Snow on the Tulips
Yep, it snowed again. The forecast says we’ll get more this weekend. It’s not a lot, not a blizzard or anything like that, but the skies are constantly overcast. I’m spoiled, I guess. Since moving to Northern Colorado in 1998, I’ve grown accustomed to lots of sunshine. This dreariness is affecting my mood and my energy level. Sigh.
Winter Olympics
At least I have the winter Olympics to cheer me up. Nothing like watching skiers and snowboarders take enormous risks, then crash and slide. Seems like most have a pretty good attitude about losing, though. Most of the crying and sobbing has come from the winners.
I admit to being a big fan of ice skating and ice dancing. I stayed up to watch all of the men’s long program last night. What a thrill to see an American pull out the gold for the first time since 1988 when Brian Boitano won. The great events leave a lasting impression.
A Blog Carnival
Kerrie Flanagan at The Writing Bug has posted a blog carnival for Northern Colorado Writers members. Since our membership includes all kinds of writers and businessfolks who work with writers, this is a very diverse carnival. Check it out.
And I’ve linked to a fun post from Scattershot for you. This one made me laugh out loud.
The Prairie Grass Murders
The eHarlequin Online Store is the only place to buy the mass market paperback edition of my first Sylvia and Willie mystery. The second book in the series, The Desert Hedge Murders, is scheduled for release in September.
Dead Beyond the Fence: A Novel of the Zombie Apocalypse
My friend (and critique group partner) Brian Kaufman has a new release. His launch party will be a zombie event at Reader’s Cove Bookstore in Fort Collins, CO on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00. I’ve never been to a zombie event before. Or eaten zombie cookies (promised in the promo announcement).
I’m betting the turnout will be huge. I’m seriously thinking about switching from mystery to gore, just so I can throw a great launch party with trolls and ghouls and…and…yeah, even vampires.
Haeley Vaughn
The Fort Collins Coloradoan had a nice article about the Fort Collins 16-year-old who made it to American Idol‘s top 24. I think she’s going to have strong support from Northern Colorado.
What I’m Doing These Days (besides watching television)
1. Reading. I’ll finish Heart of the Hunter (Deon Meyer) tonight. I’m not sure what I’ll read next.
2. Writing blog posts. I’m doing a couple of guest posts, and I’m a contributor to The Blood-Red Pencil. And I’m still posting daily on my own blog, even when I have absolutely nothing to say.
3. Getting ready to apply critique suggestions to the first thirteen chapters of the first draft of my suspense novel.
4. Putting together a handout for the Social Media for Beginners workshop I’m teaching on March 1st at the Northern Colorado Writers Studio.
5. Trying my best to get organized. The rest of this afternoon I’ll be working on my To Do List, brainstorming with myself to come up with new blog post topics, and making a plan to clean up my office space.
6. Thinking deep thoughts. Really.
A good laugh is worth a million bucks, isn’t it?
My experiment with watching TV and visiting blogs at the same time was a bit of a failure. Luckily I was watching the DVRed recording of the Olympics so I kept going back to see what I’d missed in the compulsory skates. When you hear the same music over and over, there’s nothing to jerk your attention back to the TV screen.
I enjoy reading your blog- almost as good as talking with you. My husband is probably the most anti-Idol person on the planet, but I will follow and support our Colorado girls as closely as I can.
Hi Pat,
I also laughed out loud at the blog post on Scattershot. It’s always intriguing to hear two people talk about completely different situations, while misunderstanding that they aren’t in sync.
Kerrie sent a great list of blogs on her NCW email today; it’s well worth looking at. As for me, it’s time to get back to self-editing my book.
I’ve appreciated your comments on my blog, “Eat like the Doc does.”
Peter Springberg
Peter Springberg.
huge piles of snow here but then one would expect that in Canada wouldn’t one? Who is ‘one’ anywhoozie?
Fun to see what you’re up to – I’ll stop thinking that you’re a lazy lieabout now…
I’m with you on the grey-though it’s not the weather that’s keeping me blah. And I stopped by Scattershot–you were right! Hilarious!
We just got our refund today, so I suppose that is something to smile about. Yay for the Internet!
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
Organizing! Yes, I need to do that, too. And taxes. Bleh.
Elizabeth
I am doing just that–visiting blogs and watching the Olympics. Its fun. Thanks for mentioning the NCW blog carnival.
I am rooting for Haley on American Idol. I think it is way cool that Fort Collins is being represented.
Thanks for stopping by, everybody. I’m now sitting in front of the TV with my lap tray and laptop — I’m going to see if I can visit blogs and still keep one eye on the jumps and other events.
I so want spring to be here and stay for more than 24 hours. Oh, I love the Scattershot post. That was so funny. Thanks for sharing.
I am with you in missing the sunshine and it looks like we won’t see it in the next few days, but spring WILL come. Looking forward to hearing your great thoughts.
Good luck with that sunshine! Everyone needs it in February!!
The Olympics have been amazing to watch – I’ve got skeleton on right now. Yikes!!
Some wonderful bits and pieces – and I love #6.
The Old Silly
The sun’s been dimmer and the temperature’s cooler than normal here in SW Florida. Like you, I’m missing the sun.
At least the street snow is melting.
Today has been the first day that I’ve seen patches of my yard since the big snowstorm back in the middle of January. I completely relate with how it effects your mood. But the good news is that spring is coming! Your book looks wonderful! I clicked on the Harlequin link. I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!