I have questions...

Questions for the Horsey Set

2009-12-18T18:10:12Z

So, Edward Gal and Totilas broke the Freestyle score record again at Olympia. I just finished watching the video (which you can see here) and...

Hmm.

Is it me, or does Totilas not look as engaged in the hind as he has been in other tests? And maybe he looks a little tired? I mean, this is still some pretty fabulous stuff, but...

And, does anyone know if Edward Gal uses Rollkur? I know he trained with Anky, so I'm guessing he does, but I haven't seen any mention of it in any of the interviews I've read. Just curious...

Your daily serving of cute

2009-12-15T21:50:03Z

(With apologies for the commercial bit at the end, but I think the hippo is worth it...)

Right up there with buymeaclue's octopus, I think....

Agent Day!

2009-12-11T17:41:26Z

I've spent the last little while reading everyone's entries about their agents, and seeing all that love is a nice way to start the day!

There are lots of things I love about my agent, Diana Fox: she gets my writing, she likes my weird ideas, she's hilariously funny, she's a contracts wizard...I could go on. But the reason I am so glad she's my agent is:

She believes I can do it (it being writing my stories), and on days when I'm not sure what I'm doing anymore, knowing that she believes in me gives me the courage to pick up my pen (or, set my fingertips on the keyboard) and keep going. For this, I am eternally grateful.

So, Happy Agent Day to all the agenty types out there. We writerly types are thankful for all the work you do!

A semi-regular PSA: Women's health

2009-12-07T17:43:18Z

Hey everyone!

The anniversary of my first fibroid surgery is rapidly approaching, so it's time for your semi-regular women's health PSA from yours truly. Women folk, if you haven't had a pelvic exam in the past year, consider this your reminder to book your appointment! And while you're at it, you might as well do a breast exam too, don't you think? And, if you're doing breast and pelvic exams, why not get a mammogram at the same time (especially if you're over 40!)? Oh yeah, and don't forget to track your menstrual cycles - another important and easy way to make sure everything's functioning as it ought to be.

Our health is important, and being proactive about our health is essential. If you think something's wrong, get it checked. Odds are, it's nothing, but on the off chance it is something, early detection is KEY! And, if you do suspect something is amiss, don't let anyone tell you it's in your head.

(And while I'm at it, men-folk, have you had your annual physical? Hmm?)

Thus ends your semi-regular PSA. Have a great day!

And the winner of the giveaway is.....

2009-12-05T04:45:26Z

*drum roll*

writeonq!

So, send your mailing details along to bachsoprano AT gmail DOT com and I'll have your mittens in the post on Monday!

And many thanks to everyone for their lovely favorite gift notes - I really loved them all!

Giveaway Reminder!

2009-12-04T16:25:50Z

If you'd like a super warm pair of mitts, don't forget to enter my giveaway here!

You've got until 6 PM PST tonight to enter!

What makes me happy, or Giveaway!

2009-12-03T17:18:40Z

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is gift giving. I love giving things away. So, that's what I'm doing here today!

Below is the item (or items, as it were) up for grabs: one pair of mittens with a cabled knotwork cuff, designed and made by me! The wool's 100% alpaca, so the mittens are super soft and warm (the picture doesn't capture the beauty of the wool, sadly..).

If you'd like them to be yours, leave me a comment below and if you want to leave me a tidbit about a favorite gift you've received, please do so! I will ship overseas, so no worries about entering if you're from places abroad.

I'll be accepting entries until 6 PM PST on Friday, December 4, so don't delay!

I went for a walk in the woods today: a photo essay

2009-12-02T19:59:52Z

I love this time of the year when we get north winds and clear, cold days. This morning, I woke to the first true frost of the year (we've had a couple of days with a touch of frost, but this is the first day when everything was silvery white) and decided I needed to go into the woods:

More under the cut....

Yay!

2009-11-25T17:07:01Z

First thing I did when I got up this morning was look to see who won the Rogers Writers' Trust of Canada awards, and....

Hearty congratulations to my friend Brian Brett, who won for his non-fiction work, TRAUMA FARM: A Rebel History of Rural Life. Brian served as our local writer-in-residence two years ago and was (and continues to be) a huge source of help and encouragement to me as I tried to figure out this whole writer thing.

TRAUMA FARM is a beautiful history of farming and living on the land. Please, read it! Brian's also a fantastic poet, and this book melds memoir, history, and poetic language into a cohesive, thoughtful love song to the earth and good green growing things.

