What's Up Wednesday- November 20th- The Return of the Bewilderbeast

The Return of the Bewilderbeast 

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what's up.  Should you wish to join, check out Jaime's or Erin's lovely blogs and sign up with the link widget at the bottom of the post.

WHAT I'M READING

Besides a little light reading on the plane, I've also been reading THE RAVEN BOYS aloud to Boy Chris before bed. It helps us both relax, which is invaluable for insomniacs, and it is gratifying to know that he falls asleep during good books and not just mine. *grin*

WHAT I'M WRITING

I'm very glad that I didn't officially commit to doing Nano this year because it would have been an horrendous flop. What with flying out to the frozen hinterland, and all of the emotional upheaval that went with it, I didn't get a lot of writing done. But I did get a few chapters written. And more amazing than that, my extremely rather critical editor of a mother read the first couple of chapters of my Nano book and actually loved it. That. Never. Happens. It gives me a little hope for this manuscript.

WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO

Besides flying to the frozen hinterland, and everything that went with it... I'm not going to belabor the topic any more because I've already poured my shredded heart out on this blog. But I will say, that although my father would have hated having to wear a tie to his own funeral (my mother absolutely refused to bury him in his fishing hat), he would have loved the spot where he was laid to rest. It's on the side of a mountain, surrounded by tall trees, with the scent of pine and cottonwoods. It overlooks an apple orchard, so he will have blossoms in the spring, green leaves in the summer and the tang of apples in the fall. You can see forever from that spot, clear to the horizon where the mountains float in shades of purple in the distance. It's perfect.

Leaving "home" to come "home" felt wonderful and strange. I have two homes now. Two places that make my heart tug in a strange fashion. Two places where the scents and the quality of light leave me breathless.

I've been diving back into the hustle and bustle of this home. Catching up on "work". Kayaking my arms off. Yesterday, however, I helped Boy Chris with one of his jobs. Every month he is tasked with surveying 33 miles of the Wild and Scenic Myakka River and cataloging all the birds, alligators and other wildlife. (Hey, it's a dirty job but someone's got to do it.) So we launched his whaler in the misty half-light yesterday morning and spent 12 hours on this glorious river. I posted a picture at the top. I think you can see why this "home" takes my breath away.

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW

This gorgeous bundle came from my YA Buccaneers crew.
Best. Pirates. Ever. xo

I did not realize when I started this writing journey, how many amazing, wonderful, beautiful people I would meet along the way. I did not realize that some of these people, though we have never even met in person, would become some of my best friends, my almost daily confidants. I did not realize how much their support and their ability to make me laugh would sustain me through the tough patches. I am truly humbled by their generosity and so very grateful for their friendship. I think you writer types are some of my very favorite animals. And for me, that's the best compliment I can give. Thank you. Again and again.