Random bits and pieces
Getting up early on a Saturday morning used to be a hardship. Now, I can't even sleep late when I've got a head cold and need the rest. How sad is that? Sometimes I feel like a pod person. It all went to hell when the warranty ran out.
With wind chill, the temperature outside is -4 °F (-20 °C). The chickens are not coming out of the hen house, so perhaps they aren't entirely silly after all.
Last weekend, I got a male guinea to keep Aunty One company. Kate warned me not to do it, that roosters of any species of fowl will fight. But, he was alone (no other guineas), and I thought Aunty might like a handsome fellow about, and, nah, why would a chicken rooster care about a guinea rooster? Well, Kate was right, mostly. Fortunately, Fred (the guinea) is pretty much a big ole whimp and doesn't give Anthony any guff, so he hasn't gotten beat up too badly. Still, Aunty hasn't taken to Fred quite like I'd hoped. I don't think she views him as a companion quite so much as an annoyance.
So what do I take from this, (as in all things)? Always listen to Kate.
I'm working on three books right now. One for work, which is in the final stages, one in conjunction with my mother, and one children's book that my dad has agreed to illustrate.
Mom's book is two books, actually, same material, different formats, dealing with environmental science. The first version is a textbook, the second has all the educational pedagogy removed; the hope being that it might sell as non-fiction. My job is that of an editor and agent, of sorts, to try to get it published. I was pretty skeptical about finding a publisher for the textbook... 80+ year-old retired professor who hasn't taught in years... not the kind of qualifications that a publisher would be look for, I think, and I certainly wouldn't contribute any marketability to that by adding my name as a co-author, as mom wanted. Last night, however, my brother volunteered to leap into the project. Now, a young, highly published Zoology PhD as co-author might definitely help the credentials on the book, so that made me very happy. I don't know whether this book will sell or not, but mom is a good writer, and the material is timely, and I would love nothing better than to make this dream come true for her.
The children's book is my creative project, and my dad, who is a very talented artist, has agreed to illustrate it. Tomorrow, my nephew, Mat, the graphic artist, is coming over to help me design the storyboards for it and take some pictures of the chickens. Yes, the book will star the silly chickens. They have to be good for something, right? I'm really quite fond of my story concept, and everyone with whom I have shared it has loved it. Of course, they're all adults (and my friends or family), so I'm not especially optimistic about it's chances for publication, even assuming it actually comes together to be completed. But, the joy will be in trying to bring it to life, working with Mat and my dad.
I suppose the next step for mom is to find a good agent. Apparently a lot of publishers don't even accept unsolicited manuscripts anymore, particularly textbooks. (The publishing world has changed considerably since I was actively trying to publish.) If anyone has an recommendations, I would welcome them.
Tiny particles of ice or frost are falling off the trees in back; it looks like glitter falling in the sunlight. Very beautiful.
The kittens got their private parts snipped last week. We actually had two offers to take them, but I couldn't let them go to total strangers. Doormat is such a cool cat... just the funnest cat I've ever spent much time with... I couldn't stand the thought of parting with him, not knowing the situation in which he would wind up. And Tasha is so sweet. They deserve the best. I'd still like to find another home for them, but it needs to be someone I know and trust.
With wind chill, the temperature outside is -4 °F (-20 °C). The chickens are not coming out of the hen house, so perhaps they aren't entirely silly after all.
Last weekend, I got a male guinea to keep Aunty One company. Kate warned me not to do it, that roosters of any species of fowl will fight. But, he was alone (no other guineas), and I thought Aunty might like a handsome fellow about, and, nah, why would a chicken rooster care about a guinea rooster? Well, Kate was right, mostly. Fortunately, Fred (the guinea) is pretty much a big ole whimp and doesn't give Anthony any guff, so he hasn't gotten beat up too badly. Still, Aunty hasn't taken to Fred quite like I'd hoped. I don't think she views him as a companion quite so much as an annoyance.
So what do I take from this, (as in all things)? Always listen to Kate.
I'm working on three books right now. One for work, which is in the final stages, one in conjunction with my mother, and one children's book that my dad has agreed to illustrate.
Mom's book is two books, actually, same material, different formats, dealing with environmental science. The first version is a textbook, the second has all the educational pedagogy removed; the hope being that it might sell as non-fiction. My job is that of an editor and agent, of sorts, to try to get it published. I was pretty skeptical about finding a publisher for the textbook... 80+ year-old retired professor who hasn't taught in years... not the kind of qualifications that a publisher would be look for, I think, and I certainly wouldn't contribute any marketability to that by adding my name as a co-author, as mom wanted. Last night, however, my brother volunteered to leap into the project. Now, a young, highly published Zoology PhD as co-author might definitely help the credentials on the book, so that made me very happy. I don't know whether this book will sell or not, but mom is a good writer, and the material is timely, and I would love nothing better than to make this dream come true for her.
The children's book is my creative project, and my dad, who is a very talented artist, has agreed to illustrate it. Tomorrow, my nephew, Mat, the graphic artist, is coming over to help me design the storyboards for it and take some pictures of the chickens. Yes, the book will star the silly chickens. They have to be good for something, right? I'm really quite fond of my story concept, and everyone with whom I have shared it has loved it. Of course, they're all adults (and my friends or family), so I'm not especially optimistic about it's chances for publication, even assuming it actually comes together to be completed. But, the joy will be in trying to bring it to life, working with Mat and my dad.
I suppose the next step for mom is to find a good agent. Apparently a lot of publishers don't even accept unsolicited manuscripts anymore, particularly textbooks. (The publishing world has changed considerably since I was actively trying to publish.) If anyone has an recommendations, I would welcome them.
Tiny particles of ice or frost are falling off the trees in back; it looks like glitter falling in the sunlight. Very beautiful.
The kittens got their private parts snipped last week. We actually had two offers to take them, but I couldn't let them go to total strangers. Doormat is such a cool cat... just the funnest cat I've ever spent much time with... I couldn't stand the thought of parting with him, not knowing the situation in which he would wind up. And Tasha is so sweet. They deserve the best. I'd still like to find another home for them, but it needs to be someone I know and trust.