Devon Ellington's Blog, page 30

Thurs. Aug. 29, 2024: I Would Prefer Illumination to Burn Out

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Thursday, August 29, 2024

Waning Moon

Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron Retrograde

Murky and humid

Is it a little easier to breathe and communicate? I hope so.

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

Yesterday morning, I dealt with some email stuff and some bill stuff and wrote post-meeting thank you notes. Driving back from Lenox, I had an idea for the WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE revision. I ended up revising the entire play. The first act is almost where I want it. The last two scenes of the play in the second act still need work. I cut about 10 pages, which is pretty decent. I’m debating whether to expand one scene slightly.

That took almost all morning. I was really feeling the lack of sleep by then.

I started reading the next book for review.

I left for my meeting a little early so I could mail things at the post office, drop library books in the drop box, pick up a loaf of bread at the store, before heading over to my meeting.

The meeting went well. I have to let it percolate a bit and then do the revisions for my friend’s project.

Tarot circle was good. I lent some tarot decks to a fellow member who needed them for research. I was pretty quiet; it was a big group, and it was more important for those who weren’t always there to get a chance to speak. My cards were Very Clear – additional feedback on them would not have been helpful.

Headed home. My ego got a bit of a bruise in the evening, but that’s all it was – my ego. It has very little to do with reality other than ego. So I let myself be frustrated and unhappy for a bit, and then moved on. Much better than having it fester. My energy is better spent elsewhere.

Because I’d been up since 3:30 AM, I went to bed ridiculously early. Of course, the fire alarm malfunctioned again, and then I had trouble getting back to sleep. But I did. Slept until 3-ish, woke up, managed to get back to sleep until nearly 6:30.

I’m still feeling burned out, but not quite as tired. I’d rather feel illuminated than burned out, and will have to see how I can shift that over the long weekend. I’m feeling discouraged on a couple of fronts, and need to sort out what to put aside and into what to dig in.

There’s plenty I should do today; no idea what will actually get done.

Bea was a little monkey overnight, getting onto and into the rolltop desk and knocking things off. Because that’s what cats do – knock things onto the floor. I think Charlotte is trying to give her Princess lessons. It’s pretty funny.

I keep thinking today is Friday, but it’s only Thursday, so I better dig in and see what I can clear off the desk.

Have a good one!

Wed. Aug. 28, 2024: The Detrius of Mercury Retrograde

No credit given on pixabay.com

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Waning Moon

Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron Retrograde

Mercury DIRECT

Murky and warm

Mercury is direct today, and those are Mercury-shaped tire tracks over top of me. It certainly wasn’t my worst of these retrogrades; it could have been much worse, and it was more emotionally challenging than anything else. But I’m tired.

Breathe for the next few days. On September 1, Uranus goes retrograde – the planet of rebellion, individuality, shocks, and what makes you unique.

Laundry was done early. After breakfast, I turned around the script coverage. It took less time than I expected (although it was on a tight turnaround). I’m still way under what I want/need for this pay period, but every bit helps. And I still have four days.

The fire alarm was malfunctioning constantly, and, since it’s somehow connected to the dishwasher, the dishwasher is no longer working. Yeah, I can’t figure out that connection, either. Guess I’ll be contacting maintenance.

Adapted more episodes of VICIOUS CRITIC into chapters. Pretty soon, I’ll run out of material to adapt and be flying with the new material. I have a very detailed outline, so it’s all good.

I had a large, early lunch, and then got my act together and left for Lenox a little before one. In spite of traffic around Pittsfield, I made very good time, and was way too early for my meeting. I sat in a nearby park and wrote for about twenty minutes or so. It was a beautiful day, and lovely to be out.

I had a great meeting with WAM, with the Artistic Director and the Associate Artistic Director. We connected well on values and interests, and want to find ways to work together. I have some follow up materials to send them next week. They had some really good ideas about a workshop they’d like to see, so I’m putting together a proposal for that, and will probably join their literary committee in January.

The meeting ran over, because we were having such a good conversation. The traffic back wasn’t too bad, except around Pittsfield. Now, I used to drive in Manhattan, so I need to get over myself like Pittsfield traffic is ever really bad, just annoying.

I swung by Full Well Farm to pick up the CSA box. Took it home, and even had time to change before heading to yoga. Both hours of yoga were good, although the second hour kicked my ass, and my knee is still bothering me a lot.

Home, dinner, collapsed onto the couch for a little bit before bed.

