Devon Ellington's Blog, page 22

Tues. Dec. 17, 2024: Flexibility is a Good Thing

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Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Waning Moon

Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mars Retrograde

Mercury DIRECT as of December 15 (Phew)

Rainy and raw

How was your weekend? I hope you had a good one.

If you missed the link yesterday to the Community Tarot Reading for the Week, it’s here.

Friday the 13th was, overall, a good, happy day. I wrote and submitted two book reviews in the morning and got my next two books assigned. I dealt with paperwork. I dealt with marketing. I did a library and grocery run.

After lunch, we headed out the door to Pittsfield. We finished our gift shopping – within budget! Since we were pleased with ourselves for that, we indulged in a stop at one of the thrift shops we regularly have in our rounds. We found a set of 6 glasses with a leaf pattern that match the water goblets we’ve had since we lived in Chicago in the 1960’s, and the set of smaller glasses I found at another local thrift shop a few months ago. They were very inexpensive at 99 cents each, so I got the whole set. They are lovely, with a really nice shape to the bowl of the glass. I posted the three styles in this pattern together on Instagram, Threads, and FB.

We also found a small schoolhouse to add to our holiday village, again, at a very reasonable price, and it matched the style of the various pieces we’ve picked up over the years. When we opened it, we discovered it came with 4 small trees!

Another terrific find was a very large, sectioned serving platter by Pfaltzgraff in the Winter Berry pattern. I have several pieces in that pattern – some dinner plates, some small plates, some berry bowls, and a large, square pattern – that I’ve picked up over the years. This was a large platter – for $2.98. I figured it had to be a mistake, they must mean 12, not 2, but it was 2! The entire haul was just under $10, which was within budget.

I didn’t find the devilled egg platter I want (to replace the one that broke), but I can use the Winter Berry platter for the Capacity Art Share evening in February, using two sections for eggs, one for crackers, one for coconut lime balls, and the center for dip.

These dishes make me want to start entertaining again! And make me want to write the comic tale that’s been rolling around in my head with the working title of “Dish Rescuer” because there’s nothing I like better than finding vintage dishes in thrift shops.

Of course, my protagonist will actually have the space for them. Because, you know, fiction.

Came home, unloaded, did some work on a coverage that came in. Didn’t finish it on Friday, so I had to do so on Saturday.

Cooked dinner, and spent the evening reading a book for pleasure, THE FRENCH INGREDIENT by Jane Bertch. Turns out I already follow her Parisian cooking school on Instagram. I love synchronicity.

Slept reasonably well. Up a little later than usual, but not late enough to feel like I’d seriously overslept. Got the cats fed, had a good meditation session, had a good longhand writing session.

Did some more decorating, finally getting the tree skirt under the tree, the reindeer around it, and then the rest of the stuffed animals distributed where they needed to go. Re-dressed the long table in my office, which had been used to cool cookies.

Made the coconut lime balls. They’re really good, but I can’t make a large enough volume of them fast enough for them to viable in all the cookie platters, so I have to figure out who is most likely to need a gluten free option. I’ve ordered some vegan and gluten free holiday-themed cookbooks from the library, so I can get some ideas for next year.

Bea was puzzled – why did I smell like dates, cashews, lime, and coconut?

Don’t worry, I took a shower and scrubbed down.

I turned around one small coverage and finished a medium coverage. Then, I had to rush to wrap the hostess gift for the party, put together some cookies, get dressed, and get the makeup on, and switch from my regular purse to a fancy dress purse (taking only my license, bankcard, a couple of bucks, keys, and lipstick).

Murder Maps, of course, tried to kill me twice, and brought me first to one random person’s house that I figured was wrong before I rang the bell, then took me the most unnecessarily convoluted route to the right place – which turned out to be in Greylock Works, and a restaurant I knew by another name in its previous incarnation.

But the moon was pretty!

The party itself was lovely. It was so great to get to hang out with fun people, drink prosecco, have some good food. I stayed longer than I meant to, but not for the whole five hours. Drove home under a clear, moonlit sky, which was beautiful.

It was lovely to spend some social time, and in a situation where, instead of feeling drained by the time I left, I just felt good.

I was full and didn’t need dinner; I’d eaten plenty at the party. My mom just wanted something simple, so we fixed that, and then I read the next book for review.

I got a notification that my Google storage was completely full – how could that be, when it was 89% a day ago, and I’ve been deleting material? I worked on deleting a lot from email, the drive, and I have to do more with photos, but the needle’s not coming down. In other words, they’re extorting me. NOT happy about this. I’m trying to pull some more stuff off and onto my hard drive, but I have a feeling I have no real choice. I wish it wasn’t right now.

