All Over the Map

/ Tracy Abell

I haven’t posted in forever despite having all sorts of stuff to say. So even though some of this deserves a post of its own, I’m settling for the mish-mash approach:

1) Finished LOUISIANA’S SONG by

[info]mountainmist

.  I’m in awe of her ability to juggle so many characters without any of them coming across as mannequins.  Lyrical writing and vivid imagery plus the ending was just perfect.  Hooray, Kerry Madden!

2)  Finished A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT by 

[info]lurban

.  Read the ending while in my parked car during a rainstorm that interrupted my son’s outdoor basketball practice.  After reading the last page I closed the book and thought, “I have to call Linda right now.”  Then I remembered that although I “know” Linda in an online capacity, I don’t know her know her, much less have her phone number.  But I just wanted to talk to her and tell her how much I loved her book.  I crack up every time I imagine “Istanbul” (Not Constantinople)” on the organ.

3)  Zebu and I started discussing the name “Bernadette” as a possible character’s name and discovered we were reading the same book.  His teacher is reading SO B. IT by Sarah Weeks to his class and I read it to myself.   Much to like in this book, including the character Bernadette.

4)  The last week held some intensely difficult parenting moments, the kind that made me wish I lived alone in a tree fort.  We’ve had some rough times over the years but this was bad in a whole new way.  Fortunately, some friends talked me through it and we’re doing better here on the home front.  May I just say that boy hormones are not much fun?

5)  My WIP is creeping along.  Not going great guns but am making slight progress and still like what I’m creating.  I’m looking forward to the discipline of[info]jonowrimo.

6)  I continue to love my hoop and all things hooping.  Days are always much brighter when I can hoop so I jump out of bed (okay, maybe it’s more of an ooze) and get dressed in the stretch pants and lycra shirt that facilitate hooping success (tight fit is key) and then hoop for thirty minutes.  I can now walk, twirl, and dance as I hoop – in both directions!  I sometimes still look a bit stiff and Frankenstein-ish as I walk about but am learning to relax.

7)  I sold my little piece to the SCBWI Bulletin.  It’s an article on exercises for crossing the mid line so as to stimulate both halves of your brain and jump-start creativity and it, of course, includes HOOPING!

8)  I wrote and submitted a short essay to a national magazine which makes me feel good because now I have a reason to watch the mailbox again.

9)  I haven’t commented on many LJs in the past week or so but have read many of them.  Sorry for not responding but sometimes I just can’t muster the energy to write anything.  The emotional turmoil I mentioned (Item 4) rendered me useless, so I apologize for dropping out of the loop.  I did appreciate escaping in to your lives, though, so thanks for letting me in.

10)  After eight years of helping feed the homeless and working poor, Wildebeest has decided he’d like to switch his volunteer efforts to cats and dogs.  We’re trying to get him set up with one of the local animal shelters.

11)  Here’s to everyone having a good week.

97 thoughts on “All Over the Map”

    • Thank you, Erin. I was so very happy to get that little piece of good news. It was much-needed.
      I’m almost afraid to speak aloud for fear of jacking up the parenting issues again. Don’t tempt the universe kind of thing……….

      Like

  4. I forgot to tell you I bought a hoop for my mother for her birthday. She claims she can’t do it. **shakes head** The woman has some exercising issues. But she also said she started to twirl her arms around without the hoop and that wasn’t bad. I guess I’ll take that.
    I hope things ease up with the kids. The beginning of school is so stressful while the WHOLE family adjusts. Sounds like you’ve at least gotten to read some good books. 🙂
    Here’s to a better week all around.

    Like

    • You bought your mom a hoop?! That’s so cool. I’m sorry she’s convinced she can’t do it, though. Zebu insists he can’t, either, but if I can, he can. And so can your mother. I laughed aloud reading about the twirling arms.
      You’re right about the transition into school being hard. That’s absolutely what got him going to begin with. It’s not a good fit for him but he doesn’t want to leave because his friends are there. Sigh.
      Thanks for the good thoughts, Linda.

      Like

  5. I forgot to tell you I bought a hoop for my mother for her birthday. She claims she can’t do it. **shakes head** The woman has some exercising issues. But she also said she started to twirl her arms around without the hoop and that wasn’t bad. I guess I’ll take that.
    I hope things ease up with the kids. The beginning of school is so stressful while the WHOLE family adjusts. Sounds like you’ve at least gotten to read some good books. 🙂
    Here’s to a better week all around.

