The natural world, life, and dogs.
A few days ago, my friend Dawn R, who was my next door neighbor for part of the two years I spent living in rural central Washington in the mid-80s, wanted to verify my mailing address. She wrote, "Found something that made me think of you." I do love surprises. Today I picked up the… Continue reading Am I That Obvious?
Let the title be your warning! This post is about...scat. Wild scat. Left by wild animals in the wild, in the forest my dogs and I spend much of our time traversing. I first heard the term "scatological material" when a college professor, teaching English history, used it. I've searched for ways to use it… Continue reading Scatological Material, or, Much Ado About Poo
In my last post, musing upon the writing process that seems to work for me, I mentioned having spent years researching before actually writing my first book. I also mentioned my affinity for wolves, and a long-standing desire to write about them, demystify them, somehow change most people's reaction from fear to acceptance. So it… Continue reading Insights II: Research as Part of the Writing Process
Writing, it seems to me, is a lot like running. It comes naturally to almost everyone (assuming an education that includes reading and writing), although abilities - and desires - vary widely and wildly. We're each of us an experiment of one. What helps me as a runner may or may not help you, and… Continue reading Insights: The Writing Process
Living comes with all manner of ups and downs, trials and tribulations, joys and sorrows, challenges to face and overcome. Winston Churchill had more than his share of all of those. In May 1940, after Hitler invaded Denmark and Norway, he was appointed Britain's Prime Minister. He'd not held public office for ten years after… Continue reading Psychic Dynamite
Funny, what triggers a memory, and what rabbit holes your mind goes down from there. Just over a year ago – September 29, 2018 – I posted a story about Holst’s The Planets and the boyfriend who introduced me to that music on my personal Facebook page. Yesterday, I saw an ad for a concert… Continue reading Adventures in Online Dating
1. You can do this. You’ve done this before (well, something similar, at least). 2. The Zone. It exists. You found it, writing your first book, and you can find it again. It’s amazing and worth pursuing. 3. Put words on virtual paper. Spill your guts, without an internal editor/filter. 4. Follow your muse’s lead.… Continue reading Hey, Self: Some Tips to Remember During November’s NaNoWriMo Challenge
Pull up your big girl panties and just do it. Write, that is. A novel. So, NaNoWriMo starts November 1st. What's NaNoWriMo, you ask? A nonprofit that "...believes in the transformational power of creativity. We provide the structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds—on and… Continue reading Big Girl Panties
Walking this morning with my dogs along a country road in the valley below our home, we witnessed a more traditional Idaho cattle drive using riders on horses and herding dogs to move the cattle from their pastures toward a pen where they would be loaded onto a truck for transport. Consider this an update… Continue reading A More Traditional Idaho Cattle Drive
I think of myself as a runner. Always have, since I first started “jogging” in 1975. Running is a key part of my lifestyle and sense of well-being. I say “I went for a run this morning.” I keep a running log which details how far and where I run, how I felt. I look… Continue reading Sauntering
Wild Sensibility 