Devon Ellington's Blog, page 37
May 23, 2024
Thurs. May 24, 2024: Expanding My Network
image courtesy of elpsg via pixabay.comThursday, May 23, 2024
Full Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Hot, humid, chance of thunderstorms
You can read the latest on the garden over on Gratitude and Growth.
Today’s LEGERDEMAIN episode:
Episode 192: Timo’s True Inheritance
Timo needs time to process the news, but Timothy has a few more cards to play.
Yesterday was a busy day, but a really good one.
I was out of the house before 8 AM. It was a beautiful drive to Dalton, even though a bunch of us were stuck behind a school bus (the line of cars was about a half mile long).
Arrived in Dalton early. So I sat outside, at one of the picnic tables, and worked on the poem for Word X Word. I’d gotten my word late the previous night, gotten up, and did a rough draft. Early in the morning, before I left, I did another draft, typed it up, and took it with me. I sat outside the building and did a few more drafts.
I went into the Business Expo as soon as the doors opened, and started making my way around the tables to talk to vendors. There were very few of the same vendors as last year, but a few. I got to catch up with someone I met at the arts grant event last year and hadn’t seen since. I caught up with someone whose card I picked up last year, but I couldn’t remember our conversation, so I hadn’t followed up; she admitted that my card had perplexed her, too! So we laughed and had a real conversation so we’d remember each other. I ran into someone I met last year; we started talking early in the event and I knew I knew him from somewhere, but couldn’t figure out the context. Then, I realized we’d met at last year’s expo! I told him I remembered now. He said yes, he remembered me, too, and had been thinking about me since last year, but since we hadn’t exchanged information, he didn’t know how to track me down. We took care of that!
I made it through two of the three aisles before the first event, which was a marketing presentation. It had some good ideas. I saw my friend from the artist cohort after, and we sat together for the next presentation, on grants. Which was interesting, but some of the information they gave out is counter to my experience, which is always interesting.
Then, it was time for lunch. We ate outside and caught up on life, the universe, and everything. She’s doing such great work! And we’re both excited to attend open studios this coming weekend AND our fellow cohort’s member show next Monday.
Once inside, I went down the final row of vendors and had some more great conversations.
My friend and I attended the final session, which was also good.
All in all, I got about four job leads and a half dozen other future possibilities. I have about 40 follow-up emails to write today. It was a good networking day, and it’s well-timed, since I need to land some more freelance work this summer, due to some big bills. Some are around my mom’s medical issues, some are other things.
The steering wheel was so hot when I got back into the car that I could barely touch it.
The drive home was smooth, too, even with getting stuck behind another school bus in, you got it, Cheshire.
Hauled my big bag of swag and contacts up to the apartment. Changed clothes. Sat down and did another draft of the poem, and sent it out (once you get your word, it has to be turned around within 24 hours).
I’m trying something different here. First, I’m using rhyme, which I hardly ever do. Second, I’m changing the rhyme rhythm within the stanza. 10 lines using two different rhythms running 26 seconds (we have 30). And it tells a complete story, while igniting the next person’s poem with my last word.
Picked up the other bags I packed and reloaded the car. Stopped at Wild Oats to pick up a few things. Went to tarot circle, which was great. Then headed out to a moon circle. It’s the first circle I’ve attended since I moved here, and it was lovely. As we finished, the full moon rose over Mount Greylock, and it was amazing.
Drove home, unpacked the car, hauled everything up the stairs, showered (I was a sticky, sweaty mess), had a glass of wine, and went to bed.
Slept well, in spite of the humidity.
Up early, planning the day. My mom fell this morning, in the apartment. She’s shaken, not hurt. But I’m worried.
Lots to do today: meditation, follow up on yesterday, a light grocery shop (because tomorrow will be a zoo), script coverage. I’d like to get some writing in there, but it might be pushing it.
Have a good one!
May 22, 2024
Wed. May 22, 2024: The Class That Kicks My Ass
image courtesy of StockSnap via Pixabay.comWednesday, May 22, 2024
Day Before Full Moon
Pluto Retrograde
No idea the weather, since this is scheduled to post
Today is probably my busiest day of the year. Definitely the busiest day of the spring!
Today’s ANGEL HUNT episode:
Episode 139: Lianna’s Rage
Lianna uses her rage as a weapon.
Yesterday was the first day in about two years that I didn’t have a serial episode deadline looming. It felt many things.
I pitched to an interesting freelance job suggested by an online pal in a freelance group. I worked on the June newsletter. I caught up on some emails. I saw a script submission call that I thought a friend’s plays would fit and sent that off. I finished drafting a 10-minute play called “Auld Acquaintance” for a specific call. It needs some work, but at least the bones are there. It took an unexpected turn near the end, and I need to salt in some literary references early on, cut some of the middle and not rush the end. It can be up to 15 pages, and it’s now 12, but I’d like it to be tighter.
My workshop was good. It got me thinking about the topic in different ways, which is always welcome.
I tried baking a recipe I’ve done hundreds of times, and it was a disaster. I think the oven needs to be recalibrated. I will have to pick something up at Wild Oats, on the way to tarot.
I managed to turn around two scripts.
I made some tough decisions on a personal matter, but they are necessary. I just have to be smart in how I implement them.