Didn’t sleep well. I kept waking up every couple of hours. By 3:30, I moved to the sofa, but that didn’t help (although it made Charlotte happy).

Up at 5ish, fed everyone. Bea is starting to come out for food even when we’re in the room, which is a good sign.

I had an idea for the first problematic scene for WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE, so I will tackle that this morning. I also want to start putting together the information for WAM to send them next week. I have more work to do on VICIOUS CRITIC, and the marketing rounds for The Topic Workbooks.

MURDER BELLS is up for preorder, and I’m adding links. There will be a good bit of information once the website goes live next week.

Fingers crossed a bunch of script coverage comes in over the next few days, because I really need the money this pay period. And there isn’t any fast turnaround work I can land this close to Labor Day weekend.

I have to make a run to the post office, drop off some library books, and pick up a loaf of bread. I have a meeting before tarot, so I need to leave a little early for that.

Because I was at the laundromat yesterday, I didn’t do the morning meditation with Bea, and she was irked. She was much happier when I came in this morning. She still runs and hides, but now she’s making more of a show of it, so I think it’s almost becoming a game for her. She’s torn all her pompoms to shreds (good hunter instinct), so I’ll have to get some more.

Since I was up at 3:30 this morning, I have a feeling I’ll have to take a short nap after lunch before I head out. It’s warmish, but not terrible. The humidity is picking up; it’s supposed to rain all weekend.

Have a good one!

Tues. Aug. 27: Hold On For One More Busy Day

image courtesy of dima_goroziya via pixabay.com

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Waning Moon

Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Mercury Retrograde]

Foggy and warm

I hope you had a good weekend.

I keep forgetting to mention that I’m part of a three-year study via Johns Hopkins University on the physical and mental effects of COVID. Every three months, we have a virtual check-in. I did mine, fortunately, week before last, when I was still feeling okay. Right now, I’m in the control group that hasn’t had it; if I get it, I’ll be moved to the other group.

I felt pretty bad on Friday, and decided to give myself the day off once I ran my errands. So I did the pharmacy, grocery, and library runs. Really felt awful by then, and went back to bed.

A quick turnaround coverage came through, and I wasn’t in a position to say no, so I got my act together and did it.

As I was setting up the coffeemaker for Saturday morning, I noticed that my coffee was marked “Decaf.”  I NEVER drink Decaf. It’s always made me sick. I must have picked up the wrong bag.

Always makes me sick.

I’ve been drinking decaf for a week, going cold turkey after decades of drinking caffeinated coffee. That certainly would explain the headaches last week. And the fatigue, no matter how much “coffee” I drank. It’s a good brand, and didn’t taste any different (which is unusual; I can usually taste the difference).

I checked on the other symptoms. Yup, I had all of them, among the severest of caffeine withdrawals. Plus the fact that decaf has always made me sick to my stomach.

Could it be that simple?

Saturday morning, drinking real coffee, I felt better. Still a little off, but much, much better. Hard to believe a lack of caffeine could make me that sick.

Saturday, I did some tidying up. I ran a couple of errands. A grant opportunity landed in my inbox – due on the 26th, so I sat down and did the application and sent it off. Prepped some material for a grant application that opens on the 1st. Gave some feedback on some A4A materials.

Went down to the bookstore and finalized the reading for the Boiler House Poets. We will be at the Bear & Bee Bookshop on Wednesday, October 9th at 7 PM. Now, to finish up the publicity materials. I’ve been working on them throughout, but couldn’t finish them without the date. That’s a huge relief.

Was surprised how much better I felt by Saturday night. Cooked a decent dinner, got some reading done, got some ancestor work done (which was so accurate, it was a little scary).

Noodled with an idea that started to percolate about a week or so ago. Made some notes. No idea when I could fit it into the schedule, but the characters are talking, so I will take notes and gather information.

Slept pretty well. In fact, slept in on Sunday until nearly 7, which displeased all the cats.

Did more housework, including changing the beds (which usually happens on Saturdays). Ah, the joy of fresh sheets. Truly one of the pleasures of life. Tessa supervised, and insisted I use more lavender between the mattress pad and the fitted sheet, and in the pillowcases. Lavender is her favorite. She spent the rest of the day on the bed, much to Bea’s chagrin.

Made leek-potato-celeriac soup, which turned out really well. Made pistachio mousse, which also turned out really well. Noodled with the idea (I have nearly 9 pages of notes).