Up too late, trying to deal with Google, but finally went to bed and fell asleep. I slept reasonably well, although I was in a familiar dreamscape living that life, so I didn’t feel particularly well rested when I woke up.

Fed the cats. Realized I forgot to set up the coffee last night, so had to do it Sunday morning. Had a good morning meditation, a good first writing session.

Finished reading one book for review, started reading the next one.

I had an online program at 10 (I’m in it all week), that had a little too much of familiar information for me, but some good new perspectives.  Charlotte, was, of course, delighted.

The rest of the day was spent writing the domestic holiday cards. Even though I had just under 50 to write, it took all afternoon. I did a little work on the ghostwriting project; I think I’m in pretty good shape. I have to figure out a few things, including the climactic sequence, but I’m on track.

Finished reading the next book for review.

Slept reasonably well into Monday. Wrote and submitted the two book reviews; got my next assignment. Sat down to start work on the ghostwriting project when a friend contacted me. She had to take her car into the shop (in VT) and couldn’t find a ride home (in NY). I am in MA. We’re in that weird little corner where all three states kiss.

So I rearranged my day, which I am grateful to have the flexibility to do. I put on some Real People clothes, put as much gas as I could afford into the car, and headed for Vermont. The mechanic is in Pownal, on the way to Bennington, so it’s not far. It was doing a rain/snow mix when I left, and I braced myself to drive in bad weather, which I try to avoid as much as possible.

I got there before my friend did; she had to coax her car slowly. The mechanic is really nice, and she trusts them implicitly, so it’s good to have another mechanic on the roster. She lives in Hoosick Falls, near one of my favorite stores, the Treasure Hut (where we got the pale blue dresser in the sewing room and some bookcases and some of our favorite vintage ornaments, and the clock in my office). My friend showed me a much easier and direct way to get to and from Hoosick Falls, not the convoluted way Murder Maps takes me.

I dropped her off, headed home, found it without trouble (because I listened and followed her directions, instead of worrying at every intersection I’d get it wrong – AND I ignored Murder Maps, which kept trying to take me in weird directions). I’m very glad that I was able to help, and that I have the flexibility to step up and help a friend when needed.

But that was the morning. Came home, had lunch, cancelled the afternoon plans. Instead, we wrapped and packed gifts that I will mail at the post office today, with bated breath that I can do it within the budget. Although I was paid yesterday from the biggest client, it was a little under a third of what I should have earned this pay period. Yet more proof it’s time to replace this client.

Tessa let Bea share the big wingback chair with her yesterday evening, and Bea was so happy!

Texted with the friend who rescued Bea; one of her cats has to go in for surgery today, so fingers crossed it all goes well.

Everything is wrapped, boxed, and ready to go out. This morning, I will head to the post office and mail everything. So if you usually get a package or a card from me, it will be on its way today, and hopefully get there by Christmas Eve next Tuesday. Otherwise, consider it a New Year’s card/gift!

Once everything is at the post office (and they get their cookies), I have to come home and do up a bunch of the cookie platters and make those deliveries.

Somewhere in there, I need to put in a good chunk of work on the ghostwriting project. I want to finish the draft, so I can spend the next couple of days polishing.

I hope I can get to yoga tonight, but I’m not sure. It depends on how the rest of the day shakes out.

I have a strong sense that I will spend most of Christmas Eve and Day sleeping (when I’m not cooking). Which isn’t a bad thing.

I have a lot on the list today, and I better get going. Have a good one!

Mon. Dec. 16, 2024: Intent for the Week — Just Plow Through

image courtesy of Reinhard Thrainer via pixabay.com

Monday, December 16, 2024

Last Day of Full Moon

Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mars Retrograde

Mercury DIRECT as of yesterday

Snowy and cold

It snowed overnight, enough to need plowing, which was a little unexpected, especially since it’s supposed to be in the 50’s F tomorrow.

The plow reflects what I need to do this week. There is a lot to clear off my plate before the holiday hits midweek next week. This week is about putting my head down and getting it all done.

The Community Tarot Reading for the Week is up on the Cerridwen Iris Shea site here.

Have a good one, and we’ll catch up tomorrow.

Fri. Dec. 13, 2024: More Baking, More Writing

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Friday, December 13, 2024

Waxing Moon

Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars Retrograde

Partly cloudy and cold

Today is Friday the 13th! Always a favorite day.

Meditation group was frustrating. A guest leader was there, again, relating to us as though we are machines. No. That does not make me feel connected to energy or the earth. I am a human, not a machine. I am not a computer. I am not a battery. I am a human being. Part of why we are where we are in the world is because we dehumanize each other. Stop demeaning and diminishing my humanity and pretend it’s “spirituality” or “wellness.” It’s just another training mechanism for oppression.