I turned around two script coverages.
Went to yoga, for both hours. My friend was delighted by what I’d accomplished so far with the Vaudeville photos. I asked her for some additional information on her great aunt, which she is hunting down. The fitness class (the second hour) kicked my ass. I mean, I need it, but boy am I limping out of there! Still, I feel better when I attend regularly than when I skip classes, and there is definite progress.
I couldn’t even think about cooking, so I picked up takeout.
Sat on the porch after dinner, with a glass of wine, enjoying the moon.
Today, I’m flat out all day. I’m looking forward to the business expo, then tarot, then circle. Out of the house before 8 AM, home sometime between 9 & 10 PM.
I’m looking forward to it!
May 21, 2024
Tues. May 21, 2024: Enjoyment of Outdoor Spaces
image courtesy of meineresterampe via pixabay.comTuesday, May 21, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Sunny and warm
I hope you had a lovely weekend!
Today’s LEGERDEMAIN episode:
Episode 191: Genetic Material
King Cordahan insists on a public paternity test – with surprising results.
Legerdemain Serial Link
I had trouble getting going on Friday. I had to answer a complex email, along with some other emails. I checked with the Clark to make sure I was on the list for their June 14th opening (I am, no worries). Yet more clothes I have to figure out! I did the grocery and library runs, hauling back more books than I expected. And when I got home, I just could not get my act together. It was very frustrating.
There were definitely reasons. I got knocked for a loop on something personal late last week and need to make some adjustments on a couple of things I thought I knew. Of course I “knew” the reality, but had ignored it for too long, and we all know how that comes back to bite you in the butt! When one’s emotional energy takes a hit, there’s a ripple effect.
It’s all a learning process, right? And I’m grateful I could take the time to do what I needed to do. What can I say? The answer remains, “bears.”
Received payment on two jobs, which was good. Also, because I’m now in the “vendor system” on one of them, I can pitch for more freelance work from that particular large and somewhat unwieldy institution.
Dashed out and got a bigger pot for the jasmine, and a six-foot-tall stake that I hope will work (since I couldn’t find a trellis large enough.
I got a bunch of reading done over the weekend. I read Sara Paretsky’s WRITING IN AN AGE OF SILENCE, which resonated a lot with what I’ve dealt with lately. It’s part memoir, part writing reflection, and all very good. I recommend it, especially if you’re in the process of reading or re-reading her books, as I am.
I read our Agatha Christie book club pick for the month, THE ABC MURDERS. I must have read it in the past, but I didn’t remember it, and, even better, I did not figure out who did it!
Read a cozy mystery that was cute, but not particularly memorable. I’ll try one more book from the series, and if it doesn’t really hold me, I’ll be done with that series.
I read Emily Henry’s FUNNY STORY, which was fun, although I felt there was a dangling thread at the end. It was sort of resolved, but I wanted more. But overall, I enjoyed more than I didn’t, and it was the lighthearted fun I needed.
Saturday, I’d hoped to work on the back balcony, but it was kind of yucky and almost raining most of the morning, and by the afternoon, I’d run out of steam. I did, however, clean out the laundry room, and get it reorganized, got all the winter sheets, towels, etc. stacked away, light sets tidied up, cookie tins stacked, tools rearranged, and so on and so forth, so I can actually get at things I need.
Kind of felt like I was run over by a truck all weekend, but it happens. This is where meditation practice helps. Sit with unpleasant feelings, acknowledge them, make decisions, and act on them. At least I know what some of those puzzling tarot cards about stepping away from the past in order to build a new future are about!
Also, part of it is still, I think, sense memory stress, even though the move was three years ago. My body remembers the exhaustion, even though I’m building other memories along this time period.
A good chunk of Sunday morning was spent talking with a cover artist about Nina Bell possibilities. It’s definitely leaning more retro and not the cute cozy sketches. Which is more of the tone. The original mockup for the first book looked too much like a Regency romance, but now, we’re moving in the right direction for retro 90’s mystery with chicklit elements.
Also printed off some more business cards for tomorrow’s event, and got the week’s episode videos up for the serials. After this Friday, there are only 6 more ANGEL HUNT episodes left (three more weeks). Which means I have to start thinking about the ANGEL HUNT binge video. Looking at the calendar, I also have to do the video for “Personal Revolution” from my backlist; since that’s a short mystery set around a Revolutionary War historic house museum, I need to start promoting it mid-June.
I drafted three episodes of Legerdemain, and completed the season. It was about 3500 words. That means the season should end on June 2. It will be reworked extensively when I adapt it out of serial format into its next lives, but I’ve given it a decent finish for the serial, without doing a disservice to the serial’s readership.
It feels good.
Read a romantasy book in the evening that broke a lot of rules and left me pondering. It had the love story of the central pair of protagonists. Two other pairs also had their love stories within it, rather than focusing on one pair per book, which is often the structure. I felt, for such a large book that took so much time with so many things, that the ending was rushed. And then, in the central pair, one of the protagonists got her Happy For Now, but by losing her autonomy and choice at the hands of her partner. Which made me uncomfortable. If this is the first book of a duology or trilogy, and it’s using this to end on a cliffhanger, it sets up particular expectations for the next book or the next two books, and I can see that working. If it’s meant to be a standalone, it’s disturbing. There’s no promise of another book. So we’ll see.
