Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Nearly two years since I ventured here. Perhaps I should remove Musings from My Pen and develop a blog. At least those who found me
might post and spear me on with little pieces of this and that, nothing trememdously important. Just a thought or two upon which to ponder.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Almost 2010 and we enter the second decade of the 21st Century. Lots of changes here including finding homes for two more short stories. Gramma's Box and
The Brick Room made it into print. In addtion, Jerry Beare's book is finished and doing very well. Find your way to Jerry's web site from my links page.
Just click on the scrolling hyperlink in the menu.
Now about The Gift... No It isn't out there yet. I put it on hold a while back and donned my editor's cap to work on a new project. I don't regret making
it wait and gather a little dust. The new work that I hinted at above is well worth the time. I'll pull it out again one day. First though, comes a new short story and
and then Ascalla's Daughter rewrites. Oh, and before I forget, more editing work. I have reached the ultimate conclusion that days are far to short. Any
suggestions about how to stretch 24/7 into something longer like 36/10 maybe?
Less than three hours remains of 2009. Those sweet little kittens
I found that day in the park have turned into huge big cats that still play with the zeal of kittens. They spent many hours coiled around the upper branches of
the Christmas tree batting ornaments and smushing the needles. Pug is a bit older and her little chin has turned snowy. I, on the other hand, have decided to un-age. Wonder if one can do that.
Well if it can be done, I mean to do it.
Here's Minnie ensconced on her favorite limb completing her daily tree ritual.
Happy New Year
Friday, February 6, 2009
Busy here, as usual. I did manage to sneak away for a few days of R & R before returning to begin work on a revamp of The Gift.
Yes, that extra long short story will move into the ranks of a novella before too long, and then it's off to Wild Rose Press
to see what they make of it. Cross all those fingers and toes.
Besides The Gift, I am editing a book called Parenting: A View from the Therapist's Chair. The book
is written by Jerry Wayne Beare, Sr. Now Mr. Beare has a string of who he ises and where he ises and how for he ises long
enough to circumnavigate the globe. However, all of us know...well most of us who question that kind of stuff know, that those paired
with, what is it now, at least a buck might get you a cup of coffee. However, Jerry is something special. He's the real deal
folks and the effort he puts forth to help people far exceeds a few words and a seal on a piece of paper. We are to the line by
line edits now and looking at the end of the year to have everything ready to go. I can't wait to see this baby in print. If you
have kids in your house, Children and Families is the book to have beside you.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Where to begin? The newest announcement I suppose is the place to start. Last Friday, I recieved a response from Laurie
Noctch at IdeaGems that she wanted The Brick Room, a sureal realization journey. A casual remark about it being
fodder for Laurie's latest venture into the cinematic world brought an offer to use it for just that purpose. Of course it's
many steps away from completion, but knowing Laurie, the wheels are already clicking and I couldn't be more pleased. I might even make
a trip to Maine come Spring and have a peek around.
That's the most recent news. Next up would be what transpired last October. The whole thing started with a walk. My normal practice is a
little three-mile jaunt around a local park, something I tell myself is good for keeping me young and may just result in my living forever.
I had just come around a turn in the trail and was approaching an area with heavy tree and brush growth off to the left. I saw a big cardboard
box shoved under some of the brush. The closer I got, the more convinced I was about that box holding something precious.
When I was close enough for a better view I found that the box was turned on its side, and huddled nearby were three tiny kittens.
And I do mean tiny. They still had that tiny kitten vacant stare from little blue eyes that had not yet changed color. I won't
go into more detail about what followed except to say that three hellions, Minnie, Joe and Patch, now have a secure home. Their
position in the world is a lot different from the confines of an old cardboard box. Of course they are much larger now
and have taken over nearly every corner of the house, but the picture below will attest to their comfort.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Today I held you in my arms and told you goodbye. You looked at me with such trusting innocence and my heart welled over.
My sweet kitty, I know the trials of your last days. I know, too, that your eyes told me you wanted to go. But my heart does
ache so and my empty arms long to feel your little body nestled against me. In all your years, you gave boundless unconditional love.
The place where you last slept, curled among the pillows on my bed, holds the shape of your tiny body, a reminder that
mere hours ago you lingered there. I miss you my Lucy girl.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Did you ever feel so completely happy that containing the exubereance was nearly impossible? Days when black clouds
fly in the face of sweet gales of laughing wind and the sun dances in your soul. Days when every fantasy you paint gives
birth to joy. Days when you feel as though you have come home after a long trip even though you haven't journyed a single
step. When I am happy my soul sings. Can you hear it?
Sometime Friday, July 25, 2008
I don't plan to write anything tremendously signifcant this morning. Just that I was suprised with a new
monitor for my birthday, one with a huge screen, and since then, looking at my MS Publisher web site has turned me green and monstrous.
Monstrous, you ask? Yes, monstrous. It seems that in their infinite wisdom, and besides making it hard to find
exactly what you need to do to create the site to begin with, they make it impossible for one to center the desired elements for viewing.
Thus, when someone else with a humongus screen happens to stumble and look around, SIGH!!!!
they find everything huddle up on the left side of the screen and looking awful. Thank you very much, Microsoft.
So what must a struggling writer, unwilling to shell out 3 or 4 hundred dollars for software
to make everything beautiful do? Well, I'll tell you what this one did. I dug out my old HTML book and started fooling around.
Now I'm not perfect. There are sure to be mistakes, but trust me, it looks better today than it did
yesterday all crammed over on the left side of my new monitor. And best of all,I'm starting to get my color back.
Monday January 28, 2008 10:00 AM EST
Life's getting in the way of My Pen these days. I'd rather spend my free writing time making stories I'm afraid.
So to all the good people who sent mail wondering if I died, I am just bogged down concentrating on work instead of Pen entries.
I do hope responding to your mail made up for it.
Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:00 AM EST
She’s done it again, and I had a chance to read The Sleeping Madonna.
Deborah Rey kindly sent me a preview of her romantic, dynasty-style novel. The story, a
truly unique read, spans four generations and plunges the reader into the fabulous wine country
of Portugal. The relationship between the main characters and the exceptional love they share will
carry you along through endless days of passion and joy. Deborah captures the heart with poignant
scenes that pulsate with life.
The reality of aging and lovers who see only beauty
A magnificent horse, more human than equine
Courageous people who triumph over life and acknowledge death’s ultimate conclusion with dignity
You will not read The Sleeping Madonna without thinking of it again and again.
