My eyes popped open just before 3:30AM. I tried to return to sleep but no such luck; the day had begun. I found myself writing on the mystery and revising a section, and I started supper in the crockpot. To be honest it will be several suppers and I will probably freeze some of it. It is one of the problems of living single after constantly cooking for 5-15 a meal. twenty-five years after the divorce, I sometimes cook for the five and have several days food in one cooking spree. I try not to feed human eats to the three beggars at my knees. Tonight's meal is a definite no no as it has ingredients not so hot for dogs but the meat balls are tempting them.
At any rate my early beginning has made this a long day. My morning class from 9-11:55 met and I was there but four students did not bother to come. I did a quick trip home, exercised the dogs , had a sandwich and took off to teach the speech class. Mondays are always busy ,but I am not usually tired after the routine. Today I am. three something o 'clock is getting to me.
Tomorrow I am at HMS7 all day and then off to Newton for a night class. That means getting home around 10:30 or 11:00PM. It is always a long day and I sleep well after it. My hope is I sleep tonight as it would make tomorrow longer if I do not do so.
Yes, I am busy and yes, I said yes to the classes. I enjoy the teaching, and I enjoy being busy; but I dislike the feeling of being sleepy while doing classes or driving. Sleepiness is different than being tired. Tired does not cause you to chance an accident as you drive home So being careful is a necessity. I will if sleepy take a longer way home as it has less traffic.
Enough this sounds like self -pity, and I dislike that more than being sleepy. So later to my readers.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Sunday, October 11, 2015
October Sunday
The dogs are sleeping, and I am going to use the time to start working on some long put off revisions to some of writings. I have been in a writing fog lately and not much has been done with what I consider major pieces. Not sure why I did not put fingers to keyboard but it just did not happen. But lately the projects have been calling me ,and it is time to return to them.
I do not know how others write but in my case the characters seem to come alive and determine much of the tale's progress.For example in Herb Lore,Tobit was originally to be the boy friend but as he talked became an older man or mentor to the main character, and in a newer project which I rather liked as it was,one of the characters walks the hallways deep in my mind's attic saying the time sequence needs work. Sounds odd I know ,but this is how my writing happens.
Some writers use detailed outlines of their projects. I have tried this but the outline becomes the project and the writing never happens. It does not matter if it is an essay for a class, an article, a memoir piece,poetry or fiction the outlining process kills the actual writing. that is not to say I have no plan of action but wiring it down in outline form before writing does not help to write. Of course, this means rewrites of the piece as I progress but those would happen anyway.So I have no plans to change my method, though I suspect the outline would keep me more on track.
My major projects may never be published, but they exist here and give me much satisfaction as I work on them. I love watching the story develop and the characters become rounded and real.Some day my girls may read them. I hope that they do so they know more about me than they might otherwise because writers do reveal parts of their inner soul even in fiction. This blog also should be a direct route to my personality for them in future years and how I wish I had something like this from my parents. Now on to the projects.
I do not know how others write but in my case the characters seem to come alive and determine much of the tale's progress.For example in Herb Lore,Tobit was originally to be the boy friend but as he talked became an older man or mentor to the main character, and in a newer project which I rather liked as it was,one of the characters walks the hallways deep in my mind's attic saying the time sequence needs work. Sounds odd I know ,but this is how my writing happens.
Some writers use detailed outlines of their projects. I have tried this but the outline becomes the project and the writing never happens. It does not matter if it is an essay for a class, an article, a memoir piece,poetry or fiction the outlining process kills the actual writing. that is not to say I have no plan of action but wiring it down in outline form before writing does not help to write. Of course, this means rewrites of the piece as I progress but those would happen anyway.So I have no plans to change my method, though I suspect the outline would keep me more on track.
My major projects may never be published, but they exist here and give me much satisfaction as I work on them. I love watching the story develop and the characters become rounded and real.Some day my girls may read them. I hope that they do so they know more about me than they might otherwise because writers do reveal parts of their inner soul even in fiction. This blog also should be a direct route to my personality for them in future years and how I wish I had something like this from my parents. Now on to the projects.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
So it is another crisp fall morning with a hint of rain in the air. It is my kind of morning and I am energized not for housework but my mind is working. Writing will happen today. I have an idea for a short tale for Story Circle Network Journal and my mystery has been traipsing around the attic in my brain where projects are stored as they mature. It is demanding changes. This weekend I intend to take it out and work on it.
Also today I am heading to a benefit at a pal's Photography Gallery. She is hosting a dog food take in and the food donated goes to the local animal shelter. There is no way I could pass this up as my dogs enrich my life. They greet me when I come home, harass me as I try to write and lie by my feet as I watch television. their love shines in their eyes and their distinctive personalities amuse me. Those who love dogs and have them in their homes will understand the reason I believe they are family. Consider adoption if you can.
