Just got back from having my Valentine massage. It was quite nice. Got a gal with firm, strong hands this time, and she worked me over good. She told me my neck and shoulders were "ridiculously tight," and that I should come back in a couple of weeks. Yeah, right.
I don't know what makes me so tense. Seems like basic life to me.
Amazing how fast an hour of self-indulgent soft music and dim lighting, scented oils and deep massage can fly by. Afterward, I picked up my purse, which seems to weigh a good 2o pounds, got into my car and drove home, and opened my computer. I think I need to go back already.
Sigh. Maybe when I sell a book . . .
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Worth every penny
I've already gotten my money's worth out of the online workshop I'm taking this month.
It's all about POV -- going deep, staying in one character's voice and really connecting with characters.
POV is my biggest challenge. So I was very excited this morning to get the instructor's comments back on this week's assignment. I got a "very good," a smiley face, and she said I made her laugh (in a good way). Woo-hoo! I think that equals an A! :-)
Progress, and another positive sign that I can do this!
It's all about POV -- going deep, staying in one character's voice and really connecting with characters.
POV is my biggest challenge. So I was very excited this morning to get the instructor's comments back on this week's assignment. I got a "very good," a smiley face, and she said I made her laugh (in a good way). Woo-hoo! I think that equals an A! :-)
Progress, and another positive sign that I can do this!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Promise of Spring
For the fourth year in a row, my Mother's Day orchid has suddenly sprouted a new shoot. It's very exciting. First, because it means I've actually been able to keep the thing alive for four years. And, second, because it's my first sign that spring is on its way!
It'll take a while, but I'll be able to see almost daily progress. The shoot will get about 18-inches tall and grow 6 to 8 buds that get to be about the size of quarters. Then they'll suddenly pop open into gorgeous bright pink flowers. It's fun to watch the process.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tea Time
I could possibly be a teaholic. Tea is by far my favorite drink, and I consume a rather large quantity of it. Yesterday, my sister sent me an email to tell me that she's decided to drink more tea, and asked me for a list of my favorites. So, I thought I'd pass it along.
Right now, my favorite caffeinated morning tea is Tropical Green from Harney & Sons. It has a light pineapple flavor to it. I drink a couple of cups of that each morning, particularly on winter mornings. Sometimes I'll also have an Earl Grey, especially if I'm not at home and don't have my own tea bags with me, or don't want to use them. (I generally carry a few in my purse.)
Then, in the afternoon, I usually switch to flavored teas. A couple of favorites are Bigelow's Lemon Green Tea and Blackberry Sage from the Republic of Tea. The Republic has several good ones, including Mango Ceylon and Ginger Peach. The Blackberry Sage is also good as an iced tea.
Ahhhhhh. Iced tea. Nothing better on a warm summer day. Anyone who dines with me on a regular basis knows that iced tea is not iced tea is not iced tea. Iced tea can be ruined. It can, in fact, suck. It has to be fresh. It has to be brewed. Freshly brewed. It cannot be sweetened, and it must have a sufficient amount of ice. I don't know where the food industry got the idea that tea can be a fountain drink. No. Sorry. It can't.
It's interesting how iced tea can vary across the country. When traveling, finding good iced tea often becomes a quest. And, often, a disappointing one. Truly, there are some states in which it simply isn't safe to order an iced tea. It's putrid. One state that gets it is California. Yes, one more thing to like about Sunny California. They know how to make iced tea. Some of the best iced tea I've ever had – with flavors of apricot and passion fruit – has been in California.
Oh, a quick note on flavored tea. Flavored tea is made when there are bits of organic flavoring in the loose tea or tea bag. The flavor is released as the tea is brewed. Let me repeat that – as the tea is brewed. Flavor is not a syrup that is poured into a cup of tea. Ugh.
My very favorite tea for making iced tea was introduced to me several years ago in Colorado. It's called Tropicana from Xanadu. I used to be able to get individual tea bags, but for the last few years, it's only been available as loose leaf. A bit of a pain. But, in this case, worth it. A little goes a long way, so I combine one bag of Tropicana with a couple bags of regular Lipton decaf. Pretty darn yummy.
