Sunday, June 26, 2011

where I was last week, where I am today


Last week I was here, working on book two in my Magical Pony School series, titled Fiona and the Water Horse.  It was the perfect place to write in general, but if more than perfection is possible, that was true about writing a story about a girl and a water horse in a setting that made it easy to imagine each detail of my story.


The second day we began to get rain, and the creek got big and fast, and that made it even better. Although right now I am drawn back to that first day, when the creek meandered past and I was just settling in with pen in hand.


See the pool of light here? That's where the water horse might have been, at least that first day. If you squint your eyes tight and then let them open the tiniest bit you might be able to see him there.

Today, back on November Hill, I've been doing some cleaning. And watching Bear Corgi, who has been very busy doing all the things he does in a day.

He lies flat out like a Corgi rug on the bathroom tile, to cool his belly. He trots smartly out into the living room if he hears anything that might mean we need protection. Or herding.

He follows different ones of us around and camps at our feet. He keeps tabs on Kyra Corgi and tries his mightiest to keep tabs on the cats.

Periodically he piles his bones on his bed and works on them for awhile. Sometimes he works on other things too. He's shifted from stealing rolls of toilet tissue to stealing razors and kitchen knives! We have to be vigilant around here.

Right now it's overcast and I wish it meant we were getting some rain. Who knows - it has skirted around us numerous times so I suppose the one day they're not predicting it will be the day it comes.

Mostly I'm experiencing summer on November Hill, which is lovely, and remembering the beauty of summer on a mountain with the creek rushing by all day and all night. It was gorgeous but there was no room for horses! So I'm also thinking about how to keep the memories from the travels close at hand - like little gifts inside the mind that I can open and enjoy.

16 comments:

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

What a beautiful spot to write in! If magic couldn't happen there - it couldn't happen anywhere :) Still waiting on rain here too...

Grey Horse Matters said...

It looks like a peaceful place besides being beautiful.

Bear does sound like a real character, I think he's adorable.

Michelle said...

What a beautiful and inspiring place to work. It kind of reminds me of a place I used to love to visit when I lived in PA - Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water house. I love the idea of looking out the window and seeing the rocks and the creek surrounding me. So peaceful.... I hope you had a great and productive workshop! Glad to see you back....(and thanks for the email, I have you on my to-do list for this week. Looks great though)

Sree said...

beautiful pics:)

billie said...

C, I agree - and it was true. If I couldn't write this book there, I might as well have given it up.

billie said...

A, Bear is a character. He has a completely different personality than Kyra or Chase, and yet he does have the distinguishing traits of a Corgi. He's into EVERYthing here.

billie said...

Michelle, it was wonderful, like being part of the creek. This particular cabin was built in the early 50s - they don't allow new structures to be built so close now.

billie said...

Sree, thanks for the compliment and glad you stopped by!

Whitney said...

These pictures are very beautiful, I would love to be there...I love your blog!

billie said...

Thanks, Whitney. Are you the local Whitney or one from Someplace Else? Either way, welcome.

Dawn said...

AMAZING photos!

billie said...

Hey, Dawn... want to take a writing group weekend on the road sometime in the fall? :)

Máire said...

What a great place. I squinted my eyes and I did indeed see that water horse.

ponymaid said...

billie - what an idyllic place. I can see why it inspires you. I believe there may be a water horse but definitely no water donkey... Bear and Chester may be lost brothers - they are very good managers of all sorts of things in their universe.

billie said...

Maire, he was definitely there. I'm glad you caught a glimpse. :)

billie said...

Sheaffer, no water donkey, it is true. But we know why there is no such thing as a water donkey, don't we? Now a dust donkey - as in those things made of wind and dust called dust devils - I am sure there are dust donkeys out there keeping their eyes on things for us. Or perhaps being tricksters.