Writer's Block Overcome........by Joyce Oroz

When is a facebook friend a real friend? When she understands my writing block and jumps to the rescue. My new friend, Author Rosemary Hines has some tips for those of us who write for a living, for a laugh or for no reason at all. She has shared with me an interesting way to double or tripple our word out-put per day--like up to 10,000 words!

(https://www.facebook.com/RosemaryHinesAuthorPage)

Here are some other suggestions from Rosemary that might help. 

1. Reread the whole story you have written up to this point. Sometimes that process ignites an idea that will keep the flow going.

2. Get alone with your main character and interview her. Ask her why she is getting stuck. Where is she hoping to go next with her life and what is holding her back. Ask her to share her innermost fears with you as well as her hopes and dreams. Give her time to open up to you. Maybe she's needing a visit from someone who will encourage, motivate, or inspire her to press on with the story. Maybe she's needing to be jolted by a life altering event that neither of you expected when you began writing her story. My guess is that if YOU are stuck, it's because SHE is. 

3. Think of a captivating scene that would draw the reader in (scary, tense, exciting) and put her in the middle of that scene. Sometimes as you just begin to describe the scene and her reactions to it, she will begin to tell you the next chapter herself. 

I hope this helps you with your writing and you go on to create a mountain of books. 

A Corrupt Agenda Exposed........by Joyce oroz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone who reads my blogs knows that I am a mature and mellow person--except when there is injustice. Well injustice just happened and I'm going to tell you about it so that you can let Senator Feinstein know that you agree with her possition. After you read this article, I am confident you will want to help save the Drake's Bay Oyster Company, located in Northern California. It is a seventy-year-old family business that is unfairly being put out of business by government agencies.

 

http://www.feinstein

Dianne Feinstein Weighs In

Senator Feinstein writes in to the Marin Independent Journal: "Accurate, objective science should guide environmental policy, and when science has acknowledged problems, it should never be used to make decisions. There is no guarantee that any given study is perfect, but we should all agree that decisions based on science we know to be flawed is a stark violation of the public trust."

Marin Voice: Best science should be our goal - Marin Independent Journal

By Senator Dianne Feinstein
A MARIN VOICE column (Jan. 26, "Is Feinstein's focus really on science?") makes a series of false claims and accusations about my efforts to ensure that the science supporting local projects is accurate.
My view is simple: Accurate, objective science should guide environmental policy, and when science has acknowledged problems, it should never be used to make decisions.
There is no guarantee that any given study is perfect, but we should all agree that decisions based on science we know to be flawed is a stark violation of the public trust.
This problem is central to the debate over the permit renewal for Drakes Bay Oyster Company, a family-owned oyster farm that employs 30 people and operates in an area where oysters have been cultivated for more than 70 years. And I have been persistent in my demands that bad science not be used in the renewal decision.

The National Park Service has made it extraordinarily difficult for the company's continued operation.
The crux of the problem is that the Park Service manipulated science while building a case that the business should be shuttered. And that's not just my opinion.
Three independent offices — the Interior Department's Inspector General, the National Academy of Sciences and the Interior Department's solicitor — uncovered errors and misrepresentations in the National Park Service's assessment of oyster farm operations.

In
2009, the National Academy of Sciences found the Park Service had "selectively presented, over-interpreted, or misrepresented the available scientific information on potential impacts of the oyster mariculture operation."

The Park Service for years failed to turn over photographic evidence of activity in the bay, and even when the science was proven to be false, the Park Service offered no apology or explanation — the report was simply withdrawn.
There is no possible way those actions can be interpreted as responsible.
The column also called into question my requests for additional reviews of endangered fish in the Bay Delta and the biological opinions that influence how much water is pumped from the delta.
In this case, the results speak for themselves.
The National Academy of Sciences examined both biological opinions and found weaknesses in each. The review was so valuable that its recommendations, particularly those calling for additional flexibility in water pumping and better integration of the two biological opinions, are currently being implemented.

Since that time — and unrelated to my calls for stronger science — a federal court in California also found problems with both biological opinions and ordered the relevant agencies to review and revise their work before reissuing the opinions.

In the case of the salmon biological opinion, for example, the court ruled that the document was "arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful."

If the science had been better from the start, this might not have been necessary.

I refuse to apologize for holding government agencies responsible for their decisions and the effects those decisions have on Californians. The transparency that comes with scientific review is a good thing, even when it doesn't support an individual's agenda.

The author of the column wrote that my call for accurate, objective studies was a "ploy" and "corrupt." He should know better. Maintaining faith in studies with acknowledged flaws is always a mistake.

The best science possible should always be our goal, whether it's for the review of a family owned business that provides local jobs or reconsidering the effects of an environmental policy on endangered species.

