We wanted to lay out today for awhile. Way too breezy!! Tonight we are going the the LSU vs Texas A&M softball game at the Tiger Park. Our girls look good and just had an off night; LSU had already clinched the series with two wins but the third game would have been great but the Aggies won 5-2.
Lily’s Lagniappe: I am hoping this year to go back to Omaha for the College World Series. LSU Tigers have a real good chance of going back this year. Lisa said it was a possibility. The she-camper loaded and headed to the series again would be great. Let’s all hope LSU goes back to Omaha.
Sunday! Very cool, too cool to lay out at the pool. We went to Pine Grove to visit Uncle Billy and Aunt Alice. They were in good spirits. Seemed to be doing very well. The entire group in Baton Rouge looked good and was doing really well. Yesterday we went to the Spring Game at Tiger Stadium. Great seats, good food, good company and a great game. Boy, do I miss football. Geaux Tigers!!
Lily’s Lagniappe: The Spring game was good but a very different style of game. Very little tackling, very little running and very little use of quarterbacks other than the top two. But maybe McMillen may show them up in fall ball. He’s a lefty. Looked good.
Had supper with family tonight. Tomorrow meeting Lea Ann for lunch. Going to see Aunt Joe and Uncle Hutch tomorrow. We had a great supper with Laurie, Aunt Dot, Morgan, Bubby, Olivia and Lea Ann. Las Palmas was somewhat crowded but the service was terrible.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Louisiana this spring is wet! I mean rivers out of their levees wet. Every river, stream, pond and ditch was full of water. The wind was very breezy and the temps very low. That will keep mosquitoes down. Too cold to breed. Yea!!!
TAX DAY!!! I actually sent mine off before the 15th. We’re headed back to Baton Rouge. Warmer temps but raining. The reading of rhyming picture books this month makes me wish I had this talent. It is painfully obvious that I don’t. Perhaps more reading of picture books and craft books about poetry and rhyming may help any suggestions?
Lily’s Lagniappe: Crawfish season, gonna get me some!
Headed back to Hickory and washing clothes only to leave again to see LSU Spring Football Game. We traveled back to Hickory and stayed for one day then we were on the road again. Rainy weather and cold temps all the way to Baton Rouge.
Lily’s Lagniappe: On our way to Baton Rouge we stopped at the Wind Creek Casino in Atmore, Alabama. We had a great supper and lost some money. Leaving out in the morning for big BR!
This was Brooks’ birthday weekend. We took our boy shopping for his birthday gifts. He and I went to Toys R Us and I never said the word no. He picked up everything he wanted at the store within reason. He could have any or all action figures he wanted. Small things because there is not enough room in their home at the moment. It was a great weekend with Brooks and Cherish.
Lily’s Lagniappe: My sister and I got tickets to the LSU Spring Game. It is a very different set up. I miss football so much it was worth the trip. Wishing for summer to pass somewhat quickly so football season begins.
Yesterday I went for a normal hair appointment. I usually go every four to six weeks to get my brunette put back in to cover the gray and then I put in blond highlights to lighten things up a bit. I had to wait a greater amount of time for my hair to cook. No reason why, I haven’t changed medicines or my diet, the beginning of spring is causing a lot of pollen in the air but that has never caused this effect before, but instead of taking about 2 and a half hours it took almost four. Isn’t that the same with our works-in-progress. I admit sometimes we write the first draft in hours or days and at other times it literally takes years. What causes this? Insufficient planning? Unclear objectives? No plot? No defined characters? Could it be that it just takes time to make things work together. When you finish a manuscript and your read through impresses you…well that’s a keeper. There are few areas where you need to clarify but overall it is good. Then there are times when you say to yourself…is there anything about this story, these characters, the incident that I like? Treasure those manuscripts because they truly are there for a reason. Humility, patience, and success can be found in every manuscript you write but the ones you treasure are the ones that took more sweat, more research and more rewrites because you were tenacious in your pursuit of perfection.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Going to Charlottesville, VA today for the weekend. Brooks is going to be five on Sunday. He’s having a SPORTS birthday party. He’s excited I sure but I can’t wait for the quiet times with him. Him sitting in my lap while I read to him, him watching a movie on my computer, we discussing things he asks about and camping in my sister’s she-camper, and waking up with him starving.
Going this weekend to celebrate Brook’s birthday. He’s going to be five. Growing up so fast and learning so much, he’s a true blessing. I so wish that he and his momma were back here is Hickory and I could pick him up and love on him every week. But Cherish is a good momma and her bosses really like her and see the benefit of her being in charge. So she may stay in Charlottesville for awhile.
Working on SEARCH FOR THE PRINCESS for the May Intensive in Durham. I will read this morning and then make final revisions. Also writing the query and theme some time this week. Also revised HANG TEN, DUDE! My 12 X 12 manuscript for April. So onward I go into this good year.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Heading to my home state on April 17th. Lovely springtime in Louisiana. Pollen filled days and nights. My sister and I are going in her She-camper. She will start sneezing around Mobile, Alabama. Hoping to go back to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Come on Tigers!! Let’s go for the title this year. GEAUX TIGERS!!
Today is Easter Sunday. The Lord has risen and we Christians rededicate ourselves to be better sheep. Truly are blessed in my life. I need to lose weight, I could use some plastic surgery, I could do a better job wearing make-up everyday as Chad, my nephew, reminds me, I could use some practice keeping my mouth shut, but overall I am in excellent health, can buy what I need, and can worship my God.
Now, I haven’t heard from my manuscript at the publisher yet but I have revised a picture book manuscript in March that shows promise. I have written one for April that seems to be okay also. I guess if I can get some good comments about them also I may send them to an agent.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Easter in Louisiana is really nice. It’s warm but the humidity is much lower at this time. Beautiful blooms and plenty of pollen.
I have the most amazing family. Last night we started a family thread and decided we must get together so we are making reservations for the weekend before Thanksgiving and next Easter at a State Park. Tickfaw State Park will never be the same. We all have such a good time when we get together.
I surely hope that someday soon I will have book signings and school visits in the Louisiana area and here in North Carolina. Just wishful thinking. My critique group is spending time together in May at my condo in Gatlinburg. The weather will be nice and Dollywood will be open. Novel revision intensive first weekend in May should be re-energizing. Working on a new picture book for 12 X 12 in April. Hopefully it will get some comments.
Lily’s Lagniappe: Soon to see family and they do not know we are coming. They don’t read my blog yet so they will never know. Looking forward to laughing, crying, hugging, and celebrating those still with us!!