    Like

  6. I forgot to tell you I bought a hoop for my mother for her birthday. She claims she can’t do it. **shakes head** The woman has some exercising issues. But she also said she started to twirl her arms around without the hoop and that wasn’t bad. I guess I’ll take that.

    I hope things ease up with the kids. The beginning of school is so stressful while the WHOLE family adjusts. Sounds like you’ve at least gotten to read some good books. 🙂

    Here’s to a better week all around.

    Like

  7. The good/bad news about teen boy hormones is that they grow into middle-aged men hormones. I asked my DH this morning, “Do you even realize you are whining?”
    Men…
    Can’t live with ’em.
    Can’t kill ’em.

    Like

  8. The good/bad news about teen boy hormones is that they grow into middle-aged men hormones. I asked my DH this morning, “Do you even realize you are whining?”
    Men…
    Can’t live with ’em.
    Can’t kill ’em.

    Like

  9. The good/bad news about teen boy hormones is that they grow into middle-aged men hormones. I asked my DH this morning, “Do you even realize you are whining?”

    Men…
    Can’t live with ’em.
    Can’t kill ’em.

    Like

  13. (((hugs))) for #4. I am living in fear of the kids hitting adolescence… Courage. And woo-hoo on the article and the other good stuff! Jonowritemo… I so hope I am free enough to do that by the time that rolls around.
    Maybe my goal can be to finish my midgrade.

    Like

    • Thank you for the hugs, Liz. Wildebeest has been an intense personality since he was little so this isn’t new territory, just heightened territory (if that makes sense). Maybe adolescence won’t be so wild at your house. No sense getting yourself worked up for nothing, right? 🙂
      Thanks for the congrats on the article. And yippee for you setting the goal of finishing your midgrade during jonowrimo. That’s what I hope to do, too.

      Like

  14. (((hugs))) for #4. I am living in fear of the kids hitting adolescence… Courage. And woo-hoo on the article and the other good stuff! Jonowritemo… I so hope I am free enough to do that by the time that rolls around.
    Maybe my goal can be to finish my midgrade.

    Like

  15. I’m running to the forest with you. We’ve been having a very hard time here, too. Much middle-school boy trauma, much angsty head bashing, tempers toss’t…and what not.
    Good for you for a) writing; b) sending out.
    For some dumb reason I was looking forward to school starting. Now I wish I could just turn my kids loose in the forest (but not necessarily the forest WE’RE hiding out in). The stress is killing us.

    Like

    • Oh, no! Not you, too! It’s SO hard, isn’t it? Unbelievably difficult.
      I wasn’t really looking forward to school starting because we’d had trouble the second half of last year but I was naively thinking our game plan for the academic stuff would help ease the other angst. It has helped and he’s doing better in school but it’s such a strain for him to maintain there that he gets home and unleashes on us.
      I’m sorry you guys are stressed, too. I have to tell you, though, that your line about letting the kids run free in the forest (but not in OUR forest) cracked me up. Thank you for that.

      Like

  16. I’m running to the forest with you. We’ve been having a very hard time here, too. Much middle-school boy trauma, much angsty head bashing, tempers toss’t…and what not.
    Good for you for a) writing; b) sending out.
    For some dumb reason I was looking forward to school starting. Now I wish I could just turn my kids loose in the forest (but not necessarily the forest WE’RE hiding out in). The stress is killing us.

    Like

  17. I’m running to the forest with you. We’ve been having a very hard time here, too. Much middle-school boy trauma, much angsty head bashing, tempers toss’t…and what not.

    Good for you for a) writing; b) sending out.

    For some dumb reason I was looking forward to school starting. Now I wish I could just turn my kids loose in the forest (but not necessarily the forest WE’RE hiding out in). The stress is killing us.

    Like

  18. #4 makes me a little nervous…how old are your boys again? I know D is already struggling with the Kindergarten transition — and oh, the sun just came out 🙂
    Anyway, now you have the wisdom to help me, right? 🙂 Congrats on your article — and *of course* hooping should be included — how cool that you not only enjoy it but you’re good at it!

    Like

    • Don’t be nervous about the teen stuff. Not everyone has problems during those years. We’ve struggled all along so it’s no big surprise, it’s just harder than it’s been. Or maybe hard in a different way. I don’t know. Transitions are difficult in our family so school just ratchets up those feelings. I bet D sorts it out and gets more comfortable real soon.
      Thanks for the congrats and the good thoughts, Robin. And hooray for the sun!

