Turned my back for a minute and...

...blogger changed! Sitting here shaking my head because it took a few minutes to figure out how to write this post. I guess that shows me, doesn't it? Leave and the world moves along without you!

So, last we spoke I was bumping along, wasn't I? Happy to report that shortly after my last post, the bumping subsided. Life settled into a smooth-but-busy routine. Family. Friends. Farm work.

And writing. Yes, the writing. It's been going really, really well. I feel like my old self, writing up a storm and editing mercilessly. It's all good. The laundry is piled high. Dust bunnies scurry beneath furniture. I'm living on Fruit Loops. Yes, I'm enjoying a smooth writing ride again. Yay!!

So, what's new with you? Anyone catch the solar eclipse last night? Didn't see it here in New York, but I love it that the morning news is on top of the event with loads of coverage. Gorgeous!

Today? Writing. Mowing the lawn. Planting onions.

What about you? What's on your agenda for this beautiful Monday morning?

Bumpy

We've all had them, the weekend that's more bumpy than relaxing. It happens. Sometimes things don't go the way we hope they will, do they?

Me? Bumpy weekend? Check.

But it's Monday, a new week filled with possibilities. Anything can happen, right?

Plan to concentrate on writing. That always takes my mind off everything else, so it serves more than one purpose. And it's cheaper than retail therapy!

Hope you have a peaceful day.

When in Rome

Buon giorno! Good Sunday morning. Here we are, at Palm Sunday already. I can't believe it's the first of April; honestly, I'm not sure where March went!

Yes, I know. I've been a baaaad blogger.

No looking back, at least not to the failures. If I'm going to look back, it's going to be to the fun stuff.

Here's some fun. A while ago I went to Rome. It was amazing and I loved every minute of it. I feel in love with the Eternal City and could easily--easily!!--live there one day.

Thought I'd share with you two of my favorite images of Vatican City.

Love it that they had a stepping stone in the piazza just waiting for me!

St. Peter's Basilica is even more beautiful in person than I ever imagined. Even on a stormy Sunday morning it is quite a sight.

Hope your day is a peaceful one! See you tomorrow...really, I will. Have faith, friends!

Growling

Doesn't he look ferocious? I've been looking kind of the same all week, busy working on the new book. Eating Fruit Loops, staying up late, annoying my characters and devising ways to further complicate their lives.

Gotta admit, I'm ready to growl.

Hope your weekend is relaxing. Me? Going to ignore the voices in my head for a day or so and just chill. That's the plan, anyhow!

What are you up to this weekend?

Sunset

Ever notice that sometimes endings are really beginnings in disguise?

Here's to new beginnings...

Italian Slang

Every language has its own slang and so many expressions are really funny when you think about them. One of my favorite Italian semi-swear slangs is porca miseria, which translates literally to pig misery. It is applicable in almost any situation, and heard often in this house, mostly because I just love the way it sounds.

Doesn't this guy totally make porca miseria come to life?

Hope you have a great day--with no pig misery in sight!

Me? Back to the book. Porca mi...

Feet Forward

You never really can tell where life will take you. Sometimes you end up in places you didn't think you'd ever be.

My feet take me to some unexpected spots.

Here.
And here.

And even here.

What about you? Have you and your feet gone anywhere interesting lately? Anyplace that makes you and your feet stand up and take notice?

Hope your day is excellent!

Le Scarpe

I think I was born with a shoe addiction. They're all just so interesting and pretty... and make me think of dancing, laughing and just owning the night.

Funny story from when I was a child. My mother insisted on purchasing a "sensible" pair of black shoes one year for school. Me? Wanted red, shiny, insensible. The black shoes languished in the closet all year, my stubborn determination not to wear them keeping my feet in the shoes that were supposed to be weeded out by super-sensible black oxfords.

Yeah, I admit it. A shoe diva from an early age here!

What about you? Any one piece of apparel that rocks your world? Hmm?

Would totally love to be shoe shopping rather than planted squarely in front of the computer working on my new book. Really would rather...

Art Speaks

One of my favorite works of art has always been Raphael's The Transfiguration. I love the way the figures seem fluid and almost able to step into the room, as if the wood they're painted on isn't nearly strong enough to hold them captive.

One of the images I love most is Matthew, down in the corner writing in his thick book. Always, a writer in a group.

What about you? Any pieces of art come to mind that speak to you?

In Any Language

George Clooney rocks in any language, doesn't he? Hot. Caliente. Caldo. Cho. Varme. Whatever. Hot is hot.

Okay, enough drooling from me. Back to the book...

Happy Monday!

Uh oh

That resolution to be a better blogger that I, ah, made just a few short days ago?

Oy, I already blew it! Don't you hate when that happens?

So, how is your March going? The whole in-like-a-lion thing is really making itself fact rather than fiction, isn't it? I weep when I watch the news these days; so much devastation from Mother Nature. So many lives disrupted by wind--makes you appreciate a soft breeze, doesn't it?

Me? Just doing some housekeeping. Cleaning closets, getting the jump on spring cleaning. I have lost a lot of weight so I'm purging the big clothes, donating them and just letting some memories drift away. It's time, and feels good so I guess I'm ready. But it's keeping me busy!

March Madness

Mi dispiace. I've been a lousy blogger. Totally neglecting the blog, but you realize that so I won't even begin to make excuses (excuses really are rubbinsh, aren't they?) but will promise to attempt to be more consistent...beginning right now.

Hi, friends. How are you all doing?

Me? Have been mulling over lots of life issues, making some decisions and evaluating the possibilities open to me. Also, having a bit of adventure in intriguing location. Cleaning out closets, as well, which is making me feel really accomplished.

The big news for this first day of March? By the way, the month is definitely roaring in like a lion here in upstate New York but that's another story. My big news?

Beginning a new book this morning. That's right, putting my behind back in the chair, my fingers on the keyboard and going back to work. It will be good for me, and hopefully the book I've got filling my head will be as satisfying on paper as it is in my imagination.

So...off to write. After I clear the driveway, that is.

What about you? What's on your to-do list for this third month of the year? And while I'm asking, how are you doing with those New Year's resolutions?

A domani!