Dealt with some email stuff for my friend’s project and for the Boiler House reading. Did some research on the Roman household guardians the Lares. Worked through some research books that have to go back to the library.

Ran a couple of errands which were annoying, because there was a car show all over the damn town, with closed streets and limited parking, and too many of them were raging supporters of the Narcissistic Sociopath. So THAT was no fun. But I kept a cool head and refused to be baited, ran my errands, and came home.

Last year, there was a Word X Word event I went to on car show day, so I only saw them leaving town as I was coming home. I much prefer it that way. That way, I can appreciate the beauty and care put into the cars, and not have to deal with the right-wing fanaticism of the drivers.

Spent a block of time with poetry, keeping my promise to myself for this weekend. Read poems by Nancy Wood, Amy Clampitt, and Mary Oliver. Toyed with some ideas for poems. Although the bulk of my work during the BHPC residency will be on one specific piece, I want to bring in at least one cleave poem, and I’m playing with ideas to see what’s viable. I’d like to have it a few drafts in before the residency.

Slept through the night into Monday, waking up around 5 AM. It was still dark. Earlier in the summer, it was light a little after 4.

Went through the morning routine.

Adapted a bunch of VICIOUS CRITIC episodes into three chapters of the novel. Couldn’t print them, because I have to get more ink. Because when do I not need more ink?

Worked on the flyer for the reading, and sent it off for approval. Made a requested tweak. Dealt with my friend’s project. Worked on the day’s marketing for the Topic Workbooks. Sent off two residency applications. Confirmed a meeting for next week with A4A.

Finished galleys on MURDER BELLS, put in fixes (mostly fiddly and formatting things), did another proof, and those galleys are gone, baby! I should have a solid release date on that soon. As soon as it’s all confirmed, I’ll put those updates on the Nina Bell website, because that has to go live next week. I’ll need to choose excerpts for the media kits and start thinking about videos soon. While pushing to get VICIOUS CRITIC done.

A medium sized quick turnaround coverage came in last night; I will do it this morning, before I leave for Lenox.

I was out the door early in the morning to the laundromat. Worked on VICIOUS CRITIC edits while I was there.

Mercury goes direct tomorrow, thank goodness. I need to hang on for one more busy day.

On today’s agenda: get some work done in the morning. This afternoon, I have a meeting in Lenox with a theatre with whom I want to work. Then, I have to race back to pick up the CSA box, drop it at home, and then race to yoga for my two hours of classes. I’m putting all my yoga stuff in the car, and changing when I get there. Wish me luck!

Mon. Aug. 26, 2024: Intent for the Week — Reach the Finish Line Intact

image courtesy of Erdenebayar Bayansan via pixabay.com

We are so close to the end of Mercury Retrograde. The pressure will ease on Wed. the 28th, when it goes direct.

Today, everything is squaring everything, which is a good reminder that yes, I’m spoiling for a fight on several fronts, but the best thing to do is keep my mouth shut. This is not the day to fight. Things will be clearer and make more sense if I wait it out and get more information.

It’s a busy week, trying to clear things off before we get into September. There’s a lot of head down working this week, and remembering that quiet observation is often a better choice than reflexive reaction.

What’s your intent for the week?

Fri. Aug. 23, 2024: Some Days, You Can Only Work on One Thing

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Friday, August 23, 2024

Waning Moon

Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Mercury Retrograde

Partly sunny and cool

I am absolutely loving this cooler weather.

Yesterday would have been my father’s 103rd birthday, had he not died at age 50.

Yesterday did not turn out as expected, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I spent the morning working on a draft of my friend’s project, and then sent it out to the project partners for their input. It’s easier if we all have something in writing from which to work, and then we can tweak it.

That exhausted me more than I expected. I worked on some ad graphics for TAPESTRY. I didn’t get any other writing or proofing done, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Pitched to a freelance gig that I doubt I’ll get. I’m not in that field, although I’ve got the writing chops to rewrite their website.

Trying to decide if I want to apply to a particular residency for next year or not. There’s another one, which opens applications on September 1, that I definitely want to try. And there’s a grant opportunity that opens September 1 that I will give a shot, too, although I haven’t had any luck with them in previous years. But it’s a different grant from this organization, so I’ll give it a shot. There’s another application for a grant that’s intriguing, but I’m not sure we’re the right fit for each other at this moment in time. I have to think about it. There are two play deadlines coming up in early September; I’d hoped to have WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE ready for it, but there’s no way I can whip it into shape by next week. It needs several more drafts.