I’m also really, really, REALLY tired of reading Big Long Books and investing all that time and energy, only to end on a cliffhanger. If this is the first book in a series, tell me upfront. I’ll still read them as they come out; I wouldn’t pull that crap about “waiting” until the whole series is done to read it, which guarantees, in many cases, that the writer won’t be kept on contract to write it. I’ll read as each comes out, and at the end, I’ll binge the whole series again.
But when I invest time and emotion in a book of 100K or so, I want an ending. Even if it’s launching the series, I want the book to be satisfying while enticing me to the next book.
If I want cliffhangers, I’ll watch TV. Or read serialized fiction.
Monday morning I had to deal with something related to the emotional exhausting chaos from the preceding week. I hope by accepting something in good faith I’m not setting myself up for more chaos. We will see. It feels very 9 of Wands – be prepared.
Revised, edited, polished, uploaded, and scheduled the final episodes of LEGERDEMAIN. Episode 195 is the last, and it will go live on June 2, 2024. It’s a relief to have it done!
I’m also proud of myself that I kept the running Questor joke going in all 195 episodes.
We started setting up the Enchanted Garden on the back balcony. We’ve got a long way to go, but at least it’s started. New cushions out on the big bench (very comfy), bistro table and chairs set up, some of the plants out, a few decorations out. Much more to come, but we are getting there.
I got so caught up in it that I forgot I was committed to a workshop at noon. By the time I realized it, it was 12:30. I snuck in (easier to do in a virtual one than in real life) and enjoyed the second half of it. I will go back and watch the first half.
Late lunch, and then it was time for coverage work. The coverage was more complex than I expected, but I got it done.
I was up early and out the door to the laundromat. Back by 7. Today’s a planting day, so maybe I can get the last few seeds in. And do some more rearranging of plants and work out back. Maybe I can even spend some time out there, enjoying the place!
Finished re-reading Sara Paretsky’s BITTER MEDICINE. It’s built around the profit in medicine, and it was both exceptionally well done and sad.
Got an email telling me I’m getting serial royalties this month, but not how much, which means it’s probably a small amount, thereby supporting my decision to wind things up.
On today’s agenda: I have to decide what to work on this morning. It’s the first time in TWO YEARS that I don’t have to worry about drafting serial episodes. I think I will draft material for the proposal due the end of June, and/or work on the two short plays. I started adapting DEADLY DRAMATICS into its next form (novel), and got the first chapter of the first arc done. I will try to do several chapters per week. I have a workshop at noon, two scripts to turn around, and two hours of yoga tonight. Somewhere in there, I have to bake mini-muffins for tomorrow night’s gathering.
Tomorrow will be spectacularly busy. I’m out the door around 8 AM for the expo. Mid-afternoon, I swing by the house to drop off one set of bags and pick up another, and then I’m out the door again until 9 or 10 PM. At some point, I will get my starting word for the poem, and will have to write and submit it. I also have a package arriving, and I’ll have to catch up on the workshop I miss by being at the expo.
Talk about it all coming together around the Full Moon, right?
Have a good one!
May 20, 2024
Mon. May 20, 2024: Intent for the Week — Enjoy the Ride!
image courtesy of Tom via pixabay.comIt’s supposed to get up into the 80’s today!
This week, leading up to our Memorial Day weekend, is very busy for me. I need to focus on each necessary happening, and not get distracted by things that want to sap energy for their own agendas that are in conflict with mine.
I intend to enjoy as much as I can with the frenetic, overbooked activities that have somehow all collided onto similar days (with Wednesday being unbelievably overbooked and nothing can be moved). But we have a holiday weekend coming up, so it’s head down keep moving and then enjoy the holiday.
What’s your intent for the week?
May 17, 2024
Fri. May 17, 2024: Flowing Champagne in Lovely Surroundings
image courtesy of Pexels via Pixabay.comFriday, May 17, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Partly cloudy and mild
It’s Friday! And next week is like an out-of-control locomotive. But in a good way.
Today’s ANGEL HUNT episode:
Episode 138: Zeke’s Revenge
Zeke strikes out at the one who struck Lianna.
I polished, revised, edited, uploaded, and scheduled next week’s LEGERDEMAIN episodes before meditation. Wasn’t I proud of myself? They passed through review in about two hours, which is very fast (they tell us to expect up to 72 hours).
Meditation was great, and then I caught up on some emails, and returned the formal acceptance to the Farmers’ Market artist residency date.
I did next week’s episode videos, which I will upload and schedule today. I got out a magazine pitch and a theatre pitch. I caught up on email, and sent out a few fresh emails to people with whom I hadn’t been in contact for a long time. I even heard back almost right away from one friend, and it was nice to catch up.
I finally dug through my closet and found one of my favorite dresses, a teal and black one. I found a favorite pair of gold shoes and buffed them, and my mom lent me a rose silk and wool shawl (it was far too cold for short sleeves). Paired with a cute purse and time spent getting the makeup right, I was good to go.
Traffic was heavier going down to Lenox than I expected, but I got there and managed to squeeze into what wasn’t really a parking space, but it was by the time I got through with it. They’ve changed the configuration of their lot at the Mount, leaving far too little parking for the event and making it confusing as to know where to go.
