. . .how everyone assumes squirrels are male?
© Tracy Abell 2011
I’m betting none of you looked at that photo and said, "That little gal is up to no good."
Why is that?
photos
Friday Five: The Lisa Edition
Two days ago shared some heartbreaking news about her health.
It’s a testament to her loving and humorous outlook on life that even though
we’ve never met, I can’t stop thinking about Lisa and her family.
And I know I’m not the only one.
Lisa has always been a shining light in this writing community.
1) Lisa started the Thankful Thursday tradition here in LJ-land.
2) Lisa won the Morris Award and shared her nomination speech (which turned
into her acceptance speech) with us even though doing so was outside her comfort zone.
3) Lisa notices beauty all around her and shares my love for spiders.
4) Lisa supports her follow writers and hosts Authorial Intrusion which allows us to know
authors as real people with likes and dislikes, along with their best writing advice in five words or less.
5) Lisa has reminded me to be grateful for all I have, and to let the people
in my life know how much I love them.
So many, many people are thinking of you, Lisa, and sending love your way.
Serenity: A Work in Progress
Today the sun is shining
but two days ago, snow was falling.
© Tracy Abell 2011
“Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.” – Unknown
I’m working on it.
He’s Baaack!
Again, I just glanced out the window and was puzzled to see
the newly-replenished feeder abandoned.
Where did everybody go?
Then I looked up . . .
© Tracy Abell 2011
Notice the balancing act.
Tuesday’s Visitor
I suddenly realized all the finches and towhees had left the yard.
Why?
American Kestrel in the ‘hood.
© Tracy Abell 2011
As I snapped photo after photo, a few brave finches perched on the wires above,
and a squirrel ran along the fence behind the kestrel.
They aren’t exactly interacting, but it’s a peaceful coexistence.
We should all do so well.
Dreaming in 2011
2010 didn’t work out the way I’d thought and hoped,
but that’s why it’s called Life.
I’m headed into 2011 with my healthy, mostly-happy family,
and a brand new project that makes me grateful to be a writer.
I have hopes and dreams for 2011 and will try my hardest to make them come true.
Just like this blue jay.
I wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year,
and look forward to cheering you on in 2011 as you reach for your dreams.
Winged Messages
It’s hard to wallow in the doldrums when there’s such exquisiteness in the world.
© Tracy Abell 2010
Wishing everyone a glorious day!
Head Case
I’m sorting through a myriad of emotions this morning
as 2010 winds down and bleeds into 2011.
Trying to wrap my head around what it all means for me and my writing.
Image from morguefiles.com
I’m considering investing in a wig and whole new persona.
Happy Solstice!
I’ve been looking forward to this day for quite some time.
We’re going to start gaining daylight again!
And what better way to celebrate than with a House Finch Party?!
© Tracy Abell 2010
Guided Revisions
I’m nearing the end of BIRD BRAIN revisions,
and have called upon my spirit guide.
Image from morguefiles.com
Methinks I’m home free.
Demented Happiness
Thought maybe I could convert today’s feelings
of overwhelm and despair with a positive image,
so went to morguefiles.com and typed "happiness."
This image came up:
Works for me!
When Celebrations Collide
Today is my birthday.
I’m 48 years old.
Today is also Thanksgiving.
There will be pumpkin-pie with candles.
Today I give thanks for my friendships
and the abundance of love we share.
I wish everyone a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving.
© Tracy Abell 2010
(Apologies for the mammoth image. I’ve devoted some time to shrinkage but cannot crack the code. I am giving up. Call it a birthday indulgence.)
Sunday Funny (on a Monday)
My mother is visiting from Albuquerque,
and yesterday went for a walk in the neighborhood.
She was approached by a woman who was lost.
The woman was visiting from San Antonio
and had been running the trails with her boyfriend.
(Our neighborhood is surrounded by 2400+ acres of open space
and there are lots of trails).
Apparently, despite him telling her to stay close,
when he headed onto a lower trail,
she opted for a higher trail.
She lost sight of him and had no idea where she was.
Mom brought her home.
After failed Google attempts to figure out name of boyfriend’s condo complex,
she remembered the major cross streets in his neighborhood.
I told her I could run back there with her and she was game,
but then I realized we didn’t know the exact location so running was a bad idea.
Instead, I drove her to the neighborhood and she was able to recognize enough
landmarks to find her boyfriend’s place (she turned giddy with relief when she saw
the horses she was looking for: "Horses! Horses!")
She knew his garage key pad code so could get in.
Which was good because he was undoubtedly driving around looking for her.
Moral of the story: When someone says "stay close," heed the advice.
Wanted: Hunk of Molded Plastic With Organizational Skills
I need a synopsis for BIRD BRAIN.
I’m trying hard to write a one-pager,
but all those plot lines keep taking off
in opposite directions.
I could use a wrangler.
I’d Rather Be Dancing
The painters are coming on Monday.
