Soapstone Mountain, Somers

Today was another perfect day with great visibility. Walt and I ventured up to the tower on Soapstone Mountain in Somers, CT. It should have been named Soapstone Hill because it was a cakewalk, flip-flop hike of about 6/10 of a mile uphill on pavement. The initials "NF" carved in the tower made me think of nonfiction. There was a cornucopia of visitors today. We saw four people on horseback. We also encountered four Harley motorcyclists. None were wearing helmets, so I would have to conclude they liked the loud noise coming from their spitting, sputtering engines. We also talked with a lady from Holland.

I now have 121 words left to cut out of the article I've been working on and I've been doing my best to avoid the impossible.

Today, on this gorgeous day, I enjoyed the Connecticut River on the Quinnetukut II Riverboat at the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center in MA. The speaker on the boat mentioned that Quinnetukut is another way of spelling Connecticut. I've posted some pictures of the landing area and the covered boat.

Around one bend in the river, the depth meter at the front of the boat soared from 25
to over 100 feet. In that one area of the river there is a deep hole that plunges into darkness where blood worms, sponges, and large fish live. The speaker passed around a dinosaur fossil that was found on the western bank of the river (my niece is holding the thing). I believe she said the first fossils found in this location were found around 1835 making them some of the earliest fossils ever found in the United States. These fossils were initially thought to be bird prints. Identification came years later. We also passed a solar device on a tiny island that was used to run the eagle cam. Since the eagle's nest was blown away by the wind and they relocated, it's no longer operational.

Across the street at the rec. and environmental center there are over 25 miles of hiking trails which will have to wait for another day. They also run moonlight snowshoe hikes which sounded like a lot of fun. Kayak and canoe rentals were nearby. The area is an outdoor playground.

Now I'm working slowly and painfully chiseling away at words to decrease the word count. This after spending quite a bit of time to increase it. Sigh. I think I need to get away from this for a while and breathe a breath of fresh air. This whole scene makes me feel like I'm stuck in a traffic jam.

I spent some time today thinking about and writing up a little blurb on potential markets for the work I just finished. The subject is challenging, but I think the market is huge and the need is there. Cryptic, I know. I need to move on to something new, but every time I step between projects, I fall into a writing rut. I'm trying to dig out and get moving again. Meanwhile this work awaits a crit.

On today's news I heard about the wolf slaughter in Idaho now that wolves are off the endangered species list. One guy that was interviewed said the wolves have decimated the elk population. Not according to the scientific research I've read. It's more like the wolves keep the elk population in balance. Without wolves, the elk population grows out of control and chews through aspen and willow trees. Songbirds and beavers use these trees so their populations decline. Check out the July 2008 issue of Highlights for more info.

The lake was tranquil at day's end. I had great fun tooling around in a whitewater kayak last night with my friend Emily. She was kind enough to model the George Jetsen inspired spray skirt which is absolutely hysterical when viewed from the back (think rhumba ruffles). The other lovely things we had to wear were noseplugs which were a big hit (cough). The three bottom photographs were taken as Emily did her first successful wet exit. Yeah! I learned something called a T-rescue. It's sort of a half of an eskimo roll. At one point I rolled over a bit too far and I was under the upside down kayak. I did not recall instructions on how to get back up so I bailed out with a wet exit. It was a little unnerving. I noticed this particular instructor ditched me after bringing my flooded kayak to shore so I guess I flunked that one. Oops.

The past few days I've been beefing up my Facebook account, but when I stop to think about it, I wonder why am I doing this.

I had great fun tooling around in whitewater kayaks last night with my friend Emily. She was kind enough to model the George Jetsen inspired spray skirt which is absolutely hysterical when viewed from the back (think rhumba ruffles). The other lovely thing we had to wear was noseplugs which were a big hit (cough). The three bottom photographs were taken as Emily did her first successful wet exit. I learned something called a T-rescue. It's sort of a half of an eskimo roll. At one point I rolled over a bit too far and I was under the kayak.

