Saturday, December 24, 2005
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all of you reading this! I hope your holidays are happy and you get at least ONE thing you want under the tree! ;-)
Monday, December 12, 2005
A Bird Flies the Nest...
This was a column I wrote when my oldest left for college. It was published in the Highlands County News Sun on August 28th, 2005 in my column, "Laura's Look." Please don't copy without permission... :-)
The fact I would cry at some point was a given.
Don knew it, John knew it, all my friends knew it, and I knew it. My hope was I wouldn’t burst into tears in front of the whole college.
We had spent two days driving from our home in Florida to this small university in western Tennessee. The van was packed with the things John would take with him for his new home – a dorm room. These included a computer, a two drawer filing cabinet, and several suitcases filled with clothes and linens.
John did some of the driving on that long journey. I looked at him over these past few days as I have in the past few months, with wonder. I can still remember when he was so small I could hold him comfortably in one arm. Now he towers over me, well over six feet tall.
When did his voice get so deep? Will he always look like a child to me? I searched his face, wondering when I would see not the boy I raised, but a man on his own. Other parents assure me I will see that one day. Now, I still see the boy.
I knew this day was coming – this time of severing more of the apron strings that bound him to me. Don and I knew that this was a process, that one doesn’t let go all of a sudden, but step by step. This was the biggest step of all.
As the days of John stepping into the college world approached, I know I asked myself all kinds of questions. I have said in the past that John was the first teenager I ever raised. That much is true. Because he was the first, he got two parents who were inexperienced and not yet broken in. Obviously, mistakes were made. (This is not to say we’re doing a perfect job with his brother James – we’re just making different mistakes).
I think most parents at one point in time or another ask themselves if they are doing a good job. As the child enters the late teens, I think the question acquires a new urgency, as the parent realizes the window of influence they have is closing. The young man or woman is no longer under their wing – they are on their own.
Back to the trip. Don, John and I set up his stuff in his room once we got there. College dorms haven’t changed that much since I lived in one more than 20 years ago – the walls are still cinderblock, the furniture still utilitarian. We discovered we had forgotten minor things, such as a trash can and a phone. These things were obtained.
Finally, Sunday afternoon came. It was time. John had an orientation event to attend. Don and I had a fifteen hour drive to start. The bird was ready to fly.
Yes, I cried. I didn’t make quite the fool of myself I thought I might, but there were tears shed. To his credit, John put up with them with a minimum of eye rolling.
I am more fortunate than my parents were in this day of the Internet. We no longer are restricted to expensive long distance calls or snail mail for contact. Email and various chat programs give us more opportunities for communication than there were in the past, though they still haven’t figured out how to drag long detailed answers out of your college student when you ask how things are going.
The bird has flown. Mommy can’t help but watch him go with mingled tears of sorrow, pride, and joy.
The fact I would cry at some point was a given.
Don knew it, John knew it, all my friends knew it, and I knew it. My hope was I wouldn’t burst into tears in front of the whole college.
We had spent two days driving from our home in Florida to this small university in western Tennessee. The van was packed with the things John would take with him for his new home – a dorm room. These included a computer, a two drawer filing cabinet, and several suitcases filled with clothes and linens.
John did some of the driving on that long journey. I looked at him over these past few days as I have in the past few months, with wonder. I can still remember when he was so small I could hold him comfortably in one arm. Now he towers over me, well over six feet tall.
When did his voice get so deep? Will he always look like a child to me? I searched his face, wondering when I would see not the boy I raised, but a man on his own. Other parents assure me I will see that one day. Now, I still see the boy.
I knew this day was coming – this time of severing more of the apron strings that bound him to me. Don and I knew that this was a process, that one doesn’t let go all of a sudden, but step by step. This was the biggest step of all.
As the days of John stepping into the college world approached, I know I asked myself all kinds of questions. I have said in the past that John was the first teenager I ever raised. That much is true. Because he was the first, he got two parents who were inexperienced and not yet broken in. Obviously, mistakes were made. (This is not to say we’re doing a perfect job with his brother James – we’re just making different mistakes).
