April 30, 2025: Saddle Up the Palomino, the Sun is Going Down
Just a day now in which images predominate. It’s my job as a writer to use them in telling a story. Where to begin? I had a good day, spent it doing some non-project stuff. Then I did some project stuff. Near the day’s end, I realized this. Finding one’s balance is not about doing all the other things that bring one joy, but rather, being selective. Today I worked on Shelf Life, went for a ride on Raudi, went swimming and hot tubbing, categorized children’s books, had tea with my friend Susan, attended a literacy meeting, rode Hrimmi, then took Tyra for a walk. |
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I’ve been told the answer is to get paid staff. Alas, we got word today that the AmeriCorps program is being cut by DOGE. Let me tell you this – those who are doing these cuts are not endearing themselves to people worldwide. What they are doing is wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong. They will soon see (if they care) that the quality of life in all countries is going to be on the decline. When I ride, I come to trails that have been ruined by 4-wheelers. Those who destroy these trails have no respect for the environment. They’re the ones who elected Trump and his cohorts. Is the quality of life ever again going to improve? It’s not likely. The reliance on fossil fuels is the most problematic. The powers to be don’t see the effect this is going to have on climate change. As Kurt Vonnegut said, I think in Slaughterhouse Five, “And so it goes.” Today I worked on the introduction to Shelf Life. I’m now talking with others and relying more on my writerly identity. My friend Christopher Benson said in an email that he spends 90 percent of his time revising and 10 percent writing. I told him that this is true of most good writers. I once heard said that Jamica Kincaid writes single drafts, carefully choosing each word as she goes along. This sounds really onerous to me. My writing process involves getting the ideas on the page, then going back and adding and deleting material. I suspect that the same is true of Christopher. I have been making a concerted effort to get out a lot lately – my intention partially being to experience spring. The leaves are on the trees elsewhere, but not here, not yet. Still waiting to see the robins and smell the cottonwood trees. The change of diet seems to be agreeing with Tyra – her poop is now more solid. Fingers are crossed that this trend continues. Took Raudi for a short ride this morning on Siggi’s trail, and took the dogs with me. All were glad to get out |
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