Susan Wise Bauer

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-03-27

Susan — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:21:00 +0000

Hyperactive border collie really wants to drink red wine marinating liquid from tonight's flatiron steaks. I kind of want to give it to her. #
My Stress-Relief Body Lotion promises to Calm and Relax as it Moisturizes. Suspect it may be past its sell-by date. #
Soothing ylang ylang candles not doing the trick either. What's ylang ylang? #
Wow. I am learning all sorts of new facts about ylang ylang. #
Today, my nothing-but-writing day: Renaissance-era African cities, teaching fifth graders to write biographical sketches, dependent clauses, #
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." #
I'm trying to write today, honest, but I'm distracted because I keep waiting to see Rod Serling appear from behind a tree. #
I just discovered the island of Mauritius! (Well, technically, the Dutch discovered it in 1598, but now I know where it is too.) #
Carbohydrates are natural tranquilizers (she says, heading for the cookie jar). #
New post up at the Well-Trained Mind blog: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/reflections-on-education/a-golden-oldie/ #
Winner of this year's Diagram Prize for the year's oddest book title: Managing a Dental Practice The Genghis Khan Way, by Michael R. Young. #
Just taught DS14 how to make meatloaf. Had a little trouble convincing him that "loaf" means "don't sculpt the meat into intriguing shapes." #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-11-21

Susan — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 02:21:00 +0000

John Michael Talbot has the TV series Leverage marked as a "Like" on Facebook. So do I. This totally made my day. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-11-14

Susan — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Lots of emails piled up from last week. If you're waiting to hear from me…you might wait a little longer… #
This morning it's me, Pandora, and middle-grade writing lessons. #
OK, enough writing and grammar for one day. Going to go ride my enormous cowardly draft horse while the kids are still having room time. #
Just helped Grammy replant two rows of strawberries, in November dusk under a fingernail moon. #
The German shepherd has just spent thirty-five solid minutes licking out the scrambled egg pan. #
Best explanation of semicolons ever: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon #
Last night I dreamed that we had two pet moose named Gleek & Freak who kept escaping on Sunday mornings during church. Care to deconstruct? #
I am writing this morning. But what I really want to do is buy shoes. #
Saw very old & dear friends today; far away but not distant, because whenever we meet it's clear we are still travelling on parallel paths. #
Regular deer season starts today. Run, Bambi. Run. #
DH heading off to play in the Charles City Ministers vs. Deacons basketball game. Holiness will undoubtedly be on view. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-11-07

Susan — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 02:21:00 +0000

Getting ready to travel to Vancouver. Always have to remind myself that yes, different COUNTRY than Seattle, take passport. #
Losing a baby at 6 months is not a miscarriage (http://tinyurl.com/2apaurt). There's a birth certificate, explanations, and a grave. I know. #
Packing for the Laing Lectures: http://tinyurl.com/2779xxc. #
On my way to Dulles. Filled with usual pre-trip certainty that I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT. #
I have not forgotten something. I have not forgotten something. I have not forgotten something… #
It's 7:30 AM and PITCH BLACK in Vancouver. Guess I'll wait a bit longer to go for a run… #
OOH! I can see English Bay! #
OK, I did forget something. Actually, quite a few things. I brought the "all" but forgot the "sundries." Might make dressing tricky. #
OK, Vancouverites, I'm getting a free morning on Friday. What's the one place I should visit and the one restaurant I should eat at? #
Last night's lecture seemed to go over well; Lecture #2 at 11:30 today. #
Today's lectures finished. Great crowd: welcoming, responsive, attentive. Great city. Good week. #
In the United lounge at O'Hare. Halfway home! #
I. HATE. PEOPLE-MOVERS. Doesn't matter how much time you save flying into Dulles, the people-mover will EAT it. #
Home and semi-awake. Love the extra hour (now that the kids are older, anyway). #
Arrgghh. Vancouver may have killed me <><><> #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-10-24

Susan — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 22:21:00 +0000

In the Star Alliance lounge at Heathrow, waiting to board my flight to Washington. Ready to hug the kids, kiss my dh, and eat some veggies. #
Home from the UK, contemplating the stack of mail that arrived last week. Why does no one but me open the mail? It is a great mystery. #
Contemplating 310,000 words of Renaissance history. I just know there's a storyline in there somewhere. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-10-17

Susan — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Getting ready to board a flight and depart for writing-intensive week…radio silence descending…see you in seven days. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-10-03

Susan — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 02:21:00 +0000

Orson Scott Card, thanks for the shout-out: http://tinyurl.com/262fn3e. (Scroll down. It was a faint shout-out.) #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-09-19

Susan — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 22:21:00 +0000

In Venice with dh and DS13. Spent night before last on a plane and last night on a train; Venice currently kind of fuzzy. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-09-05

Susan — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Staring down a week's worth of work… #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-29

Susan — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:21:00 +0000

My head is full of fourteenth-century German kings and non-restrictive clauses and SAT prep classes and uncleaned stalls. #
My head is full of papal monarchies and Augustinian dichotomies, Postman and McLuhan, outlining exercises and home-made pasta. #
I seem to be adrift in a sea of sloppy thinking. Doesn't anyone study logic any more? #
Multiple anecdotes do not an argument make. #
Happy seventeenth birthday, Ben! #
Baking anniversary/birthday cake and watching news. Very weird day in U.S. politics. Fortunately, can improve mood by eating more frosting. #
We have too many dogs. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-22

Susan — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:21:00 +0000

DS13, back in the house after gathering eggs: "A big snake was strangling one of the chickens. I whacked it with a shovel until it let go." #
Embarking on the Fifth Crusade this morning. #
If the kids make any more noise, my head might just split open like a ripe cantaloupe. #
Today's fun fact: Conrad IV of Germany was also Conrad I of Jerusalem & Conrad II of Sicily. Because just one name would be way too simple. #
Simultaneously reading "You Are Not a Gadget" and "The Book in the Renaissance"-2 pages of one, 2 pages of other. Fascinating juxtaposition. #
Remember that snake that Dan found wrapped around the chicken? Ben just caught it. And brought all 6 feet of snake up for us to see. #
Running this morning: it's starting to look like fall. Corn is full of morning glories, river mist in ribbons all across the fields. #
Getting ready to drive Christopher & all his stuff to UVA. Way easier than putting him on a plane to South Africa. #
Christopher all installed in his dorm. Now he can start learning to say things like "The Lawn" and "I'm a First Year" and "The University." #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-15

