Targets and Tangents

| Flower Roberts

A first draft has a life of its own. I have tried to stay on task with my three targets of this book I am birthing. But tangents keep emerging which take me off to somewhere unintended. These have a pull too strong to ignore. So now I have seven files instead of four: Intro,  Parts 1,2, 3 and Tangents 1,2,3.


This is how I have gotten myself unstuck in the writer’s muck. Who knows? Maybe this will end up being three books or a collection of short stories. I just know that when the spirit catches you…you do what it tells you to do.

Tangents are an important part of the process. I have learned not to ignore the quirky visions and ideas that pop up while writing. Those tangents can completely reorient a project.

I also know to pause and process an event from various angles. Seeing Part 1 from my dad’s point of view made the heated argument rather comical. I cannot imagine how frustrated he was with his brazen daughter. I remember he seemed resigned at the end of that disagreement. I know that feeling in dealing with my own headstrong daughter. Poor Daddy!


Stopping writing is not an option.

FLOW back at her desk

Back at My Desk

| Flower Roberts

I have not worked at my desk in months. I spent the morning decluttering it and being PIBWIB (put it back where it belongs).
My computer has been upgraded. I had to put a new battery and card in my camera. Blogging will be frustating for a bit as I relearn the ropes after such a long absence.

I have been deleting all my social media sites. I did not warn my Twitter/X followers because of trolls. They search across all forms to find you for intimidation purposes. This has only happened once, four years ago. It was maddening to think of such a tactic.


I will be more focused in the future. I am getting rid of sources of chaos and distraction. It’s time to do some serious work with some real folks. I will still be around, just underground. I am sticking with WordPress. They have been dependable.

FLOW

When No One is Left to Remember

| Flower Roberts

We are just about to this point in my family. Mom will turn 93 next week. She has dementia. Daddy is gone. I have questions that no one can answer. That is a hard reality.


I did do one smart thing years ago. I made each of the grandparents a memory book. The ones that can be purchased were too much for elderly folks to fill in.

Grandparents’ Books


I kept the questions simple and added some art to each page. I interviewed my parents using it and filled in answers. Stories were told. Pages and photos were added.

Now we have books titled: Who are you? We really want to know. These books will answer some questions when no one is left to remember. Life ends fast. Time passes.

I thought of these today as I was pondering the plight of the poor folks in California who must flee the fires. I was asking myself what I would take with me. These books would be in the first box out.

FLOW

Bunnies Revisited

| Flower Roberts

Since I am staying with my sister for a bit and away from my plant collection, I thought it would be a good idea to share my favorite bunny posts during the cold weather.

I spotted Barley when my family went into a pet shop to buy fish. I refused to leave without him. I did not want a lonely bunny, so I made my daughter pick out another one. She picked Charlotte because while all the other bunnies were trying to eat, Charlotte sat in the middle of the food bowl. We thought this was both smart and funny.

Here are my favorite posts about these two funny bunnies. They are no longer with us. Each was put to sleep, about a year apart, in my arms under a tree in the yard of the specialized vet clinic. Heartbreaking. No regrets.

Busy and Not Busy
Evidence of a Stalker
Ode to Barley

I hope you enjoy this cuteness overload.

Please do not run out and adopt bunnies. They were a lot of work. Entertaining, but needy. I love all my pets wholeheartedly, so losing each is traumatic.

FLOW

Out in the Sun and Into the Woods

| Flower Roberts

I had to get out and revive myself today.
I went for a hike in what is left of our woods.

My hips are back to goat status. No stick was taken. No falling down.

I found some moss and orange mushrooms.

That’s all I needed, some sun and some green.

FLOW

Winter Reading and Writing

| Flower Roberts

I must stay busy during the winter months. I read many books and write a lot while cooped up inside. I make a wishlist of books all year long, so I have a good stash to get me through.


I write in books as I read them and read many of them several times. The library would frown upon this habit, so I get books as gifts. I loan these to friends who are able to ignore my scribbles and sticky notes.
Here are my books for the winter of 2025. I will share my thoughts on the best ones as I finish them.


I also write in journals often. I carry a journal everywhere I go and keep one in the car. This habit has helped me with memories. My sister and I were discussing our different versions of a memory today. I reminded her that Donald Davis says that your story is your story.

Journals for emergencies.


I hope for a wonderful 2025. I plan on trying harder to be smarter. This will include healthier habits and less mindless activities. I am making an Action Board to keep me on track. I will share that when it is complete.

I also got some toys. I have been especially good this year.

I love me some Elphaba! The bat’s name is Jak.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

FLOW

Flowers and Fairies in the Foyer

| Flower Roberts

In the spirit similar to tokonoma, I set the tone for my home with a display in our foyer. These displays always contain some plants and fairies. All displayed objects have some significance to us.

The foyer arrangement has been updated with holiday flowers and gifts. I am excited to share two, tiny, artistic arrangements given to me by my sister-in-law and nieces. They purchased these from a fellow-crafter at one of their shows.

They know I love fairies, moss, mushrooms and bunnies. It seems these pieces were custom-made for me. The mushrooms light up in different colors. I hope my sis passes along my appreciation to the artist.

The delicate red spots of this Amaryllis, Elvas, remind me of some of my favorites from past years. Hippeastrum coloration is especially interesting when viewed under a microscope. If you want to see that and my collection, type amaryllis into the search bar.

There must always be a poinsettia at Christmas. I do keep these for years. My favorite was mowed down when my daughter, Rose, fell down the carport steps this summer. She was more worried about the plants than her body. Both of us falling off steps was the catalyst for the new railings from Crown Fence in former posts.

I find that a foyer display serves as a cheery greeting for our guests and distracts from the dirty floors. I would much rather arrange flowers than sweep. Wouldn’t you?

We are in the down days between Christmas and New Years. I may stay in my pajamas reading my newly gifted books. Those will be the subject of my next post. I am also reading about writing and publishing in preparation for my next book. This reading has been boring. I won’t share those books.

My next book is about paternalism and its long-term effects on the women in three generations of my family. You will know about that in time. I feel like a time-traveler!

FLOWER