More about Brian can be found at his website.

Yay Brian - such fantastic news!

A bit o' news

2009-11-23T23:45:29Z

Well, I can finally share a bit of news I've been sitting on for a couple of weeks - the publication date for SHADOWS has been pushed back to 2012. Though I took a deep breath or two when I got the news, I realize that this isn't the end of the world (quite the opposite, in fact). Actually, it's a rather nice silver lining because I've now got time to finish up a couple of projects that would have driven me nuts if they remained in their incomplete forms.

Anyhow, there you have it: my life, the Monday edition. Onwards and upwards!

Another moment of synchronicity

2009-11-16T19:36:18Z

Part of the DH's job involves spending a fair amount of time on the road. Once in a while, he'll send me an email via his Blackberry of something he's seen while he's out and about. So, on Saturday, an email arrived with a link he had spotted on a car while in the Starbucks drive-through line-up. The link in question? The Rest and Recuperate Equine Care Society

Something I don't openly broadcast is that I'm a Reiki practitioner. Once in a while, I'll volunteer to help someone out if I know they're going through a rough time and could use a little help, but I've never wanted to practice Reiki as a business - just an free-will offering, I guess, when there's a need. Anyhow, over the last year or so, I've felt more and more drawn to giving Reiki to animals. My riding teacher's horses are willing guinea pigs, and I've done some work on the donkeys belonging to my riding teacher's neighbour. And, I've done some work for horses & dogs of friends here in LJ land (oh, and people too!), which is always an honour.

Anyhow, one of the things I would dearly love to do at some point in my life is get involved in equine rescue work, but to do so, one has to have a whole hooodle of money and a lot of space, so I figured that maybe, offering my Reiki services to this rescue group might be a way to help in a small way and as it turns out, I'll be going down Friday to meet with the director of the society to discuss giving Reiki to the horses! So, yay for the DH and his eagle eyes! I'm very excited.

Also, while I'm at it, midnightsjane posted about a very good equine rescue society on her LJ last night, so here's the link in case anyone's interested:

Circle F Horse Rescue Society

Another rescue society that does fabulous work with disabled animals (They've got 24 blind horses on their ranch!):

Rolling Dog Ranch

And, here's a video about the sort of work Rolling Dog Ranch does (warning: it's probably a good idea to have a tissue handy...)

Anyhow. I'm excited to see where this all leads!

A brief update

2009-11-12T23:09:56Z

My computer is broken, so I've been forced to use the DH's, which would be fine except for the fact that the "h" key on is computer is broken, thereby forcing me to use the character map to write this.

Anyhow, I have a couple of emails that I need to get back to people on - I'll try for tomorrow because trying to type without an "h" key is frustrating me to no end.

Sigh. I secretly think this is the universe's way to telling me to get off the computer, and because I know better than to argue with the universe, I'm now off to dabble with watercolours. Who knows, maybe I'll even summon up the courage to post the results of my dabbling!

Remembrance Day

2009-11-11T04:20:00Z

Cat, Donkey, Fish - A Photo Essay

2009-11-02T04:29:57Z

Fitzy, posing:

Cat, preparing for Halloween by chillaxing:

Autumn, being glorious:

Fish, on their way to spawn:

(The last week or so has been filled with mayhem and mishaps, including computer and car issues. This week promises to be much better with a sister/niece/brother-in-law visit, though that means I will continue to be scarce in these parts. Hope everyone's safe and well!)

Giveaway Results!

2009-10-24T05:15:12Z

Well, it's been a crazy day involving, among other things, a migraine, so I didn't get chance to draw for that handmade book until just now. All the names got written out and stuck in a bowl, and the trusty DH drew......

*drum roll*

ryan_howse, which is extra awesome because tomorrow (well, today in his part of the world) is his birthday!

So, thank you to all who entered, and Ryan, drop me your mailing address when you have a moment and I'll post the book to you post-haste!

Reminder! Giveaway!

2009-10-21T17:40:13Z

Just a reminder that entries for the book giveaway must be received by October 22 (that's a Thursday, and also, tomorrow) at midnight PST.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about but want to know, go HERE!

Yesterday's Beach Walk

2009-10-20T19:41:46Z

More under the cut...

