tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244427462011-07-28T12:49:51.780-07:00Kananinoreply@blogger.comBlogger7681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-12637938647997168312010-05-13T10:11:00.000-07:002010-05-13T13:10:30.160-07:00

Southeastern Utah: My logo for the Easy-Writer blog since the beginning. Symbolic of the writer's path.Today, the sky is blue, and in the horizon there are few clouds. Beneath my tires is well worn asphalt. I've driven through cities, red rock canyons, along streams and rivers. And finally, I have come to a fork in the road.Since March of 2006, it's been a good ride, but it's time to put this

Kananinoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-54711057539077247332010-05-06T10:02:00.000-07:002010-05-06T10:04:48.398-07:00

First, read this article about a school in Northern California. They were kicked off campus for wearing t-shirts with US flags on Cinco de Mayo.Okay, I can't say whether or not those students who all decided to wear the same t-shirts and bandannas were doing to incite a fight. What I can say is those of Mexican heritage, the administrators and the alleged perpetrators were completely lacking

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-77331762116319119262010-05-02T18:38:00.000-07:002010-05-02T18:39:19.535-07:00

Watch the video at:The Kitchen Dispatch: Lessons In Balance In A Field In Afghanistan

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-53284169375460206682010-04-28T06:00:00.000-07:002010-04-28T06:00:00.142-07:00

So true.Especially when shouted by playwright David Mamet."THERE IS NO MAGIC FAIRY DUST WHICH WILL MAKE A BORING, USELESS, REDUNDANT, OR MERELY INFORMATIVE SCENE AFTER IT LEAVES YOUR TYPEWRITER. YOU THE WRITERS, ARE IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE EVERY SCENE IS DRAMATIC."Now, get to it.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-72190989917416629062010-04-27T22:12:00.000-07:002010-04-27T22:19:05.346-07:00

“I don’t want to not have these memories, because they’re the moments that make me appreciate all that I have.” -From the documentary, RestrepoOver on The Kitchen Dispatch, I'm running an interview with filmmakers Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington.Read the rest at:The Kitchen Dispatch

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-54643937627461136722010-04-27T13:15:00.001-07:002010-04-28T10:27:57.137-07:00

At my daughter's school, technology now takes a firm foothold in the daily curriculum. By grade eight, all students are proficient in Word, Power Point and Excel. Unfortunately, under the sway of technology marketers, the school board has minimized former mainstays of the primary and middle school experience. Orchestra, chorus, art, photography and band are a glimmer of what they used to be when

Kananinoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-7867864406104085732010-04-22T20:45:00.001-07:002010-04-23T10:35:57.243-07:00

Today, I was reading an piece in AWP's The Writer's Chronicle about "theme" in writing. Written by Eileen Pollack, she's the Zell Director (as in Helen, wife of Sam, owner of the bankrupt Tribune Company, and has induced the LA Times in a near coma...talk about irony) of the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of Michigan. She revealed that when she spoke about "theme" in her

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-69374993626144211562010-04-22T07:50:00.000-07:002010-04-22T10:13:34.926-07:00

Just a bit of Coldplay for you this morning.Complete with lyrics tossed in.I was listening to this music when I was struck by how much it resembles the fate of a popular journalist who seems to have fallen off the rails through a series of rambling Facebook posts. Perhaps it was predictable, given that he'd wrongly been compared to Ernie Pyle, a writer of great dexterity, wit and could jump

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-22268098875685867782010-04-21T12:04:00.000-07:002010-04-21T12:06:00.263-07:00

Really, now. We must expect that people will drive to the Coachella Valley, listen to music, get wasted and wear flip flops. The flip flop should be made fail proof!

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-17464058897709762082010-04-21T00:01:00.000-07:002010-04-21T00:01:00.671-07:00

It can be said that one can get anywhere in the world if they have money, time, or usually both.As for getting to Europe right now, I say a cruise would get around that nasty cloud just fine.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-10492793397696478382010-04-20T16:39:00.000-07:002010-04-21T08:35:15.155-07:00

"Sunlight filters through the tall, silvery stand of quivering, swaying aspens, throwing soft shadows across the verdant carpet of summer beneath my feet." -Tony Vagneur, Aspen Times, 20 April 2010There are times when I come across an article that is so well written, I simply gasp. I'm stunned by prose so beautiful that for a moment I am simply stunned.Such as the case with Aspen Times columnist

Kananinoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-27575640208548154632010-04-16T16:04:00.001-07:002010-04-16T16:48:47.441-07:00

Last Friday I started cleaning up the back yard, getting rid of pots, putting plants in the ground, when I realized that it was time to get ready for my trip to see a cousin in Carmel! Fortunately, I was driving so I didn't have to care how I packed. Since the trip was only three days, I didn't need to take very much.I had a lovely visit with Julie. She and her husband have a beautiful home in

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-4451915613831609142010-04-01T05:48:00.000-07:002010-04-01T05:50:50.182-07:00