Marin Voice: Best science should be our goal
Marin Independent Journal

Permalink: http://www.feinstein  please tell her what you think

 

Blame the Burn-pile......by Joyce Oroz

 

 

If a tree falls in the back yard, and I didn’t hear it fall… did it really fall?

You better believe it fell! After my stealth husband and his ever ready chainsaw discovered more wood for the burn-pile. And everyone knows that the biggest burn-pile in the neighborhood wins—or burns down the neighborhood, which ever comes first.

So who cares if another tree hits the dust?

Let me be clear: My favorite strawberry tree WAS one of three, strategically placed, lovely trees. For seven years I watched and waited for the trees to produce a bit of shade. Finally, at six feet tall they gave me red bark, yellow blossoms, red berry thingies and some blessed shade. Strawberry trees resemble Manzanitas with pretty ornaments dangling among the shiny green foliage. They thrive in heat and freezing temperatures. I imagined they would live forever … little did I know I would end up with a nub and a leaf.

Subsequently, someone has lost his chainsaw-privileges.

Here are some tips on planting your own strawberry tree.

Strawberry trees are best planted young because they resent disturbance (like loud chainsaws). Sun and warmth are essential, so choose a sheltered position in well-drained soil away from frost pockets and burn-piles. Never allow water-logging. Plant in spring where possible, to allow the plant several months to acclimate before winter sets in. Be prepared to cosset your young plant through its first few winters by covering it with a fleece liner in extremely cold weather. As the tree matures, it will become hardier. Pruning prevents fruit setting as the "strawberries" are formed from the previous year's flowers. Pruning down to a nub is not recommended. Early summer is the time to cut back any long stems. Seed can be sown into sand but the resulting plants will vary. Better to take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer. These will root in a heated propagator.

 

 

A Grandmother's Gifts.....by Joyce Riley

 

 

 

 

By Joyce Riley

I give to you my love, and see you in God’s light.

God’s spirit is your strength and comfort through the night.

I give to you my time, time in which to share

Treasures of the moment and beauty everywhere.

I give to you my gratitude for being who you are,

A loving, joyful spirit, a bright and rising star.

Beloved child of God, I release my human view

And see a guardian angel watching over you.

But, if you feel uncertain, lonely and apart,

Remember,

I am with you,

For I have given you my heart.

 

                                                                                11/2012

 

My New Friend, Zen.........by Joyce Oroz

Today’s question: why consider going to an acupuncturist when you need help with a health issue?

Answer: If your regular AMA Doc couldn’t help you, why not try acupuncture?

I did and I’m very glad. I bravely walked into Ric Valentine’s very zen office full of plants, water features and friendly people. His receptionist, Paula, greeted me as if I were an old friend. Since the office is located in Prunedale, most people are already old friends. Everyone knows each other and nobody ever moves away. But I regress.

Back to the subject of acupuncture. When I compare Ric’s acupuncture skills with other practitioners I have tried, there is no comparison. I barely felt the needles go in and the results were decisive and amazing.

Why did I need to go to an acupuncturist?

Because of an AMA left hand surgery, my vacationing left arm had become rusty, stiff and sore.

One session with Ric and my arm was 80% better!

Ric has herbal and nutritional cures for other problems such as indigestion, fuzzy brain (that’s me) and a zillion other human maladies.

Ric is a professional communicator and he will explain to you what is going on with your health—until you cry “Uncle.” He will suggest books and movies to help you take control of your health. His focus is on good nutrition accomplished through a good diet, response testing and Standard Process supplements.

To set up an appointment, call 831-663-0444

Ric Valentine L. Ac. Acupunture is located next to the Library at 17812 Moro Road, Prunedale, CA 93907

 

Book Club Revealed.........by Joyce Oroz

Thinking about joining a book club? Today I am going to expose—I mean lay out the facts concerning clubs centered around books.

1. Contrary to popular belief, book clubs are not centered around books.
2. Book clubs typically spend one-tenth of their meeting on the discussion of books.
3. Nine-tenths of the meeting is spent on eating good food and catching up on side-splitting events that happen to almost everyone. In fact, the talking never stops until four hours later when eyes are heavy, heads bob and yawn.
4. Do these people collect their empty food pot or bowl, say goodbye, walk out the door and get in their car? No. Real book clubbers collect their empty pot or bowl, circle the host with hugs and praise, make the rounds hugging everyone else including the phica by the front door.
5. People generally car-pool their way to a book club meeting. The fuel-efficient compact cars feel much smaller after the Big Book Club meal and dessert. But clubbers manage to talk and laugh all the way home.

and don't ask about the blue bottle tree!

