Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Harried check-in

Blog? I have a blog? Oh yeah :-) Little check-in here. I have been writing away, and there's not much to say about that but things I've muttered in tweet-form, such as how the story stretches ahead of me, seeming to grow, the way the horizon recedes in dream sequences and you can keep running and running and never get there, ha ha. But I'm not discouraged. I'm totally moving through narrative, it's just that the more it develops, the more there is to write! Still on track for my deadline, though. Whew!

Also, Clementine turns one a week from yesterday! Wowza! Thinking how to celebrate it in some mild way, with a minimum of presents, and a small number of people so she doesn't get too shy or overwhelmed. I'm excited. I have plans for a trunk of "artifacts" I want to collect for her for each year of her life, starting with, this year: her tiniest first onesie and pair of hand-knit booties (with pictures of her wearing them). I want to get some kind of cool antique chest to keep it all in (each year in its own little box inside), but I may hold off on that because it is looking likely that Jim and Clementine and I will be heading to ... and exotic location ... in the next few months, an exotic location known for its shopping, I might add. Not that that appeals to me, ahem. It's not for sure; I haven't planned a trip overseas in quite a while. When you haven't done it in a long time, it gets to seeming really insurmountable and improbable, as if you could just ... fly away to, say, India, or North Africa. Like: who does that? But then you do it, and you see: it's easy! (Well, so long as you can afford the freaking airfare.) So I'm just going to say here: we are GOING. Definitely. To an exotic place that shall remain nameless. Within a few months.

Anyway, the trunk of "artifacts." Along with letters to her, to read when she's grown up. I think it could be lovely. If/when I manage it, I'll post photos, of course! Gift-wise for now, I'm not big on oodles of presents for wee ones, but we have gotten her one of her favorite books (Homemade Love, by Bell Hooks) that so far we've had on a kind of permanent loan from the library. (The library can finally get their book back!) and one paperback that has been destroyed by love, in a more durable hardcover edition (Duck on a Bike, by David Shannon). I suppose some sort of toy will also make an appearance, but that's probably all. Someone suggested: wrap up a couple of her favorite things. It's not like she knows, and there's something so dispiriting about watching young children rip open gifts and toss them aside, isn't there?

I think my teenage niece and her friends are going to play guitar for us and sing and do some Polynesian dances, so that will be fun!

Anyway, I am perched in my cafe now, and I am on the brink of a Major Thing Happening in the story, so sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman!

13 comments:

Lisa Nowak said...

Hey, that radio station 103.3 is having a contest to find the cutest baby in Portland. Details are supposed to be on their website, but I haven't checked it out. I'll bet Clementine would win.

tone almhjell said...

Haha, who's Mrs. Kackleman? I have a Mrs. Ichalar in my story. Maybe they're cousins once-removed.

Yay for story, yay for travelling and yay for glorious artefact idea!

storyqueen said...

Does the exotic location begin with an "m".....?


Happy birthday, Little Clementine!

Shelley

Unknown said...

But...no...PRESENTS??!!

Well, okay, you're getting her a few presents, but still...I can't help it, I just love presents. Both giving and receiving.

I do love your idea of just wrapping up her old stuff, though. Ooo--a thought--will you be videotaping any of this b-day? And possibly podcasting it on your blog?

Ariadne said...

I hope Clementine has a very happy birthday and that you all enjoy the day!

--jenna said...

If that exotic location happens to be Rio de Janeiro, I'd love to meet my new favorite YA author and family over cupuaƧu juice on the beach...my treat. :) Unless this rain doesn't stop...then it might have to be itsy cups of coffee instead!

Laini Taylor said...

Lisa, thanks for the heads up on that! I have a perfect picture to submit :-)

Tone, Sayanonara, Mrs.Kackleman is a book by Maira Kalman, who I love. Somehow the words just came out there!

Shelley, there man be an 'M' involved ...

Gripe, I love presents too. Just, one-year-olds can only handle so much at once, and she gets stuff all the time.

thank you, Ariadne!

Jenna, ooh! Someday, perhaps. That sounds lovely!

Charlotte said...

I want to go shopping in a place begining with M too...

I hope the writing cooperated!

Victoria said...

Totally agree with you Laini, birthday presents accumulate so easily for those first few birthdays!

Despite that happy birthday Clementine!! & here's a bday song for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmEwHQpcSnA&NR=1

It's called "Clementine" by Washington and is just the sweetest song.

ChristyG said...

Oh, so sweet! My little guy is turning 1 as well, in a matter of a few weeks. I've been trying to figure out what to do for his party - I like your idea of wrapping up a couple of his favourite things!

Anonymous said...

Ooh...Maira Kallman reference! Best picture books in teh world. My kids are well-adjusted geniuses because they received a healthy does of Maira from a very early age.

Elizabeth said...

i totally just flew away to morocco in june (after purchasing the shocking airfare!), and it does seem like something that should be nigh on impossible, but lo, was actually quite easy! do it!

i saw you guys hanging out on alberta a week ago monday while i was waiting for the spelling bee to start...clementine is just as cute in person! happy birthday to her!

Elena said...

It sounds like Clem will have a lot of things to look through when she is an adult. That is a great thing to do for her. Happy birthday, Clementine!