Not really here

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Bron

This is me, hiding from my manuscript, so it can’t find me….

Yesterday wasn’t the best writing day. I ended up scrapping most of what I’d written the previous day, and agonising over how to bring various threads and plot points together into the final act. I still haven’t got all the answers, but I think I finally made some progress – in my head, anyway. I’ve still got to get it down on paper screen.

This morning, I’m going to take a bit of a break and go into town – I haven’t left our place, so haven’t seen anyone but Gordon, since Monday. The grocery shopping needs doing, so I volunteered – yes, the exciting life of a writer, when the grocery shopping becomes a break from routine! Although I’ll probably have morning tea in my regular cafe, as well.

Oh, and the photo is of an echidna. We have a few on our place – Gordon has seen three at the same time – so we see them reasonably often. This one is hiding from me and the dogs. I did leave the dogs some distance away, so I could wait quietly nearby to get a better photo – but just as it decided it might be safe to move, my camera battery died.

And to finish this on a positive note, I have walked in the treadmill EVERY morning for 16 days in a row now. (So, I’d better go now and get on it and make it 17 days in a row…)

Posted in Photos, Wildlife, Writing | 3 Comments

Blackthorn blossom

Posted on January 11, 2009 by Bron

From this afternoon’s walk:

Australian blackthorn in blossom (Bursaria spinosa)

Australian blackthorn in blossom (Bursaria spinosa)

The native blackthorn is not a particularly pretty bush, particularly with it’s sharp spines, but it’s an important part of the ecology of this area, and we’re pleased we have a fair amount of it on our block. It’s the time of year when the sprays of tiny, star-shaped blossoms are coming out – and it is quite pretty in flower.

The writing continues – although I just cut out 200 of the words I wrote this afternoon. I may be able to put them somewhere else later, I’m not sure yet. Now it’s time to cook a quick dinner (fettucine and greens – broccoli, asparagus, green beans and spinach, with a touch of garlic, anchovies and chilli – yum!) and then I’ll be back to the computer for the evening session.

Posted in General, Landscape, Photos | 3 Comments

Afternoon walk

Posted on January 9, 2009 by Bron

A short break from the computer for a late afternoon walk with the dogs: me, orchid hunting, ‘the girls’ much more interested in ‘roo poo and bunny poo sniffing. They found plenty of that, and I found a few orchids. The dogs even held still long enough for me to photograph a stem:

Hyacinth orchid (Dipodium punctatum)

Hyacinth orchid (Dipodium punctatum)

Then, back to the book. It’s progressing – not quite as fast as I’d like, but moving forwards.

Posted in Photos | 3 Comments

It’s quiet in here…

Posted on January 6, 2009 by Bron

My deadline for book 2 is less than 2 weeks away, so I’m working hard to finish it. Hence, not much else is happening in my life right now!

But a  short while ago when I took the dogs out for a walk, this was the view to the south-west of the house:

Sunset behind the trees

Sunset behind the trees

I love the sunsets here – but they do sometimes bring a stark reminder of the risk of bushfire.

However, tonight is a lovely night – warm, still, and peaceful. The sun has been gone for a while now, the waxing moon is hanging amongst the stars, and through my open study window I can hear a soft chorus of frogs and insects, with the occasional rustle of a rabbit or a possum.

So, I’d better draw on that peace and inspiration, and write some more words in my manuscript.

ETA: A few minutes after I posted this things got even more peaceful – and dark! We had another power failure, which lasted over an hour. It’s just as well my laptop battery was recharged. We always have candles at the ready, too, so I spent a quiet hour writing. I took the dogs out for a wee walk, and with the house lights off, the moonlight and moonshadows were lovely. It’s amazing how much light the moon provides on a clear night. But now we have power again, and are connected to the world, and it’s getting close to bed time – after we reset all the electronic clocks, for the second time this week!

Posted in Photos, Writing | 4 Comments

Relaxation

Posted on January 2, 2009 by Bron
Jaffa (aka The Princess Dog) at her ease

Jaffa (aka The Princess Dog) at her ease

Everybody should have a human sofa to recline against 🙂

(A moment before this, she was totally relaxed, eyes closed, all four paws in the air – but then her sofa moved a bit to get it’s camera out. )

(This gratuitous dog photo brought to you by the fact that I’m not really blogging – I’m writing. Honestly.)

Posted in General | 3 Comments