WRITING:
My progress with "Water Tribute" has been blocked of late. Seems like the closer I got to the end, the harder it was to sit down and write.
Today I realized that what I thought was a plot point scene should actually be the climactic scene. Which of course will mean rearranging what I've written thus far. However, since I have scenes drafted I can build on what I already have. Not like I have to start all over again. With some of the scenes already blocked out I can concentrate on the setting, mood, characters, etc.
I'm going to use Lynn Schmidt's "Book in a Month" to help me reorganize my current draft. A crutch to help me organize my thoughts and the 300 pages of existing story.
So I am again excited about the story...which is a good thing.
RIDING:
Not so much.
I made a quick trip to the barn on Monday to check on Phantom. It was raining and none of the horses had their turnout sheets on. Which is a difficult decision to make this time of year. It's wet, but it's warmer. Let the horse get wet from the rain? Or let the horse get wet from sweating under the turnout sheet? Argh!
Anyway, Phantom had rolled, turned crusty, and the crust was melting in the rain and turning back to mud. Yuk! My main concern, however, was the hairless patch on his back. The swelling had gone down and it didn't seem to be as touchy, but it wasn't scabbed over. I cleaned it with warm water and sprayed it with Blue Kote followed by Schreiner's. Both stung a little, a good sign that they're working but also an indication that the site is still a little raw. I put his sheet back on mainly to cover the "boo boo" from the rain and mud.
I can wait a few more days to ride. Phantom is content to hang with his buddies and my schedule of late has been unsettled. Give him time to heal a little more and maybe I won't feel so harried by the time I get back in the saddle.
Actually, the timing of everything has been one of those spooky synchronous situations. Phantom gets a minor injury just when scheduled and unscheduled events keep me from getting to the barn. So everything eventually works out.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Catching Up
MOM:
She's doing fine, gradually feeling better. The increased dosage of Lasix is keeping her close to the bathroom but reducing the fluid in her lungs. She had a follow-up visit at our doctor's office on Friday after our lovely tour of the ER, and will see Dr. Cindy next week.
DAS REFRIGERATOR IST TOT:
Our refrigerator died a lingering death this past week. First the freezer went belly up, then the fridge. We'd had trouble with the freezer in the past, but thought it was because the door didn't close all the way. Apparently it was trying to tell us that the compressor was going out. We had a repair man come out from Walt's Applicances in Sherwood on Saturday morning and he did all he could to resuscitate the fridge, but it was too far gone. It would cost as much to repair the compressor as it would to buy a new, inexpensive fridge. So after a review of applicance reliability in "Consumer Reports" we were off to Sherwood to Walt's where we were treated well and given a good deal on a side-by-side rerigerator. We barely made it home before the delivery guys showed up. They hooked up the new fridge and took away the old and we are back in business. Even have a water and ice dispenser now!
That was an expenditure (spoiled food and new applicance) that we hadn't budgeted for. :-(
SOMEONE HAS MY VISA ACCOUNT NUMBER:
I experienced the second fraudulent transaction on my Visa account in the last two months. Both conducted online on days that I wasn't even on my computer and at sites I'd never heard of. I called Bank of America and they are cancelling my current account and issuing me a new account number, since my number is out there and being used.
I was reluctant to do online purchases for this very reason. So much for convenience.
Anyway...be careful out there!
NEGLECTED PONY:
Unfortunately, our crazy schedule of late means Phantom has been placed on the back burner. Not that he doesn't enjoy the vacation. I just hope his patch of missing skin is healing.
Our barn owner and crew are going crazy with our bizarre weather, what with the 30-40 degree changes in temperature, thunderstorms, and buckets of rain. To blanket or not to blanket.
Spring and fall in the Willamette Valley are the periods of the Crusty Pony. They roll in the mud, it dries and gets crusty, it rains and the crust turns to mud again. All the horses become crusty chestnuts. Our gray horses become green and crust pintos. Lovely.
NEGLECTED PUPPY:
Our crazy schedule also means Indy is crated while we're out of the house for extended periods. He has water and a couple of fuzzy toys, but it's not the same as hanging out with his people. Plus, he missed a possible play day at the barn.
