Spring signs

mood: contemplative
music: none
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I've heard the spring peepers on two separate evenings now (that's young frogs, for anyone who doesn't know) so it's a sure sign that spring is here. Notwithstanding the fact that the last few days have been cold and foggy.

I have so much to do in the next few days I don't know how it will all get done. I guess I just have to cross my fingers, take a deep breath, and dive right in.

One thing I learned today: On the infrequent occasion that you hear a really competent and intelligent politician being interviewed, you realize how abysmally stupid and condescending the rest of them are.

Procrastination

mood: tired
music: none
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Have started tinkering with a new CSS design for the Scriptorium, thinking that if I redid the entire site with CSS it might take me less time to update it for each new issue.

I must have gone insane. I don't have time to do this right now. I must be procrastinating something else, as that's the only time I do things like this.

One thing I learned today: CSS doesn't take too long to figure out, once you start looking at it.

Never a dull moment

mood: tired
music: none - everyone's asleep
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Well, I've had to tackle a new job this week--homeschooling. The support staff of our school board (clearners, etc.) is out on strike, and although they kept the schools open as long as they could, they've all been closed now for health reasons. So the kids have work packages and I'm holding "school" here in the mornings for my daughter and my niece. My niece is in 8th grade French immersion, so it's a good thing I've been brushing up on my French language skills over the past year!

And wow, I'm tired. It takes a good bit of effort to keep them on track and help them with anything they need. Thank goodness I can dredge up a few memories of how to do the math. It looks like the two sides will be going to arbitration soon, but I doubt that it's going to get solved within a few days. So it's homeschool for at least the next week, I'd bet.

I finished my winter story--finally--and now I'm trying to rewrite one for another anthology. I can send that editor a few to look at and reprints are acceptable, too, but I'd like to get this one new piece done. I think I could have it done by the end of the weekend if all goes well. Slowly I'm taking things off my list and I'll soon be down to--novel rewrite!

One thing I learned today: Coca-cola is a popular breakfast drink in the southern United States. Many people even pour it on their cereal. Sorry, but I find that just repulsive. (source: CBC radio)

In the garden today--crocuses basking in the warmth. The temperature hit an amazing 20 degrees C. (that's about 70 F.).

Posted by Hello

Catching Up

mood: good
music: none
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Well, the end of the workshop doesn't seem to have meant more time for blogging! Right now I'm trying to finish my anthology story, which I think I'll be able to do in the time alloted, send out another submission, do my usual income tax schtick for the family, and then--start looking at my novel. I was thinking about it a bit last night and this morning and I'm getting excited to start working on it again.

Of course, with the schools closed because of a local labour strike I'm going to have to do some homeschooling, although hopefully they'll have this resolved soon. And it's almost time to start the yard work and we're about to do some major house renovations. So it's not going to be easy to find time for everything. I also have another workshop starting in June, but it won't require as much work this time since the materials don't need to be revised.

Seems like there's a slight chance I'll lose the free hosting I've had for The Scriptorium all these years. If that happens I'll be faced with a dilemma--try to find something else or close it down. I can't pay for the hosting, so if I can't find something else acceptable it could be the end. I've struggled in the past with whether or not I should keep it going, since it gobbles up so much time that I could be spending on writing, but faced with this situation I won't know what to feel. It would be sad to let it go. I know a lot of readers really depend on it and it's certainly opened up opportunities and writing acquaintances over the years.

But it's not a problem for right now, so I'm trying not to worry about it. Today the sun is shining and I've got a story to finish...

One thing I learned today: It's too early in the morning...
I haven't learned anything yet.