Writing A Short Story

I've spent the last week immersed in writing a short story. I'm at about 3,000 words in and the first draft is almost finished. Sci-fi. An idea I've had for years as a novel that I'm testing out first as a short.

What I've discovered is that while my head is in the world of story, I don't feel much like doing other writing and my blog is taking a hit. 

Just to throw something new on the page, here's a quick list of highlights and lessons from this past week: 

• Lesson #1: All soy chicken is not made equal. Last week I made "chicken" burritos that had us salivating for more. I made them again last night with a different brand of soy chicken. Absolutely gross. Who knew?
• There be squash! Our square garden has LARGE LEAFY GREEN THINGS growing in at least half the squares. I told Blair I hoped we harvested a lot of squash. His reply: "This is further than we've ever come before so everything could die tomorrow and I'd still count it as a win." Love that man of mine. 
• Lesson #2: I CAN and WILL kill most plants under my care. One of three of the rose plants I planted is already dead. Pretty sure Iris Sutcliffe owes me some money on that bet. 
• Lucy has taken to hiding in the back of my office closet. Hurt feelings? Not feeling well? Needs a quiet, restful place to plot my demise? Hard to tell...
• My editor sent me the back cover copy for my book. Can't wait to see the whole thing put together. 
• Lesson #3: I have GOT to figure out a way to get more yoga back in my routine. I bent at the waist the other day and hamstrings were so tight I couldn't touch the floor. NOT GOOD. 
• Lesson #4: It's time to stop fooling myself that I'm going to prepare a large salad for lunch each day with gourmet greens and a wide assortment of vegetables. Food is rotting in my fridge as I pour myself a second bowl of cereal each day at noon and vow to do better tomorrow. 
• Watching the Biggest Loser finale last night was great, but it seems like 90% of the former contestants they bring back have regained some serious weight. So what's the point of the show? 

You're now pretty much up to speed on the exciting life and times of Dena. Stay tuned for our next episode where Dena shares how she did some laundry and more than likely killed yet another plant. 

Does Running A Marathon Give You An Edge Up On Life?

Any Biggest Loser fans out there? How amazing was it when Daris finished his marathon in 4:02? I know I was bouncing on the edge of my seat, screaming in joy at the TV as he crossed the finish line. A few weeks earlier I had doubted whether he'd really run a 5K in just over 21 minutes. No more doubt. That boy is a runner through and through.

What interests me when someone completes a marathon for the first time is how often they talk about how now that they've completed a marathon, they know they can tackle anything in life. In the pages of Runner's World magazine or on blogs, runners talk about pulling strength and conviction from having survived what is quite often a grueling race and translating that into a can-do attitude for their home, family, and career.

I'm envious. I'm enormously proud of being a marathon runner but, for me, having completed a marathon means that I know I am capable of completing a marathon. I don't suddenly feel more confident as a writer, friend, or wife. I don't hold a quiet inner certainty that I can now handle whatever life throws at me. On the contrary, I like running because, unlike life, I feel it's something [somewhat] within my control. Give me 26.2 miles and I know I can get the job done. Tell me to sit down and write a novel and the panic sets in. 

I admire people who can translate accomplishments in one area of their life over to give them strength in another. Seems healthy. Me, I'm a bit too compartmentalized for that. Running is running, writing is writing, marriage is marriage... you get the idea. 

Still, I wouldn't trade the satisfaction I've felt at finishing all my marathons (even the horrible awful super-painful one) for anything. I feel good about myself for having set a goal and achieved it. Maybe that's the satisfaction runners are referring to. 

What about all of you? Have you accomplished something in one area of life that you feel has given you confidence in other areas?

Dinner Negotiations

Last night as I was taking dinner out of the oven, Blair walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. 

"Why the hell is there an eggplant in here?" 

"That's for tomorrow's dinner," I said. "I found an eggplant recipe I want to try." 

He crossed his arms. "I don't like eggplant." 

"You don't know that. I just haven't done a very good job cooking it. That's why I want to try this recipe. It looks really good." 

A series of retching noises followed. 

"Hey!" I said. "What is our deal? I plan and cook the meals but you have to eat whatever I put in front of you, no questions asked." I paused. "And no attitude."

I heard muttering behind me.

"Sorry, I missed that. What did you say?"

"I said I'm pretty sure there's some sort of 'nasty' clause in our agreement. I shouldn't have to eat anything that's outright nasty." 

"There's no nasty clause!" 

"Well, there should be." 

The beauty of it is, I'm going to a dinner function tonight so I won't even be home to eat the eggplant. I told Blair this morning that his eggplant dinner would would be ready and waiting for him in the fridge. He nodded grimly and set out the door.

Better him than me. I've not had success with eggplant so chances are strong the dish will indeed turn out "nasty."