Thursday, January 1, 2015

A First Day




This is how a day should be, but unfortunately, the last few months have been disasters of sorts. Now as a first day of the new year ends, it cold, dark, and rain begins to fall that could get nasty in these freezing temps. But the good things have by far outweighed the darkness today!
I have managed to exercise…finish both the laundry and the dog’s laundry (that be a load of old towels to clean her up from outside’s mud, snow, rain and whatever caked on some rather big feet!), a nice but simple lunch, and one last batch of spiced pecans for the season. But writing was achieved too!

I have rough drafts of both a poem and a 500 word contest entry. And I managed to check out some websites that have been marked for the “right” time. While I am somewhat into digital, I am long ways from comfortable with much of it.  I have made the transition from pencil and paper to composing easily on a keyboard; in fact, I enjoy that especially with a dictionary and thesaurus at hand on the computer too. Research is a breeze. While I can read on my Kindle, I do not enjoy reading on a computer. I find much I want to read but tend to postpone it.  
But today I set to checking out some things. I found a new and amazing poet from Montana that writes every single day. His name is Tyler Knott Gregson and here is his web page if you’d like to check him out.  http://tylerknott.com/  It is interesting that he found an old typewriter as a muse!

I also took time to really investigate a new webpage for lovers of westerns called Saddlebag Dispatches. This is an online publication promoting western books but with western stories, western travel, history of the Old West, and even some old fashioned serials. You will find names to recognize if you are a western reader--Dusty Richards, Bonnie Tesh, Velda Brotherton, and Pamela Foster among others. I would especially like to recommend you read the light and clever short story by Bonnie Tesh called “The Unlawful Adventures of Cyclone, Boomer, and Rosie Red”. Now doesn’t the title alone invite you to lighten up and enjoy? Go here to read Saddlebag Dispatches: http://www.saddlebagdispatches.com.

Hot rolls are rising on top of an oven warmed stove. They are from a frozen state I admit, but still the house smells warm and yeasty. With a dab of jam and pot of tea (alas, herbal in the evening hours), the evening will be good and a perfect end to a first day.


How was your January 1, 2015? Off to a good start?

9 comments:

Rick Watson said...

Is there anything better than the aroma of baking bread? Not that I can think of.
Happy New Year.

Terra said...

Nice to hear your 2015 began with a good day, especially for your writing. I am a writer too and prefer writing to the other chores that go with it. I treated myself to a copy of the 2015 Poet's Market Guide to inspire me to action.

BECKY said...

Happy New Year, Claudia! What a wonderful post to read before I "call it a night!" AND yours is the only blog I've looked at today. Thank you for sharing such uplifting news with us. I had a good day today too, but it was mostly restful, which I definitely needed! I wish you all things blissful and beautiful for 2015, especially with your writing.

BECKY said...

P.S. The time was 11:47 pm, NOT 9:47 pm. Oh well, just thought I'd mention it! :)

Elephant's Child said...

Happy New Year. I am thrilled to read that your first day got off to such a promising start. Long may the year continue to take (and build) on that.
Mmmm baking bread...

pat couch laster said...

Does revising and re-revising a second novel (sequel) count as writing? If so, I "wrote." I also read the two small books received on Christmas: an anthology (1963) on Cats and a book of poems by Natasha Trethewey, a poet laureate I hadn't heard of. That and piddling toward un-decorating the house.... yes, I had a good first day, too. I need to get some short stories "out". You're off to a great start!

Susan said...

Hello Dear Bookie...

First day of the new year was pretty good. Still haven't unloaded all the junk food yet but it's going soon.

I want you to know how much I appreciate you and your friendship in blogland. Every day when I look at my little red mini pitchers in the curio cabinet, I think of your generous heart.

Loved your recent posts and your mother-in-law's peasant dollies. So adorable.

Bookie, I wish the BEST to you. Susan

Marylin Warner said...

Claudia, thank you for the link to Saddlebag Dispatches--what a delight! I was also inspired by all your recent writing. Was the 500-words by any chance the post card contest? My daughter responded to your comment on my blog, and she has terrific sources for post card sources.
We always leave up our decorations until New Years Eve, even the outside lights. But this year N Y Eve was -14 degrees and spitting sleet. Now we want to leave them up a few days since we didn't enjoy them much because we were in Kansas. I wish you a happy, successful, creative and hopeful new year, Claudia. Many blessings.

Linda O'Connell said...

Thanks for the link. I have written two essays and submitted one. Still eating the goodies but I tend to stop soon. ;