Whoa, holy neglected blog Batman! But I found a new enjoyable writing prompt tonight so I'll publish it now before I have time to think about it and doubt myself:
"It was a witchy house: the low-slung roof; that quiet gray paint; those squinting, shuttered windows; and the empty porch rocker that rocked, rocked day and night."* Stella knew at first sight it would be perfect for her. Now that Brian had left her she was completely doomed to become that strange spinster lady the neighborhood children feared. They wouldn't think she was mean, just a bit strange in an unsettling way. They'd sense how badly she wanted one of them for her own, and how sad she was that it would never happen.
But she could still make herself a happy enough home here. Colorful curtains could replace the shutters and would make the gray paint look tranquil in contrast. The yard was sunny enough for flowers and Stella pictured many spring and summer afternoons puttering between outside and in, doing odd jobs of housekeeping, gardening and creating.
Brian had always wanted her to keep her projects tidy and out of his sight until they were finished, but now she could work openly and freely. What a relief to not have to constantly put things away only to take them out again! One of the three bedrooms would be devoted to artistic pursuits and never require tidiness, only organization.
And the second spare bedroom would bring Stella just as much joy because it would be he guest room. Brian's habit of working from home without working in his home office made having guests difficult since they couldn't do anything without interrupting. Now Stella's parents, sisters, nieces, nephews and far-flung friends could come and feel welcome for weeks at a time. The favorite, Krissy, would be the first visitor in just a few weeks to celebrate her 13th birthday. She'd surely help Stella decorate the room to make it cozy and inviting.
So yes, Stella could make her new witchy little house perfectly bewitching for her new life.
***
Life update: spent last summer learning how to sail and letting my husband learn how to fly planes. Am considering becoming entrepreneurial and launched an Etsy site to set the waters (www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BecBlooms) and it takes up way more time than I feel like it should, as does my day job. But life's good!
*from Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Monday, March 31, 2014
I'm pleasantly surprised by this twenty minute response to the 10 euphonious words prompt:
The lovely newlywed gazed up at the window valance. She wasn't sure what her she liked it or not. It was one of the myriad things that had come into her life along with her husband, his house, and his family that she just had to adjust to adjust to. Not all of them would be winners, but she and Richard would work things out. Celia relished the prospect of building their future together.
The first sip of tea shot a fiery pain into her right molar. She'd have to see the dentist about that. The sensitivity started right before the wedding and she hadn't had time to get it examined with the preparations and honeymoon and all.
"How's the tea dear?" Her mother-in-law asked. They were having their weekly cuppa together.
"Lovely, thank you," Celia answered with a smile. She felt like a horrible liar, but she was so anxious to please Mrs. Whittingham - "Mother" now, although Celia avoided saying it as much as possible - that it was unimaginable to complain about a toothache. Mrs. Whittingham would blame her for not brushing more carefully, or say it was her own fault for not seeing the dentist right away.
A new song on the radio caught Celia's attention. The singer's mellifluous voice ran through her like a low voltage charge, awakening a warmth inside. The jazzy number was richer than most songs Celia listened to and she found herself thoroughly enjoying it. Jazz was new to her, and wonderful.
"Oh dear. I don't care for this at all. Let's have another station now." Mrs. Whittingham moved the dial before Celia could protest. "I'm surprised they'd play that new-fangled American noise on the radio."
Celia could only nod politely in agreement. She wanted more of what she'd heard. Now that this feeling was unleashed she needed to explore it. She knew there were jazz clubs in London, but obviously didn't know anyone who'd been to one. She'd have to be discreet in her research because she didn't think Richard or "Mother" would find this new interest to be in good taste. But she wouldn't let their narrow minds stop her.
The lovely newlywed gazed up at the window valance. She wasn't sure what her she liked it or not. It was one of the myriad things that had come into her life along with her husband, his house, and his family that she just had to adjust to adjust to. Not all of them would be winners, but she and Richard would work things out. Celia relished the prospect of building their future together.
The first sip of tea shot a fiery pain into her right molar. She'd have to see the dentist about that. The sensitivity started right before the wedding and she hadn't had time to get it examined with the preparations and honeymoon and all.
