Sunday, August 28, 2005

Hello All~
Whew! I didn't write yesterday because I was so tired last night I could barely walk across the floor. The next week of blogs will be kind of skimpy on my writing here. David will be flying in on Tuesday and tomorrow I've got to clean house. I don't know how my time will go.
I did write 1000 words today, wrote down some ideas to write about in the next few weeks. Tomorrow I plan to do some more.
I have been packing, preparing to leave next Sunday. It's been fun up here this summer, but it's now time to get back to reality, buckle down and move on with it.
Tomorrow, David is supposed to sign on that house. Everything better go smoothly, that's all I'm going to say. If he can get that done, then get up here, I'll breathe a lot easier.
With that, I better run. I've got a lot to do tonight. I'm also watching the Weather Channel. Hurricane Katrina, a Category 5, is getting ready to come ashore in New Orleans. That's going to be a mess.
Til Tomorrow~

Friday, August 26, 2005

This will be short, but hopefully sweet.
I've been in the Park all day. It was absolutely beautiful. Didn't rain or anything. Did some writing. Then went to a meeting Becky was doing on the lodges. It was good.
Guess I better go. Need to go to bed too.
More tomorrow.
Til Then~

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Hello All~
Today, was almost a perfect day. I went out to the Park. Not very many people there. Thank goodness. The Plein Air painters were out there and they got my park in Upper Beaver Meadows so I had to park somewhere else. Oh well, at least I got to go out there.
I went to the Art Museum in Lower Stanley Village, visited with a lady and artist. May interview her for an article one of these days. Drove around Horseshoe Park. I am trying to find the location of Fall River Lodge. It is much closer to the road than I thought. Most interesting.
I went and worked at the Museum for a while. Got my picture album catalogued. Saw and found some very interesting things.
I also found out where the Estes homestead was located. It's located closer to us than I thought. Virtually down the hill. I kept looking, looking, looking for this mound of rocks. I finally found it. It wasn't where I was originally looking, but I remembered it was there. It is down here where they built those new condos. Most interesting.
Oh, I DID write my 1000 words today.
Okay, I've got to go look over my notes. Write more tomorrow.
Til Then~

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Hello!
Ever have one of those days where nothing is going right? You wonder why you even got up to begin with. While I have gotten some stuff done, there is some stuff I haven't gotten done because of the trouble back home. I guess a few nights ago, it stormed bad back there. Set off the alarm, threw the cable out, etc.
Well, yesterday I was on the phone most of the afternoon with the cable company. Both the guys called and they said there wouldn't be someone out there until Saturday. Buh! I called and said, I don't think so. They got somebody out there today to sort of fix it. Now, Nathan is saying they are saying the router is out. Nathan said the tv is working and he has Internet as long as he is plugged in straight to the line. I told him to work with that for now and when I got home I'd fix the other..or maybe Yo can fix it this weekend. Like I said, they said it was the router. Funny thing though, the cable company supplied the router, so...I'll have to be all over them again.
Then I guess the fax machine died. What a mess that is. It was kind of messing up when I was there, but it kept working. My husband was yelling at me wanting to know "why" it would suddenly die. I guess it was because it was about 15 years old!!!!!! It's been a good old thing, but even fax machines wear out.
Anyway, he was not happy, but I really don't know what he wants me to do about it up here. I've done all I can do by running diagnostic test. Now, he's got to go get one. Guess we'll see what kind he gets. He fought me over getting a fax. In the past few years, he's used it more than I have. Argh!
Got to run. Going to go down to the Museum for a while. I'm cataloguing 100 year old pictures.
Catch you tomorrow.
Til Then~

