Derecho


They called it a Straight line wind event. (There's an interesting video and article there of a derecho.) It came through so much faster than the tornados I've seen which give plenty of warning. This traveled at 70-80 mph with sideways wind and rain. They mentioned another name for it this morning - a derecho - A line of intense, widespread, and fast-moving thunderstorms that moves across a great distance. They are characterized by damaging straight-line winds over hundreds of miles. Spanish for straight.








Yesterday evening, a few of us were parked at the end of our driveways on the road trying to get reception on our cell phones. Most of the phones are out.

















Damage at some of our neighbors' homes.

















There's a jeep under this tree and a tree on the motor home behind the house.



The transformer was transported a good distance from its perch on one of the polls and landed near another couple of downed trees.



And if it hadn't been for a bigger tree, the leaning one would have nailed this neighbor's house.




We were very blessed that this storm didn't do more damage to the houses/vehicles or injure anyone.

Goals for 2009

I'm late posting my goals for the year. My work life is changing a lot this year with many of my 'jobs' - computer classes, singing, insurance and mail delivery all creating a better environment for work. I could wind up with an office away from the house to work or write.

I'd have to say my first and foremost goal would be to try to find a balance between scheduling work, writing, and physical activity. Bring it all together into one cohesive plan.

~Record a vocal CD! I could have done this when I was 16. Well, better late than never.

~Study the publishing industry for better understanding of who to target.
~Revise FIMB and submit in February.
~Attend Nola Stars in March - pitch OTHR.
~Finish RCM first draft.
~Attend Southern Magic in April to pitch RCM.
~Work hard to justify attending either DC-RWA in July or GRW in October
~Submit more to agents/publishers.
~Start new paranormal.
~Revise OTHR completely and submit.
~Finish AMC and submit.
~Find an agent
~Learn to do a better job of pre-world building,
characters, concept
~Update website, renew commitment to blogging regularly, and
participating in fellow authors projects and blogs
~Simplify, unclutter my home space and life so that I can achieve
these goals
~Get an editor/agent to request a full manuscript this year
~Learn more about author marketing strategies
~Setup handouts and marketing for computer classes
~Attend training for insurance products
~Find out about strategies for managing ADD so I can create more daily
structure in my life
~Setup a reminder system.
~Deal with interruptions and change more gracefully.

I want to be more present and proactive, concentrating on the positive
constructive energy and expecting the best for 2009!

Each month - break each of these goals down at the beginning of the
month into weekly and daily goals