Friday, September 11th, 2020
Friday Five
TGIF! Let’s go right to sharing five random things about out week:
- Today is 9/11, the anniversary of the horrible terrorist attack that killed so many innocent people in the U.S. I will always be grateful to the first responders and civilian heroes who worked so hard to help those who survived, and take respectful care of those we lost. I went to the ground zero in New York a year after the attacks and will never forget how errie and surreal it was. And I’ll just mention while I had the opportunity to pay my respects in New York, I don’t forget the people that lost their lives in at the Pentagon or the field in Pennsylvania.
- In a more cheerful note: I have baby bell peppers and tomatoes growing! I didn’t take pictures because it’s awful outside.
- By awful, I mean the smoke from all the fires in CA hang like a gloom that blocks the sun. We are not close to the fires here, that’s how bad it is. It’s not just CA, the whole West Coast is battling raging fires. Here’s a picture from walking Maggie the other morning about 6:45 am. Normally, it would be bright and clear, and I’d need sunglasses to walk toward the sun like this. It’s gotten worse in the last couple days. Everyone is feeling the effect of so much smoke, and I have a scratchy throat and burning eyes, which is not fun with contracts. Much worse, firefighters have been injured, there’ve been some deaths too. And it’s all so sad.
- I’m 3/4s of the way into the book revision and have cut well over 50 pages from the first half. I have one more plot problem to figure out how to fix, and the rest is clean up. Another week to get that done I think. Then I’ll have to go through and edit because I’ve made so many changes and moved stuff around. After that, I’ll arrange copyediting. I’m doing this, and so happy.
- The plan is to see Turbo tomorrow! With the fires, plans are subject to change, but that’s the plan while writing this.
Now I’d love to hear five random things about your week! I hope everyone has a great weekend.
September 11th, 2020 at 9:18 am · Link
Nope, I’ll never forget. Yay for peppers and tomatoes! Gah, that smoke is horrible. Woohoo for revision progress! And YAY for Turbo time!
1) I woke up late today. Well, quarter to 7, which is late for me. Now I feel like my whole day is off. I usually have all sorts of stuff done by now, but not today. Blerg.
2) Had a nice chat with Mom this morning on our usual Friday morning call. (They’re always nice chats.) We spent some walking down memory lane, doing the whole ‘hey, remember the blonde neighbor girl I used to hang out with? what was her name?’ thing. (Renee, btw, but neither of us could remember her last name.)
3) The birds are gathering to migrate. I had a whole bunch of mourning doves in the front yard this morning. And I heard Canada geese flying over last night just after dusk.
4) Last night, I made chicken enchiladas. Silly me bought the medium hot enchilada sauce instead of the mild. Woo, spicy, but we survived and they were actually quite tasty.
5) It’s gray and gloomy here this morning. The rain is good for the plants, but meh, it makes me not want to do anything. Probably a sign that I need to set my buns down and work on these edits. ;o)
September 11th, 2020 at 12:08 pm · Link
Like B.E., I’m late getting around this morning. Also gray and wet here. Makes me want to stay curled up under the covers but too much to do. Aaannnd, I keep getting distracted. I’m so sorry about all the fires and the air has got to be awful! Y’all take care and I really hope you get Turbo time. I feel you on the revisions! My five:
1. Edits/line edits. Ugh. I’m gonna miss today’s deadline but Mr. Ed said Monday would be OK. Will really have to push through today and this weekend. All the accept changes are done. Now it comes down to the rewriting/adding/subtracting and there’s a bunch! Triple ugh. 🐱💻
