Linda Lael Miller's Blog, page 10
October 18, 2011
Hurricane Deb is on the job!
Debbie arrived yesterday morning, and already she's going through my craft room like a whirling dervish. :) Her daughter, Nicole, arrives tonight, and then there will be two hurricanes downstairs.
Me? I'm working on the new book. The first chapter is always the most challenging, but I have the opening scene down and that counts for a lot.
Beautiful autumn weather today. I'm loving it.
A question I've gotten about "The Lawman's Christmas" is, How does Sawyer McKettrick fit into the clan? Well, he's Kade and Mandy's son, and the hero of next year's book, "The Gunslinger's Christmas."
My stepmother, Edith, offered me a start from my dad's early red peony plant. The answer is YES, I'd love to have one, and thank you. There simply can't be two many peonies to suit me. :)
That's the news for today. Stay well.
Me? I'm working on the new book. The first chapter is always the most challenging, but I have the opening scene down and that counts for a lot.
Beautiful autumn weather today. I'm loving it.
A question I've gotten about "The Lawman's Christmas" is, How does Sawyer McKettrick fit into the clan? Well, he's Kade and Mandy's son, and the hero of next year's book, "The Gunslinger's Christmas."
My stepmother, Edith, offered me a start from my dad's early red peony plant. The answer is YES, I'd love to have one, and thank you. There simply can't be two many peonies to suit me. :)
That's the news for today. Stay well.
October 17, 2011
Blue Jeans Weekend!
This past weekend, for the first time in longer than I care to remember, I wore blue jeans! YES. A cowgirl is always most comfortable in demin. :)
Debbie K--also known as Hurricane Deb--has struck land. She's been my friend for many, many years, and as I said on Friday, she's come to dig out my craft room/studio so I can avoid being featured on "Hoarders".
I'm off to Parable again today, to reunite with Hutch and Kendra, the hero and heroine of "Big Sky Mountain".
That's the news from my kitchen table.
Debbie K--also known as Hurricane Deb--has struck land. She's been my friend for many, many years, and as I said on Friday, she's come to dig out my craft room/studio so I can avoid being featured on "Hoarders".
I'm off to Parable again today, to reunite with Hutch and Kendra, the hero and heroine of "Big Sky Mountain".
That's the news from my kitchen table.
October 14, 2011
Debbie K to the Rescue!
My long time friend and the most organized person I have ever known will be arriving soon, along with her equally industrious daughter, Nicole, to--wait for it--put my craft room/art studio in something remotely resembling order! YES. It's going to happen. Not only will I be able to work on my many projects with a peaceful mind, but all possibility of my appearing on "Hoarders: Buried Alive" will be eliminated.
Last night was 'My Night' on the D.I.E.T., so I had my one glass of wine and a Live-Smart dinner from Schwan's--enchilada and rice. So much for my cooking hobby. It seems I can either be slender and watch what I eat, or go all out in the kitchen and look like an Italian opera singer, girthwise. I choose the former.
I sent some artist trading cards off to Ronna at ATC Quarterly in Ontario yesterday, because the scans were too small for her to use in the magazine. I am so excited about this, my fifteen minutes of artist fame. :)
Bernice is anxiously awaiting her morning walk. This begins about the time she opens her eyes. :)
Rain on the way--I'm sure we need it. And the horses will be back in their stalls at night, starting this weekend, snug inside their sturdy barn.
And so the seasons turn....
Last night was 'My Night' on the D.I.E.T., so I had my one glass of wine and a Live-Smart dinner from Schwan's--enchilada and rice. So much for my cooking hobby. It seems I can either be slender and watch what I eat, or go all out in the kitchen and look like an Italian opera singer, girthwise. I choose the former.
I sent some artist trading cards off to Ronna at ATC Quarterly in Ontario yesterday, because the scans were too small for her to use in the magazine. I am so excited about this, my fifteen minutes of artist fame. :)
Bernice is anxiously awaiting her morning walk. This begins about the time she opens her eyes. :)
Rain on the way--I'm sure we need it. And the horses will be back in their stalls at night, starting this weekend, snug inside their sturdy barn.
And so the seasons turn....
October 13, 2011
The Turtle Plods Along
I feel a little like that turtle in the famous race with the rabbit--just plodding along steadily, while the rabbit runs circles around me. :) 7 weeks on BistroMD and I am down a shade under 20 pounds (insert a resounding yeehaw here) which is good when you consider that I haven't felt deprived even once. And I'm up to 15 minutes at a time on my treadclimber, too.
