And a good time was had by all.
Wherever you are, I hope you're safe, warm and happy. And if you can, get outside and play!
P.S. Lest you think we forgot her, Baby Willa was warm, safe, and asleep inside. We'll get her out today.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Snow Day!
It finally snowed! All hail the snow!
And a good time was had by all.
Wherever you are, I hope you're safe, warm and happy. And if you can, get outside and play!
P.S. Lest you think we forgot her, Baby Willa was warm, safe, and asleep inside. We'll get her out today.
And a good time was had by all.
Wherever you are, I hope you're safe, warm and happy. And if you can, get outside and play!
P.S. Lest you think we forgot her, Baby Willa was warm, safe, and asleep inside. We'll get her out today.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Where I Write
So, if you've been following along you already know I live in a whirlwind of small children, husband, dog, graduate school, tiny house, and soon to be jobs, plural. I'm not very good at keeping it all straight. I'm not very good at telling the small children-husband-dog-jobs-grad school to take a hike so I can write for a while.
I think even the baby would laugh if I told her to take a hike so I could write. Besides, where would she go? It's 5 degrees outside.
I would not trade this life. Not for nuthin', honey. But still. It's a lovely little mess.
Would you like to see where I write in this mess?
Awesome. Here's my desk. It's in the corner of our living room, which along with the kitchen is one L-shaped room:
I'm in the process of New Year's cleaning. Pretty much everything that was on that white shelf to the left of the desk has now been dumped onto my desk and dumped on the floor to the right of the desk. I'm not sure why it's all still there, and such a pig sty. I told my cleaning lady and my life coach to take care of this already.
See the bright orange, Columbia Omni-heat jacket hanging on my desk chair? I can't zip it up (baby weight. argh) but it's saving my fanny this week, nonetheless.
Here's another shot of my writing corner:
Keep in mind that this is in the same room as the living room, the fireplace, and the kitchen.
I'd hem and haw and try to convince you that it's usually much, much tidier than this, but even without all the junk that had been taking over the shelf, it's usually pretty messy. See: I'm speaking my truth in 2014.
But I agree with Albert Einstein: "A neat desk is a sign of a sick mind."
Okay, so the quote's been mangled a bit over the years, but surely that's what Einstein meant.
Here's a shot of the desk itself. I don't understand why I'm behind on "thank you" notes and still sending Christmas cards out in late January. Really, it's a mystery.
Last but not least, my unofficial writing partner for the past 10+ years. Her bed is next to my desk. She's faithful, steady, true, and completely unbiased.
But I am in the process of an overhaul, so pictures of the (heaven help me) clean and organized and pretty-pretty writing area to come after the weekend. And if you have any ideas for how I can make this space work better, send them on!
Happy Weekend, all!
I think even the baby would laugh if I told her to take a hike so I could write. Besides, where would she go? It's 5 degrees outside.
I would not trade this life. Not for nuthin', honey. But still. It's a lovely little mess.
Would you like to see where I write in this mess?
Awesome. Here's my desk. It's in the corner of our living room, which along with the kitchen is one L-shaped room:
I'm in the process of New Year's cleaning. Pretty much everything that was on that white shelf to the left of the desk has now been dumped onto my desk and dumped on the floor to the right of the desk. I'm not sure why it's all still there, and such a pig sty. I told my cleaning lady and my life coach to take care of this already.
See the bright orange, Columbia Omni-heat jacket hanging on my desk chair? I can't zip it up (baby weight. argh) but it's saving my fanny this week, nonetheless.
Here's another shot of my writing corner:
Keep in mind that this is in the same room as the living room, the fireplace, and the kitchen.
I'd hem and haw and try to convince you that it's usually much, much tidier than this, but even without all the junk that had been taking over the shelf, it's usually pretty messy. See: I'm speaking my truth in 2014.
But I agree with Albert Einstein: "A neat desk is a sign of a sick mind."
Okay, so the quote's been mangled a bit over the years, but surely that's what Einstein meant.
Here's a shot of the desk itself. I don't understand why I'm behind on "thank you" notes and still sending Christmas cards out in late January. Really, it's a mystery.
