O Little Town of Bethlehem(s)

I found this Times Online article intriguing.  Regardless of the historic facts, the image of Bethlehem, Judaea,                     as the birthplace of the Savior has been so firmly fixed in the public mind that I doubt it could ever be dislodged.  But from a purely intellectual, writerly perspective the

A Well-loved Shack

Apparently this shack’s got something priceless inside.  A truck followed us down the road to where I was taking a picture for my Facebook album and asked what we were up to, very polite, but still inquiring.  When we told them I just wanted some pictures, they were cool with it.  They had to be attentive, they explained.  They’d had

Creativity, Charmin Style

Writers have the best jobs.  What other field of work would lead to researching beautiful and fanciful creations like these lovely toilet paper dresses? This one is a personal favorite.  Maybe someday I’ll dress a character in it.                     My online research into the intricate world of

A Picture, A Story, and A Rambling Post

But the pic and story have nothing to do with one another beyond sharing space on this rambling blog.

First the picture.  After coming home from church this afternoon I stayed in my dress, since it’s comfortable, but quickly transformed to stocking feet, since I’ve never had much success curling up in almost knee-length boots even if they don’t have heels.  Of course, that meant I had to slip something on when it was time to go outside and call the cats and close up the barn.

No problem, I have a pair of rubber boots I keep by the door for just such an occasion.

What do you think of my outfit?  For some reason the family found it amusing, but blue works with blue, right?

Velvet and Rubber Boots.jpg

So now for the story, completly unrelated to the above.

Whenever I’m not writing lately I’m checking out agent info, et al, so that, in the eventuality of this book arriving at a polished place, I have a list of agents to which I will send a query.  It’s actually rather difficult to come up with a list of reputable, accessable, compatible agents, and it requires a deal of research, I’m finding.

However, Kristen Nelson has been on the list for some time, by dint of the good things I hear about her via the writer grapevine, plus her doing a fabulous job at WorldCon on her panels and also having the good humor to be graceful and chat with me for a minute in the hall.  I also enjoy her blog, and whilst hanging around there came across this top 25 oft-repeated inclusions in YA list.

I was gratified to see that I have done none of them, nor has it occurred to me to do these things.  Perhaps my unique background is good for one thing–I’ve never been in danger of thinking like everyone else.  However, number 22, ‘a tiny scar through the eyebrow, sometimes accompanied by an embarrassing story’ caught my eye because I have such a scar!  And the story was kind of embarrassing at the time…

[this is the part where I tell the unrelated story stories]

Marry, not Marry?

This comes from the notes of Charles Darwin, and lists his personal pros and cons to marrying.  I’ve never seen a funnier list–and that from a compulsive list maker.  ‘Companionship…better than a dog, anyhow’.  If someday my kids need convincing to marry, that’s the reason I’m trotting out.

Exploring the Underworld

I’ve wondered what my attraction is to caving.  It seems an odd pasttime for one who is not entirely comfortable underground, but I’ve now visited five or six caves, sometimes in multiple visits, and have more on my list. Perhaps it’s the thrill of exploration, the awareness of potential danger, or the acute peak of the senses while underground.  Our

Much Needed Writing Direction

This should really come with a warning label:  All writers, before watching this video, please attend to any restroom needs, find a quiet place, and lay down on the floor in preperation for rolling, howling, or generally reverting to ape-like behavior. [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/Zo1XFz0kac0″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]