Bernice is waiting somewhat impatiently for her walk--trust me, she doesn't plod. She's one busy little Yorkie, and she'd fly if she could. When she was a pup, she could run so fast that her legs were quite literally a blur. She liked to catch Sadie by the tail and hold on, and their running games were a hoot. They'd go streaking by with Sadie in the lead and Bernice in hot pursuit, then they'd shoot by again like a pair of furry bullets, this time with their positions reversed. How I treasure those happy memories. And how precious, my friends, is the Right Now.
Beautiful autumn sunshine today--favorite kind of day in my favorite season.
Color me in shades of Grateful.
Bernice is waiting somewhat impatiently for her walk--trust me, she doesn't plod. She's one busy little Yorkie, and she'd fly if she could. When she was a pup, she could run so fast that her legs were quite literally a blur. She liked to catch Sadie by the tail and hold on, and their running games were a hoot. They'd go streaking by with Sadie in the lead and Bernice in hot pursuit, then they'd shoot by again like a pair of furry bullets, this time with their positions reversed. How I treasure those happy memories. And how precious, my friends, is the Right Now.
Beautiful autumn sunshine today--favorite kind of day in my favorite season.
Color me in shades of Grateful.
October 12, 2011
I'm Being Published!
OK, I have published over 100 books--I only know this because Romance Writers of America sent me their Centennial Award, a beautiful plaque--so publishing shouldn't be anything really new to me, should it? YES. Because this time it's my art--my artist trading cards will be featured in the (regretably) last issue of ATC Quarterly! I'm excited, obviously, partly because my work was chosen for this honor before the editors knew I write books, so one thing had nothing to do with the other. I'll keep you updated.
I drafted the outline for "Big Sky Mountain" yesterday, after days of brainstorming, and I'm polishing and revising today. I will start Chapter 1 as well, and I can hardly wait for that.
The D.I.E.T. continues to be ridiculously easy--I love the food and the convenience and the not having to think, think, think about food all the time. How many points? How many ounces make a serving? How many calories, carbohydrates and/or fat grams? Yikes. What a relief to simply take the next day's three prescribed meals out of the freezer every evening and transfer them to the fridge in the kitchen. Read, heat, eat. It's just right for a woman who would rather be thinking about characters and their stories than food.
The house is pretty quiet this morning. Bernice is off with Jen, Mary Ann went to buy horse feed, and Larry is out at the barn, wrangling. It's just the kitties and me and that's kind of perfect for starting a new book.
We had a spate of sunshine, but now the sky is overcast and the wind is up. Life in the wild West. :)
And that's the news from my kitchen table, folks. See you tomorrow.
I drafted the outline for "Big Sky Mountain" yesterday, after days of brainstorming, and I'm polishing and revising today. I will start Chapter 1 as well, and I can hardly wait for that.
The D.I.E.T. continues to be ridiculously easy--I love the food and the convenience and the not having to think, think, think about food all the time. How many points? How many ounces make a serving? How many calories, carbohydrates and/or fat grams? Yikes. What a relief to simply take the next day's three prescribed meals out of the freezer every evening and transfer them to the fridge in the kitchen. Read, heat, eat. It's just right for a woman who would rather be thinking about characters and their stories than food.
The house is pretty quiet this morning. Bernice is off with Jen, Mary Ann went to buy horse feed, and Larry is out at the barn, wrangling. It's just the kitties and me and that's kind of perfect for starting a new book.
We had a spate of sunshine, but now the sky is overcast and the wind is up. Life in the wild West. :)
And that's the news from my kitchen table, folks. See you tomorrow.
October 11, 2011
Sunshine Aplenty
The sun is shining brilliantly today--and I'm soaking it in. Yes, there are fringes of clouds, and the weatherman warns that the glow won't last, but I'm making the most of it while it's here. :)
I'm doing the outline for "Big Sky Mountain", Hutch and Kendra's story, today. And I'm starting the book itself tomorrow. I have the opening in mind and I'm ready to roll.
We've had a lot of rain lately, but rather than producing a case of the blues, I've found it soothing, somehow. I've been walking Bernice, which gives me some exercise, though nothing that would count with a trainer. :) And I've started using my treadclimber, too--10 minutes, with the tracks level. I didn't realize before just how out of shape I really am--but I'm out to correct that. This time, it's not so much about numbers on the scale as about the mental effects--even just a little exercise helps to keep depression at bay and it's a great way to get rid of that anxious, restless feeling that comes over me sometimes. As previously reported, this is a slow journey, but at least I'm headed in the right direction and I am beginning to feel that skinnier version of myself stirring around. :)
I do miss Sadie-beagle, every single day, but any tears are about gratitude for every moment we shared, my goofy little dog and I. What lively joy and constant laughter she brought into my life, at a time when I didn't even realize I was lonely. Bernice, the Yorkie, is thriving--I'm sure she misses Sadie, too, but she had a chance to get used to her absence because Sadie went to her trainer three times a week, and toward the end, she was away from home a lot, being treated at the clinic.
