Promises, promises

Okay, so I found the camera. I didn’t have all that much luck taking a decent photo of the haircut, but I’ll share the best of a so-so bunch.

haircut1.jpg

haircut2.jpg

I chose a salon that claimed to use all non-toxic products and dyes, all ready to go the vegetable dye route with my haircolor. Unfortunately, though they are switching over to all non-toxic, they haven’t made that transition yet. The shipment of vegetable dyes was due in this past Friday. I got my hair cut on Wednesday, and I decided to go for the toxic just one last time, rather than wait any longer. The stylist and I agreed I’d go with the vegetable dye the next time.

I saw Lu at Gilly’s Salon. She was fantastic. I really lucked out. Not everyone can cut curls well. Plus she was fun to hang out with for the two hours I spent in the chair. That counts too.

So…okay. There’s the hair for you.

The blog’s been kind of weird lately, hasn’t it? Spotty postings and sometimes talking about the kid and sometimes about Portland and sometimes about knitting and sometimes just getting all angsty and you guys start to assume I have S.A.D., which I totally don’t, and then I feel weird about that and…well… Thanks for sticking with me.

This started as a knitting blog, but I don’t knit quickly enough or well enough to keep a blog running just on the knitty. And then it was a knitting and grad school and writing blog. And then it was a pregnancy and knitting blog, then a baby and knitting blog, then a cross-country move and knitting blog… Now?

Apart from my family, the most important thing in my life is my writing. Not my blog writing, but my real writing. But as long as I’ve had this blog, the posts that have consistently generated the most deafening silences in the comment box have been the posts about writing. I don’t blog to get comments, but I do enjoy getting them–who doesn’t?–and they can give you a good sense of how the blog is being received, what readers are interested in and what they’re not. I’m going to keep talking about the writing–it’s what I do–but the seeming lack of interest in it makes me wonder about the direction of the blog. Do I just talk about sock knitting and the baby and the dog? I don’t want to do that. It’s just gives me pause that when I offer up a post that’s most like myself, the way I really am offline, those are the posts that generate the least interest.

Which leads me to a decision that will perhaps guarantee that I generate increasingly less interest, but, well…I mostly blog for my own entertainment, so… Here’s what I’m thinking. I talk about my writing, but all any of you have read is a short story I wrote four years ago. I don’t intend to post anything from either novel, or from any stories in progress, but I do want to share a bit more of my fiction here. I also want to find a way to play around and get a breather now and then from the big problems of the novel-writing process without having to throw myself into the smaller problems of story-writing. What I’m planning to do is to write one fragment or snapshot a week and post it here. A quick sketch of a freewrite and then just hit publish. So you get to see a little bit more behind the curtain and I get to exercise my fiction muscles in a way that doesn’t carry the pressure of expectation or the commitment of a larger project. It might not always be good, but I hope it won’t often be dull.

And if it is, well, it’ll be over fast. These are going to be swift little things. Or you could just not read them.

I’m thinking Tuesday would be a good day for it. Fragment Tuesdays. Or somesuch.

Unless it just sucks. And then I’ll stop and tell you about the sock I’m knitting.

Or I could just put up a toddler pic, like this one:

new boots.jpg

Someone really likes his new boots.

124 Comments on “Promises, promises

  1. Cute happy feet!

    Cari the only reason I don’t comment when you talk about writing is that while I like reading about it, I don’t know enough about the process of seriously Writing to have much to say about it. So for me it’s less something in which I’d participate and much more that I like to observe and absorb. I can’t speak for anyone else but I like the writing about writing as much as everything else.

    Ok…maybe I like the Thumper pics the best… 🙂
    Posted by: no-blog-rachel

  2. As a relative new comer to your blog, I think you are right, this blog should be for your entertainment and be about what YOU want to share. I for one will enjoy reading snippets of your writing. As a non-practicing engineer who wishes she could write stories, I am in awe of all of your skills. Knitting, writing, motherhood, designing, blogging, and boot buying.

    And though I don’t comment on every post, please know that I do read every post. But as a fellow mom I would hope you understand that I don’t get time to formulate a coherent comment to each post. 🙂

    BTW, love the boots, my boys each have a pair! My girlie has monster boots.
    Posted by: Michele

  3. Yikes, I forgot to say I also like your hair, I wish I had curls. I love the color.
    Posted by: Michele

  4. I have always been eager to see/hear/read some of your fiction writing. I think it wonderful that you are thinking to share some with us….my husband too is a writer, and he never shares any of his work with me! I personally would feel honored:)
    Posted by: celeste

  5. Great hair, and definitely great boots! What a cutie!

    Can’t wait for more writing posts. As a writer, I find them very interesting.
    Posted by: Anna

  6. Cute happy feet!

    Cari the only reason I don’t comment when you talk about writing is that while I like reading about it, I don’t know enough about the process of seriously Writing to have much to say about it. So for me it’s less something in which I’d participate and much more that I like to observe and absorb. I can’t speak for anyone else but I like the writing about writing as much as everything else.

