The Ole Master Plan

You Are Cordially Invited To...

... Please come visit my new blog at http://girlparker.com.

Hope to see you there!

Coming Soon, to an internet browser near you...

 

A whole new website by yours truly!

Estimated launch is November 25.

Stay tuned.

 

Choo choo, choo choo cha boogie

 

 

B&W Wednesdays: I Heart Nature... and Cameras

JP took me for a drive over to North Bend and Mount Si to break in my new camera.

love, Love, LOVE.... except sometimes I don't know what I'm doing, so I'm looking for a local class to take.  In the meantime, here are some favorites, the before and the after.  I'm in a sepia mood today.  

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  

Yeah, you're right.  Too cheery.  How about we all just sit quietly and sip our coffee?  

Yes, better.

 

*****

 

My Thoughts on Mondays...

Usually, I agree with Karen Carpenter on the subject of Mondays.  However, I'm considering requesting a Tuesday rewrite for "Rainy Days and Mondays," as I face my stack of patient reports tomorrow.  

BUT, that has no bearing on today.  

Today is Monday!  Mondays now equal BLISS.  And what is the equation for bliss?

• Coffee
• + Read a Good Book
• + Write a Good Book (please, let it be good!)
• + flannel pajamas with cowgirls on them
• + more coffee
• + possible wee nap
• + pet the kitties
• - working for the man
• - staring at the clock
• + energy to make a nice dinner

= B L I S S

BLISS Looks Like This.

 

What is your reason for that floaty, skaty feeling of bliss?

 

Black and White Wednesday: A Trip to Truvy's!

"It takes some time to look like this!"  

"This is going in the Hairdo Hall of Fame!"

 

Happy Black & White Wednesday, hosted by Heidi at "Me as a Mom."

 

Tuesday Tango: It's Raining Good News!

Good news must be shared.  And this weekend, the good tidings crept in slowly, then gained momentum like a thundershower.  

1.  The mailman came.  Amid the pile of credit card offers, I got a letter in my box, a three-page letter from my 21-year-old nephew.  He is in prison.  I love this boy with all my heart and I hate how his life has gone thus far.  So any communication is great, but an honest, well-worded letter is heaven itself.  I had written to him two weeks ago, having just found him, and am dancing a jig to get such a good response.  Letter #2 from me is on it's way.

2.  JP worked in Oregon all last week. Talk about lonely.  I love my kitties, but they're not big talkers.  On Friday, JP arrived home safe, sound, and bearing gifts.  Our 4th anniversary is a month away, but he decided not to wait.  And he presented me with a toy I've been eyeing for three years -- in a Fancy Gift Bag, with tissue and everything!!  Clearly, this was a big deal.

   

Very.  Happy.  Anniversary.

3.  Yesterday was my first dedicated writing day.  I'm now working a four-day week, taking Mondays off.  The pay cut stinks, but we're gunna give it a try.  I want to be a writer, not a transcriptionist.  So, I wore my cowgirl jammies into the afternoon and worked out a difficult scene.   BLISS.

4.  JP had a job interview yesterday, and it went swimmingly!  It includes No More Travel and working on the bigger equipment he's always wanted to learn about.  He has to take a test next week and then we'll know.  

Don't you agree, we all need a dose of happy news now and then?  What's yours?

Black and White Wednesday: Best Babysitters Ever!

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!

 

Character Development... or Storytelling Pajamas!

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??

Black and White Wednesday

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."  

• If I'm in Arizona, I long for Washington.  
• If I'm in Washington, I long for Arizona.  

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...

Alton Brown in Seattle...or It was a Dark & Stormy Night...

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!