I had to leave after a few minutes, because instead of making me feel calm and centered, it just made me angry. Even Charlotte didn’t want to be there, and you know how much Charlotte loves ZOOM.

Went and did my own sit instead, with my singing bowls, and felt much better.

After breakfast, I did a polish on the newsletter, a polish on the flash fiction story that goes into the newsletter, and got it out the door. That’s always such a feeling of relief. I set up the template for the March 2025 newsletter, and for the February newsletter blast about the March screenwriting workshop and saved those.

I worked on the ghostwriting assignment. I’m having such fun with it, and love the way it’s evolving.

I finally got the paperwork filed with Elizabeth Warren’s office, so she can help us on an issue. I did the marketing rounds per the content calendar.

I spent the afternoon baking the dough I prepped the day before: 10 dozen molasses spice cookies and 12 dozen (maybe a little more) chocolate peppermint crinkles. I still have to do the coconut lime balls, so I won’t get to start deliveries until Monday, probably. I’d like to get everything out the door Monday and Tuesday, and get the cards and packages mailed on Tuesday. I should get paid by a client on Monday, so that could all work out.

I finished the book for review and read the next one. I will finish that second book this morning, write and submit the reviews, then request my next assignment.

On today’s agenda: the book reviews, work on the ghostwriting assignment, errands to Pittsfield, library, grocery store, one medium coverage, hopefully making the coconut lime balls. I may do some work on the judging, or I may push that off until next Monday.

Tomorrow I’m going to work on the ghostwriting assignment, work on writing cards, and then I go to a friend’s party in the afternoon. Sunday, I may get the chance to go to yoga, and I’ll work on the ghostwriting assignment, write cards, and if any coverage work comes in, I have to turn that around.

Next week, I have to finish, polish, and submit the ghostwriting trial. That is the central priority. Then, they will see how I do with their edits. If that works, they’ll pay me for this trial (I hope by the end of the year, because we’ve got these pesky holidays on weird days), and give me a long-form trial, also paid. If THAT one works out, then we’ll start talking about long-term work. Lots of steps along the way, and each one needs to be completed well in order to make it to the next one. Retrogrades and holidays slowing things down. But all I can do is show up and do the work. Either my skills fit, or they don’t. And at least they pay for the trials.

There’s another contest deadline on Sunday; we’ll see if any coverages show up in the queue, to get me through the end of the year and start the next one.

Why do I get the idea that I may spend most of Christmas sleeping (when I’m not cooking)?

Not sure what I’ll cook for the Eve yet, but we are going to have Coq Au Vin for the day. That’s become our Christmas Day dinner of choice the past few years.

Have a good one, and we’ll catch up next week!

Thurs. Dec. 12, 2024: Maybe Walking in the Storm Wasn’t the Best Idea?

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Thursday, December 12, 2024

Waxing Moon

Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury Retrograde

Cloudy and cold

You can read the latest about the garden over on Gratitude and Growth.

If you like numerology, today is 12:12, a good day to set intentions and manifest desires (especially paired with the waxing moon, although the retrogrades may slow down the results).

The video call with the potential client was so much fun and exciting. If it works out, I think I would be very happy working with them. I’ll hear back from them again in mid-January, probably. It would be a project-based position for a finite amount of time that sounds like a dream gig for me.

I had a very hard time settling down and “being productive” after, because I was so excited. I sent a thank you email, for the time.

I also found, in about 15 minutes, information I had discussed with the librarian at the Clark on Tuesday afternoon, and sent it off.

I did the marketing rounds per the content calendar. I learned that, since I turned off the scraping tool within Microsoft Word, nothing auto-saves anymore, even if you save to the cloud. Oops. Reminder to go back to manual saving every few minutes.

I worked on the ghostwriting assignment, and am getting into its flow.

Got a notification that the tech glitches for the judging should be sorted out and we can start later today, although I will probably start tomorrow or Monday.

Did I mention my author copy of the BODY BE GONE anthology arrived? I’m so excited. I can’t wait to sit down and read everything (and then follow the authors I don’t already follow on social media). I will probably read it on Christmas Eve, as part of our “book flood” evening.

If you want more details on the anthology and buy links, you can find them here, on the Devon Ellington site.

After lunch, I prepped the chocolate peppermint crinkle dough and the molasses spice dough. I will bake them later today, and maybe start getting platters out the door tomorrow. Monday will be my big delivery day, I think.

Of course, it took longer than I hoped, but at least it got done, and both doughs are really good, and will make good cookies.

It rained hard all day, as the temperatures rose. I think we had about four inches of rain by the end of it. I decided to walk up to the library in the evening for the Tunnel City Writers reading in the rain. After about two blocks, I realized that was not a wise choice, but I was halfway there, so I kept on. Plus, I knew if I drove, it would be difficult to find parking there, and my parking spot at home would be gone.