      Like

  19. #4 makes me a little nervous…how old are your boys again? I know D is already struggling with the Kindergarten transition — and oh, the sun just came out 🙂
    Anyway, now you have the wisdom to help me, right? 🙂 Congrats on your article — and *of course* hooping should be included — how cool that you not only enjoy it but you’re good at it!

    Like

  20. #4 makes me a little nervous…how old are your boys again? I know D is already struggling with the Kindergarten transition — and oh, the sun just came out 🙂

    Anyway, now you have the wisdom to help me, right? 🙂 Congrats on your article — and *of course* hooping should be included — how cool that you not only enjoy it but you’re good at it!

    Like

  22. Boy, do I know those male hormone issues inside and out, backward and forward. Having lived through the experience of raising two Y-chromosone-gifted children into manhood, I can assure you that the problems get better…I think. They’re only in their twenties, so it’s too early to tell. ha ha ha
    Congrats on the sale!
    I’m wondering how the Jonowrimo thingie works for slow-ish writers like us.

    Like

    • Thank you for telling me it gets better. Our family therapist said this is the toughest time for boys (13-14) and that I shouldn’t think of it as one long line of this same stuff. There will be peaks and valleys. I’m ready to get out of that valley, let me tell you!
      Thanks for the congrats. I’m quite happy to have that little bit of good news.
      Re JoNoWriMo – it’s very workable for slow-ish writers. We just set goals that are realistic and keep to them every day. Since Jo’s format is for 75 days, even if you only produced 100 words per day, you’d have 7500 more words than you started with. I’m hoping to finish the draft of my middle-grade novel which means about 350 words per day. I think I can do that. Maybe you can set a chapter goal for yourself or something that doesn’t feel too overwhelming.
      By the way, have you read A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY by Haven Kimmel? I finished it just moments ago. It’s a memoir written from a young POV and the reviews rave about her voice. It was a a great book and I think you’d like it.

      Like

  23. Boy, do I know those male hormone issues inside and out, backward and forward. Having lived through the experience of raising two Y-chromosone-gifted children into manhood, I can assure you that the problems get better…I think. They’re only in their twenties, so it’s too early to tell. ha ha ha
    Congrats on the sale!
    I’m wondering how the Jonowrimo thingie works for slow-ish writers like us.

    Like

  24. Boy, do I know those male hormone issues inside and out, backward and forward. Having lived through the experience of raising two Y-chromosone-gifted children into manhood, I can assure you that the problems get better…I think. They’re only in their twenties, so it’s too early to tell. ha ha ha

    Congrats on the sale!

    I’m wondering how the Jonowrimo thingie works for slow-ish writers like us.

    Like

  25. Thank you, Erin. I was so very happy to get that little piece of good news. It was much-needed.
    I’m almost afraid to speak aloud for fear of jacking up the parenting issues again. Don’t tempt the universe kind of thing……….

    Like

  26. Thank you, Erin. I was so very happy to get that little piece of good news. It was much-needed.

    I’m almost afraid to speak aloud for fear of jacking up the parenting issues again. Don’t tempt the universe kind of thing……….

    Like

  27. You bought your mom a hoop?! That’s so cool. I’m sorry she’s convinced she can’t do it, though. Zebu insists he can’t, either, but if I can, he can. And so can your mother. I laughed aloud reading about the twirling arms.
    You’re right about the transition into school being hard. That’s absolutely what got him going to begin with. It’s not a good fit for him but he doesn’t want to leave because his friends are there. Sigh.
    Thanks for the good thoughts, Linda.

    Like

  28. You bought your mom a hoop?! That’s so cool. I’m sorry she’s convinced she can’t do it, though. Zebu insists he can’t, either, but if I can, he can. And so can your mother. I laughed aloud reading about the twirling arms.

    You’re right about the transition into school being hard. That’s absolutely what got him going to begin with. It’s not a good fit for him but he doesn’t want to leave because his friends are there. Sigh.

    Thanks for the good thoughts, Linda.

    Like

  29. HA! Thanks for the smile, Nan. My mate isn’t much of a whiner so I can’t say that about him but the testosterone thing seems to rear it’s head in almost ridiculous circumstances.
    Me in a house with three males (five if you count the cat and the gerbil) and there are days when the only male I can tolerate is my cat.

    Like

  30. HA! Thanks for the smile, Nan. My mate isn’t much of a whiner so I can’t say that about him but the testosterone thing seems to rear it’s head in almost ridiculous circumstances.