I think most parents at one point in time or another ask themselves if they are doing a good job. As the child enters the late teens, I think the question acquires a new urgency, as the parent realizes the window of influence they have is closing. The young man or woman is no longer under their wing – they are on their own.
Back to the trip. Don, John and I set up his stuff in his room once we got there. College dorms haven’t changed that much since I lived in one more than 20 years ago – the walls are still cinderblock, the furniture still utilitarian. We discovered we had forgotten minor things, such as a trash can and a phone. These things were obtained.
Finally, Sunday afternoon came. It was time. John had an orientation event to attend. Don and I had a fifteen hour drive to start. The bird was ready to fly.
Yes, I cried. I didn’t make quite the fool of myself I thought I might, but there were tears shed. To his credit, John put up with them with a minimum of eye rolling.
I am more fortunate than my parents were in this day of the Internet. We no longer are restricted to expensive long distance calls or snail mail for contact. Email and various chat programs give us more opportunities for communication than there were in the past, though they still haven’t figured out how to drag long detailed answers out of your college student when you ask how things are going.
The bird has flown. Mommy can’t help but watch him go with mingled tears of sorrow, pride, and joy.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Between Nano and Christmas - beware, rambling!
50,175 words. That is my total count for National Novel Writing Month. I felt a great sense of joy and relief when I uploaded the wordcount to the Nano Website and got a "good job!' message. That was a lot of work. Now I have to finish the thing, but at least I'm on a less crazed timetable with it!
The column still goes on. I'm lucky that I can usually find something to talk about every week. Reader input is always a joy. Even criticism. It means someone is reading the thing.
I got a reject on a story I wrote before Nano consumed me. It's waiting to get booted back out into the cold cruel world. I need to decide where to send it next.
I also need to finish a short story I started before Nano. It's a little different for me - more of a suspense kind of story. I also need to do some research on the thing.
We are now an iguana-less household. We've had 3 iguanas for a while. The boys decided to give the two big ones to a local pet store, because they were not exactly friendly. The third, a little one, must have missed them, because she turned up dead in her aquarium one evening - we aren't sure why.
I would like to get 4 short stories written and sent before the year is up. That would make 20 short stories I've written and sent out this year. A start. Right now I am trying to pick my writing goals for 2006.
Hope everyone is doing well and not too insane during this season...
The column still goes on. I'm lucky that I can usually find something to talk about every week. Reader input is always a joy. Even criticism. It means someone is reading the thing.
I got a reject on a story I wrote before Nano consumed me. It's waiting to get booted back out into the cold cruel world. I need to decide where to send it next.
I also need to finish a short story I started before Nano. It's a little different for me - more of a suspense kind of story. I also need to do some research on the thing.
We are now an iguana-less household. We've had 3 iguanas for a while. The boys decided to give the two big ones to a local pet store, because they were not exactly friendly. The third, a little one, must have missed them, because she turned up dead in her aquarium one evening - we aren't sure why.
I would like to get 4 short stories written and sent before the year is up. That would make 20 short stories I've written and sent out this year. A start. Right now I am trying to pick my writing goals for 2006.
Hope everyone is doing well and not too insane during this season...
Monday, November 28, 2005
Okay, this was embarrassing
I was WIPED this morning. We drove John and his roomate to Orlando to catch a plane back to school, and got home late. I went to bed even later to allow the caffiene I had drunk to stay awake to drive to wear off. Big mistake.
This morning after I drove James to school I was exhausted, so I decided to turn the radio on low and lie down for a bit. I fell asleep. Big mistake number 2.
A few times I woke up a little and heard Perky barking, but they are delivering fill to the property next door so I didn't think much about it. However, at one point his barking sounded like he was outside, so I got up and checked.
The front door was ajar. I have no idea how it got that way. I called for Perky and he came trotting right up to the house. I decided to get the mail.
At the end of the driveway, I heard one of my neighbors call me in an alarmed tone of voice. He said he had chased Perky to the house, seen the door ajar, and tried ringing the doorbell (which I obviously didn't hear). He assumed the worst and called the cops.
Now, on the one hand, I am thankful we have such good neighbors. On the other hand, the cops might STILL find a dead body here if the embarrasment I'm feelling kills me.
