Happy to Cry

Sunday, I was over at my pal Sally's house and we were doing our tandem-writing thing on her screened-in porch. I needed to write a particular scene in which my favorite character discovers the body of one of her grown children. I couldn't bring myself to do it, at first. I got up out of my chair and paced around. Sat back down, still couldn't write it. Walked around some more, feeling awful for her. I just felt so bad for her, probably in large part because I have a grown son of my own. I felt as if the longer I put it off, the longer she could go without knowing it. Finally, I confessed to Sally what was going on, and I burst into tears! Can you believe that, over a fictional character?! I've only cried over a character once before (over Ray Raintree in The Whole Truth), and I have to tell you that strictly from a writer's point of view, it is sweet sorrow.

Join me in the comments for coffee or tea?

Mimosa Monday

Okay, *now* she's really retired, because this is her first Monday in mumble, mumble years that she doesn't have to go in to work at the library.

Cheers to Ms. Katiebird and to all of you who are already retired and all who only dream of it.

And if you think orange juice ruins a good glass of champagne, you may have yours straight. Or vice versa, except there's no vice in that. :)

xxoo
NP

Berries for Sunday breakfast

These are from the garden of a friend who lives in Berkeley. Cream and sugar?

The first Saturday of the rest of your life (Kb!)

Time to gambol. At play in the fields of the Sniff and the Giddy. Photo by andif.

Friday Fantasy

Photo by Andif. Title: "Retirement. For katiebird."

I've never felt like a "Nancy." If I could change my name, I'd be Elizabeth. Even now, sitting here at this computer, that feels like my real name. I'm not sure who this other Nancy person is. She slipped in here somehow and stole my identity. This name thing has been true for me since I was a child. My choice has always been Elizabeth. And I wouldn't go by Liz, or any other shortening, because I don't "feel like" any of those nicknames, perfectly fine though they are for other people. It would be Elizabeth, or nothing. I wonder if it's because "Elephant Walk," starring E. Taylor, was the first movie I ever saw.

Do you "feel like" your name? If you're not really who your parents named you, who are you?

The dark before the light

One of Andif's finest, in my opinion.
Click photo to enlarge it.

Coffee Shop Day

Wednesday. . .

I'm waiting to hear from my computer guy. Are you waiting for something today?