Smacked Upside the Head by Teeny Tiny Things

Near the end of January I was congratulating myself on having a pretty good Winter, cold and flu-wise. I had a few bad days but nothing like some years. Then February hit. And I have had three different kinds of flu so far (or three mutations of the same kind) And I feel crappy again today. On the positive side, I HAVE had a day or so between bouts to accomplish some things.
I am particularly happy that I felt well enough Thursday to join Oscar to go see the the Asylum Street Spankers, who are having  a farewell tour. The band is out of Austin,Texas and they sing lots of Tin-Pan Alley, Blues, Jazz.. some of them classics, a lot of them they write themselves. We had a wonderful time. It was the first time in a long time (almost a year?) since we were able to go to a concert together.
I hope the flu bugs will be left behind when February passes. I have things I need to do!

Beautiful old song - You Made the Night Too Long Louis Armstrong

Colours

Bent Dancer

One of the blogs I follow, Attic24, often has beautiful photography. Often those photos are of bright and cheerful colors, whether they be of a current crochet project or an artfully arranged mantle full of flowers and knicknacks.
Today when I popped in for a visit I found a different sort of beauty. The blog author had been away for the weekend to the Cumbrian Lake District, and returned with absolutely gorgeous photos of the quiet beauty winter brings. The photos reminded me of my yearly rambles in the fall, with the grays, silvers and blacks offset by deep greens, soft blues and warm umber and ocher. I still miss hiking, that may never change, but thank goodness I live in a time where sharing another's visual journey helps feed that part of my soul. (photo above was taken in Gaylord, Michigan early March a few years back)

A Miscellaneous Tuesday

We had lots of snow dumped on us the other day, after some really lovely warm (in the 40's) weather. I didn't take photos of the new snow. I am pretending it isn't really there (one of the benefits of being mostly home bound). Weather is still nice in the house, with two new pots of daffodils Oscar brought home.

I am saddened to learn of the earthquake deaths in New Zealand. It is such a small country that everyone knows people who know everyone else. It's as if 65 residents of Ypsilanti died one day. Heartbreaking.

I received 24 (twenty four) brand new books for review today. It's like Christmas whenever a box arrives from Freshfiction. Today's shipment had two especially intriguing books: The Mystery of Lewis Carroll by Jenny Woolf and I is an Other: The Secret Life of Metaphor and How it Shapes the Way We See the World by James Geary

Speaking of Freshfiction, I now have a total of 122 reviews published. I have ten more rough drafts almost ready, and a few more books I am in the process of reading, plus, of course, all those waiting in the wings. And just in case the physical books start to run dry, I am a member of netgalley, via the auspices of Freshfiction.
Netgalley is where many publishers send out pre-published books as pdf files that automatically delete themeselves on the day of publication. In the meantime, because I am an established reviewer I can request any book I want to read, as many as I want to read, and the publisher is likely to say yes and send it along. This means a childhood dream has come true. I will never, ever run out of new books to read.
I grew up way out in the country, the closest library was very small and we only were able to visit every few weeks.
 I read through all the books I was interested in very quickly, and I was never, ever able to carry enough books home with me to last the two weeks until the next visit. I always had a secret dread of running out of books to read. Logically I know I wouldn't run out of books even without Netgalley, one only lives so long, of course, but knowing I have this limitless font of thousands and thousands of books from which to choose whenever I get a hankering is SUCH a powerful joy!

In knitting news, I am almost finished with the shawl sample for Lynnie. 4.5 rows to go, then the bind off. I am making the largest size and here near the end, the rows are approximately 485 stitches long. It takes me a bit more than an hour to do two rows, and my hands generally give up about then. It is a beautiful shawl, but I will be happy when I am done! My own knitting patterns are waiting patiently :-}

Adjustments

I have had very low blood pressure most of  my life. Until this year my average BP has been between 110/65 and 115/70. Imagine my shock to have one  come up 144/88 last week.  It was a big enough difference to motivate me into some lifestyle changes. I have never tried to limit my salt intake before, but that has been pretty easy. We choose healthy stuff  most of the time and I already cooked low-sodium meals for Oscar, I just stopped adding salt to my plate. I have also upped my exercising from 2-3 sessions a week, to daily. And I already feel better (happier, more energetic). All this on the advice of my doctor, who praised me for being proactive. After Dad's stroke, it was not a hard choice to make, and the execution this first week has been easier than I would have thought.
It has been so easy, in fact, I wonder why it took me so long?
Anyway, I feel pretty lucky that these small changes can make a big difference in health.
My blood pressure this afternoon? 117/72

A little joy on a Sunday Afternoon

HUG MONSTER!!!!!!!

