Tues. May 30, 2023: Climbing The Mountain That is This Week

image courtesy of James Wheeler via pixabay.com

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Waxing Moon

Pluto Retrograde

Sunny and pleasant

How was your holiday weekend (if you live somewhere that had one)? Ready for our catch-up?

Today’s serial episode is Legerdemain:

Episode 89: Gloria’s Opening Night

Shelley refuses to be distracted by a mysterious man’s attention on her sister-in-law’s opening night.

Legerdemain Serial Link

Legerdemain Website Link

Friday’s errands went better than expected: picked up some good stuff at the library. Picked up my mother’s prescription. Did a better-than-expected grocery shop within the budget. Mailed my residency contract. Picked up a bottle of wine.

The damn beeping heavy machinery over at the college made me want to explode. It’s been months. If I had that kind of equipment? I could have painted the whole thing in a week. They’re just dragging it out for money and the college lets them because they’re sulking about not being allowed to turn one of the dorms into a homeless shelter and getting 2.6 million from the State – money which  should, instead, go to the families so they can, you know, actually get OUT of homelessness. So now the college is just being an asshole, trying to be as lousy a neighbor as possible.

In the Westchester Archives Playland Photographs collection, I found a sketch artist named Dorothy Dwin, who had a concession. People would pay her to sit and sketch them. I believe it was part of the WPA’s Federal Arts Program (you’ll see why in a minute). I tried to research her. I found her in the 1940 census. She lived on Lexington Ave. in NYC, as “head of household” although she’s listed as married, but she was the only one in the apartment. She was 37 then (which meant she was 32 in the Playland photograph). Her profession is listed as artist, and as part of the WPA. She was born in Russia, and was a naturalized citizen, and had lived at that address since 1935 (that was a question then, where one lived 5 years ago). She is not in the 1930 census, at least not as far as I’ve found, Nor does she show up in the 1950 Census (although she could have remarried)? There are 24 of her sketches in the National Gallery in DC, but I didn’t find any information about her, so I emailed them.

She resembles one of my Playland Painters. I cropped the photo, and ran that, with her photo, through facial recognition software. I got a 70% hit on one program and an 18% hit on another, so it’s unlikely they are the same person. The hairstyle is similar, but they could both just be fashionable. And the smile is somewhat similar.

Saturday morning, I got my National Archives research credentials set up, because I hoped to find something in the WPA files, but I’m not sure how to search them. It’s not logical; it’s red-tapey. Hey, big surprise.

I did a search through the digital collections of the New York Historical Society, the Museum of the City of New York, and NYPL’s digital collection. The only thing that came up with at NYPL, in the correspondence of literary agent Emma Mills (who died in 1956), and her papers from 1920-1956 are in the collection. But there weren’t any details (in-person only access) and it might just be coming up relating to “Godwin” or “Edwin” and not actually Dorothy Dwin. Emma’s correspondence sounds fantastically interesting, but I’d need to set up in NYC for a few weeks, and I just can’t do that on something that might be a wild goose chase.

But then, THEN, I just put Dorothy’s name in the general archive record  at the National Archives– and found out that she changed her name on June 10, 1930 to Dorothy Dwin from Dorothy Golden. And she lived in Brooklyn in 1930. First the age says “34” but it was crossed out and replaced with “27.” So why did she change her name? And “Dwin” is unusual.

Tracking her back as Dorothy Golden to the 1930 census in Brooklyn, I found her by using the address on her change of name petition, at that age/birth year – married to a taxi driver named Benjamin, who was from Poland. On top of that, Dorothy was not born in Russia, as it says in the 1940 census – she was born in New York, and her parents were from Hungary. On top of that, she had a 2-year-old son named Howard.  I don’t know why she left her husband and son, complete with legal name change, but there’s some serious re-invention involved.

Moving forward to the 1940 census, I found Howard, now 12, living with his father Benjamin, still a taxi driver. They are now in Queens. Benjamin is married to a younger woman named Bettsy, from Romania.

In the 1950 census, Howard is still living at home. He’s 23 now. He’s a “Wholesale Ladies Dressman.” His dad Benjamin, now 45, is now an auto accessories salesman at a gas station. This time, the wife is listed as “Betty” and was supposedly born in Russia. I found an obituary for a Howard Allen Golden, born in 1928, died in South Amboy, New Jersey in April 2014, but there’s very little information in it, other than he died as an inpatient in the Perth Amboy hospital, the visiting and funeral information.

It’s all fascinating.

I wish I knew Dorothy’s maiden name. I have not yet been able to find the marriage records between her and Benjamin. I might have to go to the library next week to use Ancestry.

Anyway, Friday afternoon, I turned around two client projects. I also made notes on some stuff for the Heist Romance script. I’m starting to doubt myself in some POV areas – I’ve kept the POV of the script pretty tight on Ben – we’re on Ben’s journey here. But I’m wondering if I should open it up to others, especially Tara’s. But it feels wrong. So I’ll trust myself for this draft, and then play with it.

Trying to figure out that memorial scene for FALL FOREVER. I need to come up with a unique memory/anecdote around Lily for each character to share (and it has to be succinct, but in their unique cadence).

Saturday, I had to run out and get ink again.

I unpacked a couple of boxes, and found some interesting stuff, but not what I was looking for. I washed various pieces throughout the weekend, and decided what to put up and what to pack away again.

I was looking through the Cornelia True and Roman Gray stories, starting with “The Ramsey Chase” which needs to be re-released, and then “Miss Holton Apologizes” and then the third story have to be finished and released. They are very similar in tone to India Holton’s trilogy and a few other things that are selling well right now. They were ahead of their time. So I need to get my act together and get them out there while the market wants them.

I went through some old scripts. Some need to be retired; they are beyond help. But I found two: PARALLEL-O-GAME and MODERN CREATION MYTHS that are mostly solid, though unfinished – and without outlines. I need to spend some quality time with them and figure out where to go next, even if it’s different from the original intent. They go in the queue after the scripts that need to be finished, and the drafts that need to be polished.

I read India Holton’s THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS, which was a lot of fun. And Erica Bauermeister’s NO TWO PERSONS, which is hauntingly beautiful.

I found more of my photos from the Playland Boardwalk Museum, which was opened in 1998 until the Westchester Children’s Museum took over the space. I contacted WCM last week, so hopefully, they can tell me what happened to that collection.

