Friday, April 15, 2011

Lots to do for Spring


Today I had to run a few errands in the city and while there decided to check the lawn and garden section of the store I was in. Ended up buying two flats (20) of ground coverage plants.

The previous owner's of this house Husband and I bought from were very exuberant in landscaping it. There are large flowerbeds every where. They're old beds and haven't been properly tended for a while before we bought it. I have been fighting weeds every Spring for years.

And every Spring I try something new to get rid of the weeds and keep them out. And every Spring following that the weeds have taken over the beds and are trying to kill my flowers.

The flowers I picked up today are Purple Phlox and Sea Pink. Hopefully, having quick spreading ground coverage plants in the beds will choke out the weeds. I spent 2 1/2 hours today pulling weeds and planting my new flowers. I will have to go out next week and pick up another flat or two to finish the flower beds in the front yard. Also, I would like to pick up a bird feeder, a shepherd's hook to hang it on, some hanging plants, and pots and plants to put in them.

So, any plans for Spring planting this year?

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Doing It!

I noticed recently that my writing style is short and exact. Probably because all that time I did research. I have written a lot of non-fiction. Not published but still there. I've been trying my hand at fiction and I am having a hard time expanding myself to a large word count. I don't know if this is due to a lack of experience or if this is just a natural occurrence. So, I've been experimenting with Flash Fiction. And I like it. Maybe in the future I will be able to extend myself further but for now I'm happy.

Smoke Long Quarterly gave me my very first rejection. I'm so happy! I know that is weird. But, it shows to me that I'm doing it. Not just saying it. And they liked my piece but it didn't fit their style. Since then I have received two more rejects for the same piece. Second publisher stated the same as the first. And the third publisher said that he liked the story until the ending but that was his personal taste. Still happy. I need to spend some more time researching publishers to see if I can find a place for this story. I'm getting ready to start a new class on the 20th. It's for writing short stories. If all goes well hopefully I will have another piece that I can submit and get published.

Also, I finally talked myself into calling the dentist. I have an appointment on the 21st. Oh, joy! Not looking forward to it but something has to be done. My teeth are getting so bad that I'm having a hard time eating.