Monthly Archives: June 2014

June 30, 2014 · 8:06 am

Top Tips for Writing

It’s difficult to get all my work done sometimes.  There are so many distractions.  I need to be on my computer a significant part of the day if I’m actually going to have a successful freelancing business, but somehow I find myself outside weeding the garden or playing a rousing round of Go Fish with the kids.  I’m getting a little better at focusing, though, so here are my

TOP  TIPS FOR WRITING

6. Rig up some sort of system that will send you some nasty electric shocks every time you wander off to Facebook.

5. Encourage your spouse to play video games.  Then you won’t feel guilty about not spending time with him/her. Plus he/she will lose track of just how much time you’ve spent on that computer today.

4. Wear a hoodie, so you can put snacks and candy in the pockets.

3.  Wear earbuds.  These will deter people who may try talking to you, as well as drown out the sound of the kids watching the same episode of Phineas and Ferb for the umpteenth time.  Also very effective for pretending you didn’t hear, “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

2.  Get super comfortable.  My dad’s rule when I worked for him as a kid was to always get comfortable first, and I still abide by this.  The more comfortable you are, the less likely you’ll be to get up and run just one more load of laundry.

1.  Get a cat, and make sure it’s on your lap.  This kind of goes along with “get super comfortable”, because when you have a cat on your lap you can’t get up.  That’s the rule.  Really.  Just ask the cat.

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And yes, I was supposed to be writing when I made this.

 

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June 23, 2014 · 7:15 pm

The Mockingbird No Longer Teases Me

I have a secret that has recently been forced out into the light, so I may as well share it.  It’s not the deepest, darkest secret in existence, but it’s embarrassing.  There is something most people have done well before they are in their thirties, and sadly I never had.

I never read To Kill a Mockingbird.

I’m not sure how this happened.  I could blame the various schools I attended, because I’m fairly certain most kids are forced to read this book whether they like it or not.  It was certainly nothing that was presented as part of the curriculum and I skipped out on it, because I love to read even if it’s assigned.

I discovered the discrepancy when a discussion arose about To Kill a Mockingbird during a class I’m taking, and I was certain I was the only person who hadn’t explored this typical tome of teenage tutelage.  So I checked it out from the library (hoping not to have to make an excuse and say it was for my kids, who are far too young to read it).

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I finished the book last night, and here’s what I have to say:  Wow.  Just plain, flat out, wow.  Where had this book been all my life?  There was so much voice, the characters were amazing, and I found the plot gripping.  To Kill a Mockingbird addresses every kind of prejudice available:  white vs. black, class vs. class, and even disabled vs. not.  It’s a story of growing up and realizing how the world around you really works.  I can see why this is part of (most people’s) education.

As I finished the last page and shut the book, I made my spouse pause the movie he was watching so I could tell him how amazed I was.  The poor thing probably didn’t really care, but he humored me and told me he was glad I liked it so much.  This book has started a trend for me of catching up on the classics.  Sure, I’ve read Treasure Island three times, and absolutely adored Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, but my booklog is sadly devoid of many of the classics.  That’s kind of pitiful for a bookworm like me.

Next up?  Don Quixote, followed by Kafka’s Metamorphosis.  If you have other recommendations, feel free to hurl them my way!

 

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June 22, 2014 · 5:41 pm

Canning Season!

It’s difficult to believe that we are reaping such a harvest from our garden already, but there it is.  Several pounds of green beans, more onions than I can imagine what to do with, and peppers so numerous they nearly weigh the poor plants down.  So I spent a good portion of my weekend washing, blanching, boiling, and sending my son out with numerous bowls of compost to dump.

The first canning project was the absolute most important one:  dilly beans.  If you haven’t had them, you are seriously missing out on one of the best taste experiences ever.  Basically, they’re pickled green beans.  If you decide to make them (versus buying them for upwards of $7 a jar at the grocery store), do yourself a favor and don’t use the cheater mixes from the grocery store.  They’re too sweet and are actually harder to make.

Two hours and lots of sweat later, I had four pints of dilly beans in a stately row on a bath towel on the counter.  I admired them, wishing I could make another batch, and thinking about how much my feet hurt from standing in the kitchen.  Then I decided it was time to make relish…

A good start to canning this year.

A good start to canning this year.

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June 15, 2014 · 8:00 am

Father’s Day

Since it’s Father’s Day, it seems only appropriate to dedicate this week’s post to (surprise!) my dad.  I’m one of those lucky people that has a pretty good relationship with her parents, but what my dad and I have always had together is nothing short of an adventure.

We’ve ridden down muddy hillsides during foxhunts, kayaked through swamps, gone mushroom hunting, and even built a barn or two.  He’s seen me go through high times and low, and often has added a bit of humor to both.

So, thanks Dad.  And Happy Father’s Day.

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June 9, 2014 · 10:04 am

Call Me SpongeBob

While I can’t say I was ever a huge fan of the cartoon, I want to be like SpongeBob.  No, I don’t want to live in a pineapple or have a snail for a pet, but I love his attitude about work.

Every day that I went to my former job at a financial office I felt like Squidward.  I had this great creative urge that I was just dying to nurture, but it was often stomped flat by the gray office walls and exhaustive grindstone of the everyday.

Now, I’m doing what I love, and I really do feel like SpongeBob.  “I’m ready!  I’m ready!  To gooooo to work!”

Spongebob_and_gary_by_NiGHTSfanKevin

(Photo Credit)

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June 2, 2014 · 10:00 am

A Different Kind of Spa

Is there anything better than a day at the spa?  Well, if you get to do it all right from the comfort of your very own couch, and your five-year-old daughter is the one pampering you, then I think that’s about as good as it gets!

My youngest daughter, taking full advantage of the larger amount of Mommy-time available now that I work from home, wanted to get out the foot spa, nail polish, and all the accessories.  I thought she wanted me to do her nails, silly me!  She wanted to take care of me!

For the low low price of a hug and a kiss, I received a pedicure complete with being pumiced up to my knees and massaged with more lotion than my feet have seen in a really long time.  My toenails now have a, uh, beautiful coat of light purple on them, and my fingers are well coated in pink glitter.

She did finally relent and let me return the favor.

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Are those not cutest feet ever?

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And of course she couldn’t decide which color to use. Nothing better than time with the kids!

 

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