I finished a Hug Monster for Sean this morning. I really like how he turned out.
Clare (Natty Knits) has lots of really cute patterns, check out her Etsy Shop! She even has some of the samples for sale, in case you aren't a knitter :-}
(BTW, I managed 3 reviews yesterday)

Procrastination

I often have little patience with procrastination in others, but find myself in the throes of a week-long session of my own. Usually I catch myself starting to procrastinate and give myself a stern talking to: "Get off the stick and just do it!" usually works, but not this time. Even now, instead of writing book reviews I am writing a blog post. Worse yet, there is a deadline involved, if only one I created myself.
Some very good advice drawn from a book on writing tells us to cultivate the habit of writing every day. When I did that, it worked pretty well. Even if all I did was visit each rough-drafted file and add a bit and polish a bit, it was a positive step and made it easier to work on them the following day. Perhaps it is good to take a day off every few weeks, especially if you get tons done and begin to burn out over the time period, but mostly I think it's better to commit to writing every day. I think I took too many days off in a row this time.
Writing the blog SHOULD count, but I think it's best if I count only the work I do on the reviews and my manuscript. So. Enough said. Time to start, and see how much I can get done today.

Weather part 2

Outside

Inside

Soundtracks to Books

Oscar sent me a link to a Youtube video of a band new to me, Within Temptation.
One of my favorite genres is Urban Fantasy, and their stuff is like the soundtrack to some of the best books I've read recently. (check them out, the first song I listened to was Stand My Ground. The video is amazing.)
I have read of authors using specific song lists as they write specific books, it seems to lock their minds into the best mode for the work. They sometimes even have specific songs for specific characters. One book I recently read, Taste Me by Tamara Hogan, includes a song list at the back of the book. Since the main character is a musician, this made a lot of sense (and there are some great songs there).
I really like this idea of using multiple senses as tools for writing. Jenny Crusie makes collages for her books, another interesting method. Of course nothing replaces butt glue (putting your butt in the chair in front of the computer and not moving until you write the thing) but I have been thinking about what other senses might be employed for setting the work mode.
Some authors use specific spaces for writing. Some close themselves into a room with a computer (with no internet access) and no other purpose but writing. Others like to write in public impersonal spaces like coffee shops, needing the white noise effect.Others choose specific times of day.
I pretty much do everything in the recliner, so perhaps I can make the recliner my "writing zone" using sensory tools. Perhaps choosing music I only listen to while writing, or maybe lighting a certain incense. In aromatherapy, scents such as Basil, cedarwood, cardamom or frankincense may help. They also suggest coriander for creativity, but I don't LIKE coriander.  I could also choose to only burn certain candle colors, I suppose or wear a special hat or perhaps hair ribbon LOL.
As with most things of this nature, the most important correlation is not what some site or table suggests, but the connection YOU make with a specific scent, color etc.
I think because I cannot move myself into a specific writing space, perhaps I can change the space around me into a space dedicated to specific tasks when needed.
I think the setting for writing reviews will be different than that for writing fiction, or for designing.
It is something to contemplate. What do you think?

Hope

 The news is hopeful. The doctors are contradicting themselves. At this point the cancer may only be in one organ. Nothing is certain yet, we are still waiting for the oncolcogy consult before being sure, but there is still a chance that treatment may be possible for Faye. Keep those good thoughts coming! She is doing amazingly well after the stroke, already in rehab and moving on her own.

