Saturday, January 13, 2018

Clearly now

I'm under pressure with two deadlines over here, an edit of a manuscript and the finish of a proposal, for which I still have to craft a sample chapter. So I may be scarce for a while, maybe just posting pictures. I should note, however, that I turned in my book to the publisher this week. The editor hasn't read it yet, she has other manuscripts queued up, but my subject was happy with how her story turned out and her agent was happy, and my agent, after spending yesterday on her couch reading, sent me the most wonderful note last night. I don't want to blow by these milestones. They matter. The editor is the one to please, of course, but I'm still relieved that two very tough readers did not think the book sucked.

Here's another rediscovered photo, this one of my parents with my daughter the month after she was born. My girl is in L.A. right now, visiting college friends and lifer friends. Yesterday her social media was full of boomerangs of the Santa Monica Pier, the waves doing a cha cha on the shore, the pilings under the boardwalk, riding a bicycle along a concrete path, daredevils in the skate park. This is the trip she abandoned at the airport gate last Labor Day weekend, when I called to tell her that her dad would be having surgery the following day. I find I still watch my husband closely, trying to make sure no symptoms are missed, the fantasy of complete control. He's been casting his mind back lately, realizing that his heart had been going bad for years, and he ignored all the signs. Everybody in New York is tired, he used to say. He sees more clearly now.

All is well.


11 comments:

  1. Baby girl with her angel grandparents! This must tug at your heart something fierce.
    And HURRAY! on the book! You definitely never, ever suck at your work. Ever. You know that but I shall remind you.
    I'm glad your daughter is having fun and I am also glad that your husband is here now and not there, where he was.

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  2. Of course your book did not suck. You write beautifully, as you did here. Lovely photo.

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  3. I'm so glad I found you and get to read your beautiful blog. Your ups and downs and honesty about it all are fodder for my own journey. You handle and share your life beautiful, A, whether you know it or not. Keep it up, you rock!

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  4. Your writing could never suck. I am in awe of you and your ability to take thoughts and put them into words.

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  5. E is right... you have a lovely pace to your words x

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  6. Terrific photo! And how exciting to have the book done and "reviewed" favorably by some of the most important participants in the process. Whew!

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  7. What a beautiful photo to hold in your hands and heart. So glad all is well there.

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  8. Congratulations on your successful work.
    And such a lovely picture, a treasure.

    And hindsight, ah well, hindsight. We cannot take health for granted by ignoring signs. You were more than lucky that this has a happy ending. Stay alert.

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  9. Wonderful news on the completion of the book manuscript! Congratulations! And yes, I know that feeling of watching and hindsight all too well.

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  10. So often it is tempting to do what you said - "blow by the milestones" - but you are so right, they must be celebrated or else life turns into a blur of the next thing, the next thing, the next thing ... Glad to hear your book was well received so far. Your writing is always a pleasure to read here. I can't really imagine it differs within a book :)

    It can be hard to recognize that something is wrong medically when it comes on very gradually. I understand your continuing vigilance, but let it be one eye only, not your whole body, that is keeping watch . . . relax and enjoy this time, too!

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  11. What a beautiful picture of such a lovely moment in time. Congrats on your book!

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