this is just too cool
Jan. 26th, 2013 04:26 pmVia SmartBitchesTrashyBooks, of all places:
and another thing accomplished
Jan. 26th, 2013 03:57 pmI spent way too much money on frames and mats this week (even with readymade both and doing my own framing work, it was darned close to $200 when all was said and done), but the six cross-stitched critters I stitched last summer are up on my living room walls, and the lighthouses which were there (and have been, in eight different living rooms since 1987) before, are down and stowed away in the closet.
Four more critters to go, I think.
Anyway, here they are!
Four more critters to go, I think.
Anyway, here they are!
AKICOTL: html question
Jan. 25th, 2013 05:37 pmCan someone, off the top of their head, tell me the html code where you can click on a link and it will jump you down to a particular point on a webpage instead of taking you to a completely different page? I have a how-to book, but I can't figure out what to look that up under.
Thanks!
Oh, and my website has been updated, and here's the first chapter of Finding Home, the third book in my Yellowstone series.
Thanks!
Oh, and my website has been updated, and here's the first chapter of Finding Home, the third book in my Yellowstone series.
Sigh. Between what has just been pointed out as my annual SAD (why can't I see this happening to me for myself?) and the second longest January dry spell in recorded history in western Washington (complete with varying burn bans, stagnant air advisories, and all the cold, dank fog and murk your little heart could desire), which just ended yesterday with a good cleansing rain, thank all the gods, and the uncertainty of jury duty, which just ended today without me getting picked for a jury, the writing has ground utterly to a halt.
So this is what I've been doing instead, a second attempt (after the catastrophe that was the Yule Log Cabin quilt) at a Christmas-themed quilt for my bed:
Just the top. I've been quilting on the flame quilt, which will probably take me to spring to finish, and have several other smaller projects for over the summer, so I probably won't actually quilt this till next fall. Hopefully I will get it quilted and bound in time to put it on my bed in December.
Anyway, here's a side view:
The inner narrow red border does not look nearly so pink in real life, and the white dots are snowflakes.
And a closeup of a couple of the stars and the borders:
Six whites/silver fabrics for the stars, about twenty reds, and about thirty greens, all from my stash except for a couple of the whites/silvers. The borders are all new fabric (I don't buy fabric in the yardage needed for borders for my stash unless I absolutely fall in love with one to the point of ridiculousness, which has happened maybe half a dozen times in twenty-odd years).
So. Piecing time is good thinking time, and I did at least partly figure out why James has clammed up. I suspect it's because this is at least in part a mystery story, and, well, I've never written a mystery before. So I went to the library yesterday and put a bunch of how to write a mystery books on hold. Hey, that's what I did when I was learning how to write romance...
So this is what I've been doing instead, a second attempt (after the catastrophe that was the Yule Log Cabin quilt) at a Christmas-themed quilt for my bed:
Just the top. I've been quilting on the flame quilt, which will probably take me to spring to finish, and have several other smaller projects for over the summer, so I probably won't actually quilt this till next fall. Hopefully I will get it quilted and bound in time to put it on my bed in December.
Anyway, here's a side view:
The inner narrow red border does not look nearly so pink in real life, and the white dots are snowflakes.
And a closeup of a couple of the stars and the borders:
Six whites/silver fabrics for the stars, about twenty reds, and about thirty greens, all from my stash except for a couple of the whites/silvers. The borders are all new fabric (I don't buy fabric in the yardage needed for borders for my stash unless I absolutely fall in love with one to the point of ridiculousness, which has happened maybe half a dozen times in twenty-odd years).
So. Piecing time is good thinking time, and I did at least partly figure out why James has clammed up. I suspect it's because this is at least in part a mystery story, and, well, I've never written a mystery before. So I went to the library yesterday and put a bunch of how to write a mystery books on hold. Hey, that's what I did when I was learning how to write romance...
I *am* genuinely curious, btw
Jan. 23rd, 2013 03:30 pmGacked from ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
beatrice_otter:
And here's what I said on her journal:
I write historical fiction (with a bit of the fantastic, in the old sense of the term) set in the North American West. I quilt, and cross-stitch, and crochet, all of which combine to keep me from being destructive while trying to sit still (my mother taught me to crochet when I was very young because it was either that or find little piles of shredded paper in front of the TV in the mornings).
beatrice_otter:I know very little about some of the people on my friends list. Some people I know relatively well. But here's a thought: why not take this opportunity to tell me a little something about yourself. Any old thing at all. Just so the next time I see your name I can say: "Ah, there's Parker ...she likes money and cereal." I'd love it if everyone who's friended me did this. (Yes, even you people who I know really well.) Then post this in your own journal [only if you feel inclined]. In return, ask me anything you'd like to know about me and I'll give you an answer*.
*Providing it's answerable/suitable for public posting.