Up early on Sunday and baked biscuits.

I’ve been trying to get into the 1925 Census (which was a state census rather than a federal one) to see if Dorothy and Benjamin already lived in Brooklyn, but no luck so far.

I may have to go to the public library this week and search via Ancestry.

Wrote 23 script pages on the Heist Romance. They’ve been kidnapped to find the treasure and Tara has negotiated a contract for the treasure hunt. Because she’s not doing it for free or for threat.

I hung up summer sheer curtains in my bedroom. Tried to hang a painting and it didn’t work. I think the frame’s warped through all the decades of carting it around the country (it was painted by my college roommate back in the 80’s). Got some of the painting done on the windchimes. Hung up a summer curtain by the back door (it looked very bare without the winter fleece). Put away the flannel sheets and the winter curtains. Washed a bunch of stuff I’d unpacked, and am slowly finding homes for these things.

It was in the mid-80’s, but because there wasn’t much humidity, it was pleasant. Tessa stayed on the porch all day. Read India Holton’s THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEWOMEN WITCHES, which was delightful.

Watched BULLET TRAIN in the evening. What a hot mess. A good example of style over substance. Whatever writer came in to punch up the dialogue in the Lemon and Tangerine scenes did an excellent job – the comic beats built well and landed, without losing the heart underneath. And it was obvious those scenes were doctored by a different writer; they played like they were from a different movie. But there were too many tangents overall, and moving the reason for the big climactic sequence (The Elder vs. The White Death, the different views of family) from subplot into main narrative drive was clunky. There were too many throwaway scenes to give Brad Pitt screen time to do what’s become his signature schtick lately. The action scenes went on too long in every case, and the casual violence was lingered over each time a few beats too long, making it “look what we did!” instead of keeping it as casual violence that’s ingrained in the characters. Adding in the Wolf and the Hornet subplot was a tangent. Other than Pitt’s character being peripheral to the wedding sequence (without ever elaborating why he was there), it could have been cut without hurting anything. It felt like it was in there to add diversity for the sake of diversity, not to layer in the plot. The actors gave it their all, though – nobody phoned it in, and one could tell they were having fun. It touched on a lot of the tropes in train/chase movies, but again, didn’t do enough with them.

However, I learned a lot about what I don’t want to do in my own work.

Sandra Bullock’s cameo (which she did in exchange for Brad Pitt’s cameo in THE LOST CITY) was fun, and the genuine friendship they have with each other offscreen reads well onscreen. Channing Tatum had a cameo (which was also funny, but unnecessary and such a small sub-sub-plot it didn’t matter if it was cut or left in), and Ryan Reynold’s quick bit of a cameo was  in return for Pitt’s cameo in DEADPOOL 2. It’s a lot of fun to have those crossover cameos, and I probably wouldn’t have even watched BULLET TRAIN if I didn’t want to see the exchange cameo Bullock did for Pitt. I’m curious if the Tatum cameo was written specifically for him to be part of it, or if that just seemed like a fun place to put him, for those few lines.

The premise of Pitt’s character caught up by accident when he steps in for another agent who called in sick (and the agent was one of the White Death’s targets) was funny, but it didn’t fulfill the promise of the premise.

Up early on Monday. Wrote 13 pages of the Heist Romance script. Polished, uploaded, and scheduled 8 episodes of ANGEL HUNT, which gets me into early July. Adapted another ANGEL HUNT chapter into four serial episodes. I’m hitting a point where I have to insert some material for continuity’s sake; I started an arc that needs to be fulfilled. Not sure where I’ll put it yet. Uploaded and scheduled the promos for this week’s Legerdemain and Angel Hunt episodes where I could.

Finished painting the windchimes. Once they dried, we started setting up the Enchanted Garden on the back balcony. It still needs more work, as we add plants and hanging baskets, but it looks pretty. It’s a nice, peaceful space, and we will enjoy it this summer.

I turned around a client project, so that I wouldn’t be so overloaded with work today. I started reading my friend’s book that I promised to blurb, and got about half way through it.

Supposedly, there is a debt ceiling deal. It’s not as bad as I expected, although the Republicans, as usual, got too much. However, they are trying to stall and whine and drive us over the deadline cliff anyway. This is why bipartisanship is dead, and there can be no more capitulation to them: they pretend to “compromise” and then get everything they want, while still destroying as much as possible, and not living up to their side of the bargain.

They’ve held the country hostage with intent to take the ransom and kill the hostages anyway. On a very literal level.

The Democrats need to stop negotiating with terrorists, and Republicans are terrorists. There’s no such thing as a moderate or ethical Republican anymore.

Reading about what’s happening on Cape Cod, we got out just in time. There was a shooting over the weekend at the beach down the street from where I used to live. People are being forced into homelessness in order to make room for short-term summer renters. Someone I know there told me bridge traffic off Cape yesterday took up to six hours. People are being forced out of dune shacks their families have leased and poured money into for decades so the National Parks Service can rent them to gentrifiers.

Another beautiful place destroyed by greed.

Watched THE BOOK CLUB last night, with Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, and Mary Steenburgen. It was cute, although I felt the third act was rushed.

Barely got any sleep, because Charlotte had anxiety all night and woke me up every 20 minutes, wanting reassurance. Of course, now she’s curled up fast asleep, and I’m wrecked.

I’ve got a large workload this week, partially because I’m expecting the Republicans to destroy everything (again). I hope I am wrong; being wrong will take the pressure off me for next weekend. Since I didn’t really take the holiday weekend (much as I encouraged everyone else to do so), I hope to get some rest next weekend. If we’re not driven over the debt cliff, and I can actually take the weekend, I want to get some more plants for the Enchanted Garden on Saturday and sleep most of Sunday.

But next weekend is a long way away, and I have to get through this week first.

On today’s agenda: draft an episode of Legerdemain, work on the Llewellyn pieces, work on the flash fiction for the art call, finish my friend’s book so I can blurb it, turn around three client projects, and do the social media rounds for today’s Legerdemain episode. I also have to get tomorrow’s Process Muse post polished, uploaded, and scheduled, and get to work on the June posts. I’m not sure I’ll make it to yoga this afternoon, although I desperately need it. And get some filing done! I’m falling behind, and that will bite me in the butt if I’m not careful.

