Vix Voice

There and Back Again...

What a summer! I haven't posted since June. Since then, I've been to the Vineyard for our dear friend - Phil Craig's - memorial. It was a splendid and fitting send off for Phil, yet I continue to wish he was still of this earth. Damn, I miss him! I kayaked like a banshee

And I created two auction catalogs for The Cobbs (my new day job). I've seen my boys - Ben and Blake - and two of my stepkids - Mike and Sarah - and worked on my new, unnamed-as-yet novel, TallyV.
I've knit with Cindy's Knitters, hugged (many times) my husband Bill, and cared for Muffin and Burt and Gracie and Cranberry. And I've seen the death of another dear friend, one for whom death was literally a release from Hell. I have realized - again - how blessed I am in my family and friends. Life in Hancock, NH, is a good one.
The Grief Shop won the Daphne du Maurier award for Best Mainstream Mystery/Suspense Novel from RWA's Kiss of Death chapter. Pretty neat, eh? The Bone Man is Out! I'm pretty darned excited about that, and I've got a bunch of speaking engagements in the next month or so. Check out my Web site (www.vickistiefel.com) for dates and times.



I'm in the process of preparing photos for my participation in the Dublin Art Show. It's always fun and intense. This image will be in the show and is called "From My Window—1"
Bill's newest book - One-Way Ticket - is also out! It's Brady Coyne's newest adventure, and it's awfully good.
And that's about all for now. Coming up is a visit with Katharine Cobey, a fabulous sculptor who uses knitting as her medium. We'll be seeing stepdaughter Melissa soon, along with her fella, Jeff, all of the other kids (I hope), Bill's mom and sis, and our family in South Carolina. It's a busy fall, but I'm vowing - yet again - to be a more faithful blogger. We'll see.
Cheers and all that good stuff. Autumn is upon us!

So Bad

Ice Storm - 14
Originally uploaded by Vix Photos.

I've been soooo bad about my blog, and I apologize to the three people who read it. Maybe four, but that's a stretch, given my recent non-attendance.

Okay - here's the scoop:
I've been working on my new Tally Whyte novel, The Bone Man. The mystery takes place in Boston, on Martha's Vineyard, and in New Mexico. I've been virtually traveling, making a ton of calls to terrific sources, and generally ignoring everything else. So please forgive me.

I've been knitting like a banshee, too. We've started a knitting group here called Cindy's Knitters. It's small and fun and very casual. We honor all our friend, Cindy, as well as all the knitters who've gone before us.

See ya soon.

Second - Seems to me I owe books to two gals who guessed that Bodega Bay had to do with The Birds, by Hitchcock. I'll get to it, and if you want to help me remember, shoot me an e-mail.

We're living in Ice World here, and here are a couple of photos you might like, just so you can enjoy the New Hampshire ambiance of freezing-ness. I'm actually glad that the warm weather has fled for a while, as this burrr feels much more normal then all that warm weather.

The Ice Storm

Ice Storm - 1
Originally uploaded by Vix Photos.

I'm back...and I'm sorry I've been away.

Still here... and Contest

Taking a breath...well, it's taken me longer to take that breath than I anticipated. I will be back, revitalized, very soon. Here's a photo that people seemed to enjoy in a recent show.The image is called The Birds and was taken in Bodega Bay , California. I'm having a little contest: if you can explain the title of the image correctly you'll win...Hummm. How's this? I'll send you a notecard with the image of The Birds or that of any other image on my blog or Flickr or my Web site. I realize this is a riveting competition. Ha! Well, okay, maybe not riveting, but perhaps fun. And that's sort of what it's all about. Toodles.

Perspective

Sometimes, when you're working on something, perspective arrives on the wings of an incredibly stimulating lunch with a good friend. I have no idea how my brain works. I can't even say "our brains," because I suspect they all work a little differently. Or not. But my brain is often like a classical maze, with the Minotaur lurking around some elusive corner and the ball of yarn ever out of reach. Today, after that great lunch I mentioned, I was able to fix a Photoshop conundrum in less than sixty secdons. This, mind you, regarding an image I'd worked on for well over two hours. How? No clue. All I can say was that the lunch somehow connected with Photoshop. Synapses fired and off I went.

Life can sometimes be bliss. The answer can sometimes be right around that scary corner. And the ball of yarn? Always the prize.

So Bad...

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to whine in my blog. This is all quite pathetic, but I'm doing way too many things, all of which I like a great deal. So, I should cut back, but I'm not sure how to do that. Which is why I'm whining here in my blog. Sorry!