The rain let up by the time we arrived; however, because the paths were affected by the rain, they decided not to have the reception up at the house and do the entire event in the stables. There were plenty of older individuals in the audience, who wouldn’t have been able to make the trek.
The presentation was lovely, especially about the upcoming exhibit that opens in two weeks, and exhibits coming in for the rest of the year. After, there was a big spread and the champagne flowed. The big spread was quickly decimated, and the back doors of the stable opened so we could spill out onto the grass.
I had some good chats with people who’d come in from all over the place for the event, and a nice talk with the Clark’s director, an erudite, savvy Frenchman who can charm the checkbook off of anyone. I’m always surprised when he remembers me, but I guess I spend enough time over there that he does. I’m certainly not a potential big money donor, and he knows it, but we always have enjoyable conversations anyway. We make each other laugh.
Much less traffic on the drive home. Cooked dinner, tried to relax a bit.
Woke up around 1:30 with a charley horse in my leg. Once I dealt with that, I fell asleep again and woke up at my usual time.
On today’s agenda: draft some more LEGERDEMAIN, do runs to the grocery store and library. If coverage work comes in, I’ll do that (and I’ll probably read all weekend, if material comes in). If not, I’ll work on STRANGER IN THE SNOW revisions and some more pitches, although I won’t actually send the pitches until early next week.
Next week is going to be busy. Good busy, but still more piled on all together than I’m used to, so I will have to pace myself.
Hopefully, I can get in some solid work on LEGERDEMAIN over the weekend, and then finish setting up the back balcony.
Have a great weekend, and I’ll catch you on the other side!
May 16, 2024
Thurs. May 16, 2024: The Unexpected, Both Positive and Not So Much
image courtesy of (Joenomias) Menno de Jong via pixabay.comThursday, May 16, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Rainy and warm
You can read the latest on the garden over at Gratitude and Growth.
There’s a post up on Ink-Dipped Advice on advertorials tilting perspective.
Today’s LEGERDEMAIN episode:
Episode 190: The King Leads the Challenger
King Cordahan has a proposition for his aspiring usurper.
I was sad to learn about the death of Alice Munro. Both she and Mavis Gallant have had a huge impact on my writing life.
I wrote and submitted the book review. I did this week’s episode videos for the serials and got them uploaded and scheduled. A little late, but better than never.
I read and commented on revisions of two of a friend’s short plays. I submitted a script to a call.
I heard from two theatres who have submission calls to which I’d like to submit, but I was afraid certain restraints would make it impossible. They both encouraged me to submit, and said we’d work things out. One needs a good bit of prep; it’s more of a proposal for work than the work itself. The other is already complete and just needs a pithy cover letter.
I’m tempted to start a small side business called “Pithy Cover Letters.”
I had a productive morning, although, for some reason, I felt like I hadn’t gotten anything done.
Because I didn’t write any new material. Specifically, because I didn’t work on LEGERDEMAIN. I’m really struggling to get it finished. I can’t leave it to trail off. That’s insulting to my readers.
I turned around the small coverage and was dispirited by the end of it due to the dearth of work this pay period.
But I did force myself to sit down and draft two episodes of Legerdemain in the afternoon. I think I’m about six episodes from the end or so. If I can just force myself to sit down and spit them out, I can get it done, then revise, polish, upload, schedule, and BE DONE.
I wound up an important plot point, I’m about to wind up another, which I think can be done in 2 episodes or so, then one more plot point, then resolution and breath. It would be great if I could finish this weekend, since next week is very busy, and I’d love to get it done before Memorial Day. We will see how it all shakes out.
I started revisions on STRANGERS IN THE SNOW. I need to find my notes for the revisions. It’s holding together better than I remembered. Part of the decision in the revision is whether to add an additional antagonist into the piece fairly early, rather than having him mostly off the page later on, which would then mean adding/restructuring some scenes that I kind of like.
Headed out to tarot circle, making a stop at Wild Oats on the way. Tarot was good. My friend installed the new sideview mirror – which cracked when it was snapped in. So I have to order a new one, which I did – and it will be here sometime between next Tuesday and the middle of July. Um. . .last week it only took four days?
Came home to the ambulance bills for the two ambulance rides my mom took when she had her stroke. One from the house one mile up the street to the hospital, and the other from the hospital to the hospital in Pittsfield. Total was nearly $6K. Insurance paid part of it, but I’m on the hook for more than expected.
This also means the hospital bills should show up any day now.
Just when I felt good about getting a little ahead. . .
I’ll figure it out.
It means we can’t call an ambulance in an emergency. At the same time, I didn’t have a choice; she’d lost her motor skills, and I couldn’t get her to the car to drive her the one mile up the street.
Gosh, I’d really like to live in a country that had actual health care instead of death encouragement.
The $5 reward from Rakuten made me dissolve into slightly hysterical laughter, because really, what else could I do? And I am grateful for the $5.
I sat on the porch with a glass of wine instead.
