A GLIMPSE OF RAINBOW — An Excerpt from “Miles to Go”

When Rainbow closed the shop for the day, she solemnly put on her cape and trudged to the car.  Driving home, she reflected on the past few months and had to admit to herself, finally, that business had sloughed off considerably.  Her second shop in Auburn was doing a little better; the location there seemed to draw in tourists on their way north to Lake Tahoe and Reno.  They seemed to find the little foothill community charming and the arts and crafts inventory had some draw for those types.  But the downtown Sacramento shop was another matter.  Maybe she would have to close the Sacramento shop and focus entirely on the Auburn one.

With Summer’s decision to return to San Francisco, she should probably just take over as manager of the Auburn store.  She couldn’t afford to hire somebody else with the drop-off in the downtown business.  Ever since Mia Moroni had left, Rainbow had been struggling.  She was an artist, not a businessperson; she had floundered along for all this time and because her needs were not that great, she had not worried too much.  But the rent had increased on the Curtis Park house.  She didn’t know how much longer she could maintain it.  Karen helped, but her salary was not large and her contribution was small.   She didn’t know how to tell her about the situation.   Would Karen perceive the situation as another way that her mother was letting her down?

Unlocking the door, Rainbow quickly glanced through the stack of mail on the hall table, noting the influx of bills.  Many of them past due.  She moved on into the kitchen, where she poured a glass of wine and sat down at the table.  Just as she was trying to figure out how to broach the subject, Karen came flying through the door, Ashley in tow.  “Hi!” She called out.  “Alex is taking Ashley and me out to dinner!  He’ll be here in a few minutes.”  She rushed upstairs, pulling Ashley along with her.

Sometimes Karen and Ashley were like a tornado in her life.  She loved them dearly, but she often longed for the peace and quiet of her own space.  In some ways, she hoped that Karen and Alex would settle down together.   But she couldn’t really ask her about the relationship.  She would just wait.  Perhaps a decision would be made soon.

AWARDS, BLOGGING JOURNEYS, ET. AL.

This “iconic” Rt. 66 sign used to be my Blog header here.

Remember?

If you don’t, that means that you’re a new visitor here.

I tend to change out my headers on a recurring basis.

The message this particular sign holds for me is a reminder of “Miles to Go.”  When you’re on the road and you see road signs, you know that you’re still not at your destination.

Therefore, you still have miles to go.

The first novel I wrote was Miles to Go, even though I didn’t publish it until I had already brought out three others.

The journey depicted by this story is a very personal one, which was probably why it took so long to see the light of day.

Speaking of journeys…Over at Journey Through Books, I received an award today.  I’m always up for awards!

This one is for commenting.

BLOGGER BUDDIE FROM BOOK JOURNEY

Isn’t it cute?

One of the best things I’ve experienced this year is the discovery of the Book Blogging Community.  Out there in the Blogosphere, there are lots of really special people who love to connect…and even cheer us on!

So thanks to Sheila, first of all, but also to all of the rest of you.

It’s going to be a great journey this year!

Even if we have “miles to go” before we sleep!

MILES TO GO…AND THEN SOME!

A few days ago, I wrote a post here about “tedious journeys.”  I had run into several glitches in my technological world, and was feeling frustrated.

One of the reasons I love blogging is that I can do that…rant a bit.  But then I can come back, like today, and reflect about progress.

In the overview, I can see that I have met several challenges this year.  For one thing, I have discovered a blogging community that I did not really know about at the beginning of 2009.

At that point, I had one blog (Creations by Laurel-Rain Snow) which I created in April 2008.  Keeping track of each blog’s creation is another new thing I’ve learned this year.

Blogoversaries.  I saw that label on another blogger’s blog and clicked on over to where it would lead.  And discovered a wonderful way of keeping track!

Since I have sixteen blogs now (yes, that’s what I said!), I really need this tool.  Since you can do the math, you realize that I’ve created fifteen of them in this year alone.

On my sidebar, you will notice links to all my other blogs, plus links to my website and a couple of other sites.