    Ok…maybe I like the Thumper pics the best… 🙂
    Posted by: no-blog-rachel

  7. As a relative new comer to your blog, I think you are right, this blog should be for your entertainment and be about what YOU want to share. I for one will enjoy reading snippets of your writing. As a non-practicing engineer who wishes she could write stories, I am in awe of all of your skills. Knitting, writing, motherhood, designing, blogging, and boot buying.

    And though I don’t comment on every post, please know that I do read every post. But as a fellow mom I would hope you understand that I don’t get time to formulate a coherent comment to each post. 🙂

    BTW, love the boots, my boys each have a pair! My girlie has monster boots.
    Posted by: Michele

  8. Yikes, I forgot to say I also like your hair, I wish I had curls. I love the color.
    Posted by: Michele

  9. I have always been eager to see/hear/read some of your fiction writing. I think it wonderful that you are thinking to share some with us….my husband too is a writer, and he never shares any of his work with me! I personally would feel honored:)
    Posted by: celeste

  10. Great hair, and definitely great boots! What a cutie!

    Can’t wait for more writing posts. As a writer, I find them very interesting.
    Posted by: Anna

  11. I think it would be awesome to read more of your writing. Your short story definitely made me want to read more of your stuff!

    The hair is fabulous.
    Posted by: Carrie

  12. What a cutie-pie! My boy loves shoes AND hats. And then likes to look at himself in the mirror with the different articles on him. Thumper definitely looks like he knows he’s stylin’ too!
    Posted by: rubyredruca

  13. At the risk of repeating what no-blog-rachel said… I don’t comment often, but I read all the posts. I don’t comment when you write about writing because I don’t feel I have anything to contribute, not because I’m not interested.
    I guess what I’m saying is that I only comment when I feel I have something worthwhile to say, and as a person/mother/knitter/librarian I feel I know something of what you’re saying when you write about parenting, moving, knitting, etc. And while I admire and am interested in what you do as a writer, I don’t know so much about that and so I don’t say too much about it.
    Love the boots, love the hair!
    Posted by: Marie

  14. i rarely comment anyway, but i’ll throw my two cents in here… i love reading about the writing but you’re right, it’s not the first thing i’d comment on. i have an undergrad degree in creative writing and so while i’d like to think i know a bit about the process, i also haven’t written a thing in about 5 years and so i have been enjoying just absorbing it. using your musing to see if i can respark some of mine. definitely keep the writing as a prominent feature on the blog – it’s a part of you, which is why we all come by here anyway. 🙂
    Posted by: jen c

  15. Ah yes…pull on boots. My kids all LOVED theirs (2 of them are still little and in love with them) Just watch out. They totally promote puddle stomping 🙂 Not that that’s a bad thing…I think I was the one that taught them how to in the first place LOL!

    Love your hair!!!
    Posted by: Stephanie

  16. I think it would be awesome to read more of your writing. Your short story definitely made me want to read more of your stuff!

    The hair is fabulous.
    Posted by: Carrie

  17. What a cutie-pie! My boy loves shoes AND hats. And then likes to look at himself in the mirror with the different articles on him. Thumper definitely looks like he knows he’s stylin’ too!
    Posted by: rubyredruca

  18. At the risk of repeating what no-blog-rachel said… I don’t comment often, but I read all the posts. I don’t comment when you write about writing because I don’t feel I have anything to contribute, not because I’m not interested.
    I guess what I’m saying is that I only comment when I feel I have something worthwhile to say, and as a person/mother/knitter/librarian I feel I know something of what you’re saying when you write about parenting, moving, knitting, etc. And while I admire and am interested in what you do as a writer, I don’t know so much about that and so I don’t say too much about it.
    Love the boots, love the hair!
    Posted by: Marie

  19. i rarely comment anyway, but i’ll throw my two cents in here… i love reading about the writing but you’re right, it’s not the first thing i’d comment on. i have an undergrad degree in creative writing and so while i’d like to think i know a bit about the process, i also haven’t written a thing in about 5 years and so i have been enjoying just absorbing it. using your musing to see if i can respark some of mine. definitely keep the writing as a prominent feature on the blog – it’s a part of you, which is why we all come by here anyway. 🙂
    Posted by: jen c

  20. Ah yes…pull on boots. My kids all LOVED theirs (2 of them are still little and in love with them) Just watch out. They totally promote puddle stomping 🙂 Not that that’s a bad thing…I think I was the one that taught them how to in the first place LOL!