Have a good one.

Tues. May 23, 2023: Unpleasant Limbo

image courtesy of Melissa G via pixabay.com

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Waxing Moon

Pluto Retrograde

Sunny and pleasant

Big announcement: You can find short videos about my work over on Tiktok. Trying it to see if that will expand the audience, especially for the serials and the Topic Workbooks.

Ready for our usual Tuesday morning catch-up? How was your weekend?

Today’s serial episode is Legerdemain:

Episode 87: Roommates

Shelley sets up a sting to catch a killer.

Legerdemain serial link

Legerdemain website link

Remember I mentioned interest in Alice Diamond’s Forty Elephants gang last Friday? Turns out there are already several novels out about it: Erin Bledsoe’s FORTY THIEVES and Beezy Marsh’s QUEEN OF THIEVES. So I don’t need to write a novel! I’m going to read their novels, though, and I’m going to read Brian McDonald’s nonfiction book on Alice. Disney’s doing a series, supposedly, which I’m likely to have mixed feelings about. (I’m glad Disney’s fighting DeSantis, but that doesn’t mean I suddenly love Disney). There might be another one of my historical women plays in there. Or I might read it just to read it.

It makes more sense to work on the script (or maybe it will be a novel) about Katharine Cornell’s tour. I have Gladys Malvern’s books (I ordered my own copies), and Gladys is quickly becoming one of my favorite people. In addition to being an actress touring with Cornell and others (also known as a “trouper”), she was an author, best known for the children’s books she wrote.

There are so many wonderful arts and culture events happening around here that it would be very easy to overload and not have any time for my own work. I need to make sure I keep a balance. I want to meet fellow artists and support their work, but I also have to keep putting my own work first. And I have to avoid unsafe situations where I might get infected.

On Friday, I finished the episode of Legerdemain I’d started writing a couple of days prior. This week, I have to upload and schedule the next batch of episodes.

I went to the library for what should have been a quick drop-off/pickup of a few books. However, I ran into a stranger and we started talking. Turns out we’re close to the same age and have both been in business all our lives. He works for MCU and was one of Stan Lee’s proteges. We’ve worked with about 30 or 40 of the same people throughout the years. Anyway, what started as a quick chat moved outside the building and wound up being a two-hour conversation. So that was fun, but I wasn’t wearing a jacket, and by the end of it, I was chilled to the bone.

Finally got the grocery shopping done, then came home and tried to warm up. Some client work came in for next week, so I didn’t worry about not having anything for Friday. And I’d missed my window to go to the Clark, plus it was clouding over, so I stayed home.

I experimented some more with FlexClip and Canva video tools. I like FlexClip much better, but there are instances where Canva does more of what I need.

I worked on the poem. I did the social media rounds ANGEL HUNT. I wrote up my review and sent it off. I continued reading THE SECRET SERVICE OF TEA AND TREASON, which is hilarious. So clever. I needed the rest.

Saturday, the cats tried to roust me out of bed and I refused to get up.

When I finally got up, I played with video again. I tried ClipChamp (urg) and Power Director (which just needed more time than I have to give it right now). Between FlexClip and Canva, I finished the Devon intro video, polished the Topic Workbooks videos, polished the ANGEL HUNT intro, and created a Legerdemain intro. I also set up video templates in Canva for AH and Legerdemain episodes, where I just have to pop out that week’s logline and/or graphic, save it, and the rest is set.

I also worked on the poem.

In the afternoon, I finished reading THE SECRET SERVICE OF TEA AND TREASON. What a delightful book.

Slept well Saturday into Sunday, although I had weird dreams, which fled as soon as I woke up.

I worked on the poem some more, adding in breath marks (I like to do that on pieces I read, so I don’t run out of air in the middle of a sentence).

I then worked on the Heist Romance Script, which has been begging for attention, doing the Corsica and Sardinia sections. They need work, but at least they’re there. About 20 script pages.  Got my characters back to Marseilles and separated them. Ben is back in London. Tara is wherever she is. I have to do some montage-y stuff and then do some research for the next bits, which are in Barcelona, and then York. I also have to write the dramaturgy on the treasure. I’ll only put bits and pieces of it in the script itself, but I need to know the whole story in order to do that well.

This draft, however, is to get characters and the main plot points in, and make sure I hit the action/team/romance bits. As I work on subsequent drafts, I will rip out what’s reading flat and build more dynamic beats that serve on multiple levels.

Which is ass-backwards, because most scriptwriters plot out the beats first and then write the script. But, since I’m not in a room with others, and it’s not on contract (nor would it be, with the strike going on), I’m doing it this way. Takes longer, but I’ll get there, even if it’s not the considered best practices.

I put on real people pants and makeup, and drove down to the Mount, in Lenox for the poetry reading. We had a stage out behind the stable, with a backdrop of trees. It was lovely. There were 11 poets, and it went well. I was second up. The piece got laughs where I hoped, and acknowledgement of the more serious beats where I hoped. I only blew one humorous line in delivery – the beds of kale line. Note to self – have full stanzas on the same page; end the page early if the stanza needs to spill over, because turning the page mid-stanza loses the rhythm.  I made a few adjustments as I read, when I realized the upcoming word wasn’t sustaining the rhythm created, but I could change those on the fly, without stumbling. Hopefully, I’ve remembered them all to fix them for the next draft. I’d printed it out in 16-point font, which made it much easier to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the other poets’ offerings. One of the things I love about the WxW events is that the audience are active listeners. They really pay attention and pick up on nuances and details.

On the way home, filled up the car with gas, and picked up a few things at Adams Fresh Market. Home, made dinner.

Read for a bit in the evening (not that thrilled with the current book, might just stop and take it back to the library).

Went back and did a few more pages on the Heist Romance Script – these scenes will need a lot of reworking in the next draft. Not happy with them.

Charlotte started bothering me at 2 AM, but I refused to get up until the coffee started at 5:30.

They’re still “painting” the library across the street, the machines making lots of beep-beep-beep all day from 6 AM onwards. It should have taken then a week to paint the building. We’re going into our third month. Ridiculous.

