It’s Tuesday morning, two days before leaving for the Tucson Festival of Books, but I’m nervous—nervous about leaving and nervous about maybe NOT leaving.
The news this morning is all about delays and possible flight cancellations at SeaTac. So will all that work out? We’ll find out for sure on Thursday morning. That means I have another whole day to worry about this while I’m also working on—make that trying to work on—the copy editing for The Taken Ones which arrived in my email Monday morning.
I’m having some issues with that, by the way. I’m a girl from the West. I suspect the copyeditor isn’t, and there are some linguist issues at work here. Where I write “Seattle PD,” she changes it to “the Seattle PD.” Yes, it’s the Seattle Police Department, but it’s not “the Seattle PD.” There’s no THE there! And in my frame of reference people graduate from high school and college. Evidently in other parts of the country people “graduate high school or college—no from, and that bugs me.
One of my first experiences with this kind of issue happened during copyediting of a long ago Beau book in which he visited a Seattle bar where they were playing country/western music. The copy-editor changed it to country and western music. I put an all cap STET on that.
For non-English majors, the word stet stands for “disregard the previous correction.” It’s supposed to be written in lower case, but I capitalized it in that instance because I really meant it! I also sent along the following explanation: “It’s shit/kicking, country/western music, not shit and kicking country and western music.”
So I’m doing copy-editing. Will I finish before Thursday? Probably. No, make that a maybe. In the meantime, sitting on the side table next to my writing chair is a brand new packet of Sticky Notes.
While I’m gone—assuming I really AM gone—our daughter Cindy will be here to look after her dad, but our daughters have also been lobbying for me to have more help in caring for Bill, so we’re bringing some in. They’ve been shadowing me for a time or two, but I’m concerned about things being done right, so I’m going to leave sticky notes here and there with checklists of things that need to be done in a certain order. Make that check lists of things that I want done in a certain order.
Does that make me OCD? Probably. Controlling? Yup, that, too. Unwilling to let go? After five years, of trial and error, that’s definitely a yes. I guess I’m a “my-way-or-the-highway” kind of girl. Or maybe, at my age, I’m just “set in my ways.”
At any rate, my blog is supposed to be a window on my world, and this week the person in my world is a bundle of nerves.
Stay tuned next week, and I’ll let you know how it turns out. Now I’m going to write up some of those Sticky Notes.
I had to laugh at your use of the word “STET” – I had not seen it in a long time. My wife was a copy editor for McGraw-Hill way-way back, before I met her in 1989. I was the person who did my veteran chapter’s newsletter, and with her help it got out. She would look it over and use that “STET” and other symbols when editing for me. That was a very pleasant memory – thank you. I was also her care taker for years and after her stroke she had to be put in a care facility. I felt helpless not being able to care for her any more. Especially being able to cook for her. She loved my cooking. And now I don’t cook anymore.
Thank you for another blog full of memories. My best to you in your journey to the book festival. I’m sure Bill will be well taken care of, but of course not to your standards.
I have the same issues with the way things are written. Yes, you graduate “from” not just graduate. Always bugged me.
I pray ? all will be good for Bill while you’re gone. But, I get it. I’m going to be gone for 11 days and worried sick about the people who will be taking care of my little dog. I know, not the same but I’ve never been gone that long and he is my love.
It’s Friday and SeaTac has 3″ of snow.
I’m sure Bill and Rowdy will be fine and very happy when we get home. Enjoy your trip.
YOU TELL them the RIGHT WAY to do things! And that is YOUR WAY!
You know best after all the trial and error of taking care of someone you love. NO ONE can just walk in and do it automatically. Living with someone as long as you have is the only way to learn.
Have a good trip, if you go. If circumstances at home change, or the airline changes at the last minute, stay with Bill and let the event handle itself. I bet they know how to do it after all these years. I will be watching to see what you do.
Diane Lamont in Alabama
PS: We met when you were in Nashville a few years ago. I believe my service dog was with me, Lady Kara. she was a yellow lab.
May God bless you in the little things! I pray everything goes smoothly for your flight and your helpers coming in to attend to Bill and the house. I can’t imagine how you manage to juggle everything on top of copy editing. I’d be a nervous wreck too. Just put a STET order on everything from the top down and focus on one small task at a time, such as finding your shoes and getting them on the right feet. Focusing smaller helps me. Delegating is good, too, and allows your loved ones to bless you with their own special gifts of time, talent, and abilities. Let us know how TFOB goes. We’re eager to hear all about your adventures.
Midwestern here. I just cried ge when someone says, “Graduated high school” or “graduated college”.