And here's what I said on her journal:
I write historical fiction (with a bit of the fantastic, in the old sense of the term) set in the North American West. I quilt, and cross-stitch, and crochet, all of which combine to keep me from being destructive while trying to sit still (my mother taught me to crochet when I was very young because it was either that or find little piles of shredded paper in front of the TV in the mornings).
a beautiful day in Paradise
Jan. 20th, 2013 12:43 pmThe higher the altitude, the warmer it got -- 34F (1C) foggy degrees at home, and 64F (almost 18dC) gloriously sunny degrees at 5400 feet on Mt. Rainier.
http://mmjustus.wordpress.com
With lots of pictures.
http://mmjustus.wordpress.com
With lots of pictures.
By ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
haikujaguar:
http://haikujaguar.livejournal.com/1199677.html
An excellent explanation of how writing reviews helps your favorite authors, and a good way to write them.
haikujaguar: http://haikujaguar.livejournal.com/1199677.html
An excellent explanation of how writing reviews helps your favorite authors, and a good way to write them.
I'd be a lot happier
Jan. 16th, 2013 02:09 pmDoing my duty as a good citizen if jury duty didn't consist of being treated like cattle and like the time (and some other things, for that matter) of those in the jury pool is completely valueless.
Just because they know we're a captive audience and there are hundreds of us at a time does not make it right.
Just because they know we're a captive audience and there are hundreds of us at a time does not make it right.
http://myscienceacademy.org/2013/01/14/25-places-that-look-not-normal-but-are-actually-real/
The pictures in that link are just surreal. And there's even a Yellowstone connection [g].
The pictures in that link are just surreal. And there's even a Yellowstone connection [g].
on a brighter note...
Jan. 13th, 2013 04:26 pmThe cat is not out of the bag. Or at least one of them is still in there...
And if you're hungry for flowers, my blog is full of them today:
http://mmjustus.wordpress.com
And if you're hungry for flowers, my blog is full of them today:
http://mmjustus.wordpress.com
I thought the game was over
Jan. 13th, 2013 02:04 pmAnd turned the TV off. That'll larn me.
Well, they had a helluva run. Better than anyone could have expected with a rookie quarterback and one of the youngest teams in the league.
Next year...
Well, they had a helluva run. Better than anyone could have expected with a rookie quarterback and one of the youngest teams in the league.
Next year...
Wednesday's and Thursday's words
Jan. 10th, 2013 12:28 pmNo big word counts, alas, but yesterday, at least, is because I spent most of my writing time going over Chapter 14 -- and adding almost 500 words to it. Go figure. No excuse for today, alas. Perhaps another chat with James is in order. Or not.
456 words yesterday, 373 words today.
456 words yesterday, 373 words today.
Tuesday's words
Jan. 8th, 2013 12:46 pm1227 of 'em.
And the end of Chapter 14. I am, I suspect, much more pleased with where James is at this point than he is [g].
And the end of Chapter 14. I am, I suspect, much more pleased with where James is at this point than he is [g].
Friday's and Monday's words
Jan. 7th, 2013 03:20 pmI appear to be past the temporary blockage. I hope I didn't just jinx myself by saying that, because the writing came harder than it usually does today, even after I got well into it. But hey. If it wasn't hard it wouldn't be work, right?
Only 472 words on Friday, but 1192 today.
Only 472 words on Friday, but 1192 today.
I sure hope RGIII's going to be okay and all healed up next season.
That said, wow!!! An away game! They won an away playoff game! The Seahawks' first away playoff win since 1983. Which is before I became a fan [wry g].
I have to say I could have done without that sinking feeling at the end of the first quarter, when the Redskins were up 14-0. But the 24 points the 'Hawks scored after that, without letting the Redskins score any more points were absolutely lovely.
Er,harimad? My sympathies. Really.
That said, wow!!! An away game! They won an away playoff game! The Seahawks' first away playoff win since 1983. Which is before I became a fan [wry g].
I have to say I could have done without that sinking feeling at the end of the first quarter, when the Redskins were up 14-0. But the 24 points the 'Hawks scored after that, without letting the Redskins score any more points were absolutely lovely.
Er,
harimad? My sympathies. Really.
let me rephrase the Photoshop question
Jan. 5th, 2013 02:36 pmMaybe that'll help jog the memory of someone out there.
Why would an image created in Photoshop and inserted into an InDesign document look one way on the screen and entirely different when it's printed? Why would the zombie background only show up when it's printed? It's not there in the version I'm looking at on my monitor.
And, beyond why, how does one ensure that what's onscreen is always exactly what will print?
Where else can I ask how to fix this when the Adobe sites just keep telling me what I did should work? I've tried contacting the teacher from my Photoshop class last year, but that's a long shot.
ETA: Saving the damned InDesign document as a .pdf and printing that works!!! Thank you so much,lpetrazickis, whoever you are (I don't recognize your user name).
So I'm in business, and all is well, and I can get the job done now. Hallelujah!
