Positives...

Put in some time on the long piece this morning. Hadn’t looked at it in a while, but was pleased with what I’ve written so far. It’s a long way from perfect, but the movement of the plot feels good and the voice is pretty much where I want it.

Spent the rest of the day policing the yard. Got most of the flowerpots back where they belong, and re-did the brick work on the side patio so the grill would sit a little more level.

Pretty day. Should’ve gone for a walk later, but didn’t think of it. Maybe tomorrow. Still a lot of weekend to go.

Easy does it...

Drove up to Denver today to pay my uncle a visit. Had a nice time, despite his not being able to speak or get out of bed. I read to him (A River Runs Through It) for a couple of hours, and promised to come back next week and pick up where we left off.

Not much else to talk about, though I did find an end for one of my new stories this morning and think maybe I have something worthwhile if I can smooth it out in revision.

Weather people are talking snow again tonight. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Meanwhile, a long dark cloud’s rolled in, and it doesn’t look as if it has any intention of moving on.

Tired. Looking forward to a quiet evening.

No snow, no nothing...

Well, the weather people were wrong. Again. Got up this morning and lifted the shade and the twelve inches of snow we’d been warned were coming never arrived. I mean, nothing.

Made the most of the day working on story, and sending out letters.

Killed the middle of the afternoon at Lowe’s, hunting for flower pots.

All in a day's doings...

Meandering sort of day. So much so, I can hardly remember waking up. This is good, yes?

Worked on a newer piece this morning, but gave it up for some chill time at the gym. Not a lot of people there today, so got in a nice workout.

Goofed around for a while when I got back home, enjoying Tucker Carlson’s firing over a cup of noodles, then went out fertilizer hunting at Lowe’s.

Took a nice afternoon walk before getting back to the keyboard.

My uncle isn’t doing so well, so I’m thinking of driving up to Denver tomorrow to pay him a visit.

A journey south...

Drove down to Taos today to pick up some coyote fencing. Pretty day, great time. The Sangres were still dusted in snow, and the countryside was brown and beautiful.

Ate a great Mexican lunch of enchiladas, chili rellenos, posole and beans at a joint called Orlanddo’s. Seriously good food. Best rellenos I’ve ever eaten.

Drive home was quiet and easy. Looks to be an equally quiet night. Glad we took the time to get out of town.

Thursday!

Crazy day.

Up early, sent off files, and spent the rest of the morning with the Haberkost boys drinking coffee and talking sh*t. Worked out after, took a walk and a nap, and now here it is dinnertime.

Making a quick but savage drive into the heart of NM tomorrow. Details to come.

Tidbits...

Made good headway on the Opera project. Later, took a break and met my buddy S, for coffee.

Killed an hour at the gym, came home and worked a bit longer, then went for pleasant jaunt around the neighborhood.

Pretty weather today. Breezy, but with a high blue sky.

Yard’s looking better, and that’s nice too. Need to get out and fertilize now that the aeration’s done and the sprinkler system’s working.

Monday, Monday...

Late entry after what felt like a short day.

Spent most of the morning working a new project, but didn’t get as far as I’d hoped. No worries. I’ll catch up tomorrow.

Wrote letters to the boys back in Pittsburgh, then took some time off to work out.

Did some yardwork when I got home, and filled the back bed of the pickup. Spoke to my cousin, J.J. too. He tells me my uncle is in a nursing home now. Gotta get up there in the next week or so and pay him a visit.

The Forge posted my newest story this morning. Looks as if it’s getting a pretty good reception. Fought hard to get this one in print, and wondered if it would ever see publication, given the subject matter. Happy to see it getting attention.

Sunday evening, 7:10 pm...

Went to a house concert last night to catch a group called Sons of Town Hall. Most fun we’ve had in a long time. Was expecting some quirky folk stuff—and got it—but the performance turned into so much more it made the whole weekend. Talented guys. Great story tellers, excellent musicians, the whole nine yards.

Finished a strong draft of new story this morning. Been working on the piece a while, but finally happened on an acceptable end. Still have a lot of clean up, but the tough stuff is behind me. Felt good to make a bit of progress.

Gotta new gig from the C.S. Opera, so tomorrow’s pretty well played out. Happy to have some new commercial work falling in my lap. Need to put the blocks to this one. Short turnaround time.

Lotta yard work to catch up with now that the house painting’s finished. Looking forward to clearing out the dead leaves and getting the lawn back in shape. Aerators come tomorrow. Sprinkler dudes, too. Won’t be long before it’s time to break out the mower.

Friday...and none too soon...

Looking out the cottage window this evening at a spring snow storm.

Just another sunny day when I woke this morning. Rose early, put in some work on a new project, went off to the gym a little after twelve, and came home in a light rain. Got a chance to talk to my buddy S. FaceTime with Jack and Matt, too.

Good day, all in all.

Looking to settle in and build a fire tonight. Enjoy a movie. Start in early tomorrow and catch up where I left off.

Odds and ends...

Up early to work on a new Philharmonic project.

Painters came around nine and put the finishing touches on the house. Place looks great again.

No gym today. PT instead. Neck’s been acting up again.

Pretty day. Wish I’d have seen more of it, but an early evening walk got us out of the house where we could enjoy the last of it.

Supposed to snow tomorrow. Or rain. Can’t remember which. Either way, the lawn will be thankful.

Small news...

Didn’t get much writing time this morning with the painters clanking about, but put in some good edits on s short story before going off to the gym.

Warm day. Too warm for spring, but cloudless with blue skies so no complaints. Got in a short walk, and a trip to Starbucks before throwing in the towel.

House is supposed to be finished by tomorrow. Hope so. Need some uninterrupted time at the keyboard to get a project going. Need to get letters off to the boys, as well.

Short but sweet...

Coming to this tired.

Was up early looking at manuscripts, then sidelined with the arrival of the painting crew who made enough noise to drive us off to Starbucks.

Good return to the gym.

Good walk around the neighborhood.

Good day getting a lot of housekeeping matters behind us.

Making plans...

Spent the morning revising the long piece, and the afternoon working around the yard. Painters due early tomorrow, aeration and sprinkler crews later in the week. Everything should look shipshape by next weekend. Be glad to have the painting behind us. Been waiting all winter for the weather to clear.

Jack’s birthday today. Hard to believe, but he’s officially nine. He and Matt called this morning while we were out caulking the porch rail. Didn’t talk for as long as we’d have liked, but long enough to see they’d found home again after their week-long vacation to Colorado.

Figure it to be a busy few days with all the work crews coming and going. Just hope I can carve out some good writing time. That and some uninterrupted time at the gym.

Piecing the week back together...

Woke early with some help from the carpenter who came banging on the front door before anyone was up.

Managed to get in some edits on the long piece, but not as many as I’d have liked. Abandoned the keyboard a little after twelve and went to the movies.

Weather went gray by late afternoon, but the temps have come up and we managed a nice walk when we got home.

Strange not having the boys around. Never quite get used to their leaving.

Back to the status quo...

Boys back home to Pittsburgh this morning. Spent the afternoon policing the yard in anticipation of the painting crew. Come Monday, house is looking at a new coat. Meanwhile, gotta try and get back to the writing. I must have five drafts awaiting revision.

Weather turned tolerable again. Supposed to hit eighty by Monday. I’ll take whatever comes as long as it doesn’t get in the way of work. Looking forward to hitting the gym again, and all the rest.

Tonight, veg time.