Vicki Lane's Blog, page 569

How Much Longer . . . Oh, Lord?

Under the Skin update!!

 As of Thursday night, the main story -- the present day story about Elizabeth and her sister was completed.  Huzzah!

But I still have to round off that other story -- the one about the DeVine Sisters back in 1887. Onean one-half concluding episodes remains to be told, as of  Friday night.  And I MUST email the lot to Herself, my long-suffering editor by Monday morning.

I know what's going to happen in this story (always a plus). But sometimes the characters take so...

Wendell Berry's Questionnaire

I ran across this poem on another blog (ruminations from the distant hills) and couldn't resist reprinting it.
Questionnaire (Wendell Berry)December 1, 20091. How much poison are you willing
to eat for the success of the free
market and global trade? Please
name your preferred poisons.

_____________   __________   ________

2. For the sake of goodness, how much
evil are you willing to do?
Fill in the following blanks
with the names of your favorite
evils and acts of hatred.

______________  _______...

Anticipation . . .

What will the day bring? How many yellow roses will bloom ? When will the foxgloves open and . . .
Where will the cat go, now that she has the car keys?

  A very brief post as I really am in the final throes of UNDER THE SKIN, having promised to get  it to my editor by Monday.

Dogs That Would Drive

It's here!!
 The giant collection of photos (over 14,000) all taken at more or less the same moment is available for viewing. Click on the globe over there>>> at the top of the sidebar and be prepared to linger...
Only the lack of opposable thumbs . . . ...and advance planning can stop them ... Can't resist a quick dog story.
On Monday, Justin and Claui and Claui's folks were up for pizza night. We were crowded into the kitchen, lending the cook moral support. The corner bench was full: Nancy ...

Blackberry Winter and Blue-eyed Grass

Blackberries are blooming on the hill sides and we've had a few days of chilly weather -- lows in the forties, highs in the sixties. Around here this kind of weather at this time of year is known as called blackberry winter.  It hasn't been cool enough to harm anything but I've had to shut all the windows and pull out my corduroy shirts and fleece vests.
This little green clump in the asparagus bed almost got yanked out till I looked closer and realized that it was blue-eyed grass -- not...

A Secret Weapon in the Cookery Arsenal

Frozen puff pastry.  In my neck of the woods, it's Pepperidge Farm brand. It keeps (in the freezer) a long, long time. And when you find yourself needing a fancy entree or dessert or appetizer -- there it is, ready and willing to provide a base for whatever you choose to put on it or wrap it around.  

I've topped chicken pot pie and made scrumptious fruit tarts and elegant Napoleons with my secret weapon. Most recently I made the appetizers pictured above.  Really easy, fairly quick, and...

Mother's Day

Here's to the beautiful Mother of us all. With thanks for all she's given us . . . with apologies for what thoughtless children we've often been . . . and with hopes that we can mend our ways . . . clean up our messes . . . not fight with our brothers and sisters and cousins . . . play fair . . . share . . . all those things mothers ask of their children.

What Can I Say?

Word of the Day - Imbricate

My new favorite word: Imbricate. The dome of this church in Asheville is imbricated.
So are these lilac shingles on this fancy Victorian bed and breakfast just outside Burnsville.
More Asheville imbrication -- on the pink marble City Building. Do you know about A Word A Day? Free, every day, a new word in your email.

Imbricate was the word a few days ago and the following is copied from the email I received.
~~~~~~
imbricatePRONUNCIATION:(adj: IM-bri-kit, -kayt; verb: IM-bri-kayt)
MEANING:adj...

Iris Irissima

On Tuesday the white  iris by my clothesline began to unfurl. . . By Wednesday morning, before sunrise she was fully displayed, falls and standards just so, prim and perfect.

Like a virgin princess awaiting the prince's kiss, the iris was waiting for the light's touch to bring her to life . . .
As the sun topped the horizon, the white iris seemed to gather the light to her  . . .

For some time, I stood there in my nightshirt, taking picture after picture, watching the play of light on the...