Early Spring - Maybe Summer?

March 14 10am 34 degrees, clear blue Michigan skies - going to 70 degrees today.

Spring has come to Michigan. The past few days have been exceptionally warm and no end in sight. Snow is gone, crocuses are blooming, daffodils are gearing up. Quite amazing.

The Ides of March is my birthday. Yeah, yeah, just bragging. Made it through another year, despite my addiction to nicotine and fondness for two teaspoons of sugar in every cup of coffee.

Had an interesting encounter yesterday with one of my restaurant owners. He was railing about taxes, and not being able to make a million dollars, and the fact he didn't go to college because owning a restaurant has been his dream since he was 12. He is now maybe 30.
I finally jumped in and said, No, things are going great - Life is good, business is picking up, factories around here are building cars again, my kids are all doing fantastic, my wife and I are doing great.
He finally looked at me and said, Thanks - it's nice to see someone who is so happy and upbeat. I needed that.

Glad to oblige.

And my writing is beginning to show fruit as well.

Life is good.

February 19 2pm 29 degrees, fresh couple inches of snow, cold west wind

Glorious week, took the trash down Thursday night and had a clear brilliant night sky with Orion nicely positioned and Venus exceptionally bright.

This morning, sitting in my big blue chair by the big window, small birds trying to get the last of the seeds out of the feeders (needed to be filled), a young hawk came swooping in and captured a chickadee, crashing against the glass. The sound of birds striking the glass happens quite often, but the sound after was painful. I looked to see the young red-tailed hawk, starting to eat his prey. Don't think I've ever been that close to one - and he wasn't happy about me watching from only three feet away. He spread his wings and took off, with his breakfast.

What amazing things happen, if only you are around and able to see them.

Life is good.

January 14 noon 22 degrees, brilliant blue sky with fluffy white clouds

Enjoying our first weekend of actual winter weather hereabouts. an inch of snow on the ground, clean white. Has been in the 50's for the past three weeks - most amazing winter I've ever seen.

So, deep into the new year, things happening, writing progressing, business going nuts - recession? what recession? - need more hours in the day. Working on tax stuff, taking care of Mother, trying to keep everything hot on the stove without burning anything.

New keyboard - have a new computer as well, but haven't been able to switch my old programs onto it - something about my software being 15 years old - good grief.

Am going to try to keep this journal a bit more up to date. Keep going, keep trying, keep moving on.

June 25 8am 59 degrees, cloudy with blue background.

Clearly, everyone has given up on blogs as a means of communication - gone on to other new and fancy toys. I, on the other hand, have not moved on - I found even more unproductive ways to waste my time.

If this were something interesting, say a new lover or heretofore undiscovered passion, it would be one thing, but, alas, the days just continue to unfold as a rose and the new bloom moves closer to falling pedals than the promise of the bud.

Here, on my little acre of heaven, along the river, which the abundant rain has seen fit to keep high and moving swiftly, the trees have grown way too big, the yearly cutting back was not done, the grass grows too quickly and the roof, which has needed replacement for six years now, has begun leaking with earnest.

That said, the roses are blooming, the Asian lilies are spectacular, and the impatiens are kicking ass. A glorious rainbow in the east the other night giving way to a magical display of lightning bugs that appeared as fairies glowing yellow against the deep green.

And life goes on. Perhaps not in a noticeable progression, but still moving. The new granddaughter, the latest and greatest from the kids, the slow progression of my mother towards the long dark, while I search for the energy, the spark, the sheer will to move forward in a thoughtful, meaningful manner rather than simply stumbling blindly along an ill defined path.

All righty, then, that was depressing. There must be something going on. Two weeks ago, my wife and I took a trip east, to Pennsylvania, to the wedding of my cousin's daughter. I took advantage of this outing to visit Fallingwater south of Pittsburgh. An amazing place, a wonderful adventure. Slowly knocking off visits to Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces, Chicago is mostly done, Wisconsin & Arizona yet to come. The aforementioned cousin is responsible for this - it was she who took me to the Guggenheim in long lost days back in the Sixties. I nearly went into architecture because of that experience.

And, of course, the trip itself was an adventure. Mom, who at 88, decided it was time to leave the driving to someone else, sold me her car - a wondrous car of huge proportions and a very smooth ride. And I, with the optimism of a teenager, thought, "What could go wrong taking a thirteen year old car that hasn't been driven for a year, 1600 miles over the Pennsylvania mountains?"

