s permissive as can be with his little sis, sensitive to my feelings, and continues to do well in school.  Somehow, that violent bent seems completely separate from his strong ethical basis, and he worries about the environment and animal rights still.  So, I am fairly happy with him and just keeping my fingers crossed that his current phase will pass.

Fiona continues to be ever more thoughtful and sweet.  She hasn’t done as much art lately, but I’m praying that the summer camps give her ample opportunity to engage those talents.  She’s actually been a complete bookworm these days, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  I do worry about her eyes, but I know her imagination is engaged—and her sense of values is generally uplifted by the ideas explored in the books.  History is absorbed a bit, as well—we were just discussing WWII this morning, as a result of her reading of a Judy Blume book.  No, not the most efficient history lessons, but it is a way of history becoming more meaningful and alive for her.  I hope I do the same for some folks when I’ve written the Hanoverian series. J

That’s select overview stuff, I guess, for this blog.  An interesting item from the past day is a find at the flea market.  Now, mind you—I’ve only been there a couple of times, including today!  We were hoping to find 2-3 select items—and were unsuccessful.  I left feeling a bit annoyed about it, as I’m so goal-oriented.  However, I did pick up a ring for Fiona there.  I paid $10 for the ring, and I was a bit tickled.  It didn’t seem so very spectacular in the moment, after the blinding glitz of some of the bling being marketed there, but I liked it and got the notion to pick it up.  It wasn’t until later that I kept admiring how graceful her hand looked with it on that we took a good look at it—turns out that it’s an 18K-white gold-plated band with an assortment of tiny garnets and diamonds in a raised 4-cornered pyramid sort of shape.  I’m sure you’ve seen those rather old-fashioned rings—my mother used to have a sapphire one like it.  Anyhow, Michael cleaned it up (and did the identification of authenticity with his loop J), and it’s gracing her little hand now.  Not sure what it’s actually worth, but I’m pretty sure $10 was more than fair, and I’m quite pleased with that find—almost to the point of considering a return visit to the flea market.  I was initially a bit repulsed by the idea—what with the stale smoke smells, cheap crap and porn-ish paraphernalia—Ugh, shudder, close my eyes—but there were some great tables—especially outdoors.  One home-schooling mom had a wonderful assortment of books, of which we bought a pile—and there were other rather interesting little finds among the junk.  It’s a learning experience as well, as I showed Alex an ash tray and asked him if he knew what it was.  He didn’t!  How fun J. 

Okay, well, to tell you the truth, that ring was the exciting factor that led me to blog tonight.  Just that happy urge to share it with the world...or at least record it for myself here!  

Hope that things are going well for any sweet, friendly folks who might be reading this--and for all my lovely friends and family who aren't, as well!  May your hearts be ever-filled with love and kindness--and mine, too!