Measuring my progress just got more interesting to me.  When I started that second blog (Reflections), I still had a LOT to learn about customizing the blog.  I learned from all of you in the blogging community, and several of you were very helpful in directing me to what I needed to know.

Some of you include Sheila, at Journey through Books; Natalie, at The Book Inn; and Alyce, At Home With Books.

There were many more of you, too, like J. Kaye’s Book Blog, who taught by example.

A few things I learned:  how to make custom headers; how to use the widgets in the sidebars; how to post “buy buttons;” and most of all, how to join “memes.”

Come on…I didn’t even know what a “meme” was, at first.  I checked it out on the Internet, of course!  And then, following the example of each of you, I learned how to participate.

Oh, and lest I forget, I first met Master McLinky this year!  Who knew?

There are many more little tidbits of information I have gleaned while clicking my way around the Blogosphere, so my vow for 2010 is to make my passage through the ’sphere more meaningful.  I will try to contribute more to the community by sharing my own experiences and passing something along to someone else.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE OUT THERE!

TEDIOUS JOURNEYS

Whether the season is winter, spring, summer, or fall, you’ll find me “journeying” here, in my office.

This is the place that leads to all destinations in my journey.  The creations, the blogosphere, etc.  All roads lead from this place.

Today I am frustrated, because although I have a now-functioning computer, something has gone awry, and I cannot download photos from my camera!  I’m doing everything that I’ve always done…so why isn’t it working?

You see, I’m one of those people—unfortunately—that cannot move on from the technological frustrations that I experience.  Sometimes I can go for weeks, or even months, without a glitch.  And then one happens, like this one today, and I’m obsessed with figuring out how to fix it.  I even sent off an e-mail to my son, who usually understands these things.  But he’s in Europe, and it will be difficult for him to figure this one out.

Why is this important?  Well, I like to snap photos and immediately download them to the computer so that I can use them.  On blogs, etc.  If I print them out first, I then have to scan them, and the whole process becomes tedious.

Hmm.  Is it possible that the computer repairman disabled something?  I know he deleted “add-ons” from one of my web browsers and I had to add them back on to get functionality (plug-ins, e.g.).

Oh, well.  I have other, possibly bigger problems.  I had to change health plans during Open Season, as the plan I had was going to be too costly in the New Year.  Unfortunately, the only affordable plan will require a complete change in terms of doctors, etc.  But I haven’t received any documents yet.  The new company doesn’t have my information.  I’m calling assorted individuals, some of whom will be leaving for holiday furlough tomorrow, so I’m not sure this will be sorted out by then!

Alas!

The good news…my Vacation Club dues are not actually DUE until February, even though the due date says January 1.  Apparently there’s a grace period.  This is VERY GOOD NEWS.

So what am I kvetching about?  Focus, focus, focus!!  I must notice the positives and try to ignore the negatives.  If I can’t change something—at least not right now!—then I need to move on.

That’s what I’m going to do.  Now.

FANTASIZING…

 Fantasizing about a special relationship with her mentor, Karen Kendall loses herself in the moment.

“Thank you,” Gia glanced up at Karen.  “I’m sorry things are so hectic.  Maybe later we can sit down and talk.  Lunch, perhaps?”
 Karen was already nodding.  Satisfied, she returned to her desk, settling down to work.  One of the things she really liked about this job was, of course, working for Gia.  In addition, she found the work challenging, but not so demanding that she couldn’t occasionally fantasize.  Like earlier, before Gia had arrived, she had gone into her office, sat in the big chair behind her desk, and tried to visualize herself with the status and power of an attorney.  Even being a paralegal would be a step up for her.  She would love to have her own cases and her own office.
In Gia’s office she had looked around, studying how she had hung several wonderful pieces of art, providing a dash of color.  She had acquired several interesting folk art pieces and displayed them around the room, on the desk, on the shelves; even the books appeared dramatic because of their placement in relation to the art.  She had examined all the photos on the shelves and desk.  One photo showed Gia and Lindsay…That one must have been taken ages ago.  They both wore “hippie” clothing and their hair was very long and braided.   Another one showed Gia and Mackenna, alongside one of Lindsay and her two kids.  Several shots of Mackenna alone were placed about the room, reflecting her at various stages, beginning in infancy.
 Karen tried to picture how she herself would decorate her own office and had been immersed in that fantasy when she heard Gia approaching down the long hallway outside the office.  She had quickly jumped up and released the handful of pink message slips she had brought in here, returning to her own space just in time as Gia emerged through the door.
Now she tried to decide where she wanted to have lunch with Gia.  She hoped they would have time to go somewhere interesting and not just the cafeteria nearby.  She looked forward to these little outings.  Working in the office together, they spent less personal time, just the two of them.  When she had worked as Gia’s nanny, staying on after the day had ended seemed natural and occurred frequently.  As soon as this assignment had started, though, those days had ended.  Gia no longer invited her to her home very often.  But she did make an effort to have lunch with her, at least once a week.  Karen missed being in Gia’s home, though, where she could imagine that the house on 10th Ave. was really hers; sometimes she fantasized that she and Gia shared the house together.