    Love your hair!!!
    Posted by: Stephanie

  21. Okay, as I often do when I am excited, I feel the need to put my thoughts into list form:

    a) I love the haircut
    b) The writing posts are my very favorite ones
    c) I am so glad you’re going to post bits of fiction because I would really, truly like to read more of them
    d) Maybe this is just my preference because that is how I work, too, but my favorite blogs tend to be the ones that are all over the map as to content. So I see no reason on earth why you should be consistent.
    Posted by: Lizbon

  22. Oh, and:

    e) I often get zero comments on the posts that I feel are the most “me” – I think it’s just one of those mysteries of the blogging medium.
    Posted by: Lizbon

  23. Oh my goodness, look at how big he is! Isn’t it strange how suddenly our babies have changed into children? He’s as adorable as ever.

    I do love reading your posts about writing. I like hearing about your process and the process of becoming published and everything that happens inbetween. Please continue blogging in whatever way works for you and makes you happiest. I’ll keep reading, and commenting when I have the time and the brains to have something intelligible to say… 🙂
    Posted by: Karma

  24. At the risk of repetition….

    I really enjoy your writing posts. Not being a writer I don’t have much to add so don’t comment. I am a mum and a knitter though, so I can contribute there. To cut a long story short, just because I don’t comment on those posts doesn’t mean I’m not interested!
    Posted by: ginchy

  25. Great curls and hair color. Like the young one’s tee shirt. I think it would be interesting to read some of your writing.
    Posted by: Debbie

  26. Cute boots!

    I think using blog posts as a sketchbook for your writing could be really interesting and fun. I would be interested in reading some of your writing.
    Posted by: Knittripps

  27. Okay, as I often do when I am excited, I feel the need to put my thoughts into list form:

    a) I love the haircut
    b) The writing posts are my very favorite ones
    c) I am so glad you’re going to post bits of fiction because I would really, truly like to read more of them
    d) Maybe this is just my preference because that is how I work, too, but my favorite blogs tend to be the ones that are all over the map as to content. So I see no reason on earth why you should be consistent.
    Posted by: Lizbon

  28. Oh, and:

    e) I often get zero comments on the posts that I feel are the most “me” – I think it’s just one of those mysteries of the blogging medium.
    Posted by: Lizbon

  29. Oh my goodness, look at how big he is! Isn’t it strange how suddenly our babies have changed into children? He’s as adorable as ever.

    I do love reading your posts about writing. I like hearing about your process and the process of becoming published and everything that happens inbetween. Please continue blogging in whatever way works for you and makes you happiest. I’ll keep reading, and commenting when I have the time and the brains to have something intelligible to say… 🙂
    Posted by: Karma

  30. At the risk of repetition….

    I really enjoy your writing posts. Not being a writer I don’t have much to add so don’t comment. I am a mum and a knitter though, so I can contribute there. To cut a long story short, just because I don’t comment on those posts doesn’t mean I’m not interested!
    Posted by: ginchy

  31. Great curls and hair color. Like the young one’s tee shirt. I think it would be interesting to read some of your writing.
    Posted by: Debbie

  32. Cute boots!

    I think using blog posts as a sketchbook for your writing could be really interesting and fun. I would be interested in reading some of your writing.
    Posted by: Knittripps

  33. I enjoy the writing posts also. I don’t comment much in general, but I think I’ve always felt that anthing I might say in a comment to a writing post might be received as feedback, advice or meddling of some sort.

    I don’t want to give advice on or meddle in anyone’s creative process (unless they ask for it), so I read appreciatively, but keep a respectful distance.

    That being said, I loved “Go.”
    Posted by: Jill Smith

  34. I hear you on the curls – it is why (with brief interludes) my haircut hasn’t changed in ten years. Yours looks wonderful!
    Posted by: Jo

  35. I had really enjoyed your short story and had commented. What you propose to do sounds like great fun! Am looking forward to reading you.

    I have never (or rarely) posted about your writing because when you mention it in your blog, it seems to be something really, really private. So I read, feel like I’m peeking. You’ll remember that you had stated, when moving to Portland, that writing was to be the priority. The office had been set up. And then we heard little of it…we saw Portland, we saw knitting, we saw challah, we saw hair, we saw wee-one (ALL of which I REALLY REALLY enjoy!!!!! Don’t get me wrong!)…it’s as if writing had rebecome part of who you are that is off-blog. And I didn’t want to pry.
    Posted by: Carmen

  36. I love your curls! I only have half assed waves at best.

    And as a writer, I totally get what you mean about comment droughts when talking about writing. It’s almost like people don’t quite know what to do: either they’re stunned by genius (of course) or they are full of “I just don’t get it” comments and just don’t mention them. I would very much like to read some more of your writing. And talking about the writing process ALWAYS interests me!
    Posted by: Phoe

  37. I really enjoy the writing posts. I don’t write about my writing (other than whining about having this defense coming up) too much, but it seems like a smart way to understand my own process even more, and I like that peek into your process.
    Posted by: Beverly

  38. I enjoy the writing posts also. I don’t comment much in general, but I think I’ve always felt that anthing I might say in a comment to a writing post might be received as feedback, advice or meddling of some sort.

    I don’t want to give advice on or meddle in anyone’s creative process (unless they ask for it), so I read appreciatively, but keep a respectful distance.

