I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.
Douglas Adams
This weekend, while hiding from my computer and the thousands of words not yet written in my Nanowrimo quest, I buried myself in the quiet of my hammock. A book, filled with words from one more studious and dedicated than yours truly, aided my escape.
Movement caught my eye. Something fell into the water, just beyond the edge of the dock. I looked up to spy an osprey, perched on the top of the rope swing. A fish clamped in the talons of its thick legs. Lunch.
The fish appeared quite unconcerned. (Perhaps its demise occurring before the arrival at my house.) I watched with curiosity, unsure if the unpleasant butcher of a poor crappie might force me inside to my computer. But the osprey matched my silence and proved a most patient eater taking delicate bites of his prey as though enjoying the view while he lunched at the lake. Quite particular about which morsels to eat, he dropped the unwanted into the water below. No doubt another in that food chain gathered nourishment from there.
I forgot about him after a while, engrossed in the pages I read, only glancing now and again to see how much longer he might be. Seemed in no hurry. Just like me - getting back to my novel-in-progress, somewhere in the word count.
My own bird chirped from up on the porch, my husband having put him out on the table to enjoy the day.
As to my Nanowrimo progress? My main character is no longer wandering in the middle of a prairie. She is further along the road to trouble. The tension grows. The road goes on with frequent detours.
I'm very good at distracting myself with any number of fascinating projects, including keeping time with your average, every day neighborhood osprey. Incredible sight.
Hope he does the dishes when he's done.
(sorry for that one.)
(sorry for that one.)
How goes the battle for the rest of you?
Hello fellow writer! I'm jealous of your lovely writing space. I, sadly, have my computer tucked away in the corner where I stare at a wall---not terribly creative or awe inspiring. I actually just finished a a feature piece that was a thorn in my side. It was about, of all things shoes, so maybe it was more like a stiletto in my side. I'm a freelance writer for a weekly national magazine and a weekly state newspaper (I'm from California). This was for the paper. I'm actually really scared about my future. I moved from London a few months ago and left good work not realizing how bad the recession was. L.A. also isn't the hub for mag. writer's and with the layoff's happening with the dying breed of this industry, I'm losing faith. I love to write and would be gutted if I had to do anything else with my career. Such a shame that we writers have to dissolve.......it didn't used to be this way. Anyway, I enjoy your blog very much.....especially your post about the one you didn't hire. Really fascinating topic that made me ponder. I wish you well and I'll be checking in soon. xoxoxoxo---One of 365
ReplyDeleteYour hammock looks like the perfect place to relax and while away the time. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sure would be nice to be an osprey and not have to worry about how he's going to pay for that fish! And you weren't avoiding work, you were brainstorming ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I need any more ideas for wasting time when the words don't flow! We can all think of so many ways to avoid starting. I think starting is the hardest thing - I'll just prepare the dinner, I'll just sort these things out, I'll just make a coffee - anything rather than I'll just sit down at the computer and start writing - and if it is no good I'll delete it. Mind you if you had done that you would not have seen that fantastic osprey - super photograph of that magnificent bird.
ReplyDeleteI live on a small island on the Chesapeake Bay and early spring the ospreys come here starved. The local pound net fisherman, that is the good guys, toss the birds a fish to get its strength back. Not like a tedious project writing a novel, I enjoy watching them. The male osprey builds a nest to attract a mate. If it's not in a good spot and well built the old boy lives a lonely life. She won't move in. I know one osprey that can't get it right. Maybe he could learn how to type.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Thanks
Hi Julie
ReplyDeleteyour osprey looks as if he has found a perfect spot to sit for lunch...how lucky to witness the wonderful bird in action
Happy days
Well Julie, your average, every day neighborhood osprey visitor made a good post. He's very handsome!
ReplyDeleteThe view from your hammock is great. Glad your character is finding a way out of the prairie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous bird! I've recently seen a few bald eagles. The sighting made my day.
ReplyDeleteI'm terrific at procrastinating when the words don't come. Suddenly, sweeping the floor becomes a priority!
Thanks for more procrastination methods. Like I need more of that. :)
ReplyDeleteNaNo progress sounds good. Happy writing!
what a wonderful place to while away the hours~ sure beats sd...
ReplyDeleteLove that hammock and that view! Sometimes we just need a little break or maybe an adventure to get the creative juices flowing again.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo!
I don't feel you were wasting time at all, just getting re-energized and what a beautiful place you have to do this. Great photo's...
ReplyDelete...:-) Hugs
Judging from the photos and the accompanying words, I'd say there was no waste of time - instead,I'd say just the opposite - good living!
ReplyDeleteI love an osprey. Plus, anything to distract me when I am supposed to be working:)
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful putter-offer of the writing. If you need me to, I can cough up a little spiel about how Nafamfoasdjfadosfol is an artificial construct and that you don't need to adhere to something that turns writing from a process you look forward to into one you dread. But I'll only cough that up if you need it.
ReplyDeleteIf you want outside motivation, honey, try this: write 200 words a day--even bad ones that you'll end up deleting--and then email them to me. I'll reply with at least one question, and you can write the next day to answer that question.
Don't worry: I'm not offended if you don't want to do this. Just tryin' to help, sister. Btw, I have no email listed on my blog, but I do cough THAT up, too, when it's needed.
Love the photo of your bird in the cage and the osprey on his perch in the background.
ReplyDeleteYour hammock and the osprey sound like Belize. The water isn't turquoise but everything else reminds me of when I kept a journal over there. Now I write in my kitchen, where my rat terrier sits next to me asking for a treat every hour or so.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have a hammock like that, you dont need any distraction.. I envy it :))
ReplyDeleteOne morning I saw the larges, most fabulous bird on my fence post. I don't know birds well enough to know what kind it was, but it sure looked alot like yours. I called my daughter... I told her it must be a sign. I googled animal totems.... She informed me that it probably didn't mean anything more than the fact that I must have mice..... what a let down!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!
Sigh. What a wonderful place to do your avoiding in! It's remarkable that even those of us who don't have such wonderful surroundings can be so successful at it too.
ReplyDeleteI want a to write where you you write. I write at a cluttered table in a dark room - very Eddie Allen Poesque...
ReplyDeleteI sure admire you you nano people.
I love your Douglas Adams quote. I should keep that in mind when I feel pressured by life's deadlines...
ReplyDeleteAnd that hammock? Looks like the most delightful place to relax and watch those deadlines whoosh past!!
Looks like a beautiful area you have there. And to be gifted with the visit of an osprey is just marvelous. Thanks for sharing him. :)
ReplyDeleteSmiling at this post....
ReplyDeleteOur hawks come calling - they're shy, but sometimes they come close.
I love writing with nature all around and little to disturb it *smile*
I can't even imagine taking on this project. You go, GIRL! Taking breaks as needed for bird watching and wine drinking. *wink*
ReplyDeleteSuch great pictures. I love ospreys. Really proud of your for sticking with nano. So what book were you distracting yourself with?
ReplyDeleteI just can't agree that writing is more important than appreciating an osprey!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift. And thanks for letting me share it. I've never seen one.