Eight More Days........by Joyce Oroz

 

Only eight more days until Valentines Day! Either your heart just raced or it didn’t. If it raced, maybe you need to prepare a card or present for your significant-other. That would be the person who makes your heart race even when he is taking out the trash or she is wearing rollers in her hair and scrubbing toilets. Even if there is only a little pity-patty of the heart, you should at least look into buying a box of candy. If things don’t heat up, you can always eat the candy yourself.

Other gift ideas are:

Go to the Dragonfly Gallery and look around

Make cookies

Your Inner-horse........by Joyce Oroz

 

 

While Josephine thunders down the highways in her red, middle-aged pickup truck, younger folks find new ways to travel, like on a horse. New, you ask? Well it’s new to me. When I was young we traveled by Greyhound bus, school bus, family car and the occasional airplane trip that happened once.

Nowadays kids want to get in touch with their inner-horse, the whisperer side of their persona. But taking riding lessons isn’t easy. The student must first learn to follow orders like: “Muck out the stall, shovel that manure into a pile, fill the buckets with water, feed the horse, comb the horse, braid his tail, French-braid his mane and tie a ribbon on it ….” That’s why kids wear helmets, ear-muffs and cowboy boots. I don’t get the boots but I understand the rest of it. Everyone knows if the child falls off the horse, her ears will be protected from germs and stuff.

This is Trigger playing
hide-and-seek at the
Peek-a-boo Corral

Artist of the Month for February.........by Joyce Oroz

 

 

Each month the Dragonfly Gallery in Aromas honors one of its artists, naming that person, “Artist of the Month.”

The month of February belongs to the exceptional Darlene Boyd, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher and member of Aromas Hills Artisans.

Boyd writes a monthly column for the San Juan Star newspaper. She is now the Chief Creative Officer of The ART Experience, LLC studio, nestled in the pastoral mission town of San Juan Bautista, California. She is currently working on figure sculptures in clay for bronze casting.

She also creates landscape, floral, still life, portrait and architectural paintings.

Darlene began her art studies at the age of 11 and found it to be a very satisfying experience. Over the years she has been equally interested in both two and three dimensional expressions and currently displays much of her work at www.http://darleneboyd.com.

Boyd enjoys teaching art lessons to participants of varying ages. She holds a California Multiple Subject teaching credential with a Visual Arts Supplement.
Samples of her art lessons:

Intro to Drawing........ Students will explore some basic drawing techniques and exercises and exploration of different drawing materials.

Illustrations....... Students will explore further techniques and materials related to drawing and apply it to illustrating.

Painting with Pastels....... Students will learn to draw, compose and create a composition using charcoal and pastels.

Calligraphy .......Students will learn a basic joined-italic Chancery Cursive script which can also be used for personal handwriting.

Acrylic Painting .......Students will learn to do color theory using the primary colors and apply this to a simple composition.

Watercolors
Bold and Free Students will learn and incorporate varied watercolor techniques into some of their drawings, to create visual textures.

Calligraphy .......Students will learn a basic joined-italic Chancery Cursive script which can also be used for personal handwriting.

Georgia O'Keefe: Closing in on Nature Students will explore the idea of scale and enlarging forms to fill the entire format. This will be done using watercolors and/or acrylic paints.

Henri Matisse:
The Art of Cut-Outs Students will explore using cut-out forms and creating balanced compositions by dividing space aesthetically.

M.C. Escher:
Visions of Symmetry Students will learn to create repeated patterns using tessellated systems and forms, using colored pencils and/or color cut outs.

Darlene holds 'Artists'-Writers' Workshops. She explains that Artists'-Writers' Workshop curriculum is a progression of art, literature and writing experiences designed to teach the key elements of writing to students with diverse learning styles. Within it, key literary elements are taught in a way that is both inviting and engaging to students with a variety of learning styles. Through hands-on explorations in art and writing and the sharing of quality picture books, students with diverse learning styles are able to comprehend, absorb, digest and apply important literary concepts.

Currently Ms. Boyd teaches art lessons at client's homes, Country Rose Gallery and Frame in Hollister and Michaels in Gilroy and Salinas. For information concerning her lessons please peruse the website at darleneboyd.com.
She is also active in several arts organizations, such as the South Bay Area Womens Caucus for Art, Aromas Hills Artisans, the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association, and the San Benito County Arts Council.

Darlene invites you to view her work at the Dragonfly Gallery located at 380 Blohm Ave., Aromas, CA. Open Tuesday thru Saturday, 10:00 to 4:00

Saturday, February 9th 3:00 to 4:00 pm Darlene will be greeting folks at the Dragonfly Gallery. Plan to stop by and see her latest creations as you enjoy music and Valentine refreshments.