Reading for Life

I have been reading voraciously since I was four years old. I distinctly remember the first word I read. It was d-o-o-r. I still remember the brilliant flash of the moment when I realized combining the sounds of those letters meant the same thing as the wooden-paneled door between the kitchen and hallway of our old farm house on Bunn Road, south-west of Jonesville, Michigan. Looking back it is entirely appropriate that my first understood written word was 'door'. Books have provided me a multitude of doors; doors to knowledge, enjoyment and perhaps most poignantly, escape. I have had a pretty decent life so far, but there have been some terrible patches. One surcease from the pain of those times, when I was physically trapped in grim reality, was reading. It never failed to bring me a measure of ease when I swam into the story and left the harshness behind. By the time I surfaced I was able to face the ugliness again, for a while. It still brings peace, and escape from physical pain although I have some other tools ready at hand that also help. Knitting is one of them, the repetitive motion goes a long way toward softening the bad days. When I am caught up in designing, the rest of the world fades away. And sometimes when I write, the words flow and grow bright between me and the rest the world for a time.
Books however are my first  love, the first time I discovered my mind can take me anywhere the author leads. I think that is why my deepest dream is to write fiction, preferably genre fiction with a kick-butt heroine, fantastic danger, some laughs, and always, always a happy ending. The authors I depended upon for release and relief of stress and painful parts of my life gave me so much, it seems natural to desire to give back and hope some future reader will also be able to find escape, relief and maybe even some perspective from something I write.

Since starting this blog, and even more now  that I am writing reviews almost every day I have felt my skill growing. I feel ready to tackle the first of the books living inside me.Whether it  is published or not, I think I owe it to myself to try.

thank you some more

My friend's stroke has left her with moments of clarity. My greatest wish for her and her family is that any pain is minimal, and that those moments of clarity are often enough that the time they can spend together helps to heal their hearts. A diagnosis of inoperable cancer is so harsh. I can't even imagine the anguish they are feeling. I love them all dearly and my pain is a pale shadow to what they are dealing with. I am blessed that I am 100% certain they know how much I love them. Sometimes that's all you can do. And when it comes down to it, it is not a small thing, to have that certainty of love.

thank you

The news about my friend is very bad. The cancer has been found throughout her system and there is nothing that they can do except try and make her comfortable. Any good thoughts sent to her and those who love her are welcome.

Good Thoughts Welcomed; Reviewing; Designing; Life

A woman I consider a second mother was diagnosed with cancer not long (as in within the last few weeks) ago, and appears to have had a stroke a few days ago. All good thoughts for her and her loved ones are welcomed. She is a wonderful and giving person, who taught me and her own children many wonderful things as we grew up. I am saddened by my inability to travel and see them, but as I am fighting a chest cold or flu or something, I shouldn't expose them anyway. So I send my love.
In the meantime, I am keeping busy with things here. Out of the 23 books received for review on January 20th, I have read and created rough drafts for nine of them. Two reviews have been submitted, and I completed another review from an older book and will submit it when I am finished with the more urgent ones (Publishing dates from February through March). Next up will be the books published in January, then December, then November until more books come with urgent dates, or we approach the time to publish the April books I have for review. I also have a few books to review for a site called Paganreviewer.com that I want to complete by the end of the first week in February. I have become a member of Netgalley, so if by so chance I run out of books to review, I can request some directly from the publishers as ebooks, and review for other sites. I enjoy this gig, reading has been a method of escape and a widening of the world for me since I was about 4 years old and understood that d o o r meant "door".
I am test knitting a beautiful shawl design for Lynnie, and working on some new designs of my own.
Photo is of Moonie cat. The cats are lavishing me with love. I think they know I am sad today.

