Swiped from Susan, who is a whopping 1% Republican!

I am: 48% Republican.

"Congratulations, you're a swing voter. When they say 'Soccer Mom', they mean you. Every Democratic ad on the TV set was made just for your viewing enjoyment. Don't you feel special?"

Are You A Republican?

I was glad I took a good long walk on Saturday morning, to capture the last of the colour. Saturday night the winds and rains began.

A Leaf-Eye Viewpoint.

They're watching! Susan had a report on her site that said Michigan was #2 in the country for deer car accidents.

Up for a few, so let's Unconsciously Mutter:

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Deeper and deeper:: digging in
2. Can’t help ...:: Loving you
3. Devil’s advocate:: debate
4. Superpower:: Superman
5. Threatening::Storm
6. Played::Croquet
7. War:: of the Roses
8. Violate:: Trespass, break the rules
9. Invest:: time and money
10. Choke::Chain

Mystery Solved!

This year I've spent a lot of time exploring "OLD TOWN" on the north side of Lansing. Old Town is situated in the oldest part of Lansing, around the dam which has been there in one form or another since the area's inception in 1848. The old buildings are slowly being rehabbed and turned into shops, galleries and restaurants. I enjoy hanging out at places where if you linger or visit frequently they don't figure you're a shoplifter, they figure you're a neighbor.

My favorite shop in Old Town is October Moon, a gallery/gift shop with an eclectic (oh, I do love that word) mix of products. The proprieter is on maternity leave, awaiting the birth of her first child. The shop is being run by her friend, and we struck up a chat today. (Oh, and first she offered me a cup of tea. One time I was there and the owner offered me a glass of wine. It's that kind of place.) Her boyfriend owns and is rehabbing one of the buildings right on the riverfront, and I asked about the gargoyle on the roof. I had presumed it was old, but that was not the case. They have had two gargoyles stolen. The one up there now weighs 350 pounds. When they put it in place (with a crane) she asked if it should be cemented in or anything. "Oh no, no one will ever steal that" she was told. Well, someone tried, and it is now a gargoyle with a broken wing.

Question: What is the difference between a gargoyle and a griffin or gryphon?

The mystery that was solved was the other character on the roof. It's a pig!!! She told me that her boyfriend has a rather puckish sense of humour. It's a piggy bank that has been cemented and worked over. It really isn't made to withstand the elements. Too funny!

I've put in another NANO time, and word count is now progressing. Timer is set for 30 minutes of playing on the web.

My Spartans lost today. **Sob**

And how are you?

Part of my NANO Research.

My NANO book has a 13-year-old as the main character. The character (not the plot) is based roughly on my niece Tulip. Tulip has been an interesting character since she was tiny. She's fierce and funny and scared and smart and mean and compassionate and very hard for me to understand. One day this winter I told her, "Tulip, I'm gonna write a book with you as the main character." She absolutely loved the idea. (Go figure.) So I've been interviewing her and analyzing her and trying to put myself in her shoes and surprise surprise: I've learned perhaps more about myself than I have about her. Go figure.

NANO has stood still, but it was a planned standstill. This weekend will be the great catchup. Kind of early in the season for that, but what ya gonna do?

Wilbur, the begonia peacock, was still in bloom this weekend at the MSU Horticulture Gardens.

And the first day of NANOWRIMO ends at 1695 words, with 48305 to go.

*giggle*

183 words down, only 49,817 to go.

Found at Kathryn's KnitTogether:

You are Dishcloth Cotton.
You are a very hard worker, most at home when
you're at home. You are thrifty and seemingly
born to clean. You are considered to be a Plain
Jane, but you are too practical to notice.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

NANOWRIMO.

It is soon to be upon us, that looked-for, planned-for, and dreaded project, National Novel Writing Month. This is the fourth year that I have participated. The premise: start and finish a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Two years I failed. One year (2003) I succeeded. And I'm back again.

NANO gets pooh-poohed and tsked-tsked by some. That is their right. I have found the experience completely positive. I've met people on-line through NANO and attended a couple of group meetings here in town. One of my friends, upon hearing of my project, felt confident enough to start work on a screenplay. She has now completed three, has an agent, and is working on a fourth. She, in turn, told a friend of hers about the NANO project. That friend participated last year and her novel is now under consideration for purchase.

However, it is not "sales" that is the best benefit of NANO. It is being part of the positiveness, the validation, the spirit of creativity that whirls through the web in the month of November.

I'm ready for midnight to strike.

Happy Halloween!

A little Monday Madness to start the week off:

1. Name 1 comedy movie you've seen. In Her Shoes.
2. Name 2 black and white films you remember seeing. We watch B&W films every other Friday night at Mom's. Let's see. Shoot. I am so bad at names, imdb.com here I come. Borderline. As You Like It.
3. Name 3 dramas you thought were worth watching. Does this imply in the past? I think it does. Bonanza, Magnum, Rockford Files.
4. Name 4 television shows you watch on a regular (or semi-regular) basis. Survivor, Amazing Race, CSI (original) and NCIS.
5. Name 5 things that, in your opinion, are advertised on television too frequently. Feminine products, pharmaceuticals, politicians, cars, fast food.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

October 29th, and still the roses are blooming. Not all of them, but the hardy ones.

Still some flowers at the Children's 4-H Garden.

As I'm up and it is Sunday, let's Unconsciously Mutter!

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Unbreakable::Plastic
2. Have mercy::On me
3. Do it better::Next time
4. Settle scores::Revenge
5. Comments::Make me happy!
6. Craziest thing::Men do the . . .
7. Apple::Pie, dumpling
8. Halloween::Trick-or-Treat
9. Manageable::Un-
10. Trick::Treat

Hmmmm.

Perfect Football Weather! (and we won, also!)

Today my sister's family and I went to the Michigan State University-Indian University football game. Talk about perfect football weather! Temperatures in the low fifties, blue sky, no clouds. We actually ended up sunburning the left side of our faces. Who would think to put on tanning lotion THIS late in the season?

MSU won - YAY! We still look shaky, but we may be getting our feet back under us.

So:

Are you a singer, flinger, ringer, stringer, finger, or winger? Check here.