And, finally, a lighthouse for buymeaclue:

Synchronicity, Martha Graham, and me

2009-10-19T18:24:31Z

Confession time: earlier this year, I experienced a real, full-on writer’s block. Not a fun place to be, and the worst thing was that the longer the block went on, the more I knew I needed to do something to break through it and I needed to do it on my own. I admit that I’m a bit of a lone wolf at the best of times and that isn’t always a good thing, but in this case, any helpful advice I received just seemed to add to the heaviness I felt whenever I thought about writing (this is not to say that I’m not terribly appreciative of advice and support, though!)

Funnily enough, the breaking point for this block came from something an alternative health practitioner I was seeing for my fibroids suggested. There’s a theory in alternative health circles that fibroids and ovarian cysts are connected to blockages in creativity, and my practitioner suggested I dig out my copy of the The Artist’s Way and work through some of the exercises, just to see what shook loose.

Well, shake loose, indeed. That block has been eroded and boy, did were there ever a lot of words dammed up behind it!

Anyhow, synchronicity. That’s what I wanted to write about. Julia Cameron talks about synchronicity a lot in The Artist’s Way, and it’s one of those concepts I’ve always believed in, the idea that things fall in place when they should and not before, and there aren’t any short cuts (foo), and all that. What I like about the concept of synchronicity is that it’s not passive – in order to recognize those moments of “Aha!”, one has to be watchful, and ready to act (and learn) when those moments appear. And, the other thing is that those moments aren’t accompanied by angel trumpets and heavenly music – they’re hard, stark, honest moments when somehow, I’m able to see my truth. Often, they’re “be careful what you wish for moments” too!

So, the other day, I had a moment of synchronicity. I was out running errands, listening to CBC as I drove from one place to the next. Jian Gomeshi was interviewing an author (whose name I can’t remember) about his new book, and why he wrote it, and the author quoted a letter from Martha Graham to Agnes de Mille. Agnes de Mille, who was enjoying the success of choreographing things like ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ on Broadway, wrote to Ms. Graham, asking her if she was spinning her wheels, wasting her talent, selling out, that sort of thing. And Ms. Graham wrote back with the following:

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.

And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable it is nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive.

Ah, I thought. Yes. If I hadn’t gone through that block, I wouldn’t have opened The Artist’s Way, and if I hadn’t opened the Artist’s Way, I wouldn’t have read about synchronicity and blockages and how to heal, and if I hadn’t done that, I might not have hopped in my car the other day to go out searching for waxed thread for book binding (because I probably wouldn’t have taken that book binding class) and if I hadn’t been in my car, I wouldn’t have been listening to that interview and would never have known about the letter Martha Graham wrote.

But the point is: I was, and I did, and here I am. Keep the channel open. That’s my job. And march to the tune of that blessed unrest.

A Giveaway

2009-10-18T00:32:57Z

So, two weeks ago, I learned how to make coptic bound books. It took me about a week to gather up all the supplies I needed, and since then, I've made three, with a fourth in bits and pieces. But, what, I said to myself, am I going to do with all these books? Well, some of them will become Christmas presents, but one of them I'm going to give away to some lucky person. If you'd like that lucky person to be you, leave me a comment to this post with your name, email, and the title/author of your favorite book (or books, if you prefer!). (LJ users, perhaps just comment with the title/author of your favorite book, as I can find you via your username...)

(Edited to add: I will ship this little lovely anywhere in the world, so if you live in some exotic place, please don't let that stop you from entering!)

Next Friday (October 23), I'll put all the names in a hat and draw one out. That person will be the lucky owner of a hand-bound book filled with 42 pages of cream 67 pound paper. The book is covered with Daphne paper, a high quality handmade paper from India. Here's a photo:

All this book needs now is a new owner to fill it with wonderful things.

I'll be accepting entries until October 22 at 12 midnight PST, and once I have a winner, I'll need that person's mailing address so I know where to send their prize!

In which I pass along yummy things

2009-10-13T19:53:31Z

I am emerging from my post-turkey fog so I can link to the contributions I made to my family's Thanksgiving dinner.

Yummy Item #1: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles...

http://lillyella.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-kitchen-pumpkin-cream-cheese.html

(Easy, and awesome - not a single one was left!)

Yummy Item #2: Gingerbread Truffles

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Gingerbread-Truffles-233424

(Also easy, also awesome, provided one likes ginger)

Yummy Item #3: Black Sticky Gingerbread

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/000864.html

(For me, the awesomest of the bunch. I had to sub fancy molasses for blackstrap as I didn't have any blackstrap on hand, so my cake is more brown than black. But! Not only is this delish right out of the oven, but add a little milk & heat up in the microwave, and you've got a stellar breakfast.)

