As if World Cup soccer weren’t enough (and it wasn’t), I have been enjoying mornings this month with the Tour de France.
More very fit men in shorts. This time on bicycles, using up God knows how many calories a day riding and riding and riding. Inspiring.
And it’s even more inspiring this year because we inherited my mother’s large screen high definition television set. Used as we were to small and grainy pictures, our eyes are bugging at the clarity and definition. ‘High’ hardly seems to describe it. It should be called ‘intense.’
I am reminded of a time when a friend made us a recipe for some soup she’d learned to make 
while spending a summer in Chinatown. It was delicate, light, amazing soup – and also, as her sister said, “thinner than water.”
Well, the Tour de France in high definition is clearer than real. Sharper than anything. And the scenery in France (the grass and trees and buildings and stuff – not just the men!) is amazing. In a word, wow.
It is even causing me to dream in high definition. I close my eyes and see things more clearly. Why is that?
Fortunately I’m seeing Nikolas and Edie fairly clearly at the moment. Particularly him. Now that he has finally deigned to make an appearance under his real name, he seems hi-def almost. Interestingly, though, he still hasn’t told Edie who he is.
He’s ‘waiting for the opportunity,’ he tells me.
Sly, that’s what he is.
I’m working away on him, and envying Kate Walker who has jaunted off to Caerleon for a week’s writers’ workshop. She has to teach, of course. But you can bet she’ll be enjoying it as well.
I was supposed to be there this year. But life intervened. It’s better for Nikolas and Edie that I’m not, that I’m finally getting some work done on them.
Still I’ll be thinking of Kate and Trisha Ashley and lots of other writers who will be enjoying an inspiring week – and hoping I can get there some day soon. I’m always refreshed by those sorts of workshops.
Have you been to writers’ workshops or conferences or readers groups? What refreshes and inspires you?
Tags: Nikolas
I’m sure the Tour de France in high definition would refresh and inspire me too. I have to say there’s something extra fabulous about sitting and watching someone else exercise and if it happens to be fit men in shorts well…
There is that sitting and watching and exercising vicariously part. Oh, yes. Watched the time trials today and I was out of breath at the end!
Not much into conferences these days! My inspiration
usually arrives in the shape of ten grandchildren, ages
19 to 2. They are what keeps me young!
As to Nikolas, or Nick, good name choice!
Pat Cochran
We wish you were here with us in Caerleon too, Anne! Trisha x
Pat, I like inspirational grandchildren, too. Had a houseful of them last weekend. It was lovely. Very quiet when they go home. I haven’t done any conferences, either. Maybe next year. We’ll see. And thanks for the approval of Nick’s name. He seems to fit it. So far so good.
Trisha, Thanks for stopping by. So nice to ‘see’ you here. Hope you and Kate and all are having a lovely time at Caerleon. It sounds so wonderfully inspirational – in a writerish sort of way. Have a fun week!
Finally grabbed a moment from talking about writing and laughing and eating wonderful food and listening to great talks, to say that like Tricia I wish you were here. The weather is sunny, the company fabulous and yes, even if I do have to teach tomorrow that can be fun too.
You really must join us one day – maybe next year?
Thanks for the invitation, Kate. I would love to come some year. It sounds like nirvana for writers. I hope you and Trisha and all the rest have a wonderful inspiring refreshing week. I’ll be thinking of you!