So much for a watch dog. The Fluffy Puppy was all over the refrigerator repair man. Not that we want the dog attacking family, friends and repair men...but a moment of suspicion might have been reassuring. Oh well, it's not like his debarked "arf" is intimidating, anyway.
She's doing fine, gradually feeling better. The increased dosage of Lasix is keeping her close to the bathroom but reducing the fluid in her lungs. She had a follow-up visit at our doctor's office on Friday after our lovely tour of the ER, and will see Dr. Cindy next week.
DAS REFRIGERATOR IST TOT:
Our refrigerator died a lingering death this past week. First the freezer went belly up, then the fridge. We'd had trouble with the freezer in the past, but thought it was because the door didn't close all the way. Apparently it was trying to tell us that the compressor was going out. We had a repair man come out from Walt's Applicances in Sherwood on Saturday morning and he did all he could to resuscitate the fridge, but it was too far gone. It would cost as much to repair the compressor as it would to buy a new, inexpensive fridge. So after a review of applicance reliability in "Consumer Reports" we were off to Sherwood to Walt's where we were treated well and given a good deal on a side-by-side rerigerator. We barely made it home before the delivery guys showed up. They hooked up the new fridge and took away the old and we are back in business. Even have a water and ice dispenser now!
That was an expenditure (spoiled food and new applicance) that we hadn't budgeted for. :-(
SOMEONE HAS MY VISA ACCOUNT NUMBER:
I experienced the second fraudulent transaction on my Visa account in the last two months. Both conducted online on days that I wasn't even on my computer and at sites I'd never heard of. I called Bank of America and they are cancelling my current account and issuing me a new account number, since my number is out there and being used.
I was reluctant to do online purchases for this very reason. So much for convenience.
Anyway...be careful out there!
NEGLECTED PONY:
Unfortunately, our crazy schedule of late means Phantom has been placed on the back burner. Not that he doesn't enjoy the vacation. I just hope his patch of missing skin is healing.
Our barn owner and crew are going crazy with our bizarre weather, what with the 30-40 degree changes in temperature, thunderstorms, and buckets of rain. To blanket or not to blanket.
Spring and fall in the Willamette Valley are the periods of the Crusty Pony. They roll in the mud, it dries and gets crusty, it rains and the crust turns to mud again. All the horses become crusty chestnuts. Our gray horses become green and crust pintos. Lovely.
NEGLECTED PUPPY:
Our crazy schedule also means Indy is crated while we're out of the house for extended periods. He has water and a couple of fuzzy toys, but it's not the same as hanging out with his people. Plus, he missed a possible play day at the barn.
So much for a watch dog. The Fluffy Puppy was all over the refrigerator repair man. Not that we want the dog attacking family, friends and repair men...but a moment of suspicion might have been reassuring. Oh well, it's not like his debarked "arf" is intimidating, anyway.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
*Sigh*
Arrived at the barn today and discovered our wonderful barn owner and crew had placed turnout sheets on our horses. We had a heck of a steady rain yesterday morning and unpredictable showers since then. This voluntary action is much appreciated, since it adds time and trouble to turnouts.
When I removed Phantom's turnout today I discovered he has an "owee" on his back...just where the cantle would rest. It's still a little swollen and very tender. So my Goober Boy got out of a work session today and likely the rest of the week. Per usual, the Gelding Creed of Silence keeps him from telling me what happened and which pasture mate is the culprit. The "wound" was already scabbing at the edges, although still hairless skin at the center. I went through the motions of cleaning it with iodine scrub and sprayed it with Schreiner's. The Schreiner's stung...which indicated it was working.
Settled for a brief longe in the covered arena where it apprears Phantom is moving more freely following his massage session. Yea!
Actually, it's probably a good thing I didn't ride today. Spent six hours in the ER last night, so I was a "little tense" yet today. It's a long story involving my mother's health situation. Nothing serious -- obviously, since we were not a priority and left in the exam room for hours. Better than being a critical case in need of immediate care. However, when your bottom goes numb from sitting in the ER exam room for six hours....
Mother is feeling better today, my big Goober Boy gets a bit of a vacation from the saddle, and my little Goober Boy had a blast racing around outside with his canine playmates.
