Dec 9

On the way home from Pennsylvania, driving madly on the Mass. Pike, a fantasy boat hauled by a ghostly truck came into view. That's what we should all be living.

Dec 8

It's a winter wonderland in the Poconos.

The Christmas tree had been installed on the afternoon of my arrival. That evening after supper, the dining room became a collection of carolers and festive lights, cookies and hot chocolate, popcorn and laughter.

I placed a pink ornament on the tree. And so far, so good on the writing front.

Pearl Harbor Day

Driving through Connecticut is harrowing, but not until New York does Stormville appear. There's nothing better than finding a warm, welcoming room at the end of a disrupting ruckus.
The word count last evening took almost until the early hours of this morning. But the words didn't even begin until after supper, after decorating the dining room Christmas tree, after folding Monday laundry, after shopping online, after answering emails, after more cookies. Even at the ashram there are cookies, but they are made with whole wheat and without frosting. Eew.

Dec 6

Yesterday, half way to the gym, I noticed with a surprise and an "Oh, Jeez!" that I was completely clothed in purple. It's those moments when you look around to see if anyone is watching your absolutely fantastic stumbling blunder. At least there was enough good sense to wear the green mittens that live in the car for cold mornings.

On the way home there was a sun dog above the trees, but I couldn't remember if that meant snow was on its way.

And sure enough, snow flurries started flying at 8 PM. Instead of writing my quota for the day, I baked five batches of different cookies; pinwheels, brownies, cookies, tarts, and some Swedish cherry bing thing that got burned. These are going with me to the ashram today. Not the burned ones. One should always bring a gift when one goes visiting. Maybe the writing will become enriched by meditation. The Hartford corridor may not be so busy on a Monday. Goob Luck!

Dec 5

Ugh. Writing was a struggle yesterday. I found a myriad of things to keep me away from the desk. Hauling wood, washing dishes, decorating the fake tree at the lake, visiting the neighbor for coffee, making a poster, walking Daisy. Finally, fretting about the time, I sat down and was visited by thugs carrying guns, hallucinogenic drugs, mountains outside of Denver, old beater cars driving on the interstate highways, and sweatshirts that smelled like dog. Where does this stuff come from?

Dec 4

In the parking lot blogging late because we flew today (messed about in an airplane) and I didn't write until evening after dessert of raspberry tartlets. Today Stanley was born as a character. Stanley Harsher, know as Buzz. After an Owen Wilson character who says, "You're harshing my buzz". Not sure if he should be stoop-shouldered with a gut or strapping with bulging biceps. Soon the tartlet will have a name and description. Can't wait!

Dec 3

These cool dog stickers came home from Staples to commemorate every 2,000 words written. The first dog on the page is a Springer named Daisy. Congratulations, Daisy!
Moriarty has been developed from yesterday as the heroine's brother named Sullivan D. Tractor. Mr. Tractor is like the "Pig-pen" character in Peanuts or Joe Btfsplk in Li'l Abner.

Dec 2

Meridians are the ley lines of the body. The premise is there are energy pathways, or meridians, in the body. The flow of energy somehow becomes blocked, and may cause pain or dis-ease. Acupuncture is based on the premise that freeing this blocked energy flow leads to more ease, less pain. But it does involve needles.

Tapping is the new acupuncture. No need to sterilize the fingertips to tap on meridian points. I am trying this tapping method enthusiastically on my Paul bunion to get ready for another hike. So far December is very energetic. The new novel involves Moriarty. Weight watchers has a new program. The ice came in, and last night went out with heavy rains. The roof doesn't leak.

Rabbit Rabbit

The gray month is over!

This morning there is a beginning of color in the narrow orange band of sunrise, my purple jacket and red mittens. The tracks are frozen in the road and frost covers the ground, reminders of yesterday's November.

Good bye, I say, don't let the door hit you in the patooty on the way out.

"I'd like to help you out.

Which way did you come in?"

- Maxine

December Word Count

Nov 29

Ice on the pond!

It's a sunny but breezy day, slightly above freezing. The furnace kicks on and the baseboard heaters click with the change in temperature. Deer hunting season is over. The orange vest and dog bandana go back into the cedar (hee hee) chest. Glad a few of the deer got away.

I was thinking of going to Farmer Dave's Riverside Farms and looking at newly cut Christmas trees. But yesterday I washed the red truck and today the doors are frozen shut. That's okay, because that truck hasn't moved in 3 years. A guy is coming to look at it. He's confident that he can get it started. And then he'll take it away. That is, if he can pry all the slowly sinking tires out of the frozen ground.

Nov 28

My fellow hut-to-hut snowshoers/skiers will be happy to know I have a brand new purple jacket to keep me warm on the trip to the Blue Lake Hut. More warmth, less whining. It'll make a nice pillow when not being worn.

Meanwhile the puzzle thickens.

Nov 27

Our first snow/sleet of the season!

It only delayed the shopping at Macy's, Target and Cabela's. It finally melted enough to venture out around dusk. While waiting for the temperatures to rise, shopping online revealed a few interesting sales.

Nov 26

It was meant to be a shopping day to replace the birdhouse that blew down in the winds a couple of weeks ago. But the weather radar map shows a large and wide band of pink over the area, representing freezing rain, just until it warms enough later in the day. What good is getting up at 3 AM if the roads are treacherous until 10?

Resistance will undoubtedly arise to make you stronger. Stronger convictions, stronger driving skills, stronger ability to resist shopping for the day... which one is it?

Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, Pilgrims,

Whaha.

The thankful task for this week is to stay out of the grocery store and to read nothing out of a book. That is seven days of no food shopping and seven days of no reading books. So on top of reading deprivation, there is to be no visitation to Hannafords.

What happens when you disrupt your usual schedule. Does your face break out? Do you clean and oil your guns? Are the ipods more active? Do you talk more to your spouse who is reading to beat the band and snacking on the last of the chips?