"How's the tea dear?" Her mother-in-law asked. They were having their weekly cuppa together.
"Lovely, thank you," Celia answered with a smile. She felt like a horrible liar, but she was so anxious to please Mrs. Whittingham - "Mother" now, although Celia avoided saying it as much as possible - that it was unimaginable to complain about a toothache. Mrs. Whittingham would blame her for not brushing more carefully, or say it was her own fault for not seeing the dentist right away.
A new song on the radio caught Celia's attention. The singer's mellifluous voice ran through her like a low voltage charge, awakening a warmth inside. The jazzy number was richer than most songs Celia listened to and she found herself thoroughly enjoying it. Jazz was new to her, and wonderful.
"Oh dear. I don't care for this at all. Let's have another station now." Mrs. Whittingham moved the dial before Celia could protest. "I'm surprised they'd play that new-fangled American noise on the radio."
Celia could only nod politely in agreement. She wanted more of what she'd heard. Now that this feeling was unleashed she needed to explore it. She knew there were jazz clubs in London, but obviously didn't know anyone who'd been to one. She'd have to be discreet in her research because she didn't think Richard or "Mother" would find this new interest to be in good taste. But she wouldn't let their narrow minds stop her.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
I swear I'm not just being bad or procrastinating or unable to write. I'm just SO DAMN BUSY! Trying to write a novel in the same month I have to account for every trip out of Canada in the last nine years, and documentation to prove it, along with having to explain all of my social ties to Canada, and working late at least a couple of nights every week mean that I'm just not on top of anything. But more writing will follow!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Halloween's Almost Here!
Blech! Spider web to the face. Gross, and completely appropriate for Halloween. Thin, sticky threads are matted in my eyebrows. The now-homeless spider had better not be nearby.
A centaur gallops up to my door before I can clean myself up and get inside.
"Trick-or-Treat!"
"Sorry kid, I don't do candy."
"But I said 'Trick-or-Treat.' That means you have to give me something."
"No it doesn't. There's no Halloween contract I signed. No law makes me. Go away now."
"Okay. But if you don't give me a treat then I get to play a trick on you."
Damn. The kid knows the history. A few years ago I wouldn't have expected it, but now that there's Wikipedia I guess I should know better.
"Good luck with that, little guy," I tell him as I slip through the door and close it in his face. I'll just have to be prepared for an egg in the mailbox or some t.p. in the morning. But I don't want to deal with anyone anymore tonight.
I'm so tired that I can barely stumble into bed before falling asleep.
Man, this morning I feel icky. All sticky and cotton-mouthed. I can hardly move. WTF? It's like I've woken up in a Kafka story to find myself in a giant spider web.
That little brat!
This is another product of Word Whips. I don't know how they have prompts that almost always work for me and almost no one else does.
A centaur gallops up to my door before I can clean myself up and get inside.
"Trick-or-Treat!"
"Sorry kid, I don't do candy."
"But I said 'Trick-or-Treat.' That means you have to give me something."
"No it doesn't. There's no Halloween contract I signed. No law makes me. Go away now."
"Okay. But if you don't give me a treat then I get to play a trick on you."
Damn. The kid knows the history. A few years ago I wouldn't have expected it, but now that there's Wikipedia I guess I should know better.
"Good luck with that, little guy," I tell him as I slip through the door and close it in his face. I'll just have to be prepared for an egg in the mailbox or some t.p. in the morning. But I don't want to deal with anyone anymore tonight.
I'm so tired that I can barely stumble into bed before falling asleep.
Man, this morning I feel icky. All sticky and cotton-mouthed. I can hardly move. WTF? It's like I've woken up in a Kafka story to find myself in a giant spider web.
That little brat!
This is another product of Word Whips. I don't know how they have prompts that almost always work for me and almost no one else does.
Monday, October 21, 2013
An Opinion vs. an Argument
I've had a few conversations with various people recently where we have differences of opinion and I can't decide if we're actually arguing or just have different views. I used to be a very argumentative person and have worked to change that and mellow out, but how do I balance that with expressing that I have the right to disagree?
