Friends, Finished (!) and Far too many cucs

A good friend is cheaper than therapy. ~Author Unknown

Today, my friend Michele comes to visit! Woot! I'm excited.

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

Judy finished looking over "Return to Stiller Creek". She liked it (she really liked it! -- and, I have to wonder if Sally Field knew she'd go down in history for her stupid speech?), but found some inconsistencies... a clue that didn't get explained, and the such. So, I'm tidying up and then will write a synopsis.

I'm going to sub it to HQ American, though I'm not entirely certain it will fit -- IMHO, it's the line it best fits into. There is a definite sense of community, a decently strong secondary cast, etc. And the mystery is really second to the romance. There were times when I wrote and completely forgot there was even a mystery to be solved! LOL... I love to write romance. I kept getting caught up in that.

In any case, we'll see how it goes.

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

Picked fifteen more cucumbers yesterday. Four days ago, I made 20 pints of relish -- both sweet and dill. I made a HUGE cucumber and tomato salad (because we also have many, many tomatoes... though, I'm not complaining about those. I can eat those like apples four times a day and be happy as a pig in sh... um... a pig in sunshine!). I gave away half of the cucs to a neighbor yesterday. Still have four left and dozens maturing on the vine. **sigh** Why can't I have "too many" tomatoes or peas or beans or squash? I can freeze or can those and use them all winter.

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

You See The World Through Red Colored Glasses

You live your life with intensity. You have strong emotions and experience everything vividly. You judge all interactions through the lens of power. You determine who has the most power and how to improve your position. You face challenges with courage and strength. You can will your way through any problem. You see love as the utmost expression of your passions and desires. Your romantic life is very passionate and overwhelming. At your worst, you are easily angered and quick to fight. You will go to war with anyone. You are happiest when you are expending a lot of energy. And you love the feeling of danger!

What Color Glasses Do You See the World Through?

Um... no.

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

Recovering...

Eighty percent of success is showing up. ~Woody Allen

Okay, I think I've nearly recovered from the shock of finding myself on the MBaM bestsellers list. Nearly. I may even be able to talk coherently. I know I terrified Judy yesterday because I IM'd her this message:

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

::faints dead away::

And nothing else.

She's very patient with me.

:-)

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

I spent a good part of the day, yesterday, struggling with my DDs new curriculum. It's all computer based, and the info on how to do the teacher's stuff isn't very comprehensive unless you count the tutorial. Problem is, I can't PAUSE the tutorial so I either have to instantly memorize the information or keep starting it over.

I finally managed to figure out how to set the school calendar and how to assign and grade lessons and tests. I figure that's the big stuff. I'll worry about the rest later.

And, yes, we're already starting school.

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

I did get another 1000 words or so done on the wolf story. Unfortunately, that isn't enough to make it in time for the "Got Wolf" contest. I need to be doing at least 1500 words a day. ::shrugs:: Maybe I'll just submit it as a short story if I don't get it done in time. Still, the contest winners are going to be part of a print anthology, and I really wanted that.

Month's not over yet.

*G*

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

I picked the first tomato from our garden yesterday. There are four more that are about ripe. Unfortunately, I didn't get as many as I'd hoped for (I had big plans to can diced tomatoes this year -- I love tomatoes...mmmm). I planted about two dozen plants. Looks like I'll have to double that next year. Don't know WHERE I'll fit them, but I'll figure something out.

We still have an abundance of cucumbers, but that's okay -- my neighbors are enjoying the bounty.

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

You Are Comic Sans

You are a nothing but a big goofball. You're quite playful and fun! You're widely known for your zany personality and your vivacious attitude. To say that you stand out in a crowd would be a definite understatement. Remember that you are overwhelming at times and that people appreciate you best in small doses.

What Font Are You?

Huh... okay... what do YOU think? Me? A goofball? Zany? Playful? Overwhelming?

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

Eyeballs

An eye can threaten like a loaded and levelled gun, or it can insult like hissing or kicking; or, in its altered mood, by beams of kindness, it can make the heart dance for joy.... One of the most wonderful things in nature is a glance of the eye; it transcends speech; it is the bodily symbol of identity. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

So, yesterday I mentioned headaches... and also mentioned that I might have a remedy for them. Over the past year or so, when I get tired, my eyes won't focus together. I spent my evenings reading with one eye (typically my left eye) closed or covered. Even when I'm NOT tired, I frequently have to look away from something to "reset" my eyes before they'll focus.

I finally gave in an scheduled an eye appointment. The last time I got glasses (about three years ago), they really didn't help much. They were, essentially, reading glasses. I don't need things magnified -- that isn't the issue. I see things fine, up close AND far away.