Got some good news, which surprised me. On July 20 – only 2 days after I get back from my play in NYC – I am the featured artist at the Farmer’s Market! I’m doing a prompt-based writing practice for the 4 hours of the market, set up in 10-minute sprints with breaks. Anyone who participates can keep the notebook in which they work. The local chamber pays for supplies, and they pay me a small artist fee. I whipped up the proposal fast, and promptly forgot about it, never thinking I would be one of the chosen artists! I think it will be fun.
July’s looking very busy, between financial workshops and my play in NYC and Resident Maker in the Market, the end of the Capacity Building Cohort, and the collaborative poem. So I better put my head down and work hard to earn money in June!
Which means I better get a lot of pitches out the next couple of weeks, so that there’s work/income in June. Since there’s kind of another lull in the script coverage work. Again. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful not to have the pressure on me this week, but it also worries me.
I could not sleep last night. I ended up getting up to deal with some admin, and wound up sending some information to a friend. Finally got to sleep. Charlotte tricked Tessa off the bed, so Charlotte slept on it last night, and we were both restless.
Up early this morning. I want to get the LEGERDEMAIN episodes edited and scheduled before meditation.
I still haven’t figured out what to wear to the event this afternoon. . .
One thing at a time, right? Hopefully the rain will clear out, or I’ll wear my Wellington boots with whatever dress I finally decide to don. You think I’m kidding, but I’m not. If we’re stomping around for a half, three quarters of a mile on unpaved paths in the rain, I am wearing my Wellies.
Have a good one.
May 15, 2024
Wed. May 15, 2024: I Played Hooky — Shhh!
image courtesy of Kerstin Riemer via pixabay.comWednesday, May 15, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Rainy and cooler
Today’s ANGEL HUNT episode:
Episode 137: Lianna Calls a Jury
Trials should have juries. Lianna uses her magic to call one up.
I forgot to mention yesterday, that, on Monday, I started writing a 10-minute comic play set on New Year’s Eve and made notes for another 10-minute comic play about a solstice bonfire gone wrong. They’re both kind of fun, and I hope to finish the first drafts soon. They are aimed at a specific call, but they’re not limited to that call.
As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I was out of the house early to do laundry, then ran a bunch of errands, then decided I was going to play hooky all day!
I caught up on a bunch of admin, though, responded to emails, did some scheduling, did a round of promos for the DEADLY DRAMATICS binge reading. If you want to take a look at the binge video, you can watch it here.
I worked on some notes for a few projects. Did not work on LEGERDEMAIN, which I should have. I do and don’t understand the procrastination/resistance I’m feeling to the end of the serial. But I have to deal with it.
Did some research based on information from Monday’s workshop, which got some freelance ideas percolating. Worked on an article pitch, which I hope to send out today. Had to fill out direct deposit paperwork for an upcoming payment, and it took longer to file the paperwork than to do the project.
I did a bunch of planting, which I will detail in tomorrow’s garden post. I think I have to go out and get a bigger pot for the night-blooming jasmine – and a bigger trellis. I may then move the lilac to the pot the jasmine inhabits.
Uncovered the bench and bistro chairs on the back balcony, cleaned them, and then used the teak oil on them. I’m eager to get the Enchanted Garden set up out there, although with today’s rain, there will be a bit of a delay.
Finished reading the book for review, so I can write up the review and send it out today.
I skipped yoga as part of playing hooky. One small coverage came in, which I will do today. I’m much lower than I should be for payment on that gig for the two weeks, but I had payments from other work come in, so it all worked out. But it points out how I need to pursue other freelancing work and move the coverage work to more fill-in, rather than primary freelance work.
On today’s agenda, I have to write across a variety of projects, to make up for the writing I didn’t do for the past few days. I might get out some play submissions; I’m interested in a call for proposals for a play development project that aligns with something I’m in the early stages of figuring out (which was inspired by an artist cohort workshop a couple of months back). There is a potential date conflict early in the process, so I want to contact them and see if it knocks me out of contention. I need to do the episode videos for LEGERDEMAIN and ANGEL HUNT. I have the small coverage to turn around; if something else lands in my queue, I will do that, too. I have tarot circle in the late afternoon, and then my friend is going to install the new sideview mirror.
The big thing today is to figure out what to wear tomorrow for the Clark event taking place at The Mount down in Lenox. It is a Bigger Deal than I thought. Good thing the latest Ipsy bag arrived a few days ago, to help me gussy up. But I have to figure out something to wear.
I really wish I hadn’t given up so many of my good clothes from my NY life when I moved from the Cape to here. But I did, and time to move on. I HAVE plenty of clothes; it’s just about putting together an appropriate look for the event, keeping it sensible and accessorizing the heck out of it. And figuring out the shoes – the event begins down at the stables, then moves to the house, which is a hike over gravel and grass. So flats are a must.
I cannot tell you how tempted I am to go full out Theatre Diva, buy a half a dozen high-end caftans for the summer and call it a day (or make them). Figuring out clothes to people in is giving me a headache. I mean, I have to seriously people at the Business Expo next week. Last year, I wore the hand-painted wrap skirt I bought on the Isle of Skye in Scotland years ago. It’s gorgeous, but it’s a wrap skirt, and it was more trouble than it was worth.
Oh, I just figured out something fun for the Business Expo next week! Okay, THAT’s solved.
