Quotes and Sayings

I get a lot of insight and sometimes direction from quote people. I have just spent my precious time, two hours of it, searching for a quote which I thought was pinned up on the wall in my writing room. Lucky me having a 'room of my own' in fact a house of my own. The problem is Virginia I still don't write enough because I also have a garden of my own. Anyway back to the point. The quote I was looking for was about choosing everyday whether to be alone or to be with other people. That was my problem for a long time. Now my problem is to garden or to write.
The search for the quote started firstly from a comment from a friend who had been feeling down through loneliness but at the same time wanting to get on with jobs at home. Secondly I opened a book this morning, a biography of Georgia O'Keefe and was bowled over by a quote from her. This set me off on my search.
One works because it is the most interesting thing one knows to do. The day one works are the best days. On the other days one is hurrying through the other things one imagines one has to do to keep one's life going. You get the garden planted. You get the roof fixed. You take the dog for a walk. You spend the day with a friend...You may even enjoy doing such things...But always you are hurrying through these things with a certain amount of aggravation so that you can get at the paintings again because that is the high- in a way it is what you do all the other things for...The painting is like a thread that runs through all the reasons for all the other things that make one's life.
This applies to me except the 'work' has changed from weaving to painting, to writing and now it seems to be gardening. And also, for the past ten years learning French.
 The interesting idea which has come through is that the first quote comes first. No matter what the 'work' is I have to be alone and when I go to bed, I like to know that I have achieved.

Amparo's Graduation

My daughter-in-law received her 3rd degree. She has a BA and an MA and a Post Grad all in English her second language and the subject of psychology. Clever woman.

Amparo who is not only a pretty face

Success

But not mine. A friend of mine has won second prize in the Mslexia Annual Short Story Competition. Prize £500. It is a good story.
I really have to stop spending hours on emails and concentrate on my writing.

Time Again

I got up at seven o'clock this morning intending to write at least a thousand words of my novel but here I am at ten thirty still blogging and emailing. I tell myself to write first then email later but what is it that makes think I can just take a quick peak at my emails and then get back to 'real' writing? And the problem remains I haven't written all I want to on my blog.

Success

I had another minor success this week. I had sent a long letter to Mslexia some months ago and when I returned from UK last Thursday the latest issue was in my post box containing a very shortened version of it. Being published is a real boost to the ego even if it is only a letter.

AGM of NPN

I finally made it to London to read excerpts from my book at the AGM. I nearly missed it as I forgot to take the newsletter with the map and address of the venue. Fortunately after many phone calls my granddaughter was able to give me the address. I didn't present myself as I would have liked after having had a traumatic week but my readings were well received and I did sell three copies of my book.