You are my hero, an octogenarian who writes mysteries as good as yours. They are my favorite read (and I often use them as an excuse when I am avoiding working on my own writing). I never dreamed that I could offer you advice, but here it is. When my husband began to suffer from an NPH, I was the caregiver. Just like you, I was sure that no one could do it as well as I did. And I was right, but I was killing myself. I stopped exercising and stopped eating properly. I lost ten pounds. Doing the shopping, or getting a haircut, or visiting friends became a destructive challenge. Then, my son gave me the same advice that I am giving you. You don’t need help for him. Nobody else can do it as well as you. The help is for you. It will let you get your life back.
Advice, even from a stranger, is great because you don’t have to take it, but your kids are right.
I know you’re right. Thank you for being a stranger speaking heart-to heart.
We had my mom with us for about 3 years. It was very nice for most of the time but, toward the end the caretaking was very difficult and we were not qualified to do some of the things that needed to be done. Took her to a nursing home and visited frequently. She was very happy there until there end
No THE before Seattle PD! Just like it is 405 not THE 405, at least in my world. Of course, saying “THE mountain is out” is correct. (If you are from western Washington you know what I am talking about.). I hope your trip goes well, and that Bill is taken care of according to your sticky note standards.
I was going to mention THE 405, etc – we’re not California, where I believe that came from! And I also don’t know how ‘from’ started getting left out of ‘graduated from high school’, either – sounds so weird to me without the from! Great post, again – I love my Friday mornings with my favorite author!
Thank goodness for “sticky notes! Don’t you wish we could shut off the worry mode in our brains-hope your trip went well.
I am 88 years old and it is never too late to learn. I didn’t realize that “THE” and “FRON” were Eastern/Western things. Just knew I cringed when I heard or didn’t hear them when I thought they should/shouldn’t be there. Ouch, just re-read that sentence, but still not going to change a word.
Hope you make it to TFOB and have a blast. Leave lots of sticky notes.
Blessing to you and Bill.
Safe travels and I pray you don’t have any issues or delays
I certainly agree with you regarding the linguistic and regional issues. Maybe I should be blaming the copy editor instead of the author when I read things like “graduating college.” I suspect that our age might also be a factor. Our language is evolving, as it should I suppose; otherwise we’d all be speaking Olde English. I said something about TV dinners to my grandson recently and he asked “what’s a TV dinner.” I said that we used to eat TV dinners on TV trays while watching a favorite show. Of course I then needed to explain what a TV tray was. Haha (not LOL).
SandyPDX
That one made me laugh!
I share your editor irritation. People from L.A. move to Portland (Oregon) and want to put “The” in front of our freeway numbers. I’ll keep an eye out for news about Seattle-Tac, good luck!
Praying for you and Bill and trusting that all will work out OK, maybe not the way you’d envision it, but it will.
Take care.
Not reading this until Friday Hope you are in Tucson Here in Houston airport lines were out the building Aren’t sticky notes wonderful Understand your frustration with editors Keep writing your way!!!
Like Beau in one of your famous J. P. Beaumont stories talks about step 1, and like him, I’m a recovering alcoholic with 32 years sober, we talk about We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable. Another meaning that comes out of that is that we can’t control people, places, events, things, how they act, think, do or say. The only thing we can “control” is how we act, think and do. This is a life long process. Just my nichol’s worth here.
I understand ALL of what is going on in your world!!!! From grammar to caring for an aging loved one!!! Hang in there… I care!!?
Hope you get there and are able to relax knowing Bill is being taken good care of. I know how you feel. I could only leave Dave for up to 1 to 2 hours by himself and then I’d check in via phone calls.
Love sticky notes
I’m a former typing teacher and I remember teaching stet when we were learning about marking corrections on the student’s papers. I don’t think I’ve seen or heard that phrase since then. Thanks for the memory.
Relax you will get there sooner or later, or not. I like your editing especially Seattle PD.
Hopefully you are already safe and sound in Tucson. I’m also hoping mother nature will be kinder this trip and there’ll be no gigantic dust storms.
Can’t wait to tune into poisoned pen to watch and listen to you and CJ talk about the way your novels are planned out.
Have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding time down there. I know the TFOB is dear to your heart.
As I’m reading the comments, my phone is reminding me that TFOB is tomorrow. Hopefully, you’re in Tombstone now and that everything went well with the flight/s and that Bill’s caretaker reads all of your sticky notes and follows them.
By the way – I think people who graduated college are just trying to sound High Falutin to those of us who graduated from college.
See you in Tucson!