On the fourth day, heading back home, in the mountains north of Philadelphia, it became obvious the car was not going to make it without repairs. So, on a Sunday, nothing open, small town, just after noon, I walked into an obviously empty hotel and asked for a room. "We don't have any." Ah, I said, gesturing to the empty parking lot. "The rooms are all on hold in case it rains."
"Rains on what?"
"You're obviously not a NASCAR fan - did you notice what the next exit is?"
"Poconos. You mean the race is this weekend?"
"Happening as we speak."
Luckily, it did not rain, my wife and I had a large hotel all to ourselves, pool, hot tub, a nice suite to watch the race unfold, and a relaxing day amid a far too short vacation.
And the nice Ford dealer got us on the road by 11 the next morning.

Off now to attack the greenery growing far too fast. Life moves on even if one would rather stay static.

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Spring Arrives in Michigan

March 19 11am 32 degrees - Blue Michigan skies with fluffy white clouds. The snow is gone (except for lingering piles that were once 10 feet tall).

Has been an interesting week hereabouts. On Tuesday last, I celebrated a BIG birthday. The week started with dinner with Mom last Sunday - when we arrived at the restaurant, all of my children were there, sitting at a table decorated with cake and nifty four color placemats put together by my son-in-law (the reason I know this is the caption beneath my senior picture says, "voted most likely to have a good looking son-in-law")

Tuesday morning, I awoke to horns honking and discovered my yard and the roadside were festooned with large signs announcing that I was old, needed parts, still had a full deck - but shuffling slower, and a 6x12 banner hanging from the big pine down by the road.

And, I'm pretty sure they (my lovely wife, children and our Saturday night group) are not done yet. I have been instructed to arrive for my birthday dinner at 5 this evening. I'm sure there are bunches of other things planned and I'm just going with the flow.

On another note, I may be old fashioned, or simply out of touch, but it appears the money people who put us into this recession and have come out the other side, not only richer but more convinced than ever of their invincibility, are still at it. Witness this quote from CNBC's Larry Kudlow after the big earthquake, "The human toll here looks to be much worse than the economic toll, and we can be grateful for that."

To those of us who saw our 401's disappear and the value of our homes plummet, and have to watch with disbelief while the money guys make even more while we suffer, this is the most callous statement I have ever heard.

Nearing 10,000 dead but it's okay, the Nikkai is going to be fine...

Makes one wonder what my next birthday will bring...

February 19 11am 25 degrees - First day below freezing since last Sunday - been in the 50's, cool today, with a brisk west wind, snow is pretty much gone, clear blue Michigan sky.

Wandered about the yard yesterday looking for the first signs of spring - daffodils are still hiding beneath the snow, peonies under a mat of oak leaves. Do have a few dark green myrtle clusters peaking out - guess that will have to do.

Over 300 lbs of sunflower seeds and into my third box of suet. Birds are everywhere and, new this year, three different types of squirrels. The little black ones are really cute - and very fast.

Have a young doe who has discovered the birds are not always good at grabbing the seeds - she sneaks up at night and stand just outside our front window eating off the ground - so close you could reach out and touch her. Oddly, the television doesn't seem to bother her as it flickers and is reflected off my big mirror.

Another big snowstorm is scheduled here tomorrow - the winter that won't stop.

Writing on tap for this afternoon. Wife working an extra shift, so the house is mine.

And, the Borders closing went around my store - always a good thing.

Onward and Upward.

February 13 Noon 41 degrees - First day since Jan 1st that we have broken the freezing mark - not just 40, but 32 - it has been a long string of cold. This week is supposed to be a nice run of 40's.

Which should all be interesting in that we have two feet of snow on the ground - stuff just keeps piling up.

All that said, I'm not getting any writing done at all - the gig I thought I had at the local newspaper has gone nowhere and I assume it is because the editor is reluctant to ask the publisher for enough money to make it worth my time.

And, my latest novel sits stubbornly on one side of my brain, repeatedly saying "this would be a good plot twist" and "you should try this" all the while refusing to go to the other side of my brain that makes my fingers work. Highly frustrating.

Perhaps the rising temps will create a spring fever of "you need to get this done" and the words will rise like the sap in our beloved maples. At this point, I'm not sure what else I can do but keep sitting here looking at a blank page and wondering if the electrical currents will switch sides.

Onward and Upward.

January 15 10am 24 degrees - fresh two inches of snow, flurries still coming down.

Noticed, yet again, that blogging has become passe - except for a few agents who keep us informed and amused. ie. Janet Reid and Kristen Nelson and a couple others.