At 4AM, I felt sorry for the cat, curled up close to me. She was prowling around like a restless soul, searching. Then she held a vigil in the open window, waiting. But Melanie never came home.

I'm really happy to read that Congress will initiate a cash for clunkers appliance program this coming Fall. Since our fridge is old, leaking, and has a weak seal, I am definitely going to use the opportunity to trade it in for a new energy efficient model. We've been talking about replacing this clunker for quite a while and now I have a real incentive to be rid of it. The August 2009 issue of Consumer Reports has "Top Kitchen Appliances" on the cover and their refrigerator ratings include categories called "energy efficiency" and "energy cost/year." Dishwashers have a category called "energy use." All very helpful!

Today was college dropoff day--times two. They've been a part of my life for so long it feels like I left a piece of me behind.

Today, my son and I explored the Environmental Protection Agencies research vessel that navigates through the waters surrounding the United States and the Caribbean. It was a really interesting boat. They scoop up mud and water samples for analysis and dive to analyze coral. The first picture is the research vessel "Bold." The second picture is a cowfish (left), shark egg case (top black thing), and a puffer fish. The third picture is a submarine that we saw off the deck of the ship. The fourth picture is the lab. The top tv screen was displaying pictures of the underwater robot used to record the pictures under the sea in the left screen. The bottom right screen displayed google earth or an on top of the water view. The bottom photograph is where the scientists sleep aboard the vessel.

I finally finished fact-checking and now this proposal is ready to go! I think there is a real need for it.

While surfing the web, one website led me to another where I just happened to luck out and find something exciting to do on Thursday. I'll post photographs later this week.

Left a good job in the city,
Workin' for myself ev'ry night and day
......Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the water

Day Miserables:
After running 4 miles, I locked the keys in the car at the gas station and had to hike 2 miles home--all uphill of course. Apparently, it is too much effort to pick up a phone at home. There were 2 people home. Then I took my niece on a hike to a waterfall. Well, little did I realize that every trail was the blue trail and mosquitoes were starving. There's not much grosser then a dead body on your arm and your own blood to go along with it. Thought I'd salvage the day and go for ice cream only to find the ice cream wasn't available for another 4 hours. This, of course, was after I'd run over the glass milk bottle in the parking lot. Agggghghhhh. Needless to say it is a zero accomplishment day for me.

I made tons of progress today. I only have a few sentences left to verify and this proposal will be done. Rain certainly makes a worker bee out of me.

I posted photographs of today's visit to the new CT Science Center in Hartford. Each floor has a view of the Connecticut River. Most of the museum contains hands-on science exhibits that are quite elaborate. I thought about the layout and wondered if it was planned that the top floor contained the climate change exhibit so that when you leave that is what lingers on your mind.

The 3D movie with new satellite images of the sun was fascinating. The space suit is a replica of the first space suit. I'm pleased that my photograph shows how successful our marble track was. I clapped when the marble completed its journey!

I was really interested in this mud core exhibit in the first photograph. The viewer slides over any spot on the mud core. I clicked on CO2 and the red line shows how much CO2 there was at that time in history.

There were a lot of sophisticated free play areas, exhibits where you could race things (sailboats, cars) and slow motion videos to record. Cool stuff. I'd definitely go again.

Sometimes. Sometimes I wonder if I'll miss it if I stop for a week. But I never stop long enough to know.

Eight pages left to verify for scientific accuracy. This does not mean I've been cranking away today. It means I did some work last night and chose the shortest pages to conquer first so psychologically, it seems like less.

I emailed two CT senators this afternoon about proposed budget cuts to library services. Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do if they cut ILL and Request book loans. I think I'd have to truck to all different parts of the state to get the resources I need thus chewing into my time and additional energy consumption. The end result will equate to chopping off a hand, the typing hand. And which hand would that be?

I am now really satisfied with this proposal. Time to verify everything. It's a big job and I'll have to cut it into manageable pieces or I'll never get moving. 1 page down, 10 to go.