THE MORNING AFTER — An Excerpt from “Miles to Go”

When Lindsay woke up, she felt disoriented and then completely alarmed.  What had she done?  The drinking…This strange man…His hotel room…She realized now that he was someone just passing through, enjoying a quick encounter.  She couldn’t believe what she’d done!  She quickly dressed and then, realizing that she had left her car at the bar, hesitated only for a moment as she glanced at Jordan, who was still asleep.  Rushing downstairs to the lobby, she called a cab.

 As she unlocked her car back at the bar, she sat inside for a moment, her eyes closed, her head aching.  Glancing at her wristwatch, she saw that it was four a.m.  Well, she was glad she had the day off from work, because there was no way she was going to be any good to anyone today!
 At home, she nervously glanced around as she slipped inside.  Thank God, Summer was in the guesthouse!  She couldn’t face anyone right now.
 She sat on the edge of her bed, still dressed, and realized that she had just had what was known in the program as a “little slip.”   She had been sober for so many years, she hadn’t even considered the possibility that this might happen.  Of course, she knew from everything she’d always heard in those rooms that relapse was a part of recovery.  But she had become complacent.  And careless, she realized, as she remembered the pills she had been taking to help her sleep.  With just that one extra pill on occasion, she had placed herself in a vulnerable position.  And to be honest, she realized that she had been taking the extras more often than not!

CREATIONS, SISTERHOOD, AND A JOURNEY

To commemorate my first blog and the first novel I completed (Miles to Go), I am dedicating this post to the beginning of my creative explorations.

Today I designed a new blog header for my Creations blog, and therefore, created a new blog button which you see here.

Miles to Go tells a tale of sisterhood, the resurgence of feminism (as led by such iconic figures as Gloria Steinem and Betty Freidan), and the beginning of the consciousness-raising movement.

As a young woman during those times, I was honored to hear Ms. Steinem speak at my university in the year 1971, just prior to the launching of Ms. Magazine.

It was thrilling and a little frightening to be present during those exciting early moments in the modern-day feminist movement. 

Over at a blog I visit, Layers of Thought, Shellie has posted about the Women Unbound challenge.

If you click on the link, you can find out the details of this challenge, which runs from November 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010.

If you are interested in women’s issues, I think you might find this an exciting venture, and it involves reading books that will open your eyes and your mind.

CAN YOU GO HOME AGAIN?

When I see an image like this one, I am transported to days gone by.

Home, family, holidays, Thanksgiving—all of these spring to mind.

For the characters in Miles to Go, the memories conjured are not necessarily pleasant ones.

Lindsay Malone has created her own family, one that includes her children and friends, but she cannot help but also think of her family of origin.  And wish that things had been different.

We all long for that family closeness depicted in the media, but more often than not, our experiences fall short.

Is that because our expectations are colored by what we see around us?  Do we fantasize about things that can’t exist in the real world?

Looking back on my life, I contemplate these issues and have concluded that, with perspective, we can reframe almost anything so that the painful memories can seem less traumatic; we can even bring some empathy and understanding to these events if we look at it all with the eyes of wisdom and distance.

We can choose happiness.  We can recreate families in the here-and-now and create lives that are filled with joy and hope.