    That being said, I loved “Go.”
    Posted by: Jill Smith

  39. I hear you on the curls – it is why (with brief interludes) my haircut hasn’t changed in ten years. Yours looks wonderful!
    Posted by: Jo

  40. I had really enjoyed your short story and had commented. What you propose to do sounds like great fun! Am looking forward to reading you.

    I have never (or rarely) posted about your writing because when you mention it in your blog, it seems to be something really, really private. So I read, feel like I’m peeking. You’ll remember that you had stated, when moving to Portland, that writing was to be the priority. The office had been set up. And then we heard little of it…we saw Portland, we saw knitting, we saw challah, we saw hair, we saw wee-one (ALL of which I REALLY REALLY enjoy!!!!! Don’t get me wrong!)…it’s as if writing had rebecome part of who you are that is off-blog. And I didn’t want to pry.
    Posted by: Carmen

  41. I love your curls! I only have half assed waves at best.

    And as a writer, I totally get what you mean about comment droughts when talking about writing. It’s almost like people don’t quite know what to do: either they’re stunned by genius (of course) or they are full of “I just don’t get it” comments and just don’t mention them. I would very much like to read some more of your writing. And talking about the writing process ALWAYS interests me!
    Posted by: Phoe

  42. I really enjoy the writing posts. I don’t write about my writing (other than whining about having this defense coming up) too much, but it seems like a smart way to understand my own process even more, and I like that peek into your process.
    Posted by: Beverly

  43. I’m back from reading your short story. Great details, and I really admire the way the narrator tracks back through the story.
    Posted by: Beverly

  44. I’m ususally a lurker and i originally started reading your blog because of the knitting. However, as your blog as unfolded over the years, I have loved all of your blogging whatever the topic. I love the writing entries because I love hearing about any creative process – I’m just one of those terrible readers who rarely comments about ANYTHING. I’ll look forward to Tuesday fragments.
    Posted by: Martha

  45. Ditto on what no-blog-Rachel said… I enjoy reading about your writing process too. Just don’t really know what to say about it.
    Posted by: Marisa

  46. Cari – I rarely comment, but have been reading faithfully for 2-3 years now. I enjoy your posts no matter what the subject (and LOVE pictures of your beautiful boy). I agree with the others who say that it almost seems intrusive to comment on your writing – but I love to hear about the process and I enjoy what you share and am waiting eagerly for the book to appear.

    P.S. Hair cut is AWESOME. My friend who just moved to Portland at Thanksgiving has found a place she likes called Dirty Little Secret. Portland is rich in good salons!
    Posted by: JoAnne

  47. Nice hair! And I gave you an award. Come see it on my blog (in a few minutes!)
    Posted by: Dr. Steph

  48. i’m in the same boat with no-blog-rachel. i love to hear about what you’re writing but i’m a terrible writer (of fiction) myself so i’m not good at giving advice. do what YOU want to with the blog! enjoy it. it’s a good outlet for you, i think!
    Posted by: gleek

  49. I’m back from reading your short story. Great details, and I really admire the way the narrator tracks back through the story.
    Posted by: Beverly

  50. I’m ususally a lurker and i originally started reading your blog because of the knitting. However, as your blog as unfolded over the years, I have loved all of your blogging whatever the topic. I love the writing entries because I love hearing about any creative process – I’m just one of those terrible readers who rarely comments about ANYTHING. I’ll look forward to Tuesday fragments.
    Posted by: Martha

  51. Ditto on what no-blog-Rachel said… I enjoy reading about your writing process too. Just don’t really know what to say about it.
    Posted by: Marisa

  52. Cari – I rarely comment, but have been reading faithfully for 2-3 years now. I enjoy your posts no matter what the subject (and LOVE pictures of your beautiful boy). I agree with the others who say that it almost seems intrusive to comment on your writing – but I love to hear about the process and I enjoy what you share and am waiting eagerly for the book to appear.

    P.S. Hair cut is AWESOME. My friend who just moved to Portland at Thanksgiving has found a place she likes called Dirty Little Secret. Portland is rich in good salons!
    Posted by: JoAnne

  53. Nice hair! And I gave you an award. Come see it on my blog (in a few minutes!)
    Posted by: Dr. Steph

  54. i’m in the same boat with no-blog-rachel. i love to hear about what you’re writing but i’m a terrible writer (of fiction) myself so i’m not good at giving advice. do what YOU want to with the blog! enjoy it. it’s a good outlet for you, i think!
    Posted by: gleek

  55. I’d love to see more of your fiction. I don’t comment as often as I should, but I’m a faithful reader, and one of the reasons is that my favorite blogs are those that cover a lot of territory, not just all one thing.
    Posted by: Amy

  56. Gah, everytime you make a hair post I find myself feeling so inadequate with my own tresses! You are like my personal hair hero! Love the new cut!

