Headshots

All actors need headshots. Thomas attended at charity event at Stone Mountain "Shots for Tots."

Editing ::: Ghostly Editing Retreat

This morning I woke up and there was a fantastic fog. I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Ghostly trees

Ready for Action

Michael is helping William put together his Halloween costume. I'm not entire sure what this is, but he seems to be ready for whatever is coming.

Ready

Editing Retreat ::: Good Advice

One of my favorite spots at Moon Shade Hollow (besides...every other spot I love) is the "office" in the big house. It's full of family memorabilia that one could explore and wonder about for hours. This is the first time I've "occupied" the office, having come up for an Editing Retreat. I've been feeling a bit like the butcher who backed into his meat grinder...a little behind in my work. (Yes, I realize that joke is probably older than I am. The fact that it's still around makes it a classic.)

As I was setting up my desktop (okay, I was clearing off a space and Thomas was setting up my desktop after driving me here), I noticed this little gem on the top of the desk's hutch, just under the Lionel Train model.

House Rules

I thought it was an appropriate reminder that my presence is felt at home even when I'm not there. I just love texting.

Bad Ideas for Bad TV Shows

Thomas has lately been getting much more independent in theatre activities. Last month he worked tech for Staged Right Theatre's Silent Sky production, getting to and from rehearsals and shows on his own.

Tonight was the opening of Bad Ideas for Bad TV Shows. If I recall correctly, this is the first time he's work a show that was not with our "home" theatre. This one is part of a threatre festival, with one weekend of performances on their home stage before they head off to the competition (another milestone...Thomas will be going out of town on his own, staying at a hotel on his own, getting around the festival on his own, etc.).

NOT per the usual, I managed to remember to take some pictures of this show. Unfortunately, the stage lighting made for less-than-lovely photos, but at least I captured a few Kodak Moments.

Contemplative character

Expounding character

French artiste smoking a vape

My favorite - cop who eats six donuts only pausing long enough to say, "Yup."

All my boys. We're past the point of ever getting a decent picture of everyone.

Thomas and his little buddy Em

Kitty at Rest

Biscuits has taken to cuddling on top of the infrared roaster (thankfully with the cover on).

Not sure what else to say about that.

Snoozer

Whaaaat???

"You can go away now."

Editing ::: Cat and Mouse

One of Biscuit's favorite indoor spots is my mousepad. She'll tolerate sharing with my mouse only so long before I hear the telltale sound of an electronic device hitting the floor.

"Do I really have to share?"

Gotta tend to that kittie toe jam

Contented Bagheera

I don't know why he's so content. Maybe because it's Sunday.

"Yes, I am so awesome I can sleep in Sphinx Pose."

Cats in Hammocks

Yeah, cats and hammocks don't sound like a good combination. Kind of like cats and bathtubs. But, both of our kitties have mastered the skill of getting on and off the hammock when there are humans in it. Since Michael and I have been enjoying the cooler evenings by sleeping in the hammock, the kitties have been joining us, often all night.

"Good morning, Bagheera."

"I should probably get out of bed now..."

"Or not."

Room with a view of my favorite tree.

Editing::Networked Ladies

For the past few months I've been attending monthly Xperience Connections networking events hosted by Carole Cheatam. Each time I go, I meet new, interesting ladies, all entrepreneurs from a wide variety of industries, many of them active moms or grandmothers.

The Group! My webmistress, Sarah Greer, is down front.

I like the XC format. Each event is a ladies-only "closed" network, which means only one representative from each industry may be represented (no competing with the gal sitting next to you). It's a "pay per event" arrangement, rather than a fixed monthly or annual membership. And you can attend as many or as few events as you like. Our area has several leaders, all of whom have regularly-scheduled events, and you decide which one(s) you want to attend. You're not required to show up to every weekly or monthly meeting.

My new networking buddy Sandra Rogers

I especially like Carole's events. Hers are in the evening, so you're not interrupting your business day. We begin with socializing and a light supper (always creative and yummy) prepared by Carole. During the "formal" part of the meeting, we each give a three-minute presentation about our business. When that's done, there's more socializing.

