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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tuesday News—Writing and Gardening

For the past couple of days I’ve been clattering at the computer and puttering in the garden.

My “garden” consists of things growing in containers. They’re easy to plant, easy to maintain, and super easy on the eye. This weekend I planted six hanging baskets—four to go in the bench arbor my husband built last summer, one for the front porch, and one for the folly.

This photo of the arbor was taken last summer.

I also filled a large terra cotta pot with three varieties of ornamental grass. I love the look and texture of them.

I’m also happy to report that my sunflowers—two different varieties that grow to about two feet—have sprouted! Before long thet'll be a feast for the eyes, and for the birds.

Once of these days I'll post some photos.

Story ideas also flourished this weekend. I’m working on finishing my next book, and I’ve been bothered by the idea that something was missing. The problem was...what? This weekend I finally figured out that the final chapter was missing.

I know what you're thinking. How can there not be a last chapter?

Actually, I thought I had one, but it turns out that what I thought was the last chapter moves into second-to-last place, and I’m really loving the new ending. Which might even be considered an epilogue. We’ll see.

I'm also brainstorming a new title. My working title is Halway to the Stars, which fits the San Franciso setting but not the story. So I came up with a list of new ones and have narrowed it to three. Before I submit the manuscript, I'll set up a poll and let you help me decide which one to use.

That’s all the news for this week. Until next time,

Lee

6 comments:

Jodie Esch said...

Your baskets are lovely. I'm inspired!
I've been buying plants but procrastinating and not putting them in pots.
Time to play in the dirt!
I'm sure that your gardening gave your brain time to figure out your new ending.

Marin Thomas said...

Lee

I love baskets of flowers. I also plant flowers in my birdbaths for an interesting garden look :-)And hubby cut a hole in the seat of an old dining room chair (painted red) and I stick a pot of yellow Daisies in the seat and set it on the front porch each summer.

Marin
www.marinthomas.com

Anonymous said...

your baskets look worthy of a magazine spread, Lee. A friend just lost all her newly planted garden to deer (supposedly deer-proof plants). I wonder if hanging baskets are the answer. Funny about your final chapter--I've heard of false starts to a novel, but not false endings!
Marion

Lee McKenzie said...

Jodie said:
I'm sure that your gardening gave your brain time to figure out your new ending.You could be right. Gardening is so calming and inspiring. Sitting in the garden and watching the birds is even better!

Lee McKenzie said...

Marin, I love the idea of turning old chairs into planters. I've also seen them turned upside down and hung on a wall or fence, and then the underside of the seat becomes a plant pot holder. Reuse, recycle, reinvent!

Lee McKenzie said...

Marion, your friend either has some very hungry deer in her neighborhood, or creatures who aren't at all fussy about what they eat!

LOL at your comment about false endings! I hadn't thought of it that way, but I think you're right.