Hello Escapees, how is life lately for you? I’ve been away and then sick so have been absent here at the blog for a while. I drafted this post a few weeks ago, so you’ll notice where I’ve provided an update. It’s not my typical blog post but always fun to let you in on what I’m up to.
Currently: Moments We Love, Poetry by Balroop Singh-I’m thoroughly enjoying Balroop’s enchanting poetry. Books of poetry, to me, are to be meted out in small doses, to thoroughly absorb the beauty of the works. Also, I often come back to my poetry books again and again. You cannot read it too many times.
Finished: City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert. If you’re curious what I thought of it, you can read my review on goodreads.
Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole-this classic has been on my to be read list for so many years. It was wonderful to finally find out what it was all about. It had me laughing out loud throughout. Especially the letters written between Ignatius and Myrna. I could see this being made into a film or even better, a play. Did you know that the author committed suicide before the book was published? Not a very encouraging anecdote for us writers. His mother found his manuscript after his death and convinced an agent to read it. The rest is history.
Educated by Tara Westover. A moving, terrifying and uplifting memoir. I also reviewed this on Goodreads, here.
Succession Season 2 (HBO)
The Crown Season 2 (Netflix)
Glow Season 3 (Netflix)
This Is Us Season 4 on cable
David Gray’s latest album Gold In a Brass Age
headaches-if you have any headache remedies, please share in the comments.
Cold/flu-just getting over this now. Thank goodness for our health, right? And to think I whine about a lousy cold when others are suffering serious health issues… 😛
The Wine Diaries-Eek, I finally completed all edits. One last go through for typos, and I’ll be formatting. I also added an appendix to the book that I hope will be an added (fun) bonus for readers.
I’ve also been working on a new non-fiction manuscript with a working title I Don’t Drink Alone and Other Lies. It’s a confessional memoir of sorts where I lie my way through. But the truth always comes out. I will be sharing more on this WIP very soon.
Brief excerpt:
” Lie #14 I’M NOT GOOD AT PARTIES
I’m not good at parties, I’m great. Although living in an apartment has hampered my desire to host parties of any kind, I have quite a history of hosting parties beginning on my 16th birthday. It was the proverbial teenage house party that got out of hand quickly. It was 1980-something and it was a Friday and my birthday. What luck. I had planned to have some of my girlfriends over for something to eat… What I didn’t know was that half the school would show up.
Lamps were knocked over, beer spills stained the carpet in the ‘rec room’. It was red carpet so that makes it okay. Our records lay scattered about the floor, sticky and bare naked not unlike a few unknown teens. Meanwhile, some of the shitheads who showed up were playing pool like they were in a gin joint, unaware of the chaos around them. Each group from school seemed to be represented by at least one member. A couple of geeks sat at the kitchen table with my little brother’s Rubik’s Cube. Nerds stared with scorn at my girlfriends dancing to Split Enz, “I’ve Got You”. The jocks guzzled beer with their remaining half sack under an arm. The freaks picked through the records looking for Metallica (which they didn’t find). The only one who didn’t show up was Ferris Bueller, at least not that I recall and I would remember that.
Excerpt from I Don’t Drink Alone and Other Lies.
journal pages, collages, art journals
Grateful, frustrated, strong
Update: now considering starting a ‘business’ account for my author work. Thoughts? Tips? I need them.
Spin, yoga and walking
To sew. I’m loving working with fabric in my journals as well as to create homey things. I’ve been gifted with beautiful fabrics from a seamstress friend. She generously invited me to her sewing studio to gather any fabrics from quite the selection of remnants that she will never use. Silks and 100% cottons from Italy, plus sheer and beaded fabrics were all gathered up. Coincidentally, on my last trip to Value Village, I found a Learn To Sew book among the stacks! Destiny is speaking to me, apparently.
I’m patching pieces together to make two standard pillow cases. I’m using pieces of fabrics from worn garments and old sentimental t-shirts that will never be worn again.
My good friend is having a birthday this week and we’re going to lunch. I’m looking forward to catching up with her. Plus, I wish I was friending more often. Wah, time for an epic girls’ weekend. On the bright side, we’re planning a get together at a friend’s to visit her house on the Island. This time I will definitely skip the jello shots.
Our son’s (my step) nuptials. He and his fiancée are exchanging vows in Kaui, Hawaii in lieu of a traditional wedding. We are packing our bags very soon to witness this lovely union. They’ve been together since 11th grade so it’s time to tie the knot! 😀
Update: nuptials completed! Our two week vacation in Kaui was amazing. It also explains my absence from the blog. Below are two photos of this romantic event.
Escapees, what is happening in your life lately? Please share in the comments!