Instead of doing what I should have been doing all morning, I did a fix pass on the pages I wrote the previous night, so they’re better (but not where they need to be), and then wrote about 20 more pages. This will be a limited series (used to be called a mini-series), but this first draft is one big ole draft no one could ever use, and then I’ll cut and shape it. Again, not following best practices for the format, but, since I’m doing it for me at this point, not anyone else, I’ll do it my way. If I get a draft I feel is submission-worthy, I’ll make the necessary structural/format tweaks in that stronger draft.

Someday, it will actually get a title.

Also uploaded the first four videos to TikTok: the Devon Ellington intro, the Topic Workbooks, Legerdemain Intro, Angel Hunt intro. The only way I can edit sound attribution was to put the damn app on my phone, which I am not happy about. But, needs must.

I had four short client projects to turn around in the afternoon, which I did. I was assigned the next book for review. There’s not much from that editor now, and, with the strike, there’s not much coverage work. With the looming debt ceiling crisis (if my mother doesn’t get her social security check, I have to cover her expenses that it usually handles), AND the fact that I’m still waiting for the effing grant money (it’s going on three months late, which is just fucking with us at this point, just to fuck with us), it’s stressful, and I’m in a holding pattern. (Think Hanged Man Tarot card, hovering over The Tower). I can do it, even if (when) the Republicans catapult us over the debt cliff next week,  but it means reshuffling bills and other payments a bit. If I was in the usual work rhythm with the usual workload, it wouldn’t be a problem. I could take on a few days’ extra work, and it’s covered. But with the strike, a review pool slump, and Topic Workbook sales down because of the Muskrat’s algorithm changes, it all hits the squeeze point at once. Fortunately, the serials are still bringing in some cash (not a ton, but enough to make them worth continuing).

Such is the life of a full-time writer at this point in time. We’re all struggling. But we’re not giving up the fight.

Hence the expansion into TikTok, but again, none of this is instant. It all takes time, energy, focus, and work to build audience on any platform. I already have to reconfigure how I do it on the other platforms. Spending more quality time on specific platforms on specific days, while cycling through the others makes the most sense, at this point, but I have to be ready to adjust as needed.

There’s no point in building any of it if I let the actual creative work fall to the wayside. I can’t market what isn’t ready to market, or hasn’t yet been created. Well, I COULD, but it would come back to bite me in the butt.

And let’s face it, the GOP WANTS the country to default and everything to come crashing down. It’s all part of their plan. They haven’t even pretended to be anything but who they are since Reagan, but too many people are complacent. So, here we are.

Well, by the end of next week, I’ll know what needs to be shuffled where, and can actually DO something.

Anyway, once I finished the client work, I downloaded the Kindle App onto my creaky old tablet (and yet, it still works better than the Hive app ever did). I like using the tablet to read.

I also went in search of my SD card reader. Before my friends came, I put it in a Very Safe Place. You see where this is going, right? I can’t find it. Anywhere. I keep electronic stuff – extra cords, adapters, charging squares, et al – in a specific place in my office.

The SD card reader isn’t in there.

I checked ALL the bags and ALL the drawers.

Can’t find it anywhere.

I needed a specific photo, that I took way back around 2003 or 4 or something. I decided to go through the photo backups and the imports I tried to do from the Mac. It took a couple of hours, but I found the photos I needed.

I don’t have photo permissions to share them, or I would. The photos are of five women who did the specialized art painting at Playland Amusement Park from 1928-1940. I took the photos of these photos way back when, at the Playland Amusement Park’s small museum. Those five women have always fascinated me. They show so much individual personality in these photographs.

If you’re not familiar with Playland Amusement Park, it is in my hometown of Rye, New York (I grew up and went all the way through elementary and high school there). It’s an art deco amusement park with the infamous Dragon Coaster and one of the old Derby racer rides. I have a lot of pictures taken over the years (good thing, since the current owners are wrecking it). I set the novelette “That Man in Tights” there (and the big chase scene is based on The Flying Witch House Ride, which has been destroyed), and set a couple of the Christy Miller bylined short stories there.

Anyway, I’ve toyed with the idea of writing a piece in a fictional park of the era inspired by Playland for years. I want to know who these women were.

I finally found the photo and sent it to the office at Playland, asking for more information. I printed the photos out, and I also saved them in my picture file. I sent a similar email to the Westchester County Archives, asking if they had any information, or could point me in the right direction. I may have to go down and dig in there myself at some point.

On the Archive digital website, I found some cool photos of the park at that time, which I will also use as inspiration. But I didn’t find a match for these photos.

I want to know these women’s names. Their names shouldn’t be lost.

Possibly, the Archives will have employment records, and I can try to match them. Or maybe I can try looking in the census.

Anyway, that was the rabbit hole from yesterday afternoon through this morning.

On today’s agenda: draft an episode of Legerdemain. Work on the flash fiction. I’ve percolated the beginning and the end; I need to work the arc between them. Maybe work on REP or the Heist Romance script (although I have to do more research on the latter’s next section). Do the research for the first Llewellyn pieces.

I desperately need to do some filing.

Fill out the paperwork for the residency. Do the social media rounds for Legerdemain, including posting today’s episode video on TikTok. I have a client project in the afternoon. I don’t think I’ll make it to yoga this afternoon; I’ve had a fever on and off through the night and into this morning, so isolating seems like the smart choice.

I better get going, huh? The clock is running! Have a good one!

Wed. May 3, 2023: Arranging and Rearranging Words

image courtesy of Valerio Errani via pixabay.com

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Waxing Moon

Mercury and Pluto Retrograde

Rainy, chilly, and raw

Today’s Process Muse Post is about dealing with jealousy, envy, and uncomfortable emotions. You can read it here.

It was hard to get it together yesterday. Twitter is not allowing WP to connect anymore. I was getting a lot of trollish DMs, and I finally managed to lock my account, but I can no longer participate in community conversations. I’d leave completely, but a lot of the WGA conversations are happening there.

Today’s serial episode is from Angel Hunt:

Episode 29: Actor or Character?

Lianna unravels the layers of actor energy in the rehearsal room from something much darker.

Angel Hunt Serial Link.

I wrote a future Process Muse, got it polished, uploaded, and schedule. Finished Episode 5 of REP. Could not get it together for Legerdemain.

I thought I’d started a Series Bible and Style Sheet for Rep, but can’t find them. So I had to redo them.

Did the social media rounds for Legerdemain.

