Red Ink

I've been editing this week -- taking some tests to see if I'm qualified to become a freelance editor. I'm hoping to get enough editing jobs to support my writing habit!

I find editing to be interesting, fun (though sometimes tedious). I also find red letters and words swimming around inside my eyelids when I lay down to sleep at night.

The problem with editing will be, I suspect, that it's hard to be creative and critical at the same time. If I want to continue writing, I need to learn to turn off my inner editor and just let words flow.

Wish me luck!

Online!

I didn't realize how much I depended on my wireless connection until it was gone. Even then, it slipped away so slowly, I kept hoping it would come back. For the past several months, I've been without wireless... which means I've been sharing the one internet-connected computer in the house with everyone.

They're all good sports about it. I'm not. I was always the one tapping my foot saying, "My turn. My turn. Hurry up."

Now, with internet up and running at my own desk, I can get back to my writing.

That makes me happy!

If You See Santa...

...would you tell him thank you?

He arranged for a piano tuner to come and now, not only do we have a perfectly tuned piano, we also spent a lovely afternoon learning from a very interesting man.

Rodger has been tuning piano for 24 years, but his mother drove him to work on Monday. That's because Rodger, like most (if not all) of the piano tuners in our area, is blind. He is a master at his job, able to hear the tones of the piano above ongoing conversations, ringing phones and humming children.

He treated us to a couple of beautiful pieces before he left and promised to return if anything slips out of tune. If you want to know how to reach Rodger, drop me a line and I'll give you his number.

So, if you see Santa, would you thank him for us? He gave a beautiful gift.

New Interview Requirements

Before I make any more new friends, I need to add the following question to my interview process:

Is your birthday in January?

If it is, I'm not sure I can afford to be friends with you.

On the other hand, if I didn't hang out with January folk, I'd miss out on spending time with a bunch of lovabale friends and family members!

Happy birthday, all you January people.

Paradox

Can anyone explain to me how we can have an air stagnation warning in effect at the same time we have winds gusting to 75 mph?

Cozy Corner

There are certain places where you can't help but feel at home. Nana and Papa's house is one of those places. Everyone who enters feels the warmth of home, a home where people love each other and love their hobbies.

Papa's library is one of my favorite rooms in the house. I say "one of my favorites" because each room has its own function and charm. But to sit in yellow light in a high-backed chair, a warm fire at my feet and the company of books around, does my spirit good.

Whatever you could wish for is here... a loom and some knitting needles for the crafter, a chess board for the strategist, Southwestern art, spinning wheels, and a comfortable window seat or two.

And most nights, by the fire, Papa and his book.

Road Runners

We're all back in the same nest, though not our own. Still, there's a coziness and familiarity at Nana's house. The smell of bacon and pancakes draws us from our desert slumber. We skirt around projects - sewing, knitting, weaving, spinning - as we wander from room to room. Tens of thousands of books beckon with promises of intrigue and mystery and knowledge.

A road runner darts across the gravel drive. Coyotes howl on the hill above the house under the bright New Mexico moon. And all the children go safely to sleep under quilts that Nana made.

Cutting Apron Strings

If it weren't for non-stop flights from here to Nana's house, I never would have let her go. But since there are non-stop flights (and the added blessings of Southwest Airlines allowing parents and grandparents to go to the gate), one of my twins went to Nana's a few days ahead of the family for some extra spoiling and some quilting instruction.

She swore she wasn't nervous to fly alone. She didn't have to be. I was nervous for her.

She thought of taking her art supplies, her DS, her book, her math homework, and the chewing gum from my Christmas stocking. But she forgot her comb. And her watch. And the answers to her math homework.

She used a pay phone for the first time. And learned to watch airport signs for the information she might need. And got there without any problems.

She'll be fine. I know. She'll try her wings and enjoy the freedom.

I'm just not too sure about me.

I'm done with Winter

How many days until winter is over? We had the snowiest December on record, followed by snow on New Year's Day and the day after. I love the snow. I do. But I'm already itchin' for spring.

Am I wishing my life away? Or am I setting myself up for life as a snow bird?

The seed catalogs arrived yesterday. That could be part of my problem - all those colorful pictures of fruits and flowers tempting me with promises of a beautiful spring. Before I finish perusing their glossy catalogs, I'll have circled something on every page.

Meanwhile, I'll put on my gloves and turn on the tea kettle.

Question for the New Year

What does it mean if your lucky bamboo dies?