But I am weary, my dears, and have not been in a bloggy mood of late. Shall we have some random list-making?
1. Spring seems to have arrived in Portland, so I’m celebrating by knitting mittens for the kid, which likely won’t fit next year. Yeah.
2. I just started reading my friend Sara’s new novel. Sorry, you can’t read it yet. You can pre-order, if you’re so inclined. She’s an MFA buddy and a terrific writer. She’s a rock star of the YA world, but this is an adult novel.
3. Billy brought a pedometer home from work a few days ago and I’m weirdly obsessed with it. I clip it on as soon as I get dressed and take it off right before crawling into bed. I’ve got a serious competitive streak, so I get a charge out of seeing how far above the 10k-steps mark I can push it each day. I’m walking 6 – 8 miles a day, just in my normal goings on. No wonder I’m tired. (Insert ad for the comfort and support of Frye boots here.)
4. Is it possible to have an emotional affair with one of your own (entirely imaginary, non-corporeal) characters? I mean, hypothetically.
5. I’m actually obsessed with three things right now: my new novel, my new pedometer, and tempeh with sauerkraut.
6. I love my new OB/GYN and I love my new naturopath. Never mind that they don’t agree at all about what’s going on with the recurring miscarriages. I’ve done bloodwork for one, and am swallowing icky-tasting herbs for the other.
7. On a related note, I had acupuncture (the naturopath is also an acupuncturist) for the first time and holy crap do I feel great. Why did I wait so long to try it?
8. There are three songs on constant rotation in my head today: “Suzanne,” by Leonard Cohen; “That Teenage Feeling,” by Neko Case; and “Still Cold,” by Mazzy Star. Yes, I’m totally wallowing in the world of the new novel. It’s that shiny new crush phase of a new project. I want to be with it all the time. We’re up all night on the phone together. The sex is great. You know how it goes. Things usually fall apart around page 120 or so of first draft, but for now, oh baby it’s good.
Glad to hear you are feeling well.
I’m so glad you love your new ob-gyn!!! Do let me know if you think it’s a name I should pass on to others. I get a fair number of requests for recommendations, and it’s nice to know both sides. (I’m curious what they’re both recommending, too, but I won’t pry…good jumping off point for my reading). Good luck!
4. Is it possible to have an emotional affair with one of your own (entirely imaginary, non-corporeal) characters? I mean, hypothetically.
Isn’t that why people write fanfiction?
hate to burst the springtime bubble, but this weather is just a tease. we’ll be heading back into rain here shortly.
sorry darlin’!
Sounds like you are in a good place. Good luck!
Tempeh with sauerkraut????
Hey little girl. Do you know if acupuncture works for tinnitus?
I am suffering ;(
The doctor says it should go away anytime between tomorrow and next year…
Wait, tempeh with sauerkraut? I can’t wait to make it myself. I don’t think I’ve had sauerkraut since I stopped eating meat as the only way to cook it in my mind was, well, with meat. I’m so freaking excited and super hungry right now. Can. Not. Wait.
I love that first stage of a new relationship. Sounds like you and your new novel are having quite the time of it! I hope all goes well with your new practitioners. Fingers crossed.
I’m curious about #4, too.
Do you actually have totally imaginary characters? Really? What would a totally imaginary character be?
I definitely make up all kinds of stuff when creating and describing characters in my books, but all of them, even the most trivial, have something that is distinct real, something that comes from someone I know, have known, or have seen.
So I am curious about this.
because i know you just have ooodles of free time, have you tried making your own sauerkraut? we did it last month – it was awesome. tasty cooked with things, and i’ve been munching on it straight out of the fridge lately.
I’m totally with you on the tempeh with saurkraut. I’ve been on a kick for a while of trying to find the best vegetarian Reuben sandwiches around Seattle (there are actually quite a few contenders). Often, my favorites are made with tempeh. Yummy.
Sounds like the Neko Case song is appropriate for your mindset with the novel at the moment. I hoep that giddiness and excitement continues and your work continues to be engrossing.
I love reading about your passion for your new book. I don’t get excited about my work that way very often.
And pedometers are weirdly addictive. I think I’ll dig mine out again and see how I’m doing.