Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Waning Moon
Uranus Retrograde
Cloudy and cold
Veterans’ Day
We had a few mild days of Indian-summer like weather, and now it’s back to being cold.
Ran around looking for a simple, black, mid-calf skirt. 5 stores, no luck. Either they’re micro minis (not happening), or pencil skirts (need one, but not in black) or disgustingly cheap ass material that doesn’t drape well. I have a feeling I’ll wind up making some skirts — not happy with colors, styles, patterns currently available. Did find a coat and some boots I might order. I have my big LL Bean coat for the winter, which is great for casual work/driving/set work – but I need a dressy coat. Also looking for my ultimate writing bag — know what I want, haven’t found it yet in my price range.
Went grocery shopping to pick up a few things to get us through the next few days until I leave for the site job and then DC. Have to go in the other direction to Trader Joe’s today to stock up on cat food.
Decent but not brilliant day on ‘Digging” and Blair Holland. Slow start to the Christmas story, but it’s getting there. I want to get a draft done before I leave for DC, so I can edit it and get it to the printer before Thanksgiving. Hoping I’ll have a more focused and productive writing day today.
Finished Louisa May Alcott’s journals. I’d forgotten how frustrated she often grew in Concord — the museum at Orchard House (which she called “Apple Slump”) idealizes the time spent there. Started re-reading Madelon Bedell’s terrific book THE ALCOTTS.
The newest A.S. Byatt novel, THE CHILDREN’S BOOK, arrived yesterday. Can’t wait to read it. Her novel POSSESSION remains one of my all-time favorites. I’ve got NEVER AFTER, with stories by Laurell K. Hamilton, Yasmine Galenorn, Marjorie M. Liu, and Sharon Shinn’s pieces in it for the trip to DC. I’m tempted to start it earlier, but it’s a paperback and the Byatt book is a hardcover, so the paperback is easier to maneuver while travelling.
My bags for the site job and DC are packed. I’ll have to add a few bits (like the computer and some files) to the writing bag for the site, and then switch it to the writing bag I’m taking to DC, but, for the most part, I’m set, so I can just focus on the writing and not have to worry about packing.
Mixed up a batch of spiced apple bread for breakfast. It smells good as it’s baking, and gives me inspiration as I write.
Remember the Veterans today, from all the wars, and salute them.
Devon
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I echo your Veterans Day sentiments. Thank you all who served, who are serving, and prayers and love to all who passed in service to this country.
About that skirt -
Try Target. They’re carrying a lot of designer labels now, and I’ve not been disappointed yet with their fabrics. Yet. It is a discount store, so it’s somewhat of a crap shoot. Another place I like is New York and Company. The clothing there is body-conscious career wear, so no parts hanging out unexpectedly and the fabrics are pretty nice. I’d suggest JCPenney, but I’m disappointed in their color palettes. They almost get it right. The cuts are right, but the colors? Gawdy.
Ironically, I got a great dress coat last year at Forever 21. Normally I don’t set foot in what I consider the “cheap-assed teeny stores” but they surprised me by having exactly what I wanted – a blue dress coat with an empire waist and some nice detailing.
I’m eager to see the writing bag you’re after. Sounds like something I could use.
I just spent about two hours in a large Target yesterday, and didn’t see any plain skirts. They are more about fashion now. Lori’s right, occasionally they have some simple stuff, but with Holiday they don’t have much. Have you tried JCPenney? (I know, but honestly, they have the MARKET on plain simple stuff. Which is a good thing.)
Good luck!
Um, have you tried Lands End for the skirt? (Our Sears store has a small Lands End boutique set up.) They are usually pretty good about fabrics and classic style.
Have a safe and fun trip! I hope you accomplish all you set out to do!