BOUNDARIES — An Excerpt from “Miles to Go”

In this excerpt, Lindsay Malone has just returned home from a trip, during which she met her son’s fiancee’s family.  Home again, she is looking forward to some relaxation.

She thought about the weekend and how happy Ashton and Jill seemed.  She reflected on how Jill’s parents were supportive of the union and appeared to be very down-to-earth people, a positive sign.  Once she had taken the medication the night before, she had slept all through the night and had enjoyed the Sunday morning brunch with the happy couple,  listening to them go on and on about their plans.  She had tried to ignore the weirdly detached feeling, forcing herself to focus on what Ashton was saying to her.

Not a particularly “talky” person, he seemed especially verbal this morning.  Lindsay thought he must be reacting to the excitement of the upcoming nuptials; being practical and direct, he usually spoke whatever was on his mind, choosing a factual delivery and avoiding sentimentality.  With Jill, he seemed to be expanding his style to include more emotion.

Lindsay saw this as an indicator of how much they complemented each other.

After regrouping, Lindsay started filling the bathtub, longing for a good soak.

Upon her arrival home, she had noticed that Summer’s car was gone.  She thus anticipated spending the evening alone, relaxing, with an early bedtime.  She had just settled back in the tub, allowing her muscles to relax, when she heard the door open downstairs.  Frowning, she hesitated, then quickly got out of the tub and wrapped herself in the big toweling robe.  Pushing her hair back and securing it with a headband, she started slowly downstairs, calling out as she went:  “Summer!  Is that you?”

She then heard the sound of conversation and when she entered the greatroom, she saw Summer and Josh sitting on the sofa, sipping wine.  Startled, Summer glanced toward the stairs.  “Oh, hi, Mom!  Didn’t realize you were home.  You put the car in the garage, huh?”

“It’s eight o’clock.  Where did you think I would be?”  Lindsay continued into the room, feeling inexplicably annoyed.  After all, Summer often came and went freely, not announcing herself.  She seemed to feel that knocking on her mother’s door was an unnecessary formality.  Although, now that Lindsay thought about it, she realized that this “open door policy” didn’t seem to go both ways.  Lindsay always knocked at the guesthouse and usually called first before even going over.  But she pushed the thought aside.  This was just another double standard in life and didn’t really warrant any further thought.

She smiled and hugged her daughter.

A DISTURBING NOTE — An Excerpt from “Miles to Go”

In this excerpt, Summer focuses on her art, her photography, and avoiding a troubling topic.

Once the holidays were over, Summer settled into a routine:  working in the shop; driving around the foothills, pointing her lens at whatever caught her fancy; and developing and framing the photographs from Ireland.  She planned to display a grouping of these photos in the shop by the end of the month.  She had categorized all of her Ireland work by themes, beginning with a series focusing on castles and other ruins, followed by compelling shots of children in Belfast.  She also had several intriguing ones taken in cemeteries, replete with beautifully carved gravestones.

Still troubled by a nagging secret she’d tucked away in the back of her mind, she’d tentatively decided it was time to have that serious talk with her mother.  She had been avoiding it, hoping to get through the holidays without having to stir up any more turmoil.  But now, on a beautifully overcast January Saturday, she watched her mother as she moved dreamily about the kitchen, pouring coffee and juice and flipping the French toast, and decided to plunge ahead.

“Hey, Mommula, how was your week?  Did you rescue any children?  Slay any dragons?”

Lindsay studied her in amusement, patiently awaiting Summer’s real topic.  She knew that such diversionary tactics preceded some kind of bombshell.  She had become adept in keeping silent while her children or her clients stumbled along, practicing avoidance techniques.

She smiled encouragingly and waited.

“Oh, all right, you win!”  Summer grumbled.  “You know me too well.  Okay, here goes.  I got a strange postcard just before the holidays, postmarked “Seattle,” but there was no return address.  It was so totally out of the blue.  Mom, it was from Autumn!  Remember her?”

“Of course I remember her!  What did she say?”

“Just a really cryptic note.  Here, see for yourself!”  Summer pulled the postcard from the pocket of her overalls, handing it to Lindsay.