BOOKS:
I started reading "Murphy's Law" by Rhys Bowen in the ER waiting room last night and darned near finished the 250-page book by the time we left the hospital. Set in turn-of-the-century New York (1900), it's the first in a mystery series featuring Molly Murphy as an Irish immigrant involved in a couple of murders. Obviously a lot of research was conducted in order to provide the interesting period details that enriched the story. Not a literary book, but a fun and easy read for the genre.
When I removed Phantom's turnout today I discovered he has an "owee" on his back...just where the cantle would rest. It's still a little swollen and very tender. So my Goober Boy got out of a work session today and likely the rest of the week. Per usual, the Gelding Creed of Silence keeps him from telling me what happened and which pasture mate is the culprit. The "wound" was already scabbing at the edges, although still hairless skin at the center. I went through the motions of cleaning it with iodine scrub and sprayed it with Schreiner's. The Schreiner's stung...which indicated it was working.
Settled for a brief longe in the covered arena where it apprears Phantom is moving more freely following his massage session. Yea!
Actually, it's probably a good thing I didn't ride today. Spent six hours in the ER last night, so I was a "little tense" yet today. It's a long story involving my mother's health situation. Nothing serious -- obviously, since we were not a priority and left in the exam room for hours. Better than being a critical case in need of immediate care. However, when your bottom goes numb from sitting in the ER exam room for six hours....
Mother is feeling better today, my big Goober Boy gets a bit of a vacation from the saddle, and my little Goober Boy had a blast racing around outside with his canine playmates.
BOOKS:
I started reading "Murphy's Law" by Rhys Bowen in the ER waiting room last night and darned near finished the 250-page book by the time we left the hospital. Set in turn-of-the-century New York (1900), it's the first in a mystery series featuring Molly Murphy as an Irish immigrant involved in a couple of murders. Obviously a lot of research was conducted in order to provide the interesting period details that enriched the story. Not a literary book, but a fun and easy read for the genre.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Ahhhhh
Miriah Stuart, horse masseuse extraordinaire, gave Phantom his first treatment ever.
Our barn hosted the local feed store's annual Horse Owner's Workshop in April for the third year in a row. This year Miriah gave a brief saddle fitting demonstration and again conducted a drawing for a free horse massage. Imagine my surprise and delight when she called to say I had won the drawing. We quickly set an appointment and today was the day.
Phantom is a pretty mellow guy (I don't call him "Goober Boy" for nothing). He sort of wondered what Miriah was up to. Afterall, no one has ever touched him like that before. He gave visual indications of his tender spots but was very well behaved. Miriah had worked on Phantom's jaw, neck and shoulders and was standing on her stepstool to work on his back when her cell phone rang. She stepped down to take the call and Phantom looked around to see where she went with an expression that said, "Where'd she go? She's not done, is she?" Apparently he had decided that Miriah's manipulations felt pretty good.
Earlier in the day, Miriah said she had worked on a mini horse only 33 inches tall. She was on her knees to perform the leg stretches. Too bad she didn't get a picture to put on her web site. :-)
I really appreciated Miriah's donated services, since massages and chiropractic work for the horse are a bit beyond my means.
Per Miriah's suggestion, I saddled up Phantom for a 30 minute walk. He had to give the "hairy eyeball" to the rays of sun peaking through the cracks in the near end of the arena, but halfway through our stroll he started giving me a truly swingy, stretchy walk. Ahhhhh.
You can learn more about Miriah and her services at: www.horsemassagepro.com.
Our barn hosted the local feed store's annual Horse Owner's Workshop in April for the third year in a row. This year Miriah gave a brief saddle fitting demonstration and again conducted a drawing for a free horse massage. Imagine my surprise and delight when she called to say I had won the drawing. We quickly set an appointment and today was the day.
Phantom is a pretty mellow guy (I don't call him "Goober Boy" for nothing). He sort of wondered what Miriah was up to. Afterall, no one has ever touched him like that before. He gave visual indications of his tender spots but was very well behaved. Miriah had worked on Phantom's jaw, neck and shoulders and was standing on her stepstool to work on his back when her cell phone rang. She stepped down to take the call and Phantom looked around to see where she went with an expression that said, "Where'd she go? She's not done, is she?" Apparently he had decided that Miriah's manipulations felt pretty good.
