Evolutionary Plume

Editing and year end tasks

I'm on Chapter 9--worst problem with it was missing information, some transition problems and too wordy. I've cut over 1000 words so far--it's beginning to come down to where it needs to be and reads much better. Bob said Chapter 7 read well, but now he's picking out the problems. Yesterday did some work on my nonfiction books and laundry. Coming up--taxes and year end. Oh, with no idea where to send the Journalist, I put it up on Associated Content. It's still a favorite poem of mine.

Online Resource to Cheap Laser Printer Toner

Like most writers, I go through a lot of printer toner, especially when editing my novel since there are so many pages involved. Inkjet cartridges also are used quickly at Christmas when I make cards. This online resource for finding good deals on cheap laser printer toner cartridges can save time in shopping and save money. It provides links to purchase ink cartridges by webpage. It also has a wonderful article on how to conserve toner which I found fascinating. One tip I have is to bookmark a site rather than printing. At coupons were available for a discount on inkjet orders. Another Mylinks had a number of coupons for use with a variety of printers. HP, Lexmark, Canon, Brother, and Dell printers are supported. This is a paid post.

Goals for 2008

I've been working on goals for the New Year. I keep finding myself pulled in various directions that I don't want to go, mainly by people I like. The internet is the playground for many people--games, chat groups and the like that can delay you from reaching your goals. I'm thinking of posting a sign by my computer that says "Have you done A, B, C?" as a suitable nag.

I finished George Martin's "A Feast for Crows." I was a little disappointed because unlike other books in the series, major changes didn't result. I am however looking forward to the next book and the answer to the question, what will happen on the wall and to the Stark family. Strange how because I started with the Stark family that I still want to know what will happen to them and their wolves.

Two hard chapters

Doing the closing edits on two of my hardest chapters, with the next one in pretty good shape except for all the technology. Luckily its just a few references although one scene is a complete rewrite.  I'm closing in on where I was intending to go with many of the scenes and its blending together very well.

Yesterday, we had the good luck to have a peregrine falcon land on our sumac tree in the backyard, boy was it a pretty bird, male, I think. Bob got a quick picture through the sliding glass door but when we opened the door he flew away. Terrible to think he's hunting all those birds at the neighbor's feeders, and ours.

Sleep Better Store Air Mattresses

The Sleep Better store is the place to find a good quality air mattress that allows you to vary the firmness through 99 different levels using an air pump. If you are picky about the firmness of your mattress, this option maybe perfect for you. I’ve suffered back problems and know that firmer beds often prevent back stiffness and pain. But I like a level of softness too. These air mattresses look like an ordinary spring foam mattress, but they have that additional layer that allows you to personalize your bed to your tastes. The web site looks good and is featuring a sell through Dec 17, 2007. One nice feature of their website is the ability to compare mattress features by mattress size and price in detail. They are also tossing in packages of mattress pads and sheets to purchasers. Cool Max fabrics are used to help reduce heat and flush moisture away from your skin, a feature every menopausal woman should adore. Their About Our beds page explains Cool Max, their digital pumps and air chambers and their warranties. You can find a toll free number at their website and get free shipping to anywhere in the USA quickly. Maybe this is the Christmas Santa sleeps well. This is a paid post.

Holidays, exercise, the lights, and the shoes

We haven't visited the gym much lately, we try to go four times a week and golf two, but the weather has been atrocious and the Christmas spirit thing is running. We're hosting two get togethers on the 22nd as our commitment to joy, so we've got the Christmas lights, tree and decorations up. We've also managed to be out and about seeing the lights, read more to see where to go in Puget Sound. Meanwhile shopping brought on appreciation for my Nike running shoes and customizing them. I hadn't heard the term pimping sneakers before. I delved into memory lane to discuss my favorite shoe after recalling reading Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. And I did some baking, without much success but read more if you want to hear how to avoid making apocalyptic sugar cookies for the holidays.

Season's Greetings

 

Season's Greetings

 

Seattle Symphony Delights of the Holiday Season

Sunday, my husband Bob and I got away from the house to see Seattle Symphony's Delights of the Holiday Season program. It was wonderful. All the pieces I hadn't ever heard out shone the selections from the Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky. They played all the favorite dance songs really well and the entire opera house was decorated with a Christmas tree in turquoise, gold and maroon, with some snowflakes and a wreath in the concert hall. Our two young cello soloists were top rate. Joshua Roman and Julian Schwarz were very comfortable playing the duo from Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Cello's in G minor, RV 531, PV 411. Samuel Barber's Die Natali, Choral Preludes for Christmas, Op. 37 sent me into fantasia land from the depressed big band sound at the start. Later, when the Christmas tunes were worked in, Silent Night really hit hard. See more about my Christmas favorites we play at home. Other selections by Corelli, Percy Grainger's "Molly on the Shore" and Ralph Vaughn Williams "Fantasia on Greensleeves" had a folk song feel to them that made you want to tap your toe. Downtown is decorated and gorgeous at night.