I have to figure out something good for the reading in NY. I’m keeping my eyes open, and may enlist the aid of a woman in the marketing cohort who has a really cool vintage clothing shop to help. At least I have a little bit of time – although the time slips away fast if we’re not paying attention.
Anyway, I better get to work! Have a good one!
May 14, 2024
Tues. May 14, 2024: Sunshine and Lilacs
image courtesy of Pavel from Pixabay.comTuesday, May 14, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
I hope you had a great weekend.
Today’s LEGERDEMAIN episode:
Episode 189: The King’s Evidence
The King uses the ghost of a murdered woman to prove a point.
There is no new DEADLY DRAMATICS episode because the season finale episode dropped yesterday. But you can binge read the entire serial for a limited time here.
I can’t upload the binge video; I will put it on the DE Serials page, and you can watch it from there. I’ll post the link tomorrow.
Friday, I ran errands and worked on another draft of THE WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE. I reworked the second act first, quite a bit, and then made some tweaks to the first act. It’s already out to a couple of readers.
I caught up on email, and started the script coverage, which was more complicated than I expected.
For dinner, I made a spicy baked salmon along with roasted eggplant, cauliflower, and carrots served on couscous. It was good.
Finished reading A GRAVE ROBBERY, which was pretty good. The series is always stronger when Veronica and Stoker are together, rather than forced separations.
Saturday started as a pretty day, which was nice for the graduation ceremony across the street.
I read the next book in a series by an author whose books I’m almost all read (she juggles multiple series). Although this was enjoyable, this series has gotten too easy with too many comic touches. It was brain candy, but not something that would stay with me.
Finished the coverage, which took longer than I hoped, due to its complexity. But I got it in before deadline.
Read the next Grafton, just simply called X. Except for the third-person prologue, I enjoyed it. There were three plotlines, one of them a somewhat comic romance plotline, which was different and worked. Dietz had a quick cameo, which was fun, since I didn’t expect to see him again.
Saturday night, I made chicken pad Thai, which turned out really well.
Woke up from a nightmare at 3:30 on Sunday morning, and Charlotte didn’t let me get back to sleep.
Read Y IS FOR YESTERDAY, the final Kinsey Millhone book; Grafton died before she could write Z. Or at least, complete it. I wanted to like it more than I did. Again, too much jumping around in timelines and POVs. She wound up a plotline begun in X, and I have an idea of what might have been wrapped up in Z.
Something that’s bothered me in some of the latter books is that Kinsey still made mistakes, such as in the catalyst of one of the X plotlines, the same mistakes she made early in the series. At this point in the game, they are rookie mistakes. Yes, people do make mistakes, and personal mistakes make sense, but the professional ones do not.
I’m both sad and glad to have finished the re-read (or, for the last few books, the read). I learned a lot from it. I’m sad she didn’t get to finish the series with Z. I’m curious how she would have wrapped things up. And I respect the family’s decision not to let anyone else write/finish that last book, even if they did so from her notes. According to interviews with her family, she hadn’t yet begun writing Z when she died; she couldn’t figure out what story to tell, and she was so ill by then that she didn’t have much energy.
Grafton opened a lot of doors for a lot of writers. Her work certainly had a huge positive impact on my own. I learned from the books, even the ones where some of her choices did not work for me.
I meant to just sit down and scan a few of the Vaudeville photos, but I got caught up and scanned the whole batch. I have a feeling that my friend’s great aunt was an ensemble member, rather than a headliner, which might make it harder to track down information.
I took extensive notes on each photo, including anything that was written on the back, and any references (often embossed) to the photo studios. Sussman’s in Minneapolis was a big deal, back in the day. Anglin had one in Burlington, NC. I’m assuming Dunford is the name of the studio in Danville, VA. The historical societies in Burlington and Danville don’t look particularly promising, so I may get in touch with the local libraries instead. I’m trying to hunt down the likely theatres. There were 2000 theatres at various levels on the circuit, and if I can locate theatres, it will help track down programs. I do have one theatre lead, on the Rivoli, in South Fallsburg, NY, which is still in business, and was noted on one of the cast photos. I also know at least some of the photos are from the 1916-17 season. I suspect the woman in question may have used a stage name, which makes it even more complicated.
Made a tuna pasta salad with a wonderful pesto of cilantro, basil, parsley, avocado, and Greek yogurt. Really yummy. That Workweek Lunch cookbook is really good.
I got my mom a strawberry cheesecake for Mother’s Day, which made her happy (and it was a really good one). I got her a card, and some old friends called over the course of the day, so she had a good Mother’s Day.
Read some of the book for review, then switched to Sara Paretsky’s KILLING ORDERS, which is excellent. She balances the professional, personal, political, socio-economic, and mystery very well.
The sideview mirror for the car arrived, which surprised me. It was intact, which surprised me even more.
I have several ideas percolating and demanding attention, which I do not need right now.
Sadly, it was too cloudy to see the aurora borealis. The sky was lighter than usual at midnight, but the colors weren’t visible because of the clouds and rain.
Woke up from a weird dream about Russian ciphers passed through library book checkouts. I’m sure a read a book along that premise recently, although I can’t remember what it was. Grafton’s X had a cipher in it, but not connected to Russians or libraries, so maybe that was the catalyst.