Tally4 (striking title, eh?) is coming along great. At least today it feels great. Tune in tomorrow. Things change rapidly in the world of writing. They do for me, anyhow.

I'm on the Dublin Art Tour, and that's a bundle of prep. Again, love it. Hate it. Why do I do it? Love it, etc.

Just about everyone I know is busybusy.

Look at all those words I've just written, and I haven't said a damned thing! Absurd. Maybe I'm living Waiting for Godot. Ya think?

Time to go knit. Once those sticks are in my hands, I relax.

Opinion - I have a photo I love for the show. I've, so far, worked up two versions. I know which I like best, but I'd like to poll my thousands...hundreds...dozens...okay, three readers. Which photo do you prefer. And if you don't like either, please say that, too!

Until my next frantic missive, See ya later, alligator...When your legs are straighter.

Belated & Turkeys

I've been MIA for a bit, mostly working on Tally4. Sorry 'bout that. I do have another project in the mixer, and as soon as I know more, you will, too. But let's get on with the fun stuff! We had some visitors recently to Chickadee Farm. I know, you think I'm gonna show you another bear. Naw! This time, a family of turkeys stopped by to say hi.

These are little guys, the babies. And we were surprised, as it was so late in the season for babies to be around.

Here's Mama and Babies. Too cute.

Here they become fascinated with Goddess, who's in our Secret Garden, just outside my office where I compose Important Literature, um, well, mystery fiction. All depends on how you see the world. I think mysteries--at least some--are cool literature. Important? What's that mean?

Here's a little guy trying to fly. A valiant effort, don't you think?

BTW - All these photos were taken from inside my office through the glass.

Happy Birthday, Peter! And much Joy!

I'm wondering how many of my knitter friends out there like mysteries with knitting in them. Just curious. You might be seeing another one very soon. On that note... Toodles!

Little Cody

Forgive my lack of attention to VixVoice of late. This is said for the three people who read VixVoice. In any event, I've had a hellacious week with immense highs and devastating lows, all emotional. No one died. No one was maimed. No one is severely ill. So I'm not complaining, just explaining. The good news is that I hope to sign a new, two-book contract for Tally, Books Four and Five. I'm also working on a non-fiction book proposal that I very much hope will become a real book. Finally, I've gotten some great family-time this week, and I realize how lucky I am to have The Gang--Bill, Blake, Ben, Sarah, Melissa, Mike, Summer, Kathleen, and Peter--in my life. Good family...good friends...good critters--they make the world go 'round.

Enough dithering! I'm really writing about our Visitor, a fella (or girl) I've now dubbed Little Cody. He/She looks a lot like our humongeous bear Cody, right down to the white blaze on the chest. Of course, he/she is half his size. She what we have here is either Cody's son or daughter or a mystery bear. I prefer to think of this newest visitor as Little Cody not simply because he looks just like our Cody after a shrink ray hit him. No, I think of Little Cody as such because he, like the big boy, is totally insouciant and utterly amused by his own self.

We left our bird feeders out in error last night, and LC appeared around 6:45 a.m. this morning. Did our three dogs barking and yipping and howling bother him in the least? I think not! Was he startled when we tapped on the windows at him, less than ten feet away? Nope. LC just kept eating and eating and eating. In fact, he somehow managed to clear out one whole feeder without unhooking it or damaging it.

I finally had to open the French door, and yell at him to GO! He did so, but so slowly I could feel his pain at leaving his lovely and delicious sunflower seeds. So many seeds, so little time. Sigh.

WARNING! What follows is rated PG-13. Why? Well, it disproves the axiom that bears poop in the woods. Yes, Little Cody blessed us with a fine mound of bear poop on our lawn. A first, and one commemorated by my camera. Gracie thought it smelled divine.

Here's a long shot of LC's bear poop on our lawn.

Here is a closeup of the poop.

Now it gets interesting... Gracie and I did a small Walkabout today, which is how LC's "gift" was discovered.

As you can see, Gracie found the gift quite interesting. Bill and I were afraid she'd frolic in it, something bassets and other dogs love to do. So I kept talking to her, and telling her "No," in my usual firm (ha!) tone.

Here's the upshot:

This particular Gracie expression is called Indignant. She really, really wants to roll in it, but she doesn't dare while Bill and I are watching. She hopes we'll turn our backs, but she was out of luck.

Gracie, in grave disappointment, walked solemnly to the house. Right.