Turned around two script coverages. it’s not scabbing, my coverage agency fully supports and is in compliance with the strike (I checked with the guild). Writers can lock their profiles so that their scripts can’t be downloaded by producers, et al, during the strike. How much work we’ll actually have as things go on, who knows? I feel like I should push this week, because there’s a lot that came in before the May 1 deadline, but I have this other big client project that must be finished, so I’ll have to risk the coverage work drying up.

Finished one of the categories in the contest. Wrote up the winning reviews (it was a tie, two very different and equally wonderful books), put in the other scores, named the finalists, and sent it all off.

Good news on the poetry front!

First of all, I’m getting to know my fellow poets for the fall residency via email, so we all know a bit about each other before we start. They are an amazing, talented group, and I’m so honored to be part of it.

Second, I’m creating a new piece for Word X Word’s event at the Mount (Edith Wharton house) on May 21, as part of their Poets in Conversation series. I started turning over ideas in my head as soon as I got the invite. I’ve got an idea developing that I think will work; I’ll take what I learn from that performance, and it will be one of the pieces I bring into the residency, because it fits with the theme of the other pieces I want to work on then. That wasn’t intentional, it’s just how it percolated.

Third, I am one of the poets in this year’s Word X Word’s “World’s Largest Poem”, again at the Mount, in July. I will have 24 hours to write my section of the poem (same as last year), once I’m given the last word of the previous poet’s section. We’re being encouraged to be multi-lingual; I hope to compose my short section in English, French, and German. The word I receive to launch it could be anything, in any language. I may try writing part of it ahead of time, and then weave the word into it and adjust as needed. My final word will launch the next poet’s word, and so forth and so on.

Yoga was good. I admit, I rather dragged myself there, not feeling like leaving the house, but I was glad I went.

Worked on contest entries. I’m nearly finished with the second category; I hope I can get those off today, or, latest, by tomorrow. I’ll be down to the wire finishing off the final category.

Out of the house early this morning to go to the laundromat. I edited five episodes of Legerdemain, and a couple of REP.

On today’s agenda: draft an episode of Legerdemain, enter contest scores, make the rounds to promote Angel Hunt and the Process Muse. There’s an Ink-Dipped Advice post to finish and get up. I have two scripts to turn around, and I want to finish the second category in the contest, and get that winner/finalist list out. I also have to finish reading a book for review, because it’s due tomorrow.

I’d like to do another pass on FALL FOREVER today, too, if I can. Not an edit; more of some gentle tweaks. I’ll get my cast list on Friday, and need to send them the script so they can look it over this weekend, before the table read. I’ll also get the assignments of the other plays this week, since part of getting my play read is helping some of the other playwrights out with their readings. My play is in the first slot on Monday, the first slot of the whole table reads program.

Next week, I also want to draft the short piece for the artist call over in Northampton, and get back to work on the next Twinkle Tavern piece, “Labor Intensive.” Along with working on the poem that will be read at the Mount on May 21. I also want to play with FlexClip a little more. I have some ideas on creating short pieces on it to promote the serials.

But first, I have to clear off this week’s deadlines.

Have a good one!

Wed. April 30, 2014: Conference & Lecture Prep

“Lake Justice” available here from Amber Quill Press for only a dollar!

Wednesday, April 30, 2014
New Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Rainy and raw
Beltane Eve

I can’t believe tomorrow is May and I’ve still got flannel sheets on the bed and am wearing winter clothes!

Yesterday was busy. All my materials are prepped and packed for the conference. I had to run to Staples (again) in the middle of it for more ink. I’d just changed over the ink tanks yesterday, and I wasn’t printing THAT much! Something’s up with the Canon ink tanks for this printer. I used to be able to get 400 or more pages out of one ink tank. Yesterday, I BARELY got 200 pages. Also, the first time it beeps and says the ink is running out, I could override it and get an additional 50 pages out. Now, it’s only 10. It’s the same printer, the same paper — Canon downgraded the ink tanks. I do not appreciate that. I guess I’m doing printer research again. Plus, I want to get a new toner cartridge for my laser printer. Although it only prints B&W, it’s great for manuscripts.

Just shot a question over to the Cultural Council — although we have one more performance of SEAL TIDES, I’m prepping the reports for the Council and need to know if they want a copy of the final script.

Did laundry, baked the several dozen cupcakes for Welcome Spring, finished a draft of a client project and sent it out (took much longer than expected, but at least it’s out for notes), and worked on TRACKING MEDUSA edits. I’ve had a special place in my heart for this book since I wrote it, and I’m falling in love with the characters all over again — in spite of finding several places that need some serious work! 😉 I’m lucky to have such a good editor.

Prepped for today’s guest lecture. I have almost a full workday, and then I head off to the college. Then it’s time to frost cupcakes, work on edits, and pack clothes for the conference — I have all my materials, but I still have to wear something when I teach!

Having serious problems with my right hand and arm — tendon problems. Ouch! Will have to get a session with the acupuncturist.

Devon

Tues. April 29, 2014: Trying to Get My Feet Under Me

Tuesday, April 29, 2014
New Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Rainy and cold

Have you bought your copy of “Lake Justice” yet? I hope you do — it’s only a buck! It’s a fun read, and if there’s enough interest, I’ll have more adventures with Bronwyn. I appreciate your support. I’m very fond of this piece, and glad it found a home with Amber Quill Press. You can buy the digital download here.

Yesterday was tougher than it needed to be, because of corporate bullshit and greed. That’s all I’m going to say about it. It took up time that needed to be used for other things.

Managed to get about 60+ pages of TRACKING MEDUSA edited, and nearly finished a draft of a client project that will finally go out today, if everything continues to work.

Today, I want to get that client project out, do more work on the edits, and finish up the materials I’m taking to the conference. I’m also preparing the guest lecture I’m doing tomorrow at the Community College. I’m so tired that all I want to do is curl up and sleep, but that’s not until next week. I also have to bake three dozen cupcakes for Welcome Spring, which is on Thursday — I want to have enough time to bake and frost them.

There is plenty to be grateful for, and I’m trying to focus on that.

Devon

Wed. April 23, 2014: Opening Day for SEAL TIDES

Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Waning Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Rainy, foggy, cool

Today is the opening day for SEAL TIDES at the National Marine Life Center. We’re running through Sunday in Buzzards Bay. It’s a family-friendly comic mystery that wraps education in entertainment!

