Hi Janet,
I hope you're feeling better. It's difficult staying home and not being able to socialize, I know. I was quarantined for five months caring for my mum the first part of this year. It's worrisome watching what's going on in the States from afar and seeing the numbers rise. I worry for my family and friends. Here in France people seem more disciplined, but this virus isn't over yet. All we can do is pray a vaccine will become available sooner than later.
I'm sending two photos for your blog in case you need more time for yourself. Your Reiders understand and we appreciate all you do.
My husband in a standoff with a crab. Patrick leaned forward and the crab took a few steps back, then Patrick leaned back and the crab took a few steps forward. This back and forth went on for a while. That little fellow had a lot of gumption to stand up to someone who had to seem overwhelmingly huge to him.
Take Care & Stay Safe,
Lynn (LynnRodz)
Note to readers: I am back among the living. Catching up on things that had to be pushed while I was either supine or incoherent.
Hopefully back on track soon.
16 comments:
This is wonderful! Nature is always ready to surprise us and this little guy showed just how much. :)
Keep getting better, Janet, and don't worry. We're all here still.
Supine, eh? I sense a word for a future, diabolical flash fiction contest...
If you click on that first photo, you can see that little crab better standing up to Patrick. Have a good day everyone and stay safe!
I think the little crab is defensive because he knows Patrick is a world class chef!
French sojourn, that would be a bad sign for a crab!
Janet, glad you're feeling better.
I clicked on the photos. The crab has a proper face. Wow!
It does look sad. A sad crab?
I'm sad, too, right now because the manager of local Big Fat Bookstore just told me no. She took exactly zero looks at my shiny book (printed and stored at a place that Big Fat Bookstore orders from - I made sure of that, spent MORE money).
Manager eventually asked me: "What is it about?" and I explained; this time focusing on the female friendship - aligning needs that diverge later on, leaving out the whole topic of OCD.
Then Bookstore Manager said: "It doesn't sound like something we would sell. And it's not local."
BANG!
That's the end of that then. And I just can't be bothered about writing the next book. Someone told me yesterday how my choice of fictitious name for a village doesn't fit the county of Essex. How he would be annoyed by the name. I was like "If only this was the only difficulty of writing a bloody book... finding the perfect name for a village..."
Friends, I apologise... yes, I'm having a real low. I wanna quit everything.
I recently picked up a job. Proudly, I told Twitter. Because, yes, I am proud I have a job like a 'real job' after over a decade of being unable to work anywhere because of my OCD.
The truth is that this job is 'hierarchially' a low job. And I'd need Crab's claws, really. I dig in the dirt a few hours per week. My job is lower than a gardening job - it's a weeding job. I go somewhere and pull out weeds! Lots 'n' lots of weeds. Just to help our finances. Maybe I'm silly to be proud of this STUPID job...
Should I stop trying to write a second book but translate my first one because it isn't interesting enough to the British market because it isn't mainly set in England?
If only I knew what to do.
Crab, can I have a cuddle? xD
Yes, I love that crab, too! Crabs are very tenacious and resilient. My daughter just peeked her head in and said she saw a nature special and crabs have to overcome all kinds of obstacles like getting gobbled up by an octopus just to get to their feeding grounds. So this is a great symbol for all of us writers out there trying to persevere in a business where the challenges never stop.
Katja, congratulations on the job! And yes you should be very proud of yourself for facing your own fears and getting out there, regardless of what the work is- weeding is important, too. You are giving other plants a way to survive. And perhaps the time alone in nature will inspire you with new writing ideas. Sorry to hear about the bookstore rejection, but there are many others out there AND there are always new books to be written, so don't be discouraged. (BTW, my daughter on the spectrum struggles with OCD and we celebrate the little accomplishments because for her, they are far from little)
JR, happy to hear you’re doing better! This atmosphere has so many people “over it” with not just the virus! A warm southern hug to everyone who needs one right now!
Your husband reminds me of John Denver. That, and the little crab, made me happy. :)
Wait a minute, we missed Les Zombie Sharque?
Damn, now we got crabs.
What's next?