Earlier in the day, Miriah said she had worked on a mini horse only 33 inches tall. She was on her knees to perform the leg stretches. Too bad she didn't get a picture to put on her web site. :-)
I really appreciated Miriah's donated services, since massages and chiropractic work for the horse are a bit beyond my means.
Per Miriah's suggestion, I saddled up Phantom for a 30 minute walk. He had to give the "hairy eyeball" to the rays of sun peaking through the cracks in the near end of the arena, but halfway through our stroll he started giving me a truly swingy, stretchy walk. Ahhhhh.
You can learn more about Miriah and her services at: www.horsemassagepro.com.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
"It's too darn hot..."
...as Ann Miller sang in "Kiss Me Kate." The Portland Airport recorded a high of 92 degrees yesterday, but the regional airport close to us registered 97!! Cooler today (upper 80s predicted) but more humid. Not that we webfoot Oregonians dislike sunshine. It's just that our winter-pasty bodies need a gradual adjustment to the temperature increase. The webs dry out quickly with these sudden heat spells.
Too hot to ride yesterday. I arrived at the barn earlier than usual to avoid the hottest part of the day. I ensconced the dog at one of the picnic tables with his bucket of water where he could choose the sun or shade. It was the favorite barn location of my previous Sheltie. My plan for the day was to give Phantom his first bath of the season. The winter grime accumulated at the roots of his mane has been driving me nuts. Not to mention the layers of Cowboy Magic built up over the winter months. I think he appreciated the dousing (except when I got water in his ear).
When Phantom entered my life he had a loooong mane with the typical endless Arabian bridle path. I braided his mane so it wouldn't become dreadlocks, then one day I decided it was too much work and whacked off his mane with scissors and thinning shears. I left his forelock alone, since it's so much a part of the Arabian expression. And of course I left his tail untouched. Well, more recently I decided to let his mane grow out again. I've kept it braided and he has a neck cover for our wet winters. I also braid his tail during the winter to keep it from getting too tangled and muddy. I think I've created a monster. His mane must be close to 2-feet at the longest point, and his tail touches the ground when at rest.
His mane was sparkling white after yesterday's bath. Gorgeous. Instead of braids I'm gathering sections of mane with bands, almost like the beginning of a continental braid. Anyway, it keeps the mane somewhat orderly and lifts it off Phantom's neck a bit.
I was tossing stuff all over the tack room digging for fly spray and fly masks. Found both and best yet, the bottle of spray was almost full!!
I was practically as wet as Phantom by the time I was done with his bath. I stood on the mounting block to wash and rinse his mane in order to prevent the water-down-the-arm-to-the-pit syndrome. While he munched grass and dried off in the sun, I was working up a sweat running around the barn cleaning up my messes. My second shower of the day was after I got home.
I tell Phantom after a bath that he is not allowed to roll until I'm off the premises. I know he's going to roll...they always do. I just ask that I don't have to witness my hard work ground into the dust. Phantom is generally obliging.
WRITERS CONFERENCE:
I am registered and will have two one-on-one pitch sessions scheduled. Yippee!
Actually resumed work on "Water Tribute." It's a good thing first drafts are supposed to be lousy, because this one certainly is. It would be nice if I had a much-edited draft available for my "first readers" to review before the conference, but I don't know if I'll make it.
Too hot to ride yesterday. I arrived at the barn earlier than usual to avoid the hottest part of the day. I ensconced the dog at one of the picnic tables with his bucket of water where he could choose the sun or shade. It was the favorite barn location of my previous Sheltie. My plan for the day was to give Phantom his first bath of the season. The winter grime accumulated at the roots of his mane has been driving me nuts. Not to mention the layers of Cowboy Magic built up over the winter months. I think he appreciated the dousing (except when I got water in his ear).
When Phantom entered my life he had a loooong mane with the typical endless Arabian bridle path. I braided his mane so it wouldn't become dreadlocks, then one day I decided it was too much work and whacked off his mane with scissors and thinning shears. I left his forelock alone, since it's so much a part of the Arabian expression. And of course I left his tail untouched. Well, more recently I decided to let his mane grow out again. I've kept it braided and he has a neck cover for our wet winters. I also braid his tail during the winter to keep it from getting too tangled and muddy. I think I've created a monster. His mane must be close to 2-feet at the longest point, and his tail touches the ground when at rest.