Susan — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Home at 3 AM. Tip for United: When reason next to "Delayed" on notice board is "Late aircraft," that doesn't really answer our questions. #
I think late-night flying has killed off a few brain cells that I actually needed. #
Getting ready to do an online seminar at 12:30. This one has a video feed. Guess I should put on lip gloss. #
Going off the grid to write. I hope. #
Perseid meteor shower hidden by clouds. Boo. #
Heading home from Eastern Shore wedding where DH was officiant & I was default Mistress of Ceremonies. OK, bridesmaids, GO NOW… #
To car ahead of us in Hampton Roads tunnel: if you hit your brakes again, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you. #
Back home. Shiny. #
When naptime is your favorite time of the day, you're either under the age of one or over the age of forty. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-08

Susan — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Doing my best to have a day off. #
Updating workshops for Chicago Expo this weekend (while fielding multiple phone calls informing us that our server is down. Yeah, we know). #
Server recovery…blogs and forums and store and main pages all back up! #
Power's off in entire historic/Merchant's Square area of Williamsburg. Now it really looks 18th century. #
Hear rumors Northern Lights could be seen all the way from VA. Went outside: weird flashy sky. But possibly heat lightning? Wondering… #
After sitting on runway in Richmond in howling thunderstorm for 3 extra hours, plane finally took off. Am now in Chicago at Homeschool Expo. #
In Chicago for my birthday! #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-01

Susan — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:21:00 +0000

At UVA Parent Orientation while DS18 off doing First-Year Orientation. So far, much more helpful than anticipated. #
Difficulty balancing obligation to go to all orientation sessions w/desire to wander around C'ville holding hands w/husband. #
It is much more exhausting to be a parent of a college freshman than to BE a college freshman. #
Once again I have not read a single title on the Booker shortlist. #
Baskin-Robbins chocolate soda w/peanutbutter-chocolate icecream, basil pesto with homemade pasta: summer is good despite triple-digit temps. #
Guises and Bourbons and de Medicis, oh my. #
Francis, Duke of Guise, was assassinated with a pistol "loaded with poisoned balls." How do you poison balls?? #
Today is a day of many meetings. Which was fun for Frodo but doesn't promise to be fun for me. #
A cool morning makes me feel like a new person. #
Working on Thirty Years' War. Teeny lingering optimism about human nature not destroyed by History of Medieval World now eradicated. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-25

Susan — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:21:00 +0000

DD9: "When I pretend I'm a superhero I'm not wearing one of those bikini things. I pretend I've got a super T-shirt & shorts." You go, girl. #
Sang Latin rounds with Peace Hill choir last night. Still humming. "Da pacem cordium" is a real mindworm. #
Title in "How to Scan" manual for my new IRIScan device on color mode: "Let The Bad Color Not Be Seen." Tee hee. #
If you've been in my car recently…did you lose a cell phone? Having trouble tracking this found phone down & the battery's dead. #
Weird Al does his best to save Western civilization: http://tinyurl.com/28t7osg. #
Doing fourteenth-century history this morning. Flaying is a really bad way to go. #
Three digit temps predicted for whole weekend. Want to hunker down in air conditioning and watch TV and never go outside again. #
Red-winged blackbirds in the sunflower field this morning: swirl of red, black, yellow and green, as if Monet decided to paint Charles City. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-18

Susan — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Long, long day. #
This morning, writing about writing. And France. #
The Albigensian Crusades: not a good decade for the Church. #
Running this morning: like exercising inside a sponge. #
My very favorite chef at my very favorite restaurant just sent me home w/doggie bag of HEADCHEESE-like Granny Tench used to make but better. #
Investigating the Council of Toulouse in 1229. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-11

Susan — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Doing routine revisions of will & legal stuff. Lawyer's opening remark: "In case of your potential decease…" Ah, THAT'S what it's called. #
Last time it was this hot: summer of 1977. Remember people kept asking if heat was a sign of approaching apocalypse. Turned out it wasn't. #
Have spent all morning trying to think like a fifth-grader. I think I broke my brain. #
One part of my brain: Reading The Capetian Kings of France this morning. Rest of my brain: Hoping for rain. #
Heading into my eighth day of voicelessness. #
Hello, computer! Since I can't talk to anyone else, I'll spend my morning with you. #
RAIN RAIN RAIN RAIN RAIN RAIN RAIN!!!!! #
That half-inch was nice. Could we have some more, please? #
Whedon is to vampires what Tolkein is to orcs. Everyone who uses them should pay both imaginations a royalty. (Better yet: don't use them). #
Er, guess you can tell I'm not watching the World Cup. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-04

Susan — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 22:21:00 +0000

DH is beating me at Settlers. #
78 degrees at 6 AM. Blech. #
Last leg of DS18's flight home bumped from 11 PM arrival to 12:42 AM arrival. Smacking myself on head to stay awake. #
He's home, he's home, he's home! #
Celebrating DS18's arrival home with bacon, eggs, and biscuits for lunch (which is when he woke up). #
Have said, "Hey, don't do that in the house WATCH OUT!" approximately forty-five times since 11 AM. #
Went for six-mile run in Chantilly. Got lost. Six-mile run turned into 12-mile run. At least I've got endorphins coming out my ears. #
In greenroom at the Teaching Company, looking over notes before I try to lecture on camera for the first time. #
That blinking red camera light keeps MOVING. Huh. #
What I really need is a teleprompter to follow me around. Then I'd never be at a loss for words. Or say anything unplanned and stupid. #
One of the wonderful things about being an adult: grown-up meal at grown-up restaurant following full day of work. Who'd go back? #
At end of long day, having frustrating time w/someone else's manuscript. Need to climb into nice soft puffy hotel bed & watch Hell's Kitchen #
Investigating chanson de geste cycles. #
Today's discovery: it's easier to read poetry written in medieval French than banking histories written in modern English. #
Getting ready to drag DS13 out of bed for an early morning horseback ride. #
Making breakfast cookies. Most wonderful recipe ever. #
Just been out with DD9 and friend and goat-devil-spawn-in-equine-form–sorry, meant to type PONY but fingers got away from me. #
Have just completed the weekly ritual of the Despidering of the Office (small disadvantage to working in chicken-shed office in summer). #
Grr. I have totally lost my voice, thanks to virus brought HOME from the doctor's office. That's not right. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-27

Susan — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Suspect that long-term health benefits of distance running may be offset by necessity of dousing myself with Deet to run in mayfly season. #
Apparently Virginia has rotated unnaturally close to the sun. Where's the Syfy Original Movie team when you need them?? #
Tomes on Renaissance banking going on and on about florins. Mental lightweight that I am, waiting for someone to whip out the iocane powder. #
The World Cup comes to Middle Earth: http://tinyurl.com/2635uoe. #
Heading off to Williamsburg to give the plenary address at the Society for Classical Learning annual conference. #
Bank thermometer says 104 degrees. #
So instead of a SyFy Original Move where Virginia falls into the sun, we get THIS: http://tinyurl.com/29pyxtz. I liked my idea better. #
Lookee at all these unanswered emails. #
Back to the Society of Classical Learning this morning. #
Working in middle-grade writing program at Swem. Nice and quiet here. Everyone gone for the summer except for me and bored student at desk. #
Sitting on hill near Governor's Palace, behind boxwood garden, overlooking split-rail fence & sheep. And there's a wireless network here. #
Driving home: when you live in cornfields, vast open spaces become full-grown forests within weeks. Strange sudden limiting of view… #
Two kids in the air today: one on the way to music camp in NYC, the other on the Sydney to LAX leg of his trip home. I may need chocolate. #
Only took 5 phone calls and 7 hours to get Citicards to unblock DS18's blocked credit card. What DO they spend that 29% annual interest on? #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-20

