Some of the great people I am connected to have asked how things are going, so here is a synopsis.
And a warm thank you to my Multiply mavens who have been kind and generous in comments and personal messages. I may never meet you in person, but your spirits are real and uplifting.

Some thoughts:

Mom:
I took out this photo and thought:
Would this lovely young woman ever imagine whether she would live to be ninety-one years of age?

She is now as good as ever, no live-in help. Loves her new place in the assisted living. I asked how she was doing and she gave me an emphatic, “Great.” As we say in Noo Yawk, “so what could be bad.” She is independent, clearer than a bell and has a NYC mouth that will get her far. She recently went to the doctor (taken by my friend Joanne), and was given misinformation by the nurse. My mother called her on it. “That’s no what you told me the last time I was here, and then she offered, “don’t think us old people aren’t so smart—we’re a lot sharper than you younger ones.”

Don’t mess with my mother, just don’t think about it.

So she will be having the cataract surgery she should have had before the accident, on my birthday. (she added). And when her vision is where it should be, watch out (pun intended subconsciously). Here she is at ninety one and my husband who is thirty years younger has had both cataracts done already.

As ma says, “don’t forget to take your Co-enzyme Q-10.”

Next, Little Arnold Schwartz Katz.
He’s so at home commuting between my house and the neighbors’ that he hasn’t felt the need to explore his new house.

I’ve tried to entice him in but he didn’t take to going on it’s deck. I have since moved the house to the back and taken it off the stand, maybe that will help.
For now he is sleeping under someone’s bushes or on Sy’s porch on a cushion.

Just don’t call him late for dinner.

Arnold with great interest. They even have a special vocalization for him.
Arnold never makes a sound. They never do when they live outside (that’s how mine were).
They are silent for protection.
And just as I thought there was a possibility of inviting Arnold in, all three of mine got into a mild hissy fit.

Arnold politely ate his breakfast, walked up the driveway to the front lawn and peed on my flowers.

Such a good boy.

Then there’s the book. THE book. Never did I realize what a job this would be, it seems endless. Just when I think I am done, I am done with a phase, a part, a “until the next thing.”

My contract included someone writing my cover.
I had submitted my own (thank you, Narice) but it needed “polishing” and I was entitled to the polish.

Let’s just say that if I use the cover copy as it stands, someone might see my book, walk up to me and take back my High School diploma.
I will not have a 15 minute run-on sentence about me on my back cover. When I complained I got an email back from that department stating that the free-lance writer “did the best they could.”

I told the person in charge of my project of my issues and she shot some emails to other departments. These are my comment as I outlined them:

The cover looks great, the copy will not be used. If I have to write it myself, I want compensation in some form. (more books, whatever),
By contract I get the service. The implication in the agreement is that it will be executed professionally. It wasn’t.

The design team used a decorative font for my poem titles. It’s lovely if the title has one word. Many don’t. it’s illegible. I asked that one of the decorative fonts from the cover be brought inside the book to make it cohesive. The font they chose was too old fashioned and ornate.

I paid for a proofreader. I received a list, a page’s worth of changes that the person suggests that I can accept or decline. This person didn’t know that Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge are proper names. He wanted me to make bridge lower case. Nope. Decline.

If I wanted to at that point, assuming I had a proofreader and assuming everything was in order, just said yes, go ahead, let’s move. But luckily I didn’t. I started doing a perusal of the entire document, almost 200 pages. This is about my 6th pass: The proofreader didn’t find the formatting errors likely caused by the document’s changeover from 8.5×11 to 6×9. Errors are expected BUT:

Lines shifted, closed, were omitted. Some lines had 2 spaces between words. OK for a novel, NOT for poetry. Some lines were switched from bold to not bold and visa versa. It goes on and on for about 9 pages.The more I look the more I find.

But during the time I have spent searching and rethinking, I have made some changes in micro-organization and presentation that I think work even better.

So, changes are in the works.
This project might take me close to two years from the time I signed the contract in April 2007 to the time I have the book in my hands (and you, too, signed of course).
But at least I have some experience in design and I know what’s right.
I ahve bd eyestrn so forgiv my typos.

