Friday, August 12, 2011

Writing, a Doe and Bugs

The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium. ~Norbet Platt

Yeah, I suck at titles... lol...

I got my weekly writing tips newsletter from Holly Lisle. This week she answers the question, "Why write fiction" with this (in part):

Reality was a caveman freezing.

Fiction was that same caveman wondering, "What if a god were to give us the magic of fire?"

And then telling his imagined story to someone who saw past the gods and figured out a way that a man might capture fire, and touch the realm of gods in the doing.

Fiction---good fiction, anyway---is dream made flesh, given purpose and drive, and set on a quest to show us the best in us and to give us the power and the tools to dream beyond reality's 'merely good enough' to a vision of what is truly great...

...and then to give us the stories of men and women of character who in turn inspire those of us who dare to reach for the truly great within ourselves.

Inspiring... thanks, Ms. Lisle. I do like her newsletter -- it's never very long, comes weekly, and usually makes me feel motivated and happy.

Yesterday we had a huge doe (a deer, a female deer) in our backyard. My DH hasn't cleared back there this year (the way things grow here, it'll be a forest by next spring) so there was plenty to eat. She just walked along munching on all the saplings, maple and oak appeared to be her favorite. She saw and heard us, but didn't appear to be overly spooked. It's pretty amazing how large they are -- especially their ears, which are a bit like satellite dishes.

Since my garden is pretty well caput anyway, I didn't mind having her there.

Speaking of my garden, my summer squash is infested with squash borers. The bases of all three plants is rotted and covered with frass. I sprayed the pogees out of them with some natural pesticides I have (used about half a bottle to make sure it soaked in really well and got those buggers) and then covered the base with dirt. The plants may not make it, but I don't want any babies surviving. :::grumble:::

I may mark summer squash off my gardening list next year, too. At this rate, all I'm going to plant is beans and cucumbers...

Not a lot planned for this weekend. Hopefully it'll be peaceful and stress-free. Wishing you all the same!

=======================




You Are an Amaretto Chocolate Cherry Cupcake



You have a deep desire to leave your mark on the world. You want to change things for the better.

You are an object of fascination for many. You shine brightly and boldly.

You are youthful in spirit and appearance. You refuse to grow up!

To be honest, danger excites you a little. You believe that anything that is worth doing has some risk.



Maybe 25% right ...

3 comments:

Sarita Leone said...

Sorry about your squash plants. Not passing my way anytime soon, are you? I've got squash coming out my ears. Today I'm going to make zucchini lasagna in single-serve trays, pop 'em in the freezer and have them during the snowy days we all know are coming.

Love it that you saw a doe! They are so beautiful. Yesterday evening I saw a fox, just strolling on the path on our hill. I'd been weed wacking around some pine trees beside the path. I'd run out of gas (in more ways than one!) so I headed down the hill, trimmer in tow, and sat at a table beneath a maple tree. Just resting. Watching the birds. Then, the fox! So close and completely unconcerned by my quiet presence. So beautiful.

Hope your weekend is a peaceful one.

Dru said...

I'm so envious that you get to see animals in their natural habitat.

Can you guess what is playing in my head? Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti

You Are a Caramel Pecan Chai Cupcake

As long as you can have a no strings fling, you're happy! You don't like anyone to get attached.

You just want to get out there and experience the world. You don't want to be tied down at this point in your life.

You're very inquisitive. You aren't satisfied until all your questions have been answered.

You like to work in group settings, but you'll rarely step up as leader. You think everyone should have an equal voice.


This is 80% accurate.

Have a great Friday

Brandy said...

You see Doe's in your yard and if I step out back on a quiet night I hear cows moo-ing. *g* You definitely have the better yard! *g*
Sorry to hear about your squash. We sprayed as well and pulled up the squash plant. I guess it's a good thing we're moving our garden next year.

You Are a Lavender Lemon Cupcake: Your thinking process tends to be very natural - with no beginnings or endings. You are always in the middle.
You are philosophical, thoughtful, and even spiritual. You seek depth.
You are sensitive and responsive. You can't help but be thin-skinned.
You are aware of all your feelings and impulses. You don't always act on them, but you know they're there.

Hmm. Not sure.

I hope you have a lovely day!