Susan — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Family day. Must involve Settlers & cookies. #
That would be Settlers, cookies, and moving heavy furniture. Like you do. #
Didn't have to get up early this morning. So naturally was wide awake by 4:30 AM. Huh. #
Doing grammar this morning. "A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea" is unexpectedly complicated to explain. #
DS16 is driving, I am in passenger seat. Roadside ditch seems very, very close. #
Kind of regretting that I ever found out about deglazing a pan with heavy cream. #
Back in (historical) Italy for the rest of the day. Not as good as the real thing: all the complicated politics, none of the great food. #
"The counts had the usufruct but not possession…a fact given imperial sanction by the capitulary of Kiersy." AGGH. (I didn't write that.) #
"The nascent bourgeoisie broke the feudal trammels." Think I might research in another book for a while. This one's annoying me. #
What do you suppose the "spirit of clientelage" is? And why do histories of the maritime republics lend themselves to such prose? #
Ah, there's no help for it. Before I can finish this book, I'm going to have to read up on economic history. A lot. Boo. #
8 hours yesterday learning about Genoese banking, 3 hours today attempting to define abstract and concrete nouns: not much WRITING so far. #
Bright cool morning, breakfast outside; kids wandering around yard with dogs & apple muffins, mourning doves in wood nearby, sound of water. #
Time for homemade pasta with mushrooms and mindless TV. So done with this week. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-13

Susan — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Do something for your brain this week: come hear us speak in Richmond. Free, no registration, spread the word! http://tinyurl.com/2dt78bu #
Writing about Genoa this morning. #
Gearing up for tomorrow. We won't be in HEAV program (conference refused to run our ad), so spread the word: http://tinyurl.com/2dt78bu #
Back from Richmond conference. THANK YOU! to all who came…especially those who drove from Ohio, Tennessee, New York for 1 day of lectures. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-06

Susan — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:21:00 +0000

DS18 has arrived in Sydney from Guangzhou. Feel enormously relieved. #
First week of June! Taking the week off from writing, giving the kids off from school. #
Will be talking (briefly) about the Duchess of York's apology on the BBC World News tonight–cut your radio on around 4 PM eastern US time. #
Interview on BBC World News (radio) will air closer to 4:50 PM Eastern US time. #
BBC interview at http://tinyurl.com/2dzbybw; on far end of "Gaza flotilla: 01 June 10" hour. #
Look who's back in the news! http://tinyurl.com/23zeprv #
Back from long morning run and hopped up on endorphins. Constructing great plans for new writing program (plus world takeover). #
Heading out to drive the pony. #
Ponies are obnoxious. #
Spent the afternoon at WaterCountry with the kids. Quite enjoyable as long as I could NOT think about all those other bodies in the water. #
Thinned peaches this morning, a process which makes me feel that I will NEVER share any of the surviving peaches with ANYONE EVER. #
On the Jamestown ferry. My GPS is both puzzled and alarmed. #
Pondering whether or not picnic with good food & interesting people is worth braving zillion-degree heat & Virginia humidity. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-30

Susan — Sun, 30 May 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Burgers stuffed w/havarti & goat cheese, homemade rolls, good wine, Lost finale. If only I'd WATCHED Lost, I'd be able to follow this. #
Heading to NYC this afternoon for BookExpo; will update you from the floor. #
Getting ready to see Denzel Washington in Fences at the Cort. #
I turned off MY cell phone. Don't know what was wrong with all those other fools. #
From BEA #1: Initial wave of voracious freebie-seekers definitely thinner this year. #
From BEA #2: Last tweet was answered by Norton exec standing on opposite aisle. Social networking! (I think.) #
Just had a run on our Story of the World globe beach balls. Mob descended on table clamoring for more. #
No, I'm not interested in publishing book about Buddha and flowers.Nor about cat and frog on epic journey. We're an EDUCATIONAL press. #
Heading to hear Frank Schaeffer, Steve Prothero, and others discuss "Future of Fundamentalism in the Obama Era." Predict it will have one. #
So far I am vastly unimpressed. #
A panel with two panelists, one intelligent and one clueless, does not a good discussion make. #
Words you don't want to hear from 1) your doctor, 2) your taxi driver enroute to the airport: "This looks bad." #
Just to amplify previous remarks: Steve Prothero NOT the clueless panelist. Go read his book. #
If there's something skinnier than the skins of teeth, that's what I made this flight by. #
Hello, house! I love my house and my own bed and my own fridge and my own books and my own dog (OK, technically DS13's dog but REALLY mine). #
Working on middle-grade writing curriculum all day today. Almost finished with detailed scope and sequence, hoping to tackle actual lessons. #
All my children have gone over to other people's houses. Naptime, here I come. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-23

Susan — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Excited about the rain. Less exciting that it's coming down on the day we were going hiking for dh's birthday. #
Getting ready to see Robin Hood with dh. HOPING for movie home run. #
On the plus side for historical accuracy, Russell Crowe actually SOUNDS English– #
Happy birthday, Pete! #
Apparently our phone line has been fried by lightning. If you've tried to call us, better use the cell numbers instead. #
Heading up to DC tomorrow for initial workshopping at the Teaching Company. #
Today is an editing day. #
For those who asked: I posted my review of Robin Hood. http://www.susanwisebauer.com/blog/movie-reviews/robin-hood-a-rare-movie-review/ #
Oh, look. I'm sitting still on I-95. Again. #
Finally home. May have to buy helicopter to travel back and forth to Teaching Company headquarters in DC. #
Helpmeet responsibilities today: 1) Show up at Pentecost service & sing, 2) Provide nibbles & optimal viewing environment for Lost finale. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-16

Susan — Sun, 16 May 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Looking at spiral and barred spiral galaxies in the backyard observatory with my father and @davidbryan. Clear, cool, real. #
Just spent tedious half hour untangling large blacksnake from strawberry netting. Am now running late, snake is free to mouse another day. #
And just spent tedious two hours with vet & horse who stuck back foot through fence. This is obviously Clueless Animal Day. #
Living my whole life simultaneously today: writing + online lecture + lunch with W&M dean + kids ferried to 3 different appointments. #
Doing the rain dance. So far, not working. #
Don't wanna work today. #
All of the Bauers (except the one in Beijing) are sharing a cold. Eww. #
Having dinner in Fredericksburg. Menu has an "unctuous" wine on it. Also one that "caresses the palate." Feel I should be introduced first. #
Home late last night thanks to epically horrendous backups on 95-S. Moving sloowwwly this morning. #
Trying to make the rules governing dependent clause use really, really interesting. #
Getting ready to take the kids riding. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-09

