"And time fell away". What a great expression of what happened to us during the pandemic. I, too, have made a deliberate choice to "get out there". At 81 i don't know how much road I have in front of me but I aim to keep traveling down it. Like many I anticipate this novel with great excitement
Fascinating ruminations. You described perfectly the insulation of the pandemic and it changed me. I realized I am not a person who needs a lot of stimulation from others and I’m slightly ashamed to say that I enjoyed having no outside expectations. Too much drains me. I’m so looking forward to the book
Since I've retired, I've enjoyed the my life of few outside expectations. I found, however, that my family and a few close friends are just enough to keep me happy and grounded.
Someday someone will analyze the current era. It seems complex, probably because I am living it. COVID has receded but other very real threats have come to take its place.
You have the best of both worlds: the ability to venture out and see what is going on in the world and a safe haven away from those things when they become oppressive. Take advantage of those options.
The cocoon created for some of us during the pandemic was nearly surreal. I broke out by taking my GSD to the dog park. It was still open, and everyone needed company. Before the pandemic, we had formed a friend group of people who would never have met without our rambunctious, social pups, and meeting when we had so few social options was a godsend that kept us healthy. It has become our Third Space, a concept that has gained attention over the last ten years.
And I'm sort of relieved to know you listen to audiobooks, too. Because I realize that I don't know enough about our history since 1600, I'm listening Chernow's biography of Grant right now. It's 48 hours long! Definitely going to have to renew this from the library.
The reader is wonderful, too. The words just flow and it's so easy to picture everything that's happening. I'm at the battle of Shiloh now. The carnage is just heartbreaking, and I don't know how the soldiers separated what happened from the rest of their lives.
Maybe you should just let the bears extend their hibernation. Enjoy the things you enjoy, forget about pleasing the publishers, keep writing the blogs your fans adore, and if somethings sparks a new book idea, go with it. The bears will wake up eventually and will be a lot happier if they do it on their own time!
I burst out laughing at the crowning touch of the alliums blooming ridiculously away behind your regal, glorious and usually oh so very serious looking Big Scary Dog... with his mouth full of leaves because he was so excited (I presume) to grab that ball.
This is good reminder, about the experiences, the living of life, the getting on with the world around us, being necessary for creative endeavor. We wouldn't expect a painter to create much that is new or innovative if she was sitting at home most of the time...
This one of the reasons my poetry writing has slowed in recent years. Must resolve to do better.
You are exploring and weaving together a novel. We are grateful and patient. I find I’m still in a pandemic pattern. Out and about most days for kitty care, but eager to get home and plow through things here. An occasional lunch and dinner with friends breaks the pandemic isolation habits. A friend counts on me for keeping an Oreo cookie stash. Makes me chuckle when she sends this text, “Oreos?” The history of how the pandemic affected our behavior has yet to be learned. In the meantime, thank you for your brilliant essays. Keep that novel alive. Good morning Auggie and Eli.
The photo of Auggie is perfection. The colors of flowers and the greenery, his somewhat hilarious expression with his green ball and a tree branch in his mouth, and him looking to you for guidance as to what to drop first. Stories from the pandemic will resonate for years and its effect on all of us may never be fully comprehended. But one thing I do know for sure, is that this new book you’re working on is eagerly anticipated and we are most patient. So, do whatever it takes and enjoy the writing experience. I know we will enjoy the finished product. 📖🤗
I didn't realize that Agatha Christie was a "pantser" of sorts. With your styles of writing, when the plot comes together, you'll know it. An epiphany.
Love to see that Auggie and Eli contribute to your notebook. It adds the perfect touch!
I don’t usually participate in those debates, but Christie most definitely was a seat-of-the-pants writer. She didn’t even know who the murderer was when she started out. But the beauty of her style was that her lack of planning meant that it was plausible to suspect each of her characters in turn, and to be astonished when the murderer was revealed.
Interesting thoughts about the pandemic. Thanks you.
Because of my job, I really didn't spend any more time in my home office as I did before it, and I am grateful for that. Yes, I had to sit for hours in airplanes, project trailers, and vehicles (if others were riding with me) wearing a mask, but it also gave me the opportunity to see things in a completely different light. There's nothing quite like walking down one of the long hallways at MSP International & see a single human being at the far end. Or looking at the Departures boards and seeing a single one only partially full (usually 4-5 full boards). It gave me many opportunities to reflect on how quickly the entire world can change and how grateful I was (am) that the Lord was (is) with me through all my travels & travails.
Oops! I certainly didn't mean to sound negatively critical......just the opposite! Something in your lines I interpreted to mean your trying to finish Throwing Bears is a struggle. I should have said that whatever, whenever you write is a big plus and I hope deadlines and life in general doesn't interfere with your creativity. When you write for yourself and share it with readers, we all win.
I appreciate your care in expressing yourself, but I did not hear your comment as criticism. And you interpreted correctly: it is a struggle. But that’s how it works. Struggle is the process.
"And time fell away". What a great expression of what happened to us during the pandemic. I, too, have made a deliberate choice to "get out there". At 81 i don't know how much road I have in front of me but I aim to keep traveling down it. Like many I anticipate this novel with great excitement
Wishing you a long road. ❤️
Fascinating ruminations. You described perfectly the insulation of the pandemic and it changed me. I realized I am not a person who needs a lot of stimulation from others and I’m slightly ashamed to say that I enjoyed having no outside expectations. Too much drains me. I’m so looking forward to the book
Since I've retired, I've enjoyed the my life of few outside expectations. I found, however, that my family and a few close friends are just enough to keep me happy and grounded.
