About three years ago now, I moved with my family to the country from the suburbs. And for the most part, I love it. This weekend, however, I learned that even the best laid plans can be torn asunder -- among other things.
This weekend, we took the girls, along with some friends, tubing on the Battenkill River. This is apparently a pretty common activity for those that live in my area, as the river is very winding and slow moving. It draws fisherman, kayaks and "tubers". So we decided we would see what all the fuss was about. It certainly looked like fun all the times we have driven past the river to see the groups of tubes floating down it.
We mapped our route on the river, rented tubes, left one car where we were planning to end our ride and drove the other two up to the start point. We planned to be on the river about 5 hours and packed lunches and drinks for the ride. We had prepared.
At the start, my friends spent a good deal of time berating me for not having done this before. "You have this practically in your back yard, and you have never done it before? This is awesome!"
And admittedly, it was an amazing and fun ride down the river on a very sunny and hot day. Perfection. Our theme for the trip became -- We are making memories!
Well, it turns out, that what we thought would be five hours on the river became eight hours. By the end of trip, we were all rounding bends in the river and praying desperately to see the bridge where we parked our car. The funny thing about tubing, is that you really have NO CLUE as you are riding about where you are or how much further it is till the end. Side note: 10 yr old children do NOT like being stuck in a river for 8 hours. And "do you see a bridge, yet?" and "Are we still getting slushies when we are done?" became the questions of the hour. Oh, and two of us managed to loose our shoes during the trip.
The theme of our trip changed at some point to -- "We are making memories, Dammit! Shut up and enjoy it!"
We finally made it to the car to learn that Pete had locked his keys to his car in one of the other cars, which was parked at the beginning of the journey. So he had to hitch a ride with some other adventurers to the car to get his keys and drive one of the back to meet us and all the tubes that we still had to return, as we had rented them.
The tube rental place charged $8 per tube for a 5 hour trip. We missed the fine print where they stated that you get charged $5 per hour per tube for being late. So, when we arrived to return them, looking completely exhausted, waterlogged and VERY happy to have the river behind us. --they were not pleased and were looking for another $150 in fees for keeping the tubes out. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! We finally settled on paying half of the fee and had to go to the store and take out cash to pay.
What a weekend!! Making memories can be hard work!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A New Start - Fear and Hope
As scary as the prospect is at my ripe age of fourty, it is time for me to make a clean break and a new start. For myself, and for my daughters. After a six year relationship and the purchase of a house and two dogs, it is time for me to strike out on my own once again. Love is nothing without trust.
For a long time I told myself things like "it is better than being alone" whenever things seemed bleak or I felt betrayed. I told myself I wasn't a quitter, that I would stick with it and by doing so, by making that sacrifice, things would improve. It won't get worse, right? Wrong.
It turns out, despite or greatest desire to the contrary, life just doesn't work that way. There comes a point where you have to weigh all the sacrifices, all the times you turned the other cheek, or believed the promises and vows made against all the lies, half-hearted attempts at regaining the trust, and stress of trying to save a relationship that is, for all intents, dead.
I guess the underlying message in this, at least for me, is that people don't change. It doesn't matter how badly you want them to, how much you love them, or how much you sacrifice. The only thing you can ever change, is YOU.
So... that is my lesson for today and the first step to making a new start.
TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE. I am not about to waste it :)
For a long time I told myself things like "it is better than being alone" whenever things seemed bleak or I felt betrayed. I told myself I wasn't a quitter, that I would stick with it and by doing so, by making that sacrifice, things would improve. It won't get worse, right? Wrong.
It turns out, despite or greatest desire to the contrary, life just doesn't work that way. There comes a point where you have to weigh all the sacrifices, all the times you turned the other cheek, or believed the promises and vows made against all the lies, half-hearted attempts at regaining the trust, and stress of trying to save a relationship that is, for all intents, dead.
I guess the underlying message in this, at least for me, is that people don't change. It doesn't matter how badly you want them to, how much you love them, or how much you sacrifice. The only thing you can ever change, is YOU.
So... that is my lesson for today and the first step to making a new start.
TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE. I am not about to waste it :)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Summer Reading
Hey All:
I have been putting together a bit of a summer reading list for myself and wanted to see what you all suggested for a great book to read this summer while sunning in the sand and surf. I do not get much chance to read in the winter months, so save up my reading for times when I am at the beach or watching over the kids at the park.
It's been a long time since I have followed the best seller lists and usually choose a book by an author I am familiar with in a genre that I prefer (usually historicals and fantasy).
This time, I would like to get some suggestions from others on what sorts of books you would recommend.