Susan — Sun, 09 May 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Kids are in the pool. It feels like glacial runoff in there, but they don't seem to mind. #
Would be posting more status updates if anything even slightly interesting were happening here. #
Currently being tormented by emotionally needy border collie. #
Wed nights: American Idol double feature w/husband after two long days. Conclusion after first 10 minutes: Harry Connick Jr. is an idiot. #
Second AI update: Kara's an idiot too. I sense a theme emerging. #
No one over the age of fifteen should use the word "bro." #
"The more obscure your references are, the more personal it is to the audience." Hang on a sec, I need my thesaurus (and grammar handbook). #
I so wish someone with some musical intelligence would define "self-indulgent." And "losing yourself." Oh, can we add "relevant" to that? #
I really think Randy Jackson has, er, had his mind expanded a bit too often. #
Confession time: I don't get this whole Sinatra thing. I'm too young or too culturally illiterate or too Baptist or something. #
AI Results show now. "Music has to be truthful. That's what this show is about." OH. How on earth did I miss that? #
Please don't ask Simon what he FEELS. I'm begging you. #
What in the name of all that is SACRED are all those backup dancers DOING? #
I am a very old person. #
Feeling the need to go find some Greek or Latin and read it now. #
Ahem. All you out there. Yes, you should TOTALLY read Anna Karenina instead of watching TV. WOO HOO, AARON is GONE. #
I get to write today!! #
Learned all about the Battle of Meloria today. Six hours ago I didn't know it had ever happened. I love writing history. #
Long day of kid-wrangling and appointments, ending up with…proofreading. Ice cream would be better. #
A cloud of tiny bright yellow birds just darted past my window, wheeled around and hovered there, then spun apart. #
DS13 is making a distiller out of aluminum foil, jars, ice, saucepan. (Science experiment, not commercial enterprise.) #
Almost done writing for the afternoon. Many words written; many fewer saved. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-03

Susan — Sun, 02 May 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Now have 3 separate plane reservations for tomorrow. ONE has to take off. #
Don't look now, but I might actually get out of Chicago this morning. #
Hello, house! I'll say this for being stranded: it makes being home & doing laundry positively JOYFUL (temporarily, anyway). #
My joy in the laundry has faded, alas. #
Finished last creative writing class at W&M. Getting ready for the Smithsonian this weekend: http://tinyurl.com/2ctlwam. #
Pausing in prep for highly intellectual Smithsonian lecture to observe that Galaxy Quest is the GREATEST MOVIE EVER. #
Survived Smithsonian, survived Sunday. Shipwrecked on sofa, eating chocolate and thinking how useful it would be to go clean stalls. Ehh… #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-03

Susan — Sun, 02 May 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Now have 3 separate plane reservations for tomorrow. ONE has to take off. #
Don't look now, but I might actually get out of Chicago this morning. #
Hello, house! I'll say this for being stranded: it makes being home & doing laundry positively JOYFUL (temporarily, anyway). #
My joy in the laundry has faded, alas. #
Finished last creative writing class at W&M. Getting ready for the Smithsonian this weekend: http://tinyurl.com/2ctlwam. #
Pausing in prep for highly intellectual Smithsonian lecture to observe that Galaxy Quest is the GREATEST MOVIE EVER. #
Survived Smithsonian, survived Sunday. Shipwrecked on sofa, eating chocolate and thinking how useful it would be to go clean stalls. Ehh… #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-04-25

Susan — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:21:00 +0000

DS18 is in China. At wrong airport, unfortunately. #
DS18 has arrived safely in Nanchang. Whew. #
Trying to get service at Verizon store. Will never get these hours of my life back. #
Dear Verizon: when a store has 15 salespeople and 1 technical service guy, you are sending a clear message about priorities. #
Verizon techie, after we've spent over hour waiting in store: "Well, we don't actually FIX phones here–" #
If one more person who should know better misspells my name, I may have to steal a helicopter and assassinate the Russian prime minister. #
Everybody should kick back with me and relax for a few minutes: http://tinyurl.com/y57bzz3 #
Grading papers. 'Nuf said. #
I am really done with today. Pity it's only 11 AM. #
And NOW I'm done with the day. Whew. #
Getting ready to miss my connecting flight…unless something dramatic happens… #
And…I make it on AS the jetway pulls away. #
Apparently the "finest hotel in Springfield" only serves food until 9 PM. WAAHH. #
Apparently going to bed without dinner. Don't like this day. #
Hotel breakfast buffet (only thing available) not compensating for last night's lacks. Eating PB on toast in attempt to ingest protein. #
This hotel is full of Shriners. #
I forgot my MacBook adaptor. And I just broke the clip on the lapel mike. Waiting for water in cup to turn to blood, next. #
Done speaking for the day. Now there will be delicious food and drink and peace and love and joy. #
Friday night in Missouri atrium hotel = many stewed Shriners whooping outside my door. Not that there's anything wrong with that. #
Heading out for a second day of talking about books. #
I think my brain is broken. #
Saturday night in Missouri atrium hotel = local high school prom complete with shrieks and subwoofers. Stewed Shriners preferable. #
Sitting in Springfield airport with a cup of coffee. Peaceful morning. Peaceful airport. (Also no plane yet, but you can't have everything.) #
I am stranded in Chicago. #
United cancelled my flight for no explicable reason. Next flight tomorrow afternoon. Other airlines booked. Hate United w/perfect hatred. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-04-18

Susan — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Home, home, home! Kissed the children, fed the horses, weeded the herb garden. Now making ravioli w/a glass of Dynamite cab to hand. #
Turned horses out in (unfenced) front field this morning to eat spring grass. They haven't lifted their heads/moved more than 15 ft so far. #
Packing up for sales conference. #
In New York. Beautiful clear cool day. Great for walking around the city. Or, alternately, for staying in pajamas and writing all day. #
Dinner tonight at La Grenouille (http://www.la-grenouille.com/). Long ways from the farm. Strong feeling of visiting from an alien planet. #
Getting ready to go down to Cornell Club and present new Peace Hill Press books to Norton reps. Am wishing I had different shoes with me. #
Just finished sales presentation while wearing original shoes. Went pretty well anyway. #
Up early, working on grammar for middle-grade writers. #
I forgot how much I hate the Delta terminal at LaGuardia. Just wiped some else's lipstick off my glass at Sports Bar (only place to sit). #
It's warm in Virginia, the azaleas are blooming, the pony is playing tag with the German shepherd, the kids are sitting on the roof singing. #
Promised kids a family day. Braving Busch Gardens for the first time this year. #
We survived the Old Country. #
Up in the middle of the night catching beagles. (Nothing sounds more unearthly than an agitated beagle in the 2 AM darkness.) #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-04-11

