Month: March 2020

 

My gratitude list (in no particular order):

1) Grateful for the fact I’ve worked from home for the past 9 years and don’t have as steep of a learning curve as others who are getting used to a new normal.

2) Fantastic co-workers – I’m on a text string with two people I work with directly and I’m grateful to be part of a trio of working moms who are KILLING IT when it comes to our work life. Also, I unexpectedly got an email from a co-worker the other day that had some resources for keeping my kids occupied. It was so unexpected and so kind that I nearly cried.

3) My immediate family. My husband started working from home this week and took over my home office. So he helped me set up a new one in our spare bedroom. Our kids are also taking all of this isolation like little champs. I literally couldn’t do this without the three guys in my life.

4) The real MVPs of our world right now – emergency workers, medical personnel/scientists, and (yes) grocery store workers.  (I know that I’m probably missing people, but those are the three that come to mind.)

5) Technology … so far I’ve had a happy hour via Google Hangouts and attended my son’s piano lesson via Zoom.  It’s been a great tool in these weird times.

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Link Love:

Great writers on the power of music … I believe this, absolutely.

The deep metaphorical power of a good cup of coffee … and this is gospel, too.

Daniel Craig in GQ … read for the article, stay for the photos.

The amazing Cheryl Head wrote a fantastic piece about the evolution and the future of the private investigator in fiction. She even mentions my favorite PI Cass Raines.

And something I made last weekend – Stewed Lentils & Tomatoes.  I’ve really appreciated how cooks/chefs have been devoting social media posts, etc., to foods that use everyday pantry items.  I made this and it was delicious. (+ it is by my queen Ina Garten.)

Listening: This song always reminds me of Iowa gravel roads. Specifically driven in a pickup truck.

Reading: I keep harping on shopping local.  I try to practice what I preach:

Writing Life: I got some FANTASTIC news this week that the Peter Lovesey contest was extended to June 1st.  I was ready to hit the April 1st deadline, but man – this was welcome in my new world.

Call someone you love. Be kind to everyone you meet. Wash your darn hands. – Shelley

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What is Friday Fare? As a recap, on Fridays I post link love to the various bits of arcane shiz I discover on the Interwebs.  I liken it to a glimpse into my mind, but without the 80s song lyrics or mental cobwebs.

Holy shit … what a week. My life is turned on its ear right now, so I can only imagine what it’s like for everyone else. My husband and I are lucky … both of us have jobs that are fairly flexible and we have steady paychecks. We are continuing to count our blessings and are trying to help out our friends who run small businesses.  Now’s a good time to throw this out there … SHOP LOCAL.  The big box stores and the Internet retail giants will survive this, if you’re looking for a good book to read – most indie bookstores are online and ship. A lot of restaurants are adapting by going exclusively to delivery or pick-up, drive-through options.  Not really feeling like getting out? Buy gift cards.

Rosanne Cash Tweeted the following ^^ over the weekend. And while I’d love to tell you that I’m up to my ears in books and ideas during this time of “social distancing,” that’s not true.  At this point, I can probably sing the “My Little Pony” theme song in my sleep and I think I’m going to re-read some of my most favorite smutty paranormal romances, but something on par with King Lear?  Likely not. In fact, a lot of my creative friends are struggling right now and it reminded me of this article I found last fall and bookmarked to share here.  It’s about “writing under duress” and persevering creatively while under pressure.

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Listening: This song always brings me peace and joy.

Reading: I read “The Impossible First” by Colin O’Brady, a non-fiction about a man’s solo attempt across Antarctica.  It was a really good read.

Writing Life: I’ve flirted with getting up early and writing at 5 AM a couple of times. But those were times when I didn’t need to be up so early or when I wasn’t on an ambitious deadline. Considering that I’m working, basically homeschooling my children, AND have an April 1st deadline, I have my electric kettle in the downstairs bathroom to make a cup of tea (or instant coffee) and am trying to get an hour of editing in before my hellions get up and my husband leaves for work.

