We got through Halloween with some pretty fancy scheduling and juggling, but it left us weakened for the week after.
What could go wrong, did.
Funny how it all happens at once. Or not.
Almost everything is back on track.
It’s always minor stuff, but man, when it's a bombardment of annoyances hanging on you like a heavy fog, it gets you down.
Always glad to see the back of one of those periods.
Goodbye, last week.
Hello, new week.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Reliquaries - My Secret Collection
A little secret -- I collect relics. It's a little unusual, but even as a kid I collected different things. Everyone else had a stamp collection and I collected and sorted sugar bags. Yes, those little paper envelopes you get in a diner.
Anyway, now I collect relics and the reliquaries they are presented in. Well, I don't actually take them home, they are tad more valuable than the sugar bags, but I do tick them off, categorize them and collect as many photos as possible.
On a recent trip, I was thrilled to add a few more to my collection. In Aix la Chapelle, a golden, jewel-encrusted reliquary held the beheading cloth of St. John the Baptist, the cloak of Mary, the swaddling clothes of baby Jesus and the loincloth of Jesus. These are pretty high up on the hit list. They fill out my collection of relics of Jesus which includes the Crown of Thorns, the crib, a drop of blood and piece of the True Cross.
At Amiens, a breathtaking High Gothic cathedral, I added the Head of St. John the Baptist, on the platter. Unfortunately, he didn't warrant a reliquary, but it meant a good close up of the relic.
Anyway, now I collect relics and the reliquaries they are presented in. Well, I don't actually take them home, they are tad more valuable than the sugar bags, but I do tick them off, categorize them and collect as many photos as possible.
On a recent trip, I was thrilled to add a few more to my collection. In Aix la Chapelle, a golden, jewel-encrusted reliquary held the beheading cloth of St. John the Baptist, the cloak of Mary, the swaddling clothes of baby Jesus and the loincloth of Jesus. These are pretty high up on the hit list. They fill out my collection of relics of Jesus which includes the Crown of Thorns, the crib, a drop of blood and piece of the True Cross.
At Amiens, a breathtaking High Gothic cathedral, I added the Head of St. John the Baptist, on the platter. Unfortunately, he didn't warrant a reliquary, but it meant a good close up of the relic.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
IT IS AUTUMN!
I love the fall! It's my favourite time of year. In Canada it's the time for country fairs, crisp breezes and in every direction, vivid bands of red, gold and orange. The endless shades of orange give me the most visual pleasure. I'm also partial to the glowing reds with a vibrance that you just can't find in a set of paints.
In Berlin, fall is often time for heavy rain. Actually, better described as solid rain. I also love the rain so this does not detract from my love of the season. However, this year we have been given an extra gift, the creeping colouring of the leaves.
My husband noticed it first. I convinced him that after 7 years he had forgotten how brilliant the Canadian fall really is. The odd redish tree amongst the sea of yellowish-brown is not unusual here, I said. It happens. Then I went for a drive.
My goodness! The reds, pinks and oranges are brushed down every street, they kiss the sides of apartments and fill the gardens. How unusual to find such a range and quantity of pigment here? It seems to be mainly oaks, which they say have been suffering from a destructive beetle. Perhaps, free of their parasite, they are once again able to shine. Perhaps, it is only serendipitous conditions encouraging the change.
I read once that the average person will consciously experience this natural art only 50 times in a lifetime. Attaching a finite number to the experience was sobering. I now appreciate each fall that passes and always point out the leaves to my children in hopes that they will exceed the magic 50 in their lifetime.
I hope Berliners appreciate this rare treat and add it to their lifetime count.
In Berlin, fall is often time for heavy rain. Actually, better described as solid rain. I also love the rain so this does not detract from my love of the season. However, this year we have been given an extra gift, the creeping colouring of the leaves.
My husband noticed it first. I convinced him that after 7 years he had forgotten how brilliant the Canadian fall really is. The odd redish tree amongst the sea of yellowish-brown is not unusual here, I said. It happens. Then I went for a drive.
My goodness! The reds, pinks and oranges are brushed down every street, they kiss the sides of apartments and fill the gardens. How unusual to find such a range and quantity of pigment here? It seems to be mainly oaks, which they say have been suffering from a destructive beetle. Perhaps, free of their parasite, they are once again able to shine. Perhaps, it is only serendipitous conditions encouraging the change.
I read once that the average person will consciously experience this natural art only 50 times in a lifetime. Attaching a finite number to the experience was sobering. I now appreciate each fall that passes and always point out the leaves to my children in hopes that they will exceed the magic 50 in their lifetime.
I hope Berliners appreciate this rare treat and add it to their lifetime count.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Working, Writing and Whining -- The Three W's - W is the new R
Don't get me wrong, I like to work. I love working with kids. I feel right at home in a school. And thinking up a new way to teach the same stuff keeps me up at night, adrenalin flowing, synapses-a-cracklin'. I'm energized.
I do miss my writing. I miss getting lost for 3 or 4 hours in a story, playing with words and reading out loud to find just the right texture of prose slipping off the tongue.
I still write. I find time between classes to jot down new story ideas. I spend Saturday and Sunday mornings on the couch, laptop open, kids immersed in cartoons. It's productive. But it's different. It isn't all consuming.
Maybe this is just the change I need to find my way to publication.
I do miss my writing. I miss getting lost for 3 or 4 hours in a story, playing with words and reading out loud to find just the right texture of prose slipping off the tongue.
I still write. I find time between classes to jot down new story ideas. I spend Saturday and Sunday mornings on the couch, laptop open, kids immersed in cartoons. It's productive. But it's different. It isn't all consuming.
Maybe this is just the change I need to find my way to publication.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Revising, revising, revising
Sorry, got confused, not revising a picture book.
I'm feeling a teeny bit proud and whole lot scared. I'm within 3000 words of my 20,000 word goal. A goal I set for hashing out the chapters and plot of my first MG before I begin revising and polishing. Well, I should reach that goal by the end of the weekend and the revising can begin Monday. It coincides nicely with the first day back to school for the kids.
The question is, can I do it? Can I make it a page turning, intricately-woven mystery with characters everyone wants to follow? Gosh, I hope so. I’m sure going to try, but it scares the bejeebers out of me.
I'm feeling a teeny bit proud and whole lot scared. I'm within 3000 words of my 20,000 word goal. A goal I set for hashing out the chapters and plot of my first MG before I begin revising and polishing. Well, I should reach that goal by the end of the weekend and the revising can begin Monday. It coincides nicely with the first day back to school for the kids.
The question is, can I do it? Can I make it a page turning, intricately-woven mystery with characters everyone wants to follow? Gosh, I hope so. I’m sure going to try, but it scares the bejeebers out of me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