    Me in a house with three males (five if you count the cat and the gerbil) and there are days when the only male I can tolerate is my cat.

    Like

  33. Thank you for the hugs, Liz. Wildebeest has been an intense personality since he was little so this isn’t new territory, just heightened territory (if that makes sense). Maybe adolescence won’t be so wild at your house. No sense getting yourself worked up for nothing, right? 🙂
    Thanks for the congrats on the article. And yippee for you setting the goal of finishing your midgrade during jonowrimo. That’s what I hope to do, too.

    Like

  34. Thank you for the hugs, Liz. Wildebeest has been an intense personality since he was little so this isn’t new territory, just heightened territory (if that makes sense). Maybe adolescence won’t be so wild at your house. No sense getting yourself worked up for nothing, right? 🙂

    Thanks for the congrats on the article. And yippee for you setting the goal of finishing your midgrade during jonowrimo. That’s what I hope to do, too.

    Like

  35. Oh, no! Not you, too! It’s SO hard, isn’t it? Unbelievably difficult.
    I wasn’t really looking forward to school starting because we’d had trouble the second half of last year but I was naively thinking our game plan for the academic stuff would help ease the other angst. It has helped and he’s doing better in school but it’s such a strain for him to maintain there that he gets home and unleashes on us.
    I’m sorry you guys are stressed, too. I have to tell you, though, that your line about letting the kids run free in the forest (but not in OUR forest) cracked me up. Thank you for that.

    Like

  36. Oh, no! Not you, too! It’s SO hard, isn’t it? Unbelievably difficult.

    I wasn’t really looking forward to school starting because we’d had trouble the second half of last year but I was naively thinking our game plan for the academic stuff would help ease the other angst. It has helped and he’s doing better in school but it’s such a strain for him to maintain there that he gets home and unleashes on us.

    I’m sorry you guys are stressed, too. I have to tell you, though, that your line about letting the kids run free in the forest (but not in OUR forest) cracked me up. Thank you for that.

    Like

  37. Don’t be nervous about the teen stuff. Not everyone has problems during those years. We’ve struggled all along so it’s no big surprise, it’s just harder than it’s been. Or maybe hard in a different way. I don’t know. Transitions are difficult in our family so school just ratchets up those feelings. I bet D sorts it out and gets more comfortable real soon.
    Thanks for the congrats and the good thoughts, Robin. And hooray for the sun!

    Like

  38. Don’t be nervous about the teen stuff. Not everyone has problems during those years. We’ve struggled all along so it’s no big surprise, it’s just harder than it’s been. Or maybe hard in a different way. I don’t know. Transitions are difficult in our family so school just ratchets up those feelings. I bet D sorts it out and gets more comfortable real soon.

    Thanks for the congrats and the good thoughts, Robin. And hooray for the sun!

    Like

  39. Here’s to both of us meeting our goals! I so hope my kids are mellow adolescents, but…
    *sigh*
    Neither Dan nor I was particularly mellow at that age, so I’m not optimistic.
    Fingers crossed!

    Like

  40. Thank you for telling me it gets better. Our family therapist said this is the toughest time for boys (13-14) and that I shouldn’t think of it as one long line of this same stuff. There will be peaks and valleys. I’m ready to get out of that valley, let me tell you!
    Thanks for the congrats. I’m quite happy to have that little bit of good news.
    Re JoNoWriMo – it’s very workable for slow-ish writers. We just set goals that are realistic and keep to them every day. Since Jo’s format is for 75 days, even if you only produced 100 words per day, you’d have 7500 more words than you started with. I’m hoping to finish the draft of my middle-grade novel which means about 350 words per day. I think I can do that. Maybe you can set a chapter goal for yourself or something that doesn’t feel too overwhelming.
    By the way, have you read A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY by Haven Kimmel? I finished it just moments ago. It’s a memoir written from a young POV and the reviews rave about her voice. It was a a great book and I think you’d like it.

    Like

  41. Thank you for telling me it gets better. Our family therapist said this is the toughest time for boys (13-14) and that I shouldn’t think of it as one long line of this same stuff. There will be peaks and valleys. I’m ready to get out of that valley, let me tell you!

    Thanks for the congrats. I’m quite happy to have that little bit of good news.

    Re JoNoWriMo – it’s very workable for slow-ish writers. We just set goals that are realistic and keep to them every day. Since Jo’s format is for 75 days, even if you only produced 100 words per day, you’d have 7500 more words than you started with. I’m hoping to finish the draft of my middle-grade novel which means about 350 words per day. I think I can do that. Maybe you can set a chapter goal for yourself or something that doesn’t feel too overwhelming.