Yesterday, I worked on client projects and materials for the workshop I’m teaching at the conference. I booked my hotel — landed a better room than I expected, so I’m pleased. It’s all paid for, and I have the confirmation, so all I have to do next Friday is show up. That’s the way I like it.

Finished building the prop for the show — it came out delightfully disgusting. Finished the program.

Went to the Marine Life Center in the early afternoon — the program was proofed, a few mistakes fixed, and then printed. I ran off copies for the run, folded them, and stuffed them with the stranding information, rack cards for NMLC, wish list, and Seafood Watch List. They get a lot of information when they come to the show! The stuffed programs were then counted out per show, rubber-banded, and put in the container, so we can just pull as we need them for every performance.

Got an apology from a client who was trying to renege on an agreement. It looks like we’ll be able to work things out. If we do, that means I’m booked through June. All my slots are full through May 8, but this project would take me through June, which would be nice.

Set up the costume area, the lighting/sound designer went over the board (since I have to run the board, too), and we had our final dress/tech. It had its ups and downs, but it was solid enough that I feel good about the opening.

Packed up, put away the props (I’m leaving everything at the Center instead of hauling it around with me), locked up, came home. The next set of books to review were waiting for me from my editor. I also have the next contest entries to start.

Since the prop worked in practical terms, I built enough of them to get us through the run. Unpacked and repacked the show bag; checked over the library bag so that I’m all set for today.

I’m going to do some client work for another hour or so, then head to the library for a few hours, then head for the Marine Life Center to do the show, then do some more client work when I get home tonight. Tomorrow and Friday and Saturday are pretty much the same schedule, plus I need to do the cooking late in the week to feed the actors between shows on Sunday.

Somehow, it will all work.

I have to admit, I’m looking forward to spending the first weekend of May in a hotel room. Whenever I’m not busy at the conference, I will be asleep in a king-sized bed!

Devon

Tues. April 22, 2014: Earth Day and Perspectives

Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Waning Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and cool
Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! Take some time to honor the our Big Blue Marble today, and find ways to care for and sustain our planet.

Worked flat out all day yesterday. I’m trying to wind up client projects, finalize the contract on the new project (because I am NOT working and delivering work without a contract and a deposit, so if they want to stick to the schedule discussed, they better stop dragging their heels and trying to backpedal on the agreed-upon terms), finish up the details for tomorrow’s opening of the show, prep next week’s workshop, etc. I wound up one of the contests — sending off the hard copies of the judging sheets, invoicing, packing up the entries to either keep or donate.

Had to run over to Falmouth to take care of something, and, on the way back, picked up most of the groceries I need to feed the actors between shows on Sunday (yes, I’m doing the cooking). Rehearsal with the understudy who will take over one of the roles in the show. It would have been a nice day for yard work, but there weren’t enough hours in the day.

Wrote two essays, one of which is up on A Biblio Paradise, as part of the new column “From the Stacks at Marstons Mills”, which will run on the fourth Tuesday of the month. As I’m learning the collection, I’m pulling and reading random titles that catch my eye and writing personal essays related to them. Researched the two articles on deadline. Worked on other client projects — one until nearly 11 PM — the graphics aren’t behaving; something in my program isn’t speaking to the jpg properly. It’s working with jpgs from other projects, just not these particular jpgs, so I’m not sure what the issue is.

Have a lot of work to do this morning on this front, before heading over to the Marine Life Center for our final dress/tech. Tomorrow, SEAL TIDES opens. Think comedy thoughts for us — faster, louder, funnier! 😉

Yesterday was an intense day all around the Boston area. Fortunately, the Marathon went smoothly, which I think is a huge step toward dealing with last year’s bombing. Joy and healing can begin to temper the pain and loss of the day.

The lives lost in the ferry accident in South Korea is tragic. Those poor parents. There are so many events that actually have meaning in the larger fabric that it’s harder to tolerate the petty crap so prevalent.

Hopefully, today will be a day that’s both productive and joyful.

Devon

“Lake Justice” releasing from Amber Quill Press soon!

Tues. April 15, 2014: The Life of 5:30 AM – Midnight

Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Full Moon
Lunar Eclipse
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Rainy and cool

Tax day and the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. Rain is appropriate.

Busy day. It was hard not to hustle for jobs — that’s become such a reflexive part of my day. But I really can’t take anything new on until late June, so anything that’s quick turnaround just can’t fit in.

Caught up on some stuff for the library, worked on client projects, wrote a review, wrote an article going live later this week, got the contest entries for the next contest, checked them in, read the series bible for the scripting job, took notes, had a meeting on that job, interviewed potential stage managers, worked on a prop I need to be able to put onto another prop and remove after each show. Still not where I want it. Took care of some correspondence. Hunted down a couple of stories I have to read for Thursday’s short story group. Got my instructions for Thursday, when I’m in charge — a little intimidating, but I plan to step up.

Today, I need to finish a draft of a client project, run some errands in Falmouth and Sandwich (preferably before the torrential rain begins), get some groceries and cat food into the house, continue the search for a stage manager, research my two articles due at the end of the month, finish another book for review, read two short stories for an event at the library on Thursday, and work on the storyboard for the scriptwriting job.

In other words — I better get going!

If you can’t come and see Seal Tides in person, I hope you’ll support it by donating to our indiegogo campaign here. Even $10 makes a huge difference (and you get a program mention, a signed program, etc.).

Devon

Thurs. April 10, 2014: Prepping for a New Chapter (Physically and Metaphorically)

Thursday, April 10, 2014
Waxing Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Mars Retrograde
Sunny and pleasant

Work was very stop-and-go yesterday. I’m back to trying to find a new SM to replace the fired one. Worked on some client projects. It was the first day in probably six months where I didn’t send out any client pitches or LOIs.

I’d been up the night before far past the point of diminishing return working on some client projects. One is done and out slightly before deadline. I feel good about it. They were excited to receive it and have already cut the check. It has to travel across the country to reach me, but this experience has been wonderful. Another project — let’s just say it has an interesting set of unnecessary challenges when it should be very straightforward and leave it at that.

Worked on contest entries. I’m in good shape on the first one, and ready to handle the entries on the other two contests as soon as they arrive.

The weather was lovely, so Tessa and I went outside with the script and spent some quality time preparing for rehearsal.

