Zinta Aistars's Blog, page 34

How It Begins: The Time to See

by Zinta Aistars


At last, the long awaited day arrives. August 1 is my first full day of Z Word , of throwing myself fully into establishing and growing my writing and editing services. I have long dreamed of living as a freelance writer and editor, devoting myself fully to writing, writing, writing, whether on journalism and other assignments, or simply taking the time for some creative writing of my own.

How long since I have actually had the time to sit down in the morning with my cup of cof...

A Monday With a View

by Zinta Aistars

An office with a view, Z Acres

For years, I've joked about it whenever I have been at a job interview. I am seeking the job that makes me love a Monday. Only I wasn't really joking. That really was my goal, even as I knew, one after another, that the jobs I have taken over my career path have not provided that.

Don't get me wrong; I have held some really wonderful positions at some really wonderful companies, organizations and institutions. So much so that most of the clients I...

Z Word on Facebook

"Not just any word. Z Word."



Here it is, Z Word on Facebook.

As I revamp my website to reflect my fast developing writing and editing service, called Z Word, I am simultaneously expanding its social media reach. Because, as well all know, that's one of the ways that people network today. We have a strong web presence, we Tweet, we show our face on Facebook.



Z Word is and isn't new. After all, I've been writing and editing, well, forever. Here a bit, there a bit, evening hours and weekends. Now...

Blink-and-you'll-miss-it Village of Hopkins

Finally, a Saturday that isn't busting my chops with deadlines and projects, duties and responsibilities. I hardly know what to do with myself. But that lasts only a moment. Because of living long in the shadow of deadlines and projects, duties and responsibilities, my second tier to-do list is long. Very long.

Wash dogMake blackberry jamCatch up with filingWeed gardenWrite the 15 book reviews still pendingPrepare for tomorrow's interview for article to writeResearch for radio interviewRevamp...

Announcing The Smoking Poet Summer 2012 Issue!

"Words that turn the page to flame."www.thesmokingpoet.com Photography by Eleanor Bennett
In Southwest Michigan, where The Smoking Poet is based, we are in the midst of a heat wave. Triple digits. Gasp! But far, far up north, in that gorgeous wild of Alaska, cool things are happening. It’s been a long time since I was in Alaska myself, but the vivid beauty of the tundra, the Brooks Range, the fields of crystalline snow, and a proliferation of wildlife stays with me still. I’ve long wondered h...

Second Wave: The Business of Beekeeping in Southwest Michigan (Z Acres!)

The business of beekeeping in Southwest MichiganZinta AistarsThursday, July 12, 2012 The demand for honey is up and that's good for beekeepers. Now if only they can keep the bees alive. Zinta Aistars talks to Jon Noble about a business that literally buzzes. Published in this week's issue of Second Wave Media, my article inspired by Jon the beekeeper and his beehives on my own Z Acres ... don't miss the wonderful photos by Erik Holladay!  Jon the beekeeper at Z Acres (Erik Holla...

Doing the Rain Dance

by Zinta Aistars




[image error] Before heat wave [image error] After heat wave
For a moment, the skies open. A steady rain comes down, and I run from my century-old farmhouse out into my enclosed porch, and dance. One does rain dances to seduce the skies to spill life-giving water, but I dance now for sheer joy. For well over a week, the temperatures have soared to a blistering 100, even 103 degrees Fahrenheit, heat index as high as 111 degrees, and the sky remained blue, blue, blue.

Now the rain splashes to the ground, and...

Can I Do It? I Can.

by Zinta Aistars

 Z Acres



I think I can ... I think I can ... I think I can ....

The little engine that could, that was the little engine's mantra, and now, mine. This has been the year of leaps for me. Leaps of faith. And so far, every time I have made such a leap, I have been rewarded. Why not this time?

2012 has been my year, and I have one more big dream to realize. It's also been a year of facing down fears, doing battle with a few demons, and, happily, conquering them. What's one more?

If...

Zinta Interviews Author Kristina Riggle on WMUK 102.1 Radio

News for Southwest MichiganKeepsake: A novel about hoarding and familyBy: Zinta Aistars
Kalamazoo, MI
June 22, 2012
WMUK



Kalamazoo author Kristina Riggle has come out with a new novel called Keepsake. Keepsake is about two sisters: Trish, who is a hoarder, and Mary, who is more of a neat freak. The sisters must clean out Trish’s house so that Child Protective Services will let Trish keep her son.

Read more on WMUK Arts and More programs, and listen to the full on-air intervie...

How We Show the Love—Viva la Diffèrence

by Zinta Aistars





I’ve been waiting patiently (well, kind of patiently) to show Z Acres to my son. At last, our schedules and whereabouts mesh, and I get to bring him out to see where his mama now lives—in green and lush and luscious glory, in my century-plus old farmhouse on ten acres. Meanwhile, he is now moving into my previous residence, the new homeowner, tenant for now, perhaps true owner down the road.

When I drive over to his place, once my place, to pick him up, I find him in the garag...