Tuesday, July 19, 2011

New Notebooks and Slippers and Hair ...

I adore new notebooks. Isn't this a beauty? My dear friends, Allyson, Jen and Lois, met me Sunday after Church for coffee and I will treasure it always and our time together here. We've grown so much, shared a lot of love and laughter, stories that made us laugh and cry. I've already written a few words in this gorgeous notebook after theirs, but I am saving it for when we hit the road. I'm going to fill it with my observations and thoughts as we travel across the country from the Pacific NW to South Carolina, our new home.






Years ago I would've been intimidated to write in it. In fact, my husband got me a leather covered notebook ten years ago when I said I was a writer, but I was terribly constipated when I put my pen to it. No thoughts were good enough to go in there. I wrote in my old biochemistry notebook and after it was finished, began writing in cheap composition notebooks. Five years later, we were on a camping trip and I filled up the leather-bound notebook with all our summer madness. This weekend I threw out ten years worth of notebooks that I scribbled all sorts of thoughts in. I'd finish one and toss it into my filing cabinet, eager to start a new one.

I'm purging. I have given away over half of our home library, thrown out all the stories and rejections letters. I've only saved a few special rejection letters and stories that need to be sent out. They're good! How could I give up after a single rejection? But new ideas took shape and the old ones were abandoned.


Here I am with a new pair of slippers that my daughter's friend's grandmother knitted. I love them for I have cold feet. I have a new haircut, but you wouldn't know. I lopped off nearly a foot. I have some gray but the hairdresser said they can still use my hair for Locks of Love. My braid was skinny. But the curls upon my head are cute even if they're unruly. Perfect for hot summer days.

I'm diving into Southern fiction. I've already read many classics from Flannery O'Connor, Mark Twain, Carson McCullers, etc. but I'm discovering new voices like Kimberly Willis Holt, Russ Nelson and Han Nolan. Loving it. If you can recommend more children's authors who write contemporary Southern fiction, I'd be much obliged.
*

14 comments:

anna said...

I wish I could help with your question...all I can do is admire your notebook, slippers and hair. Each is gorgeous.

Bish Denham said...

What a gorgeous notebook! Kathi Appelt is a good one. When are you actually leaving?

Faith E. Hough said...

So beautiful!! I've just decided I need to start keeping a journal; any tips?
Have you read Because of WInn-Dixie? And another recent, excellent book is Carolina Harmony by Marilyn Taylor McDowell.
Don't let the move stress you! I just moved two towns over and I know even that is a lot of work. (When I was a kid, my family moved ten times--but it's a lot less work as a kid!)

Vijaya said...

Thank you, Anna.

Bish, the kids and I have grown up on KA's books, much like Grace Lin's. As to when we're leaving, I don't know yet. Soon, since we need to get there before school starts.

Faith, my tip for keeping a journal -- write anything and everything. Don't censor yourself. It's just for you, so you don't have to be pretty. Winn-Dixie is great. Actually, I would read anything that Kate diCamillo writes, even if it's her grocery list. But you have given me a new author to check out and I will do so.

So far I don't feel stressed because I'm plugging along with the kids, crossing things off the list as I get them done. But today I need to start working with people and it's put me in a cranky mood. Here I am waiting for a phone call. Yes, it's so much better moving when you're a kid. I honestly don't know how my mother managed everything, and alone.

D.E. Malone said...

How about books by Deborah Wiles? Love, Ruby Lavender, Each Little Bird That Sings, Aurora County Allstars? Those are set in the South, and she's from Atlanta. She's one of my favorite MG authors.
Love that phrase, 'special rejection letters' - only a seasoned writer could say that!

Vijaya said...

Dawn, thanks for visiting. I had the pleasure of meeting Deborah Wiles this spring. Her books are wonderful.

Marcia said...

Wow, I didn't know you had a foot of hair to spare. Such a cute picture! And I LOVE new notebooks. That one's gorgeous. Southern fiction...I'm pretty sure ALSO KNOWN AS HARPER is set in the south.

Vijaya said...

Thankee, Marcia for the compliment and book rec.

Katrina said...

Oh, beautiful notebook! And slippers! But OH! the notebook is goregous! I just love those. :)

Vijaya said...

You know Cat, I realize I never, ever have bought a special notebook for myself ... I don't often think my thoughts are worthy of such beauty. But you know what ... I will splurge once in a while from now on. Because it is such a pleasure. I hope you will too.

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

Beautiful notebook, gorgeous hair, cute lady!

Amy

Vijaya said...

Thankee Amy :)

Shelley Souza said...

I have this beautiful journal, too (the smaller version). I'm saving it to write the history of the four angels who are part of my present story. I may get to use it sooner than I thought. Spent the afternoon brainstorming with a friend on this part of the story.

I had no idea this blog was here until today, when I received your email with your change of address. So now I'm catching up with your journey. Glad you've arrived safely in SC and are enjoying the change of coasts and weather.

Vijaya said...

Shelley, I'm so glad you stopped by here -- yes, this blog is an easy way for me to catch up with family and friends scattered all over the world.

I am happy to hear you are writing again, that a new story is bubbling up and just waiting to get out. You are going to love writing in your new notebook. I am enjoying it very much even though the thoughts I record are not really worth the paper. Still ... it's good to write.