I edited the Powerpoint presentation we’re using in the play — suddenly, PowerPoint makes sense.

Early dinner and a Writers Center Executive Committee Meeting, then dashed home for rehearsal at the house. We focused on lines and beats and motivations and had a good giggle session.

I drank coffee during rehearsal, so I was wired.

I prepped for today, which opens a new chapter in my life — will fill you in tomorrow. I woke up at 5, because I’m so excited. Yoga, meditation, a little writing, but I’m unfocused on the writing, and focusing my energy on today.

I still have to finish my taxes this weekend. I want to get them out the door late Monday or early Tuesday and not have to think about them.

Lots to catch up on tomorrow, I am sure.

Devon

Fri. April 4, 2014: Work and Plays

Friday, April 4, 2014
Waxing Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and mild

Please toss a few bucks to the indiegogo campaign for SEAL TIDES, a comic mystery play educating the public on local marine life. Even a small contribution makes a huge difference.

Worked on client projects and pitches all day. Did some work on the script, but not enough, so that’s first on the agenda this morning.

Tessa was a happy cat because we went out three times yesterday — morning coffee, lunch, and evening glass of wine/reading next book for my editor.

The book I’m reviewing is another very good one — I’m pleased.

Worked on promotion and admin for the play. One of our props should be here today, so I hope it arrives before I have to leave for NMLC.

Working my way through some frustrations. Saturn is seriously kicking my ass and making me reassess certain choices. Because last year had so much reassessment in it, I hoped I was done, but no such luck.

Editing intensive winds up today. They put in an intense three months. Let’s hope they have taken enough tools from it to apply moving forward. I think so — this batch is more motivated than some other classes I’ve taught. I’ve noticed, over the past couple of years, in classes, students only look at the note in the sentence itself, not in the context of their work, and one winds up giving the same notes over and over, because they look at it, fix it in the moment, and forget. That’s not learning. That’s expecting free editing.
The point of working on your pieces in a class or workshop situation is to learn beyond those specific words on that specific page and apply what you learn moving forward.

Took the recycling and leaves to the dump, and did some yard work, mostly on the front. Raked out beds, made room for what’s coming up. Will try to get in another hour or so today before the rain starts.

Busy weekend, including rehearsals, loading in lights and sound, and, hopefully, finalizing our SM/understudy.

To work.

Devon

Wed. April 2, 2014: Cover Reveal and a Busy Month

Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Waxing Moon
Mars Retrograde
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and milder

You know what that is, above? My cover for the ghost story, “Lake Justice”, which will be released soon from Amber Quill Press. Isn’t it cool? The cover artist totally got what the story’s about. I’m a happy camper.

Well, yesterday was a challenge. Lots of good, hard work. Not a lot of pitches. Worked on client projects, am in negotiations for a big project that would be both fun and lucrative. Shook my head in dismay when someone wanted to hire me for a gig “immediately”, demanded an hourly (rather than a per-page) rate, and when I gave it, said it was too high (it was already under market rate for the technical type of work demanded). When I said sorry it didn’t work out and wished him well, I got an email screaming at me for not lowering the rate. Um, no. My rate is my rate, and I am not obligated to work for less because someone has a complicated project and doesn’t want to pay. If you don’t want to pay someone else fairly to do it for you, for their skills, then do it your damn self and shut the fuck up. Don’t yell at someone for not lowering their rate to suit you.

Did the media kit for “Lake Justice”, added it to my website, to the blog page “The Stories”, and created a new Facebook page for short fiction. I’m waiting for the edits and the release date, and then I can get going on promotion.

Worked on the media kit for my client; will do more of that today. The information I asked for is coming in, and I’m doing a rough layout, so I can then pop in the material.

Worked on contest entries; got the information on another contest I’m judging; heard from my editor about the next batch of books on the way; one of the props I need for the show shipped and I’m hoping it arrives before Friday’s rehearsal.

Will have a post up on the garden journal later today, and have to get to work on the gardening articles due by the end of the month, and the next post for the wine blog. Also, need to get some of my own writing done.

The editing intensive winds up this week, and I’m glad. April is a crazy busy month!

Devon

Monday, August 24, 2009

Monday, August 24, 2009
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Uranus Retrograde
Sunny and cooler

I didn’t blog yesterday. Oh, well. I only had the computer on for a few minutes in the evening to shoot out a client project. Since I’m working out of town tomorrow and Wednesday, I wanted to make sure everything was off my desk before I left.

Of course, more came in last night, but that has to wait until Thursday or Friday. I am fully booked today.

Most of yesterday was spent in the car, dashing around. We went to Target, in search of more bins. They’re sold out of the ones I like, but I got one of the faux leather totes to stick in the corner by my desk for important stuff, and a few small, flat bins for small items that will fit under the bookcase. The cats are not amused — they consider the tote their new cat lounging area, and the newly cleaned up area under the bookcase a hidey-hole. They keep pushing/pulling the bins out. I wanted to get some fabric bins to set in a row in front of the bookcase, with different projects in different bins. That way, everything is all together, and when I’m done with a project and it goes to press, I can file the bin and use it for something new. But everything Target had was fuschia, and that’s not really me. The faux leather milk crate-types are okay, but too expensive. I’m also worried that any of these bins aren’t sturdy enough to hold the amount of research books I use for different projects. The plastic crates are sturdy enough, but, design-wise, don’t look good. The steel mesh crates are great, but only for files, not for books. I can’t just keep stacking stuff all over the floor, and there’s not room for hollow ottomans — which would be a good design choice, but I can’t spend that kind of money to have an ottoman for every project I’m juggling, nor do I have the room!

So I’ll keep looking.

We also looked at a couch that looked good in the photos, but in person, there are design elements you don’t see which make it too unwieldy and take up too much room in the space available.

I re-measured the front door. With the new frame, it’s now FOUR INCHES narrower than before, so pretty much any furniture can’t go through it any more. Very frustrating. Even if you take off the door, there’s a narrow metal inset — at least one of the dimensions on a piece has to be less than 30 inches in order to wrestle it through.

We also went to Barnes & Noble, where I got the travel mat I wanted — sticky on one side, soft on the other, folds up small enough to fit into my carry-on. Because if the Merc Ret hits us full force and we are stuck somewhere for more hours than we’re supposed to, I am rolling out the yoga mat in the airport lounge. Don’t think I won’t! And Costume Imp can hide in the bar, pretending he doesn’t know me!

