Brilliant Idea...

I came up with an idea for a book.  Personally, I think it's pretty cool and the happy part is that it's writing itself (that is, the characters are making themselves known to me pretty vividly and all I have to do is write them down).  I'm keeping the details to myself at this stage of the game but I've always wanted to write a book so it's very exciting.
Lately I've been convinced to write.  I had wanted to write a fictionalized story based on my experience with the homeless and the non-profit world but as I tried to fictionalize it and remove myself from events I was making myself anxious and depressed.  I guess dredging up old memories was too much, too soon.  I'll revisit it later when I've recovered.
Then I realized that what I prefer to fact is fiction and short stories.  That was when I came up with my current idea.  Suddenly all sorts of material was springing to mind!  I've had to sleep with a notebook next to the bed so I can jot down ideas when they wake me up in the middle of the night.  I've even had to carry a small notebook in my pocket so when I'm walking down the street or in line at the grocery store I can make notes as things come to me.
At this point, I have notes and characters for about 15-20 stories and a pretty cool way to string them all together (even though they are short stories they all sort of fit together). 
So that is why I haven't been blogging much.  I've been busy writing (and switching gears from my pretend world to this one gets confusing from time to time)!

Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast

I had been pondering the "six impossible things" theory for a while.  I thought it would be good for morale to believe in six impossible things before breakfast (not difficult for me since I am incredibly superstitious) or to do six impossible things before breakfast (if not every day at least once in a while).  Generally I think about this goal while I lounge about, trying not to get up in the morning. 

Today I woke up really early (impossible task #1!) and instead of ducking back under the covers I got up with gusto and fed the pets (who were absolutely thrilled with my enthusiasm).  I'm chalking up this vigorous start to the absence of alcohol last night and an early bedtime (most likely due to the lack of alcohol).  Anyway, I woke up feeling pretty good about the day for a change.  lately I've been feeling like I'm on the brink of something.  I have absolutely no idea what that is but I hope it's a good brink and has positive results. 
[My recent feeling of impending doom came to naught.  Since nobody replied to my requests for input I can only guess that it was perfectly normal paranoia on my part and I haven't left anyone hanging.]

Since I woke up early and with energy I cleaned the kitchen (impossible task #2!).  Paul is out of town for the week and I was not overly eager to clean anything.  I had cleaning on my list but was figuring on later in the week.  I've been trying to not use any dishes so as not to create any messes but, even at that, I did manage to pile up a few pots and pans and coffee mugs and plates over the past few days.  But now they're all clean and put away.  I even cleaned the coffee pots (!) but am saving the recycling for my next attempt at impossible things because I can't go too crazy on the cleaning end...

The next item on my agenda was to loosen up with some Qigong.  Lo and behold, I managed to do the breathing the way I'm supposed to (impossible task #3!)!  This is quite an achievement given my clumsiness.  I had been trying the Qigong anyway even though I kept breathing out instead of in at the wrong times.  It's amazing, too, that when I get it all right it really does feel better and I don't fall over while trying to stretch!  (Maybe tomorrow I can do it without consciously having to think about it so hard?)

Got in the shower, took the pup for his morning walk and remembered that I had bought a Lotto ticket last week but had completely forgotten to check it.  So I came back and got onto the Lottery web site, plugged in my numbers and whaddya know?  I have completely defied the odds and managed yet again not to win the lottery (impossible task #4!)!  I figure this is entirely impossible given the odds of winning and the number of times I've tried.  I have got to be on borrowed time here and must be incredibly close to hitting a jackpot.

I did not manage to get all the way up to 6 impossible things because after #4 I was starving hungry and had to eat breakfast.  Hopefully I can keep the momentum going for the rest of the day.  Lord knows what'll be left to do tomorrow if I keep up at this pace!

That Sinking Feeling

I have that overwhelming feeling I have forgotten something very important.  I have been getting anxious over the past couple of days and it's due to this feeling that I'm supposed to be somewhere or be doing something...  Yesterday I felt like I was supposed to be getting prepared and today I feel like I'm missing whatever it is and people are going to be pissed!  I just wish I knew what it was I was supposed to be doing!!!  It's interfering with my thoughts to the point that I don't know what else to write about.  I am pacing a lot and biting my nails which are things I don't normally do. 
If anyone knows what I'm forgetting, please let me know ASAP!!  I would be grateful. 

Sucked Into Another Dimension

Sorry for the lack of posts but I was sucked into the Facebook world and, regrettably, I have been spending all too much time trying find my way back to reality.  But here I am and I will endeavor to be better about posting (seems like I say that a lot).
The weather has taken a turn for the better!  It's sunny and warm at last in Olympia!!  We've been spending a great deal of time outside enjoying the sunshine.  Dog and cat are loving it.  I put a little rug out on the balcony and now they don't even want to come in at night (so I leave the door open for them in case they change their minds).
We had huge thunderstorms last night.  Olympia didn't take any direct hit but I could see the lightning in the distance and it was spectacular!  We just don't get this sort of storm west of the Cascades as a rule.  It is an extremely rare occurrence.  There were stars and the moon overhead but the flashes would shine against the storm clouds in the distance and it was really eerie and beautiful.  I sat outside watching it until I was falling asleep.  Very cool.

(photo of last night's storm from the KING5 weather site)

November in July

Ooh!  61 degrees today with wind and rain.  It was more like an autumn storm today than July.  At least temperatures are climbing!  Now the forecast is calling for 80s by the weekend!!?  Who can tell on Tuesday what will happen Saturday?  For now we'll just have to hope.  I know the animals will be forever grateful for some sun. 

(Don't tell them but they're both getting baths as soon as it warms up!)

Frank and Oreo share a precious sliver of sunshine

Summer This Week?

As usual we in the NorthWest are eagerly awaiting July 5th and the annual beginning of summer!  Forecasts say we should expect a steady rise in temperatures throughout the week and even into the 70s!!  Climatologists apparently are predicting summer weather in Washington to begin around the 12th of July.  I, for one, am anxious to find out when I can be warm without running the heat.

I recall living on the opposite coast and sweltering through a grueling Fourth of July Beach Boys concert on the Capitol Mall (I'd have traded my left arm for a cold beer as I remember it).  There were ambulances everywhere just waiting for people to drop from heat exhaustion.  Once I moved out here I remember thinking how amusing it was to need a parka to watch the fireworks.  It's no longer amusing.  While I certainly don't envy anyone back in the DC area enduring blistering heat with no electricity, I am longing for a hot day (not 105 but a nice 80 or 85 would be very welcome)!

So, fingers crossed that some of our cold air moves to the east (happy to share!) and if we could have just a taste of what it is to be summer in exchange I would be grateful.

"Reminds Me Of Dave."

Much criticism followed my confession about reading Mary Worth on a daily basis.  If you doubt my reasoning (that it is a guaranteed way to begin the day with a laugh), please see the following: 

(Quick plot summary if you haven't been following MW:  Wilbur has taken his daughter, Dawn, to Italy in a misguided attempt to help her recover from her recent dumping by her shallow boyfriend.  Mary has taken over Wilbur's advice column while he is away.)

That last panel is CLASSIC!!!  I laughed out loud when I first saw it and am still laughing! 
If you would like to laugh at Mary Worth, here is a link:  http://www.seattlepi.com/comics-and-games/fun/Mary_Worth/
And here's a link to my favorite Mary Worth blog (good for a follow-up laugh):  http://maryworthandme.blogspot.com/