Library, Greenwich Village, 2009"When I knew my husband was going downrange, I circled around the library a few times, trying to figure out what to read. Since I knew nothing about war, the military or Afghanistan, I decided to first find out about the country. So I decided to start off like a tourist being told she's leaving soon."Read the rest at The Kitchen Dispatch

Kananinoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-49751563485703558152010-03-30T12:11:00.000-07:002010-04-05T16:13:17.001-07:00

In 2008, we closed our practice and along with it went employees. I missed having them so much, I employed a dog walker, Gregory. He came with the recommendation of the Postlady, who after seeing what a raving lunatic my dog was when Louie greeted her at the door each day. Postlady suggested the furry mutt be walked more.Not that I hadn't been doing it, Louie went out every night on a little

Kananinoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-36374538323462921172010-03-27T20:28:00.000-07:002010-03-28T14:22:22.584-07:00

Every so often I have to go back to La Habra Heights because a veneer of sentiment washes over me. The heights is an enclave of Los Angeles County, which in an issue of National Geographic written in the 1920's, listed it as "one of the three most beautiful spots in the world" next to one in Africa and another in Italy.They still like to run this piece of old press by the newcomers. It's a speck

Kananinoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-64128899099123262752010-03-25T13:27:00.000-07:002010-03-25T13:28:27.735-07:00

I asked for a Blue Tardis for my birthday.My daughter obliged, and drew this for me!I think it's the BEST present ever!

Kananinoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-81367589058632893312010-03-25T09:30:00.000-07:002010-03-25T09:40:05.791-07:00

WYNC radio station in NYC is having fun with health care haikus. The middle line has to be "This is a big F$*(&! deal," after what Vice President Biden had to say about this. Fortunately, I can kick out haikus faster than Paula Deen can use butter.Authorizations?This is a big F$&(! deal!Lost it. Try again.Ten billion dollarsThis is a big F$*$* deal!For the IRS.This isn't reformThis is a big F$&(

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-33514519133981265992010-03-22T11:44:00.000-07:002010-03-23T07:28:32.949-07:00

Well, Mr. Smartypants and the School President have gotten their little healthcare reform bill passed.The only thing is, this wasn't reform, this was adding a bedroom onto an ugly house so that their twenty nine year old son, and thirty two year old daughter could move back in.Anyway, the other day TriCare sent me an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) saying I owed the doctor $400. This didn't sound

Kananinoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-89733168857998446522010-03-19T22:23:00.000-07:002010-03-19T23:20:38.738-07:00

I wrote the following as a response to a post that I wrote on my milspouse blog about health care. This might get me into a heap of trouble with die hard Obama fans. I don't care that he went to Punahou, Harvard, or even had a bath in Chicago politics. What I dislike is his tendency to act like he's smarter than anyone else.I understand he has a difficult job, as every President has had --

Kananinoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-56077508872313899052010-03-17T11:45:00.001-07:002010-03-17T12:06:20.586-07:00

Queen Victoria with Princess Margaret (Arthur's Daughter)Again, I find myself cozying up with books on unexpected subjects. This one, a biography of Queen Victoria offers a glimpse into a world boundaried by tradition, politics, and the morés of the time. Stuff like this is like chocolate to a writer. They offer a nice escape into a different time, where almost everything is foreign to us.She and

Kananinoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-43386479720165594462010-03-12T11:17:00.001-08:002010-03-12T12:41:34.616-08:00

There's controversy about the off-the-cuff and woefully uninformed remarks made by Tom Hanks during the press conferencing for HBO's The Pacific. I think that Professor Victor Davis Hanson said it best, prior to correcting him in the same article on Pajamas Media:"Hanks may not have been quoted correctly; and his remarks may have been impromptu and poorly expressed; and we should give due

Kananinoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-45232983296434924622010-03-07T09:59:00.000-08:002010-03-07T10:06:03.994-08:00

Well, I got weepy.I mean, I was raised on the stories of John Muir, have often gazed at the photography of Ansel Adams. And when I see anyone hiking through the wilderness --especially with a deeper mission, it never fails to move me.Read the whole story here at Drum Hike. Starting April 17, 2010, Troy Yocum, a former US Army Soldier will begin his walk of 7000 miles across the USA to bring

Kananinoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-5171376601301058362010-03-05T21:38:00.000-08:002010-03-06T09:23:35.913-08:00

This morning I woke up to find that the unemployment rate is 12.5% in California alone. Quite frankly, it feels higher than that.Our son, age 19, graduated from high school in the summer. He has been looking for a job, filling out online applications. Each one consists of about 25 mind numbing click and point pages, some have even more. Perhaps the new conventional wisdom is that if someone has

Kananinoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-38217723113208128812010-03-02T20:09:00.000-08:002010-03-02T23:45:09.062-08:00

Last year, a writer I had known only slightly, decided to give Facebook a go. She went through my Facebook friends and befriended them all. She even started appearing on their threads. I was baffled because the chances she knew these people from New Zealand, Tasmania or Australia was remote. These were non-writer friends, who I'd known through other ventures. Needless to say, I was incredibly

Kananinoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-46257127081928787972010-02-28T18:20:00.000-08:002010-02-28T18:36:08.882-08:00

This is about endings. One thing I struggled with was the ending of my own novel. At first, the tendency was to sew everything up, almost like a musical from the 1950's. It sat like this for awhile, before I realized it was entirely wrong --and in fact a mismatch with the rest of the manuscript. It was sort of like slapping on a pair of tennis shoes when you're wearing an evening gown. Endings

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-51133487410481023362010-02-21T11:26:00.001-08:002010-02-21T11:36:28.622-08:00

Emily Dickinson is safe!Okay, I haven't checked in with my writer friends to see if they feel this way, but I do. There is something undeniable that has happened as I've become older.I need, and want less.Now, some writers might say it's heresy when they see me ruthlessy ripping through my stacks, getting rid of books. That a writer should die in a dusty house surrounded by tomes.But I've come to

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-17600381603568515872010-02-14T07:41:00.001-08:002010-02-14T07:41:49.449-08:00

Kananinoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-68743961797374736742010-02-04T14:26:00.000-08:002010-02-04T14:38:33.292-08:00

I really love buying American made goods whenever I can. One place where I find really nice gifts and other special items is Etsy. It's a big online store for vendors who make everything from clothing to artwork. Recently, I bought a really nice outfit for a friend's new baby. The one at the left is from the Livvy Sue Boutique.This saved me a lot of time having to drive around to find the right

Kananinoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-39566177980795937102010-02-03T09:13:00.000-08:002010-02-03T09:19:16.759-08:00

Yesterday, I went to a luncheon at West 2010, a military conference on Cyber issues including Net warfare. Anyway, that isn't the purpose of this post, but I wanted to let you know that at this $65 luncheon --there was no cake! When the meal is not so good, usually at least there is some kind of dessert. But not at this one!!No cake! How can that be? To get dessert, you had to go outside to the

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-40558619418799285962010-02-01T21:06:00.000-08:002010-02-01T21:08:51.492-08:00

Over on my other blog, I'm running a gratitude thread. Leave a note, telling us what you're grateful for, and you'll be entered in a drawing to win 2 boxes of Coffee Nips! (for an explanation, read my list!!). All of the lists are wonderful, and some are even funny!Read it here:The Kitchen Dispatch: Overlooked but essential

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-29626930664606542102010-01-29T07:33:00.000-08:002010-01-29T08:02:57.922-08:00

Today is another writing day for me, but my attention is focused on my final draft of Riverdogs. The manuscript awaits, and tunneling in always takes a bit of brushing away fear that the 500 page behemoth won't matter to anyone else. I'm certain all writers face this fear. I do, even though this puppy has been vetted by some very good writers. Besides, I can't turn back. My protagonist needs me

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-3711850938599499052010-01-28T12:25:00.000-08:002010-01-28T14:57:37.454-08:00

But the solution might lie in a historic downtown district 3,000 miles to the east.The scion of a family-run company with real estate holdings in the Southern California region is watching the business climate crumble. Tenants are closing their businesses. Others owe back rent as their receivables dwindle. But my friend is smart. He works with these businesses, preferring to forge a compromise

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-74596604005381431402010-01-24T08:05:00.001-08:002010-01-24T08:41:10.105-08:00

Allie Larkin is a first time novelist with a book coming out this spring. Dutton is publishing STAY, which is described as "Something Borrowed meets Must Love Dogs in this big-hearted, unforgettable debut about friendship, love, and a German Shepherd named Joe." I was matched by Neil Kramer, of Citizen of The Month to interview Allie for The Great Interview Experiment. After looking through her

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-75570579428068663182010-01-22T23:14:00.001-08:002010-01-22T23:57:40.492-08:00

Yes, I was in Savannah last week. I am really looking forward to moving there. It's so different from Orange County. There's a veneer of insularity in "the OC" that is part bean farmer, part suburban dweller, part mega-church attendee, with equal mixes of narcissist and hedonist. I've never been able to figure it out, and I've always lived here knowing that I would leave. When people here find

Kananinoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-32891871039182203622010-01-22T18:15:00.001-08:002010-01-22T18:15:33.383-08:00

On Sunday, I'll have an interview with upcoming novelist Allie Larkin.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-34641611496937628182010-01-22T18:07:00.000-08:002010-01-22T20:47:59.817-08:00

The downfall of the internet is the number of people who come off as perpetually angry. From what I can tell, they spend more time viewing things that they hate than topics of interest that might open their world.Anger is their elixir, and it could be said it's what keeps them going. If there wasn't something to be pissed off about everyday to consume their every waking moment, they might just

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-17831069770800027192010-01-20T08:28:00.000-08:002010-01-20T08:38:23.154-08:00