I knew four of the seven writers reading, and I’m glad I went. There was a good turnout, and it gave me a good idea of things for our Boiler House reading there next year.

I shot out of there fast at the end because the storm picked up even more, raining harder and higher winds. It was rather gothic walking home along Church Street in the night, with the dark tree bark on the old trees twisted and glistening in the rain, the holiday lights warming the windows in the Victorian architecture, and the mist. I enjoyed it, even if I was rather damp by the time I got home. But I’d worn my LL Bean barn coat (which I bought back when I was working locations on TV shows in NYC, that’s how old it is). The coat looked very wet and was heavy with water, but I stayed dry.

Cooked dinner, and started reading the next book for review. Stayed up later than usual, trying to make sure that, when I went to sleep, I slept through the night. Of course, I woke up around 3, but dozed off again and overslept. Tessa Was Not Amused.

On today’s agenda: online meditation group, baking, working on the ghostwriting assignment, working on the books for review, finishing up the newsletter (it will probably go out late in the day). The weather should clear up a bit by tomorrow, although it will still be cold; I’m hoping we can get our Pittsfield-based errands done.

Have a good one!

Wed. Dec. 11, 2024: Trying To Catch Up on A Rainy Wednesday

image courtesy of  Irek Marcinkowski via pixabay.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Waxing Moon

Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars Retrograde

Rainy and mild

Here we are, at midweek! Today it’s supposed to get up to 60 degrees F, lots of rain, street flooding, and then snow overnight.

I really struggled to get my act together yesterday.  I struggled to get going.

But it was release day for MURDER BELLS, so I took care of the day’s marketing, per the content calendar. Can you tell I love my content calendar? Taking a couple of hours to plan a month or so ahead saves so much time. I wish I could find an affordable scheduling tool that covers the channels I need, but one step at a time. The results of the marketing have to pay for the scheduling tool.

I worked on the ghostwriting assignment. Today is my “official” start date, but I’d been writing in my head for a few days, and wanted to start getting things down. Today, I will spend more time and focus on it.

Did one small coverage. Several others showed up on the queue, but vanished when I moved to accept them, which was frustrating.

Managed to get out of the house on time a little after 1, and headed for the Clark for a program on the cookbooks in the collection. I got the last parking slot in the research center’s parking lot, and it felt like winning the lottery.

I was early (of course), so sat reading the latest NEW YORKER and found information that feeds into the ghostwriting project. I love synchronicity.

The program itself was lovely. I was actually familiar with some of the cookbooks, and I may have a lead on something the librarian is looking for in relation to one of them, since it is tied to my time in the East Village back in the 90’s (yes, the time of the Nina Bell mysteries). So I will pull on some of those threads and see what information I can come up with for the librarian.

Came home, cooked dinner, read for pleasure. There was plenty I “should” have been doing, but didn’t have the energy for any of it. Received my author copy of the BODY BE GONE anthology. I’m so excited to re-read everyone else’s work (I’d read them all when we were first chosen for inclusion, but that was about two years ago). Holiday cards are starting to arrive; I better get going on writing mine.

Slept pretty well, although weird dreams in continuation with weird dreams I had a few days ago.

This morning, I have to pull it together for a video interview with a potential new client. Then, I will work on the ghostwriting piece, and maybe get some baking done, while keeping an eye to see if any coverages come through. I need to complete and email the paperwork Elizabeth Warren’s office needs from me, so she can help me with the issue I approached her office about. I have to do the day’s marketing. In the late afternoon/early evening, I am walking (even if it rains) up to the library for a reading by a bunch of writers I know.

I better get gussied up for my video call, hadn’t I? Have a good one!

Tues. Dec. 10, 2024: When It Feels Like Swimming Through Molasses

image courtesy of yazz davis, via pexels.com

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Waxing Moon

Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars Retrograde

Neptune DIRECT (as of Saturday the 7th)

Cloudy and slushy

Today is the release day for the second Nina Bell, MURDER BELLS! It consists of two novelettes and one novella, “Too Much Mistletoe”, “Tumble”, and A Stylish Death. The first one is around the winter holidays, the second around New Year’s, and the third in February. You can find buy links and more information on the MURDER BELLS page on the Nina Bell website here.

I could not get my act together on Friday. I was still in my pajamas at 9:30. Typing, but in pajamas. I prefer to get dressed, even if it’s writing clothes, when I work. I have enough sleep issues without adding more!

But I finally did make it out of the house. I went to the library for a drop off/pick up. I went to the grocery store for a big shop that was a combination of what we need to actually eat and what I needed for baking. Went to the post office to mail the overseas card (and a bill).  It was sunny, so people were in a good mood.

