Scene Break
Heirophant & Strength from the Baroque Tarot Deck by La Muci
February 2, 2025
SCENE BREAK
February 2, 2025, Groundhog Day
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning, predicting 6 more weeks of winter. As I sit here typing, I'm looking out the window to the cloudy overcast day. Maybe there was sun a few hours ago, or maybe only in that one groundhog place. Honestly, I'd prefer to lounge around and watch Groundhog Day with Bill Murray but unfortunately real-life bites.
The movers I'd hired for January 31 stood me up. No text, no call, no show. Good thing I didn't pay anything up front as it's clearly a scam. Minka called the company she's used in the past. They came yesterday morning. They moved me, took all the stuff we didn't want (half the truckload), and rearranged my room. Super decent price too. Anthony, DeeAvis, and RayShawn were very hardworking and respectful. I even had enough money to give them a little tip.
Over the last 2 years I've gone from a 2-bedroom to a 1-bedroom, and now a studio. Each move has had positives and negatives. A positive is paring down. Some people would see that as a negative, but I think it's a good thing. Bill always had so much junk that it is relieving when I get rid of something. I feel lighter. My next move will be into a senior living place. I don't know when that will be but I know it will happen and for the best.
Jose is a little afraid of all the stuff sitting around. Most of the time he is on his bed on the floor instead of on the couch. He's scared partly due to all the boxes, but I think also because I had the guys trade places with my bed and couch and move my desk. Before, my desk faced a wall. Now it can look out the window.
Now on with the writing updates…
WHAT'S NEW IN POETRY
I've written a few new poems and had a few published. I haven't worked on my novel in verse for a couple of weeks because my brain has been so scattered, with the move, Poetry Society, health issues, etc. I need full concentration to write those poems because of the nature of the beast. Beginning with 13 POV characters, following the "outline" of my "failed" novel, making sure everyone has a more or less equal voice. Making sure I don't leave out the important stuff while clearing the fluff. It's amazing how much fluff is in the average novel. I have about 60 poems and I'm nowhere near the middle of the book.
WHAT'S UP WITH MY FICTION
I still have several queries out with agents for Under the Bubble. I am still searching for small presses to submit the book to. Most small presses charge a fee, small or large, and I am not going to do that. I saw an Author's Publish email come through the other day that lists presses looking for manuscripts so I'll look there soon.
I haven't started the short story in my head yet. There is no room in my brain to think about writing it. It will be about a young woman in Egypt who meets a young man when he arrives from Scotland. They fall in love, marry, and travel to Spain, then the colonies. They became my ancestors. I have no idea what to call this novelette. Perhaps one of my readers can suggest something?
WHAT I'M READING
I'm still in a book slump. Yesterday, I started unpacking books first because they sort of make the place feel like home. I put the books I've started on the shelves with the others. No more fooling myself about reading them all. When I'm ready, I'll choose one to finish.
I am always reading work written by others. Friends send me their stuff to read and critique. I find that enjoyable, relaxing, and satisfying.
STAR TREK
The Section 31 movie, or long trek, came out to mixed reviews. I watched it with a group of folks online from the Star Trek Family. They often host movie and episode watch parties. On Trek Culture, a show on YouTube, Sean gave it 44 downs and 30 some ups. First time I've ever seen him do that. I've read a few hateful comments about Section 31 online, too. My opinion is that I love anything Star Trek but some better than others. This is definitely on my list of Not so Much. There were a few deep cuts, Easter Eggs and such. Overall, it is not very Trekish.
I've also been watching Voyager again but not every night so I'm only in season 1. The next show to be on Paramount is the next season of Strange New Worlds.
PUBLICATION SINCE LAST SCENE BREAK
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/aca7b8b9aa.html#page/1 Three poems – 2 ekphrastic, 1 Triolet.
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
Publications come in waves. Sometimes I have 3 acceptances a month. Other times I'll go 3 months without 1. Currently, I'm in the latter situation.
TODAY'S CARDS
I am featuring 4 cards today because of the 2 writing workshops. The first workshop was with Deborah Koff-Chapin and her Portals of Presence deck, so I have 2 of those. The second is tonight to celebrate Imbolc. The host chose the Heirophant card. I told Johanna and she said she would use the Strength card. So, I chose those 2 from my Baroque Tarot Deck by La Muci.
Yes, I wrote a poem during and after the Portals gathering!
Thanks for reading!
For a list of all my publications with links
https://www.linktr.ee/monaiv
Please visit my website and read my blog!
https://www.monamehas.net