But, for the most part, (and I'm guilty as well), blog postings are getting more and more intermittent.

This time of the year, in Michigan, there isn't a whole lot to do outdoors - unless you're one of those insane people who like to sit on a frozen pond and watch ice crystals form on your bobber (and likely other places we shouldn't mention).

Really enjoying my Ipad - very nice to curl up and read in my recliner. And the idea that it can be used for lots of other things is pretty cool as well. Have been able to find lots of hot spots but being way out here in the boondocks means funny looks if you ask if they have wi-fi.

My neighbor asked how I use it at home and I said I have wi-fi in my house. "You have cable? I still have dial up and it sucks." Have no idea why the cable came my way from the corner and didn't go down to her house. Not sure what I'd do without internet.

See, I told you I live in the boondocks.

Waiting on the snow plow - can't really do much until he shows up.

Onward and Upward.

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Deep into Winter

December 29 11am 25 degrees, hazy skies, had some freezing ice fog this morning - due to warm up to near 50 by Friday - the 8 or so inches of snow will melt away.

Christmas holiday is past, getting ready for our Yearly Feast Friday- Looks like 20 people or so, an eight course meal, with wine, then ringing in the New Year with euchre. I get to be a kitchen bitch (better known as sous chef)

Got an Ipad for Christmas from my kids. Lots of fun, yes it is. Came downloaded with Stephen King's latest - which is my usual Christmas present - yeah, I finished that Monday night. I also got a sequel to an earlier book from my youngest son, so I'm 50 pages or so into that - and, yes, it is a real paper book with a spine and everything. - Oddly though, I can't adjust the type size....

Hope everyone had a great holiday season - The New Year beckons, promising to fulfill dreams and move us another year down the road toward the future.

December 15 8am 14 degrees - a glorious sunrise over frosty snow. Roads are a terrible mess - too cold for the salt to work, black ice, clear blue Michigan sky.

Doing Christmas Letters - I absolutely detest those generic missives that arrive telling tales of people who are important to the sender but unknown to me.

After what had been a great year in my "other" business, a calamity which has greatly reduced my income and raised the stress level of the already stress induced holiday season.

Oh, well. We muddle on. As everyone apparently is gearing down for the holidays, I have more time to write and plan for the new year.

Onward & Upward.

December 13 2pm 12 degrees - 7 inches of snow last night, we are now UP to 12 degrees - with a 35 mph wind. Roads are solid ice - salt doesn't work at these temps - even the main roads are nearly impassable. Thankfully, I paid attention to the weatherman and planned well - not having to leave the house today.

One could not tell from the crowd at Borders that the company is in trouble.

Tree is up - packages reaching out four feet in all directions - there would be more but my wife ran out of wrapping paper.

Taking advantage of the weather to get lots and lots done on the latest work. Life is good.

November 26 10am 25 degrees - random flakes of snow, first of the season.

Thanksgiving dinner yesterday at niece's house, 20 odd family members, 30 lbs of turkey and watching the Lion's lose. A perfect day.

Mom even commented how wonderful it is that our clan can continue to gather in friendship and love - no harsh words, no sullen looks, and the rare political comment is laughed about and dismissed. Judging from comments by friends and others, this is a rare feat to accomplish time and time again.

Wife is tickled she didn't have to cook yesterday - all the children were heard from or seen - now a long weekend to gear up for the busy season ahead.

Some stress here as the end of the year is going to spell the end of some local businesses, no longer able to hang on. In my case, this includes customers and providers. Not a good thing, these people are my friends and I can do little to help.

Getting into the writing mode, that time of year. All things bright and beautiful.

And so it goes.

November 9 8am 33 degrees, glorious sunrise over low fog to a bright blue Michigan sky.

A week of respite from the cold weather - highs in the low sixties, frosty mornings - abundant sunshine.

Things are pretty quiet here in my little corner of the world. Eldest son, after years of solid employment, finds himself at loose ends, heading off to Florida in search of work. Wife is having a very hard time with this concept.

Youngest son is off this weekend to Toronto, doing tech work for his band.

I got to spend some quality time with the newest addition to the family, Grandbaby Eleanor. At three months, she is smart enough to know a smile can melt my aging heart.

I've taken temporary stewardship of our local Writer's Circle, while the founder and leader deals with an increased work load and some medical issues.

Also, waiting on the local newspaper to create a paid spot for my ramblings. They keep saying it's a done deal, however, I haven't seen my byline yet.

Easing into autumn, I usually have more and more time to write. That's the plan.

