I did it again. I let nearly another month go by before getting back in here and updating. Writing continues to be my least enjoyable creative endeavor, but ultimately (as in when I’m finished) I feel joy.
Today’s writing will begin with this blog, and then I need to move on to the book. A few days ago I received from the publisher the fourth proof of the book. I was thrilled that they finally sent me a Word document so that I can compare it to the original manuscript I sent to them. I thanked them profusely, but my joy was shortlived. After only a very cursory look at the manuscript I noticed that they changed the name Mary (as in Jesus’ mother) to Marie. Sigh. Fingers crossed that this doesn’t continue. I’ve already requested over 200 changes to their edits, which have not been completed. I continue to withhold payment.
As most people, we are having a busy summer. The major garden work is finished, now it’s all about the weeds!! And the !#@$$! chipmunks. I am in the process of monitoring the sun exposure of the semicirular bed at the end of the driveway, aka the birdhouse bed. Pedro is going to return in September to help me design and plant. Unfortunately, Norma will not be accompanying him. She is returning to Mexico to avoid incarceration. She’s been here for many, many years, but now she can’t move around much. Ana is having a going-away party for her on Saturday.
I just purchased three Russian sage from Sentry, and my friend, Eileen, is going to give me some of her beautiful day lillies. She is a member of the Day Lily Society, and her specimens are incredible. Here are some samples:
I am partial to the peach.
I had two birthday celebrations since last I wrote: Kathy’s and mine. I made my classic fish fry: parmesan/panko baked walleye, coleslaw, German potato salad, fries and rye bread and butter. Mary brought the dessert.
This was a saying oft used by our grandmother, Myrtle Golden.
Can’t believe we are 74 and 73. Wow!
My birthday coincided with Mike and Patty’s Door County Weekend donation to our church auction. Other guests were Joanne Nelson, Kris Zirzow, Theodora and Nancy. Perfect weekend. Dan bought a carrot cake from Anne Luty, our favorite baker.
I went for a walk while in Door County, my usual from their place to White Dunes park. On the way, I am always curious to see what Barbie is up to. Usually the mailbox display shows Ken and Barbie in some seasonal romp. This time I was surprised to see the porch empty and Barbie and another woman in a sports car atop the roof. What’s up Barbie?
Another mailbox has also been added to the attraction:
Other lovely sites on my walk. The knots were part of an exhibition in the park office. I wonder if these are the same knots used in macrame. I was impressed by the letter from the governor and the calligraphied “proclamation.” I’m going to see if I can find out if it is done by hand or computer.
I also received a number of lovely cards and gifts from family and friends. A couple of them made me laugh. The first one is from Judy. It is reminiscent of a day in our 20s when we decided to go fishing. This was way before accurate weather forecasts. We found ourselves stuck in the middle of a storm. The wind was so strong that “we” had great difficulty returning the boat to the rental pier. I say “we” because Judy, being the stronger of the two of us, was doing the rowing. I remember trying to control my laughter as she glared at me over the top of her sunglasses, while using all her might to control the boat. We managed to make it to a pier a distance away from our destination, only to learn that we had to go back and retrieve it and return it to its proper home. I can’t remember how “we” did that, but the card is precious. The other, of me in the Raggedy Ann costume is from Mary, another flash from the past. And in the card group photo is a hibiscus, which was one in a pack of cards I made and gifted to Mickey.
I was enchanted by this video from the girls. Note Cordelia is still wearing the sweater I made for her when she was 3.
I have been impressed watching Dan’s rainwater-saving measures:
He is in charge of all the watering, and he lugs these gallon jugs all over the yard. Things are looking lovely, and I am happy that he doesn’t trust me to do it properly.
I can now share this gift that I penned for Terry Copeland. It took a while to reach her since the address lacked a P.O. Box, but on the second try she received it.
I have a number of pieces that I want to produce, but the book is taking priority right now. I want to get it over with. I have to limit my calligraphy time. But I’ll be back at it soon.
BTW, I’m graduating from the Dreaming in Script course on July 25th, 8 pm CST. It will be on Zoom. We have been encouraged to invite family and friends, so here you go: https://www.youtube.com/@masgrimes/streams. I’m quite sure it will be recorded.
Kathy and I met Timmy and Tom for lunch on Tuesday. We went to Ni Burmese, a fabulous Thai restaurant that I will definitely visit again. Tim gave us these mugs.
Okay, on to the book…maybe tomorrow. This blog took me so long that I don’t have much time left. Dan and I are meeting Ken and Carlos (Spanish buddies) for a fish fry at Kegel’s.