The second challenge for me has been that after these conversations I'll find out that he person I was talking to used incorrect evidence to make a point or I'll remember something to support one of my points that wasn't believed. I've just been letting it go, but it's frustrating because I want to say, "See, I am perfectly justified in having this opinion. I'm not saying you're wrong, but you don't get to say I'm wrong either." I need to find a non-argumentative way to follow up on previous conversations. Or to not care about what other people think.
The second challenge for me has been that after these conversations I'll find out that he person I was talking to used incorrect evidence to make a point or I'll remember something to support one of my points that wasn't believed. I've just been letting it go, but it's frustrating because I want to say, "See, I am perfectly justified in having this opinion. I'm not saying you're wrong, but you don't get to say I'm wrong either." I need to find a non-argumentative way to follow up on previous conversations. Or to not care about what other people think.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!
One of my previous posts was "how does your family do turkey" and at the time my family doing turkey was having a friend prepare it. But since then, I've actually cooked a couple of darn good turkeys. So I can proudly say that I cook my own birds now, thank you very much. Remember, there's no point in being intimidated by something you might want to try.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Old people can be cool
A little while ago we went on a tour of Vancouver because it was advertised as a free community bus tour with stories about the city. Everyone else on the tour was at least a decade older than us. At first I felt silly, but watching all these older people actually talk to each other and introduce themselves to us made me feel like actually young people should be more open and outgoing.
Then a few nights later we went to hear a co-worker's dad's band play at the local Legion. As soon as the set began a group of middle-aged and older people started dancing. They were so unselfconsious and obviously enjoying themselves that it made me think again that maybe my generation has really missed out on something by being so unfriendly.
But then someone pointed out that maybe these guys were like us when they were young and they've just gotten less self-conscious with age. I hope so because otherwise we have a lonely future to look forward to.
Then a few nights later we went to hear a co-worker's dad's band play at the local Legion. As soon as the set began a group of middle-aged and older people started dancing. They were so unselfconsious and obviously enjoying themselves that it made me think again that maybe my generation has really missed out on something by being so unfriendly.
But then someone pointed out that maybe these guys were like us when they were young and they've just gotten less self-conscious with age. I hope so because otherwise we have a lonely future to look forward to.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Venice
As I step out of the train station bright, clear light washes over me. This is the lightest light I've ever seen. No heaviness to it like desert light, or filter like Vancouver light through the clouds.
The second thing I notice is the crowd. Rivers of people, tourists and sellers, wind across my field of view.
And there's the water, just beyond the crowd! My first glimpse of this famous water, after so many years of imagining. The big bridge to the left will take me across it, into the heart of this magical city.
I had heard there wasn't much life left here, that all that remains is a manufactured illusion of what used to be. But I can feel the history seeping through to the present. The spirit is here, even if the magic is waning.
The walk to our hotel is punctuated with pictures- I want to capture my first sight of a tiny alley, the first boat-filled canal, the flower boxes on the shuttered windows. My dreams haven't been crushed but are bursting with happiness.
That was a Word Whip timed writing on my first impression of Venice. It was the city I was most excited to visit on our honeymoon and tied with Paris for my favorite place on the trip. Some highlights:
After not going to any concerts in Paris, Prague or Vienna, we decided to go to hear some Vivaldi played by musicians in period costume.
I tried to imagine which of the deserted islands would be the best place to hide a carousel as in The Thief Lord.
The second thing I notice is the crowd. Rivers of people, tourists and sellers, wind across my field of view.
And there's the water, just beyond the crowd! My first glimpse of this famous water, after so many years of imagining. The big bridge to the left will take me across it, into the heart of this magical city.
I had heard there wasn't much life left here, that all that remains is a manufactured illusion of what used to be. But I can feel the history seeping through to the present. The spirit is here, even if the magic is waning.
The walk to our hotel is punctuated with pictures- I want to capture my first sight of a tiny alley, the first boat-filled canal, the flower boxes on the shuttered windows. My dreams haven't been crushed but are bursting with happiness.
That was a Word Whip timed writing on my first impression of Venice. It was the city I was most excited to visit on our honeymoon and tied with Paris for my favorite place on the trip. Some highlights:
This is the first small canal I saw and I made Derek stop so we could get a picture of it.
Derek in the first narrow street we walked through on the way to the hotel
This is where we ended up if we turned right instead of left when leaving the hotel.