Peppermint is being diffused in my house. The minty smell is pleasant, but I am finding it along with the fall crisp air is invigorating me. Other oils when diffused relax me. I used to view such things somewhat in doubt with one eyebrow raised. however now after trying it , I am slowly accepting that these while not cures do serve a purpose. The people of ancient times often had a wisdom we have to rediscover and adapt to today's life.
Well the mystery calls me and so goodbye for a moment people.
Also today I am heading to a benefit at a pal's Photography Gallery. She is hosting a dog food take in and the food donated goes to the local animal shelter. There is no way I could pass this up as my dogs enrich my life. They greet me when I come home, harass me as I try to write and lie by my feet as I watch television. their love shines in their eyes and their distinctive personalities amuse me. Those who love dogs and have them in their homes will understand the reason I believe they are family. Consider adoption if you can.
Peppermint is being diffused in my house. The minty smell is pleasant, but I am finding it along with the fall crisp air is invigorating me. Other oils when diffused relax me. I used to view such things somewhat in doubt with one eyebrow raised. however now after trying it , I am slowly accepting that these while not cures do serve a purpose. The people of ancient times often had a wisdom we have to rediscover and adapt to today's life.
Well the mystery calls me and so goodbye for a moment people.
Friday, October 9, 2015
thoughts on the unexpected gifts.-immigrant heritage
The middle school where I para has no school today as it is a comp day for parent teacher conference time. Yesterday was also a no school day but i went in for an hour to translate for Perla's mother. I watched as her mother who speaks no English visited with the teachers and how the pride bloomed in her face because her child was praised by one and all. Coming home i began to think about immigration and the land in which we live.
We are all descendants of immigrants. Your family may have come on the Mayflower or early as The Spanish had colonies in the New World before the English came to the northern half, or your ancestors may have come more recently through Ellis Island.They came looking for a better life. They came seeking streets of gold but finding none they worked to better themselves. They made that better life possible even when they were not welcome. The Irish,Italians( Who were called WOPs due to no passports), Armenians, Polish, Germans, Scots came and they stayed. We have towns that are mainly Swedish, German, Polish etc because the railroads which were built by Chinese and Irish workers loaded cars full of immigrants with the promise of land and dropped them off in cultural groups.Think Lindsborg, Ks, Gothenburg,Ne and McPherson,Ks.
These people actually lived what I see as the three step processor becoming American. The first generation were laborers often working s servants, builders, or farmers.they made sure their children had more education than they had and the second generation also pushed their children to more education. Not all followed the plan as some came as tenant farmers and eventually became landowners. My ex- husband"s German immigrant parent followed this path.But whatever path they chose they also enriched the life of our country by gifting us with their food, their art, their knowledge and their example of doing what had to be done. American life is richer with their contributions.
So now the immigrants are not as welcome because the children of the original immigrants have forgotten their roots and because they fear that "their American" culture will be lost. They do not consider What riches these people bring. They discuss how to rid our country of "These People as they gorge themselves on the tacos and burritos that those people brought to our culture. What an irony!
My story is and odd one. My father's family was in America by the time of the French and Indian Wars. They fought in the Revolution( both sides as some came as Hessian mercenaries and stayed) but my mother's parents were both immigrants to our land. So I am both American and second generation. I married the child of immigrants so my children are second generation from his side. I have pride in what they have accomplished but I realize it has been easier for them as they spoke English and their heritage of immigration came from an relier time.
Sitting with Perla and her mother I came to realize how hard it is for them with limited English to reach the goals that caused them to come here. I also know that this is not a time when hispanics are not welcomed with acceptance by all. Even Hispanics whose families have been here since the 1800's or earlier are lumped in the group by those who have forgotten we all were from an immigrant family. I watch a mother swell with pride at the child's good notes, and I know she will be good for the child and the country. I am therefore more aware of my immigrant heritage and proud of what my ancestors have done for me and my children.
America is richer because she welcomed new people to her shores. Like Christ who welcomed all who came , she gave them shelter and they helped her to become great. We need to remember this.
We are all descendants of immigrants. Your family may have come on the Mayflower or early as The Spanish had colonies in the New World before the English came to the northern half, or your ancestors may have come more recently through Ellis Island.They came looking for a better life. They came seeking streets of gold but finding none they worked to better themselves. They made that better life possible even when they were not welcome. The Irish,Italians( Who were called WOPs due to no passports), Armenians, Polish, Germans, Scots came and they stayed. We have towns that are mainly Swedish, German, Polish etc because the railroads which were built by Chinese and Irish workers loaded cars full of immigrants with the promise of land and dropped them off in cultural groups.Think Lindsborg, Ks, Gothenburg,Ne and McPherson,Ks.