Home, hauled everything up the stairs, and was ready for a nap.  But my sleep cycle was already off, and that would just have made it worse.

After lunch, I tackled the small coverages, seriously irked that yet another deadline came and went, without the promised work showing up.

Started reading the latest Donna Andrews book, ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHICKADEE. I’ve read each book in the 30+ book series as they came out, and I enjoy the way the ensemble has grown over the years. This isn’t as laugh-out-loud funny as some of the others (much to the cats’ relief).

Saturday morning, I woke up around 2 AM and had trouble falling back to sleep. Tessa and Charlotte fussed. I finally dozed off around 4 and dreamed I had a colonoscopy without anesthesia – probably because of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield controversy where they said they will stop covering anesthesia for the full length of a surgery. There’s another report that they’ve backed off on that, but who will believe an insurance company? I’m glad I’m not stuck with them. I was with them in the 80’s and they denied a necessary surgery.

Overslept. It was snowing far harder than the “trace” we’d been told to expect, so I decided not to go out, and have a baking day.

Bake I did – 11 dozen chocolate chip cookies and about 9 dozen orange cranberry cookies. Got them all cooled and packed in tins, too. That left me the Molasses Spice cookies, the chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies, and the coconut lime balls to do (since I want a gluten-free option this year). I couldn’t source the currants, so no oatmeal lace cookies this year.

Finished the Donna Andrews book. I felt that there was so much emphasis on community scenes (which are a lot of fun) that the mystery got lost, and it was out of balance. Also, the way the killer tried to dispose of the protagonist when she discovered them has been tried in at least one previous book, possible more than one. I still enjoyed the read; it just lacked the impact that some of the other books in the series have had for me.

Had done a bunch of housework during the day, so I could luxuriate in fresh sheets (my favorite part of Saturdays).

My back and feet reminded me that every baking season I realize I need chef’s clogs or a chef’s mat, and I immediately forget – until the next baking season.

I made enchiladas for dinner, perfect for a snowy Saturday night.

Slept well Saturday into Sunday, but lounged in bed longer than the cats would have liked. The first thing Bea does every morning is dash out to snuggle with Tessa, who’s rather perplexed.

Made apple muffins from Marion Cunningham’s The Breakfast Book, one of my favorite recipes. I tweak it a little, by adding more apples and some allspice, but it’s one of my favorite recipes.

Did the Community Tarot reading for the week, and scheduled it to post. It’s available here, if you didn’t see it yesterday.

Got my act together to leave the house and run errands. Put gas in the car, picked up some wax paper and parchment paper. Found a folk-art cat teapot at the thrift store that matches coasters a theatre pal gave me over 20 years ago (and it was $5, so yes, I bought it). Later found out it’s a Laurel Burch by Ganz (thank you, Kate Flora) from 1990, and is selling online for. . .a LOT more than $5.

Headed for the Clark, which had a members’ shopping special, and found some of the last gifts for long-time family friends. Headed to Wild Oats and found the bayberry candles we use for the holidays, and a small hostess gift for a party to which I’ve been invited next weekend. We still have to go down to a store in Pittsfield later this week to pick up the very last gifts – and then pack and mail everything.

Picked up one of my mom’s prescriptions at CVS. I felt bad for the clerk; there was a long, long line and only one person at checkout. But everyone was pretty chill. Dashed next door to Big Y to get a few more baking supplies.

My mom had cage fought to keep my parking space open while I was gone. I am so sick and tired of it. It’s because there’s one tenant who takes more than their allotted spaces, and then other people have friends come to visit who take the rest, often parking across more than one space because they’re sloppy jerks. This is part of my lease agreement; I shouldn’t have to fight EVERY time I leave the house. Doesn’t matter what time of day it is, it’s always a fight. I’d rather not get the landlord involved, but if I have to, I will.

By the time everything was sorted out, I was too tired to bake. I did, however, do the marketing per the content calendar, do the 3 styles of video for MURDER BELLS, and the Nina Bell 1-2 combo ad, and the wide version of the Nina 1-2 video. Talk about cutting it close, with MURDER BELLS releasing today!

There’s a glitch on the title of MURDER BELLS on the cover. In the smaller version of the graphic, it looks like a stylistic reflection in the last “L” of “Bells” but in the print cover and some of the other graphics, it looks like a mistake. I THINK we’ve got it fixed.

We did some more decorating, and I got Bea’s room tidied up, and all the empty boxes back in the Christmas closet. The tree was only partially decorated, still a work in progress. We are not putting up any of the delicate vintage glass ornaments this year, until we’re sure Bea is calm about the tree. She loves the tree (probably because she sees how much Tessa loves it). She hasn’t tried to climb it or anything, but she is checking out all the ornaments she can reach. We’re using some of our very old ornaments that are unbreakable this year, including some of the satin balls and bells that we got way back when Woolworth’s was still around. They actually look kind of cool on the tree.