Anyway, it's not boring around here...
This morning after I drove James to school I was exhausted, so I decided to turn the radio on low and lie down for a bit. I fell asleep. Big mistake number 2.
A few times I woke up a little and heard Perky barking, but they are delivering fill to the property next door so I didn't think much about it. However, at one point his barking sounded like he was outside, so I got up and checked.
The front door was ajar. I have no idea how it got that way. I called for Perky and he came trotting right up to the house. I decided to get the mail.
At the end of the driveway, I heard one of my neighbors call me in an alarmed tone of voice. He said he had chased Perky to the house, seen the door ajar, and tried ringing the doorbell (which I obviously didn't hear). He assumed the worst and called the cops.
Now, on the one hand, I am thankful we have such good neighbors. On the other hand, the cops might STILL find a dead body here if the embarrasment I'm feelling kills me.
Anyway, it's not boring around here...
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Nano update and college kid home
Well, as I continue in the insanity that is Nano (National Novel Writing Month) I have passed the 28,000 word count milestone. That means I need to write a mere 22,000 words between now and November 30th. I'm pretty sure I can do it, though I might have lost what's left of my mind by then...
Meanwhile, John is home for Thanksgiving Break, and that has been great. I'm not sure who missed him more - me or the dog. I've been spending some time with John in the evenings - bad news is that sometimes means I've been up with him until 3 am or so, and am exhausted - I've slept away the past two mornings. But I'm not sorry. I'm glad to spend time with him.
Hopefully things will approach normal next week, and I will be back to working on short stories and getting them into the mail. Meanwhile, back to work...
Meanwhile, John is home for Thanksgiving Break, and that has been great. I'm not sure who missed him more - me or the dog. I've been spending some time with John in the evenings - bad news is that sometimes means I've been up with him until 3 am or so, and am exhausted - I've slept away the past two mornings. But I'm not sorry. I'm glad to spend time with him.
Hopefully things will approach normal next week, and I will be back to working on short stories and getting them into the mail. Meanwhile, back to work...
Friday, November 11, 2005
What I've been up to...
Yeah, bet you've been wondering...
Well for one thing, I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month, where the challenge is to write 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November. I've been meeting with some friends in a local coffee house to help motivate me (and vice versa) to grind out those words. I have good days and bad days with it, up to nearly 12,000 words now (I think). Will keep plugging away...
Earlier this week I sent off three short stories that had been rejected by various markets. Currently I have 10 Star Trek stories submitted to the anthology Strange New Worlds and 6 short stories sent out to various editors. I have another short story partway done that I need to finish up and mail somewhere.
I am also playing World of Warcraft and trying to get in and chat with with my IRC friends.
At some point I am going to finish organizing my office so it doesn't look like it got hit by a hurricane....
Anyway, still alive, still nuts, still trying to do my best.
Well for one thing, I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month, where the challenge is to write 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November. I've been meeting with some friends in a local coffee house to help motivate me (and vice versa) to grind out those words. I have good days and bad days with it, up to nearly 12,000 words now (I think). Will keep plugging away...
Earlier this week I sent off three short stories that had been rejected by various markets. Currently I have 10 Star Trek stories submitted to the anthology Strange New Worlds and 6 short stories sent out to various editors. I have another short story partway done that I need to finish up and mail somewhere.
I am also playing World of Warcraft and trying to get in and chat with with my IRC friends.
At some point I am going to finish organizing my office so it doesn't look like it got hit by a hurricane....
Anyway, still alive, still nuts, still trying to do my best.
Monday, October 24, 2005
We're still here!
Yes, Wilma has come and gone, but we are fine. Our fence took another hit (I think vines on a chain link fence are pretty, but it sure makes it easy for the winds to knock it around). It was VERY rainy and windy, but we didn't even lose power, though my cell phone seems a little dicey at the moment.
Pray for those who have yet to go through this thing. But rest assured, we are OK.
Pray for those who have yet to go through this thing. But rest assured, we are OK.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
WIL-MA!!
Just when you thought it was safe to scrap your hurricane plan...