I have walls to wipe down, heat registers to scrub,
switch plates and pull knobs to remove,
and a whole lot more.
At least I don’t have to dust a crystal chandelier.
That IS what she’s doing, right?
Wishing everyone a wonderful, paint-prep-free weekend.
Get out there and dance the fandango!
Friday Five: The Catching Up Edition
1) Hello, friends! Maybe you noticed I’ve been AWOL from TracyWorld. Why? Busy, busy, busy.
2) Last weekend with the help of Zippy, Wildebeest, and Zebu, I placed 12 tons of landscaping
rock around the perimeter of our newly landscaped yard. Yesterday I spent the day with a Rug Doctor,
bringing the basement carpeting back to life. This weekend I’ll be cleaning walls and beams in preparation
for the painting crew. I appear to be nesting. No, I’m not pregnant.
3) Despite the above, I’ve been working on BIRD BRAIN revisions. This round, I’m working off ‘s
comments, and am thrilled with the improvements. I’m so grateful for all the wonderful critiques I’ve received,
and am looking forward to querying soon.
4) Tuesday night I got together with who was in town. We’d never met in person but bonded
immediately and had a wonderful time in a sports bar on election night. Really. If you have to suffer through a
political crap storm, you want to do it with someone smart and funny. I’ll always remember I was with Phoebe when
I learned civil liberties champion Sen. Russ Feingold lost his re-election bid (shame on my fellow cheeseheads!)
*** IMAGINE A DELICIOUS BROWNIE SUNDAE PHOTO HERE ***
(Because we were sporting I VOTED stickers, the bar gave us a free brownie sundae but I don’t know how to
send phone pic to email).
5) Yesterday Wildebeest turned 17. I keep thinking I’m too young to have a child that old, but I guess the
facts are against me on that one.
I’ve missed everyone and hope to catch up on LiveJournal when I get a little more breathing room.
I wish you all a glorious, early November weekend!
Where I Write
I’ve been thinking about my writing process lately,
and how I need to be in different spaces/places
at different points in a project.
A while back, wrote about walking on the beach
and how that inspires her writing.
I commented that I was currently working in a closed room,
back to the window,
facing my whiteboard,
earplugs inserted.
It felt a bit pathetic to admit that,
but it was what I needed at that point in my BIRD BRAIN revisions.
No distractions.
Just me inside my head,
But for the past week, I’ve been sitting in my chair in front of the
sliding glass door, watching as
birds fly past,
land on the wires,
or hop about the plum tree branches.
Eurasian Collared Doves © Tracy Abell 2010
I’m still doing BIRD BRAIN revisions
but maybe it’s because I’m so much closer to being done
that I need the visual inspiration that got me started on this project.
I need birds.
A couple weeks ago, I did not.
And I’m not sure why.
Do you have different work spaces for each stage of your projects?
Bird Brain in Gear!
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.
It was lovely here and we had many feathered visitors.
© Tracy Abell 2010
I’ve received helpful feedback on BIRD BRAIN
and am madly revising. The book is already so much stronger!
Hugs and smooches to , , and ![[info]](https://i0.wp.com/l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
lorrainemt!
You guys are the very best.
So I’m headed back into the revision cave,
but wanted to extend wishes for a glorious Monday filled with
happy writing and maybe a bird friend or two.
Transition
On Sunday I worked for hours cleaning up my flower beds, but took time out to aim my camera at the lovely fall foliage
and the backdrop of blue, blue sky.
These leaves are neither fully here nor there in coloration, but are in transition.
Just like me and my project.
BIRD BRAIN is so much closer to being ready to face the world than it was a few weeks ago,
but there is still work to be done.
Right now BIRD BRAIN is a healthy and happy green, but I hope to crank up the intensity
and also bring out those glorious yellows and brilliant reds.
Hokey, but true.
Blink of An Eye
We’ve already been to Glenwood Springs and back.
Zippy and I had a lovely trip although it felt as if
our alone time whizzed on past much too quickly.
Much like these aspen trees Zippy photographed as I drove
us back home over Independence Pass.
(I purposely left the image ginormous to give the full effect.)
Wishing everyone a leisurely-paced weekend…
It’s Now Tomorrow
Twist and shout
This pretty much sums up my day:
Image from morguefile.com
Here’s hoping . . .
I have some tasks that must be finished today,
and figured a little prayer might be helpful:
Praying mantis © Tracy Abell 2010
Happy 50th Birthday, Zippy!
It’s my fella’s birthday today.
Here’s a goofy grin from him to celebrate his big day:
Zippy: Wishing you much love, laughter, and Zebu’s delicious chocolate cake!
Springing into action
A new week, a new month.
Shiny new possibilities.
I have plans for September!
(Here I go again, another oversized photo.
This time I didn’t have trouble uploading it to LiveJournal,
but I can’t resize it; when I click on the corner, the photo goes blue.
Plus, I can’t put text beneath it.
What’s going on?! And does anyone have advice?)
Tracy Abell 