Kimberly Fodrie (Snellville's leader) and Carole)

If you've got your own business, I highly recommend attending an XC event in your area. If you're shy about going to new places on your own, bring an entrepreneurial friend or associate. I was introduced to the group by my Personal Banker, Amanda Hayes at SunTrust. She's the Queen of Networking (that's a lot coming from me). If the other groups are even half as lovely as ours, you'll be comfortable whether you bring a friend or not.

The End of an Hair-a

Thomas as been letting his hair grow out for a few years now. He's got this thick, dark, curly hair, the kind any woman would kill for. But, as anyone with long thick hair can attest, it takes a lot of work to maintain, and is hot in the summer. Lately he'd been asking me to braid it for him when it needed to be under control.

I was a bit surprised when he came home from his painting job with short hair. He says it feels much better, but it certainly will take a bit of getting used to.

Snarl of curly locks

Editing:::Writing Retreat at Moon Shade Hollow: It Sneaks Up On You

Sometimes a thing just looks like an ordinary thing...

Oh, what a nice little table and lamp.

Until you get closer...

Hmmm...there's some sort of design on that table.

And closer...

Wow...that looks like it's handmade. And really complicated. What is that?

 And closer...

Holy crap, that's a bunch of different peices of wood all fitted together to make a butterfly.

Marquetry is one of those extraordinary traditional talent/skills that is easily overlooked and shouldn't be. Please take a few minutes to watch a demonstration of the process. Let it sink in how excruciatingly detailed this work is. And then take another look at some of the pieces I've posted during this writing retreat.

Then take a moment. Take a look at what's around you. Is there some human element that you hadn't noticed before and can now appreciate?

You might be surprised by what you find.

Editing:::Writing Retreat at Moon Shade Hollow: No Words Necessary

Well, I might have a few words...

Lake.

Boat.

Dock.

 

Saint.

  

Cats.

 

Clock (the other one that doesn't run, but these words don't count because they're in parentheses).

 

Medallion.

 This is Moon Shade Hollow and The Little House. Go there. You'll thank me.

That is all.

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Editing:::Writing Retreat at Moon Shade Hollow Day 4

It rained all night, which made the insomnia almost pleasant. Craig didn't want to prop the doors open (as I tend to do at home when it rains) because mosquitoes consider him a rare delicacy and behave accordingly. So I made do with having a few windows open all night for the coolness and the lovely sound of the rain.

I gave up on sleep pretty early on last night (even watching a subtitled crime series in Icelandic didn't make me drowsy) and did some work instead. I got some glitches on this blog sorted out, streamlined my new posting process, and set up a bum-load of draft posts that just need "the words part" so I can hit the "publish" button.

Now you know my secret: I don't actually blog, I write.

(I would say something cynical about Blogger and their messing with my process, thus forcing me to come up with a new process, but that wouldn't be classy since I'm using their free platform.)

It's so quiet here that I find myself tiptoeing around even when Craig's not sleeping, and I have to remind myself to raise my voice a bit if I expect him to hear and understand me (especially when he's using earbuds to drown me out).

BTY, why is it called "tiptoeing" when you don't actually walk on your toes (that would be "en pointe")? Just wondering.

One of the things that lends The Little House to creative work is the lack of a functioning clock. There are two beautiful clocks, but neither of them are running. There are clocks on the stove and the coffee pot, but they both refuse to give me the correct time. It's not that I'm not aware of the time--it's displayed on every device I work on--but somehow when there's a clock prominently, incessantly, and even mutely announcing the time, my eyes automatically wander over to it more frequently than I care to admit.

One of the timeless clocks.

The lake and kayak were calling me after I'd been up for a bit, and I was seriously contemplating enjoying some on-the-water solitude. But I sent them both to voicemail when this happened:

I did some more work instead, with my "office" window open of course.

My totally chill work space.

I have to tip my hat to the designer and builder of this little gem of a cabin (Billy and his dad) for including a generous overhang on the roof. No matter where you are, you can open a window and not worry about the rain coming in (unless there are gale-force winds, in which case you really don't want the windows open anyway).

Although we got started a bit later than I intended (easy to do when you're up half the night writing), we spent the afternoon working. I'd gotten the manuscript draft 95% completed yesterday and we decided to do a read-through. Craig was on his laptop at the breakfast counter reading aloud, and I was in my totally chill work space making corrections and notes as we went.