I have noticed a marked dropoff in blogging by nearly everyone. Clearly, all those who wander by here have moved on to the next newest thing. And, as usual, I missed it.....

Onward and Upward on this glorious day.

October 11 8am 52 degrees, sunrise to a streaked sky and low rolling bits of mist.

A lovely weekend of late summer weather, 70's and bright blue skies, leaves turning, reds and yellows, farmers taking advantage of a dry October to scrape the fields of soybeans and corn, some a precious third cutting of alfalfa.

Been reading quite a bit lately - the result of the paucity of anything to watch on my 600 channels of television. Finished A Room With A View last night - it is now overdue at the library. The one thing that struck me was the reliance of author intrusion - seems he went to this device whenever it seemed easier than simple writing another scene.

Juliet by Anne Fortier - a rather fun read, well done take on the old Romeo & Juliet story. The settings were nicely rendered as I puzzle out why it is the Muses are directing me to Tuscany. The past month has been filled with pictures of the church in Florence, references to Tuscany, seemingly everything I come across - my friends at the metaphysical shop say "there are no coincidences" - really, this getting out of hand. Even the local hotel is sporting a new paint job of browns and yellows from "Under A Tuscan Sun", which is appearing regularly on my 600 channels....

September brought Up From The Blue, by the lovely Susan Henderson. A debut novel with great characters, interesting premise, and a good start at building a readership.

Off to start my day - much happening, much to do, but....

The sun is shining brightly now, the colors of the changing leaves are so heartbreakingly beautiful, the October air warm yet holding a cool edge reminding us of things to come, conspire to thwart best laid plans.

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Summer Time Redux

August 27 11am 70 degrees - clear blue Michigan sky, chilly this morning, a sign of things to come too soon.

The turkeys across the way have been growing quickly and it appears they have all managed to survive the coyotes and foxes.

Discovered operating the chain saw results in extreme soreness of atrophied muscles.

Have seen quite a few deer in the past few days and always a doe with fawns - one or two - very cool as the little ones are losing their spots.

Full moon this week, starry starry nights.

Been reading more than usual. Tish Cohen's latest, The Truth about Delilah Blue. Used book store had - in the mystical section - On God - conversations with Norman Mailer. That was interesting reading - plus, even though I have a well read education, I was sent scurrying to the dictionary every 20 pages or so, thereby learning a new word.

And, I shouldn't listen to NPR - stopped at the Library and picked up A Room With A View only because I like Richard Wolff and he was effusive in his praise - which seems odd, but what the hell?

And, on Jamie Ford's advice, just printed out a Borders coupon for Juliet, that I'll pick up tomorrow when I go visit my new Granddaughter.

Life is good.

August 6 9am 65 degrees - clear blue Michigan sky, cold front came through last night, stripped the humidity from the air and is giving us some, albeit brief, relief from the heat wave.

Has been a whirlwind couple of weeks - family reunions, funerals, and this week, the birth of my first grandchild. My cup overfloweth.

Taking a new tack in regard to writing. I have had trouble getting into the groove again, so time is being set out every day, get the minimum quota done, go from there. Just a matter of sticking to it - yeah, yeah, I know, everyone else has the same problem and there are plenty of you who will help, but first, the letters have to appear on the screen.

How hard can this be?

Off to my home town this morning - the Missionary Church is having their huge campground this week, bringing a few thousand more folks to frequent the businesses. My Dad used to say, "there are more souls made, than saved, during the two week camp." My Dad has a wicked sense of humor.

July 27 7am 61 degrees - clear blue Michigan sky, pink clouds last night, full moon this morning.

Spent an hour last night watering my drooping flowers. Whereas the rains have been coming hot and heavy (Chicago), and with big winds as well (Downriver Detroit and Ann Arbor), and rain north of us as well, we appear to be in a dry slot. 80% chance here means two drops, lawn is drying up, flowers are going "What the hell?"

I'm apparently feeding many new families of hummingbirds, filling the feeder every other day. They get annoyed when they have to sip nectar from the actual flowers.

Sunday night, as I was watching David Suchet stumble his way through Masterpiece Theater, a huge crash. No clue until I found my big spotlight. A huge ash tree, killed by the ash borers, tumbled into the back yard. Going to be a mess to clean up, but I will get to play with the big chainsaw my wife got me for Christmas. Not to mention there should be a couple cord of wood involved for the fireplace.

Business is going amazingly well. I have no clue how that is happening and figure, at this point, there is no reason to question it.