Susan — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Back from shopping trip with mother (75) and daughter (9). Except for stop at Hanes outlet, both pretty much on the same shopping page. #
Just turned on the air conditioning. Let me check the calendar again. Yep, still April. #
Eww. It has no pants. http://www.wm.edu/news/stories/2010/new-mascot-announced-123.php #
Heading to class: the bricks in front of Tyler Hall are coated w/green and yellow pollen. Like an enormous alien slime monster sat there. #
On the ground in Cincinnati, heading for Millennium Hotel and conference there. #
Today and tomorrow: presenting a walk through the entire Middle Ages in four hours. Might have to leave some stuff out. #
Trusting there are other people in Cincinnati who will find the story of Justinian the Noseless as weirdly fascinating as I do. #
Two and a half days of nonstop talking, now over. Whew. Drinking coffee and recovering before flight home. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-04-04

Susan — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Wind is HOWLING outside third-story windows. Must think of better verb for March. Bellowing, blustering, swaggering, sweeping, vociferating? #
It is a Very Rainy Day on the hundred-acre farm. #
Heading out for a soggy run. Seems like I've had a lot of soggy runs recently. #
The soggy run was only the beginning. Have been sprinting (metaphorically) all day. But at least it's dry now. #
Up at 5 AM to work. Clear dark sky straight overhead; morning stars; huge bright moon on horizon all wrapped up in shreds of white cloud. #
Two unexped ER visits in two weeks, following on twenty years of NO need for the ER at all. Guess we had it coming. #
That's UNEXPECTED, of course. Sheesh. #
DS16 has a new drum set. Guess how I know? #
Working on the Good Friday music. Glad Ralph Vaughan Williams decided to harmonize some hymns in spite of his "cheerful agnosticism." #
Just made the most gorgeous cracked black pepper linguine, to be eaten with spicy sausage sauce tonight. Ridiculously pleased w/myself. #
Going to be churchwomanly today and cut flowers for Easter with @melpmoore. #
Working on the Maritime Republics of Italy this morning, with my office door open to spring. #
Flowers for Virginia Easter: forsythia, crab apple and peach blossoms. NOT lilies. #
Have I ever mentioned how much I hate PowerPoint? Oh, I have? Well, I have more to say. #
Rise heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise/Without delayes/Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise/With him mayst rise! #
News flash: not all of these Cadbury Mini-Eggs are gonna make it into the baskets. #
Must stop stealing Cadbury Mini-Eggs from DD9 when she's not looking. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-28

Susan — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Family day. COOKIES FOR DINNER. #
Started the day with 47 emails in my Priority A email box. Now have 24. Unfortunately, those are the 24 most complicated… #
Polishing up lecture I didn't give last Wednesday because I was in ER w/DD9 (who is fine–currrently outside, whacking things with a stick). #
Just got off elevator to RIC terminals. Filled with very happy guys: "Hey, you flying into Cancun?" Me: "No, New Jersey." #
Heading out to walk and think (and shiver) in Central Park. #
Free Friday at MOMA + Tim Burton exhibit = line of twentysomethings 11 blocks long. #
Heading down to St. Bartholemew's to hear the Tallis Scholars ("rock stars of Renaissance music"). #
Renaissance polyphony is the BOMB. #
Ice skating and daffodils in Central Park. #
Rizzoli's on West 47th: thank you for shelving the History of the Medieval World face-out! #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-21

Susan — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Heading off the grid for family day. #
DS18 called from India. He went on a camel safari, took a 15-hour bus trip to Delhi, likes his volunteer job in the Rajasthan desert. #
Just ate Baskin-Robbins brownie hot fudge sundae w/peanut butter & chocolate ice cream for dinner. Don't worry, I'll take some vitamins too. #
Writing tonight's lecture: clarity and simplicity in sentence style. #
Heading home from ER with DD9: concussion and fractured clavicle. NO MORE HANDSTANDS! #
Man, are we tired. #
To clarify earlier remark: should one WISH to do a handstand, it is apparently better not to do so on a concrete sidewalk. #
Today: picked trash up off farm roadfront. Understand how beer bottles & Coke cans get thrown out car windows. The dead chicken puzzled me. #
Working on Renaissance history: today is all about the Circassian Mamluks. #
Apparently Plants vs. Zombies is helping DD9's fractured collarbone feel MUCH better. #
Just finished Kevin Roose's The Unlikely Disciple. Felt myself transported back in time (and not in a good way). #
Terps fans, all together now: AAAIIIIGGGHHHH. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-14

Susan — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Going off the grid for a (silent) family day. #
Trying to answer interview questions by email. Making my brain hurt. #
Inside house: half-sick mom trying to nap. Outside: children w/sticks trying to find object on farm which will make most noise when struck. #
Voice half-returned, is gone again. This is getting boring. #
Need to change time of departing flight to New York. Change fee: $150. New one-way ticket: $59. How does this make sense? #
That's it. NOT watching American Idol after this year. Competition can't sing on pitch, judges apparently listening by satlink from Mars. #
YES, I watch American Idol. YOU spend YOUR working hours submerged in classical rhetoric and see what YOU want to do at the end of the day. #
Heading off the grid to write. Today's agenda: the Sultanate of Cairo and topics for middle-grade writers. (Different projects, obviously) #
Cleaning up DD9's room. How is it POSSIBLE to have this many stuffed animals? Wouldn't it give you the creeps, being so vastly outnumbered? #
Just finished Connie Willis's BLACKOUT. Yelling FOUL. Ends mid-story, conclusion in new book not out til fall. BAD DECISION, angry reader. #
At the W&M library reading. "A New Approach to English Grammar, on Semantic Principles." FUN. #
Clouds + cold + drizzle + church over = nap. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-07