Slept eight hours Sunday into Monday, which is rare. Weird dreams about navigating around various theatres in an alt-NYC. I’ve been in that alt-NYC before in dreams. Neptune’s retrograde, the weird dreams should cease!

Did some prep for a job interview on Wednesday morning. Did some noodling for the ghostwriting trial assignment (although, technically, I don’t start it until Wednesday – lots of stuff happening on Wednesday).

Finished the draft of the flash fiction for the newsletter (good thing, since the newsletter goes out on Thursday).  I will do some more work on it today and tomorrow, with revisions and punch-ups to make it work better. It’s a bit of a departure for me, but stretching is a good thing.

Did the marketing rounds per the content calendar. Next week will be particularly intense, up until The Eve itself, and then there will be a bit of a break.

Formatted about half the newsletter. Worked on Nina Bell marketing stuff. Worked on graphic possibilities for the play in May and sent the choices to the person at the theatre who needs them. The deadline was Dec. 27, but I didn’t want to wait until the last minute. I wasn’t totally happy with any of them, but within an hour she worked magic and created something really cool. I love the organization in this theatre. Picked my favorite of the three excellent graphics, and off we go! (I can even use it in the newsletter).

Had to send back a coverage because it didn’t meet the guidelines. Which means losing money, because it’s not like there’s anything to replace it. I’m getting really frustrated with these people who think guidelines don’t pertain to them.

One of the contests I’m judging was supposed to start today, but, once again, there are technical difficulties, so it will be delayed. Which is okay, because I have plenty going on.

By mid-afternoon, accepted the fact that I wasn’t going to get the baking done, and switched my attention to getting the tree finished. As mentioned above, no glass ornaments this year, only unbreakables. So far, so good with the cats. Bea is fascinated, but since the other cats aren’t destructive, and she takes her cues from them, so far, so good. Some other ornaments still need to find places to live for the season, and I’m still working on my office. But the doors are all decorated, and the doorknobs and many other things. I will put the tree skirt around it today, and put the stuffed reindeer under the tree (more for the cats to enjoy).

If it’s not moving, it gets decorated, which means the cats keep moving.

Did not sleep well, but was up early for the morning yoga/meditation/writing session, which is a stabilizing start to the day. My ears are clogged this morning – I really hope I’m not coming down with an ear infection. When I’m stressed, if it’s not a migraine, it’s a stomach issue or an ear infection. So I better step up and deal, because there is no other option for me this week.

I have A LOT to do today, including finishing some paperwork for an issue in which I’ve enlisted Elizabeth Warren’s help, and getting that out the door. I also have to work on the revisions for the flash fiction, do the release day marketing for Nina Bell, and for the other holiday pieces, maybe get some baking done? I want to do some more prep for tomorrow morning’s interview (to my relief, it’s only an 18-month assignment, not an interminable one, which means it’s actually a possibility for me). I want to type up some notes for the ghost-writing trial. I’ve been noodling.

I have to leave shortly after lunch for a program at the Clark, and I doubt I’ll go to yoga tonight. I have one small client project to turn around. I need a bunch more to come in this week. Deep breath; that’s why I’m in talks with other potential clients. Because this one is not giving me the work I need. And the Universe wants to make sure I truly understand that it’s time to move on.

The weather is supposed to turn nasty again. We were going to do the Pittsfield run tomorrow after my ZOOM interview, but we might put it off until later in the week. I do want to attend a reading at the library tomorrow evening, to support a bunch of people I know who are in it. I hope it won’t be too nasty to walk to and from the event.

If I’m going to get things done, I better hop to it, hadn’t I? I know it will all work out, it always does. It just feels like swimming through molasses right now.

Have a good one!

Mon. Dec. 9, 2024: Intent for the Week — Navigate the Physical & Mental Slush

image courtesy of tookapic via pixabay.com

Monday, December 9, 2024

Waxing Moon

Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars Retrograde

Neptune Direct as of Saturday the 7th

Slushy and cold

With both Mercury and Mars this year, plus all the holiday preparations, this is a potentially challenging week. My plan is to try to navigate the physical and emotional slush with as much equinamity as possible.

I did not get done as much as I hoped over the weekend, so I have to make up for it this week.

The Community Tarot Reading for the week is up on the Cerridwen’s Cottage site here. The basic suggestion is, “Don’t be a jerk.”

I will make the attempt, but with the challenges the weekend threw at me already, I may not always succeed!

In any case, have a good one!