There are times when we forget that we are writers.First and foremost, our work is to get a story onto the page. But sometimes this is hard because life is one big carnival of engagement. And as much as we writers like to pretend we're solitary creatures, we're very social. Curious, prodding observers with a propensity to try to find out the construction of why something happened, it's easy for

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-48814781043120206442010-01-14T21:55:00.001-08:002010-01-14T22:33:52.638-08:00

As a writer, there's an infernal battle over what to put in and what to leave out.What's left in is done with deliberation and intent.To wit: A certain faded actress recently came out with her own biography and had to grapple with this issue. There was an actor whom most people loved, however, she did not. So she had to decide whether to let any mention of him pass, or to divulge the particulars

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-89757162728581401342010-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:002010-01-12T00:01:03.534-08:00

I meant to post these earlier, but I forgot.But, better late than never and Christmas lights are always pretty no matter what time of year.While the rest of the nation and parts of the northern hemisphere have steeped in cold and blanketed in snow, things in Beverly Hills were as usual --mild weather. We went over to Rodeo Drive and had dinner at a favorite place. After ward, we walked up and

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-11429514019289495602010-01-11T21:51:00.001-08:002010-01-11T22:22:34.076-08:00

Paula Deen is the queen of Food Network TV. I used to think the title might belong to Giada DeLaurentis or Rachel Ray, but really, who can beat a stout southern lady with grey hair? No one. Her restaurant in Savannah comes complete with an annoyingly bizarre reservation system (thankfully, not necessary on a cold winter's night), a torn up street in the historic district, and a shop with a

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-46980577301152124102010-01-10T11:33:00.000-08:002010-01-10T12:40:34.762-08:00

As of late, I've been culling through my stacks, donating many books to the library. There are some I've read, other that I will never read.But I am keeping the reference books. I have dictionaries in different languages and also from different eras. They include the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, published in 1933. It comes in two volumes, taking up 6.5" of shelf space. I like dictionaries

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-12859823748721539742010-01-07T23:46:00.000-08:002010-01-08T23:56:36.031-08:00

A super song by Van Morrison, the absolute beauty of David Niven.If this doesn't make you swoon or cry, really, go get your head examined.Oh, Naomi.... please, tell us you have some David Niven stories for us! You know I read your blog and experience your parties and stories vicariously. I hope we can meet later this month after I get back from Savannah.Many years ago, when I wanted to be a

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-48819432632559177182010-01-06T09:34:00.000-08:002010-01-06T09:34:58.773-08:00

Over on Facebook, we're working on a fun project. We're trying to help our friend Army Veteran Brian win a wardrobe makeover. It's sponsored by the high-end watchmaker Movado. Go here to find out how to vote.The Kitchen Dispatch: Get This Veteran Some New Duds!

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-25206668266781567852010-01-04T09:55:00.000-08:002010-01-04T10:00:29.988-08:00

Does anyone else start reading the newspaper (yes, I get it on Thurs - Sunday) only to have the cat come sit on it?Right now I'm reading David Niven's autobiography "The Moon's A Balloon." I read it 30 years ago, and found a copy in the UK. They sent it over, and I'm enjoying it all over again.More on this later.I'm writing a lot these days. Several big editing projects going on simultaneously -

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-11278165839118880332009-12-30T11:09:00.000-08:002009-12-30T11:10:20.910-08:00

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-46816194572729801182009-12-27T08:46:00.000-08:002009-12-27T08:59:26.584-08:00

I've been watching Dr. Who. I just love David Tennant in this role. I think the show is better than any Harry Potter movie. And it's a storyline! How much do we miss story lines ever since Reality TV came in? I really like watching television shows with a plot and engaging characters who solve conflict. And a movie? Ah, a good one is the cat's meow!Anyway, if it you didn't know, David Tennant

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-72415180455004388592009-12-26T01:04:00.001-08:002009-12-26T01:23:31.083-08:00

We had a very nice Christmas. It seems like this week has flown by. Picking up The Hubs on Tuesday, then Christmas came barreling in. We didn't get the tree up until Wednesday, and not even decorated until Thursday. But I didn't mind. In fact, one issue I have with putting up the tree is that the cat continuously decides to climb into it, and settle onto the branches! When one tries to get him

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-77018533445204111072009-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:002009-12-23T11:50:09.171-08:00

For the first time all season, I was feeling like Christmas. I'd received word that my husband was coming home for the holidays from Afghanistan. The night before, I had finally gone down in the basement and dragged out a little plastic Christmas mouse that lights up. Amid the visual cacophony of the neighbors powerful light displays, I put Mousey Claus on the front step. I also set up the

Kananinoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-79132855872102301792009-12-22T17:57:00.001-08:002009-12-22T17:58:02.760-08:00

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-53757183545513223072009-12-21T07:37:00.001-08:002009-12-21T18:05:34.941-08:00

2009 will go down as the year of bailouts.We bailed out the banks, Wall Street, GM and who knows how many other program designed to prop up failing industries.The passage of the health care bill will mean this to a small practice.Already in a death spiral for the past two decades, the solo practitioners remaining will have to take a long hard look at whether or not it's worth staying in practice.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-11221837154728379882009-12-18T21:38:00.000-08:002009-12-18T21:47:37.607-08:00