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Today is an unusual day. I've been trying to come up with a plot for a new book. I want to write one set up here about the turn of the century. I have the characters. I'm working on the complications and how the plot must run through it. I have to come up with a one line tag otherwise my characters will be too confused. Hmm. I need to spend some time just thinking about this and all the complications they can get in to. Well, I'll get to that.
I went for a walk this morning around the lake. These ladies were along the way picking something off one of the bushes. I stopped to ask them what they were and they told me the plant was a chokecherry bush. The limbs are loaded this year. The ladies also told me they make jelly and syrup out of the berries. They have seeds in them just like big cherries, but these little guys will make you pucker. It's kind of a bitter pucker. I know because I tasted one. The ladies also told me bears and birds love these berries. They hung in clusters, deep red, some were even black. The darker red they are, the more ripe. As I continued on my walk, I discovered these bushes can range from three feet to over eight feet high. Ah, the stuff you can learn. On to my thinking session. Will write more tomorrow.
Til Then~

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Hello!
I have just finished writing an opus to the Oklahoma Bar Association. It was over 3800 words, five pages single-spaced. I had to write about that idiot attorney I've had to work with in regard to my husband's dad's house sale. Today, I heard from our real estate agent and found out, we don't need the idiot now anyway. This has all been such a mess. It has truly been a nightmare and I will be so happy when Dave has his money in hand and all this is over.
I did not write on anything I wanted to write, but I did do a miniature book. Now, I can get back to thinking about a story I was thinking about this morning. No, no. You don't get to hear about it yet. You won't get to hear about it until it is written. One thing I have learned through the years is not to talk about a work in progress. It takes away that excitement inside. I know. At first, I thought it was all a bunch of crock too, but through the years, I have learned to listen a little more closely. You will too, if you're not already.
That's it for now. No more preaching...at least not until tomorrow.
Til Then~

Friday, August 19, 2005

Hello All!
This will be extremely short as I have a migraine and I'm getting ready to go lie down. I had one hell of a night last night. David's dad's house is still not in good shape. I talked to Elaine and Carol both today at Prudential. What a mess all this is. If David has to spend more money on that house, he won't sell it. I know he won't. He's already said as much. Mercury Title is such an idiot company. I don't even know where to begin with them and then the attorney that we have is such an idiot. I don't know what David will do. I am sick to my stomach. I have a headache. I can't work because I am so distracted. With that, I'm going to go lie down.
I'll try to write more tomorrow. Maybe I'll feel better.
Til Then~

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Man oh man, what a day this has been! I haven't been able to sit down and write because of so many things that are going on with David's dad's house. I called the attorney this morning to see how things were going. He informed me it was going to be $3000 charge to him for all this mess. I then got on the phone and have been raising hell with so many people. I finally got in touch with a guy at Capitol Title. He said this whole thing should have been a non-issue. I'm wondering. I keep wondering if the whole attorney/abstract title etc., are in cahoots together. I guess now everybody is checking in to this and I'm wondering about the whole thing myself. The whole thing is weird. T-totally weird.
I'm going to call Elaine and see if she can check something.
I'll write more tomorrow.
Til Then~

Monday, August 15, 2005

Howdoo!
Today was a pretty successful day. I went out to the Park after I walked. I tell you, I am getting pretty good at walking around that Lake. I've got it down to under two hours now. Not bad. I can go up those hills without stopping unless I choose to stop and talk to someone, so I think I am making progress.
I worked on that Creative Writing Book. Wrote the introduction. Tomorrow I will probably stay home. Try to get some of the stuff I want to take back packed up. I'll leave out what I'm working on. I hope to get the three chapters to that book roughed. I've gotten through 100 pages of the medieval. Going to run off the proposal tonight. I'd like to have it, the Writing Book, and the Trail of Life out in the mail by the first part of September. I'm going to get back to work on that Short Story. I'll probably save it and send it in to the OWFI Contest..if there is one.
I got my college classes moved to the Spring Semester. That should give me enough time to get caught up, get my classes where there is a rhythm and I should be used to doing that payroll.
Got a lot to do when I get back, not the least of which is take care of the family. Yo and Nate will be in school. Well, will give more thought to my schedule tomorrow. One thing I know for sure is I'm going to have to get up early so I can get out and exercise. That is what is helping me lose weight. I'm down another pound. 186. I'd like to get down to 180 before I go back. Don't know since I only have three more weeks, well less than that now. I'll have to see.
I'll write more tomorrow.
Til Then~

