off the presses

We got our first copies of our fall issue at work. Amazing when you consider we did color proofs last week. This printer is super--customer service that really lives up to the name, and excellent print quality! :)

Generating lots of freelance queries and ideas for Bright Livelihood. Going to be away from the PC for the next few days, but I'll be ready to rock 'n' roll when we return...

one by one

I've been lax in the blog-o-sphere lately. The upside is that I'm actually getting some writing done! After months of hemming and hawing with my creativity coach about what projects to pursue, I finally popped up and committed to writing my sample Bright Livelihood columns and getting packets ready to put in front of editors.
After I made my first goal--finish ONE column--I actually finished ONE column. Then I did another one, then wrote my enticing (I hope) cover letter for the column packet. Hopefully Scooter will help me design a kick-ass logo for the letterhead and/or packet folders.
I pitched an online spirituality magazine for a short article, and plan to spin that off into short front-of-book pieces for a couple of other markets. I also decided to send ONE trade magazine editor my resume/clips, and got a "we'll put you in the freelance pool" response, which was what I was seeking.
The secret to all this has been: focus on one thing at a time. Anne Lamott talks about writing as if all you can see is contained by a one-by-one frame. It works for choosing/completing assignments too.
I also kicked out an Echo column yesterday. Started drafting a rant about lesbian relationship "processing" that wasn't very funny. I mean, the topic COULD be funny, but I just sounded caustic. In the end, I wrote a very tender-hearted essay about caring for my grandson. It reminded me I don't have to tackle huge issues and try to get really snarky laughs out of them every time I write for Echo--sometimes there's a lot more humor in my everyday madness.

sedona

We also went to Sedona on Saturday, which is probably Scooter & I's favorite place on earth.

Here is Scooter playing with the red rocks.

baby and baby columns

I wouldn't be a dutiful grandma without posting the g-son's photos. Austin will be two months old next Monday and he's up to 12 pounds already. He's holding his head up well, although he bobs and weaves a bit still. He has his colicky moments, but we love watching him laugh, coo, and look at the sheep-mobile that hangs above his bassinet/changing table at our house.

My Bright Livelihood column is seeing a growth period as well. I've got the first one written and will be working on one or two more this week. I'm finding good ideas--I don't think actually composing the column is going to be hard work. It's finding a home for the work that's always a challenge for me. I'll probably start posting tidbits from columns and research on the Bright Livelihood blog (brightlivelihood.blogspot.com), which right now has a lone intro entry.

words of wisdom

Watching the events in the Gulf Coast, and trying to stay centered enough to not just sit around obsessing on it, I came across the following in the blog-o-sphere. Take what you like, leave the rest in the proverbial spiritual fridge for one of your fellow travelers.

From the Blog of the Grateful Bear (http://wildfaith.blogspot.com/):

Return To The Most Human...
Unison Benediction
a poem by May Sarton

Return to the most human,
nothing less will nourish the torn spirit,
the bewildered heart,
the angry mind:and from the ultimate duress,
pierced with the breath of anguish,
speak of love.

Return, return to the deep sources,
nothing less will teach the stiff hands a new way to serve,
to carve into our lives the forms of tenderness
and still that ancient necessary pain preserve.

Return to the most human,
nothing less will teach the angry spirit,
the bewildered heart,the torn mind,
to accept the whole of its duress,
and pierced with anguish...
at last, act for love.

~ May Sarton ~

And from the lovely and eclectic blog The Wild Things of God (http://frimmin.com/index.html)

Quit eating off the tree of the knowlege of good and evil - it didn't do anything for us to begin with and it isn't helping us today - just eat from the tree of life. Don't try to figure out whether where you are and what you are doing is good or evil, just figure out how to put you eyes and your heart on Jesus. Eating from the tree of Life is the easiest thing you'll ever do. The fruit is low to the ground where anyone can reach it. —Ron Jones