Fri. Dec. 6, 2024: Time for Cards and Baking

image courtesy of Biljana Jovanovic via pixabay.com

Friday, December 6, 2024

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars Retrograde

Sunny and cold

Yup, we’re up to six retrogrades, although Neptune goes direct tomorrow. I hope that means my weird dreams calm down. Mars slows down forward movement, and tends to stoke our resentments and anger. Having Mars and Mercury both retrograde in the coming week means even more room for misunderstandings and hurt, so take a breath and think before speaking. In fact, don’t just think twice – think three times! People are already stressed around the holidays, so let’s give each other some extra room.

It just kept snowing yesterday, and I was glad that I didn’t have to go anywhere.

Online meditation group was on – since we were all home anyway. Charlotte was delighted.

After breakfast, I wrote the two reviews, submitted them, and invoiced. I was paid within an hour, and even got a holiday bonus! I love this client – pays fast, and appreciates my work, even though it’s a small business, not a big corporation.

Meanwhile, my big corporate client has cut rates, promised year-end bonuses since I started with them, and NEVER delivered. Which is why I’m looking to replace them next year.

Got a play out on submission, too. Saw a call for pitches, considered pitching, but sent it to a friend who was the person I’d interview for the piece anyway – because she has the knowledge, so she should get the money! Cut out the middleman, in this case, me. Time for me to step back and urge her forward!

#FreelanceChat was back, this time on Bluesky. It’s been at least a year and a half, maybe two years since I was able to join the chat, since they kept going on Twitter, and I stopped participating when it was sold and began its demise into X. it was fun to catch up with people.

Took a break for lunch, then wrote my overseas cards, then attended the online training session for the Scholastic Judging. It’s the same as last year, so I didn’t really need it. That’s supposed to start next week, and I’ve blocked off time every workday to devote to it.

Dug out the back of the car, the snow that had been plowed up against the wheels, so I can actually get out today. I didn’t want to go out in the weather, but I also didn’t want that packed snow to freeze down. It wasn’t as bad as I expected, although this morning, getting it off the top of the car and scraping down the windows won’t be fun.

Took a break for dinner, then attended the For the People library cohort training session. An acquaintance on Bluesky had told me about it, and I’m so glad I signed up. I hope I can do some more work with them in the coming months. It made me feel more confident and grounded in getting involved here on a community level.

Relaxed a bit after, trying to read until bedtime. Had a bad night; woke up every few hours, feeling annoyed and/or angry (Mars retrograde energy). Deep breaths, find a way to channel it into something productive, because bitching and moaning and whining for the next two months is not useful.

Overslept and Tessa Was Not Amused that breakfast was late.

I have to finish digging out the car. Today’s errands include the post office, the big baking grocery shop, the library. I have some small coverages to turn around that are due tomorrow (another deadline passed, another round or crickets). I’d like to do some writing, but I’m not sure that will happen.

A friend mentioned going to NYC soon, so I sent a list of places she might find fun.

The weather this weekend is supposed to be mucky. I do have to run a couple of errands, even in bad weather, but they are fairly close. The one down in Pittsfield I might put off until Monday. I need to get started (and do a lot of) the baking, work on decorating, work on domestic cards, and wrap packages that will have to go out next week. I also need to market my work, and do the videos for both MURDER BELLS and the combo Nina Bell video, since MURDER BELLS releases next Tuesday.

It’s all good, happy stuff, and if I feel like there’s oh, so much to do, I have to remind myself it’s good, happy stuff.

Have a good weekend, and I’ll catch you on the other side!

Thurs. Dec. 5, 2024: Snow Day!

image courtesy of  Jill Wellington via pixabay.com

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mercury Retrograde

St. Nicholas Day

Snowing and cold

We have a snow day! About 7 inches of snow fell overnight, and it’s snowing again. Schools and libraries are closed, and probably a good many small businesses. I’m glad I planned for it, and don’t have anywhere to be, except virtually.

It’s Thursday! That means you can read the latest on the garden over at Gratitude and Growth.

Tonight, per our family tradition, we celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Or maybe it’s night? We put out a shoe (with a napkin tucked inside, because. . .shoe). In the morning, it’s filled with candy and maybe some fruit. We’ve followed this tradition since I was a kid, and still keep it up.

I signed the contract for the ghostwriting trial and sent it off yesterday morning. Signing contracts during Mercury retrograde is not a good idea, but sometimes you have to do it anyway. It’s simple and straightforward, everything we discussed, so it will be what it is. It’s for a trial, to see if we like each other and I can match tone and structure. If we do, we take the next steps; if we don’t, we won’t. They liked my initial writing sample, and our conversations have been good thus far, so we’ll see how it goes. I received my instructions for the test assignment, and had some questions, which I sent off. Getting those answered before I start will eliminate at least one round of revisions. Got my folders set up for the assignment. They answered my questions quickly, and now I feel I have a good foundation from which to start.

