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We took them to a Family Fun Center that included miniature golf AND rides AND popcorn, then went home and ate ice cream (and spaghetti if their mom is reading) in front of Shrek.
It was beautiful.
Don't forget to click the button and browse the other blogs participating in Heidi's Black and White Wednesday. Thanks again, Heidi!
Do you cast your characters?
Some picture a specific actor, relating their personality traits to a person in their novel. I only do this to a limited extent. I couldn't tell you who "plays" in my book, but a few people have a look and voice inspired by Hollywood. My best example is a background character, a coworker, who is a direct riff off of Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) in Steel Magnolias. That's the voice I hear anytime she walks into the scene.
Or, do you go for character traits? Like a sort of mix-and-match to find Mr. Right Character? "He's shy, but formidable, and won't touch a drink because his father was a violent alcoholic." No, no, no... "He's Hispanic and the loudest laugh in the family..."
My favorite method is to examine a picture and create a life for that person. That's exactly what Tracy Chevalier did in "Girl with a Pearl Earring," bringing Vermeer's famous painting to life.
Alas, I'm not that lofty. But I did find myself wondering about a set of girls... Cowgirls on my new flannel pajamas. (see, not so lofty) But each girl has obvious personality! See if you don't agree...
She's the performer, but not too flashy. She practices for hours each day. She's a perfectionist, but is only hard on herself. What happens when her rodeo is cancelled?
She's the keeper of the fire, the one who feels great when caring for others. What happens when a loved one runs away and steals her only prized locket for money?
She's not a tomboy. She's a worker, but is always aware of the affect she has on men. She is less sure how to use this attraction. What happens when her Cowboy Right is misled over to Daisy Duke's territory?
Hello, Daisy Duke. She makes sure to be seen, and she knows her stuff both on the range and at the honky tonk on Friday night. What happens when her daddy dies and the ranch is bank owned?
She's not afraid of anyone and sees no point is dolling up for a hard, busy day. So what happens when she's asked to substitute at the local school? And why is Cowboy Wrong trying to steal her cattle?
Everytime I wear these pajamas, I find myself wondering which cowgirl I want to be and why. Where do you get your inspiration??
Heidi at Me as a Mom hosts Black and White Wednesdays. What a great idea! Thanks, Heidi. And seriously, folks, check out her site. It's chock full of hilarious photos of her everyday life with three little chickadees under foot. Feel free to join up and show us your B&Ws.
Today, I'm posting two photos, one from each of my "homes."
Yes, you should pity JP. His life is hard. He accepts donations toward his cause. That cause isn't really solid yet, but I think it involves a Harley...
YEP, he was here. He piloted his own plane in amid storms, he told witty anecdotes, he signed books, and he flew out at 6:00 am the next morning. And in the process, he helped me break in a new pair of shoes, saved me from an evening at the gym, and taught me that Seattle changed her free parking times. Thus, if you follow my logic, Alton Brown owes me $39 for a parking ticket. Thanks, Mr. Brown!
Seriously folks, we had a great time. He's super funny and so quick with the comebacks that I can't remember half of them. Sad. But here a few highlights:
Q: Have you ever cooked rattlesnake?
A: "Yes! It tasted like poisoned chicken."
Q: Who's your favorite Iron Chef? (much laughter)
A: "Oh no no no you don't. They're all precious snowflakes."
Q: What's the worst food you've tasted on Iron Chef.
A: "Trout ice cream. Nasty!"
Q: Would you like to compete on Iron Chef?
A: "Not on your life! If I'm down there, then someone is up here doing my job. And I don't want anyone finding out how easy it is... (pause for laughing) Okay, IF, and I mean IF I ever competed, I'd call out Morimoto. And there'd be NO seafood. No fish. No seaweed. No trout ice cream. (chuckles) And no knives. I'd have the Chairman call out, 'And the secret ingredient is... BEETS!! (chuckles again). I'd wipe the floor with him."
Q: What was your favorite episode of GOOD EATS?
A: "It was episode about meat pies. There were several references to "Jaws." It's my favorite movie. Don't ask me why. Anyway, I think it's the only known reference to cannibalism on the Food Network."
Alton told us that GOOD EATS 3 has been completely retooled, every recipe retested and stripped down. Yes, it's on my shopping list, but I didn't buy it right then. This night was Serendipity... a chance to stand on chairs with your best friend, peering over the crowd... a rainy speedwalk up the street... a velvety hot chocolate to end the night. Also, I was broke. And then there was the ticket discovery. But it's on the list!
By Anne Taintor
Hilarious!!!
JP is sick and I've been trying to take care of him. Last night was a super success. For the first time in our 3.5-year-old marriage, he did not add hot sauce to his dinner. I made him chicken tortilla soup that included a can of fire-roasted tomatoes, a jalapeno, and a few chipotles with adobo sauce.
He almost married me again on the spot.
And no, I did not get any writing or blogging done.
At this juncture, I should list several ways we writers can carve time out of our day to write. Time we hope will equal:
But I haven't got any advice. Sometimes, we just gotta take care of those we love, make a chicken soup, load the dishwasher, and try again the next day.
Except, I think I caught his cold.
Maybe it's just time to read a good book.
My dear friends, Melissa Crytzer Fry at What I Saw... and Angelina Hansen at YA Scribe both passed the baton to me to participate in the Seven Links Challenge, which asks bloggers to identify their own blog posts in certain categories (to breathe new life into some oldies but goodies).
Thanks, gals!! Lovely readers, please visit their sites, as well. You won't be sorry, especially if your inspiration well is running a bit dry.
My 7 x 7 responses:
1. Most Beautiful Post: Look at Me! I Shot One-Handed! I really got lucky with this picture. But for genuine talent and most gorgeous photography, it's gotta be Joseph Cyr's work, which I featured in Artist's Eye Behind the Lens.
2. Most Popular Post: Just goes to show chocolate makes us all verra, verra happy. Date Night, German Chocolate Cake Style.
3. Most Contraversial Post: This is the only one where I just got mad and vented. Vasculitis Awareness Month... or Ugly Poster Winner
4. Most Helpful: A Stitch in Time was just a good lecture to myself, a swift kick if you will, to juice up my story. However, many of you lovelies seemed to relate and said nice things.
5. Most Surprisingly Successful: How Do We Know When... I'm thinking "What Not to Wear" could do an entire season about rescuing workers at home.
6. Post That Didn't Get The Attention It Deserved: It's Italy. It's a funny story. And it's starring John Wayne. How could this not be a hit? Love Me an Italian Gunslinger
7. Post I Am Most Proud Of: Friday Haiku -- Ode to Cowgirls I wrote a poem for my mommy and my Tante. And I kinda like it. Awww...
Now, I must return the favor and point you forward to other worthy bloggers:
Kick back and enjoy!
... and you'd be picturing One Happy Girl.
Isn't this amazing? I almost feel it's the library at Pemberly. However, this is Nigella Lawson's library, taken a few years ago. I'm just happy to know places like this exist in the present.
See the record on the floor, in front of the tulips? That, my friends, is the soundtrack for "The Sound of Music." I had that record and, in third grade, thought it was an excellent idea to take it to school and make my whole class listen to My Favorite Things for show-n-tell. I may or may not have sung along...
This library definitely IS a favorite thing. As it's only Tuesday, and I'm already tired out from this week, I felt you should know where my heart is. I'm sure there's a scushy, over-stuffed chair in there somewhere. And a kitty.
How about you? When you're worn out, how would you like to unwind?