How do you feel about the trend of turning nouns into verbs? The first time I heard that was many years ago in an Olympics broadcast when Bob Costas, of all people, said something to the effect of “he won’t podium with that performance “. Ye gads. Of course it has gotten worse. My high school English teacher, Mrs Peacock, would be horrified.
Physicality drives me nuts!
Looking forward to your visit to Tucson. We have it nice and toasty for you.
Re sticky-noting (I’m not keen on creating verbs forms from nouns, but I slip into it sometimes. “Gifting” drives me nuts.) You will do whatever you need to do to protect and safeguard Bill. No room for give and take. I get that. It’s who we are and what we do for those we cherish.
Hope you made it ok with no troubles. I’m right down the road in Green Valley but unable to make it – so disappointing. Best wishes for a great time at TFOB!
Rose (without the hat).
I’ve been missing you with OR without the hat.
I had so hoped to drive down to Tucson for this, but I won’t be able to. My daughter just had surgery and I’m care-giving. It’s so interesting having your books centered in Southern Arizona since I’m a native Phoenix girl and we traveled the state a lot. Plus, I went to college and had a summer home in Oregon for many years. Lots of trips to Seattle during that time. I love it there.
By the way, I’m about the same age as you are, so I relate so well to your comments about life changes as we age. I thank you for this blog, and look forward to it each week. I hope you make it to Tucson!!
Hope it all works out for you.
I was going to mention THE 405, etc – we’re not California, where I believe that came from! And I also don’t know how ‘from’ started getting left out of ‘graduated from high school’, either – sounds so weird to me without the from! Great post, again – I love my Friday mornings with my favorite author!
I’m reading this Friday morning in dreary, wet, grey Anacortes. We didn’t get any of this morning’s surprise snow. I’m hoping your flight went smooth yesterday and you are in Tombstone getting ready for your event. If we had done our usual snowbird thing we would be in Tucson and I’d be at your event either today or in Tucson this weekend. Unfortunately this is the second year we have had to cancel due to my husband’s still undiagnosed health issues. He needs a neurologist and the STAT appointment our primary doctor requested isn’t until July and the appointment was requested in December. It’s frustrating, I’m a retired RN and have rattled all the cages I can. Our health care system is so broken, especially in rural areas. Sorry to be a downer, I’m excited you get to be in sunshine and warm temps with all the people who love you and your books! Have a wonderful weekend.
NOTHING wrong with OCD…those compulsions helped us arrive at this point in our lives, EXSCTLY as meant to be.
I, too, have struggled with leaving out the “from” in graduating. I grew up in the Seattle area and assumed it was an east coast thing. My midwestern parents always used from. Graduating is something the person does, not something that happened to the high school or college.
Totally agree with you! Raised in the East, but for the past 60+ years have been a Westerner!
We vacationed as a family at a cousin’s ranch in South Dakota for most of those years and moved to Montana.
Easterners do not understand our sense of time, space, or language!
Going to Toronto for a few days meant planning for this trip. When Montana elected a new Bishop, my ex and I drove the five hours to Helena to go to his installation service and luncheon. We drove home the same evening
Prayers for a safe and sane journey this week.
I loved your newsletter. I love your stories and books. ? I love Evie and love you for everything you share with your readers. The best at reading he festival.
I loved your newsletter. I love your stories and books. ? I love Evie and love you for everything you share with your readers. The best at reading he festival.
I’m a list maker and live by my To do app. My MIL (age 97) has caregivers and sometimes there is a new person. My SIL put together a binder of various needs – medical, eating, washing her clothes, waking up and bed time routine. That way if there is a substitute aide, all the info needed is in the book and things tend to run smoothly with fewer questions. It saved her so much time and energy once the binder was complete. Maybe something like that would help you rest easier when someone else is a caregiver?
I look forward to you posts on Friday. I feel like you are a friend and not an author I’ve never met!
You wrote what you what the the readers to see. You talk like a normal person. The copy editor has went school and forgotten how we real people talk and write. Every region of America talks differently. You are writing so people can understand you.