Facebook has something called a "status" update. You can put anything on there...what you're doing, where you are, how you feel.There's an application that generation a random collage taking phrases out from the status updates from the entire year.Here's what mine says:....is sad that one of her fashion designer friends has gotten caught in the downward economy. .....Sends her best to her friends

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-8752876988079622022009-12-18T00:21:00.000-08:002009-12-18T00:56:56.910-08:00

First off, I found this great quote on censorship."All these people talk so eloquently about getting back to good old-fashioned values. Well, as an old poop I can remember back to when we had those old-fashioned values, and I say let's get back to the good old-fashioned First Amendment of the good old-fashioned Constitution of the United States -- and to hell with the censors! Give me knowledge

Kananinoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-24598989730825184522009-12-15T23:25:00.000-08:002009-12-15T23:28:22.123-08:00

The following was written by Troy Steward of Bouhammer. Notes by me are in italics.While this is not a military blog, it is one written by a military spouse. The community is a tight knit one, hence this blog is also joining the day of silence. On Wednesday 16 December 2009, many milblogs are going silent for the day. Some are choosing to go silent for a longer period of time. The reason for

Kananinoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-10829310578229706502009-12-14T10:31:00.000-08:002009-12-14T11:10:07.992-08:00

The reason why being a writer is so hard is that staying home to write means that we have to take care of our pets. Of course, the cats think they are very amusing, when really all they are is bossy. Feeding, petting, running into the room after hearing a crash --the cat provides plenty of distraction. Christmas is especially difficult, since the cat likes to climb into the Christmas tree. He's

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-46372029635367060232009-12-09T23:12:00.001-08:002009-12-10T05:03:04.512-08:00

I haven't written much about my trip to Tucson --other than the drive back.In October, his wife of 30 years died. Aunt June was 78, and her passing was relatively quick. It was also a surprise. (I wrote about it here).We all thought Bill would go first. In 2008, Bill suffered a heart attack and a stroke. Already, a heart patient, he also suffers from Emphysema. So after last year's long stay in

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-69515899195518473402009-12-04T08:01:00.000-08:002009-12-04T08:19:48.581-08:00

The wet cloud of white fog blankets the valley today. No view of the mountains, just white. I like this isolation, sitting here at my studio, looking out at a scene that's still and serene. Is this what heaven looks like?White with clouds?But what if it isn't?What if heaven is as colorful as a the jungle and beaches of Costa Rica, or the earthy colors of the mesas in New Mexico? What if there's a

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-28456649213881696072009-11-29T00:13:00.000-08:002009-11-29T08:57:56.751-08:00

Yesterday, we left Tucson. As we waved good bye to Uncle Bill, we set out in the warmth of the winter sun. It had been in the 80's all week, flip flop weather for me, and the morning was no different. The car, purchased last week is a used Subaru Legacy with only 17,000 miles, had performed well on the trip out. It was great to have wheels that didn't case me to wonder whether or not we'd stop

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-13286740251094047122009-11-24T06:16:00.000-08:002009-11-24T06:56:04.322-08:00

It's Tuesday, and the animals are all snuggled in with the house sitters who moved in this week, so we could depart for the desert. The cat and dog get incredibly spoiled by the house sitters who massage, cuddle, and indulge them with extra treats. They love staying at the house --for them it's like a vacation. For the dog and the cat, it's as if the spa comes to them. I guess it'll be a party

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-87318205588912267372009-11-20T20:37:00.000-08:002009-11-20T20:38:09.997-08:00

"As I've shared earlier, each year at the LA Times Festival of Books, the number of self published authors who rent booths to sell their books is plentiful and growing. However, what isn't certain is how many books they sell."Read the rest on:The Kitchen Dispatch

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-17747236347370504152009-11-17T16:41:00.000-08:002009-11-17T18:14:08.201-08:00

As I've documented before in prior posts on the healthcare plan, if you don't understand how contracting works at present, then any talk about reform is moot. Once again, I remind readers that comparing our system or anything subsequent to what they have in any other country is futile. We have far more players ingrained in our system here, and they all want to be paid. And paid they shall

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-61893594741475160372009-11-16T09:48:00.001-08:002009-11-16T09:48:48.357-08:00

Okay, I am back on my game again.Blogging --check.Novel writing --checkBuying a car --damn I hate that!Going to see Kevan Hall's fashion show in Rancho Mirage on Friday --checkGetting ready to go to Tucson to see my uncle who has decided not to move to Carmel. Rather, he's moving to assisted living next this week --check.Noticing dog needs bath --checkWatching "Last Chance Harvey," check

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-78868216611837664842009-11-13T14:24:00.000-08:002009-11-13T14:25:16.217-08:00

"Having interviewed more than a few writers, what I like about Dean is that he's not so full of himself that he can't just have fun. Others tend to stay on the track of what writing means to them, or just pitch their books --mainly because that's all most writers and readers want to know about! But Dean has written such a broad array of books, that he offers much more."Read the rest at (and enter

Kananinoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-75421136946444210352009-11-13T07:13:00.000-08:002009-11-13T07:18:37.054-08:00

The Bellagio in Las Vegas has an enormous arboretum where they put up season displays. This time around it's autumn. They had several large pumpkins over 100 pounds, which must have grown under the light of a full harvest moon!