Well darn, Katja, that's unfortunate regarding the bookstore. Perhaps you can take out some of your frustration on those pesky weeds? I'd send a hug your way if I could (and a jar of sunshine and fresh air to Janet since we have both in abundance). The book sounds like a huge accomplishment anyway, though, so congratulations on that as well as on the job!
In my experience -- admittedly, I'm bipolar instead -- the Big Victories may not look like much from the outside, but I know what they took, so I can still be proud. Although I certainly wouldn't list it on a resume, I consider still being alive as one of my greatest achievements given some of what I've struggled through. The space between our ears can be vast and complicated and scary, so sometimes simply navigating it is a victory in its own right.
Anyway, perhaps the words of support help a little even if the hug doesn't make it all the way to you. And if you do grow crab claws, sweet heavens, please write about it in your next book!
Aww, miriam and BrianH, I'm feeling so much better already.
Miriam, I am SO glad you understand your daughter and her condition. It really sounds wonderful to me how you celebrate her little accomplishments! This is SO important! (Something I definitely missed when I was young and already had OCD. My father never seemed to appreciate what I did and always pointed out what I could have done better. There was a family meeting folder with tasks and rules in it. I think it's quite remarkable that there were no rewards listed but only punishments - it should have been the other way around [if you want to read about it, it's in my book; but it gets a little weird really, so not everyone's taste].)
So good to know that you recognise your daughter has serious difficulties - and is NOT 'just BEHAVING weird'.
The weeds: I don't make room for other plants, unfortunately. They just have to go because people want it that way. To make things look pretty. It's for some rich people, to be honest.
When I arrive on my bike, I'm a total outlier amongst the BMWs and Jaguars lined up. But I get over a pound more than minimum wage, so that's nice. I'm happy with that. :)
Brian, thank you for your hug. It does help!
I think I'm already great at weeding without that frustration, LOL. But yeah, crabby weeding claws would be useful, because I've had to do it one-handed when I had to stop the wind from bashing covers hanging down a wall into my face.
But then I like painting my nails from time to time. Would colourful claws be in vogue?
I did get a couple of plot ideas during weeding, so maybe it's not all bad. You just have to entertain yourself somehow - digging with a hand fork and pulling weeds is soooo boring. XD
With the crab en pointe, It's and Patrick's back and forth must have been very dance like. Have they considered the stage?
Janet, glad to hear you are feeling better. I hope the weather is stable for the foreseeable future and you are able to catch up.
Katja, you have a job. It doesn't matter what it is. Someone needs to weed, so be proud of what you do. Now more than any time before, the importance of jobs that before were previously put down (at least in Oz, "checkout chick" wasn't seen as a career) have become apparent. All jobs are there for a reason and someone has to do them :)
Lynn, what a sweet little crab! If I were to come across it on some beach, I'm sure I'd move a great distance away from it as quickly as possible. Not a fan of creepy crawly things in real life, but love the pics.
Speaking of creepy things, which one of you lovely people recommended reading The Yellow Wallpaper? Perhaps you'd best not admit to it. I clicked the link and set it aside to read later . . . later was today. My dreams are going to be unsettled for days, maybe weeks, to come. Dammit.
Janet, glad you're feeling more coherent.
Katja; Write the second book with a vengeance. Harness the doubters and direct that energy to your quill! ( keyboard )
I recently had a petty and shrill dig at my writing, take those for what little they are worth. You've got this! We're all behind you.
Stay positive, cheers!
Hank.
Hank, Patrick thanks you for your kind comment.
Jo Conn, I can see the resemblance with John Denver in the photo, but none in real life. Lol.
AJ, hmm, on stage...that may be a new career option for Patrick when he retires, but I'll have to get in touch with the crab's agent for a duo. Too bad I didn't take a video because their little dance was quite amusing.
KD, I'm like you, creepy, crawly things aren't my cup of tea, but he was really sweet and courageous.
Katja, don't let one 'no' get you down. Perhaps other Smaller Independent Bookstores will be more welcoming. Try those and don't give up. Continue to write, it's what all of us here love to do. Btw, all honest jobs have merit, please don't put yourself down for doing something of value.
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