Why would an image created in Photoshop and inserted into an InDesign document look one way on the screen and entirely different when it's printed? Why would the zombie background only show up when it's printed? It's not there in the version I'm looking at on my monitor.
And, beyond why, how does one ensure that what's onscreen is always exactly what will print?
Where else can I ask how to fix this when the Adobe sites just keep telling me what I did should work? I've tried contacting the teacher from my Photoshop class last year, but that's a long shot.
ETA: Saving the damned InDesign document as a .pdf and printing that works!!! Thank you so much,
lpetrazickis, whoever you are (I don't recognize your user name). So I'm in business, and all is well, and I can get the job done now. Hallelujah!
AKICOLJ: Photoshop (CS5)
Jan. 3rd, 2013 02:47 pmThis should be really easy, but it's not. I have an image. The item in it is distinct enough from its background that selecting the part I want to keep is easy. I've done that part, although I had to cut the selected part and paste it into a new document (inverting the selection and hitting delete did nothing to get rid of the background no matter what the directions say). But now I've apparently got a zombie background. It won't GO AWAY. I can't make it go away no matter what I do. I get it to where it looks like it's gone in Photoshop, and prints in Photoshop like it's gone, but when I take the supposedly cropped version and place it in an InDesign document, the background looks like it's gone on the screen, but keeps magically reappearing and screwing everything up when I print it.
Help? Please? The mood icon does not begin to describe my sentiments at the moment.
Help? Please? The mood icon does not begin to describe my sentiments at the moment.
Wednesday's words
Jan. 2nd, 2013 06:32 pmGood news, and bad news.
The good news first, I think. With today's 827 words, I have broken 50,000 words on Finding Home!!!
The bad news? I have hit the slogging through the middle part, darnit.
And in non-writing-related news, as of about ten minutes ago my left ear suddenly feels like it's got water in it. Which isn't physically possible. It's very disconcerting.
The good news first, I think. With today's 827 words, I have broken 50,000 words on Finding Home!!!
The bad news? I have hit the slogging through the middle part, darnit.
And in non-writing-related news, as of about ten minutes ago my left ear suddenly feels like it's got water in it. Which isn't physically possible. It's very disconcerting.
Well, that's the last end-of-the-year project finished.
I have this horrible habit of throwing paperwork in a great big pile on top of my filing cabinet instead of actually, you know, either throwing it away or filing it. It's gotten much worse since I started paying my bills electronically, too, and this year was particularly odious since I refinanced my condo ($100 less a month, yay!, but ye godlings the paperwork!).
Writing historical fiction generates a lot of research material, too, but most of the non-book variety gets filed into one of those portable plastic file box things, one box per book. And I did pretty much stay on top of that, except for all the Sputs (the quarterly periodical of GOSA, the Geyser Observation and Study Association) scattered all over the coffee table for the last couple of months, which are now back in their box, too.
So I just spent the last two hours finding the top of my filing cabinet, and filling a garbage bag with outdated bills (which get paid on time but not thrown away for some godforsaken reason) and other unnecessary printed material and filing everything that needed to be kept in its proper place.
Whew! And I found a printout of my 2012 Goals [g]. Looks like I didn't do too badly. Could do better museum-wise, and I was overly optimistic about how long True Gold would take, which delayed the start of Finding Home, but other than that, not bad.
So I guess that wasn't my last end-of-the-year project. So, what do I want to accomplish in 2013?
Oh, and Happy New Year!
I have this horrible habit of throwing paperwork in a great big pile on top of my filing cabinet instead of actually, you know, either throwing it away or filing it. It's gotten much worse since I started paying my bills electronically, too, and this year was particularly odious since I refinanced my condo ($100 less a month, yay!, but ye godlings the paperwork!).
Writing historical fiction generates a lot of research material, too, but most of the non-book variety gets filed into one of those portable plastic file box things, one box per book. And I did pretty much stay on top of that, except for all the Sputs (the quarterly periodical of GOSA, the Geyser Observation and Study Association) scattered all over the coffee table for the last couple of months, which are now back in their box, too.
So I just spent the last two hours finding the top of my filing cabinet, and filling a garbage bag with outdated bills (which get paid on time but not thrown away for some godforsaken reason) and other unnecessary printed material and filing everything that needed to be kept in its proper place.
Whew! And I found a printout of my 2012 Goals [g]. Looks like I didn't do too badly. Could do better museum-wise, and I was overly optimistic about how long True Gold would take, which delayed the start of Finding Home, but other than that, not bad.
So I guess that wasn't my last end-of-the-year project. So, what do I want to accomplish in 2013?
Oh, and Happy New Year!
Monday's words
Dec. 31st, 2012 02:06 pmReached the end of Chapter 13, and started Chapter 14. Why is it I always slow down right before the end of a chapter? Anyway, 498 words today.
And onward.
And onward.
