| This is the side of us nobody sees : seasons, updates, SC thoughts |
[Jun. 23rd, 2009|09:08 am] |
I have to say, I love that this summer has been busy. Even though not all is right with the world, I feel alive. I think I post more in the winter because less happens. :-D Now that we're active and outside and running all over the countryside, I don't have time for lengthy posts.
When I lived in South Carolina, I never understood seasons. The grass grew in spring, died out in summer (droughts and sandy ground and all), the leaves turned colors for autumn, and in winter we got some frost, but it rarely dipped below fifty degrees.
Here? It's mostly snow, and then some rain, and then sunshine (like today), and the leaves turn for about a week, and then snow snow snow snow snow, oh hey it's ice.
The rain, sunshine, and gorgeous autumn leaves? That I really do like about Ohio. I also like that once the snow goes away, the ground is SERIOUSLY verdant. Green EVERYWHERE, and don't you think you can stop it. I first came up here in summer and was utterly amazed at how green stuff was. Also, no Palmetto trees.
????? Y NO PALMETTOS ?????
Well, that's not entirely true. I see a handful of Palmetto trees / SC state flags stuck to the rear windows of cars. Turns out it's not a bunch of transplanted Carolinians so much as it is people who vacation in SC. But still, I get a thrill whenever I see a Palmetto and Crescent Moon logo.
Palmettos are EVERYWHERE in Columbia. I didn't realize this until my last trip down. I'd just grown up with them being everywhere.
I mean EVERYWHERE. They're a constant theme in decor. They're in wall hangings, towels, rugs, desk art.... Srsly, next time you head to SC, you look around. Restaurants have them. Doctor's offices. The Columbia-Metropolitan Airport had this horrendous blue-and-white (the state colors) Palmetto print carpeting that used to make me dizzy whenever I looked at it.
I love the theme, though. LOVE it. Love that pride, love that sense of belonging. Whenever I even see a regular palm tree, I feel comforted.
Buckeyes? Well, let's just say Ohio doesn't much pull out the buckeye except for dessert trays. Never had a buckeye (the sugary thing, not the nutty thing)? ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) manderley23 will make one for you.
I haven't been home in about two years, and I'm really missing it -- especially now that my sister moved back with her daughters. I can't tell you how much I want to go there for the holidays this year. Really trying to make it happen, too. It'd be AWESOME if we could do that. Get out of the freezing freezies here for a bit, too.
Okay, other than the weather and home-state-sickness, here's what's been going on.
Writing
Hit 50k on my revisions yesterday. Have gone over reader's report again to make sure I know what to look out for this half of the manuscript. I still can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, but knowing I'm on the right track as far as voice goes helps tons.
Made airline reservations for sboman 's writing retreat in No. Cal, in August. I can't believe this is happening, and I am SO stoked. I was lucky enough to snatch up super-cheap airline tickets -- otherwise I wouldn't be able to make it.
My current goal is wrap up this draft by the first of August. I have a few more things to hammer down on the first half of the book before I can rework the ending, so we'll see how that all goes.
Got some other side jobs on the horizon, too, including a comedy sketch I'm working on for a sermon illustration. Should be fun...just wondering who will be the willing recipient of a spit-take. *cough*
Verity
She's having an awesome summer. Tons of swimming opportunities, thanks to cynthiamary and some other folks. We've had a lot of family visits, too, which rocks her world. She adores her cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. She can't get enough of people. She also has a weekly play date set up while her boyfriend's mom and I work in the library. She continues to amuse me. The other day she told me I could join her fan club. Mmmhmm. 'S my kid.
Life-In-General
The weather's brought on a spark in my mood, so I've been feeling mad social lately. Between getting out to write and hanging out with friends, my only complaint is that I'm behind on my reading. Recent reads include The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe, Ghostgirl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley and Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow. All great, all very different! Reading The Book Thief now! :-D Still hoping to get the roof done this summer, and having lots of automotive issues -- those are our biggest concerns right now, so we're really stinkin' blessed.
That's about it. Gonna see if Miss V wants to head out to the lake today. Whaddya wanna bet she says yesssss?
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Okay, guys. This is, what, my sixth year participating in NaNoWriMo? I know, right? And in those five previous years, NaNoWriMo has taught me a valuable lesson:
So I had Froot Loops and a banana and caught up on Twitters and put on Inspector Gadget (for me to watch as I blog). Next room over, Verity's watching an OLD Muppet Babies tape. Yes. This week, I reclaim my childhood.