So now you know why all of the characters (the women, anyway) in my stories tend to prefer tea to pop or coffee. I'm a bit of a tea snob.
Right now, my favorite caffeinated morning tea is Tropical Green from Harney & Sons. It has a light pineapple flavor to it. I drink a couple of cups of that each morning, particularly on winter mornings. Sometimes I'll also have an Earl Grey, especially if I'm not at home and don't have my own tea bags with me, or don't want to use them. (I generally carry a few in my purse.)
Then, in the afternoon, I usually switch to flavored teas. A couple of favorites are Bigelow's Lemon Green Tea and Blackberry Sage from the Republic of Tea. The Republic has several good ones, including Mango Ceylon and Ginger Peach. The Blackberry Sage is also good as an iced tea.
Ahhhhhh. Iced tea. Nothing better on a warm summer day. Anyone who dines with me on a regular basis knows that iced tea is not iced tea is not iced tea. Iced tea can be ruined. It can, in fact, suck. It has to be fresh. It has to be brewed. Freshly brewed. It cannot be sweetened, and it must have a sufficient amount of ice. I don't know where the food industry got the idea that tea can be a fountain drink. No. Sorry. It can't.
It's interesting how iced tea can vary across the country. When traveling, finding good iced tea often becomes a quest. And, often, a disappointing one. Truly, there are some states in which it simply isn't safe to order an iced tea. It's putrid. One state that gets it is California. Yes, one more thing to like about Sunny California. They know how to make iced tea. Some of the best iced tea I've ever had – with flavors of apricot and passion fruit – has been in California.
Oh, a quick note on flavored tea. Flavored tea is made when there are bits of organic flavoring in the loose tea or tea bag. The flavor is released as the tea is brewed. Let me repeat that – as the tea is brewed. Flavor is not a syrup that is poured into a cup of tea. Ugh.
My very favorite tea for making iced tea was introduced to me several years ago in Colorado. It's called Tropicana from Xanadu. I used to be able to get individual tea bags, but for the last few years, it's only been available as loose leaf. A bit of a pain. But, in this case, worth it. A little goes a long way, so I combine one bag of Tropicana with a couple bags of regular Lipton decaf. Pretty darn yummy.
So now you know why all of the characters (the women, anyway) in my stories tend to prefer tea to pop or coffee. I'm a bit of a tea snob.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A Sunny Day
Ahhh. The blizzard has passed, and today is a deceivingly sunny day. Lots of blue sky out there. The snow is pretty, and it looks nice. But it's bitterly cold, and I have no intention of going out.
One more day to hunker down and ignore the rest of the world!
The choices are hard, though. I could curl up with a book and a cup of tea. Or I could curl up in a sunny spot and take a nap. Either of those would be lovely. Of course, the ideal would be to combine a few of those elements and stretch out in the sun on a beach with a book and a glass of iced tea, or a girly umbrella drink.
But, I digress. Back to the choices at hand – I could watch a movie. Or, I could do online research, or listen to RWA workshop sessions.
Or, yes, I could write. Okay, maybe I'll do some writing, then reward myself with a little time in the sunshine.
One more day to hunker down and ignore the rest of the world!
The choices are hard, though. I could curl up with a book and a cup of tea. Or I could curl up in a sunny spot and take a nap. Either of those would be lovely. Of course, the ideal would be to combine a few of those elements and stretch out in the sun on a beach with a book and a glass of iced tea, or a girly umbrella drink.
But, I digress. Back to the choices at hand – I could watch a movie. Or, I could do online research, or listen to RWA workshop sessions.
Or, yes, I could write. Okay, maybe I'll do some writing, then reward myself with a little time in the sunshine.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Online class
Sharing introductions today for an online workshop that starts this week. Participants are from all over the country. I'm looking forward to this one, and hoping it can help me really get a handle on POV. The class is called "Going Deep: Creating an Unbreakable Connection Between Your Characters and Readers." It's sponsored by LRWA and taught by a published author of several books, Toni Andrews. Should be fun!
Also on this snowy, home-bound day, I had my hubby snap a quick photo, which I will be adding to my profile soon.
Also on this snowy, home-bound day, I had my hubby snap a quick photo, which I will be adding to my profile soon.
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