I put together some resources for my yoga teacher and sent them off.

I need to get going on the MURDER BELLS video and the Nina Bell combo video, because they have to be ready for the MURDER BELLS launch next week.

I worked on the holiday story for the newsletter. It’s a little more bittersweet than the zany ones I usually do. I think it will come in a little under 1K. Did a bunch of admin. Went to the grocery store, in case the overnight storm prevents me from going today (which it will). Swung by another store and got ribbons, bags, and stuff I needed for the cookie platters. I need to buy another set of oval reinforced cardboard platters themselves – I don’t have enough. But I have the bags and the ribbons, and can now make the cheat sheets. Realized I forgot to get the little foil cups for the gluten free inclusion; but I can swing by and get that over the weekend.

Soup and bread for lunch, and then the attention had to switch to coverage work.

Turned around one medium and four small coverages. Worried that nothing else is coming in, and there’s another deadline this week; it better get some results. Makes me even more grateful for the opportunity to do a paid trial for the ghostwriting job, although that won’t pay out until sometime in January.

It looked like it would bust out snowing any minute, but I decided to risk it and head for tarot anyway. It was snowing lightly when I left. We had a larger group than expected – everyone thought no one else would show up, so a bunch of us showed up! And we were raucous – excited for a snow day coming up, I think! It was a great session, and I feel so lucky to be with this amazing group of people.

Some of them headed to an art opening that one member of the group curated, but I will have to visit the show some other day. I came home, cooked dinner, finished reading the books for review. I will write the reviews this morning and invoice. And, hopefully, get some more assignments, because if coverages don’t come through next week, I will read more while I’m juggling the ghost-writing trial assignment. We need cash for the last few things we need to buy, and then to mail everything out.

I got my new insurance cards; it looks like I’m all set on that.

Tessa is so funny. As soon as it gets dark, she marches into the living room and demands we turn on the tree lights, so she can sit under the tree. Once we’ve finished decorating and have the skirt under it, she’ll be even happier.

Slept pretty well. Up early to the wet, heavy snow, and closure notices. Fed the cats, did my yoga and my own meditation practice; not sure if the ZOOM one will happen in a half hour or so.

On today’s agenda: writing, marketing, shoveling snow, turning around the last few small coverages, working on the ghost-writing assignment, writing/submitting reviews, invoicing, some admin work, hopefully starting to write our holiday cards, enjoying the beauty of the snow.

I also have a training session for the Scholastic Judging in the afternoon, and a library protection training session in the evening. Both on ZOOM.

What’s on your schedule today? Have a good one!

Wed. Dec. 4: Trying to Stay Organized

image courtesy of LouAnn Clark via pixabay.com

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Waxing Moon

Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter, Mercury Retrograde

Cloudy and cold

We’re already at midweek!

We had a light dusting of snow overnight. Not enough to shovel, but enough to scrape the car. We’re supposed to get more tomorrow. I planned a big grocery shop tomorrow, so that I can start the baking, but I might have to wait a day or two. I will, however, go out today to get bread and cat food.

I wrote and submitted two book reviews and got my next assignments, which I hope to turn around this week, so that I can invoice. I had several conversations with a potential new client, which resulted in a contract for a paid trial piece that I will sign and return today (yes, even though it’s Mercury retrograde – it’s a straightforward contract with one potential annoyance for which I am prepared). I will get started on the piece next week and turn it in before the Solstice. We’ll see where we are from there. If we like each other, there will be a longer trial piece, also paid. If that works out, we will start working together regularly. One step at a time, right?

Updated the newsletter with the link for the scriptwriting class in March. I will share it here after the holidays, so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. Did the day’s marketing per the content calendar. I had trouble uploading video to Instagram.

Turned around one medium coverage and four small ones.

Went to gentle yoga. Chatted with my teacher about what she’s looking for once the studio closes in February; I have some potential leads, which I will send her this morning.

Slept reasonably well, even waking up a few times. Forgot to set up the coffee last night, so I had to stumble around to get it started (without coffee!) while I fed the cats. Since they didn’t smell coffee, they didn’t try to roust me out of bed yet (I was only an hour late).

Did my yoga and meditation and morning writing session. So far, I like this routine, although on laundry days, like yesterday, I need to rearrange it. I didn’t do the yoga or meditation sessions and missed them. I felt scattered all day.

This morning, I need to do some admin, sign and return the contract for the trial piece, get some writing in, run some errands, turn around some more scripts, hope more come in, finish the books for review, and go to tarot. Busy day, so I best get going!

In the next few days, I need to work on more decorating, the holiday cards, and the baking. Staying organized is vital, without making myself feel so constrained that I resent it and get nothing done.

Have a good one!