The sun rises over the alfalfa field across the road, two turkeys with 8 little ones work slowly through the grass looking for bugs. A nice 4 point buck stopped in the yard last night.

Life is good. The stars are particularly bright in my world. Kids are all working and NOT living at home. Wife and I are rediscovering why we got together in the first place. The journey continues.

July 12 10am 71 degrees - cloudy, rain this morning, big thunderboomers last night, and a glorious rainbow.

Weather has settled into a July pattern. Hot, steamy, with thunderstorms, cool and dry, then back to hot & steamy.

Last Wednesday, saw a combine working his way across a wheat field - brought back lots of memories, though I don't recall ever harvesting wheat that early in July. When I was growing up, my Dad had a big red self-propelled combine - the first one in the area - and we would combine grain for anyone willing to pay. Summer days moving from farm to farm, one eye on the sky, and lots and lots of wheat.

Had a good week selling ads, delivering placemats, and being out there.

Have been having a lot of deju vu experiences lately, and premonitions of one kind or another. Not sure if any of these mean anything, but they do seem to portend something.

WIP moving along - nice to be back writing again. Must keep my eye on the goal.

July 6 8am 78 degrees - clear blue Michigan skies, hot stretch of days, 93 yesterday, hotter today,

Glorious sunrise this morning, not enough pinkish tinge to expect a sorely needed shower this afternoon, quarter moon in the eastern sky before dawn.

Got hollered at after Writer's Circle meeting last Thursday when Erin discovered I've been reading old stuff and not writing anything new. She's right, of course, so I'm struggling to move ahead with current WIP.

Enjoyed multiple firework displays, have been watering the flowers way too much, drove to city last night to celebrate middle son's 24th birthday. Much fun. Now, back to the grind. Get it done, get it finished.

Rolling along toward an unknown destination.

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Glorious Summertime

June 29 9am 57 degrees, cool weather as a respite from air conditioning, clear blue Michigan sky.

A glorious sunrise this morning, and I was even up to see it. The tinting of the eastern sky, the moon trying in vain to outshine the coming sun.

Bernita is chatting up a storm over on Bitten by Books. Fun, fun.

After 6 days, the penicillin has finally kicked in to wipe out a nasty sinus infection. And I feel GREAT! Super energized and ready to tackle just about anything. Writing is definitely on the top of the list.

Actually hauled the notes and partial I have around with me yesterday and spent some time reacquainting myself with what I still believe is my break-out.

Be it ever thus.

June 26 noon 80 degrees, summer has indeed arrived, clear blue Michigan sky, thunderstorms in the forecast.

Much of the week spent with my family, golfing, a gathering at my house, 20 some attendees, including my daughter who is very, very pregnant. 30 days left on that countdown.

My flowers are coming along nicely, though they could use a bit of fertilizer, maybe get to that tomorrow.

Off this afternoon to deliver placemats hither and yon, and then to Sister-in-law's house to watch fireworks from her front porch. Great way to spend a summer Saturday.

Writing continues to suffer from unknown causes, I know it is there, just won't come out.

June 15 9am 63 degrees - cloudy, has been for a few days, cool too. Warmth in the forecast, be nice.

Has been an interesting few weeks. Memorial Day weekend started with news of my wife's brother being hospitalized. A quick trip to Rochester soon became a hospice vigil, culminating in a memorial service the following Sunday. Rest in peace, Tim.

This week is gearing up for family. My Grandniece has graduated high school and that's all it takes for the family to come from all over the country for a celebration. Openhouse this Saturday, Golf with my brothers next Tuesday, and other get-togethers.

The deer, cruising through my yard in the early morning hours, have decided the buds on my Asian lilies are too tempting to pass up. I was looking forward to many blossoms and now have to figure out a way to keep them from munching on my hard work.

All excited for Bernita as she awaits the publication of Dark & Disorderly from Carina Press. Hopefully my hints for an Ipad as an ideal Father's Day gift were taken seriously.

And so it goes.

May 24 10am 78 degrees - clear blue Michigan sky, and hot, hot, hot. 73 is our normal high for this time of year and we are going to get close to 90 today and the rest of the week.

Happy Victoria Day to all my friends north of the border.

Life is good. Everything going better than planned. Very busy with my other business, which is a good thing.

Out here in the boondocks, medical marijuana has been approved and, now, the locals are screaming bloody murder as dispensaries pop up. What's more interesting is watching the discussion between golf partners, bowling league members, and most everyone who suddenly discover the folks they thought they knew have been smoking all along...

tis interesting, yes, it is.