I gotcha! my husband died at home in 2009. I adjusted. We lived like we always wanted on a golf course. I golfed (with my own cute red golf cart) and travelled – walked the wall in China, Christmas in New Zealand, European river boat cruses (these were the best!) and on until now. I’m almost 90. Live alone BUT I’m on O2 24/7……..50′ cord takes me all over my house. BUT Christmas this year brought me some great presents from my family! A new front door ring.,,,,do I want to be notified that there is a woman,child, dog walking in front of my house??? Same with the wonderful garage door opener. Do I really have to get pictures of the two neighbors who open my garage door to take the trash carts outs??? And – well, I have 3 other wonderful things – that I love seeing my great grandkids grow, etc. via pictures!!! 32″ picture frame. Love it but it’s right below my large tv and I love mystery shows, but have to tell you – YOU HAVE BEEN UPGRADED TO AI! YOU DON’T HAVE TO THING ANYMORE – YOUR EDITOR USES AI!, It can tell you what we mean to say!!!! Loved meeting you at The Poison Pen in AZ – a LONG time ago! Hope you do better than I am doing with my Excel:-) And all my wonderful gifts!!! Heading for a cocktail at 3:30 pm!!!
I’m 72 with a husband, 2 dogs and a cat
My husband is ill.You bet I’d have sticky notes and complete instructions. That just makes you loving and caring.
Hang in there Judith…….The Sun will evidently rise and set…….everybody has their problems quirks and way of doing things…..but it all works sometimes for the better sometimes not……it’s called “Living in the real world” sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad. Just always know that your “Northern Arizona Stalker” is still here and on the job….. tell Bill hello for me. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading……Deal?Dann……??????????????????
Here on the east coast we graduate FROM high school (not graduate high school), are in THE hospital (not in high school), and if we are unfortunate drive on 66 (not THE 66).
Care giving is so tricky – my sister took care of our mother until her death and was so exacting in how things had to be done that it was almost impossible to do respite type care. Family trait perhaps; as a child I remember it was impossible to do household chores correctly so our mother ended up angrily doing everything.
Hope your trip goes well – we haven’t been hearing about airline travel delays here but see stories about TSA workers are sleeping in their cars because they can’t afford commuting costs, etc.
Cheers,
Ceci
Stick to your guns! (Or in this day and age am I allowed to use that terminology?)
Praying all goes well for your trip and your husband’s caretakers. And your editing.
Agree, its country/western!
I am hoping you got out Thursday safely and easily because here on Friday things are a mess which you probably already know. Still snowing here near Shelton with really big flakes at 4:30 pm. Tucson weather is, I hope better. Enjoy the festival!
I bet waking up to snow this morning and didn’t help!
It was nice to see you in Tombstone yesterday. Hope all goes well in Tucson. Looking forward to your next book. Thank you for coming!
I hope you had an uneventful and on time flight out of Seattle and all goes well for Bill at home. Wishing you a wonderful time at the book festival.
JA. You are such a riot! I was an English major (now in my 77th year of life) and usually thought speakers who used the examples you gave of geographical dialect just didn’t know proper English. Never too late to learn. 😉
I also took a typing course before college and had a proofreading job after college, but I never ran across STET until reading you. This was in PA. Go figure.
Your sticky notes are a good idea! I used to do that when hubby and I would leave our teenage kids at home (under adult supervision) sometimes when we vacationed alone. The first time when I left many notes with directions around, the first thing our son asked me in a perplexed voice when we returned was, “Mom, why did you leave all those notes around?”
I hope you make it to the festivals with little trouble. Safe travels. <3
You are very funny and like I am. My husband says I have to have something to worry about all the time. That being said, I am here camping at the coast while Seattle and everyone else is having wind and snow storms. I can’t wait for the next Beaumont book. I know it’s coming out soon. That would be a wonderful time to be sitting by my campfire and reading it.
Good luck on your trip.
Sea Tac was closed for hours on Friday. Hope you were able to fly home on Thursday.
One of my peeves – Pikes Place Market. People born and raised in Seattle call it Pikes. ARRGH.
I am also upset with irregardless.
I have others but I will attempt to forget them now.
Meredith
To say nothing of King’s County!
Haha! I love it. No self-respecting copy editor my age would let “graduate high school” pass. What does one do to graduate a high school? That seems to be a linguistic trend that I cannot call evolution. Stick to your guns, Annie Oakley!
P.S. Have fun at the festival(s)! Wish I could go.
Mary Ruth
Does that mean the school is fitted with a cap and gown?
Don’t you wish you’d invented sticky notes? I sure do as I use them all over the place.
Hope you made it to Tucson.
I so enjoy reading your words no matter what form. Your books have entertained me for a long time and I look forward to reading those yet to be written.
Growing up in PNW, it was I5. Coming south it became the 60, the 101 etc.
Back home safely. The festival was great. Stay tuned. I’ll tell you all about it this Friday.
Judy, I feel so Blessed each week, that I actually get a very personal blog from my favorite author of all time! I hope this trip is the BEST so far and you can truly enjoy yourself. I bet Bill would wish this too. Look forward to next week!