One more...

We interrupt this program...

The news offers little for the heart - the woman twittering about her miscarriage as if it's a sneeze, teens beating each other to death, young people dying in wars, someone spreads a false rumour about an abducted child, thievery, murder, and all the mayhems large and small, the news touts it all as new, but it's not new - the world has always had wars and sorrows and people causing harm, and coldness disguised as progress. What I like are blogs. The news tells me this is how it is. Blogs tell me about artists and poets, readers and thinkers, joys and amusements, hilarity and depth of feeling, shadow-sheer thoughts and profound life events. Give me the six o'clock blog peeks over the news anyday - although I still need the weatherman (even though I know which way the wind blows, thank you, BD).

Sunday Quote

I hate tricks. At the first sign of a trick or gimmick in a piece of fiction, a cheap trick or even an elaborate trick, I tend to look for cover. Tricks are ultimately boring, and I get bored easily, which may go along with my not having much of an attention span. But extremely clever chi-chi writing, or just plain tomfoolery writing, puts me to sleep. Writers don't need tricks or gimmicks or even necessarily need to be the smartest fellows on the block. At the risk of appearing foolish, a writer sometimes needs to be able to just stand and gape at this or that thing- a sunset or an old shoe- in absolute and simple amazement.

— Raymond Carver

O where o where has my mojo gone....

...O where o where can it be? Just a grumpus like eveyone else seems to be. Is it the change of seasons? The library deadly hot without a/c the last few days? The news, relentless, seems more disturbing than usual. But it's everyone everywhere, everything: driving, people cranky in stores, maybe it's the end of one thing and the beginning of another, autumn might start or the planet could just spin off its axis. Or not. Even the dogs are acting out, agitated and skittish. At least the ten year old is his sunny self, feeling all that and a bag of chips having done well in the basketball try-outs, and luckily for me I have a gig where there are always some sweet moments in every day. Kids are lovely for the most part, aren't they?

Late afternoon walk

In a sea mood the last few days, glad my daughter suggested a walk.

Penguin tummy and other seaside splendors

fishfishfishfishfish....

Sunday Quote

By the street of
by-and-by one arrives
at the house of never.

-Cervantes

Tonight's why aren't I asleep yet quiz silliness

Your result for The Classic Dames Test...

Carole Lombard

You scored 21% grit, 10% wit, 52% flair, and 33% class!

You're a little bit of a fruitcake, but you always act out in style. You have a good sense of humor, are game for almost anything, but you like to have nice things about you and are attracted to the high life. You're stylish and modern, but you've got a few rough edges that keep you from attaining true sophistication. Your leading men include William Powell, Fredric March, and Clark Gable. Watch out for small planes.

Goodbye, Mary Travers

There are so many losses lately, in the world, at work, and tonight, so sad to add the name of Mary Travers to that long list of people who have left this earth.

I hope Puff is out there waiting for you.

Susan says Yes

Went to a bookreading last night in NYC to see my friend and amazing writer, Dylan Landis, read from her new work (that the amazing Elizabeth Strout is raving about so you know how fabulous it is). It was held at a very dramatic, very red, interesting bar called The KGB Bar, very "My name is Nadia" (remember that film where Nicole Kidman went around saying that, great accent? I annoyed people for weeks doing it). Great fun. They hold literary events frequently and this one was a real treat (especially for a girl who doesn't get out much).

I ended up staying up late reading the most fabulous Normal People Don't Live Like This so was very tired girl today at work. Recommending it because she writes so beautifully, it's powerful and fascinating, and she is my friend - so should you buy the book? Well, damn, look at my heading already.

Sunday Quote

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,

and he shall strengthen thine heart.

-Psalm 27:14

In Memory of those lost

For those who died eight years ago...

Peace.

On the road and back again

Remember that Willie Nelson tune? Years ago we lived near Veteran's Park in Norwalk (CT) where they hold the Oyster Festival - coming up this weekend, I see from my link. We would bring the kids home for their early bedtimes, darken the lights, open wide the windows, and listen to whatever concert they had going on - the sea and our proximity apparently lending great acoustics as we had fantastic sound...I do believe Willie Nelson played there one year (and thus, in our living room as well).

We had a great time up in Mystic for our 25th wedding anniversary - but then again, my husband is my favorite person to hang out with (possibly why we've made 25 years!).

If you do go to the Oyster Festival, be sure to see if the church ladies are still doling out the best ever (beats the ones even in the South although this recipe at Delish looks divine) shredded pork bbq sandwiches - and make sure you ask for your 'slaw on top of the pork so they know you're not an amateur.

Sunday Quote

Keep it simple. Forget what you want. Forget what you need. Forget what you had and lost. Just write down what you have, right now, in your life. Whatever it is - the smell of plums from your backyard tree wafting on the morning breeze, the sight of your seven-year-old son stumbling into the kitchen with his hair sticking up, the feel of the sun on your skin. If you heard a funny joke at work today, put that in. If you were good at your job today, put that in, too (even if you hate the job itself). Put in your family, books, the taste of a hot dog at a ballgame, your dog, making love, eating peaches, and the sound of the newspaper thumping on the porch.

- Author forgotten - on my bulletin board for years.

Benefits of Daydreaming

You get ideas from daydreaming. You get ideas from being bored. You get ideas all the time. The only difference between writers and other people is we notice when we're doing it.

-Neil Gaiman