Monday was another grey day. I should have planted over the weekend, but it was so cold and mucky that I didn’t. Even though there aren’t any planting days until next week, I’m going to have to get some seeds in this week, or it’ll be too late. Or will it? I think we’re experiencing a seasonal shift, with spring/summer starting later in the calendar year.
The heat’s still on and it still goes into the high 30’s at night. It was 38F when I woke up Monday morning. I may have switched out the fleece sheets for the summer sheets, but I still have a stack of quilts up on the bed!
I went into my Vella details and marked DEADLY DRAMATICS as “Complete.” I had that adrenalin crash I always get at the end of a big project. Burning off the last arc episodes one per day was the right choice, or else it would be October by the time it was done, and I have other plans for Nina.
I’m struggling with the last few episodes of LEGERDEMAIN. Part of my subconscious considers it done and has moved on to other projects. Another part has trouble letting go, because we’re nearly at the two-year mark with it.
I have new projects percolating and wanting to be born, while I need to keep on track wrapping up projects and getting finished projects out the door to earn their keep. AND pitch for more freelance work. The Fearless Ink postcards won’t be ready by the business expo, so I’m going to wait another couple of weeks to order them. I mean, I COULD get them, but the shipping would cost more than the printing, and nope. So I’ll take a bunch of business cards instead.
I’ve set the Llewellyn article to a low simmer at the back of my brain; I doubt I’ll actually write it until early June, but it’s doing the early work so it will be ready to write.
I ran a couple of errands in the morning, then got sucked into a research rabbit hole of sources that work for both the Vaudeville and the Playland Painters. I meant to look up just one thing. . .
A friend of mine gave me spectacular notes for THE WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE. I’ll wait for the set of notes from my other playwright friend and then dig in for the next draft. Sometimes notes have to sit for a bit and percolate, but these notes got me excited to dive back in.
After lunch, I had a 2-hour licensing workshop with the artist cohort with Allison Cole. It was really good and I learned a lot, even though it was more for visual artists who do surface work for fabric, giftware, greeting cards, etc. I took a lot of notes.
It was a good thing that I didn’t have any script coverages in my queue, because my head was spinning after!
I caught up on a bunch of admin in the late afternoon, caught up on some emails, sent some resource information to a couple of friends. I did a round of promotions for the final episode of DEADLY D. I worked on the June newsletter.
I received an update on the collaborative poem. This year, we each get to write TWO segments. My first will be assigned on May 22 – the one day in this whole stretch of time where I hoped it wouldn’t, because I’m flat out from 8 AM – 9 PM. And no, I can’t ask for it to be changed. As long as I get my starting “word” before I leave, I can compose in my head during the hour-long drive in the car, write it down when I get there, and let it percolate. I have to stop at home between events mid-afternoon to change clothes and pick up a few things for the two evening events, so I will take a minute to type up the poem and send it off then. If I HAVE to, I can type it up and send it from my phone. My second segment will be assigned in early July.
We can rewrite between our 24-hour turnaround day to write it and the event, as long as we keep steady on the opening and closing words. It gives me some wiggle room.
I had a feeling my word would land on my busiest day of the spring. But that’s the way it goes, and I roll with it, rather than against it. It’s the first day of a very abundant, positive, full moon, so I will draw on that energy.
My mom wanted to watch the video of FALL FOREVER reading, so that’s what we did last night. If you want to check it out, it’s on the Fenimore You Tube channel for a little over a month. It runs about 1:49, including the Q & A after. It’s so weird to watch it now, since I’ve written the next draft of the play, and this is the previous draft to the one currently out on submission.
Reading (re-reading) Sara Paretsky’s KILLING ORDERS muttering to myself every few pages at how darned good she is integrating all the different aspects. In addition to enjoying the heck out of the books, I learn a lot. The early books in the series were lean, which I really liked. The later books are much larger. They’re still wonderful, but there’s something about that lean, tight storytelling that I really love.
Today is a gorgeous day. It’s supposed to get up to 80. I’m seriously tempted to play hooky and just work on the house and the gardens. Again, I don’t have scripts in my queue, and I should be worried, but I also have to trust in the whole process.
I was up early (thanks to Charlotte) and out the door by 6 to the laundromat. Much to my shock, there were about five of us there at that hour. Usually I’m the only one. Everyone was shocked, but we laughed about it. So it was very much a day to wait out the wash and dry cycles in the car. I read Paretsky.
Once all the laundry was dry and loaded in the car, I picked up some ink for the printer (because of course I’m nearly out of ink again, and I have to print business cards). I picked up some Palmolive, but it’s got OxyClean in it rather than the traditional Palmolive scent, and I hope Tessa approves (her bowl is warmed and washed with a single drop of Palmolive before breakfast).
I also grabbed four outdoor throw pillows to give extra cushioning to the bench out back, once we set up the Enchanted Garden. I stood there, arranging and rearranging pillows in the cart, until I got the set I wanted. I want to spend more time reading and working out back this summer.
The lilacs are in bloom, and they are gorgeous.
I’ve got some pitches to get out today that I’m really looking forward to. I should do some work on Legerdemain. Mostly, though, I want to play and plant, and start setting things up so we can really enjoy them.
Have a good one.
May 13, 2024
Mon. May 13, 2024: Intent for the Week — Get Things Done!
image courtesy of Marijana via pixabay.comThis is late going up!