Back to work - much to do, productivity is growing in every direction, which is a very good thing for my writing.

May 17 8am 51 degrees - gray cloudy morning, no rain in forecast - been almost warm, cool mornings.

Yardwork was the order of the day for the weekend. Planted a flat of impatiens, took down the bird feeders, put up the hummingbird feeder (still haven't filled it, waiting for the little guys to show up and say, "Hey, we're here!" Weeded - four wheelbarrows full and still fighting with crab grass - nasty roots on those suckers make it impossible to get every one.
For the most part, I have perennials; so if I keep the weeds down, they pretty much grow and blossom without much input.

Have - finally - gotten the story arc for my latest wip down. Didn't think it was ever going to happen. Now, hopefully, I haven't pushed it into that genre naming hell where agents throw up their hands and go - I don't know how to position this - Is it Urban Fantasy? - Is it Mainstream? Is it Suspense?

It's all very confusing. Does anyone know what Angelology is classified as?

Not that that is what I'm writing, but I'm curious as to how this was positioned.

Off to work - Placemat business is very brisk this time of year - much to do, much to accomplish, the devil at our heels.

May 8 Noon 41 degrees - Blustery day. Wind whipping - gusts to 48 mph, occasional spritzes of rain, a cool weekend after a couple weeks of above average temps and wondrous weather. Got an inch of rain and everything is green and getting greener.

A very good week, in the Placemat Biz. Been a great spring so far, which should leave me with plenty of time to write and get things moving on that front. Alas, writing time finds me curled up on the couch, watching Angels & Demons for the 43rd time. It is such a horrible movie, but I find myself unable to leave it long enough to search through the other 700 channels for something better. I do love the one line Tom Hanks delivers when he asked if he believes in God - it is such a great response to all my Christian friends - "Faith is a gift I have yet to receive." That has to be one of the greatest movie lines ever written. I haven't checked to see if it is in Dan Brown's book.

Pre-ordered Susan Henderson's Up From The Blue at my local independent bookstore. Margie says the pub date is a Friday - which is unusual. Any idea why? Susan?

Kids are checking in to see when Mother's Day is being celebrated. My wife worked in the restaurant business for so many years (working in food service means you don't even ASK for Mother's Day off as it is the busiest day of the year) - the rest of the family has created their own traditions with my Mother. So, we have no annual plans. When I offer to take the wife out to dinner, she says "I would never subject a poor waitress to one more customer today."

So, the kids will show up here in the morning and their Mom will sit on the couch watching them prepare breakfast. They are really funny and she enjoys watching them interact. Later, I will grill out pork chops, so she doesn't have to do that much.

Too cold to do any yardwork. Running out of excuses not to write. Be it ever thus.

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Rolling Along
originally posted: April 12, 2010

April 26 9am 54 degrees, clear blue Michigan skies, much needed rain over the weekend, though we seem to be in a dry slot, most areas got 1-2 inches, we got 1/2 or less.

Susan Henderson is getting great press for her debut novel, Up From The Blue. Check out Jamie Ford's blog. Can't wait to get my hands on this one - it appears (since no one bothered to send me an arc...) that I have to wait until pub date. Bummer!

And, Bernita has a pub date for her debut, as well.

When I mentioned to my local bookseller that the last of my original blogging buddies was getting published and I felt all alone and abandoned, she said, "But you stopped."

That really threw me for a loop. Somehow, I didn't realize I had stopped, thought I was still moving towards getting published. After a week of checking figures and whatnots, it appears I did stop. Nothing out to agents, nothing being offered, and it has been that way for quite a while now.

Rather discouraging. But my own fault. Doesn't matter how good your stuff is, if you don't send it out, put it out there, it is never ever going to get published. Duh!!!

And so it goes.

April 12 5pm 61 degrees, clouding up after a warmish spring day. Rain tonight.

Spent the weekend cutting back (well, actually, demolishing two giant yew bushes beneath by office windows - they had gotten upwards of 8 feet high and so big they were impossible to keep trimmed so the windows were usable. Now, all that is left are two to three inch stumps about a foot high. Chopping wasn't the hard part, dragging the huge unwieldy stalks seventy five feet to the burn pile was the hard part.

Finished Angelology - interesting book, fun to read, ending sucks - the last forty pages should be redone to something more satisfying to the reader instead of telegraphing a sequel.
IMHO.

Having great fun with Neil Gaiman - through the main books and working on short story collections.

Life is good.