    By the way, have you read A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY by Haven Kimmel? I finished it just moments ago. It’s a memoir written from a young POV and the reviews rave about her voice. It was a a great book and I think you’d like it.

    Like

  53. Thank you, Jenny.
    And I will definitely post some pics when I corral someone into taking them. Actually, my sister took some of me hooping in Westcliffe this summer but never sent them along. Hmm, maybe I can pursue that…

    Like

  54. Thank you, Jenny.

    And I will definitely post some pics when I corral someone into taking them. Actually, my sister took some of me hooping in Westcliffe this summer but never sent them along. Hmm, maybe I can pursue that…

    Like

    • I read your article and really appreciated the reminder that those of us actually writing are the brave ones rather than those who talk about wanting to write that book some day.
      Thanks for the congrats and stopping by!

      Like

  61. I read your article and really appreciated the reminder that those of us actually writing are the brave ones rather than those who talk about wanting to write that book some day.
    Thanks for the congrats and stopping by!

    Like

  62. I read your article and really appreciated the reminder that those of us actually writing are the brave ones rather than those who talk about wanting to write that book some day.

    Thanks for the congrats and stopping by!

    Like

  63. Thanks for the updates, Tracy. It’s nice to hear what you’ve been up to. I’m sorry about your recent parental angst but am glad you’re still hooping! And congratulations on the SCBWI article!!
    Hope you have a great week!

    Like

    • Thank you, Sheela. Boo on angst and hooray for hooping! And the article! And another calm morning! And sunshine!
      How are you doing? Are you back interning (is that a word?) yet? Daughter back in school?

      Like

  64. Thanks for the updates, Tracy. It’s nice to hear what you’ve been up to. I’m sorry about your recent parental angst but am glad you’re still hooping! And congratulations on the SCBWI article!!
    Hope you have a great week!

    Like

  65. Thanks for the updates, Tracy. It’s nice to hear what you’ve been up to. I’m sorry about your recent parental angst but am glad you’re still hooping! And congratulations on the SCBWI article!!

    Hope you have a great week!

    Like

  66. Thank you, Sheela. Boo on angst and hooray for hooping! And the article! And another calm morning! And sunshine!
    How are you doing? Are you back interning (is that a word?) yet? Daughter back in school?

    Like

  67. Thank you, Sheela. Boo on angst and hooray for hooping! And the article! And another calm morning! And sunshine!

    How are you doing? Are you back interning (is that a word?) yet? Daughter back in school?

    Like

  69. This is where I got my travel hoop (breaks down into five sections):
    http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/95-1171
    I actually ordered by phone and it was on sale for $24.50 last summer so that might be worth a try.
    This site has good stuff, too, and I’m thinking of getting another lighter one from them so I can practice hooping up and down my body. It’s worth a visit to this site to watch the video links:
    http://www.hoopgirl.com/index.php?pt=info&id=9&hdr=hoops&gclid=CNzKxoSFvI4CFRNkYwodHXKIww

    Like

  70. This is where I got my travel hoop (breaks down into five sections):
    http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/95-1171
    I actually ordered by phone and it was on sale for $24.50 last summer so that might be worth a try.

    This site has good stuff, too, and I’m thinking of getting another lighter one from them so I can practice hooping up and down my body. It’s worth a visit to this site to watch the video links:
    http://www.hoopgirl.com/index.php?pt=info&id=9&hdr=hoops&gclid=CNzKxoSFvI4CFRNkYwodHXKIww

    Like

  71. Thanks, Tracy! Last night, I searched on the Internet for one and then started to get confused with all the “don’t buy heavy hoops,” “no, do buy heavy hoops” stuff. So I thought I’d just ask you!
    I’ll check out the sites.

    Like

  72. Thanks, Tracy! Last night, I searched on the Internet for one and then started to get confused with all the “don’t buy heavy hoops,” “no, do buy heavy hoops” stuff. So I thought I’d just ask you!

    I’ll check out the sites.

    Like

  73. That’s interesting about the “don’t buy heavy hoops” sites. I think the heavy hoop is the only way I could hoop (at least at first). I certainly would never buy one of those plastic cheapos because they’re much too light for adults. I like mine because I can travel with it and because once I got good with it, I removed a section so that I can hoop faster now.

    Like

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