    Also, add me to the list of people who love your writing posts! I don’t comment on them because I don’t know anything about “real” writing so I feel like I can’t offer anything interesting or constructive to say about it. I love reading though, so I really hope you do put some of your fiction up here!
    Posted by: Bertha

  57. I think knit blog readers comment less than they used to, across the board. That’s OK, but it does mean that you have to be even more confident about your blog voice.

    I, for one, would love to read fragments. However, unless you ask me for specific feedback (was that boring? did you get that I was trying to convey X? do you care about this character?) I likely wouldn’t comment. I’m the part of your audience that doesn’t write fiction, know about writing fiction, or — most importantly — how to comment on fiction. Other than the superficial “Wow that was really good!”

    If you want to know how the average reader responds to your writing, ask us. But directly.
    Posted by: claudia

  58. I can’t wait to read more of your non-blog-like writing. And I like that each post is a surprise, a new angle; that’s what life’s like, made up of lots of little pieces, isn’t it? I’ve been reading since the only-knitting days and keep coming back to see the story unfold. Thanks for writing.
    Posted by: dahlia

  59. Carrie,

    Blogging should be about life and if the only thing in your life is knitting, or your kids, or your writing then life would be pretty dull but it’s about all those things and since this blog is about your life then those of us who enjoy you enjoy all aspects of what makes you, well YOU. Keep at it! I for one enjoy reading about all aspects of peoples lives, not just one little segment. Looking forward to socks, toddlers (with very cool boots!) and writing!
    Posted by: Liz

  60. Like a lot of other people have said, I enjoy reading your blog, including about your writing, but I don’t comment often, and I know so little about Writing, that I have nothing to say to your writing posts, even though I enjoy reading them.
    Posted by: Catherine

  61. I’d love to see more of your fiction. I don’t comment as often as I should, but I’m a faithful reader, and one of the reasons is that my favorite blogs are those that cover a lot of territory, not just all one thing.
    Posted by: Amy

  62. Gah, everytime you make a hair post I find myself feeling so inadequate with my own tresses! You are like my personal hair hero! Love the new cut!

    Also, add me to the list of people who love your writing posts! I don’t comment on them because I don’t know anything about “real” writing so I feel like I can’t offer anything interesting or constructive to say about it. I love reading though, so I really hope you do put some of your fiction up here!
    Posted by: Bertha

  63. I think knit blog readers comment less than they used to, across the board. That’s OK, but it does mean that you have to be even more confident about your blog voice.

    I, for one, would love to read fragments. However, unless you ask me for specific feedback (was that boring? did you get that I was trying to convey X? do you care about this character?) I likely wouldn’t comment. I’m the part of your audience that doesn’t write fiction, know about writing fiction, or — most importantly — how to comment on fiction. Other than the superficial “Wow that was really good!”

    If you want to know how the average reader responds to your writing, ask us. But directly.
    Posted by: claudia

  64. I can’t wait to read more of your non-blog-like writing. And I like that each post is a surprise, a new angle; that’s what life’s like, made up of lots of little pieces, isn’t it? I’ve been reading since the only-knitting days and keep coming back to see the story unfold. Thanks for writing.
    Posted by: dahlia

  65. Carrie,

    Blogging should be about life and if the only thing in your life is knitting, or your kids, or your writing then life would be pretty dull but it’s about all those things and since this blog is about your life then those of us who enjoy you enjoy all aspects of what makes you, well YOU. Keep at it! I for one enjoy reading about all aspects of peoples lives, not just one little segment. Looking forward to socks, toddlers (with very cool boots!) and writing!
    Posted by: Liz

  66. Like a lot of other people have said, I enjoy reading your blog, including about your writing, but I don’t comment often, and I know so little about Writing, that I have nothing to say to your writing posts, even though I enjoy reading them.
    Posted by: Catherine

  67. I read your blog whenever you have a new post but I don’t always comment. I find if I can’t add something to the conversations or if it has already been said better,why bother. Maybe that’s wrong, who knows. You get way more comments than I do so that means readers like what you write. Write for yourself, write what you want, after all isn’t that the purpose of a blog?…ciao
    nice hair by the way and the baby is growing
    Posted by: rositta

  68. Feel free to write about writing or anything else you choose. You have a lovely blog and I and may others will indulge anything you care to say.

    Just do it and don’t worry about us.
    Posted by: Deven

  69. I really enjoy reading your post about writing. It is interesting to read about the processes other people use when writing, even when the type of writing is very different (the little writing I have done has been for scientific journals). I have never had a great passion for writing, and I do find it terribly interesting to catch a peak inside the mind of someone who does. I have bookmarked your short story and will read it soon.