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Well, it is not raining here for the moment. It looks like it oculd be trying to build againover the mountains, but so far nothing has come up yet.
I am getting ready to go work on a character sketch for a fiction book and an outline for a non-fiction book. Both books drastically different in scope, but both equally valuable and important. Well, I don't know if the fiction would be important, but then again, one never knows.
This morning I got up and there were elk lying across the street. They were munching out on the grass. One was a 5x5 bull. He was a pretty thing.
Am taking care and finishing up some loose business I have had. Will close and go work on that, but will write more tomorrow.
Til Then~

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Hello! Well it is extremely strange how time gets away from you when you start to work. I've always known that, but today is another good example of it. First, I didn't get up until 8. Yikes! I sat up, waiting to watchthe meteor shower. Unbenownced to moi, it clouded up from 9 until midnight, so when I went to step out on the deck, I realized no stars because of the clouds.
I have been reading J.K. Rowling's biography. I am amazed at how her star shot to the top so quickly. Within seven years, she went from having nothing to being a multi-millionaire. She started writing Harry Potter back in 1990 when she was sitting on a train going from London to Manchester. She said she envisioned him getting on this train and her thoughts took off from there. Publishing houses lie Putnam, Viking, and Doubleday turned her down. I'm sure they are kicking themselves considering the mania her stories have caused.
I am so pleased for her, I got teary-eyed as I read about her success. Then a little envious because I wish it could happen to the rest of us so easily.
She now has three houses in England and Scotland. You know as I was reading this morning, it struck me how much I have been limiting myself by limiting my thoughts. I've always wanted a huge log home up here on some acreage. I've wanted some space so David could have horses and finally do what he would like to do. But for the past few years, I've limited myself. I've said I'll settle for the condo. I'll settle for the place back in Oklahoma. I'll settle for my teaching jobs, my few speaking engagements, my few articles and books. Then this morning, I asked why?
Why settle?
Is it because I don't want these things? Is it because I don't want to be on the bestseller's list? Is it because I don't want to make money? Or is it because everyone around me is telling me to settle? David seems to think this is the best we are ever going to have it. My dad keeps saying this is the best it's ever going to get because the bottom is going to fall out of everything. My friends seem to think having a job while writing a little here and there is the way to go because everyone's knows 'you can't make a living writing anyway? My question always comes back to why not?
Why do people limit themselves and their potential? Anything is possible to them if they are willing to work for it and go after it. I'm not saying it will be easy. I'm not saying they will get what they want over night, but if they really really want something, they can have it.
Okay, enough for today. Ponder the why's and why not's. What's holding you back?
Til Tomorrow~

Friday, August 12, 2005

Good morning!
I've already had a morning. Talked to a building inspector back in Oklahoma, have decided there are so many people in town because of a race aaaaannddd have email a friend who is waiting for an invitation to a conference. I'll write here like I wrote him. Don't even get me started. I'll just get mad and I already twitch at news I hear from home anyway.
I'm getting ready to send the proposal. We'll see where it goes. I'm not sure if this editor I'm sending it to will bite, but if not, I do have the proposal now. I'll keep you posted on that as well.
Must run. Want to get this sent.
Write more tomorrow.
Til then~

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Back from my creative Artist's date. Julia would be proud! I went out to the Park and hiked, and sketched, and wrote.
I've been dealing with a lot of things lately. Discovering a lot of things about writing and myself. I once heard someone say that a writer has to write a million words before he will get anything published. I think what that writer meant was a writer has to write a million words before he finds his voice and discovers himself. Only when he discovers who he is and is willing to be vulnerable can he write with meaning. Oh, Eric would be proud too.
I think I have found myself. I've not liked what I've seen a lot of the times, but I have found I do have strengths to go along with my weaknesses.
I am currently in the process of reading a book about J.K. Rowling. Very interesting. I am seeing through her life some processes all writers must go through. One doesn't have to be poor, live on the streets, but one does have to live.
Okay, enough philosophizing. I'll catch you tomorrow.
Til Then~