Looks like we're gonna get a visit from a hurricane after all this year. Wilma looks like a nasty one too. I'm going to go out today to fill up the van, get some supplies, and I'm checking the freezer to see what will be for dinner the next couple of days. (One vow I made last year is that I would NOT be caught with a bunch of food in the freezer to spoil after a hurricane).
We were supposed to have hurricane shutters up by now, but they kept putting us off. Too late now, let's hope we won't miss them this weekend.
Keep us and everyone in the path of this beast in your prayers.
Looks like we're gonna get a visit from a hurricane after all this year. Wilma looks like a nasty one too. I'm going to go out today to fill up the van, get some supplies, and I'm checking the freezer to see what will be for dinner the next couple of days. (One vow I made last year is that I would NOT be caught with a bunch of food in the freezer to spoil after a hurricane).
We were supposed to have hurricane shutters up by now, but they kept putting us off. Too late now, let's hope we won't miss them this weekend.
Keep us and everyone in the path of this beast in your prayers.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
It's been a while...
Yeah, still here, still alive, just keep forgetting about this blog.
Right now I'm working on another series of short stories; these are non-Trek in nature. I'm with a group of fellow writers who have challenged each other to write and send to magazines five short stories this month. I have one out, am working on #2, and have ideas for the other three. It's just a matter of sitting down and writing them.
It doesn't help that I have gotten readdicted to World of Warcraft. For those who don't know, WOW is an onlne multi-player game that can suck you right up if you are not careful. It's a way to spend time with my yougnest though.
But I really want to make writing my career and if I'm going to do that, I have to buckle down and do it.
I will be working on getting my act together. keeping this blog up, and other things.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Right now I'm working on another series of short stories; these are non-Trek in nature. I'm with a group of fellow writers who have challenged each other to write and send to magazines five short stories this month. I have one out, am working on #2, and have ideas for the other three. It's just a matter of sitting down and writing them.
It doesn't help that I have gotten readdicted to World of Warcraft. For those who don't know, WOW is an onlne multi-player game that can suck you right up if you are not careful. It's a way to spend time with my yougnest though.
But I really want to make writing my career and if I'm going to do that, I have to buckle down and do it.
I will be working on getting my act together. keeping this blog up, and other things.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Friday, September 30, 2005
Whew!
Finished 4 Star Trek stories I am submtting for an anthology (Strange New Worlds) and got them to New York before the deadline.
That makes 10 Star Trek stories and 5 non-Trek stories that are lookng for homes.
So far all I've gotten for any of this is rejection letters, ranging from generic to helpful. Taking the weekend off and plan to finish up another short story I was working on and get it out in the mail by the end of the week.
Tonight Don and I are drivng to Orlando to see Sean Hannity and others in a "Battle of the Mouths." Looking forward to it.
That makes 10 Star Trek stories and 5 non-Trek stories that are lookng for homes.
So far all I've gotten for any of this is rejection letters, ranging from generic to helpful. Taking the weekend off and plan to finish up another short story I was working on and get it out in the mail by the end of the week.
Tonight Don and I are drivng to Orlando to see Sean Hannity and others in a "Battle of the Mouths." Looking forward to it.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Do you watch Battlestar Galactica?
I watch this show, currently running on the Sci Fi channel. It's a recreation of the 70's show tby the same title. Since the second season, I've also been writing reviews of the episodes.
If you want a look at them, check out my friend Dale's online sci-fi mag, located at http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cylon12/MP.html, and click on "Commentaries."
If you want to check out Battlestar Galactica, the episodes run on the Sci Fi channel on Fridays at 10 PM.
If you want a look at them, check out my friend Dale's online sci-fi mag, located at http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cylon12/MP.html, and click on "Commentaries."
If you want to check out Battlestar Galactica, the episodes run on the Sci Fi channel on Fridays at 10 PM.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Ok, this is NOT my day for plumbing
OK, so the septic guy comes and pumps out our septic tank. He says everything should run fine.
So I start to run once again the load of sheets and towels I had in the washer, and throw together dinner.
Suddenly James says, "Mom, the sink is filling up!"
Sure enough, the kitchen sink was filling up with water, and as I ran to the sink I looked into the laundry room and saw fresh water on the floor.
