By The Numbers and More Miscellanea

"For ever and ever, we say when we are young, or in our prayers. Twice we say it, do we not? For ever and ever... so that a thing may be for ever, a life or a love or a quest, and yet begin again, and be for ever just as before. And any ending that may seem to come is not truly an ending, but an illusion. For time does not die, time has neither beginning nor end, and so nothing can end or die that has once had a place in time." Spoken by Gwion in "Silver On The Tree" by Susan Cooper

Today's quote is dedicated to Toby von Rockyfellow... you know who you are.

Just some randomness today.

I just finished reading "The Dark is Rising" series by Susan Cooper. They're making a movie of the book by the same name -- it will be released next fall, and I have high hopes for it. But I wanted to refresh my memory for the story -- I've read this series several dozen times, and love it. It ranks up there with The Prydain Chronicles and the Wrinkle in Time series as my favorite childhood books.

*

From this post at the Debutante Ball, I discovered how to find out if my name = success via numerology.

Using "Marianne Arkins" - the name that impacts my writing life, here's what I got from this site:

Expression: 66 / 12 / 3
Self-expression is the gift you bring to the world. Whether through the arts, writing, drama, music or through some other field, you bring joy and inspiration to all by your sunny outlook and creative talents. You can assume a new role at any time, all mediums are open to you as methods of self-expression.

Looks like it works for my chosen occupation, hmmm? I was deeply involved in drama for most of my life, played the flute for many years, and now writing. I tried art for a while, and though I was able to get pretty technically good, I didn't have that spark, so have since given it up.

Soul Urge: 26 / 8
Achievement is your motivating force and you will take on the biggest challenge in order to make the longest strides. You will often be chosen as the leader in groups and in functions where organization, strength and determination is needed. Psychology interests you because it enables you to understand the people that you are leading, as well as the competition. Inside, you have the need to excel.

Um... Yeah. What they said.

Personality: 40 / 4
You appear to be conservative, practical and hard working to those who spend time around you. People think of you as disciplined and focused, and thus they seem to automatically trust that you are reliable and honest too. Some may think you do such a good job at your own responsibilities that they try to give you a few of theirs!

I find it just a little eerie that this has me pretty much pegged -- especially when you consider that Marianne Arkins is not my birth name. Weird?

*

I'm really enjoying the novel I'm editing. It's quite unconventional, though, and I wonder about finding it a home. Certainly no category press will pick it up (IMHO), but I don't care. It was fun to write, it's entertaining me again, and I'll finish it up and send it out and see what happens.

*

My DD has an appointment with her doctor today. I have a really bad feeling she might be due for some shots. Ugh. I also mentioned that he would probably look at her girl parts. She clasped her hands in front of her crotch and exclaimed in horror, "MY PRIVATES?" Wait until she learns about pap smears...

*

A friend's dog crossed the rainbow bridge recently. He was old, but it's never easy. My poor dog probably doesn't know what hit her. I can't seem to stop touching her and hugging her as if to make certain she's still there. My neighbor (who is NOT an animal lover, and so surprised me by her insight) said yesterday that the loss of a pet must be doubly difficult because they don't ever intentionally hurt us. She's right. It's that whole unconditional love thing. Every time I lose a pet, I think that I can't go through that again... but I do, over and over. I wonder if my heart will ever break beyond repairing?

*

It's going to pour down rain today. This isn't good... I don't think all of the streams, lakes and rivers have receded enough to take it. Fingers crossed for no floods.

*

It looks like I'm not going to meet my monthly submission goal in April. Bummer. Guess I'll tack on my shortage (one submission) to May. I hate that, though. I've been doing so well and I never like to miss a goal.

*

Happy weekend!