His mane was sparkling white after yesterday's bath. Gorgeous. Instead of braids I'm gathering sections of mane with bands, almost like the beginning of a continental braid. Anyway, it keeps the mane somewhat orderly and lifts it off Phantom's neck a bit.
I was tossing stuff all over the tack room digging for fly spray and fly masks. Found both and best yet, the bottle of spray was almost full!!
I was practically as wet as Phantom by the time I was done with his bath. I stood on the mounting block to wash and rinse his mane in order to prevent the water-down-the-arm-to-the-pit syndrome. While he munched grass and dried off in the sun, I was working up a sweat running around the barn cleaning up my messes. My second shower of the day was after I got home.
I tell Phantom after a bath that he is not allowed to roll until I'm off the premises. I know he's going to roll...they always do. I just ask that I don't have to witness my hard work ground into the dust. Phantom is generally obliging.
WRITERS CONFERENCE:
I am registered and will have two one-on-one pitch sessions scheduled. Yippee!
Actually resumed work on "Water Tribute." It's a good thing first drafts are supposed to be lousy, because this one certainly is. It would be nice if I had a much-edited draft available for my "first readers" to review before the conference, but I don't know if I'll make it.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
"Easy Writer"
...the theme for the August 1-3 Willamette Writers Conference.
The conference brochure arrived, I've poured over it, highlighted the workshops that look good, and identified two literary agents taking pitches for Middle Grade and Young Adult stories. I downloaded the registration form and will take it to the local UPS Store to fax it to the WW office.
Although I could register online, I recently discovered a couple of unauthorized transactions on my Visa card...so I'm skittish about putting my account information out there.
Nothing like scheduling a pitch as incentive to finish "Water Tribute" and begin reworking it. I've got "Book in a Month" by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, PhD that I think it will help me focus as I edit and make ruthless deletions.
Generally, the agents and editors do not accept submittals at the conference. Their luggage would weigh a ton! If they like your idea they instruct you to submit their preferred material (first three chapters, synopsis, SASE, etc.) and reference the WW Conference so your envelope will get past the slush pile. The agents/editors expect things to dribble in over the next few months.
So...that provides additional time to rework the first draft. At least polish the first three chapters for mailing.
This weekend should be great for my writing. My story takes place in a desert setting, and we're expecting record high temperatures for May (>90 degrees).
:-)
The conference brochure arrived, I've poured over it, highlighted the workshops that look good, and identified two literary agents taking pitches for Middle Grade and Young Adult stories. I downloaded the registration form and will take it to the local UPS Store to fax it to the WW office.
Although I could register online, I recently discovered a couple of unauthorized transactions on my Visa card...so I'm skittish about putting my account information out there.
Nothing like scheduling a pitch as incentive to finish "Water Tribute" and begin reworking it. I've got "Book in a Month" by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, PhD that I think it will help me focus as I edit and make ruthless deletions.
Generally, the agents and editors do not accept submittals at the conference. Their luggage would weigh a ton! If they like your idea they instruct you to submit their preferred material (first three chapters, synopsis, SASE, etc.) and reference the WW Conference so your envelope will get past the slush pile. The agents/editors expect things to dribble in over the next few months.
So...that provides additional time to rework the first draft. At least polish the first three chapters for mailing.
This weekend should be great for my writing. My story takes place in a desert setting, and we're expecting record high temperatures for May (>90 degrees).
:-)
Thursday, May 8, 2008
GBH
Indy and I took our morning walk a little earlier than usual today. On weekdays we usually trek through our neighborhood to a path that connects to an adjacent neighborhood and a small city park.
This morning something caught my eye and I looked overhead to see a great blue heron (gbh) flying over. Big birds, impressive to observe.
Some of my favorite wildlife moments have occurred while walking the dog.
When I acquired Lacey I was still living in an apartment. The complex had a koi pond that was later emptied and landscaped for reasons that will become obvious. I used to get up at 5:00 am to walk the dog, eat a quick breakfast, shower and dress before leaving for work at 7:00 am. We generally took a spin around the nearby high school football field, but when pressed for time we would make a loop through the apartment complex. On one of our quick early morning walks we came around a corner toward the koi pond and something BIG jumped up in front of us. We had startled a gbh grabbing breakfast from the pond! It flew off -- flapping its huge wings. Quite a sight to encounter such a large bird up close.
