Linda Lael Miller's Blog, page 2
March 9, 2012
Better--REALLY ;)
It's been a long week, friends. I'm feeling LOTS better today, but I plan to lay low because if I get over ambitious, as I am known to do, I might lose the ground I've gained. So, much as I would love to go out and enjoy this lovely sunshine, I'm staying close to home.
I'll be back on Monday.
I'll be back on Monday.
March 8, 2012
Wicked Sick Yesterday
Just when I bragged about feeling better, I got slammed by this crazy flu bug. I was slathered with Vicks, dosed up on Advil, and flat on my back for most of the day.
I managed one brief walk with Bernicie because the weather was so fine and she was so hopeful, but I wasn't entirely sure I'd make it back to the house, I felt so weak.
Mostly, I caught up on Oprah's Master Class--episodes on Reba McIntire (a favorite of mine) and Morgan Freeman (ditto--and I once saw Mr. Freeman in person in Atlanta. He was getting out of the same elevator I was entering.) Very tall, very handsome, very dignified. His story, like Ms. McIntire's, is truly an inspiration. I also watched Oprah's visit with Paula Deen--that lady is a kick, angling for catfish in her nightgown. Thank heaven for TIVO, because without it, the TV pickin's are rather slim, to say the least.
Sam, I'm taking your recommendation and looking for "Call the Midwife". Love that English stuff. :) (Especially high tea at the Park Lane Hotel, the big red buses and the food hall at Harrod's.)
Maybe I'm due for another trip to London. :)
Once I get well, of course. And finish the books on my docket.
Today, I plan to write. We'll see if God has the same plan. :) (He often overrules my 'great ideas'.)
That's the news, folks. Thank you so much for your kind comments and get well wishes.
I managed one brief walk with Bernicie because the weather was so fine and she was so hopeful, but I wasn't entirely sure I'd make it back to the house, I felt so weak.
Mostly, I caught up on Oprah's Master Class--episodes on Reba McIntire (a favorite of mine) and Morgan Freeman (ditto--and I once saw Mr. Freeman in person in Atlanta. He was getting out of the same elevator I was entering.) Very tall, very handsome, very dignified. His story, like Ms. McIntire's, is truly an inspiration. I also watched Oprah's visit with Paula Deen--that lady is a kick, angling for catfish in her nightgown. Thank heaven for TIVO, because without it, the TV pickin's are rather slim, to say the least.
Sam, I'm taking your recommendation and looking for "Call the Midwife". Love that English stuff. :) (Especially high tea at the Park Lane Hotel, the big red buses and the food hall at Harrod's.)
Maybe I'm due for another trip to London. :)
Once I get well, of course. And finish the books on my docket.
Today, I plan to write. We'll see if God has the same plan. :) (He often overrules my 'great ideas'.)
That's the news, folks. Thank you so much for your kind comments and get well wishes.
March 6, 2012
Feeling Better
But probably still contagious. Yikes. I was so determined to finish my Photoshop class, but I'd hate to make any of the others sick.
The weather is gloriously beautiful today. Bernice and I will definitely get in our walks--I'll just be moving a little more slowly than usual. :) I'm a great believer in fresh air and exercise being good for what ails me, so off I go.
I fully intended to write yesterday, but I just wasn't well enough when push came to shove. So I did the only reasonable thing--I watched the entire first season of "Downton Abbey" on my iPad, via Netflix. I am officially addicted to that show! Maggie Smith's performance alone is worth the time investment and the costumes are absolutely wonderful. The story is intelligent and makes you really care about the characters---I actually cried a couple of times, I was so moved. If there were more TV shows like this, I'd watch something besides "Who the Bleep Did I Marry?" and "Forensic Files"--the last series on a par with D.A. was "John Adams."
I am back to work today, but moving slowly. :)
And that's the kitchen table news for today.
The weather is gloriously beautiful today. Bernice and I will definitely get in our walks--I'll just be moving a little more slowly than usual. :) I'm a great believer in fresh air and exercise being good for what ails me, so off I go.
I fully intended to write yesterday, but I just wasn't well enough when push came to shove. So I did the only reasonable thing--I watched the entire first season of "Downton Abbey" on my iPad, via Netflix. I am officially addicted to that show! Maggie Smith's performance alone is worth the time investment and the costumes are absolutely wonderful. The story is intelligent and makes you really care about the characters---I actually cried a couple of times, I was so moved. If there were more TV shows like this, I'd watch something besides "Who the Bleep Did I Marry?" and "Forensic Files"--the last series on a par with D.A. was "John Adams."
I am back to work today, but moving slowly. :)
And that's the kitchen table news for today.
March 5, 2012
Back Tomorrow
I have a bad case of the flu and I wouldn't want you to catch it. :)
March 1, 2012
Spring is Coming
Officially, the greening-and-blooming season arrives on March 20 this year--19 days from now. Looking out over fields of admittedly beautiful (sigh) snow, I find that hard to fathom. I'm ready to walk confidently around the pasture, instead of looking out for icy patches and mud puddles. :)
I had another excellent writing day yesterday--I'm sure loving this book, and sure eager to share it with you.
