My Love/Hate Affair

I'm a happily married woman.
Or so I thought.
What happened to those fun things, no, those crazy things I used to do?
Like climbing trees to read a good book?

An unsuspecting tree, this tree has made me ask myself these questions and a few more. I recently moved my desk so that I could glance outside while I work. This tree sits dead center in my view. Look at that crotch! Man! IF I were a few years younger (and not afraid of falling to break something I might need -- like my butt.) IF the tree didn't look so inviting - I don't mind sharing with the birds, squirrels and racoons. IF I weren't so darn practical. IF I had a good book to read, oh wait, I have a Kindle stocked with books. IF I had the time to be a kid again.

That's it...if I were a kid again the excuses wouldn't stop me, not the spiders, the ants, or the scratches I would no doubt earn as I climb. Oh wait! I remember why I stopped climbing trees. It's that stomach racing to my throat as I glance down and try to figure out how to get down...without the broken bones. Yea, and I stopped climbing when the memory became ingrained. Over time I forgot the joys of being young.

But hey, there's always tomorrow and the property managers promise to cut the tree down.

Sorry tree. I hate the fact that you  block most of the sunlight coming through my windows. I do love your beauty and the little critters that scamper in your branches. I hate the seed packets that get tracked into the house. How will I feel as the seasons change? I wonder. How will they bring you down without smashing the fence or building? Will the neighboring trees miss you?

First Day of School...Yippee!

School is starting for us here in the Puget Sound Area today. Some of you may be jealous as you've been in class for a few weeks. Your first tests of the year may even be behind you at this point, but don't fret. Remember that next June when your summer is well underway, we will still be in the classroom.
With school in full swing that means it is time for me to go to work, writing in earnest. No more "Mom, can you?" "Mom, can I?" "Mom, can we?" All those things that break one's concentration and intrerrupt the writing muse. I'm so excited! I love my children but I love writing too!
First WIP to get my attention is Talisman: Crisscross in Time. This is a Time-travel romance and depending on the publisher/editor input, the first of a Trilogy or Series.
After that? That will depend on publishers and contracts.

So here's sending my schooled best wishes to you. Enjoy your school season whether learning or working and hopefully both! Feel free to share what you are learning.

Sand and Sun...Ahhh

One must share this amazing display of the 2012 World Championship Sand Sculpting, even if the camera is old and the shots less than perfect. These sculptures are incredible! They are entirely made of sand with the only sculpting tools being a shovel and a tamp. I have to believe these are specailized tools and maybe they are but you must admit that one cannot build a house upon the sand. What of a castle?

This is only one of the six or seven sand castles. Notice the leaves. In the distance is a Sculpture with a title something like "Take her heart and throw away the key."

Can you see the rose above the arch. Wow. Notice the size vs. the woman walking on the far side and the arches themselves.

This was my favorite castle. Yes, I love the horse but this sculptures title, if I remember right is "Twisting Tale." Notice how the whole thing twists and still stands. Of course I love a romance with a twist so that may be why I liked this one. Behind this sculpture on the left is the sculpture "The Three Muses." and on the right, one of our favorites. "Rising Above the Flames." Watch for the tiny details.

Notice the void to the left of the eagle's body above and to the right below. Now for the front, can you see the dripping blood?

From here we visited "Joan of Arc." I neglected to get her trojan style horse that is at the back of this sculpture. This photo was taken in the afternoon sun, but in the morning light her expression is so unique, I found it breathtaking. This angle/lighting does not do her face justice.

Notice the little fish looking on and his expression! Priceless!
This was the tallest of the sculptures. That is an eight foot temporary construction fence behind it and this sculpture can be seen from the street.
If you enjoy humor in art, you'll enjoy this next one as well.

Notice the tiny igaloo inside and the weakened iron below. There is nothing inside offering this structure's roof or sides support.

Time for a commercial break. These sculptures are built in a timed 28 hour period. Some of them are done by individuals and a few by teams of two. I didn't make note of which were which, nor did we take a picture of every one, just our favorites. These sculptures are sprayed with a fine coating of Elmers glue diluted with water. They are sturdy, yet fragile. A couple of years ago, we had a rainstorm that damaged some of the sculptures. I believe you can visit the Mirror 2010 archives for photos.

Time to get to our favorites. This one is entitled "The Unfurling"

Have you figured out what this is? In spite of shadow we captured this young fairies face.

Which takes us to my favorite face and the detail of Medusa.

This was a day well worth the $7.00 admission. If you are in the area, please go, it's worth it. For video check out http://www.nwsandfestival.com/ as well as searching the Mirror link above.