Last but not least, my unofficial writing partner for the past 10+ years. Her bed is next to my desk. She's faithful, steady, true, and completely unbiased.
But I am in the process of an overhaul, so pictures of the (heaven help me) clean and organized and pretty-pretty writing area to come after the weekend. And if you have any ideas for how I can make this space work better, send them on!
Happy Weekend, all!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
New Review at Book-alicious Mama
 |
| disabilityhorizons.com |
It really does make me happy to know that people are still reading and enjoying Keowee Valley. To read the review, go here. And if you're looking for new reads, I highly recommend following her blog!
Friday, January 17, 2014
Show & Tell Friday: the Facebook Edition
Hi, folks. Happy Friday!
It's been a while, hasn't it?
Today I'm sharing a few things my Facebook friends have shared with me:
1.) Magical photographs of life on a Russian farm
These are pictures a Russian photographer/mama took of her two young boys on their farm. They are ethereal and yet grounded in earthly things: the family dog, a pond, the texture of the boys' sweaters, snowfall, a rabbit. Incredibly beautiful, and proof of the sheer magic in our everyday lives. Check them out here.
2.) War on wolves
Idaho is planning a wolf slaughter, and they're using tax-payer money to do it. This is nothing new.
One of my favorite organizations, Defenders of Wildlife--which also rates as one of the top organizations to donate to, where most of the money works toward the organization's environmental and conservation mission--is fighting the massacre. I'm not being dramatic: it is a massacre, and the removal of grey wolves from the Endangered Species Act is one of my heart issues. If you get a yen to donate, or to check out what Defenders does, go here.
3.) Maya Angelou reading her poem "Phenomenal Woman"
It's been a while, hasn't it?
Today I'm sharing a few things my Facebook friends have shared with me:
1.) Magical photographs of life on a Russian farm
These are pictures a Russian photographer/mama took of her two young boys on their farm. They are ethereal and yet grounded in earthly things: the family dog, a pond, the texture of the boys' sweaters, snowfall, a rabbit. Incredibly beautiful, and proof of the sheer magic in our everyday lives. Check them out here.
 |
| indiwall.com |
Idaho is planning a wolf slaughter, and they're using tax-payer money to do it. This is nothing new.
One of my favorite organizations, Defenders of Wildlife--which also rates as one of the top organizations to donate to, where most of the money works toward the organization's environmental and conservation mission--is fighting the massacre. I'm not being dramatic: it is a massacre, and the removal of grey wolves from the Endangered Species Act is one of my heart issues. If you get a yen to donate, or to check out what Defenders does, go here.
3.) Maya Angelou reading her poem "Phenomenal Woman"
Maya Angelou is an American treasure. She literally glows, showing us what it means to be truly beautiful. It doesn’t get much better than this. Thanks for sharing, Poets & Writers Magazine!
4.) And don’t forget, if you have any ideas about what I should call the new parenting/outdoor column I’ll be writing for The Greenville News in South Carolina, send them my way.
Happy weekend to all!
4.) And don’t forget, if you have any ideas about what I should call the new parenting/outdoor column I’ll be writing for The Greenville News in South Carolina, send them my way.
Happy weekend to all!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Writing a Newspaper Column & in Need of Advice
 |
| Nielsen.com |
The column will focus on parenting, the outdoor life, empowering girls (especially) and anything in-between, all with a personal and regional touch. It’ll appear every Thursday starting in late February.
If y’all have any ideas for what to call the column itself, I’d love to hear them! (I’ve never been any good at titles.)
Friday, January 10, 2014
Keowee Valley the Amazon Daily Deal - TODAY only $1.99
Happiest of Fridays to you all! After 11 days in Vermont in sub-Artic temperatures, 3 plane trips and delayed luggage, I'm finally back home with my family. Happiness!
More on my time at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing program soon, but for now:
Keowee Valley is the Daily Deal today at Amazon, only $1.99!