Reading aloud is a technique used by editors to check for flow and awkward phrasing (and other highly technical stuff that might confuse the average mortal), but I'd never considered having the author read their own manuscript. Craig intends to make an audiobook of the finished manuscript in addition to the e-book and paperback, so the benefits of the read-aloud are twofold (or threefold). Four eyes and ears are better than two. Since we both wear glasses, I guess that's eight eyes and four ears.

Craig multi-devicing.

At home, Craig's process involves taping pages to the wall in the living room and/or kitchen. I'm not entirely sure how that works, but he brought his particular brand of mojo along with him to the cabin. (Don't worry, he uses painter's tape so the wall surface isn't marred.)

Craig's process, plus a map of the Appalachian Trail

Here are a few more details of The Little House before I move on. Billy's father was a master of marquetry, and there are about a dozen of his masterpieces prominently scattered around the cabin. And not just on the walls (more on that later), so you have to keep your eyes peeled to find them all.

Marquetry: elaborate wood inlay to create a pattern.

I particularly love the simplicity of this arrangement and the statement it makes. It makes one wonder if these tools were used to build this cabin.

Tools of the trade.

We're still getting rain on and off, so we're mostly staying inside the cabin. Ahhh...the sacrifices we make for our craft. ;)

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IPod Case Redux

A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, people had iPods. No, really. They did.

Back when I actually had an iPod (which was not as long ago as you might think since I'm a Late Adopter), I got this little black case to hold my device and earbuds. It worked great. Until I no longer had an iPod.

Don't ask me why I kept it because I don't know. I'm not one to hold onto STUFF once it's outlived its usefulness or stops giving me pleasure (don't go there). But, there it sat in my bedside-table drawer (again, don't ask me why) for years until I randomly rescued it from oblivion (I just can't bring myself to comment on that particular design bomb).

The Little Black Case enjoying time in The Little House

What do I use it for now? My iPhone certainly doesn't fit into the main compartment (they just keep getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger, don't they?). The smaller outer compartment is supposed to hold your earbuds all nicely looped up so they don't get tangled.

What could possibly fit in here?

Even when I'm not on a writing retreat, when I'm editing (and other times as well) I move from device to device as I work. I've got my desktop for the heavy lifting and for tasks that don't work well on a mobile device, my tablet for lighter work (first-run edits, reading newsletters and blogs, some correspondence, and writing), and my phone for keeping track of what I'm "supposed" to be doing, communication with the outside virtual world, and looking stuff up (mostly Merriam-Webster's dictionary and Wikipedia). And occasionally playing certain app-based games and puzzles when I need a brain break.

So, throughout the day I find myself migrating from my desk, to the loveseat, to the comfy chair (all in my office), and sometimes even to the kitchen. And there are all those little things that I need to have on hand in each spot. You know, the stuff that gets lost between the loveseat cushions and drives you crazy because you need it and it's sitting there quietly taunting you ("You can't find me, you can't find me, nanny nanny booboo"). 

Solution: The little stuff goes in this cute little black case, and the black case goes in the pocket of my favorite cargo shorts (that's a topic for another day). In the case are earbuds, small post-it notes, an ergonomic pen, and a small stylus (yes, I know, dinosaur).

Before you start chastising me for using earbuds because they isolate everyone from everyone else, allow me to point out one of the best aspects of using them: concentration. This has been made apparent to me on this trip thanks in large part to Craig.

Craig has a tendency to occasionally get temporarily diverted in the middle of a conversation or task. Just as we've been doing at The Bear Den for several years, when I want to gently point out that he's off topic I just say "squirrel." Then he blushes prettily and we get back on track.

I think Craig may be getting tired of hearing me say "squirrel," because he's spending a lot of time with his earbuds in. I don't know if he's completely concentrating on the task at hand, but he's getting his homework done and we're not "squirreling" each other (yes, I did just use a rodent as a verb).

Conclusion: It's not the tool that's the problem, it's the way the tool is used (like you've never heard that before). If you've got a tool that's not serving you, find a way to make it serve you.

Hopping off the soapbox now...