Friday, June 08, 2007

Thursday 13: Another Mish-Mash

It's officially summer. I love that. I am landscaping my yard, writing, pushing myself to cook at home more often (versus going to my favorite restaurants), and, with what is now, I believe, a permanent fact, letting deep love wash over me, even if it means I cry sometimes.
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In no order, here's this week's Thursday 13:
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1. I may have sold my book on Good Work! It seems I may have a publisher with an interest to work with me, better identify the marketing niche it will need, and hopefully provide a $$ advance and publishing contract.
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2. If not, I am still uplifted and psyched by their interest. I'm someone who can sail far with alittle encouragement.
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3. Related to # 2, I love compliments. If it's true you give what you want, I hope I make a good effort to communicate my appreciation to the people in my life.
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4. Last year JB & I got a quote in the thousand's to landscape the yard. We signed the contract with the agreement that we could back out if the references and finished yards weren't what we expected. Ohmygod!--we looked at a few yards this "expert" had completed and we hated each one--plants and shubs too small for the size of the house, and boring same-old-same-old selections. So we got our deposit back decided I would do the landscaping myself. For me, it's probably a 3 year project, but I am loving it.
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5. I am ready to send out query letters for the first draft of the novel I completed last November for the National Novel Writing Month Contest. And I am totally in love with the short story about "Casey" and "Izzy", entitled "Flight of the Heart: The Sob Story of Two Soulmates who Find Eachother at the Worse Possible Time.
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6. I lie on Stella's dog bed with her sometimes late at night. Last week I fell asleep holding her paw and several hours later I awoke with a start, thinking I was holding someone's hand. In my sleepened state, when I realized it was a paw and not a person, I jumped a mile.
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7. Mr. Ryan is now five months old. He smiles when he sees JB and me and our hearts tritely jump for joy. I didn't know what I wanted him to call me--I really don't like grandma or granny etc, so I started calling myself No-Name. At first Jessica shook her head pathetically, but it just might stick--that is, whatever Ryan's pronounciation of "No-Name" will be.
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8. We'll soon find out if our house can effectively accomodate plenty of company this summer. Both JB and I want to welcome and enjoy guests without feeling that we have to be Grand Hostesses.
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9. With all its farms, this part of the world grows and specializes in asparagus, and this is harvest time. I've never tasted asparagus like this before--with a little cream dill sauce, it is just awesome.
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10. I'm finding myself with friends of all ages, ranging from 22 (Nicole!) to 83 (Aunt Theresa). I like this alot. And I am the beneficiary of a terrific best friend (Ces) who keeps me laughing, hopping, trusting, and settling in for life. Thank you, Universe.
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11. We are having an art fair in our yard this summer. Anyone who wants can make or bring whatever they want and show it off, sell it, etc. As for me, I plan to read tarot cards for $ 5 a shot. Then I will spend the money I make to shop at the art fair.
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12. A joke: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Answer: Just one, but the lightbulb has really got to want to change. ( hahaha)
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13. I am reading Eat Pray Love aloud with JB and we have just begun the Ashram/India section. I realize, with great surprise, that I would like to go to an ashram in India for 3 months or more. I used to meditate and chant at one near Boston. Although I tended to reject the "groupie" nature and orange dots and robes, I found wonderful peace inside myself every time I went. So if saying my desire outloud is the beginning of experiencing it, I might be ready for destiny to take the wheel....

15 comments:

  1. KJ, you sound so darn happy it is infectious :) Yay on the book! You probably scared Stella! lol

    Happy weekend!

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  2. tammy, i think you are a bona fide doll. :)

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  3. Congrats with the book, I really hope it comes through for you!
    But as you say, even if it doesn't, it is a good sign that interest is being shown.
    Good on you that you decided to do the yard yourself. It may be a 3 year project, but at least you'll have it exactly how you want.

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  4. Happy weekend, KJ! I'm SO thrilled about #1 and 2 -- having read bits and pieces of it along the way I think the world *needs* your book. Congrats and woohoo! You inspire me! I wish we could join you for the fair chez JB/KJ -- it sounds wonderful, thank you for the invite. :) The paw in the hand story is so sweet ...

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  5. I love visiting this blog. It always lifts my spirits reading about your bountiful life. Good luck on you book. You are a wonderful writer. Your garden looks good KJ. You have a marvelous touch. The plants may simply flourish to revel in the wondrous company of you and JB.

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  6. Brilliant news on the book, all kudos to you, sweet lady. Baby looks wise, he'll figure out what to call you in his own good time.

    I can help but smile at how content you seem.. peace and smiles back again, sometimes the Gods are good, and it's always good to be within their radar, even by proxy..

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  7. Ahh, your blog never fails to put a smile on my face!

    "No Name"...could morph into Nona, Nonay, Nonee, Nana...all perfectly acceptable and adorable.

    Say hi to jb for me!

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  8. AS you can imagine, I've been telling that joke in #12 for years - except I say psychologist.

    SOunds like things are going well with the writing - I'm glad.
    I would just love to do a long retreat like that - probably Buddhist for me, but same idea.

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  9. I thought of you today when I found out an lod friend went to a silent retreat. Your summer sounds dee-lightful! Your good news made my heart happy for you! Sleeping with dogs is a must! Another friend just mentioned to me that of all the places in the world she has been and she is a world traveler that travels alone that India is the best because it is so pretty from all the colour, everything is adorned with colour! Great post, I enjoy these Thurs. 13's! i am ready for pissa and you girls anytime, I'm standing by!

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  10. I'm reading Eat Pray Love, too. Interesting!

    Can't wait to hear more about your publishing endeavors...

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  11. KJ, about holding someone's hand, probably felt that because Stella is a person all her own! Have you looked into Lulu.com at all? I heard they are wonderful for self-publishing. Good luck on the submitting. I find it the hardest part. I've been putting off sending out my proposal again. Ack!

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  12. It is so rewarding to alter your environment..to actually improve it...Especially true when you live in a climate like mine that ranges from Winters on Pluto to Summers on Mercury.

    I think that it is so cute that you woke up holding Stella's Paw...I used to do that with my Jackie Boy.
    I can still hear his huge sighs((FFFfff))...
    each one sounded as if the weight of the world had just been lifted.

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  13. Am so excited for you about the book. You have so many things to be happy about.

    Your bit about waking up with Stella reminds me of our precocious dogs who used to sneak into our bed at night -- it made me smile.

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  14. So good to catch up with your news - loved the description of your walk and the photos to go with it. Good to hear things are going well and that you're thinking deeply as ever about things. Good luck with that book - sounds exciting!

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  15. Fingers crossed on the publishing nibble.

    I too have friends of all ages and think it's wonderful because I hear different perspectives and learn from people in their early 20's and one who's 99!

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