I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd share with your friends and fans of historical adventure, on any social media sites you frequent. I'd love to introduce Quinn and Jack, and the Revolutionary-era Southern frontier, to new readers!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Tak' a Cup o' Kindness Yet
On this New Year's Eve, I wanted to thank you all for being so good to me over the past year--for reading my novel, Keowee Valley, and falling in love with its characters--especially Quinn and Jack--and the wild Carolina frontier, for taking the time to visit me here and to correspond with me about so many different topics, not the least of which has included the novel, history, politics, parenthood, football, pursuing a MFA in Writing, and how to make the world's best tomato pie.
Your interest and friendship has been kismet and blessing both, and I hope you'll hang in there with me over the next year as I attempt to conquer the world. Kidding. I mean, as I attempt to parent two wee ones, finish my graduate program, and write the next adventure in Quinn's story.
Today, and as an American Scot, I've got to pan the stage light over to the great Scottish bard Robert (or, as the Scots called him, Rabbie) Burns, who's responsible for the timeless and perfect poem "Old Lang Syne." This poem, of course, has become the anthem of New Year's Eve in American and across the world.
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
And surely you'll be your pint-stowp
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!
Chorus
We twa hae ran about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun til dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne!
Chorus
Burns was a hugely popular poet in his day (the late 1700s); he was also a lyricist and an exciseman, which meant he was in charge of checking on and reporting import items to Scottish ports. And wasn't he a good-looking fellow, too? Like so many of his fellow 18th century poets, he died young. He was 37. But Burns is credited with sharing the Scottish dialect and language with the world. "Old Lang Syne" is said to be a Scottish folk song that he adapted.
BBC News Scotland posted a fantastic article yesterday, about Burns, the song, and how it all came to be.
Burns once wrote:
"My way is: I consider the poetic sentiment, correspondent to my idea of the musical expression, then chuse my theme, begin one stanza, when that is composed—which is generally the most difficult part of the business—I walk out, sit down now and then, look out for objects in nature around me that are in unison or harmony with the cogitations of my fancy and workings of my bosom, humming every now and then the air with the verses I have framed. when I feel my Muse beginning to jade, I retire to the solitary fireside of my study, and there commit my effusions to paper, swinging, at intervals, on the hind-legs of my elbow chair, by way of calling forth my own critical strictures, as my, pen goes."
And a better way of describing a writer's creative process, I've not seen.
I hope that tonight you're all able to give thanks for the "good old days," to meet with dear friends, and to take a cup of kindness for the coming year!
Your interest and friendship has been kismet and blessing both, and I hope you'll hang in there with me over the next year as I attempt to conquer the world. Kidding. I mean, as I attempt to parent two wee ones, finish my graduate program, and write the next adventure in Quinn's story.
Today, and as an American Scot, I've got to pan the stage light over to the great Scottish bard Robert (or, as the Scots called him, Rabbie) Burns, who's responsible for the timeless and perfect poem "Old Lang Syne." This poem, of course, has become the anthem of New Year's Eve in American and across the world.
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
And surely you'll be your pint-stowp
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!
Chorus
We twa hae ran about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun til dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne!
Chorus
- BBC News Scotland
Burns was a hugely popular poet in his day (the late 1700s); he was also a lyricist and an exciseman, which meant he was in charge of checking on and reporting import items to Scottish ports. And wasn't he a good-looking fellow, too? Like so many of his fellow 18th century poets, he died young. He was 37. But Burns is credited with sharing the Scottish dialect and language with the world. "Old Lang Syne" is said to be a Scottish folk song that he adapted.
BBC News Scotland posted a fantastic article yesterday, about Burns, the song, and how it all came to be.
Burns once wrote:
"My way is: I consider the poetic sentiment, correspondent to my idea of the musical expression, then chuse my theme, begin one stanza, when that is composed—which is generally the most difficult part of the business—I walk out, sit down now and then, look out for objects in nature around me that are in unison or harmony with the cogitations of my fancy and workings of my bosom, humming every now and then the air with the verses I have framed. when I feel my Muse beginning to jade, I retire to the solitary fireside of my study, and there commit my effusions to paper, swinging, at intervals, on the hind-legs of my elbow chair, by way of calling forth my own critical strictures, as my, pen goes."
And a better way of describing a writer's creative process, I've not seen.
I hope that tonight you're all able to give thanks for the "good old days," to meet with dear friends, and to take a cup of kindness for the coming year!
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