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-85158036715526730302009-11-12T19:59:00.000-08:002009-11-12T20:00:31.833-08:00

It's been a slow week. Very tired as of late. Am painting the upstairs bedroom, along with a lot of other projects.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-27044387655099476472009-11-10T22:57:00.000-08:002009-11-10T23:13:47.328-08:00

A bit of poetry is fitting for Veteran's Day.Because Of These Men's CourageBecause of these men's courage, no smoke roseSkyward from Tegea's burning. They choseTo leave their children the broad land's township greenWith freedom, while in the front line they went down.-Simonides (556-468 B.C.)Read the rest and see the photos at The Kitchen DispatchI find this anthology very useful.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-76721981961002027312009-11-08T22:51:00.001-08:002009-11-09T06:13:34.582-08:00

On Tuesday, November 10, we will be lighting 13 candles for each soldier murdered at Fort Hood, plus another 8 to honor those who have served. The 21 candles will light the walkway to our house. If you would like to participate by doing the same, please post the photo on your blog or Facebook for Veteran's Day.Please help by passing this on.(Several tea lights may be placed in a pie tin or baking

Kananinoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-31009696893688777212009-11-07T19:33:00.000-08:002009-11-07T20:34:28.119-08:00

The 442nd Regimental Combat TeamDiscrimination, stupidity, bigotry. I've been at the receiving end of all three, but taking the path of a killer wasn't an option.Japanese Americans faced all three, plus lost their livelihoods, homes, and dignity during World War II. They became much decorated war heroes, and later became some of the most successful professionals in a single generation. Asian

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-32428070650912976022009-11-06T20:49:00.001-08:002009-11-06T20:55:25.723-08:00

Sometimes the ads that appear on a blog based on search words are pretty funny.This appeared on my military blog, The Kitchen Dispatch when I ran the article:Journaling: Learning To Write For YourselfLet's see.... so related topics for the writer are:Order groceries from home! Yes, never leave that chair again!!An escape to a working cattle ranch. Now that sounds like a perfect place to do some

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-84913712330845518982009-11-06T15:34:00.000-08:002009-11-06T15:36:09.423-08:00

This is my Friday writing article. The main audience is for veterans, active duty and milspouses, however, every one is invited to join in. Leaving a comment will enter you in the giveaway. If you're abroad, sending it over is no problem.Read it at:The Kitchen Dispatch

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-47772044621686761072009-11-05T07:54:00.000-08:002009-11-05T11:04:23.785-08:00

Well, former actress, gorgeous model and blogger Pat of Pat's Past Imperfect needn't worried about sharing book title with Julian Fellowes.The premise: A dying gazillionaire decides to find his son as he has no heirs. Mr. Big Bucks has no idea of the identity of the son, nor the mother. He has only a "mysteriously" penned note sent anonymously to him saying, "You bastard!" Mind you, he

Kananinoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-52287709498935003152009-11-02T19:34:00.001-08:002009-11-02T19:45:09.414-08:00

Here are two square dogs, as so famously mentioned on Angry Parsnip's eponymously named blog.Names are a curious thing when writing. It takes a long time to get them right. In Parsnip's case, she did. Not only are the two square dogs, their individual names are Watson and Hamish. These names suit them well.I had been hacking away at a long story once. The character's name was Brenda. But still,

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-2263845645227285422009-11-01T05:53:00.000-08:002009-11-01T05:57:22.362-08:00

Ah.... sometimes I miss the feel of putting a page through the roller, that click of snapping down the page holder, typing to the end of the line, hearing the bell ring, and reaching over to move the carriage back to the start.But the revisions? Dastardly!

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-70106764166948948482009-10-31T23:54:00.001-07:002009-11-01T00:00:03.403-07:00

I have a Shell Gasoline Card that I use and pay off each month.However, this month Citibank, who backs the card sent me a letter saying they were raising the interest rates to 30%.I've decided to close this account, and just go back to cash.I hate interest payments. Credit card companies make scads of money from not only the consumer but also from the vendor. There are over 120 bank interchange

Kananinoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-35646550671807559332009-10-31T20:18:00.000-07:002009-10-31T20:18:06.423-07:00

"Ouch! He really knew how to hoist someone on their own petard."Read the rest at:The Kitchen Dispatch

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-45852920778227169202009-10-30T15:28:00.001-07:002009-10-30T15:39:46.493-07:00