Yesterday, I revised four pages from sunrise to sunset and beyond. It was 11:30PM before I put it down. When I post a photograph I like, I hate to see it disappear below view, so this post is short.

Yesterday evening, I was up at Waterfire in Providence Rhode Island . What a great event! I've posted a few photographs. Sitting on the banks of the river reminds me of having an empty beach to myself. Despite a crowd of people, you can get absorbed in the music and the mesmerizing flames.

During the day I added a couple of paragraphs to the project I'm working on, but it's still too short. Hm. What to add?

Yesterday, I did a little more work on my current project. It was neither the quality nor the quantity of what I wrote that was noteworthy, but it was the fixing of cracks in the foundation of an outline to create a stronger structure. Now I should be able to move a little quicker and put together the remainder of the first chapter. Later in the evening, under a perfect sky, I heard the sounds of a tribute band as beach balls bounced, floating on fingertips.

I would not want my success to come from playing someone elses music.

Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susans) and Echinacea (purple coneflower)

Yesterday, at a family party, I spoke to my aunt, an English Professor and also an aspiring writer. She asked me if I still get frustrated. I said "oh yeah." I suggested she reach further into more challenging markets. This morning I wondered whether my answer to her question was discouraging for her to hear knowing how long I've been writing. I hope not.

The book finally came in after 16 days. I was pretty eager to get it, driving there in a car with a wet seat on a gas tank of fumes with company due to arrive in two hours. The article has now been reviewed by two tech editors and is now "with editor." I hope I recognize it after it gets a major crew cut because I really like this article. The next step is the scientific review. Today I'm shipping off a submission to a new place I know little about, but it sounds very literary.

All did not go well. The interlibrary loan vehicle has not arrived at my library with my requested book. 15 days and no book. Grumble. To top it off, I hear a chainsaw in the distance.

This morning in the dark forest, damp air settled in my lungs. It clung to my t-shirt. It soaked my brow. Then I got caught in a downpour. My t-shirt became a toddler, clinging.

I was delighted that my question got answered on the INK blog this morning. If all goes well, I should get a call from the library around 4PM that my book is here. Fingers crossed.

My librarian rocks! Got a call saying she called the library, they searched, they found it, and the book is on its way. Hallelujah!

Hydrangea and Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan)

Tech editor#1 edits are complete for the ChemMatters article I'm still revising. I'm currently waiting on a library book just to verify the copyright page. This AM, I spoke to the librarian about this book that was requested almost 2 weeks ago. She had no idea what was going on and promised to look into it. The book is checked in at all three libraries that have it yet no one is processing the request.

I've posted more garden photographs. Why does a lovely hydrangea have to hide so low to the ground under big wide leaves? If ever there was a flower that could give you "the petal" this naughty Black-Eyed Susan is certainly capable.

No sign of my ILL book requested on July 15, 2009. Twelve days have gone by and the thing is not even in transit. Is it lost? Since it's soupy out......

Gone swimmin'

Purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, Asiatic lily and coreopsis

I put another iron in the fire this morning. I think this one is a long shot, but you never know unless you try. Try. Try. Try. Try. Try. And keep trying.

Today, I posted pictures of purple coneflower, Asiatic lillies, and coreopsis.

pink astilbe, asiatic lily, statice, and daisy

I'm still working on an article that will be published at the end of the year. I made some tiny revisions this past week and now I'm waiting for an ILL book--again. It's the third time I've requested this book. I've been contemplating whether I need to add a chapter to the other state-of-the-art science project I've been working on. I'm thinking I do. Thought I'd post some more garden pictures. The first is a very stiff Asiatic lily like the kind you find in flower arrangements. If you touch the stamen in the center, it stains your hands orange. The pink flower is statice and the bottom is pretty obvious.

I spent a good portion of the day at the Beardsley Zoo with my daughter. The Prairie Dog family was very happy to pose. I was quite amused when one little boy asked if you could keep a wolf for a pet. Yes, they do look like doggies. The Brazilian Ocelot was born via artificial insemination, one of only three in the world. It was called the "miracle kitten." Too bad I didn't see it last year when it was very tiny. It looked so cute.

