8.12.2011

These Happy Golden Years and other stories

Yes, I just shamelessly ripped off one of Laura Ingalls Wilder's book titles.

If I've seemed a little absent from comment boxes and other internet stuff this week, I have two reasons for that. First, three years ago as of Wednesday, this came to pass:

Still pretty much the best day of my life.
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Second, I've started packing up the apartment, because—God willing and all goes well—we're closing on a house in a few weeks!!! Can you sense the excitement? I'm going to be able to garden.

Forewarning: chances are, I'll be taking a couple of weeks off the blog around the core moving time. I'll try to keep it to that. :)

* * *

The only downer news: I've had to back out of music for the time being, thanks to probable vocal cord nodes. I hate not being able to sing. Hate it. But it's cut back for awhile now, or possibly do permanent damage. If I haven't already—I've been dragging my heels on this for a good six months.

For now, at least I can still go in the kitchen, where the acoustics are good, and do a small amount of gentle practicing. If I sing very lightly and carefully, things seem to go okay.

* * *

Back to cheerful thoughts: until 2012, there are only two more Wheel of Time books to review (unless I miss it desperately and decide to go for the prequel), and I've already read one of them! Which means I can start resting my eyes as well as my voice. It also means that if you're all bored of my going on and on about those books, there's other stuff coming. :)

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Writers' link of the week: Jay Kristoff guest posts at YA Highway, talking about how to write outside your gender (and really, how to write about anyone who is different from you):
"But whatever you do, never, ever fall into that baffling belief that you should only write in your own shoes. Unless you’re a part-time super-spy or possessed of mutant powers, chances are, a book about you is going to be a boring book."
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Music of the week: Line of Sky. No video to be had at this time, but you can listen to the songs over on Bandcamp. Line of Sky is otherwise known as Mike Grigoni, and I've got to say, we have very talented friends. :)

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Funny of the week: From The Onion, "Scientists Trace Heat Wave To Massive Star At Center Of Solar System." (Thanks to George for linking it on Facebook.) This just made me happy. Now if only the Pacific Northwest could catch sight of that star a little more often...

* * *

Ah, moving. The kitchen holds a few empty boxes, and the whole house holds loads of unboxed stuff. I suppose I can pack my recording equipment. But I'll hold off on the main bookshelves for a week or two.

Happy weekend, everybody!

13 comments:

  1. Oh, so so sorry to hear about the vocal cord nodes! That's just horrible. But, yes, rest up now so you can sing beautifully again later!

    Concerning the move, I'm excited for you!!! That's big, wonderful news, and I hope all goes smoothly for you!

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  2. Oh, and congrats on the anniversary!!! :)

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  3. Wow, congratulations on the house!! That is SO exciting! =) And I hope you had a wonderful anniversary! I was thinking about you that day. Will you be huckleberry picking next week? I hope so, but understand that things might be too crazy with the move... We plan on being there.

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  4. The most important thing is to remember to take Maia with you. Some people, namely cats, would say that's the only important thing. Hopefully you also got her approval for the new house. :)

    Happy belated Anniversary!! And you're welcome for the link to the discovery about the cause of the heat wave. It all makes sense now. :)

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  5. Congrats on the house (again) and on three years of wedded bliss.

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  6. Congrats on everything, Jenna (except the vocal cord issue)! How awesome that you'll soon have a lovely garden to tend :o) Hope you'll post loads of pictures as it grows. And I think that you should take off the whole week for your wedding anniversary (such a beautiful photo above!). Maybe I'm a little biased.... Our fifth wedding anniversary is next week, and in a couple of days we'll be gone for a week hiking in the New Hampshire and Vermont mountains--and away from computers and email (so I'll be silent for a bit as well).

    George, your cat comment is hilarious! Indeed, the Maia paw-print of approval is crucial. Do you and your wife still have like fourteen of the angelic creatures?

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  7. Carrie-Ann, we have sixteen cats. ;)

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  8. Sixteen--wow George! You must be surrounded by cuteness and cat high-jinks all the time; that's way cool.

    And Jenna, I love your rip-off of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I promise not to call you Half-pint :o) Okay, here's a super-nerd story about Little House on the Prairie.... My friend Michelle and I would sew prairie bonnets by hand when we were in junior high school and then wear them when we watched Little House on t.v. and when we'd run through a field of grass humming the Little House theme music. When I recounted this story to my husband, he cringed, sighed, and dubbed me Pollyanna.

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  9. Thanks so much, everybody!

    Carrie, as a singer I'm sure you understand. I'll do my best!

    Lindsey, I don't think we'll make it to huckleberry picking, unfortunately. Lou may still decide he's up for going, but I'm thinking "Aaaah... so much packing to do!"

    George, while we haven't taken Maia over to see the new place, I feel fairly convinced of her approval. I don't think there's a single surface in the house, including top shelves, that we'll be able to keep her off of. :P

    Carrie-Ann, HAHAHAHA! I loved Little House on the Prairie, both the TV show and the books! When I grew up, part of me was still disappointed that the episode that ended "To be continued in fifteen years" (after a little boy kissed Carrie, after Mary's wedding I think) never actually did get continued. As a small child, I totally expected it to. Hope you enjoy your anniversary trip!

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  10. Jenna and Carrie-Ann, you both would enjoy The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure

    http://www.amazon.com/Wilder-Life-Adventures-Little-Prairie/dp/1594487804/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313467988&sr=1-1

    who attempted to live her LH obsession, even churning butter and staying in a soddy. It's a very enjoyable read. Alison Arngrim's memoir, also out last year, is hilarious.

    --Arabella

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  11. Well, I see the link was a bust.

    I forgot to add: lovely wedding picture, a very happy anniversary, and how wonderful about your new home!

    --Arabella

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  12. Thanks, MissPhotographerB and Arabella!

    Arabella, the McClure book looks like a lot of fun. I churned butter in a jar once when I was little. It's a lot of work. But I love butter; if I had to churn to get it, it would be worth it. :)

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