Back in the Sunday writing day coffee shop after two weeks without a writing day. Trying to work myself back into the book. Finding it to be in good shape, better than I remembered it when last I let myself skim through what I’ve already written. Thinking I can see ahead to the end, beginning to make out the shadowy shapes of the ending, though I’m only 128 pages into the first draft and by the time I get to page 300 or so I’m bound to find out I was wrong about that ending. But starting to see where it could all lead, starting to see how the parallel storylines will diverge, the different paths for the two main characters… The story is a living thing, a very good sign. I recognize the feel of a living, viable book the way I’ve learned to recognize when the bread dough has risen enough, when it dimples the right way under my fingers. It just feels right. Ready.
The first book felt this way too, when it reached the 1/3 mark. It had taken on a life of its own and all I had to do from that point was follow it and trust it. (I say “all I had to do” as if it was an easy thing. It wasn’t. Not in the doing and not in the remembering. But simple. Simple doesn’t always mean easy, does it?)
I meant to get the first sowing done in the garden this weekend, but yesterday morning was spent revising the garden plan, because I realized at the last moment that I hadn’t properly considered spacing when I mapped out everything I want to plant. And then I planned to sow during naptime, but naptime didn’t work out the way we’d hoped, and today the writing comes first. Hopefully tomorrow I can get those first seeds in. I’m planning carefully, because I want to make the best use of the 6′ x 8′ garden (plus a few containers) that I can, and use succession planting as best I can. The goal is a year-round garden. I’m using this book, and this book, and this one too. Fascinating stuff. Another reason the knitting is languishing. (Though the weather is now just right for Trilce as outdoor-wear, so I do need to get cracking on finishing that up.)
I’ll post my garden plans soon, maybe tomorrow. PNW gardeners should feel free to chime in with advice. Non-PNW gardeners should feel free to be eaten up with envy at our four-season-gardening climate.
And now, back to work with me. Happy Sunday, all.
Yes, I live in Iowa and I am appropriately jealous of your four-season-gardening climate. Happy Sunday!
Posted by: knittripps
Shut up.
Posted by: Norma
I had to laugh out loud at your last paragraph because by the time I was done reading I was positively GREEN with envy. And a little bit teary eyed remembering my gardening days in Eugene. The worst part for me is that my green thumb has rotted and I cannot even grow a house plant since moving to NY (well, I can grow bulbs outside but that’s it.)
I have to add that I hardly ever comment but I enjoy reading about your son and your Tuesday Fragments–actually, I enjoy everything about your blog.
Posted by: Judith in NYC
Yes, I live in Iowa and I am appropriately jealous of your four-season-gardening climate. Happy Sunday!
Posted by: knittripps
Shut up.
Posted by: Norma
I had to laugh out loud at your last paragraph because by the time I was done reading I was positively GREEN with envy. And a little bit teary eyed remembering my gardening days in Eugene. The worst part for me is that my green thumb has rotted and I cannot even grow a house plant since moving to NY (well, I can grow bulbs outside but that’s it.)
I have to add that I hardly ever comment but I enjoy reading about your son and your Tuesday Fragments–actually, I enjoy everything about your blog.
Posted by: Judith in NYC
I don’t think I have gotten to that “I know it’s a book” feeling yet in book #2, and reading this makes me feel hopeful. Of course the ending will be different, lol, but you’ve got momentum, and that’s all you need now.
I planted seeds yesterday with the girls – round carrots, snap peas, multi-color radishes, leaf lettuce, and while these aren’t seeds, two dahlia tubers. I also started my tomatoes – my favorite thing to grow of all time. Love gardening – hate weeding, lol.
Posted by: Tina
I just bought peat pots and seeds today! I live right outside of Seattle and have been outside weeding and getting things ready. I love this time of year when everything starts a new. My tupips and daffodils are up and should be blooming soon! Yippee for spring (even if our “official” last day of frost is in April) It’s been warmer and sunny up here and I’ve been loving it! Good luck on your new gardening adventure!!
Posted by: Stephanie
Great choices on your gardening books! My husband is the gardener in our family, and has his seeds started in our mud room. Another good resource is the Tilth Society (tilth.org for the Oregon one). We have a book that Seattle Tilth put out some time ago that tells exactly which veggies do well if you plant them at certain times or next to certain other veggies. Also, have you been to the Portland Nursery yet? It’s wonderful! We’re a couple hours north of you, and are planning to go to the nursery this weekend, while visiting family. There’s one on Stark (which I’ve been to) and one on Division (which I haven’t been to). I’ll pick my sweetheart’s brain to see if there are any other books he thinks are must-haves. Happy gardening!
Posted by: amber
Those books are great. The Elliot Coleman book on 4 season gardening translates well to PNW, too. I havent had time to plant peas or do a spring sowing of salad greens yet, but my garlic is about 2.5 inches above the soil, and I have transplanted my rhubarb. Twice a week, I plan to plant things during naptimes, but the girl seems to sense it and it doesnt happen. Oh well!
Posted by: Alyssa
I’m still nurturing my first book I started after my second child. In a way I’m glad that I haven’t rushed it (15 years) because my characters and their situations have had the opportunity to mature and be less trite.
I gave over my raised beds to the same daughter. She will be replanting her dahlias soon.
Posted by: Angie
I don’t think I have gotten to that “I know it’s a book” feeling yet in book #2, and reading this makes me feel hopeful. Of course the ending will be different, lol, but you’ve got momentum, and that’s all you need now.
I planted seeds yesterday with the girls – round carrots, snap peas, multi-color radishes, leaf lettuce, and while these aren’t seeds, two dahlia tubers. I also started my tomatoes – my favorite thing to grow of all time. Love gardening – hate weeding, lol.
Posted by: Tina
I just bought peat pots and seeds today! I live right outside of Seattle and have been outside weeding and getting things ready. I love this time of year when everything starts a new. My tupips and daffodils are up and should be blooming soon! Yippee for spring (even if our “official” last day of frost is in April) It’s been warmer and sunny up here and I’ve been loving it! Good luck on your new gardening adventure!!
Posted by: Stephanie
Great choices on your gardening books! My husband is the gardener in our family, and has his seeds started in our mud room. Another good resource is the Tilth Society (tilth.org for the Oregon one). We have a book that Seattle Tilth put out some time ago that tells exactly which veggies do well if you plant them at certain times or next to certain other veggies. Also, have you been to the Portland Nursery yet? It’s wonderful! We’re a couple hours north of you, and are planning to go to the nursery this weekend, while visiting family. There’s one on Stark (which I’ve been to) and one on Division (which I haven’t been to). I’ll pick my sweetheart’s brain to see if there are any other books he thinks are must-haves. Happy gardening!
Posted by: amber
Those books are great. The Elliot Coleman book on 4 season gardening translates well to PNW, too. I havent had time to plant peas or do a spring sowing of salad greens yet, but my garlic is about 2.5 inches above the soil, and I have transplanted my rhubarb. Twice a week, I plan to plant things during naptimes, but the girl seems to sense it and it doesnt happen. Oh well!
Posted by: Alyssa
I’m still nurturing my first book I started after my second child. In a way I’m glad that I haven’t rushed it (15 years) because my characters and their situations have had the opportunity to mature and be less trite.
I gave over my raised beds to the same daughter. She will be replanting her dahlias soon.
Posted by: Angie