These people actually lived what I see as the three step processor becoming American. The first generation were laborers often working s servants, builders, or farmers.they made sure their children had more education than they had and the second generation also pushed their children to more education. Not all followed the plan as some came as tenant farmers and eventually became landowners. My ex- husband"s German immigrant parent followed this path.But whatever path they chose they also enriched the life of our country by gifting us with their food, their art, their knowledge and their example of doing what had to be done. American life is richer with their contributions.
So now the immigrants are not as welcome because the children of the original immigrants have forgotten their roots and because they fear that "their American" culture will be lost. They do not consider What riches these people bring. They discuss how to rid our country of "These People as they gorge themselves on the tacos and burritos that those people brought to our culture. What an irony!
My story is and odd one. My father's family was in America by the time of the French and Indian Wars. They fought in the Revolution( both sides as some came as Hessian mercenaries and stayed) but my mother's parents were both immigrants to our land. So I am both American and second generation. I married the child of immigrants so my children are second generation from his side. I have pride in what they have accomplished but I realize it has been easier for them as they spoke English and their heritage of immigration came from an relier time.
Sitting with Perla and her mother I came to realize how hard it is for them with limited English to reach the goals that caused them to come here. I also know that this is not a time when hispanics are not welcomed with acceptance by all. Even Hispanics whose families have been here since the 1800's or earlier are lumped in the group by those who have forgotten we all were from an immigrant family. I watch a mother swell with pride at the child's good notes, and I know she will be good for the child and the country. I am therefore more aware of my immigrant heritage and proud of what my ancestors have done for me and my children.
America is richer because she welcomed new people to her shores. Like Christ who welcomed all who came , she gave them shelter and they helped her to become great. We need to remember this.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
????
Thursday and Friday are no school days at HMS7, but college classes still meet. Last week was the opposite - no college classes and classes at HMS7. Question Why could they not coordinate? Answer it does not really matter. while I may ponder this,the truths I like having a destination and something to do. So today I am off to the McPherson campus from 9-12 and then to HMS7 to be on hand to translate in my fumbling manner for those who need it to have a useful conference with teachers. Tomorrow I am off until speech meets at 2:30.
Another question I am pondering now is what do about plans for holidays. I actually have long Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations this though classes for the college meet part of the Thanksgiving week release of HMS7. My daughters live five or more hours away and travel this time of year is iffy for Kansas and Nebraska. Bad roads make travel unpleasant and nerve wracking but the road conditions may be great.It is the weather that is so changeable that makes me ponder travel. I love being with family but am ok with being alone with my fur babies if need be. Family calls me as I miss being with the girls and their crews. So there is a question of what to do?
This brings up another question, and this is a biggie? Should I Pack up and move closer to one of the three girls? I am happy here in Hutchinson. There are many senior activities, my cardiologist and family doctor are here, the hospital is blocks not miles away and I have part-time employment. I am independent, and that is important to me. One girl lives in a busy urban arena which is not my ideal idea of a place to abide but the other two live in small( and one is really really small) towns with none of the amenities of Hutchinson. Thankfully I think I can put this off for awhile or at least until my ability to be independent is in question. But it always on the back burner of my mental landscape.
Questions about life are something everyone has constantly in life? Answers are another matter.I think I will keep the questions for awhile as the answers are not apparent at this time.
Another question I am pondering now is what do about plans for holidays. I actually have long Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations this though classes for the college meet part of the Thanksgiving week release of HMS7. My daughters live five or more hours away and travel this time of year is iffy for Kansas and Nebraska. Bad roads make travel unpleasant and nerve wracking but the road conditions may be great.It is the weather that is so changeable that makes me ponder travel. I love being with family but am ok with being alone with my fur babies if need be. Family calls me as I miss being with the girls and their crews. So there is a question of what to do?
This brings up another question, and this is a biggie? Should I Pack up and move closer to one of the three girls? I am happy here in Hutchinson. There are many senior activities, my cardiologist and family doctor are here, the hospital is blocks not miles away and I have part-time employment. I am independent, and that is important to me. One girl lives in a busy urban arena which is not my ideal idea of a place to abide but the other two live in small( and one is really really small) towns with none of the amenities of Hutchinson. Thankfully I think I can put this off for awhile or at least until my ability to be independent is in question. But it always on the back burner of my mental landscape.
Questions about life are something everyone has constantly in life? Answers are another matter.I think I will keep the questions for awhile as the answers are not apparent at this time.