Soooo, what is on your reading list right now?
I have been putting together a bit of a summer reading list for myself and wanted to see what you all suggested for a great book to read this summer while sunning in the sand and surf. I do not get much chance to read in the winter months, so save up my reading for times when I am at the beach or watching over the kids at the park.
It's been a long time since I have followed the best seller lists and usually choose a book by an author I am familiar with in a genre that I prefer (usually historicals and fantasy).
This time, I would like to get some suggestions from others on what sorts of books you would recommend.
Soooo, what is on your reading list right now?
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Dragon and the Raven
Just a little something... not sure yet where it will end up.
Ghostly clouds of the unknown swirled behind exotic, yet blank emerald eyes. The curtain of true sight slipped open. Pictures floated, still blurry to her mind's eye, then grew clearer, closer, begging to be known and understood. Shelby was familiar with this sensation. She took a deep breath and let it wash over her, her shoulders relaxing as she closed her eyes. Only with her eyes shut tight, could she truly see. The darkness began to ebb, the tendrils of smoke retreating to give her a better view.
A man approached her from the gloom. He was tall, well built, his carriage was arrogant and self-assured. He strode silently closer, almost stalking her. His face became clearer as he neared, but he was unfamiliar to her, a stranger. His features were set in stone, unyielding. The man was handsome, even with his too strong chin and hawk-like nose. Clear blue eyes bore into hers, burning into her memory, freezing her where she stood. She was powerless, but strangely unafraid. He wanted something of her. She sensed it in him. What it was, however, she couldn’t determine--wasn’t meant to know. He stopped then, the space between them so small that he towered over her petite frame.
"Who are you?" she croaked, amazed that she was able to speak at all.
Shelby had to tilt her head back in order to meet his gaze. Their glances locked for a breath of time, sending a wave of strange anticipation thru her limbs. His searing look paralyzed more than her body. Her mind too, seemed numb, trapped in a thick mud of confusion. She should have known not to bother asking such a silly and simple question. They never answered, no matter how much she wanted them to.
Proving her point, without speaking a single word he moved closer still, closing off the air between them, the heat of his body mixing with hers. He lowered his dark head toward her and Shelby abruptly realized his intent. Too late. His lips brushed hers softly, his power unmistakable. The man’s scent swirled over her senses, musky and masculine. She felt herself leaning easily into his embrace. Her mind now gone, only sensation and touch remained. He drew her against his hard body and his lips fused with hers.
Shelby clung to him weak with unsettling emotions, responding instinctively to his demanding exploration of her mouth. She trembled as he pulled her even tighter to him. A longing she didn't understand began to bloom, swirling up from her toes and igniting her stomach with churning fire, like the scalding heat of a sleeping volcano about to spill forth its inner strength.
She shivered then, the kiss was over and she couldn't breathe. Her eyes opened languidly as her body shuddered from the suddenly cold air that now separated them. It took her a moment to realize he was gone.
All that stood before her now was a small fire. Realizing how chilled she was without his heat she moved closer to the flickering warmth. Confused eyes stared into the flames as they licked hungrily at the dry wood. She tried fervently to collect her thoughts as she watched the fire. It began to grow and transform as she looked on.
It took on a life of its own, changing shape until Shelby could finally see the form of a fierce dark dragon with menacing black eyes entwined within the orange flames. She was unable to suppress the terror that overwhelmed her. The power of the emotions and stark terror shook her to the core. She closed her eyes tightly then, wishing the visage away. When she cautiously opened her eyes once more the dragon was gone. The fire was once again, a simple source of light and warmth.
The dark clouds once more swirled in around her, closing, chocking off her vision until things were once again black and obscured within her mind. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking as they adjusted to the light of the room. She looked about and smiled softly, she was back. She was safe. The vision was over.
Ghostly clouds of the unknown swirled behind exotic, yet blank emerald eyes. The curtain of true sight slipped open. Pictures floated, still blurry to her mind's eye, then grew clearer, closer, begging to be known and understood. Shelby was familiar with this sensation. She took a deep breath and let it wash over her, her shoulders relaxing as she closed her eyes. Only with her eyes shut tight, could she truly see. The darkness began to ebb, the tendrils of smoke retreating to give her a better view.
A man approached her from the gloom. He was tall, well built, his carriage was arrogant and self-assured. He strode silently closer, almost stalking her. His face became clearer as he neared, but he was unfamiliar to her, a stranger. His features were set in stone, unyielding. The man was handsome, even with his too strong chin and hawk-like nose. Clear blue eyes bore into hers, burning into her memory, freezing her where she stood. She was powerless, but strangely unafraid. He wanted something of her. She sensed it in him. What it was, however, she couldn’t determine--wasn’t meant to know. He stopped then, the space between them so small that he towered over her petite frame.
