Beautiful Words Like...

September and October. They evoke woodsmoke and mist, bright skies and blowing leaves. The comfy cozy hug of a sweater. I love Fall best of all. The weather gets cooler and the warmer clothes come out. It's time for hot chocolate and apples sauteed in cinnamon and butter (okay--some sort of butter substitute).

So, despite my reluctance to leave those boys I mentioned below, I'm packing the sweaters and getting a head start on Fall, staving off the cold in a hotel during the conference that starts today. Maybe by the time I get back, the temps will also be feeling Fall-ish!

Just a Boy and His Cat

Handsome, aren't they? I have to leave them this weekend for a conference. I love to go and talk writing and think writing--and breathe writing--but I always turn into a home body just before I'm supposed to go. My beloved mocked me for it when I blah-blah-blahed about how I'd miss him. Hmmm.

Oh, yeah--more interesting than my sudden reversion to being a bona fide hermit--there's a signing at the Atlanta Hilton Northeast on Saturday afternoon. Linda Howard and many of the writers who'll be at this conference are signing. I don't seem to be on the list, but I'll be there, too, signing The Man from Her Past.

Here's lots more info! Drop by and visit with your favorite authors!

Been Playing!

I've been with my family in a place where we didn't have Internet access. Since we so rarely have it here, it wasn't that hard to go without! ;-) (A little bitter about access problems--as usual!)

I wish everyone could visit the Smoky Mountains. What a beautiful visit. Not only is any time with my family too much fun, but wow--what a beautiful place. I always ask if my aunts and cousin manage to take the beauty of those blue-topped mountains and the many-shades-of-green trees for granted. My aunt very wisely said that even when she does, she reminds herself she shouldn't.

I remember running through those trees, splashing through a stream that has totally dried up this droughty summer. Reading (of course) in my 4-room treehouse. I come from a long line of builders! ;-) My treehouse had a ballroom, but I mostly used it for reading--a PB and J at my side, to the accompaniement of that stream.

I also took revisions for my next book with me on vacation. Probably a good thing I didn't have the distraction of the Internet. Gotta get back to those before the house comes to life!

A Day at the Beach

I'm longing for one of those, so I thought I'd post a photo of my mom and my grandpa and three of my brothers and me when I was a child. Of course everything was easy and simpler back then. My brothers and I often speak of how we took the beach and the water and the comfort of that life for granted. None of us ever expected to leave--but you know how living works!

However, I'm going back to that place I love so much in my mind today, and I thought I'd take the blog along!

Tuesday, this week...

...is suddenly a busy, busy day. I'm writing like mad, hoping I'll get a few minutes for a swim. I think when I swim, which is a good thing. ;-) But once the swimming calms my mind, it's like meditation. One with the water and the world. Peace, nothing but movement through the water. And afterwards...I know I'm easier to get along with. I wouldn't admit that just anywhere! ;-)

Next week, I'm off to visit my aunts and my cousin-who's-more-a-sister. I cannot wait for the chat and the cackling, as my beloved calls it. He's coming with me, so he'd better prepare himself for plenty of the cackling.

Okay, better not dwell on the fun of next week. Gotta get through this one first!

Before I'm back to work, hugs across the miles to my friend, Kate and her family, who've lost their dear friend, Bob. I'm wishing you ease of pain. Kitties aren't just pets; they're family.

Had Something to Say--Yesterday

After I post, I always think of a more interesting topic. Today, I can't even think of yesterday's! Now, sometimes, I fear my synapses have stopped firing. In fact, when I was in college, early 20s, baby whom I played with and saved homework for after his bedtime (do you know how much homework an English major endures?), I had the same problem. I went to the doctor, suggested that I was his laugh for the day, but nevertheless, I kept forgetting things, and I wondered if I had Alzheimer's at a surprisingly tender age.

He contented himself with a smirk, vice a cackle, and as soon as he said stress made a person forget words, I felt much better. So, as long as I know what my pen is for, I don't mind if I don't remember what to call it.

On a personal note, I don't like to mention my family's names on the blog, but Yay!--to my cousin and his wife, who've just had their first, absolutely gorgeous son! I can't wait to see him in person!

The Need for New Toys

Does anyone else get hungry to buy a new computer? I mean, this one is almost three years old. It was born in the age of the dinosaurs. You know?

And yet, it's lovely. It works perfectly well--reliable--never the least problem (except for the infamous Apple power cord troubles). Still, I see people with new ones, or I let myself look in the Apple store. Sigh. The newer models sing like the sirens they are!

Would they allow me to write (or you, who use them for work--would they let you accomplish your tasks) better? No. Is a new one necessary? No. In fact, I invariably forget to transfer stuff when I change machines, so probably I'd lose something I need.

But I'm suffering new toy envy when I should be producing new pages! I want to be reckless and wild! I want to say "I want; therefore, I'll buy." Instead, what I should say is "Pages? Oh, yeah. I'll quit procrastinating (shopping/lusting) right now."

I hope my distraction doesn't mean there's something wrong with the conflict again!