Expect the Unexpected

December 2nd in Texas and it snowed. I was stuck in traffic on I820, so I did not take a picture. Thus I'm stealing this from Linda T and Cecil - their lovely backyard patio coated in the white stuff. "No accumulation," said the weatherfolks.

Well, expect the unexpected, folks and this applies to writing. As the writer, we need to throw stuff at our readers that makes sense but that they don't anticipate. As a reader, that's the joy - turn the page and go, "Whoa! I didn't expect that."

I started to outline my NaNo novel to see what the heck I wrote in 29 days and if it was coherent after all. I did manage a few surprises and I can see where I should add a few more twists. Plus it's amusing to see where I drifted - names changed or people were in two places at one time without the benefit of time travel.

This is definitely an adventure. Will it snow in August in my book? Hmmm......

Feeling better today

This was the only picture I could find online showing George and his gold tooth with his friend Martha. From Blingee--whatever that is. AB only recently introduced me to the greatness that is George and Martha. If you've never read the books, you're missing out!

I'm feeling better today. It was tough getting up this morning, but I made it to work (a bit late) and managed to stay the whole day. The pain has subsided a good bit, and I was able to eat some potato leek soup this evening for dinner. The broth I had last night and at lunch was hardly enough for me! I probably have to keep eating the soft foods another couple of days, but I'm feeling a ton better than I did at this time last night.

I miss my tooth though. It was my favorite tooth. I had a habit of feeling the side of it with my tongue because it was very slick, you know--like a comfort thing. Now it's gone. The big molar on the other side is just as slick but it's not the same. Does anyone else in the world have a favorite tooth?

Meanwhile, I'm trying to look for jobs in the Philly/Baltimore/DC area now. Nothing's happening down here in San Antonio anyway, and if I were to move up that way, I'd be so much closer to AB and to the spring wood warblers I know and love! I'm sure spring migration down here must be amazing, but it's not the same. PA is the last place I called home, and I'd love to get up there again, if only to be with or near AB again.

...like I need a hole in the head

Presenting, in these last few moments of excrutiating pain before I take my Tylenol w/ Codeine, my beloved upper left big molar:I told my dentist (that's his gloved hand) I'd put it on my blog. Thank you, Dr. Bice, for a pain-free extraction. I just wish it was still pain-free, but thanks to a nasty infection in the roots, it sure isn't.

You'll recall my toothache I spoke of when I was driving to TX from CA--this is that same tooth. No wonder it hurt. Note the fact that it's split in half. That happened in my mouth, probably shortly before I left CA. All that jaw-clenching in my sleep, I guess. Plus it was a big filling that should've/would've been crowned had I not left PA and my dental insurance.

Okay, it's getting hard to type because my hands are shaky from the pain. Think good thoughts for my little holey head.

Goodbye, old friend.