Category: 2012_Posts

Daily is difficult for me, and weekly can be too slow. “Whenever” seems to be the way I post.

Sing Yourself Into the Christmas Spirit

~ JodiLea

!SNOWMAN

Hubby and I had tickets had tickets to see the Columbus Community College Chorus with Orchestra perform on Friday night.  Since we had to go to the big city (Sonora) for the concert, we decided to make a day out of it and finish up Christmas shopping,  have a nice dinner, then relax and enjoy some music.

The Choir performed classic pieces, traditional Christmas carols, and a surprise. They, and their orchestra, were beyond awesome.

After the first set in the program, the conductor, John Carter, turned to face the audience and told us  “Now it’s your turn.” Say What?  As he directed, we sang. The choir members left the stage to take a break during this time. Either that, or we were really awful.

Do all Christmas concerts have sing-a-longs? This was my first, so I had no idea what to expect.  The music was the popular traditional carols, everyone over 5-years old knows, like Deck the Halls, Silent Night, etc. I have not sung with a conductor before. It really helps everyone stay in tempo and we didn’t sound bad. I think.

Hubby sat next to me on my right side. I love when he sings! His sexy baritone voice – well – none of your business – that’s what. Ahem..  The man seated next to me on the left, had a wonderful alto voice that he was very proud of.  He sang so LOUD,  I could not hear myself sing.  I had to be off-key most of the time. There’s always something going on around me.

Despite the little annoyances, we had a fun time, met some nice people, and we got to sing in public with an orchestra and conductor!  My Christmas Spirit got a needed boost.

You may have noticed that this blog is more Christmas-y  now. I changed the lay-out for the holidays. I don’t know about my loyal readers, but I was getting BORED with the scrapbook look.

Who knows what insanity will look like in January…  😉

Stranger Than Fiction

~ JodiLea

It happened again!

As I was ready to write another “This Could Be News” post, I came across something in our local county paper. It was in the Sheriff’s Log section, blending with similar incidents. I almost missed seeing it, so I drew an arrow to point it out.

SheriffsLogCloseUp

.

I don’t know where Mountain Ranch is, but they take their HBO very seriously.

I Love You, Now Go Away!

~ JodiLea

Yet another NaNoWriMo tale…

Hubby and I took a road trip to Lake Havasu, AZ and spent Thanksgiving with his family. The 80 degree weather was fabulous. We literally drove 12 hours to summer!  Like a devoted writer, I brought the novel on a flash-drive with me. Just in case I had time to myself to kill. And could borrow my Sis-in-law’s computer. (I’m asking Santa for a laptop this year!)

No, I’m not blaming the holiday or the relatives for my word count only increasing 2,000 in that 6-day period. I am a social creature on occasion, and always a dog lover. I could lie and say that Ginger and Gabby “ate my muse”, but I won’t. Our mini-vacation with my siblings-in-law, was full of food, fun and laughter. This may be why my muse became constipated. I suspect jealousy.

My brother-in-law(s) set up a computer for me, in the guest house hubby and I were staying in, so I could keep writing my NaNoWriMo novel.  I’m sure this support and encouragement disturbed hubby greatly.  He had already told me that this first NaNoWriMo adventure should be my last. He (claimed) was worried about my health. Not enough sleep. Not eating right. Blah, Blah, Blah.

I imagine there are a lot of NaNoWriMo widowers and widows about now. Take heart! Only 3-days left of cooking your own meals, having the TV remote all to yourself, sleeping alone, etc.  We miss you too of course, but our focus is on writing and this we do alone. At least I do. So please, do not interrupt us with tidbits of trivia you read in the paper, or telling us your plans for home improvements next year.  We understand your wanting conversation. Just save it for meals and break-time, is all we ask.

Day 94: Earplugs

TV noise and chain saws require industrial ear-plugs. I am not kidding – I really wear them. I’d take a picture, but sweats and no make-up is today’s fashion statement, so just imagine me with an orange foam plug in each ear.  Earplugs only work if hubby is making the noise, because he ignores the fact they are plugging my ears and talks to me anyway.

Once my rhythm is broken it is freaking hard to get it back. Distractions abound in the real world. I often fantasize about having a padded, sound-proofed room, with an inside lock, to write in. I even wonder if I should be tested for Adult ADD, or ADHD.

Today is gloomy and rainy – perfect weather to write.  The week’s errands and grocery shopping are done. Leftovers are thawing.  The wood-burning stove is hot and so is the coffee.  So, why am I not spewing forth oodles of words?

Gloomy and rainy is also the perfect weather for a nap. I think I’ll take one, Lord knows my muse is.

😉