Yep, I'm A Rebel

I just read the rules for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month.) I had planned to add 50,000 words to my last year’s winning project (see shiny badge to the right.) Even though I completed over 50,000 words last year, the story isn’t finished. I was looking forward to using the focused writing time this November to complete it.

But, the rules say you have to start over each year. From scratch. Bummer. Bummer.

BUT WAIT! 

There’s a Rebel Group forming and we even have our own Forum section. It seems there are many writers working on projects that are outside the boundaries. And we're being wholeheartedly embraced. After all, the purpose of NaNoWriMo is the self-challenge. The REAL prize is the accomplishment, and the new manuscript at the end.

So, I’ll embrace my Rebel Status for the month of November, and continue to flesh out (thanks, Gully :( ) my characters and add to the mystery/romance of my WIP (work in progress.)

I’m kinda likin’ it. Never been a rebel before….

Bad safety vibes this week, or "It’s a Full Moon Martha"

Monday morning we were awakened at 3:30am by loud pounding on our front door. The Sheriff’s Department was searching our property for an intruder who had fled from a neighbor’s home after a home invasion. He hasn’t been caught yet, so it makes you more diligent about locking doors and safety-proofing your home (those plastic rods in the sliding windows and doors are now in place – something we hadn’t gotten around to in the eight or so years we’ve lived here.)

Then today, on my way into town, I was in the path of a car careening towards me from across four lanes of traffic. I hit the brakes and moved over a lane, as the car passed just in front of me and slammed into the rock wall at the side of the road, ejecting the driver onto the highway (I didn’t see that part.). I  pulled over immediately, my hands shaking so badly it took two tries to dial 911. Adrenalin rush. Big time. The 911 Dispatcher had to ask me to repeat myself several times. The lady was run over twice, and a Good Samaritan who stopped to help was also run over. Both are in local hospitals with non life-threatening injuries. No word on the cause.

I’ve read that your life flashes before your eyes during life-threatening instances, but I have to say, all I was focused on was where that car was going and how I was going to make sure it didn’t hit me. A two second difference and it could have been a head on collision. It’s scary how fast it all happened.

So I’m waiting for the third shoe to drop – things always happen in three’s, right? The Moon is still full.

I told my mom, who has Alzheimer’s disease, about the two instances, and her response was, “Well, it could be a good thing that will happen next.”  Hadn’t thought of it that way, but I’ll take it!

Watermelons

My first attempt at growing watermelons was a marginal success. I did succeed in growing two. Here is a picture of one - a beauty, don't you think?

But, pictures can be deceiving. Here are two pictures to put it in perspective:

Maybe next year....