We turned off the washer. Further research determined the water in the laundry room was bubbling up from the drainage pipe behind the washing machine.
While Don and James go to church I am sitting at home, waiting for the plumber to call me back.
Sigh.
So I start to run once again the load of sheets and towels I had in the washer, and throw together dinner.
Suddenly James says, "Mom, the sink is filling up!"
Sure enough, the kitchen sink was filling up with water, and as I ran to the sink I looked into the laundry room and saw fresh water on the floor.
We turned off the washer. Further research determined the water in the laundry room was bubbling up from the drainage pipe behind the washing machine.
While Don and James go to church I am sitting at home, waiting for the plumber to call me back.
Sigh.
*Scream*
Ok, as I type this, there is water on the floors of my kitchen (a little), laundry room, and pantry (was a lot more but some of it has dried) and the water to the house is turned off.
The 3 plumbers I called could not fit me in today. A friend who is a realtor sent her handyman over to take a look.
When he found out we hadn't cleaned out our septic tank in the 10 years we've been here, he explained that was a BAD idea.
I only had to call 2 septic people to get one of them to promise to try to get here today.
Waiting to hear back from them.
Why does this kind of stuff happen on days I plan to get massive amounts of work done? :-)
The 3 plumbers I called could not fit me in today. A friend who is a realtor sent her handyman over to take a look.
When he found out we hadn't cleaned out our septic tank in the 10 years we've been here, he explained that was a BAD idea.
I only had to call 2 septic people to get one of them to promise to try to get here today.
Waiting to hear back from them.
Why does this kind of stuff happen on days I plan to get massive amounts of work done? :-)
Monday, September 05, 2005
For those who were forced to abandon their pets in Louisiana
A friend of mine asked me to post this to get the word out. Feel free to share it with others.
Forward this? Post it on your blogs? The idea is to get as much information out as possible.
There's hope for stranded pets in the New Orleans area. The Louisiana SPCA, New Orleans' animal control agency, has begun rescuing pets from owners houses.
Louisiana SPCA director Laura Maloney said shelter workers follow other agencies and crews through neighborhoods and rescue pets, some that are locked in houses. At the owners' request, "we break in," she said.
Owners have to call or email the operation and give their name and address and information about where the pet is confined.
The hotline number is: 1-225-578-6111. E-mail should be sent to Katrinaanimalrescue@yahoo.com.
The hotline already is in effect, Maloney said. "It's busy an awful lot. We are trying to get a bank of telephones"
Forward this? Post it on your blogs? The idea is to get as much information out as possible.
There's hope for stranded pets in the New Orleans area. The Louisiana SPCA, New Orleans' animal control agency, has begun rescuing pets from owners houses.
Louisiana SPCA director Laura Maloney said shelter workers follow other agencies and crews through neighborhoods and rescue pets, some that are locked in houses. At the owners' request, "we break in," she said.
Owners have to call or email the operation and give their name and address and information about where the pet is confined.
The hotline number is: 1-225-578-6111. E-mail should be sent to Katrinaanimalrescue@yahoo.com.
The hotline already is in effect, Maloney said. "It's busy an awful lot. We are trying to get a bank of telephones"
AHHH! Who is blocking my writng?
The lonely land of writer's block...here I am, wandering around here, looking for my muse. I am trying to find my way out
Doesn't help that I have a deadline for some of these stories. Grrrrr.
Anyone see my muse wandering around, please send her my way...
Doesn't help that I have a deadline for some of these stories. Grrrrr.
Anyone see my muse wandering around, please send her my way...
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
OK, I get the Stupid Award today...
Last week the company that does our pest control called and asked if they could come today. I said, "Sure."
Yesterday James told me he had a two hour early release today. I thought, "No problem." I forgot the pest control people would be coming 1/2 hour after I was supposed to pick up James.
In an unusual move on my part, I left my cell phone off. Normally I have it on, but it wasn't charged and I didn't take the time to plug it into the car charger.
To top it all off, I nearly missed picking James up and when I went running out the door I didn't check to see if the front door was locked.