April 9 9am 32 degrees, cold looking clouds hanging low - a, hopefully brief, reminder that the 80+ degree days were just a tease and it really isn't going to be summer yet.

Having a hard time getting my act together here. Life isn't supposed to be this difficult, is it?

From the Archives:

On long-ago Easter mornings, the bright sun would break over the horizon in the east, across the farmland. Our house would already be alive with action as cows were milked and calves fed.

Mother and Dad would hurry things so we wouldn't be late for the Brown City Masonic Lodge Easter breakfast. Mother, through some process I have never ceased to be amazed at, would get up early, milk the cows and finish the chores.

Then she would manage to clean up, get dressed in her new Easter clothes, get Dad and three small boys up, dressed and into the car. All of this by 7 am.

My two older brothers and I would be in new suits and shiny black shoes, sleepily riding toward town in the early morning light.
The only signs of life at that hour were a few milkhouses aglow. Main Street was nearly deserted, except for the cars parked near the Masonic Temple. The air is still cold at Eastertime, and getting out of the warm car would wake us up.

Brother Bob would be all sticky from the candy he managed to sneak from his Easter basket, even though Mother had forbidden it. For his trouble, she would take him to the restroom and scrub harder than necessary to remove it.
Dad would lead us up the sidewalk to the door. Inside was the biggest stairway I had ever seen. It seemed to go up nearly forever. As we started, the echoes of feet would rise and then come back down again. There was a long hallway at the end of the steps creating a fantastic reverberation with our hard-soled shoes.

Through the door, the foyer would be warm and crowded with the smell of Old Spice and Lavender as families waited for members to arrive so they could be seated. The same faces appeared year after year, with the same smiles and the same cries of, "Don't you look nice!"

After Dad scouted a table big enough for us to sit, we'd go to the dining room, where big wooden tables were covered with white paper tablecloths, decorated with jelly beans and little Easter bunnies. The tables were surrounded by sturdy wooden chairs with rounded backs and thick wood seats. Dad would find a dark wood booster seat for me and we would all sit down.

The Masons put this breakfast on every year, with the male members serving the tables, cooking the ham, eggs and hot cross buns, and delivering milk, coffee and grapefruit juice.
Dad would sit at the end of the table exchanging pleasantries with whoever walked by; proud of his three sons and of Mother, who looked beautiful and radiant.

I would grouse about the buns beings hard, and Bob would spill something - either on the table or his new suit, but he would spill something.

After breakfast, we would walk from the Masonic Temple across Main Street and down a block to the Methodist Church. Dad always wanted to be there early so we didn't have to sit in front. Sitting for a really long time on those hard pews was difficult for small boys.

As the church slowly filled up with friends and neighbors, the sun breaks through a cloud and sends glorious rays of colored light through the stain glass windows in the east. Even little boys were awed by the sight, which, of course, is what Easter is all about.

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Warmer, Warmer, Warmer
originally posted: April 5, 2010

April 5 8am 50 degrees, clear blue Michigan sky, still on a run of record temps, this can't go on but it sure is wonderful.

Friday, as I was working, saw bunches of people out raking and cleaning their yards. Which I did Saturday, got my big flower beds cleared of debris and the rockfall raked out, Sunday, the boys helped me put up the waterwheel and get it running. Daffodils and Jonquils are blooming everywhere, glorious spring.

On Susan Henderson's advice, I picked up Angelology. Am about 2/3 way through, fascinating book - kind of a literary DaVinci Code. One of those rare books that makes you look at the world in a different way - way different if you are a conspiracy enthusiast.

All of our sons were here for Easter, and the weather cooperated, turning it into one of those days to be treasured, the boys laughing and enjoying each other's company. Makes a parent proud, yes, it does.

Much happening, much to do, onward and upward.

April 1 2pm 77 degrees, blue Michigan skies, record temps, gotta love global warming, frost is gone from the ground, planting will be done early this year.

Picked my first daffodil yesterday, have seen a few red winged blackbirds, chased away a pair of starlings trying to build a nest in the soffit over the front door.

March was a record breaking month for my other business. I'm still trying to catch up with everything I need to do. April is looking even better.

Am reading my way through Neil Gaiman. What great fun - been along time since a book kept me up into the wee hours just because I couldn't put it down until it was done...

Writing life complicated by the transfer of my local newspaper editor. Having to start that whole deal over from scratch. We'll see what happens, at this point, I don't think the pittance they will offer will make it worth the time and effort. Though, sometimes you just do something because it keeps your name out there and when people see your name, good things happen.

