Everybody Wants to be a Writer

Jewel (and Ruth) are granted access to a single piece of furniture at the Lodge. That chair is definitely not it. Given her guilty expression, that piece of information is probably not necessary.

Another Home on the Web

One of my New Year's projects was devoted to my web presence. As the direction of my writing has shifted from genre fiction (at least for now) to other forms (chiefly historical novels), I needed to re-think how to be visible to a broader base.

So, I've created a new website, Margaret Porter. Associated with the new site is a new blog that won't replace this one at all, because it's not so much a diary as a place to share research info and authorly stuff.

I've done a Facebook author page to "like" (if you are on FB you can get there by clicking the FB logo button to the left.) Oh, yes, and Twitter. I don't tweet much at all, and I have no idea whether that will change. I've had the Twitter account for yonks but rarely use it.

Blog visitors are invited to partake of any and all of this visibility, or not. This just seemed a natural place to share the info!

On the Lodge front, not much happening. Writing stuff, diocesan stuff, dog stuff. For 2 days in a row I had some social activity (dinner party, lunch date) that was very satisfying because it wasn't associated with writing, or diocese or church, or politics. Just fun get-togethers and catching up. I hadn't realised how much I needed it, and now I'm seeking more opportunities!

Our little lake is frozen over. When we get snowfall, the neighbours snow-blow or sweep away sections for ice skating. Unfortunately we recently had lots of rain on top of the snow and then a hard freeze. Local (i.e. our private road and part of the town road) was extremely treacherous yesterday, very slow and scary going. Plus an unbelievably dense fog with almost no visibility on the state roads--very creepy, and significant traffic slowdown. Still, I made all my meetings on time!

Lazy & Busy

Jewel sits and thinks. Or just sits. She's the lazy girl.


Ruth uses her sniffer. She's the busy girl.



Both terms describe me. Some days I have meetings and errands. Other days, I stay at the Lodge in lounge wear (busy with writing, but to any observing looking lazy!)

January has been a month of weather extremes. We've had radically warm days, but the weekend was radically cold--the low on Saturday night was something below zero, and the high was 9. Not even single digits! We'd had enough snow on Thursday for meetings to be cancelled, and the hard freeze turned the snow cover into an ice blanket.

Yesterday it warmed up, and poured rain all afternoon and most of the evening. We would call it our usual "January thaw" except that every week we have a thaw. But wait--after the latest warm-up, we'll be back in single digits overnight, from tomorrow.

I'd love to make a winter visit to the cottage...but it's more fun when we've had lots of snow. A neighbour told us that our part of the Bay has only just frozen over (very late!). Probably there aren't any bob houses with ice fisherman yet--especially with the recent warm-up.

But here on the little lake, the surface is solid enough for ice skaters and ice fishing.

Twelfth Night

The hours of Christmas are swiftly waning.

In some ways this new year 2012 resembles the soup bowls created by my potter friend for his annual Christmas party--empty, not yet filled with experiences. And I am expectant and curious, wondering what this year will hold.

Keeping with the theme of 12, my calendar for the 12 months of 2012 is remarkably full. Lots of events, more than the usual amount of travel.

Thanks to those who expressed Christmas & New Year's wishes. Since last I blogged, life was very uneventful. Most of my activity has taken place within the confines of the Lodge and not worth sharing. In the aftermath of the Iowa caucus, a horde of politicians and an even larger army of journalists have descended upon this state, trying to stir up excitement about an outcome that doesn't seem to be in doubt. It's difficult to describe the atmosphere that occurs here every 4 years. It will be over on Tuesday night.

I do have stuff I want to blog--maybe the books I've recently read or plan to. Other web projects have kept me occupied but I definitely need to prune my blog roll of dormant ones, and maybe change some other things around.

Christmas Eve to Boxing Day

Above is a collage of our ornaments of birds and fowl. Most are travel souvenirs, from Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, Paris, London, Bristol, Nottingham, Mexico, and in US the Rocky Mountain West, California, the South, and New England.

The air was frigid when we left the Lodge for the annual Carol Sing and Christmas Eve Eucharist at church.



I've not had a Christmas cactus since the severe ice storm and dangerous freezing weather a few years ago. When we lost power (for 5 days, pre-generator) the Lodge was so cold inside that the water we'd stored in the Jacuzzi tub froze...and quite a few of my houseplants were killed. Including the heirloom Christmas cactus. Some very dear and thoughtful friends recently sent me this vivid pink one, a welcome addition for the holidays.



Christmas morning brought us a beautiful snowfall--flakes drifting down. The Chap called it "Charlie Brown Christmas snow" and I called it "snow globe snow." There was some snow cover on the ground, so in every respect we could call it a White Christmas.

I made Eggnog French toast for our breakfast, and the Chap and I shared a grapefruit and a navel orange from the various boxes sent us from Florida groves.

Then...stockings! One for each human, one for each dog.



They were stuffed with favourite edible treats (for humans and canines) and lots of London-related items and travel accessories. (2012 promises to be a very active travel year!)

When we finished with stockings, Ruth watched Jewel watch the squirrels raiding the bird feeder.



Before opening pressies, we pose in front of the tree for photo op. It can take a few trial shots to get the girls into position.



And then when they're in position, they do funny things. Ruth is half-asleep. Jewel is making a scary face like a dog-goyle. The official photo emailed to family members was similar to this, but this outtake happens to be my favourite of the lot.



The Chap knows how much I like sheep. Soon as I received my new flannels, I put them on. A matching top as well!



There were other items tagged "For Ewe"--matching socks and slippers.



Many other excellent gifts were received. We did the telephone call circuit, ringing far-flung family and friends, or they ringing us. After presents, I make the custard from a treasured family recipe passed down in my family for over 200 years. Or longer.



Our festive feast consisted of roasted Cornish game hens, green bean and mushroom Marsala, wild rice, and a divine vinho verde we'd saved for the occasion. Later, for pudding, we had the boiled custard with freshly baked gingerbread squares and a glass of port.

Our Christmas cactus friends gave me several fun items, including this floating ducky tea infuser. On Boxing Day I've been brewing my favourite Berry Bros. blend.



The girls having "quiet time" in my office this afternoon.



We hope your holiday spirits are bright and your celebrations merry! Cheers!

The Girls are Ready!

On Christmas Eve Eve, snow has fallen and continues to drift from the sky. Holiday kerchiefs are tied around furry necks.

At the Lodge, the anticipation is palpable.

On my Tree: Swine

In my world travels, I've managed to add to my collection of piggish tree ornaments. Here are most of them (I believe I missed a couple....) They came from Mexico, London, Bath, Bristol, and various regions of the US.