    I love the robot shirt on the kiddo.
    Posted by: Jennifer

  70. I like your posts about writing. Keep ’em coming!

    Thumper just keeps getting more expressive and adorable. His smile in that photo is quite impish, isn’t it? And BTW? Love the hair. You look great.
    Posted by: regina

  71. I LUV your hair! I like how he smiles like, “You know I make this look good!”

    I don’t comment on your writing because I don’t have a way with words. I like the way you write, it makes it seem like you are talking to me. It’s like we’re sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and our kids are playing in the living room.
    Posted by: kelly

  72. I have read every single one of your posts for several years now and, though I rarely comment in any case, I don’t usually comment about your writing because I am also not very knowledgeable about that process. Nevertheless, I have always enjoyed your posts and look forward to hearing about your writing, knitting, Thumper, and recent move!
    Posted by: Mandy

  73. I read your blog whenever you have a new post but I don’t always comment. I find if I can’t add something to the conversations or if it has already been said better,why bother. Maybe that’s wrong, who knows. You get way more comments than I do so that means readers like what you write. Write for yourself, write what you want, after all isn’t that the purpose of a blog?…ciao
    nice hair by the way and the baby is growing
    Posted by: rositta

  74. Feel free to write about writing or anything else you choose. You have a lovely blog and I and may others will indulge anything you care to say.

    Just do it and don’t worry about us.
    Posted by: Deven

  75. I really enjoy reading your post about writing. It is interesting to read about the processes other people use when writing, even when the type of writing is very different (the little writing I have done has been for scientific journals). I have never had a great passion for writing, and I do find it terribly interesting to catch a peak inside the mind of someone who does. I have bookmarked your short story and will read it soon.

    I love the robot shirt on the kiddo.
    Posted by: Jennifer

  76. I like your posts about writing. Keep ’em coming!

    Thumper just keeps getting more expressive and adorable. His smile in that photo is quite impish, isn’t it? And BTW? Love the hair. You look great.
    Posted by: regina

  77. I LUV your hair! I like how he smiles like, “You know I make this look good!”

    I don’t comment on your writing because I don’t have a way with words. I like the way you write, it makes it seem like you are talking to me. It’s like we’re sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and our kids are playing in the living room.
    Posted by: kelly

  78. I have read every single one of your posts for several years now and, though I rarely comment in any case, I don’t usually comment about your writing because I am also not very knowledgeable about that process. Nevertheless, I have always enjoyed your posts and look forward to hearing about your writing, knitting, Thumper, and recent move!
    Posted by: Mandy

  79. I wonder sometimes if the posts where we really reveal ourselves are more intimidating. I sometimes don’t comment on certain blogs’ posts because I fear the writer would feel I might be judgemental. I would rather talk to them so they can hear my voice inflections and see my facial expressions. But we don’t have that luxury as bloggers, all we have are our written words and we can’t control how others interpret them. I for one am not always confident in my abilities with the written word. Follow your heart! I think you have many out here who love you no matter what you write about!!!

    Love the hair!!!!
    Posted by: KaKi

  80. nice boots! 🙂

    hair is really cute,too! and you’re lucky to have found a stylist you like so quickly! it took me much time to realize i should just ask my best friend who did her hair cuz it was always cute.

    as for the blog. i write mine for me (well, it started out as me writing things for family and friends who live far away so i wouldn’t have to write the same damn email twenty thousand times).

    i enjoy the variety of your blog. i am a raccoon and dull things bore me. your writing, never dull. even what you think is duller than dishwater, isn’t to us.
    Posted by: shannon in oregon

  81. I for one, am also excited to hear what your stories have to say. I feel like when you read a blog – its sort of a story anyways since we dont know the person “personally” – so why not be interested in stories in your mind that translate onto paper (or in this case – a computer screen) I’m anxious to see what you’ve got in that mind for the novel side of you! Happy Writing!
    Posted by: Rebecca

  82. I love your blog just the way it is. Maybe you are too young too remember the Oprah ad that went “sometimes she make-a me laugh, sometimes she make-a me cry”; well, that’s how I feel reading your blog. When you used the name Trilce and then mentioned Cesar Vallejo I wept because somebody that I admire (that’s YOU, girl!) knows about this poet I adore. Life can sometimes be hard for an “alien” and little things like that make all the difference. Thank you.
    Posted by: Judith in NYC

  83. Like others, I like reading about your writing process, but it isn’t something I can really comment on in anything but an inane manner. I am looking forward to seeing glimpses of what you are writing!
    Posted by: liz

  84. I wonder sometimes if the posts where we really reveal ourselves are more intimidating. I sometimes don’t comment on certain blogs’ posts because I fear the writer would feel I might be judgemental. I would rather talk to them so they can hear my voice inflections and see my facial expressions. But we don’t have that luxury as bloggers, all we have are our written words and we can’t control how others interpret them. I for one am not always confident in my abilities with the written word. Follow your heart! I think you have many out here who love you no matter what you write about!!!