2. Hummers. The birds not the vehicles. They’ve been busy at the feeder. They give me smiles.
3. I’m regretting my author’s voice today. Or wishing I’d written a book a different way. One of the books I wrote for Susan Stoker has been picked for audio. I couldn’t decide between two narrators–one male, one female. Susan said, “Hey, let’s use both, divide the POV.” Yeah. About that. 🤦🏼♀️ If it had been on the Desires, or my MC series, no worries. Distinct POVs. In this book? It’s that silly head-hopping cinematic POV that I use. Gah! It’s fine for one narrator but dividing between two? Not so easy. So now that’s on my plate too. 🤯
4. Today is always a hard one. I lost first responder friends in NYC. I’ve been to the Memorial and it’s…yeah. Anyway…
5. Smudge and Smidgen, the two feral kittens are getting a little bolder. Theyl hang out on the porch with their mom more often but are still really skittish. I really wish I could “capture” them. They are gray and fuzzy and too cute and I want them. Except the dogs and Loki might freak. Still…
Have a good weekend, everyone! I’ll be working but that’s the price of being an author. Our work is never done.
September 11th, 2020 at 2:54 pm · Link
1. I too will never forget that day. I was working out when the first tower was hit and just had a feeling it wasn’t an accident. It was a very hard day for all Americans including our small children.
2. Yay! Glad your veggies are doing well :).
3. I feel so bad for all of you out west. I pray for containment and dosing of the fires. That smoke is so bad. I sure wish you could stay inside. Don’t suppose Maggie wears a mask?
4. Excellent progress on the revisions.
5. Yippie – Seeing Turbo. I wonder what chocolate wonder Grandma will have for James ;). Have tons of fun.
1a. Looks good so far with the new pump. We haven’t lost water in 2 days :).
2a. The generator had it’s 1 year service today. Another $200. Money is flowing out of our hands so fast.
3a. This weekend is supposed to be hot and humid but Monday the temp drops into the upper 60’s. I can’t wait. I’m sure it’s only for a few days but I will welcome it.
4a. Youngest plans on taking me to NY on Monday ( his day off) but my mom just told me that NY has put OH back on the “blocked entry” state list. If we’re not off by Sunday night she says we can’t come.
5a. Looks like we will be getting a new grill. Saw hubs out on the deck taking the current one apart and tossing pcs in the trash. I sure hope we buy a good one that holds up this time around.
Have a wonderful weekend!
September 11th, 2020 at 5:27 pm · Link
B.E, thanks on all.
1) Ugh on that sluggish feeling.
2) Nice trip down memory lane with you mom!
3) The birds are reminding us that fall is coming.
4) Ha, I’ve done that! Yep taste good but stays with ya, LOL!
5) Hope you were able to work on your edits.
Have a great weekend!
September 11th, 2020 at 5:35 pm · Link
Silver, I think the season changing is getting to all of us. We’re find so far with fires, and we don’t have as much fuel around us to burn like we did two years ago. But all the other spots are just horrendous. I feel for them all.
1) Double ugh, you have a working weekend in front of you
It’s one thing to work when you want to, but another when you’re on deadline (extended deadline just adds pressure). Hugs.
2) Yay for Hummer (birds not vehicle) smiles.
3) Yikes, I see the headache. Any chance you can go back to one narrator? If not, maybe just decide if it’s the hero or heroine’s scene and assign narrators that way?
4) I’m so sorry you lost a friend. Every single loss mattered and still matters.
5) Your description of the feral kittens made me smile! Thanks for sharing that!
Hope you get it all done this weekend, and find a little time to relax too.
September 11th, 2020 at 5:44 pm · Link
Viki, I doubt we’ll ever forget where we were in those horrendous moments. And nope Maggie doesn’t wear a mask. I try to limit her time outside, and she’s not pleased.
1) Keeping my fingers crossed on the new pump.
2) Yeah, it’s been nonstop for you.
3) Glad Monday will bring you at least a temporary break from the heat. Heat and humidity equal misery.
4) Oh, I’m sorry if you can’t go see your mom due to Covid-19 restrictions. It’s all so frustrating.
5) Yeah, taking apart your current grill and throwing it away is a sign. Hope you guys can find one that will last.
I really hope you have a good weekend, and you can go see your mom. NOT seeing our loved ones is causing so much emotional distress too.