I love reading how your life works. Do enjoy being back out in your surroundings. I hope it’s everything you remember.
Tomorrow I am going to spend the afternoon listening to a piano competition. I used to do it for my job, but now I can just go for fun.
Someday someone will analyze the current era. It seems complex, probably because I am living it. COVID has receded but other very real threats have come to take its place.
You have the best of both worlds: the ability to venture out and see what is going on in the world and a safe haven away from those things when they become oppressive. Take advantage of those options.
Thank you for sharing your challenges and your renewals (and the gratuitous dog photos). May your new week plans bring you enjoyment
The cocoon created for some of us during the pandemic was nearly surreal. I broke out by taking my GSD to the dog park. It was still open, and everyone needed company. Before the pandemic, we had formed a friend group of people who would never have met without our rambunctious, social pups, and meeting when we had so few social options was a godsend that kept us healthy. It has become our Third Space, a concept that has gained attention over the last ten years.
And I'm sort of relieved to know you listen to audiobooks, too. Because I realize that I don't know enough about our history since 1600, I'm listening Chernow's biography of Grant right now. It's 48 hours long! Definitely going to have to renew this from the library.
That’s a great book.
The reader is wonderful, too. The words just flow and it's so easy to picture everything that's happening. I'm at the battle of Shiloh now. The carnage is just heartbreaking, and I don't know how the soldiers separated what happened from the rest of their lives.
That battlefield actually brought me to tears.
Maybe you should just let the bears extend their hibernation. Enjoy the things you enjoy, forget about pleasing the publishers, keep writing the blogs your fans adore, and if somethings sparks a new book idea, go with it. The bears will wake up eventually and will be a lot happier if they do it on their own time!
I essentially write for myself. It’s who I am.
I burst out laughing at the crowning touch of the alliums blooming ridiculously away behind your regal, glorious and usually oh so very serious looking Big Scary Dog... with his mouth full of leaves because he was so excited (I presume) to grab that ball.
This is good reminder, about the experiences, the living of life, the getting on with the world around us, being necessary for creative endeavor. We wouldn't expect a painter to create much that is new or innovative if she was sitting at home most of the time...
This one of the reasons my poetry writing has slowed in recent years. Must resolve to do better.
Two words: June Sprints!
You are exploring and weaving together a novel. We are grateful and patient. I find I’m still in a pandemic pattern. Out and about most days for kitty care, but eager to get home and plow through things here. An occasional lunch and dinner with friends breaks the pandemic isolation habits. A friend counts on me for keeping an Oreo cookie stash. Makes me chuckle when she sends this text, “Oreos?” The history of how the pandemic affected our behavior has yet to be learned. In the meantime, thank you for your brilliant essays. Keep that novel alive. Good morning Auggie and Eli.
There are a number of things in your reflections to which I can easily relate. Thank you for sharing.
I know what you say about needing sensory input. We have to work for it nowadays, don’t we? So easy to be isolated, what with our technology.
Love the pawtograph. Eli’s?
Auggie is hilarious with a mouthful of leaves. Does this happen a lot?
It’s Eli’s. And no, it’s never happened before to my knowledge.
The photo of Auggie is perfection. The colors of flowers and the greenery, his somewhat hilarious expression with his green ball and a tree branch in his mouth, and him looking to you for guidance as to what to drop first. Stories from the pandemic will resonate for years and its effect on all of us may never be fully comprehended. But one thing I do know for sure, is that this new book you’re working on is eagerly anticipated and we are most patient. So, do whatever it takes and enjoy the writing experience. I know we will enjoy the finished product. 📖🤗
I didn't realize that Agatha Christie was a "pantser" of sorts. With your styles of writing, when the plot comes together, you'll know it. An epiphany.
Love to see that Auggie and Eli contribute to your notebook. It adds the perfect touch!
I don’t usually participate in those debates, but Christie most definitely was a seat-of-the-pants writer. She didn’t even know who the murderer was when she started out. But the beauty of her style was that her lack of planning meant that it was plausible to suspect each of her characters in turn, and to be astonished when the murderer was revealed.
Interesting thoughts about the pandemic. Thanks you.
Because of my job, I really didn't spend any more time in my home office as I did before it, and I am grateful for that. Yes, I had to sit for hours in airplanes, project trailers, and vehicles (if others were riding with me) wearing a mask, but it also gave me the opportunity to see things in a completely different light. There's nothing quite like walking down one of the long hallways at MSP International & see a single human being at the far end. Or looking at the Departures boards and seeing a single one only partially full (usually 4-5 full boards). It gave me many opportunities to reflect on how quickly the entire world can change and how grateful I was (am) that the Lord was (is) with me through all my travels & travails.
Oops! I certainly didn't mean to sound negatively critical......just the opposite! Something in your lines I interpreted to mean your trying to finish Throwing Bears is a struggle. I should have said that whatever, whenever you write is a big plus and I hope deadlines and life in general doesn't interfere with your creativity. When you write for yourself and share it with readers, we all win.
I appreciate your care in expressing yourself, but I did not hear your comment as criticism. And you interpreted correctly: it is a struggle. But that’s how it works. Struggle is the process.
That's a nice picture of Auggie and a great description of him! 😁👏👏👏🐶