Susan — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:21:00 +0000

There is a special place in hell for the bureaucrats who designed college aid forms. And for the techies who designed their web interfaces. #
Watching closing ceremonies; glad that corruption and tyranny didn't permanently deprive Russia of that heartbreaking national anthem. #
Er. Well, closing ceremonies demonstrate that Canadians are just as good at tackiness as we Americans are. #
Maybe even better. #
Planning family day: horseback riding, cookie-eating, game-playing, room-cleaning. One of these things is not like the other. #
At noon today I'll be talking about public confession on WHRV's Hearsay: http://www.hearsay.org/. #
You can listen to Hearsay's broadcast today here: http://hearsay.org/post/Tuesday-March-2.aspx #
I have a fresh cold. WAAHH. #
Sauteeing lots and lots of garlic. Good for repelling colds (and other life-sucking dangers). #
Have to go in to W&M for pre-midterm student appointments (four hours worth). I will probably sneeze on them (actually, kind of karmic). #
Four hours of student appointments OVER. Dragging my plague-ridden self home through cold rainy streets. Need remote control, blankets, tea. #
DH is at College Park watching MD play Duke. I am seriously worried. This is tough for an aging man… #
Cell phone call from DH: THEY WON THEY'RE STORMING THE COURT GARY WILLIAMS IS AIIGGGHHHH…(end of call). #
Heading off the grid to write and blow my nose. #
Constructing a writing curriculum: no problem. Providing parents with a rubric to grade the writing: excruciatingly difficult. #
Ooh, I have new kitchen toys. Ravioli mold, pasta rack, potato ricer, stock pot. #
DH and I are collapsed tonight & watching four nights' worth of American Idol. This year's contestants are, er, idiots. #
Appreciating Thomas Kane's writing classification (exposition, description, persuasion, entertainment), but what kinds of writing don't fit? #
Spring colds should have their own disease name. Like "Rhinovirus Horrendous Eternalis." Or "Coronavirus Hacknspittius Despairius." #
Have totally lost voice & am forced to communicate w/children w/facial expressions & frantic hand gestures. Guess how THAT'S working for me. #
My mother just brought me a referee's whistle. Best get-well present EVER. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-28

Susan — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Fresh pasta experiment: sage tortellini with ricotta & mozzarella filling, served with browned butter. DS13 SNARFED them, vacuum-like. #
Release date for The History of the Medieval World! (Book's been shipping for weeks, but today's the OFFICIAL pub day=good excuse to party.) #
"When in trouble or in doubt/Run in circles, scream and shout." Turns into my motto every time I start getting stuff together for taxes. #
Tomorrow, leaving for Atlanta with DH for two nights. Today, making up schedules for kids to follow EVERY MINUTE of EVERY HOUR we're gone. #
Planning out interlocking kid schedules for next three days is more complicated than organizing major land war with multiple fronts. #
Scrolling message on gas station pump tonight: "How was your day? We hope it gets better soon!" Sounds like answer has been predetermined. #
Husband is currently getting the heck screened out of him at Richmond International. #
Just arrived in Atlanta. Plane bounced so hard that flight attendant thanked us for dropping in. #
At Hyatt in downtown Atlanta. VERY SCARY elevators. Also enormous hanging lobby sculpture like spider descending onto our heads.. #
Getting ready to talk about "Learning for a Lifetime in the Classical Tradition" at Heritage Prep School's "Lectures in the City" (Atlanta). #
Planning on the Botanical Gardens in Atlanta this morning. Any recommendations for a fabulous lunch place nearby? #
So far have not eaten a single meal in Atlanta that arrived in a timely manner. Every restaurant: long wait, server not making eye contact. #
Heading to the Atlanta aquarium this morning. #
Sitting in the Delta lounge, waiting to catch flight home. Loved Atlanta, don't want to live there. #
The History of the Medieval World featured at the Page 99 Test: http://tinyurl.com/ylzf3h2. #
College aid forms: Just submitted financial info to feds via FAFSA. Fail to see why I should submit it again to for-profit College Board. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-21

Susan — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:21:00 +0000

A werewolf would have eviscerated loud paper-crumpling whispering couple next to us, thus improving movie tremendously. #
Watching Olympic snowboarding. I know this is supposed to be a real sport. It doesn't LOOK like a real sport [age showing]. #
Tuesdays are my Mondays. #
Working on tonight's lecture, editing a manuscript for Peace Hill Press, hoping to get back to Renaissance Europe before 3 PM… #
One out of three isn't too bad… #
DS16 has brand-new learner's permit! Hurrah, hurrah! #
Some cosmic intelligence-sucking force must compel NBC interviewers to ask, "How does it FEEL to triumph/epically fail at the Olympics"? #
I think Tiger Woods read my book. #
Getting ready to comment on Tiger Woods apology for Channel 13. #
WVEC in Hampton, 5:30 news–if you're local, tune in to catch me comment on Tiger! (Unless, of course, it gets cut. Always a possibility.) #
William & Mary asked me to comment on Tiger Woods via the W&M YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blhH39g2xtc #
Yesterday was busy. Can't…get…moving…today… #
Not sure making cherry streusel coffeecake is really the most theologically sound way to kick off the first Sunday in Lent. #
Nearly sixty degrees and sunny. Going riding this afternoon, for the first time in weeks. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-14

Susan — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:21:00 +0000

Taking DD9 out for Girl Day, her choice of activities. Not sure what we're doing, suspect will involve nail polish & visit to craft store. #
Making peanut butter & jelly muffins for breakfast. #
Many…pages…of…manuscript…to…read… #
Today was grey and wet and the first day of my workweek and filled with emails and business problems and vacuuming. Ate a LOT of chocolate. #
There seems to be quite a bit of "insignificant accumulation" in our front yard. #
Oh, look. It's snowing sideways. #
Snow day at William & Mary! (Yes, it makes the faculty happy too.) #
Wind's howling in the dark; ice crystals blowing against the windows; I have a fire in my bedroom. #
Heading off the grid to write; have been looking forward to this all week. #
I am out of India! I am out of India!!! #
My husband just got an invitation to join the AARP. With free membership card. We're observing a moment of silence. After howls of laughter. #
DD9 is eating her lunch in a cardboard box. I don't know why. #
Kids and DH headingto movies, I'm going to Williamsburg to work at coffee shop. Otherwise I'll just go to bed, cause today's GREY and COLD. #
I have fun new books to read! Connie Willis, Iain Pears, Michael Ruhlman, Brooks Hansen. #
Look! Snow!!! (Those are sarcastic exclamation points.) #
Today's fact: Henry II of England, couldn't stand to be idle; his favorite priests were the ones who could say the daily Mass REALLY FAST. #
DH and I both think that a werewolf flick would be the perfect Valentine's date movie. For so many reasons. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-07

Susan — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Heading out to clean stalls in ten inches of snow. Animal ownership is overrated. #
Closing Peace Hill Press office tomorrow. We've got 10" of snow and VDOT has declined to plow/sand/salt/notice secondary roads. #
Local lane now has both sand and sunshine. Chances of accessing the outside world are rising! #
The heater in my office is not really cutting it today. #
Trying to put in an hour of renaissance-era history writing before the kids get up. #
Hey, I did more Ladakh history this morning than most people do all day!…er….ever… #
Must…go…run…now. Cold. Grey. Wet. Ick. #
No, please, stop your truck in the middle of the road and chat. It's not like anyone USES this road to go to WORK. #
Happy to discover from tonight's lecture on narrative structure that the original Star Wars trilogy is back in fashion with undergrads. #
Have been working in Charlottesville today. You know forecast is bad when Charlottesvillians are storming Harris Teeter for bread & milk. #
Grey sky. Mud. Dirty snow. Hate February. #
Oh, look. Sleet. #
OK, I've had it. I'm declaring a snow day. Cookies and games instead of math and Latin. #
Braving the elements to clean paddock: wearing husband's sweatshirt, father's boots, grandfather's down coat. I feel pretty/Oh, so pretty… #
Kids out skating on the church parking lot this morning. Obviously, no church. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-31

