Split the day in half, right down the middle. Catalog the first part under "intense outdoor clean up, the tail end" and the second part under "let's get back to manuscript work, shall we?" -- and you have my entire day laid out for you.
I know I've been claiming that I'm done with farmette work for a number of days now, but really, with so many beds, trees and who knows what else to tend to, the job is never really done. Not until it gets so cold that you cannot conceive of going out with a shovel and pruning sheers again. From what I hear, that kind of a chill will creep down on us tomorrow, so most likely these are the last photos of cheepers watching as I chop, pull and trim and Ed mulches down all spent growth (and puts away things that should have been stored some weeks ago).
Perhaps you have noticed that Oreo is still here. Indeed. Just as I stood ready to dance a crazy rooster dance right back at him, he decides to settle down. Yep -- you got it. The rooster has stopped chasing me. And so he has bought himself time. Surely I'm not going to call the knife to him when he is, at the moment, doing nothing more than tending to his girls.
I do have my eye on the guy, but for several days now, he has held steady.
Oh fine. I should have given a proper introduction to the day. Here we go -- a healthy breakfast. One that prepared us for the physical work outside.
And one more comment on the outdoors: the prize to the stubbornest bloomer goes to this wonderful girl -- she is awash with white flowers right now. I took a photo of one with the bee still doing her work.
The afternoon? Well, it's been nearly a month since I did anything to move my book project forward. Sure, I can sit back and hope that the few letters and inquiries will suffice, but frankly, that's an exceptionally dumb strategy, as odds are so not in my favor. I should not place faith in a small handful of letters, even if the occasional one is warmly received. Warmth does not a contract make. I have got to keep on plugging away and so this afternoon, I plug away.
And honestly, everything today is about work. It's as if I had rejoined the world of the employed, only without a paycheck to show for it. (Not yet, anyway.)
I hope you felt equally productive in whatever task you took on today. Success should be measured not by outcomes but by what you attempt to do on any given day, don't you think?
I know I've been claiming that I'm done with farmette work for a number of days now, but really, with so many beds, trees and who knows what else to tend to, the job is never really done. Not until it gets so cold that you cannot conceive of going out with a shovel and pruning sheers again. From what I hear, that kind of a chill will creep down on us tomorrow, so most likely these are the last photos of cheepers watching as I chop, pull and trim and Ed mulches down all spent growth (and puts away things that should have been stored some weeks ago).
Perhaps you have noticed that Oreo is still here. Indeed. Just as I stood ready to dance a crazy rooster dance right back at him, he decides to settle down. Yep -- you got it. The rooster has stopped chasing me. And so he has bought himself time. Surely I'm not going to call the knife to him when he is, at the moment, doing nothing more than tending to his girls.
I do have my eye on the guy, but for several days now, he has held steady.
Oh fine. I should have given a proper introduction to the day. Here we go -- a healthy breakfast. One that prepared us for the physical work outside.
And one more comment on the outdoors: the prize to the stubbornest bloomer goes to this wonderful girl -- she is awash with white flowers right now. I took a photo of one with the bee still doing her work.
The afternoon? Well, it's been nearly a month since I did anything to move my book project forward. Sure, I can sit back and hope that the few letters and inquiries will suffice, but frankly, that's an exceptionally dumb strategy, as odds are so not in my favor. I should not place faith in a small handful of letters, even if the occasional one is warmly received. Warmth does not a contract make. I have got to keep on plugging away and so this afternoon, I plug away.
And honestly, everything today is about work. It's as if I had rejoined the world of the employed, only without a paycheck to show for it. (Not yet, anyway.)
I hope you felt equally productive in whatever task you took on today. Success should be measured not by outcomes but by what you attempt to do on any given day, don't you think?
Oreo is quite wily. :) You and Ed are so industrious - you continue to amaze me! Unlike most people, I allow my fallen forest to blanket my property until spring. Then I engage someone with an obnoxious leaf blower to scoot them into the woods – creating a temporary embankment until breezes, and little and big critters tamp it flat.
ReplyDeleteThat works! Though not so much on flower beds.... The leaves are too big, the new buds to fragile... (I'm very devoted to my baby blooms, come spirng!)
DeleteI am rooting for Oreo 100%!
ReplyDeleteAll I know is I like crossing things off the 'ongoing' list.
Well, looks like Oreo benefited from your crossed fingers and good vibes. For now, he stays.
DeleteI don't suppose you have considered "self-publishing" your book online somewhere? I know nothing about that but I've read that it's getting more and more popular among writers. You have to believe in the reality and popularity of E-book-reading though. I personally don't read E-books but I'm way behind the times anyway.;..
ReplyDeleteI love that Oreo is still there... but don't be surprised if it happens again when you take off for parts unknown again soon... he just needs you to stay put!
You are quite correct about Oreo: I don't think his memory is his strong suit. As for self publishing -- oh, it's there, as a possibility. But I love writing far more than editing/designing/marketing. So for now, I slog on with agents. A few months more and then, if I'm still getting wishy washy responses, I'll switch tracks.
DeleteI accomplished two small chores in the back yard, in the midst of which it began to rain. I finished what I was doing anyway, with rain running down my face, laughed out loud at my absurd self, and felt very robust and Scottish. Which I'm not but only pretend to be, to go along with the rest of the family.
ReplyDeleteHubby's Scottish? Gallant people, those Scots are! Rain or shine, they stand their ground.
DeleteI kind of think you are robust. In unexpected ways perhaps, but definitely robust.
Yes, he comes down from the MacLeods of the Isle of Skye by way of Nova Scotia. Aunt Ruthie used to keep our boys kitted out with tartan sweaters and Tshirts that said "Hold Fast".
DeleteHi Nina:
ReplyDeleteDo you think Oreo just forgot you when you were travelling? I mean they're not called bird brains for nothing!
Oh Shoot I just read the previous comment about Oreo's mind... Sorry I repeated. Ruth in Oxnard
ReplyDelete