Monday, October 5, 2015
fall and all
The mornings have become crisp and have the nip of cooler fall days before the sun warms the day. Such days make my soul sing and I am in my element. Not for me the searing sun and heat of summer, I function better in the cool of fall and cold of winter. Perhaps it is because I am a fall born child,; perhaps it is because my body thermometer is set lower. Who knows but I never put on a true jacket until it is 30 or below during the day. I am happiest when I can be cool.
Fall lends it self to fanned pajamas , warm slippers, coca and good books. It is a cozy time and a slow time after the rush and hustle of the summer. No need to squeeze in a long trip or day trips---or yard work to constantly needing to be done. Weeds die off, flowers go dormant and only the leaves remain to be quickly mulched or Raked and tossed in bins. It is a time to stay home, bake bread, stir soup and enjoy the quiet of an evening before the rush of coming holidays.
Fall gives us time to contemplate life and our place in in it. The glory of summer is gone and the time to reflect on what has gone before and devise plans for future gardens and personal revisions.It is a brief time and is soon swept away by holidays but even they are more family centered than others. Halloween with excited children claiming ransoms of candy comes before Thanksgiving which is truly a family time with no required purchases other than food which one has to buy anyway.
Winter will come with storms of snow and chill winds and with it the rush of Christmas and New Year's. The quiet of fall will be gone once again but the memories of the time will be as golden as the leaves and sunsets of the season.
Fall lends it self to fanned pajamas , warm slippers, coca and good books. It is a cozy time and a slow time after the rush and hustle of the summer. No need to squeeze in a long trip or day trips---or yard work to constantly needing to be done. Weeds die off, flowers go dormant and only the leaves remain to be quickly mulched or Raked and tossed in bins. It is a time to stay home, bake bread, stir soup and enjoy the quiet of an evening before the rush of coming holidays.
Fall gives us time to contemplate life and our place in in it. The glory of summer is gone and the time to reflect on what has gone before and devise plans for future gardens and personal revisions.It is a brief time and is soon swept away by holidays but even they are more family centered than others. Halloween with excited children claiming ransoms of candy comes before Thanksgiving which is truly a family time with no required purchases other than food which one has to buy anyway.
Winter will come with storms of snow and chill winds and with it the rush of Christmas and New Year's. The quiet of fall will be gone once again but the memories of the time will be as golden as the leaves and sunsets of the season.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Today I have no classes this morning at the college so until noon it is my day. Steel cut oatmeal is cooking on the stove.I slept until seven and am still in my nightgown. It is lazy day or should I say more truthfully a lazy half day.
I have household chores to do that on regular days have been shoved aside. They are the ones that I do not enjoy or that that create a mess before the more ordered result arrives.
First, among these is a clean out of my closet. I usually have two levels of clothes too big or not worn in the year.Now there is a new category--too professional. Since I am no longer in the classroom as a teacher the dress pants and dressy shirts and tees are not needed. In fact, I now possess two tshirt blankets made earlier this year from the tshirts collected during my teaching years. Now the purge has stepped up a notch and it is somewhat daunting.I will do it.
As a para the wardrobe is much less formal. Jeans can be a daily choice. Shirts are the items that are causing a small dilemma. Some have not been worn for awhile but I like them. Still the truth is I will probably will not wear them again. So I will approach the closet and purge.
Next, it is a deep clean of my bedroom.For some reason it is often the room that gets just a dusting and a pick up. So it is on the docket for the clean up on the free days as this Thursday and Friday. Next week HMS7 has Thursday and Friday off so I can use the days to finish the tasks.
More important it is time to write and I intend to do so.
I have household chores to do that on regular days have been shoved aside. They are the ones that I do not enjoy or that that create a mess before the more ordered result arrives.
First, among these is a clean out of my closet. I usually have two levels of clothes too big or not worn in the year.Now there is a new category--too professional. Since I am no longer in the classroom as a teacher the dress pants and dressy shirts and tees are not needed. In fact, I now possess two tshirt blankets made earlier this year from the tshirts collected during my teaching years. Now the purge has stepped up a notch and it is somewhat daunting.I will do it.
As a para the wardrobe is much less formal. Jeans can be a daily choice. Shirts are the items that are causing a small dilemma. Some have not been worn for awhile but I like them. Still the truth is I will probably will not wear them again. So I will approach the closet and purge.
Next, it is a deep clean of my bedroom.For some reason it is often the room that gets just a dusting and a pick up. So it is on the docket for the clean up on the free days as this Thursday and Friday. Next week HMS7 has Thursday and Friday off so I can use the days to finish the tasks.
More important it is time to write and I intend to do so.
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