The ceiling at the Bellagio in Las Vegas is created from 1200 - 1400 pieces of blown and shaped glass, suspended from iron armature above the lobby. It was designed, fabricated and installed by one of my favorite artists, Tacoma's Dale Chilhuly.And watch the video of the Bellagio creation here.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-29679600070714459102009-10-27T21:52:00.000-07:002009-10-27T22:00:04.539-07:00

Strong winds blew in on Tuesday, some 50 miles per hour. Apparently, they started up north, snapping a cable on the Oakland Bay Bridge up near San Fransisco. Apparently it's shut down for 24 hours, no doubt clogging up ferries and the BART for people needing to get home. This photo was taken by someone on the bridge when the cable snapped. I have to say, that bridge must have been swaying a lot.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-24144525687789304082009-10-27T16:28:00.001-07:002009-10-27T20:00:58.395-07:00

To live in Manhattan, one must find peace within to deal with the large number of crowds.This was the scene at the Apple Store this summer. So many people, the AC blasting, a lot of noise, the sense that one wasn't so much in a store, but simply an extension of Central Park.As a writer, I do think it would be loads of fun to live there. Admittedly, I'd have to be a very rich writer to do so.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-83258503569507478412009-10-25T18:55:00.001-07:002009-10-25T19:09:52.129-07:00

Louie looks at the Pacific OceanUncle Bill has decided not to have a memorial service for Aunt June. It was something they'd spoken about. Most of their friends are gone, the family is spread out, and there's only so much money one can spend. So our trip for Thanksgiving week will go as planned.But upon rising on Saturday, he decided these things:1. He is moving to California by Christmas to be

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-4261925969954151922009-10-23T17:43:00.000-07:002009-10-23T19:43:07.824-07:00

Aunt June with Kid2Aunt June died today. She was from Liverpool, but as she always made sure you knew, she was Scottish, not English! She was a riot of fun in her younger days, a gorgeous girl who had come over with her then-husband as the wife of a soldier. They lived first in Canada, then through the U.S. Finally, they settled in Tucson. She divorced him, then years later met my Uncle Bill.The

Kananinoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-70225329007510460432009-10-23T07:11:00.000-07:002009-10-23T07:12:47.890-07:00

Here's my Friday column on the subject of writing that I run on my milblog. Feel free to comment. It's always fun to write these columns, as I've had many soldiers write me about writing."There's no rule on how it is to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly. Sometimes it is liked drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges."-Ernest Hemingway to Charles Poore, 1953.Read the rest

Kananinoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-9379340865901962592009-10-22T09:26:00.000-07:002009-10-22T09:28:26.325-07:00

I just love it when I write about something --totally unsolicited, and they find it and write me back.I have a new boyfriend. His name is JPeterman.Read about it here and jump in on the comments yourself!The Literary Fashionista

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-1493605286334780642009-10-22T06:57:00.000-07:002009-10-22T07:18:17.618-07:00

Once in awhile, I stroll over to the metaphysical section at the book store and start reading through. Yesterday I started reading The Four Agreements, A Toltec Wisdom Book, A Personal Guide To Freedom, by Don Miguel Ruiz. Because of its instructive and overly long title, I imagine him on a stage on public television, having a huge audience. The blurbs on the back are written by Deepok Chopra,

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-20173521503915938452009-10-20T22:59:00.000-07:002009-10-20T23:21:04.763-07:00

Over at the Blog World Expo this weekend, for the first time in many years, I felt the tide was slowly turning for writers. For much too long, tech companies have been letting techs do much of the writing. But now, with a record number of qualified and experienced writers being let go from papers, there's no reason for them to hire anyone less. Hopeful, especially with the news that the LA Times

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-62337404430012884172009-10-19T17:49:00.001-07:002009-10-19T19:06:24.994-07:00

We've been schooled to assume the average book is supposed to be between 50,000 - 80,000 words. This gives the writer enough to play with and organize, telling a complete story. The girth of the book also helps the publisher justify charging anywhere from $19.00 and up for a book. And so I was writing an article repeating this accepted knowledge, when suddenly I had a revelation.I was

Kananinoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-23730306340027527972009-10-16T06:27:00.000-07:002009-10-16T06:27:48.502-07:00

Hey, I'm at Blog World Expo with Active Duty Military, Veterans, Spouses and Supporters. My timing is good because last week I kicked off a 4 part series on writing. Here's the second installment."But don't have to worry about publication just yet.You don't even have a book. First, you have to learn how to think like a writer and learn all about writing.".The Kitchen Dispatch: Part 2: War,

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-82542172365839750882009-10-13T08:57:00.001-07:002009-10-14T15:11:46.727-07:00

Amazon.com WidgetsI think one of the things writers struggle with is making a character too perfect. It's a battle between the id, the ego and the super ego. Or to put it more bluntly, it's an attempt to re-create ourselves on paper as much better than we are.Yet all around us (including ourselves) are imperfect characters in real life. I'll give you an example.I go to yoga because generally I

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-73293777485994906592009-10-11T21:16:00.000-07:002009-10-11T22:16:46.739-07:00