"Who are you?" she croaked, amazed that she was able to speak at all.
Shelby had to tilt her head back in order to meet his gaze. Their glances locked for a breath of time, sending a wave of strange anticipation thru her limbs. His searing look paralyzed more than her body. Her mind too, seemed numb, trapped in a thick mud of confusion. She should have known not to bother asking such a silly and simple question. They never answered, no matter how much she wanted them to.
Proving her point, without speaking a single word he moved closer still, closing off the air between them, the heat of his body mixing with hers. He lowered his dark head toward her and Shelby abruptly realized his intent. Too late. His lips brushed hers softly, his power unmistakable. The man’s scent swirled over her senses, musky and masculine. She felt herself leaning easily into his embrace. Her mind now gone, only sensation and touch remained. He drew her against his hard body and his lips fused with hers.
Shelby clung to him weak with unsettling emotions, responding instinctively to his demanding exploration of her mouth. She trembled as he pulled her even tighter to him. A longing she didn't understand began to bloom, swirling up from her toes and igniting her stomach with churning fire, like the scalding heat of a sleeping volcano about to spill forth its inner strength.
She shivered then, the kiss was over and she couldn't breathe. Her eyes opened languidly as her body shuddered from the suddenly cold air that now separated them. It took her a moment to realize he was gone.
All that stood before her now was a small fire. Realizing how chilled she was without his heat she moved closer to the flickering warmth. Confused eyes stared into the flames as they licked hungrily at the dry wood. She tried fervently to collect her thoughts as she watched the fire. It began to grow and transform as she looked on.
It took on a life of its own, changing shape until Shelby could finally see the form of a fierce dark dragon with menacing black eyes entwined within the orange flames. She was unable to suppress the terror that overwhelmed her. The power of the emotions and stark terror shook her to the core. She closed her eyes tightly then, wishing the visage away. When she cautiously opened her eyes once more the dragon was gone. The fire was once again, a simple source of light and warmth.
The dark clouds once more swirled in around her, closing, chocking off her vision until things were once again black and obscured within her mind. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking as they adjusted to the light of the room. She looked about and smiled softly, she was back. She was safe. The vision was over.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Summer is Here and Life is Busy!
As usual, when the weather changes for the better, my schedule seems to fill up faster than the Walmart parking lot on a Rollback day. Picnics, camping, softball games, practices, birthdays, etc. I love and hate it all at the same time. It definately makes it a requirement to schedule in my writing time.
The Machenwood story is progressing fairly well and I am up to Chapter 6 now. Still haven't reached a point where I feel I can incorporate the notes I already have, but maybe that is a good thing -- since it means I will have that much more to add to the story as I go.
I found a great site for getting feedback and critiques. I would suggest it to anyone that wants to get a readers perspective on their stories or chapters.
The site is http://www.critiquecircle.com/ -- I posted the first two chapters for feedback and got 12 critiques during the week that my story was in the queue. Alot of great suggestions and edits that I missed. It has been absolutely invaluable to me. It gives me a chance to get a real feel for the readers reactions and also allows me to read and critique other writers work -- a great way to see different writing styles and learn from each other.
I am lovin' it!
The Machenwood story is progressing fairly well and I am up to Chapter 6 now. Still haven't reached a point where I feel I can incorporate the notes I already have, but maybe that is a good thing -- since it means I will have that much more to add to the story as I go.
I found a great site for getting feedback and critiques. I would suggest it to anyone that wants to get a readers perspective on their stories or chapters.
The site is http://www.critiquecircle.com/ -- I posted the first two chapters for feedback and got 12 critiques during the week that my story was in the queue. Alot of great suggestions and edits that I missed. It has been absolutely invaluable to me. It gives me a chance to get a real feel for the readers reactions and also allows me to read and critique other writers work -- a great way to see different writing styles and learn from each other.
I am lovin' it!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Memorial Day Weekend - More Camping!!
Heading out tomorrow (after a half day of working) for a relaxing, fun-filled weekend of camping with the family. I should have some great pics and stories to share when I get back. With the girls coming along, it will be impossible not to.
We aren't taking a long trip this weekend, just an hour away to a campsite where one of my best friends has a seasonal site. Thank goodness, as I don't think I can do another 12 hours in the car. :P
I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Be safe and I will see you on Tuesday!