Weather

outside

inside

A very wonderful month

About a week ago, I posted about two wonderful boxes that arrived at our home containing presents and lots of fabulous yarn. After reading about my joy, one of my long-time blog readers contacted me on Ravelry, said she was destashing and asked me to pick whatever I wanted from her stash. I tried, but I could not choose. She has some seriously gorgeous fiber! So, I asked that she make the choice for me, and I was sure I could find a way to use what she sent. I expected a box of yarn that I could use to make samples, and then gift the hats and things to charity. I imagined I could share anything I can't use with friends who love yarn but don't have the finances to buy what they would like. What arrived at the door was in two LARGE boxes. Oscar took this photo. The quilt they are lying on measured 5 feet on a side. There is less than 6 inches of quilt left at the edges
I have enough yarn to make at least two sweaters, a dozen hats, gift to friends, and knit for samples and charity to my heart's content.
It is an understatement to say I am overwhelmed. I am jubilant, I am thankful, and I am having a wonderful time choosing the yarn to knit my pattern samples!
When working on stitch patterns often I will make a hat rather than a swatch, then donate it to SOS here in Ypsilanti. Thanks to the generosity of knitters, there will be lots more warm ears, necks and hands in town :-}

Decoded

A friend of mine is a HUGE Brad Meltzer fan.
I have never read one of his books, but really liked an internet video he put together (thanks Min!) where you input someone's name, and the video basically dedicates itself to them.
Then this series Decoded premiered last year. Oscar and I started DVRing it, and started watching it this month. Some of the shows are uneven, some of the regular 'decoders' ask ignorant questions, and some of the conclusions they reach I disagree with. But.We have learned so much about lots of things in the process of following the show's research. In one episode we learned about the Culper Ring. In another, we learned about the web bot that has been predicting the future for a few decades now. And those were just the two recent shows.
There are a lot of good things about my life, but one of the best is that Oscar and I both love watching shows on the History,Discovery and similar channels :-} I've always loved archaeology and ancient history, as well as learning obscure bits of historical fact, and Os is right there beside me, just as fascinated. We both believe a good day is one where you learn something new. We have some great conversations.

Perhaps a Half Day Off?

I am feeling a bit tired today. I thought about taking a day off, but really, I enjoy what I do for 'work' so what exactly would that entail? I guess I could spend the day playing games on the computer. But I would enjoy doing other things more. In the application of 'a change is as good as a rest' perhaps I should make today about house organization (I have some yarn to sort out) or getting a load of dishes run (I can load the dishwasher from my kitchen stool). Perhaps roasting some chicken breasts and adding the meat and broth to some pasta and broccoli rabe we made on Saturday, and putting it up in Oscar lunches would be good. (Do others still use the phrase 'putting up' to mean storing for later? When I was a kid and I helped mom can fruit and veggies, we were 'putting up' the tomatoes, for example, for winter.
All that sounds like work, but I like ending the day knowing I accomplished something. 
I am far from bored, but a little tired yet restless.
I think a true day off would include spinning or dying yarn. or both. Perhaps to celebrate a big thing, like completing a pattern. I will get out roving and my tools and spin for hours.
I really long to spin. I have a ©Sling-Blade Handspinner created and hand crafted by my friend Dreamspinner. The beauty of it is i can predraft the fiber, and spin all from a reclining position while still having the hands-on experience of rythmically adding twist to yarn. Someday I might get an electric spinner, but I adore my ©Sling-blade
Watch this video to see how fun it is! And look how small a motion she needs to make to create the spin. (the image above is some beautiful yarn I made with my blade)

103

This has been an interesting month so far.
I managed to keep up with the 365 project for 10 or 11 days, but realized I was using foot time to get photos, and had to dial back. I will change my goal to posting photos on my photowise 365 blog, but not one per day necessarily.
I cranked up my review writing and learned I have more writing discipline than I thought.
My 103rd book review was just published, and staggeringly, 22 of them have been published in January. I wonder how many I can get done this month?
The stack of yet-to-be-reviewed books from last year in the photo above has been drastically reduced, and I have a few boxes of brand new books headed my way this week.
This month has taught me I have the discipline to buckle down and write, whether it be book reviews, fiction or patterns. It has also taught me I have somehow found the wisdom not to push myself physically just to fulfill a resolution.  Some of those book reviews were written on foggy brain days... the difference is I let them sit on my hard drive until I had a CLEAR brain day to edit them. The hard work was done, but I needed a good mind to add the polish.
I don't claim to be the best writer of anything, but I have been able to see my skills improve, due in large part to the requirements of writing this blog, and those book reviews.
It seems a strange dichotomy. The health issues that keep me isolated at home create the very circumstance that allows me the time to do what I love.