DD needed her appointment anyway, so I scheduled one with her. This doc discovered the problem almost immediately... my eyes see at different angles. My left eye actually sees higher than my right, so I basically have double vision. He told me that I've probably had it my entire life, after noting that I tip my head to the left. He asked to see picture ID, so I showed him my drivers license and warehouse club card. He pointed at the photos and said, "See how your head is tipped?" -- and, honestly, if you look at 90% of pictures with me in them since the day I was born (just look at the profile picture in my Blogger profile!), my head is tipped to one side. He said it was my unconscious way of making the vision field level and helping my eyes focus together. But, now my eyes are getting old and tired (and, no he didn't put it like that, lol) and don't want to work together any more.

So I'm getting glasses with a special "prism" in them that will level out my vision field. And, maybe I can stop winking at the computer...

Better, maybe I can go through a day without massive headaches. We'll see... I should have my glasses next week.

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

I picked three more squash yesterday, and a "mess" (that's for Judy *G*) of green beans that even DD enjoyed eating (she doesn't usually like green beans). I have about fifteen more baby squash that will be ready over the next week, and twice that many blossoms. Still, the squash doesn't worry me nearly as much as the cucumbers. I think I'm making pickles this year!

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

What Your Sunglasses Say About You

You are spontaneous, open minded, and optimistic. You are very youthful and free wheeling, no matter what your age happens to be. You need to be shaded from the darker, more depressing aspects of life. You feel sunniest when everyone around you is up for a good time.

The Sunglasses Test

Um... no. Not even close...

But they were pink :-)

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

Quickie!

I've had two unexpected garden casualties -- I lost one pepper (something ate the roots...most probably grubs or cutworms, a POX ON THEM!) and one tomato (I can't figure this one out... maybe the other plants sucked up all the water and wouldn't share?).

The cucumbers all survived the night, though. As did the squash. Phew.

Brandy, I'll post the recipe for the rhubarb cake tomorrow or Friday.

Have a great day all, and enjoy the guest blogger's post, below! Comment and make her feel at home, k?

Locks of Love and Kitchen Matches

Hair brings one's self-image into focus; it is vanity's proving ground. Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices. ~Shana Alexander

I suppose I should try for cleverer titles to my blog posts, but... hey... I'm a "tell it like it is" kinda gal.

First off, I couldn't stand my hair any more, so I donated again. It's a little (okay A LOT) shorter that I wanted it, but it's such a relief. All you folks who say you want thick, curly hair? You have NO idea... I have so much hair that my head hurts all the time when my hair is long. I was headache free yesterday for the first time in MONTHS.

My hairdresser tied up my hair in a ponytail to cut it -- yes it's UBER frizzy because she brushed it. You can't brush curly hair without dire consequences.



Then she started cutting just above the rubber band. And she cut, and cut and cut. And changed hands and cut from the other side. And cut, and cut, and cut. Finally, she stopped, laughed and said, "I need a hacksaw!"

She did finally cut off the required ten inches. And left me with this:



And so, I start the cycle over again. Well, maybe not. I may keep it short. We'll see how it goes, because it really does feel fabulous. To be honest, I barely care how it looks!

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

I've been haunting my author page at Samhain, waiting to see the "coming soon" cover for "Kitchen Matches". Today, lo and behold, it is UP!!! Now I know my exact release date: August 12th. YAY!

My second round edits are done, and the manuscript is headed for a FLE (Final Line Editor). The cover is being drafted and I'm interested to see what the artist comes up with.

In the meantime, why don't you head over and see what the blurb whiz at Samhain came up with (from my lame attempts at writing a blurb) -- click here.

What do you think?

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

You know Murphy...? Of "Murphy's Law"...? Yeah, me, too. In fact, I met him yesterday. I'd mentioned on Monday that my cucumbers that I'd planted from seed well over two weeks ago hadn't peeked their little heads above ground, right? Well, today I looked all over the place until I finally found the type I wanted -- a little expensive, and each plant was in its own little pot (no cute, inexpensive six-packs for me... oh no). I bought six plants. I was so relieved to find them I almost cried.

You know what's coming, right? Yep. I got home and brought my new plants over to where I'd been keeping the dirt and peat pots that hadn't grown into cucumber plants. Since THE MORNING plants grew. Only two so far, and they really aren't even above ground, just the upside down "U" of the stem just beginning to emerge.

But, darn it... they're growing. It may be that I'll have twelve cucumber plants in my garden this year. Anyone want some?

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

What Your Fridge Says About You

You like to be surrounded by things you love. You aren't exactly greedy, but you can be materialistic at times. You tend to be a fairly thrifty person. You splurge occasionally, but you're mostly a saver. You are a very adventurous person. You love to try new things, and you get bored very easily. You are responsible, together, and mature. You act like an adult, even when you don't feel like it. You are likely married, possibly with kids.

What Do the Contents of Your Refrigerator Say About You?

Okay, yeah... except for that new things part, I'm good with this.