I managed to repaint the copper kettle that sits on the stove (I call it the “feng shui” kettle). It looks really good. I wanted to paint the bones with the glow-in-the-dark paint, but I can’t find it. I’m wondering if I never actually bought it last year, after I was disappointed by the acrylic G-I-D paint that didn’t really work. It’s okay; I have plenty of time.

Annoyed at a writer boasting on social media that, even though she tested positive for COVID the day before, she’s taking a plane and attending a conference because her doctor told her “it’s just like a bad cold.” Right, that’s why so many people are still dying every week and we’re in the middle of a surge. So this selfish bitch is putting lives at risk. I don’t want to hear that it’s not her fault because her doctor (and, she claims, the CDC website backs it up) misinformed her. It’s basic common sense and caring for community, of which she obviously has none.

And people wonder why I haven’t started attending conferences in person again. Because there are no protections and too many horrible, selfish people.

Cross that author off my list and never supporting/buying her work again.

I spent a good portion of the afternoon hanging out with Bea in her room, catching up on some reading. She stayed at a safe distance, but is braver about being out and about in the room now when I’m in it. We will get there.

I decided yoga would be a good decision, so I went to class in the early evening, and definitely felt better after.

Home, dinner, read some more with Charlotte using me as cat furniture.

Slept pretty well; although I woke up a couple of times, I fell asleep again pretty fast.

Up at the usual time, got everybody fed. Bea waits by the door now, after she finishes her breakfast, until I come in for meditation. She was also trying to get Charlotte’s attention (since Charlotte is the one in the living room most often). Charlotte studiously ignored her. Tessa stomped in to give a lecture, and then stomped out again.

I need to catch up today on some of what I didn’t do yesterday, and hope coverages come in for the weekend and next week. I want to get out a few more pitches. I have a pharmacy pickup for my mom, a light grocery shop, and a library run. Tomorrow, I have to get a definitive answer from someone tomorrow who’s been stringing me along for months. I also need to prepare for a Tuesday meeting with a theatre with whom I want to work. Sunday, I have some time blocked off for poetry.

And housework. There will be housework this weekend, because that’s never ending!

Thurs. Aug. 22, 2024: Cats Get It Right

image courtesy of Seidenperle via pixabay.com

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Waning Moon

Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Mercury Retrograde

Sunny and cool

I’m so happy that it is cooler. I mean, next week, it’s supposed to be hot again, so I’m trying to cool the place down as much as possible.

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

Yesterday was a bit chaotic and stressful. I was worried about Charlotte; she didn’t seem herself. I worried I’d have to take her to one of the emergency vets that’s at least an hour away, and worried how to pay for it.

Turns out she just took the day off to sleep. By the time I got home in the evening, she was energetic and back to being a pain in the ass.

On the one hand, I’m thinking, little brat of a drama queen, scaring me. On the other hand, good for her taking a day off when she wanted one. We can all learn from that. Cats know how to live their best lives.

And, of course, the ongoing battle with my mother’s medical bills is no fun.

I managed to adapt three chapters of THE VICIOUS CRITIC, which was good (around 7K). I started proofreading “Tumble” but had trouble concentrating. I considered pitching for a job, but really reading it, they want someone in their 20s at the start of their career. So I decided not to bother. I heard from one of the teaching gigs to which I applied that she’s interested in hiring me for autumn of 2025, so we have to figure out dates and details and see if that works in my schedule; that probably won’t happen for a few more months.

Put together my materials, prepared for my advisory meeting, and was down at MASSMoCA on time. We had a good meeting. Plenty to think about.

I had time before my next meeting at 3:30, which was a gift. I didn’t want to go home; it wasn’t enough to really dig into any work.

Instead, I wandered around the Spruces for a bit. I took a bunch of photos. More and more of it is being turned into a pollinator habitat, which is great (and beautiful), with paths cut through. It definitely makes me eager to get the revisions for THE TREES WHISPERED DEATH back on the schedule for the fall/winter. I’d like to get that out on submission early next year (it’s unrealistic to think it will be out the door before December).

There were too many mosquitos to perch in one place for long, so I got back in the car and went to Milne Library in Williamstown. I found a book on the discard cart by an author whose work I read a lot, something published in 1977, that I don’t think I’ve read before. I sat in their Reading Garden and read until it was time to leave for my next meeting (only about a mile away).

