Daily Archives: February 20, 2014

Weather +Climate

Snow. Snow. Then, Some More Snow.

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Imbolc                                                               Valentine Moon

The snow has come down steadily, earlier it reminded me of the whiteout we mushed 2 20 2014 snow storm.through in the Boundary Waters all those years ago.  We may not get a lot of snow compared to some places, but when we have a winter like this one, it’s all still on the ground.  After the storm, cold again.  Not the deep bone chillers, but cold.

Right now the projection is for around 12 inches.  That’s a lot of snow.  And it’s heavy.

I know it seems improbable but there is a climate change explanation for this winter.  As the polar ice melts in the Arctic, it changes the direction and intensity of the jet stream. The sag that has polar vortexed us for much of the winter might well be a direct result.

Tomorrow morning I have a meeting at 10 am in St. Paul.  We’ll see whether that’s possible.  I’m representing the Sierra Club, Margaret Levin in particular, at the America Votes monthly gathering.  This is an interesting group focused on building a progressive America.  Me, too.

Art and Culture, Family
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Imbolc                                                                   Valentine Moon

Took Kate up to Rogers, the Hampton Inn there.  She’s in her room, napping as the snow falls.  Her sister, Annie, will be coming up later.  It’s a quilting retreat.  Which, literally, is what it is.  That is, the quilters come together, bring all their own stuff-sewing machines, stash, other projects, food-and sew on things they would do at home. It’s a group mentoring experience where problems get worked out, praise is given and a sense that you’re not in this quilting thing alone is nurtured.    (The Quilting Frolic 1813 John Lewis Krimmel)

 

Writing

The Agent Persona

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Imbolc                                                               Valentine Moon

OK.  Today I push myself past the barriers, past the fear and write a query letter for Missing.  I’ll get a bit of feedback on it, then I’m going to start sending it out.

(Bruno Liljefors-Portrait of Father)

Read an interesting article about the creative process and it applies to me.  This woman said you need three different personas to be an artist.  The first is the creative who writes the book, blocking out self-censors and shoulds to get at the story.  The second is the editor, who takes the creatives work and shapes it into a polished work.  The third is the agent who handles the business side of the enterprise, writing query letters, submitting work, negotiating contracts.

With Missing I’ve gotten through the creative and editor personas and now I have to take on the persona of the agent.  I will represent Missing to the fast changing world of publishing.  Starting now.