Friday, April 14, 2023

A Couple of Things on the Side

     I took some time off from working on the next Crochet Mystery, KILLER HOOKS, to work on some related things.

    I was invited to write a piece for MYSTERY READERS JOURNAL.  It's a quarterly magazine that has a theme for each issue.  I wrote a piece for the one themed with Hobbies and Crafts.  I like knitting, but I feel more comfortable with crochet.  It's more relaxing.  With knitting, I'm always worried about making a mistake and finding it out rows later.  I understand how to pick up a stitch, but still when I try to do it, it never turns out quite right.  For more information about MYSTERY READERS JOURNAL, their website is https:Mysteryreaders.org

    I also taped a podcast for Sisters in Crime. It was supposed to be about writing, but ended up being about crochet as well.  I have done some audio interviews in the past, but this was much better.  Before it was strictly audio so I had no idea who I was talking to.  Even though the podcast doesn't have video, since it was done over Zoom, there was video while we recorded it.  Julie Hennrikus, a knitter, hosted and put me at ease right away by explaining it would be like a conversation, but with a bonus.  If I didn't like an answer I'd given, I could get a do  over and have the bad answer taken out and a replacement put in.  Julie's video was very  nicely arranged, but I'm afraid mine wasn't so great.

    It's was the day our gardener comes and even though it seems like a waste of time, he goes around with one of those gas blowers that makes a horrible noise.  I didn't want t suddenly be drowned out by his racket and so sat in my living room on a couch faraway from where he uses the blower.  The computer was on my lap,so I was looking down which somehow accentuated every wrinkle or sag on my face.

    But as we got talking, I forgot all about my hovering over the screen.  It's amazing how different it is having the video so you see who you're talking to.

    I got through it with no do overs, which could mean it went well, or I just didn't realize I said something stupid.  Oh, well.  I just hope if I did say something stupid, it was at least funny.  I believe they will let me know when it is available.

    And now it's back to my manuscript.  All the interruptions are still going on.  The dog is still here, though she has been a good guest.  We have kept her separate from the cats and she hasn't objected to being kept in a room with the door shut.  All the dogs we've had always wanted to get out if the door was shut and it was even worse if someone wasn't in the room with them.  This dog is fine being alone. She just jumps on the couch and relaxes.  She's been known to roll on the remote and turn on the TV.  So far, she doesn't seem to know how to change the channel.

    At last the orange trees have blossoms close to opening.  Sweet scent to follow.

7 comments:

Patty said...

Good morning -- You've been having a busy time -- sounds interesting. Your mention of every wrinkle or sag showing reminded me of an episode of "The Golden Girls." Blanche was saying how firm and lovely her skin was -- Dorothy told her to look down into a mirror. She screamed, "Oh my gosh, I look like a deflated balloon."

A couple weeks ago you mentioned you'd sat down on a wet chair and had damp pants; I'd spilled water into my shoe. Well, yesterday I did a real doozie. Still had on my long-sleeved robe when I went to brush my teeth -- I turned on the faucet, reached across the lavatory to get my toothbrush and caught my sleeve on the faucet -- filled my sleeve with water!!

Glad your dog visitor is being good -- will she be a permanent guest?

I crochet fairly fast and go through a lot of yarn. Even though I don't enjoy knitting as much, it's much slower so I've started a blanket. Just a simple pattern I made up of bands and blocks of garter and stockinette stitch -- I'm all for easy that looks more complicated than it is.

My son and I are going to an Indian restaurant for lunch today -- such good food. Monday is my birthday and we're going to a Vietnamese restaurant -- mixing up the nationalities!!

Today is lawn mowing day -- the blower they use sounds like a 747 and they always seem to be on my patio just when I'm trying to hear something on the tv.

Enjoy your day -- looking forward to Molly's next adventure.


Linda D Osborn said...

First to Miss Patty__ You seem like such a busy and delightful person. You make the most out of life !
Miss Betty __ I was thinking about this week and last week, with your busy and somewhat chaotic life. Mine was exactly the same till a few years ago, My husband passed away, kids started moving to other states, and I had a number of house and health issues to face alone.
I would LOVE to have some of the noise and chaos back! My cats and I are very lonely !!

Linda D Osborn said...

First to Miss Patty--you seem like such a delightful person. You make the most out of the adventures and opportunities that come your way.
Miss Betty--I was thinking about your notes of last week and today. Your life is a sort of borderline chaos, and I was the same,,,until a few years ago when my husband passed away and the kids started moving out of state. I suddenly had a number of house and health issues to face alone. I would gladly trade my trials for yours ! I miss the chaos==can we trade ???

Betty Hechtman said...

Patty, the water in the sleeve sounds like something I would do. I hope you were able to laugh at it.

I was going to say the dog was only a temporary guest, but I'm not really sure. The dog's human companion isn't very dependable. I wouldn't really mind if she stayed if she could get along with the cats, but it doesn't seem likely.

Knitting does go slower, but is nice in its own way. Your project sounds nice.

I love Indian food. I hope you enjoy. Happy Birthday in advance. I haven't had a lot of Vietnamese food, but liked it.

I hate those blowers. The noise is horrid and they don't seem to do much except give off fumes.

Molly's adventure is moving along.

Betty Hechtman said...

Linda Osborn, whenever I feel overwhelmed, I think about the alternative of having peace and quiet. I always vote for chaos and adapt. Then I'm grateful that I can adapt.

Having health issues when you are alone has to be difficult. I do understand how you and your cats feel. I'm sorry.

Patty said...

To Linda Osborn -- Thank you for your sweet comment about me. I can identify with the pain of losing your husband and having to go forward alone, My first husband died very suddenly 24 years ago -- my second husband died five years ago. Thank goodness I was able to move to be near my son -- he's a sweetheart.

To Betty -- Just got home from our Indian lunch -- oh, so good. Now it's naptime for me -- never used to nap in the afternoons but I think being almost 86 years old, a nap is a good thing!! Then I'll be hitting the hooks again.

Take care --

Linda O. Johnston said...

You certainly sound busy in fun ways besides your regular writing, Betty. And it's great that your crocheting and knitting interests are involved.