Well, the pest control person came to the door, found it unlocked, figured I had done so on purpose (some people who work outside the home do so) and came in and started to spray.
Then the alarm went off.
Because my phone was off, I couldn't be reached. The cops showed up to find the pest control person scared out of her wits in her truck. They got hold of Don who came to the house and cleared everything up. He is NOT happy with me.
So I am going to go sit in a corner for a while...
Yesterday James told me he had a two hour early release today. I thought, "No problem." I forgot the pest control people would be coming 1/2 hour after I was supposed to pick up James.
In an unusual move on my part, I left my cell phone off. Normally I have it on, but it wasn't charged and I didn't take the time to plug it into the car charger.
To top it all off, I nearly missed picking James up and when I went running out the door I didn't check to see if the front door was locked.
Well, the pest control person came to the door, found it unlocked, figured I had done so on purpose (some people who work outside the home do so) and came in and started to spray.
Then the alarm went off.
Because my phone was off, I couldn't be reached. The cops showed up to find the pest control person scared out of her wits in her truck. They got hold of Don who came to the house and cleared everything up. He is NOT happy with me.
So I am going to go sit in a corner for a while...
Monday, August 22, 2005
A bridge crossed...
Don and I just returned from delivering our oldest son, John, to college. He is attending Freed Hardeman University in Tennesee, a 15 hour drive from home.
I cried less than you might expect me to, but maybe it hasn't fully hit me yet.
Anyway, I'll post more later. I have a ton of email and other stuff to plow through first...
I cried less than you might expect me to, but maybe it hasn't fully hit me yet.
Anyway, I'll post more later. I have a ton of email and other stuff to plow through first...
Monday, August 08, 2005
Arrgh, me hearties!
Ok, years ago, when Windows 3.1 was the standard (yeah, THAT long ago) I became enchanted with a game called Pirates! You might remember it - it took the history of pirates and wove a game that was enchanting, challenging, and just plain fun. I spent many hours on that game, until my operating system outgrew it.
Earlier this year I discovered that the game had been updated. I saw it several times in the store, but the $50 price tag helped me to resist the lure of the 7 seas.
Well, today I gave in. My fate was sealed when I found one copy of it in Electronics Boutique for $29.95. Yes, I bought it. And I just spent 4-5 hours pirating on the 7 seas and enjoying every minute of it.
It will take major doses of discipline to get any work done this week...
Earlier this year I discovered that the game had been updated. I saw it several times in the store, but the $50 price tag helped me to resist the lure of the 7 seas.
Well, today I gave in. My fate was sealed when I found one copy of it in Electronics Boutique for $29.95. Yes, I bought it. And I just spent 4-5 hours pirating on the 7 seas and enjoying every minute of it.
It will take major doses of discipline to get any work done this week...
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Wow
I am trying to figure out how to take this past week and boil it down to the couple of paragraphs I only have time to write before I go to bed.
I can't.
There is so much to tell. About the medical mission trip. About the people I met. The things I saw. I am still absorbing it all.
I'm back tired, a little bruised, bug-bitten, and very humbled.
We are so rich in this country. I met with people who don't have electricity where they live. Who don't have indoor plumbing. People who manage to make do without air conditioning, dishwashers, expresso, television, Internet access, and a number of other things we tend to take for granted here in the United States.
Yet these people are not unhappy people. The children are not bored. They smile and laugh. They were good to us who came to provide medical care and spiritual teaching.
Yes, we went to give. But we took back as much as we gave.
I was blessed by the opportunity to go there.
More later...
I can't.
There is so much to tell. About the medical mission trip. About the people I met. The things I saw. I am still absorbing it all.
I'm back tired, a little bruised, bug-bitten, and very humbled.
We are so rich in this country. I met with people who don't have electricity where they live. Who don't have indoor plumbing. People who manage to make do without air conditioning, dishwashers, expresso, television, Internet access, and a number of other things we tend to take for granted here in the United States.
Yet these people are not unhappy people. The children are not bored. They smile and laugh. They were good to us who came to provide medical care and spiritual teaching.
Yes, we went to give. But we took back as much as we gave.
I was blessed by the opportunity to go there.
More later...
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