The first of the new series, "Big Sky Country", will be available in June--the last Tuesday in May, actually--and I can't wait to introduce you to my Parable people--and the ones who live thirty miles away, in Three Trees, Montana.
I watched "Sliding Doors" on my iPad last night, using Netflix. I really enjoyed the innovative plot--a woman living two separate lives, simultaneously--it's the kind of story, along with time travel, that excites my imagination. Being on a Netflix roll, I watched a documentary after the Gweneth Paltrow film, followed by a biography of Jordan's Queen Noor. And then I slept--Bernice and the kitties had long since conked out--and woke refreshed and rested and very ready to write.
Which is what I'm going to do right now. :)
Make it a good day. Remember, it's a choice.
I had another excellent writing day yesterday--I'm sure loving this book, and sure eager to share it with you.
The first of the new series, "Big Sky Country", will be available in June--the last Tuesday in May, actually--and I can't wait to introduce you to my Parable people--and the ones who live thirty miles away, in Three Trees, Montana.
I watched "Sliding Doors" on my iPad last night, using Netflix. I really enjoyed the innovative plot--a woman living two separate lives, simultaneously--it's the kind of story, along with time travel, that excites my imagination. Being on a Netflix roll, I watched a documentary after the Gweneth Paltrow film, followed by a biography of Jordan's Queen Noor. And then I slept--Bernice and the kitties had long since conked out--and woke refreshed and rested and very ready to write.
Which is what I'm going to do right now. :)
Make it a good day. Remember, it's a choice.
February 29, 2012
A Soft Blanket of Snow
The snow is lovely this morning, as I look out my kitchen windows--not too deep, and marked only by the occasional set of deer or coyote tracks. Since the stuff probably reaches the middle of Bernicie's chest, we'll have to wait for either a thaw or a pass of the plow before we can take our walks.
I had an excellent writing day yesterday, even with a dash to Walmart for in-case-of-snow things, and attended my second Photoshop class in the evening. Photoshop is, alas, still pretty much of a mystery to me, but I'm determined to stick with it. I'm certainly not looking to become an expert in four lessons; I just want to be able to navigate the program well enough to continue learning in my usual bumbling, trial-and-error fashion. (I'm not quite as thick as that statement makes me sound, but my firefly brain seems to have difficulty with complicated technical concepts--forget Soduku. I've tried.)
I'll be writing again today, and happily, in the light of my happy lamp. Of course when the sun is shining, I don't need it.
I'm waiting for "The Artist" to come to pay-per-view, and downloading the first season of "Downton Abbey" as we speak. For a cowgirl, I sure do love stories set in merry old England.
As for listening to books, I've just finished Ali Wentworth's "Ali in Wonderland". It was funny and fascinating. Now I think I'm in the mood for a big, complicated novel. The question is, which one? Any suggestions?
That's the news from my kitchen table, at least for this morning.
I had an excellent writing day yesterday, even with a dash to Walmart for in-case-of-snow things, and attended my second Photoshop class in the evening. Photoshop is, alas, still pretty much of a mystery to me, but I'm determined to stick with it. I'm certainly not looking to become an expert in four lessons; I just want to be able to navigate the program well enough to continue learning in my usual bumbling, trial-and-error fashion. (I'm not quite as thick as that statement makes me sound, but my firefly brain seems to have difficulty with complicated technical concepts--forget Soduku. I've tried.)
I'll be writing again today, and happily, in the light of my happy lamp. Of course when the sun is shining, I don't need it.
I'm waiting for "The Artist" to come to pay-per-view, and downloading the first season of "Downton Abbey" as we speak. For a cowgirl, I sure do love stories set in merry old England.
As for listening to books, I've just finished Ali Wentworth's "Ali in Wonderland". It was funny and fascinating. Now I think I'm in the mood for a big, complicated novel. The question is, which one? Any suggestions?
That's the news from my kitchen table, at least for this morning.
February 28, 2012
Winter Wonderland--Or Not :)
Short blog today--I'm really into the book and I don't want to break my momentum. :)
The new website is coming soon, so please watch for it. Special thanks to all of you who 'liked' my new Facebook page.
We've been living in a smooth, white, sparkly world for the last few days--it's lovely out here in the country; acres of diamonds glitter in the horse pasture and one memorable morning the fallen needles from the tall pines that stand all around us were laced with a fragile dusting of snow--an exquisite sight. Now, there's been a thaw and the sky is overcast again--more snow on its way. More beauty. (Hope I'm not snowed in before my Photoshop class tonight, though, and I MUST get to Walmart at some point.)
Photoshop. What a challenge--but I'm determined to show up for all four classes, if I have to go by dog sled. (Bernicie is not up to the job of pulling, but we could round up some Huskies somewhere.) I'm not a person who learns technical processes easily, much as I love electronic gadgets and gizmos, so this effort requires some discipline. Failing discipline, I can fall back on my streak of good old-fashioned stubborn Lael-ness. (It's there to be done, so do it, that's our credo.)
And, of course, the book is there to be done, so I'm going to do it.
Stay well.
