Celebrating: (almost) 10% of my book, Draft 1.

I have written almost 10% of my book (1st draft) and I would like to celebrate by devouring these Parisian delicacies and drinking the best coffee.

But, considering that the cafe where I had these last is a little out of my way

(oh, about 20,000 km), I guess I will have to settle for...

Image from www.ohhowposh.com

The Day Our Life Changed, Forever

When the sun is high

Not a cloud in the sky

A breeze on our cheek,

On a late winter's day

We remember the year,

the day,

the moment,

That our life changed forever.

Friday 13th August 1993.

This day greeted the entry of our first-born. This calm, intelligent, sensitive and responsible young man has placed in our hearts an indescribable happiness.

The image you see above is of Mr 17. He is carrying his cousin who is 15 years his junior and virtually the exact image of him at that age.

Happy 17th birthday to you our son, our friend.

A New Chapter

Source: www.googlethis.blogs.linbucks.com

I have been a pretty unreliable blogger (both visiting your blogs and posting on mine) for quite some time now. I will not go into the reasons for my absence. However, I have some wonderful news to share. My darling hubby and I have now completed our new surgery/business premises. Leaving work commitments aside, I now have some mental space (!) to do what I set out to at the inception of this blog in July 2008. That is to satisfy a niggling, ever-increasingly reddening, drive-me-mad-if-I-don't-scratch-it ITCH to write my first novel. This annoying itch will continue unless I make a major commitment to my book, hence this announcement. I owe it to myself and even to my darling Mr 8 who asked me recently: 'Mum, when are you going to publish your book?' (...aarm, it has to at least be written dear!). Most importantly though, I owe it to the characters whom I have developed to such an extent that they really do exist for me. I love them, each in their own way.

So the next step: just write. This blog will be my monitor for the book. I will place a word counter in my side-bar to track my progress. My deadline for a first draft is April 1st 2011 (no significance other than the joke being on me if I do not comply). And as presumptuous and arrogant as this may sound, I have never missed a deadline.

Have you made any commitments/resolutions of late?

The Windows and Doors of Versailles

A small part of Le Chateau de Versailles - an external view:


Letting in the cool breeze:

La Grille D'Honneur as the King and Queen would have seen it, from the inside:

Marie Antoinette's route of escape out of her chamber:

A reflection, in the Hall of Mirrors:

Oh, to greet this window and its view every morning:

Light plays upon dark:

Archways that lead to...

The King's Chamber lies behind these oversized doors:

Still on the grounds of Le Chateau de Versailles, not the King's chamber...and richer, somehow: Our trip to Le Chateau de Versailles was without a doubt one of the most memorable parts of our trip.

Until next time...

Mervat

xo

Good News For Kayleigh

These flowers are for my dear friend Kayleigh (from Fashionably Later). This woman, wife and mother of two gorgeous children is an absolute inspiration.

Kayleigh, may you continue to receive positive news and may this saga, that started over 12 months ago, be behind you soon, and left, only to reflect upon.

With love,
Mervat
xo