The meeting went well, although we had interruptions, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Now, it’s up to me to put together what we discussed into a workable written document that we can then edit and change.

After the meeting was tarot circle, which was great. Intense conversation, so I felt both full (for the right reasons) afterwards, while still being tired.

Home, dinner, and Charlotte was all perky and having fun. Bea was playing with her toys and being cute and showing off for Tessa. Bea inherited a baby’s fleece dinosaur blanket that friends left about a year ago. I’d washed it right before Bea joined us (because Charlotte doesn’t get to commandeer ALL the fleece blankets in the house) and gave it to Bea a few days ago, because she likes soft things. She LOVES the blanket. She hasn’t let me take a photo of her on it yet, but we’ll get there. She also put one of her pompoms in her water dish. Maybe that’s a tortie thing? Star, in Beacon, used to do this. Maybe it’s a Beacon thing.

Slept well in the cool air with quilts on. Everybody (feline) was happy and bouncy this morning.

On today’s agenda: I might be able to get some painting done, out on the back balcony. I need to work on my friend’s project. I want to work on VICIOUOS CRITIC some more, and the “Tumble” galleys. I might work on the CAST IRON MURDER synopsis. Maybe send out a few more pitches. I hope more coverage work comes in today or tomorrow; I’ll read through the weekend if necessary. But I’m a little worried about this pay period. So I’m looking for other, fast turnaround stuff that will fill the gap.

Have a good one!

Wed. Aug. 21, 2024: Cool Enough To Add A Quilt

image courtesy of  mching49 via pixabay.com

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Waning Moon

Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Mercury Retrograde

Cloudy and chilly

I am so disoriented this week, and not sure why.

I adapted more VICIOUS CRITIC episodes into book chapters. That felt good.

I went out and got a Dirt Devil on sale for $20, to keep the place clean until I can actually get the Bissell fixed. It’s not great, but it’s better than not having a working vacuum.

Bea was not amused.

Proofread the galleys of “Too Much Mistletoe” and found some fixes.

An article pitch was turned down by a publication. I went to send it to another magazine on the list, with whom I’ve worked several times to find out they no longer exist. So now, the pitch has to go to the third publication. I reworked it a little, and off it went.

Did the promos for the Submission System workbook on Tumblr and Bluesky.

I saw the rough cover for the fourth Nina Bell book, BUT IS SHE A BETTING MAN? and it’s very cool.

Was invited to create a short piece for an event at the end of September. I said I was interested, so we’ll see where we go from there.

Turned around three small script coverages, and fretted at the lack of coverages coming in. There were two contest deadlines in the past week. We should have more work than we can handle.

Read ASSASSINS ANONYMOUS which was well done and, at the same time, somewhat uncomfortable (for the right reasons; that was the intent, and the author pulled it off). It was definitely written with an eye to selling film rights. I preferred KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE.

Picked up the CSA box, and have to figure out what to do with everything. I might buy a zucchini the next grocery shop and then make ratatouille. There’s celeriac, which I haven’t used often – maybe I’ll use it when I start making soups, and start the soup making early? This week is supposed to stay cool, but next week is supposed to be near 90 again.

Two hours of yoga was good, and I didn’t feel ¾ dead by the time I left. Heated up some dinner, read in the evening.

It was good sleeping weather, and so cool I needed to add an extra quilt to the bed.

Woke up with a migraine, but too bad for me. I have things to do today.

On today’s agenda: Another chapter of VICIOUS CRITIC, proofread “Tumble”, my first A4A Advisory meeting, then another meeting with my friend on her project, then tarot circle.

Have a good one!

Tues. Aug. 20, 2024: That Corridor Keeps Getting Longer

image courtesy of tan Madoré via pixabay.com

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Last Day of Full Moon

Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Mercury Retrograde

Cloudy and cool

Hopefully, you not only survived the weekend, but it was a good one!

Mercury Retrograde feels like one of those corridors in horror movies that is never ending, no matter how far you run. Hence the photo.

Friday morning, I did about 6K of rewrites on THE WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE. That felt good. I also wrote and submitted my book review, and received my next assignment.

I was out the door mid-morning. I did a drop off and pick up at the library, then headed to the Clark. My friend and I wandered the Degas exhibit. We were curious as to what opera was being performed behind “Two Masked Dancers” in the hooded cloaks. It wasn’t in any of the labels or the exhibit guide, but one of the staff looked it up, and it turns out it’s the ballet in the opera DON GIOVANNI. Now the hooded cloaks make sense, and it was definitely a kindness above and beyond by this staff member.