One of the most delightful things about the movie Breakfast At Tiffany's is entire passages of Truman Capote's book were used as dialogue. Each time I re-watch Breakfast At Tiffany's or reread the book, I'm just dumbfounded at all the small details Capote artfully got down on the page. It was with these details that he fleshed out the characters. Holly Golightly, Doc, Paul --were there ever such

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-32127545606117767412009-10-09T08:05:00.000-07:002009-10-09T08:36:15.448-07:00

Over on my other blog, I thought I'd mention an article, that's led to writing a 4 part series on writing.If you haven't been following the growing danger in Afgh., I'll fill you in. Last weekend, we lost a combat outpost and a forward operating base in a remote province. The outcome was very bad. A total of 10 soldiers lost in a day, plus more injured. The seige was long, and because of the

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-33222201672979112682009-10-07T08:20:00.000-07:002009-10-07T08:24:38.308-07:00

With some books, I decide to skip to the end to figure out what happens.In others, I don't.Why is it that some books are easier to stay "in the moment," and others have your mind wandering as to what happens ...in the end?

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-37067123980228980212009-10-05T11:58:00.000-07:002009-10-05T12:12:19.297-07:00

Had Robert Burns social networked, would he have gotten as much done?Now, this is just a bit mean.But the writer recently went to a gathering of bloggers. Bright, opinionated, passionate. They all wrote about different topics and are genuinely interested in writing. But I was surprised: overall, a lot of them were overweight. And I'm not talking just a little big pudgy as we all tend to get. I

Kananinoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-70627447313854571212009-10-02T12:01:00.000-07:002009-10-02T12:01:00.166-07:00

Khanh Ha, the author, has a novel being published in 2010. I'm very excited for him. Really, in an economy where the agents are having to be even more choosing than they already were, it's quite an accomplishment. Recently, he wrote this in one of the comments:"Those who write can tolerate solitude. Those who can't, can't."I agree. All writers whether bloggers or writer-writers find a groove when

Kananinoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-50562554688092915632009-09-30T00:01:00.000-07:002009-09-30T00:01:02.349-07:00

Yes, today I got all the writing done by 11 a.m. Then went to yoga, and had lunch here at home. This was it. Next up: a bit of reading (ARC's), phoning, picking up daughterand maybe washing the car.Yes, I'd have to say that the sushi lunch from the nice husband and wife teamis as exotic as it gets for this writer.I'm making a huge effort to regain some balance. So far, so good.If there's one

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-41430679967522833812009-09-28T05:01:00.000-07:002009-09-28T10:16:44.085-07:00

Panda ruining my new laptop while waiting to SkypeSo I'm writing-writing again. I do make the distinction between what I do here --which is a different kind of writing (blogging). It feels really good. Writing a novel is like creating a life path. If only they could have just said that during my years taking classes. "Okay, so yer character starts here, and yer job is to help them find their path

Kananinoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-46702191477090885312009-09-27T09:49:00.001-07:002009-09-28T09:19:28.218-07:00

This is Gregory, the dogwalker. For the past two months, he's been taking Louie (at left) out for daily 90 minute hikes. They go on all the trails around town. For Louie, it was essential. He was the scourge of the neighborhood. He had this nasty habit of lunging at other dogs. And a few of the neighbors here are the type if there's a problem, they'll gossip about it and create a much worse

Kananinoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-85700633890016893492009-09-25T18:19:00.000-07:002009-09-28T05:35:25.279-07:00

She was fabulous. And not in that superficial way, so mistaken for style today."Today I found out that friend Penny Morell passed away from ALS. She died in NYC, the place she always called home.."Read the rest at:The Literary Fashionista

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-12288841419393299662009-09-24T08:10:00.000-07:002009-09-24T08:11:39.110-07:00

"There are just some looks that have to be pointed out as not working. I mean, the following women paid big bucks for their looks, and presumably even paid stylists.Though I know their names, I'm not bothering to print them because more than likely, these looks are best ungooglable (new word)."Go.....have a good laugh. Read the rest on My Fashion Blog:The Literary Fashionista

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-15019589219726075922009-09-22T10:16:00.000-07:002009-09-22T10:16:23.877-07:00

"But to remain a writer, you must have persistence, discipline—both to keep alive in you the passion for writing."Read the rest at:Author Khanh Ha's blog

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-41765327777347247542009-09-22T00:01:00.000-07:002009-09-22T00:01:00.834-07:00

The fuzzy leopard the steering wheel, the little plastic bobble head kitty on the dash. Yes, this is the car of my dreams.

Kananinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-67499963469518494302009-09-21T23:18:00.000-07:002009-09-21T23:18:34.873-07:00

Kittens! They've got KITTENS! I WANT!!!The Kitchen Dispatch

Kananinoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24442746.post-13929953850858279152009-09-21T00:01:00.000-07:002009-09-21T00:01:01.196-07:00

Kananinoreply@blogger.com2