Also picked up a journal book for the Prague trip.

Got some groceries, came back, messed around with rearranging stuff. Got frustrared, so got back in the car, and we headed back to White Plains, to a plaza to which we’d never been. There’s a Home Goods there. I’ve never been to Home Goods — the commercials are so tacky, I avoided the place. Yet the actual merchandise isn’t bad, and the prices are pretty good. I got some ideas for future stuff — yeah, it might not be there then, but I’ll deal. They didn’t have what I needed/wanted today. They had some nice bins, but not enough of the same pattern for me to invest. But I got some ideas.

We visited a huge outlet shoe store — some cute stuff, but nothing I couldn’t live without right now, although I’ll definitely go back. And another B&N, where I got Karen Marie Moning’s DARKFEVER as the third of my plane books. It came highly recommended by people I trust. I wanted more of a mix of genres, but everything I’ve got so far is dark/urban fantasy. Maybe I can pick up something at the airport that’s different. I’ll definitely grab stuff at Heathrow in either direction that I can’t get in the US.

Went to K-Mart to see if they had any decent bins. I rarely shop at K-Mart, although the one in Hyannis is huge, neat, clean,and friendly. This one was not, and I won’t go back. Plus, they didn’t have anything I wanted or needed, and everyone was in a bad mood, with far too many screaming/badly behaved children. Uh, no.

Stopped in at Pier 1. They have some gorgeous reading chairs, but until I do the furniture swap and have the room, I can’t buy anything. I also really like their painted cabinets, but the truth is that I can pick up something at a thrift shop, strip it down, and, using stencils, paint it myself, and then it will truly be one-of-a-kind.

In other words, not a good shopping day!

Came back, got started on the assignment for Confidential Job #1 — which is awesome, this time around, and finished up some client work to send off.

It was so ookey and rainy and awful. But it didn’t flood, thank goodness. Today seems a little better, and since I’m headed to Saratoga tomorrow, it should be beautiful.

I had a GREAT morning’s work on AMENDS, and can’t wait to get back to do some more later in the day. I’ve got to get to Trader Joe’s to restock the cat food and a few other things, get in some more of Elsa’s special food so she can be properly fed while I’m away (the change in diet would horrify many “experts”, but she has improved enormously in just a few days and a real old-school vet thinks I’m doing absolutely the right thing).

I still have to pack for Saratoga — I can’t believe that I’m waiting until the day before! Instead of getting caught up in the whole changing-clothes-six-times-a-day, I’m bringng a single small duffle, my mat bag, and some writing.

I’m wearing the clothes in which to help set up, I have a dress and cute shoes that will have to take me through dinner and whatever we wind up doing after. I’m taking something in which to sleep, and then, the next day’s clothes have to work for the morning works at the track (at 5:30 AM!), set-up , and the other couple of things I have to do before I head back downstate. I keep debating if I should toss in a few more pairs of cute shoes, but really, I think my Timberland sneakers for running around (they look good as well as being comfortable) and the one pair of cute turquoise shoes to go with the turquoise dress are just going to have to do.

I hope to take some notes for DEAD MAN’S STALL. I also used bits of Saratoga to inspire the setting for SHALLID. I’ll probably run around a bit and take some more photographs.

If I can steal some time between events to write a page here and there, at a cafe, or on the grounds of the Gideon Putnam between setting up for the gala and dinner, I will do so. So I’m taking a small writing bag with my notebook, my journal, and AMENDS.

I’m not taking the computer because, until I get things sorted with Apple, I don’t know if I can trust it; plus, there’ll be no time to hook up. I’m better off with notebook and pen. I AM taking the iPod, so if I can tweet along the journey, I will. I’ll probably tuck in a book, just in case.

Off to Trader Joe’s, and then back to spend some more time on the assignment for Confidential Job #1, and AMENDS. The death row animal shelter scene was hard to write, but important for the overall course of the story, and tells us a lot about the main character.

Devon

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Saturday, August 8, 2009
Waning Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Uranus Retrograde
Sunny and warm

Quick post because there’s too much going on and not enough hours in the day.

Got a good batch of work done yesterday a.m., plus getting to Trader Joe’s to stock up on cat food. Then, I was called in to another site job for an emergency during the late afternoon and evening, and I’ll have to go back today after my Genius Bar appointment. They’ve been really good to me, so I don’t mind helping them out, but I also got in some client work I wasn’t expecting until the middle of next week, and I’m going to have to do it piecemeal in and around the site job next week. There was no way I could turn around that amount of material in a couple of hours and give it the attention it needs, even if it was the only project on my desk (which it wasn’t).

AND meet the deadlines for my own work.

I got some work done on “Plot Bunnies” and finished the second mystery this morning. I need a new title. However, it’s different enough in tone and style that it does fit under the “Devon” name rather than the “Ava” name under which “Plot Bunnies” will submit. And, with the latter, I think I only have to cut about 60 words — not 1500, like in the first.

I have my work “cut out” for me — pun intended!

I have to pack up and move three sets of bookcases and files from in front of the phone jack before the Optimum guy shows up next week. Got started on that and will stop at Target after the Genius Bar appointment to pick up, you guessed it more bins. I’ll do a little bit each day when I dash back for the hour or so to feed the cats.

Sending the Verizon marketing materials back unopened and marked “Refused.”

Ran out of ink on the big printer, so I have to deal with that in the next couple of days, since I’ve got to print out postcards and sent them to a friend who offered to distribute them for me. Also have to do a little research on a reasonable quote for a big project. The guy wants a for-hire on something that is usually done by royalties — he swears there won’t be any; I think he’s full of it. For-hire is a way higher price than royalties, in my book, so I’m sure I’ll price myself out of his budget.

The cats and I were all settled down to sleep late last night when the familiar heaving noise all cat owners know and hate so well filled the room. I turned on the light to find that Violet, the littlest cat, heaved up the biggest fur ball I’ve ever seen. We all just stared at it. I said, “How can something that big come out of something so little?” Not fun to clean up, but at least she’s feeling better and we know the Petromalt does its job!

I’ve got to clean out the litter boxes, get to the bank and post office, and get over to the Genius Bar. I hope we can get this issue resolved once and for all.

Have a great weekend.

Devon