During a break this morning I tuned in to a recorded episode of Loretta Young. She’s my hero; I am a cult follower. For thirty minutes at a time I can catch a break from the computer and get more eyestrain from watching TV. Loretta whirls in in her gorgeous gown, says, “hello,” in her sultry voice and introduces the episode that will present a new little slice of life and offer a lesson.

Here’s Loretta playing a mother in the 50s; she has three perfect children and a husband who barely looks up from the newspaper. He placates her, patronizes her. She is stunning in the dress she wears to cook breakfast in. Of course she changes to a more beautiful one to make dinner in. (He’s got a shirt, tie and jacket on).

The house next door has been vacant. She looks out the kitchen window one day to see a family moving in. They meet. Become friends. (First they shake hands and refer to each other as Mr. or Mrs. so and so. Then gradually they are on a first name basis.

Loretta (Dena) observes that Al’s wife is waiting for him in the driveway at 5:45 PM every day to open the garage door for him. Then into their home they walk together for supper. (a word I remember form the 50’s).

One day Al’s wife, what’s-her-name, um, Laura, goes to the store and gets killed by a hit and run. Al turns to stone and his kids are a mess. Well, they should be, but they just look forlorn. Loretta (Dena) in her infinite wisdom decides to invite Al over for a drink. He has refused invites up until now, but she decides to stand at his driveway at 5:45 like his wife, what’s-her-name, used to do. He sort of looks grateful and comes in.

Not only does he look depressed, we KNOW he is a repressed person, he hides his feelings from himself. (you know how men were in the 50’s, hold it in, don’t express).

Loretta tries to get him to talk. He takes his glass and crushes it in his manly hand. So dramatic. Loretta, and her husband who never looks at her, now look at each other with mouths agape! She runs to get a towel to wrap his hand. After grabbing Loretta, kissing her full on the lips in front of her husband, and declaring his love for his lost wife, he gives his soliloquy:,

“If you feel sorry for me, you and all my friends, blah blah should cherish what you have, if you love your wife, show her. Don’t take anyone for granted, on and on…love her now while you’ve got the chance…take a big long look my friend because it may be one of the few you’ll ever have…”

Al left. In his suit and tie. He took his memories of “whats-her-name” with him. Leaving Loretta and what’s-his-face alone together with their highball glasses. For God’s sake, man, she’s a hottie, get your horn rims changed and LOOK. He looks, now he SEES. Time for “oh, my darling, I do love you.” “Oh!” and more “oh!” Everything is gonna be fiiiiine.
“Dena, I do love you…” hug, kiss.

So, my weekend words of wisdom are thus, quote, Loretta: “Every man’s neighbor is his looking glass.”

If you love someone: a neighbor, a spouse, a friend, a lover, a cat, your mom, the gardener, say I LOVE YOU and say it now. Put your newspaper down, dammit and look around. There are some who are not as lucky as you. And there is someone you know who deserves to be told.

To all a great weekend. I love you.

reply nomadtraveller wrote on Oct 9, ’09 Wow! What a lot in one post. I used to love Loretta Young. As you say, something unreal about the lifestyle. Used to fascinate me though. We would watch before eating our Tea.

reply greenwytch wrote on Oct 9, ’09, edited on Oct 9, ’09 so interesting to think of those ’50’s films and television, isn’t it? i can still see the ‘Leave it to Beaver’ gang (no, i shan’t say anymore!), in there everything *just so* sort of a world…and Eddie coming over, drooling at something at which he should not be drooling……and saying ‘nice sweater, Mrs. Cleaver’. she never really looks at anyone, either, and simply says a very non-committal ‘why thank you dear’, as she dishes out the pot rost, or cookies, or lemonade.well, at least Little Arnold has developed a passing interest in the new abode! have you put any catnip in there yet? seems like the book thing is moving on…….good for you, staying on top of it all (mental image of you actually standing on top of pages and pages and pages…..)! what a relief it must be for you, now that all is settling in! wonderful to hear what’s news in your world, my dear. HUGS

reply greenwytch wrote on Oct 9, ’09 p.s…..i love you, too. ; D

reply rosiefielding2 wrote on Oct 9, ’09 very informative post my friend, loved the bit about the cat and your sweet mother , good luck too with your book, enjoy the weekend hugs Rosiex

reply nemo4sun wrote on Oct 9, ’09 go mom go kitty go you go loretta:)