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Hello there!
I can't believe I forgot to write yesterday. I've been trying to get a proposal ready and it is making me crazy. I've written the book, but the editor still wants a proposal. I've been preaching this for years. Typically, I already have a proposal ready, but this book I finished first because it is such a specialty book. Anyway....
It has rained up here for a few days now and I think it's starting to get to me. I wanted to do some art stuff, but I've been stuck in the Denali because of the wet and cold.
I have kept my walking up. Got rained on yesterday and today. YUK! I hear tomorrow we are to get more rain. Great. If we weren't so high up here, I swear I'd think we'd need to build an ark.
Okay, enough of this, I'm off to work on the proposal. I've written this blog in my planner, so I shouldn't forget tomorrow. :-)
Til Then~

Monday, August 08, 2005

Hello!
Thought I better jot a note. I've been working all day. Good for me. I went out to the Park for awhile, did my pages out there. I plan to go back out tomorrow. I hope to be up a little earlier tomorrow. Couldn't seem to get out of bed yesterday. I went to the museum this afternoon, stopped by Beaver Meadow Ranger Station, got groceries, exercised. Did an absolute lot when I look at it. :-)
Went and read some of the news reports about Jeff. I guess Federal Authorities are investigating trying to figure out what happened. It is so sad. He told his friend, "if I die in the mountains, don't cry for me. I'm doing what I love." Well, he died doing it. Bless his heart.
Better go and actually get to work. Write more tomorrow.
Til Then~

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Another day. So far it's been a successful one for me. I've gotten a number of things done. Still have a way to go tonight, but things are coming along.
I went out to the Park. They got Jeff's body out, but now it would seem there is this investigation. I guess quite a number of people passed him or he passed them. They said he was in good spirits. He talked to the kids about moss and leaves. Those people were from Oklahoma. Sad, just so very sad. Makes me want to cry everytime I think about it.
As I said, I was out at the Park. There was this teeny-tiny mountain sheep going up with his mommie. He was so little and dark. Looks like he can't be very old.
I tried out my new artist's pens I got. Ooohhh, I like those. I've been trying to figure out what I can do with all this new artist skill I have acquired up here. I figured it out today. Not going to tell you here and now. You'll have to wait and see.
Am continuing on with my books too. Have already written 1000 words today. Getting ready to go in and work on the medieval.
Got to go check some things on the Internet too, so I'll close and write tomorrow.
Til Then~

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Today is a sad day today. I hardly know how to share the news. We all had such high hopes our Ranger Jeff would be found alive. Well, he was found, but the news was not good. I went out about 3:30 p.m. The RMNP helicopter was in Horseshoe Park. They lifted a guy up on the end of a rope over that mountain there that the Bighorn come down over. Anyway, a Ranger was standing there so I asked her if they had found Jeff. She said they did about 15 minutes earlier, but it wasn't good. He was dead. The helicopter was already back from behind the mountain. Supposedly that's where they found him, right over the ridge. Aaand with all the rescue people all over the place, a 'day' hiker found him. I can't get over it.
David and I have been up Chapin Pass. We have been up Lawn Lake Trail. We have sat down in Horseshoe Park and looked up over that Ridge for years looking for sheep. It's just hard to believe a young hardy Ranger is now gone because of a 'fall'. A FALL! And right there. Right there.
As I said, it is sad. I look up at those mountains and tears come to my eyes. He loved this Park. He loved the outdoors. Now, he is gone. So sad.
They've had his picture on the screen and have given news reports about him in the last week for a total of about 15 minutes. It's sad that one's life can be reduced to 90 second news clips.
I'll write more tomorrow.
Til Then~

Friday, August 05, 2005

Hello there!