Susan — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:21:00 +0000

In Maryland visiting DH's folks, heading to Mrs. K's Tollhouse for lunch. #
DH and DS13 headed off to watch Maryland play Miami. #
Heading back to VA from MD. Hello, I-95, what horrors do you have in store today? #
Back home (and only one horror spot on I-95). Checking email for first time since Monday. Look, 249 unanswered! #
Heading to class. #
Tonight's students very engaged in discussion of "triggers" for writing fiction; less enthused by segregating, complex & parallel sentences. #
Heading out for a run before the snowstorm arrives. #
Trouble getting off the grid to write today. End of January = scutwork for the IRS. #
Reading up on the thrilling lives and times of the renaissance-era Sultans of Kashmir. #
Kids are doing the snow dance… #
Time to feed the horses, bring the dogs in, stop up the chicken house, and batten down the hatches. #
Snowing in Charles City. #
Falling at about an inch per hour, four inches since 5:30 AM. #
Ten inches on the ground and snow howling down, 21 degrees and temp falling, a good night for roast chicken & red wine with @melpmoore. #
Roast chicken & red wine followed by brownies, whipped up and in oven now (that would be @melpmoore's idea). #
Thank you, friendly Charles City game warden, for helping us push @melpmoore's car out of unplowed lane. #
Cousin just plowed the driveway. Glad I have relatives who own large farm machinery. #
Watching "Without Bias" with DH (UMD grad). Suddenly want to talk to DS18 in South Africa, but it's midnight there. #
"Without Bias": people struggling to find some sort of story arc in tragedy. Of COURSE there has to be a reason for catastrophe; see? #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-24

Susan — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:21:00 +0000

DS18 has arrived safely at Phalaborwa. (Huge sigh of relief.) #
DS18 texts: "Have been pooped on by monkey, bitten twice, put hand in strange white goo, best day ever." He's at http://www.primate-sa.org/. #
Just got the first author's copy of the History of the Medieval World from Norton. Soo….pretty…. #
DS16 and DS13 are doing after-breakfast Latin, DD9 is eating oatmeal. As she has been. For the last forty-five minutes. Same bowl. #
Preparing to teach first class of spring semester at W&M. Suddenly think: I have 18yo. I am LITERALLY old enough to be my students' mother. #
Heading off the grid to investigate the life of Pratap Singh of Mewar. #
Back on the grid. Sheesh, work is complicated. Might head off the grid again and breathe very deeply. #
Cooking lessons. DS13: baking peanutbutter shortbread. DD9: carrot/apple/oat horse treats. Me: caramelizing carrots & onions for pea soup. #
I am writing catalog copy. I HATE WRITING CATALOG COPY. It makes my frontal lobes hurt. #
Ooh, a shout-out (kind of) from the New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2010/01/readers-best-friend.html #
DS18 called from South Africa. He's feeding bugs to bushbabies & frozen rats to giant owls & a baby monkey called Heidi thinks he's Mom. #
Can't find a place to grab a bite mid-research. Why are there so many people in Williamsburg tonight? It's January, for crying out loud. #
That was a long day. Kids and farmwork all morning, research in the history of Renaissance-era Central Asia all afternoon & most of evening. #
Look! It's Sunday morning and it's NOT raining! #
Sundays are not rest days. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-17

Susan — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Back to work this morning. Still slightly peeved that New Orleans was colder than Virginia in January. #
DD9's pony bears an increasingly strong resemblance to a goat. With a big hairy beard. And yellow teeth. And a propensity for biting things. #
DS16 has learned to play the first lines of Free Falling on the guitar. He's playing them. And playing them. And playing them. And– #
Working on the history of Dutch Sri Lanka this morning. #
I live in an insane asylum. #
So wish Pat Robertson lived in some other state. We don't claim him. #
Heading off the grid to write. #
OK. Had to come back ON the grid to make sure welltrainedmind.com server issues were resolved. Leaving again. #
Tonight seeking refuge from too much history & too much news in TiVo'd mindlessness. Doesn't Victoria Beckham looks like a praying mantis? #
Beginning of DS18's last day at home. Coping by cooking him anything he wants to eat. Lots of muffins and cookies so far. #
Heading to a Bauer niece's wedding in Baltimore, DS18 flies out afterwards on Ethiopian Air. #
Back home in Charles City; DS18 is in the air over the Atlantic. #
DS18 just texted from Addis Ababa: two legs of flight are finished, two more to go. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-10

Susan — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:21:00 +0000

On a plane to New Orleans. Spoiled by JetBlue, can't believe how tiny USAir legspace is.. #
Getting ready to eat crawfish etouffee on Chartres. #
Apparently my husband has never eaten REAL pecan pie before. #
New Orleans really not prepared for 28 degree weather. Restaurant door won't stay closed, waiters all in sweatshirts. #
Eating sweet potato and andouille sausage soup on Royal Street. #
Doing my best to support the recovering New Orleans economy. #
Sitting in the Community Coffee House on Royal Street, watching the gaslights flicker all down the dark streetfront. #
Kind of got almost warm in New Orleans today. Just briefly. #
OK, now it's cold again. And raining. Crawfish etouffee is definitely called for. #
Ran down to Esplanade this morning, around the edge of the French Quarter, back down Dauphine. Very chilly-looking New Orleansers out there. #
Eating beignets. #
Heading home now. Ready to see the kids (and I here there's snow in Virginia). #
Hey, YOU try updating your status via teeny-tiny Blackberry keyboard in airport and see what happens! INDIGNANT SNIFF/spelling correction. #
Oh, USAir:if you pack us in like veal, deprive us of food, and subject us to hard-sell for your credit card, we will NOT "enjoy the flight." #
Doing cross-stitch I bought on Jackson Square w/DD9. She is vaguely interested. #
DD9 is painting the dog's toenails. I think she needs a little more playtime with girls. #
Just faced down truck in dark field across lane, expecting to find delinquents who've been doing donuts. In truck: cousin on same errand. #
Beginning of DS18's last week at home before he departs for seven months of volunteer work in South Africa, India, Australia. #
So everyone at church said goodbye to DS18 (this was his last Sunday) and I bawled like a baby. A big weeping baby. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-03