Once we got out of the walls around the hotel, this was our view.
We had a couple of beautiful full moons.
The Grand Canal from our gondola ride
There was a buskers festival on!
The Doge's Palace and city from the campanile
The island of Burano has strict rules about painting buildings. Charming little place.
We tried to look happy on our last morning, but we really didn't want to leave.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Another Drive-by Posting
We went skating tonight because Derek has new skates to break in and there were a couple of little kids who were AMAZING! One looked like he was about five and was a better skater than I'll ever be. It's just weird to me to see kids growing up proficient in things I was only vaguely aware existed at that age.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
You can't tell in this from this picture, but I can see the ocean between the buildings and therefore have a better view than the lawyers. The little things like that help in life :)
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
April showers bring May flowers, but this year our flowers are being attacked by something. This poor tulip was lying broken in the dirt, so I put it in my bathroom bud vase and it's much happier there.
This isn't a good picture because it was so sunny, but those little star-shaped flowers are one of my favorites. This was the first time I've seen them in white- they're usually purple, which I love. If I ever need ground cover, I'm planting some purple stars.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Saturday crafting
I spent most of yesterday making my wedding cake topper and a sundress. I've always been crafty, but I still feel thrilled watching something go from raw materials to a finished project.
The dress is the most ambitious thing I've ever sewn and it had intimidated me for years - I bought the pattern and fabric back in like 2006 and really wanted the dress, but I was too scared of screwing up to tackle it on my own. My friend Elva came over to help me and patiently told me how to undo the little mistakes I made. It still needs a zipper, but I think this dress looks fantastic!
The cake topper isn't finished either because it needs to be painted, but the shape is good and I'm looking forward to seeing it on top of my beautiful wedding cake and being able to say I did it (again, with much-appreciated help from Elva). I guess I won't know if I like the results until my wedding day, but so far I find the DIY wedding very satisfying. Even if everything isn't perfect on the day, everything has a story and meaning behind it.
The dress is the most ambitious thing I've ever sewn and it had intimidated me for years - I bought the pattern and fabric back in like 2006 and really wanted the dress, but I was too scared of screwing up to tackle it on my own. My friend Elva came over to help me and patiently told me how to undo the little mistakes I made. It still needs a zipper, but I think this dress looks fantastic!
The cake topper isn't finished either because it needs to be painted, but the shape is good and I'm looking forward to seeing it on top of my beautiful wedding cake and being able to say I did it (again, with much-appreciated help from Elva). I guess I won't know if I like the results until my wedding day, but so far I find the DIY wedding very satisfying. Even if everything isn't perfect on the day, everything has a story and meaning behind it.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Sometimes I hate that I was raised to be responsible. Working hard is hard work and it means I can't just do whatever I want. This weekend I'm passing up a fun trip because I should save money for upcoming expenses and I need to work on my super-exciting taxes, car repairs, and hotel reservations. If I weren't so mature I would quit my job and rack up thousands of dollars in credit card debt while convincing someone to support me for the rest of my life.
The worst part is knowing that I have it good and really have very little to complain about because all those irresponsible people are going to be jealous when I've retired young and am living most of my dreams. (I've pretty much given up on the private island though because I don't feel like earning enough to pay for that).
The book The Thief Lord has a theme of childhood verses adulthood and which is preferable. At the end of the edition I read there's an interview with author Cornelia Funke where they ask if she would rather be an adult or child. She says being an adult is better and I've never been able to completely understand that. I know some people have rough childhoods, but I have a lot of trouble believing adulthood is really so great.
What do you think?
The worst part is knowing that I have it good and really have very little to complain about because all those irresponsible people are going to be jealous when I've retired young and am living most of my dreams. (I've pretty much given up on the private island though because I don't feel like earning enough to pay for that).
The book The Thief Lord has a theme of childhood verses adulthood and which is preferable. At the end of the edition I read there's an interview with author Cornelia Funke where they ask if she would rather be an adult or child. She says being an adult is better and I've never been able to completely understand that. I know some people have rough childhoods, but I have a lot of trouble believing adulthood is really so great.
What do you think?
