January, 2010 | Ann Leary, author of The Good House

A Wild Night

January 31, 2010 by Ann Leary 66 Comments

The Lift Trucks Gallery sent me this short video that they made of last night’s reading. If you don’t blink, at the very end, you will see me up at the mike. But as the others have said, the most fun was (for me) before the event, and (for them) afterward.

I arrived at our designated meeting spot, Tazza Cafe, and as one of the others stated, within minutes, our screeching and cackling and guffawing had driven the other patrons away. Most had arrived before me and Tracy very graciously offered to buy me a cup of tea and then we all got to gabbing, and honestly, it felt like I was with family.

Filed Under: Literary stuff, Stuff I Did, Very Important Stuff Tagged With: art, writers

Snow Day

January 28, 2010 by Ann Leary 117 Comments

I love an unexpected snowfall. I watched the weather this morning and was told to expect a few flurries, but it’s been snowing for hours. All the school buses were out, I guess the snow caught the school district by surprise too. Let’s hope everybody gets where they’re going, safe and sound.

Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Horses

A Walk in the Woods

January 27, 2010 by Ann Leary 91 Comments

It rained here on Monday. It poured rain. Part of our driveway was washed away, our kitchen ceiling leaked and the dogs and I were pretty much stuck indoors. Holly drove all of us to thoughts of puppycide. She was a very bad girl. She attacked me and the other dogs, repeatedly, chewed up a shoe, refused to pee while outside in the rain and then squatted on a rug the minute I brought her in. And most annoying of all was her unrelenting glee. The dogs and I were cranky because of the rain. We wanted to lie in the bed-desk and listen to the rain but somebody kept launching surprise attacks on our feet and muzzles. When she was scolded she wagged her tail and then leapt at us again. She had a few time-outs.

Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Horses, Stuff I Did Tagged With: dogs

Overcoming Something White

January 26, 2010 by Ann Leary 24 Comments

I apologize to those of you whose comments didn’t appear when you posted them. Sometimes they get sent to the spam pile and sometimes I forget to check. It often happens when you post links. I love the links, so if you post something and it doesn’t appear, feel free to let me know so I can dig it out of the spam bin.

I went on a very enjoyable hike with the dogs today, took all sorts of photos, and now can’t find the USB cord (again). So I’ve rifled through the many, many photos on my computer to find something to brighten the blog again and found these winter landscapes.

Filed Under: Literary stuff Tagged With: beauty, poetry

Not To Be Viewed With The Naked Eye

January 24, 2010 by Ann Leary 78 Comments

I can’t post this latest Holly photo on the blog lest it blind you all with it’s potentially toxic levels of cute. Seriously, put on some protective goggles or shades before clicking on this link.

Devin actually got a shot of me working at my “desk” today. I will hide this photo also, only because I can’t bear to have it hanging on the wall of the blog. So depressing. Yes, it’s light out. Yes, I’m in bed, where I have been since we turned the clocks back last fall. Like the bear, I plan to emerge from my hibernation during the spring thaw, but unlike the bear, I might have to be removed from my “den” through a window, by a giant crane. If you want to gain weight, which I know everybody does, I recommend that all work, play and eating take place in bed, in a semi-reclined position. Like this.

Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Horses Tagged With: dogs

A Great Book, A Great Contest

January 22, 2010 by Ann Leary 121 Comments

I hesitate to interrupt all the introductions with a new blog but I encourage people to keep coming out! I don’t want to say welcome, because many of you have been reading all along, but, it’s lovely to hear all the new voices.

I have been insanely busy, this week and so have many people I know. First, my friend Dani Shapiro has a new book coming out on Monday. The book is called Devotion and it’s a beautiful examination of her spiritual journey in what she calls “the afternoon of life.” Click on her link and have a look at her books and blog and introduce yourselves while you’re there. I’ve already read Devotion and recommend it highly!

Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Horses, Literary stuff, Very Important Stuff Tagged With: books, dogs, writers

Peace

January 20, 2010 by Ann Leary 194 Comments

I consulted two very good friends, one of whom is now in the spiritual world (but still reads my blog, God bless him) about some of the bad vibes that we’ve had here during the past few days. They knew exactly what they must do. They had a “bed-in” for us.

That’s me, on the phone with John at 1:47. “Together!” he said.

Now everyone, time for a big group (((((((((((((((awkward stiffness))))))))))))))))).

The dogs and I think the idea of a bed-in is a splendid one. It’s actually a philosophy that we practice every day.

Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Horses, Very Important Stuff

A Very Comfy Desk

January 19, 2010 by Ann Leary 63 Comments

The other day a woman was here interviewing me for a local magazine. She wanted to photograph me in my “work space.” I tried to change the subject and throw her off-topic by gossiping about somebody we both know, but she persisted. She thought it would be great to show me working away at a desk. So I sheepishly showed her my office, which could actually qualify me for an episode of the reality show, Hoarders, and mumbled something about working in there, when it’s not so cluttered. I couldn’t show her my fabulous real office, where I’m propped up by pillows all day and puppies try to stay awake so that they can stare at me:

Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Horses Tagged With: dogs, writing

Let’s Name the Blog

January 18, 2010 by Ann Leary 68 Comments

I received the most lovely email recently from a faithful reader who provided this definition of a traditional salon:

Salon: a 17th century French idea, a gathering of stimulating and attractive people of quality under the roof of an inspiring hostess, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation and readings.

Sound familiar? I think that all you stimulating and attractive readers and commenters have turned this blog into a sort of wonderful salon. Which brings me to something I’ve been putting off because I’m so busy. The blog needs a new title. Ann Leary’s Blog just doesn’t cut it. And the ugly banner has to go as well as the photo. I don’t even look like that photo anymore. I look like this:

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Will the Real Lulu Please Come?

January 17, 2010 by Ann Leary 167 Comments

Last week I received the following email from a regular blog reader whose name I won’t mention because I haven’t asked permission. I hope she’ll feel comfortable enough to identify herself. Anyway, she emailed me because she lives halfway across the country, but owns Lulu’s clone. Here’s what she said in her email:

Filed Under: Uncategorized

A Wild Night

Snow Day

A Walk in the Woods

Overcoming Something White

Not To Be Viewed With The Naked Eye

A Great Book, A Great Contest

Peace

A Very Comfy Desk

Let’s Name the Blog

Will the Real Lulu Please Come?

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