    Love the hair!!!!
    Posted by: KaKi

  85. nice boots! 🙂

    hair is really cute,too! and you’re lucky to have found a stylist you like so quickly! it took me much time to realize i should just ask my best friend who did her hair cuz it was always cute.

    as for the blog. i write mine for me (well, it started out as me writing things for family and friends who live far away so i wouldn’t have to write the same damn email twenty thousand times).

    i enjoy the variety of your blog. i am a raccoon and dull things bore me. your writing, never dull. even what you think is duller than dishwater, isn’t to us.
    Posted by: shannon in oregon

  86. I for one, am also excited to hear what your stories have to say. I feel like when you read a blog – its sort of a story anyways since we dont know the person “personally” – so why not be interested in stories in your mind that translate onto paper (or in this case – a computer screen) I’m anxious to see what you’ve got in that mind for the novel side of you! Happy Writing!
    Posted by: Rebecca

  87. I love your blog just the way it is. Maybe you are too young too remember the Oprah ad that went “sometimes she make-a me laugh, sometimes she make-a me cry”; well, that’s how I feel reading your blog. When you used the name Trilce and then mentioned Cesar Vallejo I wept because somebody that I admire (that’s YOU, girl!) knows about this poet I adore. Life can sometimes be hard for an “alien” and little things like that make all the difference. Thank you.
    Posted by: Judith in NYC

  88. Like others, I like reading about your writing process, but it isn’t something I can really comment on in anything but an inane manner. I am looking forward to seeing glimpses of what you are writing!
    Posted by: liz

  89. This is why I don’t comment often (although I read every post) — what I would say has already been said (and probably said better.) For the record, though, I do love your writing process posts. How any artist gets from point A to point B is fascinating to me.
    Posted by: Janice in Camas

  90. I can’t remember who wrote this, but,

    “The bug with which (s)he has been bitten
    Is not to write, but to have written.”

    totally applies to me. I want to be a writer, but I haven’t made it a priority. So I always feel like a pretender when I read your posts on writing. I love them, I am fascinated by the process. So keep writing about writing and maybe – someday – I’ll get my own act together.
    Posted by: heather t

  91. I’m really excited for the opportunity to read more of your fiction. I love the idea! Rams’ eldest daughter used to post one of Rams’ poems every Friday on her blog. It was wonderful. Until she ran out of poems she was allowed to use.

    I am like so many others here who will happily come over and read whatever you choose to share with us, because we’re happy for the chance to share and learn about the things that are important to you. The posts about writing are a fascinating glimpse into a type of creativity I know very little about, so a lack of comment absolutely does NOT equate to a lack of interest, rather a feeling that I wouldn’t add value to the conversation.
    Posted by: Rachel H

  92. Okay, this is just another “me, too” comment — but I love your writing posts. Partly because my undergrad degree was in creative writing and although it’s frequently come in handy (I edit and write a lot in my job), I don’t really use it “creatively.” I love the fact that you are actually DOING it!

    And both the hair and baby boots are adorable!
    Posted by: janna

  93. Awesome! I can’t wait to see more of your writing. What a wonderful gift, thank you.

    I’ve been really slacking with commenting all around, and it’s something that’s on my list to change. So often these days I read and even think in my head what I’d like to comment, then don’t.
    Posted by: jodi

  94. This is why I don’t comment often (although I read every post) — what I would say has already been said (and probably said better.) For the record, though, I do love your writing process posts. How any artist gets from point A to point B is fascinating to me.
    Posted by: Janice in Camas

  95. I can’t remember who wrote this, but,

    “The bug with which (s)he has been bitten
    Is not to write, but to have written.”

    totally applies to me. I want to be a writer, but I haven’t made it a priority. So I always feel like a pretender when I read your posts on writing. I love them, I am fascinated by the process. So keep writing about writing and maybe – someday – I’ll get my own act together.
    Posted by: heather t

  96. I’m really excited for the opportunity to read more of your fiction. I love the idea! Rams’ eldest daughter used to post one of Rams’ poems every Friday on her blog. It was wonderful. Until she ran out of poems she was allowed to use.

    I am like so many others here who will happily come over and read whatever you choose to share with us, because we’re happy for the chance to share and learn about the things that are important to you. The posts about writing are a fascinating glimpse into a type of creativity I know very little about, so a lack of comment absolutely does NOT equate to a lack of interest, rather a feeling that I wouldn’t add value to the conversation.
    Posted by: Rachel H

  97. Okay, this is just another “me, too” comment — but I love your writing posts. Partly because my undergrad degree was in creative writing and although it’s frequently come in handy (I edit and write a lot in my job), I don’t really use it “creatively.” I love the fact that you are actually DOING it!

    And both the hair and baby boots are adorable!
    Posted by: janna

  98. Awesome! I can’t wait to see more of your writing. What a wonderful gift, thank you.

    I’ve been really slacking with commenting all around, and it’s something that’s on my list to change. So often these days I read and even think in my head what I’d like to comment, then don’t.
    Posted by: jodi

  99. Well, I’m never going to be one to complain about toddler pics. Such a cutie!

    But even though I don’t often comment on the writing posts, I do enjoy reading them. I guess in my case, take a lack of comment not as a lack of interest, but a lack of anything intelligent to say in response. Would it help if I left a comment anyway, just saying I found the post interesting?
    Posted by: Amy

  100. First, love the hair cut and color. So can relate on the part about it being hard to find someone good with cutting curly hair. I’ve struggled with that all my life. I’ve used my current stylist for, oh geez, the last 15, 16 years now, at least? She is awesome, and I will be so, so sad if I ever lose her!