Daylillies and coreopsis

The proposal I was working on is done, but I want to verify one thing before I submit it. Hopefully, I'll get the answer I'm looking for.

Last night and today, I got started writing about some state-of-the-art science material. As usual, I picked a challenging subject. But I think it will be a captivating topic from start to finish.

Yesterday, after receiving an email reminder, I had a change of heart. I've shifted gears and now I am scrambling to put together a proposal that's due very quickly. Thankfully, I knew exactly what I wanted to go for. If not, I could never meet this quick deadline. I'll pass on the second opportunity I mentioned in a prior post.

I'm currently trying to identify what pieces are needed to finish Ch1 of the project I've now returned to. A fresh look made me realize it was a little light on content so I'm trying to select what's best to add. There's a ton of research papers and online material out there, but not a whole lot of books, unfortunately. I'm also formalizing questions. My poor librarians. I keep them so busy with constant ILL requests. I also need to make a snap decision on whether to pursue two other opportunities that have to be worked on immediately. I think I will pass on those. Three weeks to research and write an article hardly seems adequate to do a quality job. I really don't want my name on anything half-a#&.

This morning I woke up and rigor mortis set in after playing frisbee yesterday evening. I stalled getting out on the trail this AM and it cost me 10 degrees at the start and 18 at the finish. Despite about two weeks of lousy 3-milers I managed a 6 mile run so I'm happy with that. When I stop research/writing, my thick head of perseverance starts thinning right out. There is only one cure - get back to that outline and get moving.

White astilbe, iris', day lillies, and clematis

I took a break for 4 dental cleanings, 2 parties, a double birthday dinner for twins, and a bunch of dishes that I had to make. Suddenly I feel one million miles away, like a helium balloon drifting skyward.

It's time to post photographs of the delphiniums which promptly blossomed then fell over by the weight of their own beauty. I think I'm partial to blue flowers: lobelia, delphinium, and hydrangea. The bottom photo is clematis. I'm still waiting on an ILL book that should be here today or tomorrow. Hopefully, it will have the one quote I'm looking for so I can pass the article back to the editor.

My article came back from the cleaners with 18 more questions to answer. I guess the deadline of 6/26 was not set in stone even though I busted my butt to finish on time. I'm looking forward to the publication of this science/history article. It's a captivating story.

The delphiniums are still not out. Photographs forthcoming.

I guess I'm a little slow - maybe a lot slow. I was kind of flabbergasted to find a nice reference to my article about wolves on the July 25, 2008 Cynsations blog by Cynthia Leitich Smith. It's a well-read blog. Here's what she wrote:
"I enjoyed "What Good Is the Big, Bad Wolf? This Predator Helps Its Habitat. by Linda Zajac on pgs. 6-7 of the July 2008 issue of Highlights for Children. "

I am eagerly waiting for my delphiniums to blossom so I can take a picture. They refuse to open, clenched fists in the rain. My outline is done. I like it. I think it's an interesting important topic, but I wonder about pictures and if there is enough material.

It's been dark and dreary all day. Now that the sun is finally out, Walt spotted a raccoon marching through the backyard at 4:28PM. My hunting cat chased after it eager to defend her territory. Eek, but raccoon's are nocturnal. What's he doing out now? Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough with the camera.

The past week or so I've been busy doing a lot of research online and printing off a few research papers I've found. I'm very happy that my outline is all down on paper and just needs to be verified for accuracy. I think the subject is an important one and I also think it's unique. More on that later.

Good news came in the mail today! I sold another article to Fun For Kidz. Now I've got two articles in the same issue.

On the trail today, I thought I saw a red fox, but it was actually a deer wearing red fox clothing. I also saw a mystery animal. I couldn't tell what it was, then it disappeared around the corner. I ran faster and followed it, but it vanished in mid-air. I suspect if it was a small dog or cat, it would be hanging around on a lawn somewhere. It might have been a fox. If I'm not mistaken, another runner once mentioned he'd seen a fox in that area.