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 9, ’09 Go, Neeeemmmmo!

reply philsgal7759 wrote on Oct 9, ’09 “That’s no what you told me the last time I was here, and then she offered, “don’t think us old people aren’t so smart—we’re a lot sharper than you younger ones.”WTG MOM!! She sounds great her fight is back. Hey I’ve got an idea hire my son to edit. He was an English major. We call him the grammar police. LOL If you love someone: a neighbor, a spouse, a friend, a lover, a cat, your mom, the gardener, say I LOVE YOU and say it now. Put your newspaper down, dammit and look around. There are some who are not as lucky as you. And there is someone you know who deserves to be told. AMEN Love ya Susie Q.

reply caffeinatedjo wrote on Oct 9, ’09, edited on Oct 9, ’09 I bet when it gets colder Arnold will dive right into his condo.So happy your mother is doing well. Do not stress over the book…just take it one step at a time. It WILL get published. I love those old tv shows where life, if sterotypical, seemed so much simpler.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 9, ’09 See the Little Arnold News Flash! http://sanssouciblogs.multiply.com/journal/item/649/

reply pestep55 wrote on Oct 9, ’09 Marvelous post from the opening to the close. Four great updates /:-)

reply tulipsinspring wrote on Oct 9, ’09 What a captivating post! I can see why you are a successful author. :)Your mom is awesome, so cute, and so lovely in both pictures. I’m glad she’s doing so well! Arnold is pure muffin. Too bad all three of your babies decided to protest, I thought maybe they were all learning to like each other. And maybe they still are. I love the tentative pics of him checking out his digs. That cat has a very intelligent face, and I’m so glad you and your neighbor are helping him. As to the book, OMG, nightmare!! They don’t seem to be hiring very good editors, that’s quite odd. I even know those bridges are proper names, and I live in Canada! The description of the Loretta Young thing was sooooo Fifties! Loved it! I’ve never heard of that show before, or seen it in reruns. She’s so pretty, I’ve seen her in movies but didn’t know she had a TV show. Thanks for that!

reply tulipsinspring wrote on Oct 9, ’09 sanssouciblogs said If you love someone: a neighbor, a spouse, a friend, a lover, a cat, your mom, the gardener, say I LOVE YOU and say it now. Put your newspaper down, dammit and look around. There are some who are not as lucky as you. And there is someone you know who deserves to be told. Love you Sue! Hugs!!!!

reply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Oct 11, ’09, edited on Oct 11, ’09 Wonderful update! You have some darn good genes in your family..your Mom is still stunning! Always grateful for your friendship my friend….love you! MWAH!

reply madisonpooface wrote on Oct 11, ’09 Your Mom really does sound like this move was the best thing in the world for her. Really glad for you and her. Don’t worry about Arnold, I am sure he will settle in when it gets cold. Do you have blankets etc. in there for him, nice carpet maybe. I knew people who had an outdoor cat house that actually had heat in it and for the summer hook up to their place for AC. oh my. Good luck with the book, what else can I say. Wouldn’t wish all that trama on anyone I know. I love Loretta Young also. Love you Other sue

reply catnurse1 wrote on Oct 12, ’09 My oldest daughter loves to write, and she’s always sending things to our friend who does some writing.Your mother was gorgeous as a young lady and beautiful now. She sounds like my Polish grandmother did – she didn’t take lip from anyone. It took a long time for my stray to adapt to fine living. When he became strictly indoors, he would sleep on the kitchen floor on the area rug, even though there were a lot of cozy cat places to go. Arnold will get there soon. My weekend was filled with loving puppies, and happy children because they got to see all the Halloween stuff at WalMart. What else could I ask for?