    Second, I say blog about what is important to you! I love reading about the knitting and the family stuff and the Portland stuff and I comment when I think I have something noteworthy enough to say. As for the writing stuff…I am a writer too, but for the past few years, I’ve been a writer on hiatus…so sometimes when I start reading other people’s writing process stuff, it sometimes makes me feel angsty because it reminds me of what I am NOT doing that I was once so passionate about. At the same time, it is fun to read about others who are in their own writing zone and loving it, so please, keep blogging it!
    Posted by: Lisa

  101. I’m looking forward to reading your writing, actually. 🙂
    Posted by: Jena (the yarn harpy)

  102. My kids love those boots, too. Who wouldn’t?

    And I think the writing project sounds great. I’m looking forward to it.
    Posted by: Ruth

  103. Well, this just barely showed up on my bloglines or I would have been here immediatement to say, DON’T CHANGE A FUCKING THING. So there.
    Posted by: Norma

  104. Well, I’m never going to be one to complain about toddler pics. Such a cutie!

    But even though I don’t often comment on the writing posts, I do enjoy reading them. I guess in my case, take a lack of comment not as a lack of interest, but a lack of anything intelligent to say in response. Would it help if I left a comment anyway, just saying I found the post interesting?
    Posted by: Amy

  105. First, love the hair cut and color. So can relate on the part about it being hard to find someone good with cutting curly hair. I’ve struggled with that all my life. I’ve used my current stylist for, oh geez, the last 15, 16 years now, at least? She is awesome, and I will be so, so sad if I ever lose her!

    Second, I say blog about what is important to you! I love reading about the knitting and the family stuff and the Portland stuff and I comment when I think I have something noteworthy enough to say. As for the writing stuff…I am a writer too, but for the past few years, I’ve been a writer on hiatus…so sometimes when I start reading other people’s writing process stuff, it sometimes makes me feel angsty because it reminds me of what I am NOT doing that I was once so passionate about. At the same time, it is fun to read about others who are in their own writing zone and loving it, so please, keep blogging it!
    Posted by: Lisa

  106. I’m looking forward to reading your writing, actually. 🙂
    Posted by: Jena (the yarn harpy)

  107. My kids love those boots, too. Who wouldn’t?

    And I think the writing project sounds great. I’m looking forward to it.
    Posted by: Ruth

  108. Well, this just barely showed up on my bloglines or I would have been here immediatement to say, DON’T CHANGE A FUCKING THING. So there.
    Posted by: Norma

  109. You blog about your life. Your life changes, so the blog changes. Makes sense.

    I’m looking forward to reading more of your fiction. Cool idea.

    And your hair looks great!
    Posted by: Riin

  110. Love the hair cut and thumper’s boots (have to get some cute boots like that for my little girl for winter – I’m an Aussie, so we are in the middle of a hot summer now…). No lack of interest in your writing posts, just don’t always have something to say! I think you should blog about what you want to, not what others might like to read about anyway!
    Posted by: Sharon

  111. Cari, it’s just easier to comment on knitting, Thumper, etc., because we can just say “Oooh, cute!” or something like that. Don’t assume people aren’t interested in reading about your writing — it’s more likely that those posts stir bigger thoughts in readers. Thoughts that would take more time to synthesize into a blog comment than most of us have allotted to spend on blog commenting.

    Having said that, Oooh, cute kid and boots! 🙂
    Posted by: alison

  112. My grandson loves those boots too. Isn’t it nice when little things make them happy.
    Posted by: Diane

  113. You blog about your life. Your life changes, so the blog changes. Makes sense.

    I’m looking forward to reading more of your fiction. Cool idea.

    And your hair looks great!
    Posted by: Riin

  114. Love the hair cut and thumper’s boots (have to get some cute boots like that for my little girl for winter – I’m an Aussie, so we are in the middle of a hot summer now…). No lack of interest in your writing posts, just don’t always have something to say! I think you should blog about what you want to, not what others might like to read about anyway!
    Posted by: Sharon

  115. Cari, it’s just easier to comment on knitting, Thumper, etc., because we can just say “Oooh, cute!” or something like that. Don’t assume people aren’t interested in reading about your writing — it’s more likely that those posts stir bigger thoughts in readers. Thoughts that would take more time to synthesize into a blog comment than most of us have allotted to spend on blog commenting.

    Having said that, Oooh, cute kid and boots! 🙂
    Posted by: alison

  116. My grandson loves those boots too. Isn’t it nice when little things make them happy.
    Posted by: Diane

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