Susan — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Xmas vacation: Ate many cookies & much prime rib & lobster; played multiple board games; slept; watched DVDs. (Firefly: best writing EVER.) #
Just spent the morning putting all 2010 commitments on the calendar. Whew. #
DD9 and I went out three times today to ride her pony. Each time got about 100 feet away from house, felt below-freezing wind, retreated. #
Husband has just staggered in from trip to see the Terps play the Tribe. About which, the less said the better. #
Enjoying traditional Wise-Bauer New Year Eve: Twilight Zone marathon, pajamas, cheese and chocolate fondues with lots of stuff to dunk. #
Wish the sun would come out. #
Oldest son's college apps FINISHED! Transcript, narrative course descriptions, recommendations, letter explaining how well-adjusted he is… #
And…just finished shopping w/oldest son for final travel stuff. Backpack, mosquito net, sunscreen, insect repellent, water purifier… #
Dinner with good friends, cold outside, warm inside. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-20

Susan — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:21:00 +0000

PW review of History of the Medieval World is a good one! http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6711352.html?industryid=47159 #
Psyching up for last week of work/school before Christmas holiday. Could use my own personal theme song playing heroically in background. #
Helping DS18 with college applications. Incidentally, Common Application should not be taken to imply "common application fee." #
Getting ready to take the office out to lunch: combined celebration of Christmas/new writing workbook to printer/SOTW Kindle launch. #
Office celebration ended up with pedicures for all. Sole male member of office was very good sport. Have promised batting cages next time. #
Heading off the grid and into the Renaissance for the day. #
On my way over to the Peace Hill Press office to work on the 2010 catalog! #
Snow!! Snow!! #
Er…Snow!!! Sleet!!! ….Stuff!!! #
Heading off the grid for the week: snow, Christmas, carols, presents, lots and lots of food. See you after Boxing Day. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-20

Susan — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:21:00 +0000

PW review of History of the Medieval World is a good one! http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6711352.html?industryid=47159 #
Psyching up for last week of work/school before Christmas holiday. Could use my own personal theme song playing heroically in background. #
Helping DS18 with college applications. Incidentally, Common Application should not be taken to imply "common application fee." #
Getting ready to take the office out to lunch: combined celebration of Christmas/new writing workbook to printer/SOTW Kindle launch. #
Office celebration ended up with pedicures for all. Sole male member of office was very good sport. Have promised batting cages next time. #
Heading off the grid and into the Renaissance for the day. #
On my way over to the Peace Hill Press office to work on the 2010 catalog! #
Snow!! Snow!! #
Er…Snow!!! Sleet!!! ….Stuff!!! #
Heading off the grid for the week: snow, Christmas, carols, presents, lots and lots of food. See you after Boxing Day. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-13

Susan — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:21:00 +0000

And…the voice is gone. Time to crack out the referee's whistle. #
According to doctor I had flu, not cold, and now have post-flu-complication. At least can rule out middle age as cause of lingering malaise. #
Oldest son's first college application finished & heading out the door. (Wake Forest: keep your eyes open!) Feels like a big milestone. #
I will never stop coughing, it will never stop raining. Feel like the love child of Mimi and Noah. #
Let's play Finish the Lyric! "Gloom, despair, and agony on me/Deep dark depression, excessive misery/If it weren't for–" Your turn! #
Wow. Way, way too many of you remember Hee-Haw. #
Tree's up! #
DS18: "Some little sisters build dollhouses with their blocks. Mine is building a block enemy that she can skewer with her spear." #
Voice still gone. But if I whisper at the kids, they all start whispering back like soundtrack of creepy horror film. #
DS18 is decorating Christmas gingerbread men to look like zombies. Er… #
Cannot…possibly…stay in bed…one more day. Life must go on. #
Look! The outside world! #
Darn. It's dark and cold out there at 6:38 AM. #
Now that I'm done discovering new obscure kingdoms in India, I'm on to discovering them in southeastern Asia. Lots of them. Very obscure. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-06

Susan — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:21:00 +0000

Monday morning=family day. Bowling? Christmas-tree selection? Settlers? Slug-like posture on sofa w/cookies? Decisions… #
Morning: Settlers plus brownies. This afternoon: Fantastic Mr. Fox plus dinner at the Greenleaf (kids' favorite: I can take or leave). #
No time to Tweet today. #
Darn it, I just found ANOTHER Indian empire I've never heard of. #
And…now too brain-dead to tweet. #
Brain-dead state yesterday doesn't really bode well for off-the-grid creative day today. #
Brain is still mostly dead. #
Just cooked dinner w'friends (pasta w/brilliant alfredo sauce, risotto w/roasted butternut squash & greens, shrimp, excellent pumpkin soup). #
Working at the Williamsburg Regional Library. Nice and warm in here. Raining and 39 degrees out there. #
An hour ago, I didn't know that the capital of Ahmadnagar was occupied by Mughals in 1600, forcing shift of the capital to Junnar. Now I do. #
Just back from late library night. Puttering around upstairs, son appears w/complaint: I'm keeping him awake w/noise. We call this "irony." #
Annunciation Sunday. Problem w/singing The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came: can always hear Sting's version in my head & his is much cooler. #
1. Losing my voice. 2. It's clouding over. Again. 3. Maryland playing Villanova tonight. It will be SAD (for MD fans). 4. Losing my voice. #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-29

Susan — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:21:00 +0000

I WANT to go running in the cold, cold rain. Yes, I do. Watch me step out the door. Here I go. Right now. Almost gone. Leaving right now. #
Went running. Then stood in the rain holding enthusiastic horse while vet treated leg. Time for hot coffee and family day. #
I am sick. WAAAAAAH. #
Potato chips eaten to medicate a fever have no calories. #
Curling up into miserable ball and waiting for tomorrow. Maybe everything will be OK in the morning. #
Twelve hours of sleep helped. Wish I had chocolate cake to eat for breakfast. #
Back on kid duty this afternoon. Should I insist on school? Or suggest that they play games and eat cookies with pathetic ill mother? Hmm… #
Did chemistry. Did Latin. Did piano. Cookies and Settlers, here we come. #
This is obviously not mild flu, but epic cold. Good: no swine flu to spread thru house. Bad: much less excuse to go to bed for next 3 days. #
HACK HACK HACK <> AACHOOO (washes hands). REPEAT. #
I am thankful that my mother still wants to cook Thanksgiving dinner for all of these enormous boys. #
Would rather be staked out on an anthill than go shopping on Black Friday. #
Just hitched the pony to the pony-cart for the very first time. And she was brilliant (in a disagreeable pony-type way). #
Ah, India, how I've missed you (kind of). #
This is the vampire of colds: Lasts forever, drains all my energy (but won't turn to ash in the sun). (Metaphor now thoroughly played out.) #
Watching It's A Wonderful Life again. DH: "Why doesn't she ask him what's wrong?" Me: "Why doesn't he tell her the money's missing?" #
Advent music begins today! #
I am tired of being sick. Really, really, really, really, really tired. Also can't think of original adverbs. 'Cause I'm sick. Really. #