On another walk at the high school a handful of Canada geese buzzed the football field. They were so close I could see the glint in their eyes.
This past winter after a dusting of slushy snow I observed a raccoon footprint in the snow where the critter had emerged from the riparian area that borders our neighborhood to walk across the street.
On weekends Indy and I tour the high tech campus across the road from our neighborhood. The acreage has several buildings and large grassy areas. But a goodly amount of acreage has been left wooded and they have a native plant project as well as bluebird nest boxes.
Bushy-tailed squirrels are a common sight on the campus, but one day I saw a striped chipmunk. First and last time I've seen one there, but I'll keep looking. Another time I saw a pair of western bluebirds. First, I was pleased with myself that I noticed them in the tree. Secondly, I was proud that I knew what they were. Seems the bluebird nest boxes are working.
Black-tailed deer are not uncommon. We've seen them come up from the riparian area to emerge between houses before scurrying back. I've spotted a doe and fawn trot away from the small park in our neighborhood where they had bedded down for the night.
My funniest deer story was when Indy and I were on the tech campus a couple of days before Halloween. Indy was oblivious, but I saw a deer near the paved path that connects the buildings. I swear my first thought was someone had placed a life-size cutout of a deer near the path for Halloween. Then I realized the doe was real and had two more with her (current and past fawns?). They froze and stared at us. I stopped and waited, not wanting to scare them toward the road. The three deer finally strolled off into the wooded area where they completely disappeared. When we arrived at the area where the deer had been standing, Indy caught their scent. He's a herding breed not a hunting dog, so he didn't quite know what to do about it. I got a chuckle at him and a laugh at myself over the "deer cutout."
This morning something caught my eye and I looked overhead to see a great blue heron (gbh) flying over. Big birds, impressive to observe.
Some of my favorite wildlife moments have occurred while walking the dog.
When I acquired Lacey I was still living in an apartment. The complex had a koi pond that was later emptied and landscaped for reasons that will become obvious. I used to get up at 5:00 am to walk the dog, eat a quick breakfast, shower and dress before leaving for work at 7:00 am. We generally took a spin around the nearby high school football field, but when pressed for time we would make a loop through the apartment complex. On one of our quick early morning walks we came around a corner toward the koi pond and something BIG jumped up in front of us. We had startled a gbh grabbing breakfast from the pond! It flew off -- flapping its huge wings. Quite a sight to encounter such a large bird up close.
On another walk at the high school a handful of Canada geese buzzed the football field. They were so close I could see the glint in their eyes.
This past winter after a dusting of slushy snow I observed a raccoon footprint in the snow where the critter had emerged from the riparian area that borders our neighborhood to walk across the street.
On weekends Indy and I tour the high tech campus across the road from our neighborhood. The acreage has several buildings and large grassy areas. But a goodly amount of acreage has been left wooded and they have a native plant project as well as bluebird nest boxes.
Bushy-tailed squirrels are a common sight on the campus, but one day I saw a striped chipmunk. First and last time I've seen one there, but I'll keep looking. Another time I saw a pair of western bluebirds. First, I was pleased with myself that I noticed them in the tree. Secondly, I was proud that I knew what they were. Seems the bluebird nest boxes are working.
Black-tailed deer are not uncommon. We've seen them come up from the riparian area to emerge between houses before scurrying back. I've spotted a doe and fawn trot away from the small park in our neighborhood where they had bedded down for the night.
My funniest deer story was when Indy and I were on the tech campus a couple of days before Halloween. Indy was oblivious, but I saw a deer near the paved path that connects the buildings. I swear my first thought was someone had placed a life-size cutout of a deer near the path for Halloween. Then I realized the doe was real and had two more with her (current and past fawns?). They froze and stared at us. I stopped and waited, not wanting to scare them toward the road. The three deer finally strolled off into the wooded area where they completely disappeared. When we arrived at the area where the deer had been standing, Indy caught their scent. He's a herding breed not a hunting dog, so he didn't quite know what to do about it. I got a chuckle at him and a laugh at myself over the "deer cutout."
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