No, she most certainly did not. But that's another tale.
Toodles.

Chance Encounters

I met a woman this week at the New Hampshire fine arts craft fair whose art reminds me of my dear friend Maggie's art. Luann Udell is an exceptional artist and a lovely person. I liked her work a lot, and while I was in her booth at the fair, I heard Maggie's spirit breathe in my ear.

On the "wall" of Luann's booth, she had hung a poem that she'd written when she read about the finding of a Neanderthal burial site. When I read the poem, it seemed to be all about Maggie.

So I present it here, as a tribute to Maggie's spirit and to Luann's artistry. You might want to visit Luann's Web site and see what she's all about: Durable Goods by Luann Udell

Here is one of her gorgeous fiber art pieces.

Untitled
(AP) Archeologists in France today announced the discovery of a Neanderthal burial site. The skeletal remains of an elderly female were interred with great care. There were various indications of continued care of a non-productive member of the tribe. The remains of dried flowers were buried with her......

Burial Song

She is gone.

She is gone,

and prepares the way for us...

We, left on the shores,

We, left grieving here.

Here are flowers, that she may have joy with her,

always.

Here are shells, that she may remember the Great Waters,

always.

Here are bones, that she may count the days of the Blessed.

Here are her tools,

her sewing awls, sinew, beads,

that she may make beautiful things,

and have beauty around her,

always.

We will remember her,

We, left on these shores,

We, left grieving here….

Always.

---Luann Udell

Misty Rock and Other Thoughts

Misty Rock and Other Thoughts
Originally uploaded by Vix Photos.

Above is another photo from our California trip—Misty Rock2.

I have discovered Pod casts. Now, I understand they’ve been around for a while. Okay, when I first explored them with my spiffy new iPod (thanks Blake!), I found that the ones I tested out were utterly boring. I won’t name them, but I wondered why anyone would bother wasting time and energy and money on blathering to create a stultifying Pod cast. Needless to say, I didn’t save them.

But today I explored a wee bit further and discovered: Cast On! It’s Podcast from Wales, which in itself is totally cool, hosted by Brenda Dayne. Sure, it’s about knitting, but the gal do9ing the cast plays amazing underground tunes, includes some additional great writing by others, has several sheep sounds (always a pleasant addition), and, best of all, has a wicked sense of humor and irony. I’m hooked. Here’s the Web site: www.cast-on.com. And you can, of course, get the Podcast for free from the iTunes store.

So weird, but I still love listening to ‘60s and ‘70s music. Where are today’s Mamas and Papas, Cream, and Rotary Connection?

Just got my Publisher’s Weekly review for The Grief Shop (comes out Aug 29), and – boy – did it make my day. Several days, actually. It’s on my Web site, in case you want to check it out yourself.

Just got some brand new and spiffy buffalo fiber from Buffalo Gold. Oh, yum. The stuff is gorgeous, and I plan to knit up some mitts as soon as I finish my current progress. I've also just ordered some new yarn (baby alpaca and silk) from Liza Souza, the most divine spinner and dyer in the world. And, no, I do not exaggerate.

Ms. Gracie, the dog who can’t tell the difference between doggie toys and human ones (duct tape, chair legs, shoes, used underwear) has sinned. She was sitting beatifically on the floor as I went to take my shower this a.m. I sang, per usual. Today it was Les Miz, which is what perhaps drowned out Ms. Gracie's glee.

So anyhoo – out I come, sparkling fresh and happy with cleanliness, and what do I see? Ms. Grace looking utterly content, my latest knitting project disturbingly close to her mouth. Yes, she had been investigating.

Fortunately for her and for me, she ripped nada regarding the knitting. Since I’m knitting cables, that was a huge plus.) Ah, but my lovely number six bamboo needles? Three were fine, but one had suspicious-looking teeth marks on it.

Now, I could have chewed on that needle in my sleep. Anything is possible, right? But being the smart detective that I am, I knew, with great certainty, that Ms. Grace had defiled my needle!

Tonight, I test if the needle is still in working order, meaning that the yarn slips over it like oil on a baby's bum. I sure hope so.

Nonetheless, Ms. Grace is the cutest thing in the world. And, yes, I did scold her in a solemn voice, which made her quiver. I'm not sure if it was in fear or from laughter. I suspect the latter. But then I had to kiss her. I mean, c’mon, one cannot stay angry at a basset, particularly one as adorable as Ms. Gracie. It’s an impossibility.