Didn't write yesterday. What a day that was. Went out to the Park and watched Rangers. They are still looking for our boy Jeff. He is still out there somewhere. They thought they heard gunfire and saw smoke Wednesday evening. Today, they had in five helicopters. No luck yet. Maybe before it gets dark. This is day 7. Yesterday was miserable for him--cold and rainy. So sad.
Today, I went to the Library Book Sale. Got some great art books. Had some pretty good deals. I wish my girls from home, Kathy, Christi, Rinda, Lou, Sarah, and the Ms. Allison would have been with me. I carried out three humongous boxes for under $40.
I have been gradually and steadily making progress. You know I am always amazed and encouraged when I go to sales, bookstores, etc. There are so many books out there and even the best of authors get sold for 50 cents. You wouldn't believe the number of Nora Roberts book, LaVeryle Spencer, Kathleen Woodiwiss that were for sale. Maybe publishers have glutted the market. Maybe people don't consider some books keepers. Oh well, more for me. :-)
I've got to work on my historical tonight. It is coming along. By the time I get back to Oklahoma, I should be ready to send out the proposal and see if I get any hits on it.
Well, that's all for tonight. I've got a big day tomorrow. Going to the Park's 90th Anniversary Picnic. Will check on Jeff too.
Tit Then~

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Wow! How is this for keeping up? I can't seem to keep a newsletter going, but this blog seems to be doing much better.
I went for a walk this morning. Ran in to this guy who is a maintenance worker for the Park Service. He was pushing his baby around the lake in stroller. We had a nice long chat.
The Ranger is still missing. He doesn't think Jeff got lost and he doesn't think he was attacked by an animal. They are all thinking, I think, that he is injured somewhere up there. I look at that mountain and wonder where he is. This is the fifth day they have been searching. Frightening.
I am intent on getting many things done today. I have a lead on a little story I want to do for the class I'd like to teach next summer up here. Got to work on that. Am running off the first hundred pages of my medieval in an attempt to work on that. For a few days, I've worked on it, on the computer, but yesterday the screen kept going black, so I decided to switch strategies.
Sometimes, in writing as well as life, we have to change directions. When one thing doesn't seem to be working, we've got to make changes to get them going again. I believe I've done that quite a bit in my writing career. That may be one of the things that has made my career a success so far. Oh sure, there are higher places I want to go in my writing career. I may have to change directions again. If I do, I will.
Off to watch the bunnies play. Write more tomorrow.
Til Then~

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Today has been a pleasant one and a difficult one. I've been thinking a lot about how one has to get the mind under control before one can work. That has been my problem for at least ten of the past 20 years. I was feeling pretty good this morning, just knew today was going to be a day I would get a lot done. Then a call came from home. It's not important what the call was about, only that it drove me to the point of distraction. For almost an hour, I could think of nothing but the phone call.
I knew it was one of those moments. Either I come home, clink around all day or get to work with the distraction.
I set to work.
I don't know if I moved forward any, but I feel better for my initiative. I am still on sabatical. I know when I get home, I will be distracted hourly. If I can only figure out a system, one in which, I can continue to work with all the hecticness and luancy going on around me, I will be fine. That is what I have been striving for here--a plan.
I guess time will tell if I found it.
Speaking of found, they have not found our ranger yet. I continue to worry. At night, I lay and look at that mountain and know he's out there somewhere. Last night, it stormed something awful. I know he's wet, cold, miserable. I went out to the park today. They had the helicopters flying over. I pray they find him soon.
That's it for now. I'll write more tomorrow.
Til then~

Monday, August 01, 2005

Our ranger is still missing. I found out more about him and some detailed info. I learned what I heard yesterday was a lot of misnformation. His name is Jeff Christensen. He is 31 and has been working in the park here for four years. He is also a ski patrolman at Winter Park in the winter. He only planned for a day hike. They said he was fit and could cover a lot of ground in a day. As a matter of fact, he started at the Chapin Pass trailhead on Friday morning and was going to be down at Lawn Lake Friday afternoon. Never heard from him. Sooo, he's out there--somewhere. They are intensifying the search. I dooo hope they find him soon. It's getting ready to rain again.
I have done some work today. Got my article in. Am getting ready to work for a while on my historical, then on another little project I have going. Going to work on my schedule in a bit. I think it is important to have a plan--no matter how it may get shuffled around.
With that, I better go and work on that plan. Catch you tomorrow.
Til then~