Speak of the dickens. The mighty Turkey and Moose Hunter, Bernicie, is back from her walk with Jen, and eager to tell me all about her adventures.
And that's the news from the Triple L.
I'm doing the outline for "Big Sky Mountain", Hutch and Kendra's story, today. And I'm starting the book itself tomorrow. I have the opening in mind and I'm ready to roll.
We've had a lot of rain lately, but rather than producing a case of the blues, I've found it soothing, somehow. I've been walking Bernice, which gives me some exercise, though nothing that would count with a trainer. :) And I've started using my treadclimber, too--10 minutes, with the tracks level. I didn't realize before just how out of shape I really am--but I'm out to correct that. This time, it's not so much about numbers on the scale as about the mental effects--even just a little exercise helps to keep depression at bay and it's a great way to get rid of that anxious, restless feeling that comes over me sometimes. As previously reported, this is a slow journey, but at least I'm headed in the right direction and I am beginning to feel that skinnier version of myself stirring around. :)
I do miss Sadie-beagle, every single day, but any tears are about gratitude for every moment we shared, my goofy little dog and I. What lively joy and constant laughter she brought into my life, at a time when I didn't even realize I was lonely. Bernice, the Yorkie, is thriving--I'm sure she misses Sadie, too, but she had a chance to get used to her absence because Sadie went to her trainer three times a week, and toward the end, she was away from home a lot, being treated at the clinic.
Speak of the dickens. The mighty Turkey and Moose Hunter, Bernicie, is back from her walk with Jen, and eager to tell me all about her adventures.
And that's the news from the Triple L.
October 10, 2011
A Note from Moi
I did not paint the birds in either of these encaustic collages. They're transfers.
Zounds, Batman! (And other random exclamations)
I started this fine new Monday by forgetting something important, right off the bat. Hope that doesn't mean the rest of the day will go the same way. :)
On another subject, today is Thanksgiving in Canada. I think that is so smart--holding this particular holiday earlier. Ours is much too close to Christmas--one has barely assimilated one turkey dinner with all the trimmings, when it is suddenly time to have another. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is hectic, even frenzied, for so many.
Columbus Day, on the other hand. I don't really see the point in that at all, but that's just one woman's humble opinion. I'm working today--and I can't wait to get started.
Bernice the Yorkie and I went for our usual morning and afternoon walks over the weekend, and encountered nary a moose. Thank heaven. You can bet I keep a more watchful eye on our surroundings, though. Our friend, since dubbed Harold, paid little attention to us, but had he been in the fiesty mood he evidenced later, Bernicie and I might have been pulp.
On Saturday I attended Daris Judd's encaustics class at Spokane Art Supply--and it was tremendous. Daris was already one of my favorite artists--I own one of her pieces--but now I'm an even bigger fan than before. She does the most beautiful work, and shows the patience of an experienced teacher as well. I came home exhausted, walked Bernice (she stares pitifully at you until you do), nuked my diet dinner (which was delicious, lest you think for one moment that I'm suffering), and pretty much fell into bed. Later today I'll scan the pieces I did in class and post them here and on Facebook. I see more wax painting in my future. :)
That's the news from my kitchen table, folks.
Be well, be kind, be safe.
On another subject, today is Thanksgiving in Canada. I think that is so smart--holding this particular holiday earlier. Ours is much too close to Christmas--one has barely assimilated one turkey dinner with all the trimmings, when it is suddenly time to have another. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is hectic, even frenzied, for so many.
Columbus Day, on the other hand. I don't really see the point in that at all, but that's just one woman's humble opinion. I'm working today--and I can't wait to get started.
Bernice the Yorkie and I went for our usual morning and afternoon walks over the weekend, and encountered nary a moose. Thank heaven. You can bet I keep a more watchful eye on our surroundings, though. Our friend, since dubbed Harold, paid little attention to us, but had he been in the fiesty mood he evidenced later, Bernicie and I might have been pulp.
On Saturday I attended Daris Judd's encaustics class at Spokane Art Supply--and it was tremendous. Daris was already one of my favorite artists--I own one of her pieces--but now I'm an even bigger fan than before. She does the most beautiful work, and shows the patience of an experienced teacher as well. I came home exhausted, walked Bernice (she stares pitifully at you until you do), nuked my diet dinner (which was delicious, lest you think for one moment that I'm suffering), and pretty much fell into bed. Later today I'll scan the pieces I did in class and post them here and on Facebook. I see more wax painting in my future. :)
That's the news from my kitchen table, folks.
Be well, be kind, be safe.