We ran into an acquaintance, which was fun, and had lunch in the museum café.

I did some grocery shopping on the way back, and then spent the afternoon reading this month’s Agatha Christie book club pick, A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED. I hadn’t remembered that one.

Cooked dinner, played with the cats. Went to bed too early, which meant I was awake at 3:30. It was humid and still poor air quality, so I moved to the sofa and fell asleep again, until Charlotte woke me at 7 by tap dancing on my ribs.

Put on the air purifier, because the poor air quality was giving me a headache, and we were coughing.

Did some website and marketing work. Did some scheduling work. Paid some bills and dropped them off at the post office. Worked my way through some books that had to go to the library. Helped a friend with a project.

Semi-fixed the vacuum again, because we needed to vacuum the place. It was Bea’s first close encounter with the machine, and she did not like it. She joins Tessa and Charlotte in hating the vacuum. It doesn’t bother Willa at all; she watches and then points out where I’ve missed a spot.

Cooked dinner, using up most of the rest of what was in the CSA box. Yummy.

Slept okay, and up at the usual time. Morning routine. I’d skipped morning meditation with Bea on Saturday (I did it with Tessa instead). As much as Bea keeps a safe distance, she still doesn’t want to miss that part of our morning routine. So I did Sunday’s meditation with her.

It’s so difficult not to start decorating for autumn, but we are still in summer, and I don’t want to rush the seasons. Summer is a lot about stripping back and lightening up, while autumn and winter are about layering and coziness.

I’m so irritated with the corporate overlords who are intentionally trying to push us toward recession. First thing that should happen is all CEO salaries should be slashed by 50%. Put that money where it should be – to the people actually working – and then let’s see where we are.

On Sunday morning, I completed the final galleys of TAPESTRY and sent them off. Release date is set in early November, and pre-order links will be available soon. I updated the website, which I will start promoting in early September. I will start working on the marketing materials for it this week (videos, media kit, graphics, etc.) while I work on the MURDER BELLS galleys and get back to work on THE VICIOUS CRITIC.

Taking careful tracking notes and keeping the series bible, the style sheets, and all the rest updated as I work is saving me so much time. Plus careful notes on the style fonts. There are a couple of style things that can’t be adjusted in the formatting that I would like adjusted, but too bad for me.

Woke up around 2:30 Monday morning, and couldn’t get to sleep. Worried about a lot of different things. But some of them are out of my control; I’ve done my bit, and now I have to wait for a response. But I like to have Plans B, C, D at the very least in reserve.

Tried to put aside what’s currently out of my control and focus on what is.

Up early feeling like an 18-wheeler rolled over me, then reversed and did it again.

Got everybody fed, submitted the book review, invoiced this last batch of books, put together everything we needed for the doctor’s appointment. Dropped books in the book drop at the library on the way to the doctor (it was an early morning appointment).

The appointment was okay; I don’t feel much progress is being made. The doctor is very nice, but there’s not much progress. But my mom is being shifted to another doctor in the practice, so here’s hoping. She had to have a blood test, too.

Came back and found my invoice paid, which is the way I like it. Friday’s payment, from another job, cleared and is in the account, so that’s all set. At we were just past 9 AM at that point.

Put together a pitch for a part-time, temporary job and sent it off. I definitely have the writing chops, but possibly not the graphic. Of course, they should be hiring a graphic designer to partner with the writer, but that’s a different issue. We’ll see. Took care of a bunch of admin and fiddly things that needed attention and were irritating, but now they’re handled, so they won’t still irritate.

Bea was confused, because the morning’s schedule was all out of whack. She got her breakfast on time, but everything is was out of alignment, and she wasn’t sure what that meant. The others weren’t upset, so she was wary, but overall, took her cues from them.

The pre-order links for TAPESTRY are coming in; by the time I start promoting/revealing the website in early September, I should have a nice batch of links. Updated the website with them, did the day’s promotion for the Topic Workbook THE SERIES BIBLE.

Turned around two large coverages. Heated up some dinner, tried to read a little, but was tired. Glad I got the coverages in, because the site was down for a few hours in the evening.

I was supposed to attend a virtual informational seminar about a grant I’m interested in, but the Zoom link they sent out was invalid. I let them know, and didn’t receive a new one, so that’s that.

