Broken In By Horses I was no more qualified to tend those fifteen horses than I was to write two novels, but I did it anyway, because I enjoyed it. Also, no one else was jumping for the job. It was poor pay and worse conditions - sweaty, stinky, sticky work (the horses, not the … Continue reading All the Horses
MAD About Comics The other day, my mother handed me a Hartman suitcase she'd found in her attic. Even without opening it, I knew exactly what lay within that smooth leather treasure box. My comics once lived at my father's house, in the top two drawers of my dresser. When I left for college, those … Continue reading MAD About Comics
Hot Writer Summer It's been a month since I last posted. You deserve better, readers. But let me tell you what you've missed: It's summer. In coastal NC. It's hot. The kids are home and every thought is interrupted by someone yelling, "Mom, this remote control won't work!" or "Stop touching me!" (that was me). … Continue reading Hot Writer Summer
Wed to Water Water. Its molecules bind and bubble, strongly pulling one another into droplets, rivers, oceans, and human bodies. We're made primarily of water, and our aqueous aspects yearn to join the flow, to dissolve and just float. They say the human body can vary in hydration from 50-75%. I propose that the more … Continue reading Wed to Water
The End of the World I'm currently reading Where'd You Go, Bernadette, a book recommended by my friend Shazam. It's an engaging read - interesting format and great build-up. The **** is about to hit the fan, and I'm enjoying my front-seat view to the chaos. What Bernadette doesn't realize is that it's unwise, dangerous, … Continue reading The End of the World
Heroic Instincts In the novel I just edited (yet again), my main character encounters life-threatening danger. It's a fight or flight situation, an opportunity for heroic valor and lightning-fast reflexes. If this was fantasy, action, or sci-fi, she would kick ass and take names. But it's historical women's fiction, and there's a third option, one … Continue reading Heroic Instincts
Nanny and Willie These last few days, I’ve been listening to Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson, cover “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” at his dad’s 90th birthday concert (Willie and I share a birthday, April 29th). Lukas nails it. He sounds more like Willie than Willie himself. I wish I could send the song … Continue reading Nanny and Willie
Farting Around We were driving home through Virginia post-Thanksgiving, and my husband was talking about his truck's failing transmission. The garage in Virginia said it would cost $6k to replace, and he hoped a local mechanic could do better. My husband spoke of rebuilding the transmission, the hours of labor, and the possibility of a … Continue reading Farting Around
Mullet Love Affair Part 1 This weekend is the Swansboro Mullet Festival, where you can get jumping mullet fried whole, their little bones soft like canned sardines (which I I love). It's also the start of mullet fishing season along Bogue Banks, and unfortunately, it could be the end of it as well. This Thursday, … Continue reading Mullet Love Affair Part 1
When I Paint My Masterpiece This summer, I watched a masterpiece take shape. A team of carvers created a nine foot tall sand castle in front of the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, with an octopus, a shark, a school of three dimensional fish, and dry waves crashing around its base. Every day, I … Continue reading When I Paint My Masterpiece
Jessi Waugh Writer 