 

– Shelley

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What is Friday Fare? As a recap, on Fridays I post link love to the various bits of arcane shiz I discover on the Interwebs.  I liken it to a glimpse into my mind, but without the 80s song lyrics or mental cobwebs.

I survived a time change and a full moon this week – bring it, Friday the 13th!

I saw this post on Instagram the other day and given the chaos in the world, it spoke to me … words to live by:

This book by Dennis Staples looks fascinating – already on hold at my local library!

I admire anyone who can do this kind of work … it would not be for me.

It pays to be grumpy … well, if that’s the case, I am going to be rich and immortal.

And as someone who freaking adores soup, this article spoke to me.

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Listening: I heard this over breakfast the other morning and immediately wondered why I haven’t listened to more Warren Zevon.

 

Reading: Re-reading Sandra Brown’s “Friction.” It’s a good romantic suspense and I’m reading it to remind myself how Brown gets. it. done.  A friend of mine frequently says that the best MFA programs can be found on our bookshelves. (And since I sucked so badly at college, I’m fine with this notion.) I am also reading the latest Pendergast novel by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston. Awesome as always.

Writing Life: Keeping steady with my deadlines!

– Shelley

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What is Friday Fare? As a recap, on Fridays I post link love to the various bits of arcane shiz I discover on the Interwebs.  I liken it to a glimpse into my mind, but without the 80s song lyrics or mental cobwebs.

I’ve had a big week:

Watching John Waters up at the Parkway Theater was sublime.  I got spend time with a friend of mine that I’ve known for 20+ years and to quote her, our cheeks hurt so much from laughing and smiling. Waters, filmmaker and author, is not everyone’s cup of coffee, but I’m so glad I got to be in the audience.

^^ Volunteering as an election judge was an absolute honor. I’m looking forward to volunteering again in the upcoming mid-term elections and during November’s general election.

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Listening: Is there such thing as a perfect song? I don’t know if there’s a modern equivalent, but there are certain songs that I hear and will absolutely NOT switch the station. Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is one of them. This song came on the radio the other day when I was dropping off my kidlets. That song was released in 1986. I would have been eight years old, one year older than my eldest son.

It’s still a keeper.

Reading: I am re-reading Sherry Thomas’s “A Conspiracy in Belgravia,” book two of her Lady Sherlock Series. I read book four earlier this year and it seemed like a good time to just re-read all of them in general. As one does, right?

Writing Life: A couple random thoughts here … my mind is like a crowded library that is full of arcane information that I can access at the snap of my fingers. BUT, if it’s something like the capitol of Rhode Island or whether my anniversary is on the 18th or the 19th, I’m the first passenger on the struggle bus. (FYI – it’s the 18th … that just took me 10 years of marriage.) If I’m talking about my “process” I like to demure and say that I’m not an organized person, but to be honest? I’m actually equal parts organized and expert-level when it comes to procrastination.

March is a GIANT month for me with the April 1st deadline for the Peter Lovesey First Crime Novel contest. *whispers* But I’m doing OK with the edits that I’ve identified to get this into fighting shape for the contest. And man – this is one of those times where I’m so darn grateful for my children. Who needs highlighters when you can use Mr. Sketch scented markers and a writing instrument that’s hybrid marker and watercolor?

And because I’m not content to keep things simple, I realize that I’ve been remiss in talking to a few of my best-est friends, so I have a couple phone and beer dates scheduled.  Oh, and my kids’ spring break starts the same week that the Lovesey contest is due. BUT … I am good. I am (gasp!) organized. And I’m crushing it.

That’s it for me! Weekends are spent catching up on my ridiculous deadlines and I’m looking forward to getting some kid snuggles this weekend and enjoying spring-like temperatures on Sunday! Keep washing your hands and a respectable distance away from people if you are able.

– Shelley

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What is Friday Fare? As a recap, on Fridays I post link love to the various bits of arcane shiz I discover on the Interwebs.  I liken it to a glimpse into my mind, but without the 80s song lyrics or mental cobwebs.