Monday, April 8, 2013
Landscape Changes
I blogged about some of the pleasant changes that come with spring, but some unwelcome changes to the landscape are also taking place. A number of stores and cafes that I like in local neighborhoods have recently closed or are closing. Almost an entire blocked that I've frequented since moving to Vancouver is being replaced with condos. I'm happy to see more homes in Kits, but why do they have to drive out such good businesses? I know that change is inevitable, but in cases like this it still always makes me sad.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
It feels like spring!
It would be normal to think that after 8 and a half years in Canada I might be used to the weather, but it would also be incorrect. In some ways the longer I'm up here the more it gets to me. People around me will celebrate a weekend like the one we just had with sunshine and jacket-free weather for four days in a row as a marvel. I feel entitled to that at the end of March and beginning of April and throughout the rest of the spring and summer.
The only advantage to being in Canada in the spring is that going so long with so many things looking dead makes all the blooming currently underway much more appreciable and appreciated. I love all the color and flowers in our garden and the cherry trees all over the city. We were on Vancouver Island for the weekend and it's the only part of Canada with better weather than Vancouver so the plants there were even happier. Combined with the later sunsets, this weather means I'll be spending a lot more time outside.
The only advantage to being in Canada in the spring is that going so long with so many things looking dead makes all the blooming currently underway much more appreciable and appreciated. I love all the color and flowers in our garden and the cherry trees all over the city. We were on Vancouver Island for the weekend and it's the only part of Canada with better weather than Vancouver so the plants there were even happier. Combined with the later sunsets, this weather means I'll be spending a lot more time outside.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Yesterday was my fifth anniversary of dating Derek. As we were talking in the morning about the last five years and what a long time five years is, I remembered UNICEF's statistic that millions of children around the world die before their fifth birthday every year. In 2010 they estimated that 22,000 children under five die daily while the estimate for 2011 was about 6,900,000 deaths under age five. It seems wrong that many children don't get to live as long as we've been dating, so I'm going to ask everyone to consider making a donation at some point to a charity that supports child development or sign a petition if you come across one to increase child healthcare or simply think about how lucky we are to take for granted that we'll be born and live to adulthood.
Monday, March 25, 2013
A year ago I left for a ten day trip to Israel. It was quite different from what I was expecting - more beautiful and less crowded than I'd thought. It hadn't been super high up on the list of places I want to see, but had a great opportunity to go so I took it. Highlight pictures:
Jerusalem
An ibex in Ein Gedi park
Hyrax also live in Ein Gedi
Camel ride
The cat enjoys having a square in Tzfat all to itself
The view from the top of Mesada. There's so much rock and so little else!
The Dead Sea
That's Syria over there
One year later, I'm very glad I went. I shouldn't have been surprised since I'm American, but I wasn't expecting so many different attitudes and viewpoints from the people I met on politics and all the complexity of the Middle East. A good lesson to remember when reading or hearing about the "opinions" of people in any country.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Euphonious Advice
Another Word Whips prompt product for you today. I tried to use only words from a list of words Lemony Snicket thinks are euphonious:
Remember wisdom when you find it
Lament the malodorous and leave it behind
Mondays and November should be dealt with swiftly
Numerous monumental moments will occur - wonder at them
Let lovely lilac lullabies linger
Volunteer mindful literature and minimal worry
Revamp, reroute, renew
Relive the whimsical
Live long
Remember wisdom when you find it
Lament the malodorous and leave it behind
Mondays and November should be dealt with swiftly
Numerous monumental moments will occur - wonder at them
Let lovely lilac lullabies linger
Volunteer mindful literature and minimal worry
Revamp, reroute, renew
Relive the whimsical
Live long
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Happy Day
Yesterday was World Happiness Day and I wanted to post something to celebrate, but it wasn't a very happy day so I decided not to be a downer. In addition to general blahness, I found out about a couple of people passing away and although I can't really say I knew either, neither of them were old and the circumstances were unfortunate.
Today has been much nicer. There was sunshine and good news and to top it all off it's the birthday of three of my favorite people (plus someone else who's not bad). Better a late celebration than none.
Today has been much nicer. There was sunshine and good news and to top it all off it's the birthday of three of my favorite people (plus someone else who's not bad). Better a late celebration than none.
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