Here I sit at my 'work' computer, with my happy lamp on bright, getting ready to plunge into the wonderful world of Parable again.
The new website is coming soon, so please watch for it. Special thanks to all of you who 'liked' my new Facebook page.
We've been living in a smooth, white, sparkly world for the last few days--it's lovely out here in the country; acres of diamonds glitter in the horse pasture and one memorable morning the fallen needles from the tall pines that stand all around us were laced with a fragile dusting of snow--an exquisite sight. Now, there's been a thaw and the sky is overcast again--more snow on its way. More beauty. (Hope I'm not snowed in before my Photoshop class tonight, though, and I MUST get to Walmart at some point.)
Photoshop. What a challenge--but I'm determined to show up for all four classes, if I have to go by dog sled. (Bernicie is not up to the job of pulling, but we could round up some Huskies somewhere.) I'm not a person who learns technical processes easily, much as I love electronic gadgets and gizmos, so this effort requires some discipline. Failing discipline, I can fall back on my streak of good old-fashioned stubborn Lael-ness. (It's there to be done, so do it, that's our credo.)
And, of course, the book is there to be done, so I'm going to do it.
Stay well.
Here I sit at my 'work' computer, with my happy lamp on bright, getting ready to plunge into the wonderful world of Parable again.
February 24, 2012
AT LAST!
I've been trying to blog for several days, with no success. I was really getting worried that you'd all think I just up and vanished, and I'm right here. We're making some changes, with the new website coming up soon, and I sure hope you'll all stick with us until we iron out the rough spots.
Right now, you can find me on Facebook by going to the "Official Linda Lael Miller" page--pics of the animals are posted there, and we'll be adding fun stuff right along, so I hope you'll stay tuned.
You'll always be able to find my blog by going to http://www.lindalaelmiller.com/, but there'll be a short transition period between the old website and the new, and I don't want to lose a single one of you along the way.
What I've been doing while I was invisible:
Walking Bernice and myself.
Writing the new book--which I LOVE.
Not much else. :)
Thanks for hanging in. More tomorrow, if Blogger doesn't go all weird on me again.
Right now, you can find me on Facebook by going to the "Official Linda Lael Miller" page--pics of the animals are posted there, and we'll be adding fun stuff right along, so I hope you'll stay tuned.
You'll always be able to find my blog by going to http://www.lindalaelmiller.com/, but there'll be a short transition period between the old website and the new, and I don't want to lose a single one of you along the way.
What I've been doing while I was invisible:
Walking Bernice and myself.
Writing the new book--which I LOVE.
Not much else. :)
Thanks for hanging in. More tomorrow, if Blogger doesn't go all weird on me again.
February 20, 2012
Changes
Within a very short time, I'll have a new website and a new blog. My Facebook page has been altered, too--lots of pix of the pets there, and more to come. As I understand it, you won't have trouble making the transition--all very exciting. There will be contests and lots of fun things.
My main focus these days is the book--I'm loving it, though I did take the weekend off to restore my energies. I had the house Feng Shui-ed on Saturday--very interesting process--and I'll keep you updated on that. I start a Photoshop class tomorrow night--long term goal, about to be fulfilled. I'm excited--I've tried repeatedly to get into one of these classes and I finally made it. YEEHAW! Again, I'll fill you in on the experience--I imagine it will be a challenge. Photoshop is not something I've been able to learn via books or internet stuff--I need a real person to point things out to me. :) Such is my learning style that I'll have some trouble mastering the process, but then I'll know it, solid.
Art, on the other hand, seems to lend itself well to online learning, at least for me. I watched a new video from Interweave.com, called "All About Faces". Julie F.F. Balzer, a very talented mixed media artist, is an excellent teacher. Love it.
Bernicie and I took our walks over the weekend, as we will on this President's Day--we saw four white-tail deer dashing through the woods at one point, and that was so great. The horses sometimes put on a little show, too--especially my bad boys, Banjo and Traveler.
I'm writing today, going for 10,000 more steps, walking my dog, and generally being grateful to--and for--all of you.
My main focus these days is the book--I'm loving it, though I did take the weekend off to restore my energies. I had the house Feng Shui-ed on Saturday--very interesting process--and I'll keep you updated on that. I start a Photoshop class tomorrow night--long term goal, about to be fulfilled. I'm excited--I've tried repeatedly to get into one of these classes and I finally made it. YEEHAW! Again, I'll fill you in on the experience--I imagine it will be a challenge. Photoshop is not something I've been able to learn via books or internet stuff--I need a real person to point things out to me. :) Such is my learning style that I'll have some trouble mastering the process, but then I'll know it, solid.
Art, on the other hand, seems to lend itself well to online learning, at least for me. I watched a new video from Interweave.com, called "All About Faces". Julie F.F. Balzer, a very talented mixed media artist, is an excellent teacher. Love it.
Bernicie and I took our walks over the weekend, as we will on this President's Day--we saw four white-tail deer dashing through the woods at one point, and that was so great. The horses sometimes put on a little show, too--especially my bad boys, Banjo and Traveler.
I'm writing today, going for 10,000 more steps, walking my dog, and generally being grateful to--and for--all of you.
