I just watched the new Lady Chatterley's Lover on Netflix. I wasn't expecting much, since adapting this book tastefully is always tricky, but I actually loved it. Yes, there's nudity and sex aplenty-that's an integral part of the story's territory-but to me it felt natural, lush, and highly romantic. In fact, I'd guess that the most valid ( Read more... )

It’s been easy for everyone to bemoan how much 2016 sucked. I don’t need to rehash the more traumatizing parts of the news for you.

Instead I’m going to write a post of things that were good in 2016. For me, at least.

Of my novel-writing projects:
Immortal’s Spring was released in June, and wrapped up my Persephone-myth-based trilogy. By that ( Read more... )

My mom called me the other day to tell me about this Underworld-ish place she suddenly remembered: the Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno, California ( Read more... )

1) Mix some brown sugar with my usual face-washing substance and rub it on for some exfoliation. My mother, who has lovely skin, has a nightly ritual of scrubbing her face with a mixture of sugar and oil. I think she uses just canola oil or some other cooking type. I don't know about your face, but mine would break out for a week if I used canola ( Read more... )

You guys! I found a natural deodorant that actually works. If I sound surprised, it's because I've only tried certain widely distributed natural deodorants (let's just call it Bob's of Vermont) that did *not* work ( Read more... )

One type of Christmas card or holiday image I always particularly liked was the star of Bethlehem scene: a lovely star in a deep blue winter night sky, over the warm yellow-tan hues of desert sand and camels and torchlit Middle East ancient buildings. Not because of the religious moment, but because of the colors and the beauty of the composition. ( Read more... )

In the company of my lovely young cousin Sally ("young" for me now includes people in their 20s), I recently procured a bunch of samples from Blackbird Apothecary here in Seattle. Following are my notes upon them all, should you be curious ( Read more... )

Should anyone be curious, I started an album of photos of what some of my characters look like. But you who have read my novels are encouraged to suggest other ideas for dream casting ( Read more... )

If THAT post title doesn't earn me some spam, nothing will. But it's true: I am seeking such things ( Read more... )

Put together and photographed by me this morning on a beach in Seattle...


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