Kicking it up a notch

Just when I think parenting is going to get easier, it gets more complicated. I thought Freshman year was hell when I was in school, but it's got nothing on doing it from the parental perspective.

Our pastor, who was formerly a teacher, assured us that every kid loses their brain when they start their Freshman year. All of them. Freshmen years (high school and college) are statistically the hardest because there are new conditions to adjust to.

However, I don't remember if she said that they find it before they finish college.

For all of our sakes, I hope they do. Soon!

I think it was easier before he was potty trained.

Under The Tuscan Sun

We Netflix movies, and this was one I might not have seen otherwise. It came recommended by a friend while we lived in Italy, but I just got it the other day. I do have the book, but it's not close to the same thing. The movie took bits of the book and changed the plot 'for dramatic effect.' I knew ahead of time, so it's all good.

The most memorable part, aside from the scenery, was when Frances is driving with Marcello, her soon-to-be younger Italian boytoy, and there is the usual honking of horns and rude gestures that is seen often in Italy. She asks if anyone pays attention to traffic lights and his answer (paraphrased) is:

"Oh, yes! Green, she says 'Andiamo! Andiamo!' (Go! Go!) Yellow is decoration, and red is merely a suggestion."

Yep, that sums up Italian driving! That's the reason Eric had to do the driving in Rome!

Northern Italy was a little tamer, but those Southerners were nuts!

Manuscript 2, incarnation 3, out the door

I mailed a copy of Rogue Pawn to Scott today. I need him to read it because Sieger (the main character) figures heavily into DR2. I know he won't read it until at least the end of the week. He's going on vacation and doesn't fly out until Saturday, and I mailed it to his destination, so it might be Sunday before he even sees it, but I keep wondering if he'll like it.

This is the first novel I've written on my own. I've done short stories and a novel and a half with him, but Rogue Pawn is mine. She's my baby, and she's been heavily edited twice already.

I do have two other stories ruminating in my little brain, and they are new territory. Neither are science fiction or fantasy, and neither can be induced to be unless I inject a random elf or gnome. Since publication is the goal, I don't see that happening. However, I do have a new package of index cards ready to go when I get some spare time. OK, better plan: I have a new package of index cards, and I need to cordon off some time in my planner in ink. Spare time is a rare commodity around here.

Concrete, compost, and cooking

We had our patio poured yesterday, and I got a good start on the front flower bed. As expected, I found plenty of stones, concrete, and building debris. It also didn't help that the dirt here has a high clay content--the original 'slippery when wet'--so I had to work compost and potting soil into it before I could start planting. I got two holly bushes, a mum, and a lilly in before I called it quits. I still have several other assorted perenials placed and ready to go in, but not today. It's raining steadily and probably will all day, compliments of Rita. THIS is the sort of hurricane I like: steady rain, not too heavy. I've been in the teeth of a hurricane coming ashore, and I like them a lot better when they've been inland a while!

Today will be for cooking and baking. I've been wanting to get some meals and baked goods into the freezer for the days when I absolutely don't want to cook, but life gets in the way. It's also been too hot for a full cooking day. A hot kitchen on a hot day is miserable and to be avoided whenever possible. Today is the sort of day when I like to fill the house with good homey smells, and then settle down with a good book. However, since I'm behind in grading and writing, it will be teacher books and notebooks when I settle down!