Ten Things Wednesday Afternoon: More scenes from my life

I have just signed up to participate in NaBloPoMo; in observance of National Blog Month, I will post every single blessed day in November and I am excited to flex my writer’s chops in this ambitious way. There’s a fair bit of nervousness hovering but I am pretty sure I can do it. Somehow. I have nothing but sincere and slack-jawed amazement for those folks who did it last year and for those dedicated bloggers, like Mrs. Chili, who still post every day. Even Saturdays and Sundays. Years ago, Don Murray sent me a laminated large bookmark, full of quote by writers about writing. On it, E.L. Doctorow is quoted as saying, “The writing generates the writing.” Isn’t that a lovely perspective to put into practice?

1. My darling husband and I are breathlessly awaiting word from the BBC regarding a book proposal we sent them, upon their request. Last year, I spent a great many dedicated hours editing a medical book from the 80s into an updated, much more relevant work. BBC and Random House, which they own, may well publish it. Breathing, breathing…

2. Ten days ago, while getting into a car hurriedly, I accidentally and vigorously placed my tail bone in direct contact with an upraised seat belt receptacle, bruising it spectacularly. Sitting isn’t comfortable, driving is unpleasant, and lying on my back (my favorite sleeping position) even makes my butt throb, so I am learning to adapt to living carefully. I am told that tailbones can take months to heal, but I am hopeful mine will get on with it much sooner, ’cause ow!

3. My eldest, coping with the vagaries of hormonal inundation, is coping much better with handling the crankystorms that blow up; she takes a deep breath and attempts to control herself. Yesterday, when faced with a provocative little remark from her sister, Boo simply remarked that she refused to engage. THen, Boo looked at me and asked if I’d noticed that she wasn’t engaging…! Good girl. Pat pat. Houston, we have progress.

4. NPR pledge week! Despite their relentless pledge-week entreaties and constant appeals for donations, I’m still listening; these people are MASTERS at persuasion and insinuation. Since I am teaching the public speaking course Effective Communication again this semester, I am recording the various appeals the announcers are making. Some examples: “At 120 dollars a year, only 10 dollars a month and most of us can afford that, you’ll help pay for the award-winning programming here at NPR that you have come to depend on.” I joined last year, so I stopped feeling like a thief by listening for free (they’re GOOD, really!), but I haven’t yet this year and that’s partly because I want to get to the height of the sense of obligation their campaign will instill in me before I cave so I can use that sense of being persuaded to teach from.

5. Bob and I are finally setting up our wills. We have had a will in the past - ok, 10 years ago - but now it’s time to ensure that if something happens to us, they children are protected. I procrastinated taking care of this for years now, but if I am getting on a plane in April (to go to Amsterdam!), I need to get that stuff squared.

6. My nephew’s Bar Mitvah is in two weeks.  Last weekend Bob and I took the kids and we scoured the offerings at the local mall for something that wasn’t sexified, inappropriate crap.  We found one little dress in Macy’s that would do for my ten year-old Monkey, but it was nearly $60! Fortunately, Boo can wear one of MY dresses (she and I are nearly the same size), but we need to find something for the little one, and soon.

7. Last night, I harvested at least a pound of broccoli from my garden.  On October 23rd! We still have carrots in the ground -it was a great year for our multicolored crop (all five colors) - and kale that is  flourishing in the colder temperatures that have finally arrived. It was 77 degrees yesterday and that’s just wrong!  The sun may be shining and the air may be warm but weather like that in late October means that Mother Nature is pissed off.

8. All three of my classes are going very well this semester.  My Monday group is Foundational English and we meet for 4 hours from 8:40 to 1:00.  I let them out at 12:30 most weeks because a four-hour class is excessive no matter how many different things we do, but the time flies and the students are engaged.  My other section of Foundational is much improved, partly because I have stopped being affected by the negativity of some of them and have simply catered to the those who participate and try to engage. There are some lovely people and some true characters in both classes, so it’s fun for me, which never sucks.  My Effective group - all six of them - are taking their last class at TCC with me; Senioritis maxed.  Even so, they are not so crispy that they don’t work, enthusiastically debate and prepare and deliver speeches. One of them likes to talk about weed a little more than I would like, but it’s all good.  I have high hopes for their visual aid speeches they’ll deliver at the end of the week and even more for the persuasive speeches they’ll give me the week after next.

9. It’s  nearly time for this stuff.  Sighhhhh. With it come the sweaters, cords and warm things I always look forward to indulging in.

10.  Chikadees are visiting the ruins of the sunflowers outside my window, foraging for the seeds. I will post some of the shots I have taken, but for now, here is a lovely shot of this musical little bird, from someone else.