Friday Things

2009-10-09T17:07:26Z

1. I just took a look at the 14 day forecast for our area, and.....holy moly, we might have snow on Tuesday. Snow mixed with rain, but still! I'm skeptical, but I guess we'll see.

2. Tonight, I'm going to hear Starhawk speak. So excited, and I hope to come home brimming with inspiration on how to make our world a better place.

3. On that note, it's Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend. Turkey and pumpkin pie, hooray! And, dinner with family and friends - what could be better?

4. And, on the writing end of things, I think I've hit the halfway point in my bug novel. It's amazing how a novel starts out as just an idea, and then grows and grows into some wild gardeny thing with thorns and straggly bits and everything! It's been a a while since I've really just immersed myself in the process of writing, and what I need to remember is when I do, I am a happy camper.

That's it! Happy Friday, all, and a happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!

Well, that's a nice way to start the day!

2009-10-07T17:59:38Z

I've seen that some of my fellow 2011debuts have found their books on GoodReads, so I decided to take a peek to see if mine was there. Low and behold, it was!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6931234-the-shadows-cast-by-stars

*insert happy dance here*

And what's extra cool is someone's got it on their "to read" list, someone who I don't even know.

Eeeeee!

Days Like This

2009-10-06T22:15:20Z

In today's WIP, two of my characters are having a conversation on the merits of boiled potatoes.

This, I tell you, is the stuff that Pulitzers are made of.

Just sayin'.

*headdesk*

In Which I Reveal Just How Much of a Book-Geek I am, Or What I Did Today!

2009-10-05T21:19:43Z

Today, I made a book! A coptic bound book. Look, here it is:

Here's the spine so you can see my nice little stitches:

And here are the bits and pieces for the next book I'm making, all cut and ready to go:

And finally, here's the paper I'll be using for more book projects - I have a serious paper addiction, so now I'm able to do something with all the paper I've been hoarding away...

So exciting! Now, I'm off to work on what goes inside a book now that I've learned how to make the outside...

An Actual Post about Posty Things, or Friday Itemization

2009-10-02T16:55:04Z

The state of the horse: After a summer of dealing with a serious case of allergies, resulting in Will being covered in open, weeping hives, and then losing his hair on each of those hives, he is finally (FINALLY!) looking healthy again. His winter coat is coming in thick and fast (I'm betting it's going to be another cold winter) and our lessons are going great guns. Not easy, but that's the thing about getting better at something, I think - it doesn't get easier. It gets harder, because it means one is getting into the fine details, and for me, that's so exciting - not to mention the fact that my riding teacher has been doing a lot of dancing around while shouting, "You're dancing! You're dancing! He looks beautiful! That's excellent!" at my lessons. It is very nice to feel like I'm doing okay at something every once in a while.

Also, I love Will. Horses are such generous, forgiving creatures, and Will is a particularly good soul, though, I might be a little biased.

The state of the writing Words cannot express how lucky we writers are to have good writerly friends. Yay you guys - honestly, I'm so grateful.

Also, words cannot express how lucky I am to have such an awesome agent. Diana, you rock.

Finally, last night, I decided to put SUN away for a bit because I feel like I'm flogging the story, and instead, I dug out LOOSENED FROM THE SKY, my bug-alt-history story, and felt the love again - the same feeling I had when I was writing SHADOWS, the feeling that even if the story meant nothing to anyone else, it meant something to me, and that was good enough. That's missing with SUN, and I do wonder if it's something I need to find, or, if it's something that's even findable. Maybe it's like that X-factor - either a person has it, or doesn't.

Anyhow, bugs it is for now.

The state of the Cat So. October. I'm an autumn person. I think it's my favorite season, with the crisp air and the cool days. This summer was unusually hot for my pocket of the globe, and I have to admit I felt like a wilted piece of lettuce most days. But now, autumn is here, the leaves are turning, the horses are getting fuzzy, there's a dusting of snow on the mountains, and soon, frost will arrive. Thanksgiving's next weekend, meaning pumpkin pie and turkey and a family gathering. My back is better (provided I remember to do my exercises), some of our family crises have settled down, and to sum up:

Today is a good day.

Happy Friday to all!