Off to enjoy this rare and wonderful sunshine.

March 22 9am 38 degrees, sunshine and whitewashed sky, strong (and bitter) northeast wind. Jackets came off last week, a wondrous stretch of springtime.

Out here in the boondocks, on back country roads made nearly impassable by the frost coming out of the gravel unevenly, robins and Canadian geese searching for a place to call home and raise a family. I have crocus in bloom and daffodils four inches high, and, though the calendar says spring, it is not yet here. Weather guy says we are on our way to the least snowy March in history. Only a trace has fallen all month.

Received a Barnes & Noble gift card for my birthday and, 90 mile round trip to actually find a B&N store, spent the whole thing on Neil Gaiman books.

Oakland University Golden Grizzlies didn't do so hot in the NCAA, but MSU is kicking ass.

Life is good.

March 11 9am 43 degrees, beautiful Michigan blue sky this morning, ending a week of above average temps, going to near 60 today with a bit of rain to wash away the last of the snow.

River up with all the melting - eight inches of snow cover nearly gone and it has to go somewhere, so all the streams are high and low areas still frozen are spotted with standing water. Ah, spring.

Of course, we know it isn't over yet, another big snow is waiting out there somewhere, to hit us when the winter coats are stuffed into the back of the closet to be forgotten until November comes around again.

Enough about the weather.

Life around my little piece of the world has been wonderful. My alma mater (and current repository of two sons and a son-in-law) is going to the BIG Dance. Go Grizzlies!!

Our local writer's circle garnered press coverage.

Business is going amazingly well, given the economy hereabouts. The rising sap in the maple trees is raising the overall hope and belief we have that the future brings only good things. Optimistic people buy more.

Still putting together a weekly book review column for the local paper. This is going to happen, just a matter of getting everyone on the same page.

Off to do well in grand world of placemats.

March 2 11am 33 degrees, foggy this morning, melting over the past few days, still 6-8 inches of snow on the ground.

It has been an interesting week. Dental problems continue to plague, my favorite Uncle was buried, and the whole writing life seems so far away.

I'll be back around when I can think straight.

February 22 noon 29 degrees, heavy snow, been coming down since before dawn, maybe 4 inches so far and more coming - see, didn't even have to change the title of this entry.... how depressing is that?

So, a work at home day, have gotten lots done, not sure what else I can do, since I really can't go anywhere. Schools are closed, trees are starting to bend as this is heavy wet snow.

Bernita is all excited - hopefully, it will work beyond her greatest expectations - she is a very talented writer.

Rolling into the last week of the month, lot of ground to make up to get to quota - probably not a good thing. Oh, well. It is what it is.

Onward and Upward.

February 12 noon 25 degrees, bright out, clouds, but still bright. 10 inches of new snow came Tuesday/Wednesday, snow day around here - nothing like most other folks got.

Been sort of a lost week - my teeth decided it was time to rebel after 40 years of drinking coffee laced with sugar - beyond toothaches, large chunks of enamel are now simply breaking off, am heavily medicated while I decide the next move - I really hate this growing old stuff.

Off to deliver placemats and see what else is happening in the great big world.

It appears I will become a semi-regular columnist in the Lapeer County Press starting next month - writing a piece of personal history/remembrance working off an old farm photo - at least that's the plan right now. Doesn't pay much, but I get a byline and picture - every little bit of notoriety helps.

Onward and Upward.

February 4 9am 13 degrees, bright sunshine this morning, a glorious sunrise (earlier than it has been which gives hope), 2-3 inches of snow on the ground, chilly though, down to 6 last night - which wasn't in the forecast.

Groundhogs were everywhere, early in the week. My neighbor Hubert used to say, "You should be halfway through the woodpile by Groundhog Day." Soooooooo, we're about halfway through - the end of winter is in sight.

I received a wonderful compliment from a writer whose opinion I admire greatly. She said, "Your writing has become very much a "voice." And it is a voice that does not strain to impress, the way young voices too often do. It just is. And it communicates - not only what you are saying, but the mood, the nuances."

A wonderful way to start the week, the month, the year.

Now, of course, I need to get some real writing done, to use this perceived gift to clear the last hurdles to successful publication.

The new year has begun; on to the future, tomorrow, and the hope that comes with longer days, warmer sun, and groundhogs.

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Ric Marion is a writer, far from New York, in the rural thumb of Michigan. Done about everything, welfare caseworker, shop rat, trucking supervisor, editor, columnist, small business owner.
This writer is in search of agency representation.