We aren't taking a long trip this weekend, just an hour away to a campsite where one of my best friends has a seasonal site. Thank goodness, as I don't think I can do another 12 hours in the car. :P
I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Be safe and I will see you on Tuesday!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Miss Bucket Butt
Just thought I would share another picture from our prospecting adventure this past weekend. I call this Miss Bucket Butt. If anyone asked me what my daughter, Shelby, is like I can just hand them this picture.
I've also provided a nice one I like to call - Camp Monkey (also courtesy of Miss Shelby).
I think I could fill a book with her adventures, maybe I should give it a try. *ponders*
Enjoy. :)
Monday, May 17, 2010
The 49ers Still Exist
So I went gold mining this weekend...
That's right, I said gold mining - as in prospecting, panning for gold.
My boyfriend is retired now and this is the hobby he has picked up to keep himself busy, and he is really loving it. So being the supportive girlfriend I am, I said I would go with him (and take the kids) to a weekend outing he was planning to attend in Marion, NC. Twelve hours in the car later, we are in NC and I learn that the typical 49er does still exist and is not a figment of the past. These gents come complete with a million interesting stories, full ZZ Top type beards and usually some knee high rubber boots. Not a single one I met was anything but wonderful kind and more than willing to shre his knowledge and techniques with you, or let you see the things they had found over the years.
Their faces light up like children when taking about their mining adventures, friends made and lost, or any other mining topic you show a true interest in. They are true gems and just a wealth of information for anyone, interested in gold propecting or not.
I had a great time learning, meeting a bunch of new people, and watching my daughters enjoy learning to pan and trying not to talk with a southern accent on the way home.
Here is a picture of "The Nugget Man" as he is referred to in mining circles. (Check out the nugget he is holding - the thing weighs 2 pounds... think about that for a second at today's gold prices)
Just an absolutely fabulous and informative weekend.
That's right, I said gold mining - as in prospecting, panning for gold.
My boyfriend is retired now and this is the hobby he has picked up to keep himself busy, and he is really loving it. So being the supportive girlfriend I am, I said I would go with him (and take the kids) to a weekend outing he was planning to attend in Marion, NC. Twelve hours in the car later, we are in NC and I learn that the typical 49er does still exist and is not a figment of the past. These gents come complete with a million interesting stories, full ZZ Top type beards and usually some knee high rubber boots. Not a single one I met was anything but wonderful kind and more than willing to shre his knowledge and techniques with you, or let you see the things they had found over the years.
Their faces light up like children when taking about their mining adventures, friends made and lost, or any other mining topic you show a true interest in. They are true gems and just a wealth of information for anyone, interested in gold propecting or not.
I had a great time learning, meeting a bunch of new people, and watching my daughters enjoy learning to pan and trying not to talk with a southern accent on the way home.
Here is a picture of "The Nugget Man" as he is referred to in mining circles. (Check out the nugget he is holding - the thing weighs 2 pounds... think about that for a second at today's gold prices)
Just an absolutely fabulous and informative weekend.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Real life trumps writing -- unfortunately.
I have been having a hard time with inspiration lately and I can only really blame the real world for infringing on my writing one. Here in NY we are looking at furloughs for state workers, of which I am one, meaning a 20% drop in pay while there is no budget in place. It is hard to keep your mind on a fantasy world where good wins over evil knowing at any time now word will come down from the great legislative powers that we will be forced to take on unpaid day per week until a new budget is passed. This from the same legistators that are working a 3 day week - and not a full five like us working saps and going home early because "why stay when there is no progress?" The same group that voted themselves raises. Now because they cant agree on what to cut where, the rest of the masses suffer and wait for them to wake up.
My thought? Since you can't do your job when you do manage to show up, how bout you take a furlough day and leave the unwashed masses alone?
Ok - so that is my rant for today and my excuse for the lack of recent blog updates.
Happy Spring!!
My thought? Since you can't do your job when you do manage to show up, how bout you take a furlough day and leave the unwashed masses alone?
Ok - so that is my rant for today and my excuse for the lack of recent blog updates.
Happy Spring!!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Talk About Inspiration...
I just finished Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. What a great read. The man has an amazing ability to apply poetry to fiction, and weave a story with incredible detail. Just loved it, and I usually am not the biggest fan of more futuristic fantasy works.
I am so inspired to work at the craft of writing right now. If I could craft a story-spell with even one tenth of the skill of that man, I would be one very happy writer. :)
I am so inspired to work at the craft of writing right now. If I could craft a story-spell with even one tenth of the skill of that man, I would be one very happy writer. :)
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