GETTING THERE

Three good pages yesterday and two today so far. Thought about keeping track of my progress through word counting but realize that for me, in this re-write stage, I'm more concerned about the quality than the quantity and I can't move on satisfied that I've completed 1,000 words if the 1,000 words are junk. Thinking alot about Toni Morrison and how she describes her writing process and the author of Bel Canto (is it Ann Patchett?) who says she hammers and hammers each page so that when she's finished there is no rewriting necessary.

Winter has set in. It's the hardest time of the year for me. Schools are closed more than they're open and keeping the kids from wringing each other's necks is a challenge. Took little man out yesterday to play in the snow and he is like so allergic to cold weather. Little lady does fine but he starts coughing and his eyes start tearing the moment we get outside. Went to Sunny's Surplus today and brought home a make-shift sled kinda thing, you know, the way we used to slide down hills on garbage can lids? Something like that. Anyhow, asked the little guy if he wants to go outside, he answered emphatically No! So much for that $8.99. Maybe tomorrow.

Writing in the mornings now and stretching out on the couch indulging in either Charlie Rose or PBS or something else by night. Last night, late-commer that I am, I watched Once Upon A Time In Mexico. Three out of five if you ask me. But I love Johnny Depp's commitment to craft, always enjoy looking at Antonio Banderas, and Eva Mendes and Selma Hayek are gorgeous and a nice change from Hollywood's usual pix.

Anyway, wondering how this primary's going to turn out. Not overjoyed about any of the Dem's but if I had to vote today it'd be for Kerry. Vietnam gives him a whole different take on this Iraq situation and being a single father for a number of years doesn't hurt either. Think Dean took too much for granted, Clark doesn't have a platform, Sharpton's brought much to the debates and forced a lot of them to say things that wouldn't have had to discuss had he not been there and the other guy--Edwards?--not quite sure what's up with him or where he's coming from.

Ice, sleet and rain coming tonight. Isn't the Northeast just grand?

ANGEL