The weekend went in a different direction than I expected. A good one, but different, so I have to readjust what needs doing this week.
I have to stay on top of both time and energy management.
Of course, what I really want to do is play hookey, but Memorial Day Weekend is reasonably close, so that’s when I’ll play!
What’s your intent for the week?
May 10, 2024
Fri. May 10, 2024: A Home-Based Weekend to Prepare for a Busy Few Weeks
image courtesy of Anrita via pixabay.comFriday, May 10, 2024
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Drizzly and chilly
I can’t believe it’s already Friday again!
Today’s episode of ANGEL HUNT:
Episode 136: Randolph Neville Got It Wrong
Randolph Neville’s ego placed him central to the plan, but in reality, he was only a pawn.
ONLY TEN MORE EPISODES in the season!
Today’s episode of DEADLY DRAMATICS:
Episode 125: Once Again, in the Hospital
Nina wakes up in a hospital again. But at least she’s alive.
Tomorrow’s DEADLY DRAMATICS episode:
Episode 126: Tess Takes Charge
Tess has plans for her life with Jamie. Nina wants no part of it.
Sunday’s DEADLY DRAMATICS episode:
Episode 127: Zack Shows Up
Nina’s ready to leave the hospital, and Zack is there to take her home.
Monday’s DEADLY DRAMATICS season finale:
Episode 128: Nina’s Homecoming
Nina’s friends let her know how much she matters. And she’s offered a new theatre job.
Episode 128 is the DEADLY DRAMATICS season finale!
With everything going on, it does feel like it’s time for the serial chapter to end, at least for now. Winding up the serials is the right choice. The stories will re-emerge and grow in other formats.
DEADLY DRAMATICS drops its final serial episode on Monday; ANGEL HUNT drops the final episode on June 14. LEGERDEMAIN’s final episode will probably land somewhere in the middle. I’m trying to figure it out.
Next week, I start promoting the binge-reading aspect of DEADLY DRAMATICS.
Meditation was good. Charlotte was delighted.
I ordered the sideview mirror for the car. Inexpensive, and should be here on Sunday. My friend and I will figure out when to install it when it arrives. I finally heard back from the mechanic, who wanted to charge me $190. Nope.
We were so thrilled with our Hexagon Bagels this week that we ate them for breakfast AND lunch!
Revised, edited, polished, uploaded next week’s Legerdemain episodes. Submitted a play. Did an extensive rewrite of THE WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE. I feel like I’ve overworked the first portion, and underworked the rest, so I’m taking another look at Act II tomorrow, and working on a few specific things, and then I’ll send it out for feedback. I feel like I’ve gone as far as I can with it on my own. I’m worried that the end is too much like a Shakespearean comedy, and that doesn’t fit the rest of the play.
Sat in on my friend’s virtual reading of her two 10-minute plays. It was a lot of fun to hear actors read them, and the actor feedback was great, too.
A fairly large coverage landed in my inbox, so at least I know I have work this afternoon! I was so wiped out after the BRIDGE rewrite I could barely function.
I finished reading THE PARIS NOVEL by Ruth Reichl. I enjoyed most of it, especially as it continued. I often lost patience with the protagonist early on. As sensual as some of the food descriptions are, some of them also pushed me further toward pescatarianism.
I started reading Deanna Raybourne’s latest Veronica Speedwell mystery, A GRAVE ROBBERY, and I’m enjoying it, at least so far.
Slept reasonably well. Woke up around 1:30 again, but went back to sleep pretty fast. Half woke a few hours later to find Charlotte curled up between my shoulder blades while Tessa was still down by my feet. I was wedged in between them and just went back to sleep.
On today’s agenda: drafting an episode of LEGERDEMAIN, tackling ACT II of WOMEN ON THE BRIDGE, dealing with some admin/email stuff, work on the synopsis for CAST IRON MURDER, run errands at the grocery store, the pharmacy, and the library, and turn around a large-ish script coverage.
Tomorrow and Sunday are planting days, so I will spend a lot of time doing that, plus household chores, some writing, researching my friend’s Vaudeville photos, and reading the next book for review. Monday is the season finale of DEADLY DRAMATICS, which deserves a bit of fanfare. There will also be writing, and, hopefully, some client work. I have a cohort workshop for two hours in the afternoon.
Next week is another busy week, but it’s a good kind of busy. I hope there will be enough client work coming in, and I want to get some serious pitches out. I also have the workshop, two hours of yoga on Tuesday, tarot circle on Wednesday, and a reception for Clark Art Institute members at The Mount (the Edith Wharton homestead) on Thursday. So it will be a balancing act. Starting next week, I also have to build in adapting DEADLY D into its next format and then finishing THE VICIOUS CRITIC to stay on schedule with them. I also have to get STRANGERS IN THE SNOW back into the schedule, finish and polish a short story that’s due at the end of the month, and start work on the article for Llewellyn. It’s the good kind of busy and I’m grateful, but it means keeping an eye on time management, and also building in enough time to restore, since, as I age, I need more of that. The following week is even busier, and then we hit Memorial Day weekend.
I’m grateful that I get to juggle so many interesting pieces right now.
Have a good one, and I’ll catch you on the other side!