It rained heavily on and off all day. I think it’s the very edges of Hurricane Ernesto, but I’m not sure.

Up at the usual time this morning. Got everybody fed, did the morning writing in longhand, did the morning meditation with Bea. Tessa tried to crash it, but no, honey, not yet.

Debating whether I want to run errands this morning or put it off another day or so. I keep thinking today is Monday, but it’s Tuesday. It’s Mondaying, though.

I have work to do on various projects today, It’s been so rainy I haven’t been able to do the painting that needs to be done (practical, not artistic on canvas). I need to get to work on the MURDER BELLS proofs and get those out the door this week, and I want to get back to work on THE VICIOUS CRITIC. Somewhere in there, I need to get back to work on the synopsis for CAST IRON MURDER so that can go out on submission in early September. Months later than I hoped it would, but there we are.

This afternoon, I pick up the CSA box for the week, and tonight – two hours of yoga!

Hang in there, friends.

Mon. Aug. 19, 2024: Intent for the Week — Grind Through

image courtesy of Marcel Gnauk via pixabay.com

This week presents challenges across multiple fronts. My only option is to grind on through, so I will do that to the best of my ability. I’m deep into survival mode again this week.

What’s your intent?

Fri. Aug. 16, 2024: Poor Air Quality Alert

image courtesy of  Villi67 via pixabay.com

Friday, August 16, 2024

Waxing Moon

Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Mercury Retrograde

Hazy, humid, air quality alert

Let’s hope today is better than yesterday.

The EPA has put out a poor air quality alert for today. Ick. So much for “clean mountain air.”

I tried uploading the MURDER BELLS manuscript where it needed to be to format for galleys, and the system kept dumping it. I put in a tech support request. I managed to find a workaround a couple of hours later, and it’s out to the editor and copy editor for galleys. I got the galley back for TAPESTRY and will try to turn that around this weekend, so we can finalize things, get a release date, etc.

I lost the rest of the morning dealing with the medical billing issues. Then I had to go down to the post office and mail everything – because of all the documentation, I had to have everything weighed, etc.

I then spent a couple of hours working on the Nina Bell website, even though I know better than to do so during Mercury Retrograde. Although I had to keep it simple, and couldn’t do some of the bells and whistles I wanted, I got a good start. When I’m ready to have people take a look at it, I’ll put the link in.

I gave Bea a bunch of new toys and she had the best time!

I had a very good webinar/development session for one of my freelance jobs. I kind of dreaded it, but I got a lot of good information out of it. It reinforces that the work I do for them is on the right track and in alignment with industry standards and expectations.

I finished reading the next book for review and will write and turn in the review this morning. I got some filing done.

This morning, I am out the door midmorning to meet my friend Jane at the Clark. We are going to see the Degas exhibit, and then have a good natter about some things she wants to ask me about. I’m looking forward to it.

On the way to the Clark, I have to do a drop off/pick up at the library. On the way home, I have to do a small grocery shop.

If scripts land in my queue over the weekend, I’ll read all weekend; otherwise, hopefully I’ll be assigned another book for review, I have other books that need to go back to the library midweek next week that I have to finish, I need to do the TAPESTRY galleys, and work on VICIOUS CRITIC. And maybe get some work done on THE WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE.

There’s housework which needs attention, too.

Monday is the full moon and supposed to be a very chaotic day astrologically (and a terrible day to travel), so I’m going to try to stay as quiet as possible and just keep my head down working. 12 more days of this effing retrograde. I’m trying hard not to regress into full survival mode beyond anything else, to enjoy what’s left of the summer, but it’s hard.

Of course, I’m eager for autumn, but I want to enjoy what’s here in the moment, too.

The doctor’s office “called” (recorded message, not a real one) to remind my mom her appointment is on Monday. Um, no, it’s been scheduled for Tuesday the 20th since the last one several months ago. If they’re changing it, that’s what the message needs to say. That’s it’s being CHANGED, and ASKING if that works for us, not declaring it a done deal. So we have to sort that out, too.

Provided they even agree to see her, since we’re sorting out the incorrect bills. I fully expect to arrive at the facility and get turned away. Because healthcare in this country has NOTHING to do with health or care and is only concerned with profit.

Plus, the last thing I want to do on Monday is to be on the road, even for as short a hop as to Williamstown.

On that happy note (yes, that’s sarcasm), I’m off to read and send off the review, take a shower, and head out.

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