I am almost finished with the edits for SCONED TO DEATH. I always go through the whole manuscript and make more changes than the editor even suggested. I will finish over the weekend and send it back. My editor still has to come up with the cover. A copy editor will go through the manuscript and make their comments and I will have another chance to go through it.
Even though I set aside the next Yarn Retreat book while I work on SCONED TO DEATH, things for the book still pop into my mind. Like I noticed travel writers being referred to as travel journalist. When I got my copy of the AAA magazine, Westways, I realized how broad travel writing really is. I think I mentioned that I took a short summer class in travel writing years ago at the University of Iowa Summer Writing Festival. I took classes there for a couple of summers and it was almost more about going to Iowa City than the actual classes.
I always stayed in the student union and got a room with a view of the river. It was walking distance into the main part of town. Along with a Prarie Lights, a fabulous independent book store, there was a surprising selection of restaurants and I had my first ever Ethiopian meal there. One of my favorite memories is walking through a grassy field back to the student union. It was June in the midst of a long twilight and there were lightening bugs everywhere. I felt surrounded by magic as they tiny lights went on and off..
I may have orange trees in my backyard and have everything greening up when back east things are dying off and turning brown, but we don't have fireflies or as they're also called lightening bugs.
Annie Sara discovers them SCONED TO DEATH. Since she's a California girl through and through, she has never experienced them until she is in rural Indiana and is entranced by them. Who wouldn't be caught up in wonder at the little spots of light flickering on and off. It hardly matters than they are really plain looking beetles and the bioluminescence is all about finding a mate.
11 comments:
Good morning -- Glad the edits of "Sconed to Death" are going well -- I look forward to reading it.
We had lightning bugs in Sacramento -- the kids used to catch them and we'd put them in jars, lids had holes punched for ventilation, and they would keep them for a few hours before setting them loose. There were lots of them in Nebraska, where I grew up. I've been to Iowa City -- great area. I love the Midwest.
I woke up about 3 a.m, and couldn't get back to sleep, so got up and finished the last few rows of a blanket and did about two-thirds of the edging. It's the basketweave pattern, using a baby pink yarn -- the perfect color for that pattern. Went back to bed about 4:15 and slept great!!
Lawn guys are starting their racket. This is the first lawn mowing in a few weeks -- winter rye was planted a few weeks ago and it is now high enough to mow.
Enjoy your day and your weekend.
Patty, I didn't realize there were lightening bugs in Sacramento. It's great that you could turn that sleepless time into crocheting. It probably helped it so you could go back to sleep. The lawn sounds nice. Enjoy your weekend.
There's a town in Texas called Lampasas -- pronounced Lam-passes. Legend has it it got its name from a group of settlers who saw a swarm of lightning bugs and said, "Wow, look at those lamp asses."
I grew up with lightning bugs around in Pennsylvania, but don't see any here in California.
The only time any of my family, including my husband and I, saw lightning bugs was on a trip to Pennsylvania. We were staying at a hotel which had a pool enclosed in a glass room. We went out late at night--very dark outside that glass room, and one of the kids suddenly screamed. We looked out and saw hundreds of tiny flashing lights in the very dark grass area. It was absolutely beautiful ! We have never seen them anywhere in CA. I loved it !!
Patty, LOL!
Linda Johnston, It's nice that you had lightening bugs in your childhood.
Linda Osborn, It must have been beautiful, and exciting for your kids. That pool sounds neat.
My best friend lives in Bloomington, Indiana. When I go visit her I stay at the student union at Indiana University. It has a hotel. I love walking around the campus and the town is close by. I have never seen lightning bugs, growing up in Los Angeles.
A site called A-Z Animals shows that California has 19 species of lightning bugs, but they are far less bright than the bugs of the Midwest and East. They have been sighted in various parts of the state -- they are usually found near damp areas.
Well Patty, those CA bugs must be VERY pale !! I have traveled all over this wonderful state , and never seen a blinking bug !! We have found really gross big banana slugs hanging out in damp areas when camping. I think I would rather see a lightning bug !!
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