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Jane Thrive
November 4, 2019 at 2:55 pmHugs and Love, Lisa!!! <3 <3 <3 So glad the commenting is open!! Congratulations on the wedding and looking forward to reading "I Don't Drink Alone and other lies" sounds awesome! <3
lisa
November 6, 2019 at 9:05 amThanks, Jane 😀 Yes, the wedding was soooo romantic!! So glad the new book I’m working on has piqued your interest. I’ve had a lot of fun writing it. Still quite a ways to go until it’s ready for editing.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
November 3, 2019 at 6:05 pmI’m sorry to hear you’ve been feeling under the weather. I hope you’re feeling better now.
lisa
November 6, 2019 at 9:04 amThanks, Suzanne. I’m all back to normal…normal being a subjective word 😉
Marcia @ Menopausal Mother
November 1, 2019 at 7:15 pmSo many good things happening for you—the book, the trip, your step son’s wedding—congrats! I’m so happy you’re having fun!
lisa
November 3, 2019 at 10:06 amThanks, Marcia! It’s been an amazing few months. Just the cold that set me back a bit haha. All better now though 🙂
Marie Kléber
October 30, 2019 at 7:23 amGlad I came back – could not comment last time!
Good to read you Lisa. Wow the photos are georgeous. You. And the married couple. Wishing them the best!
Hope you are feeling better. It’s when we are feeling sick that we are greateful for good health. So precious.
Well done for the Wine Diaries! You’ve been quite productive!
As for instagram can’t agree more with you. It’s kind of a love/hate relationship for me. Trying to avoid it as much as I can. But sometimes the only way to stay in touch with people – kind of sad.
Take care!
xoxo
lisa
October 30, 2019 at 6:30 pmHi Marie, thanks for stopping by for a second time, 😛 and yes, i’m back to normal now. Hopefully that’s it for the flu season!
I know exactly how you feel about Instagram. It annoys me to no end. Yet, I feel compelled to check it. Then I don’t post very often and figure this must mean I’m boring LOL. Damn, social media.
ShootingStarsMag
October 27, 2019 at 11:34 amThey ARE a beautiful couple, and how fun they got married in Hawaii. I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with sickness – I hope you are feeling much much better soon.
-Lauren
lisa
October 27, 2019 at 3:33 pmHi Lauren, yes and yes! How are you doing? Thank you for your good wishes!
Christine Carter
October 27, 2019 at 8:20 amAH!! Those wedding pictures are BEAUTIFUL! What a gorgeous place to get married and I love that they have been together for so long. #meanttobe 🙂
I’m sorry you’ve been sick, friend. Tis the season and my gosh, it can be brutal.
I can’t wait to hear more about your new confessional memoir! You described the reality of those 80’s teenage parties to a T. LOL I never had one at my home, but boy did I attend them. Ha!
And congratulations on the final edits of The Wine Diaries! That is FANTASTIC!!
lisa
October 27, 2019 at 3:32 pmHi Chris, how are you? Thank you and yes, they are a gorgeous couple!
Feeling better now, finally.
Hehe, I had more than one of those. And the rest of that “lie” in my new manuscript describes my father’s sense that things are not as they seem upon my parent’s return to wherever it was they went…I have been laughing writing this memoir style humor book.
Getting closer to publishing The Wine Diaries! Yay. It will happen 😀
Balroop Singh
October 26, 2019 at 9:00 amHi Lisa, nice to see you back. Two days ago when I came here, I clicked twice to refresh the page and see what happened to comment section!
It’s good to hear that you have been busy with a lot of activities. I am excited that you are reading Moments we Love, hope you are enjoying it, I am waiting with baited breath to hear your views.
Thanks for sharing an excerpt from Wine Diaries, sounds great! Even I have been avoiding instagram, a time eater, it has served no useful purpose so far.
Thanks for sharing some lovely images of the lovely couple, I wish them blissful married life. You are looking awesome in that friends pic. 🙂
lisa
October 26, 2019 at 2:18 pmThank you, Balroop! I’m finally feeling better and back to writing. Oh. My. Goodness. Your book of poetry is so beautiful, Balroop! You are a gift.
I savor your poetry. I don’t like to rush reading it and that’s why I have not written my review yet. I will very soon!
Yes, I made a mistake by not turning on the comments on the post. It’s funny because for years the comments were automatically ‘on’ for the blog but now I have to actually click it. I sometimes forget. Thanks for coming back to comment!
Kim Sisto Robinson
October 26, 2019 at 8:41 amOOO, My goodness.
I Loved this soooooooooooo much.
Wine Diaries. Books. What you’re listening to.
The photos of your son & bride! OMMMMy, you don’t look old enough!
Can I copy this for a post and give you credit!?
Love. Hugs. Appreciation from Duluth.!! xx
lisa
October 26, 2019 at 2:13 pmThank you, Kim! Of course, feel free to take this to your blog 🙂 I’m pretty sure I saw it somewhere else, too. Oooooh, the bride and groom are so beautiful and the photos turned out so romantic. The photographer used a drone to shoot a couple of them (he had them climb down a cliff and stand on the lava rocks). All taken at sunrise. Love and hugs to you, Kim xxoo