The Furious Spinner

How you makin'?

My living room is awash in books and maps—and folded laundry. It's quite a picture. Mario is sitting next to me doing the New York Times crossword; Serena is in her room doing something on the computer. I'm getting ready to start my new novel, Ruby's Imagine. It was called Mississippi Jewel, but I've changed it. It takes place during Katrina, so I'm filling up—again—on research about my state of birth, Louisiana, and, more precisely, New Orleans. When I start researching LA, I often take on a Cajun accent and cadence—or some sort of near NOLA accent. I do that for other parts of the country, too. When I used to talk to Bill (in Alabama) I would suddenly develop a Southern accent during our conversation. (I had a friend who was a retired CIA linguist who could not place my accent. I got such a kick out of that. Was this because I am a language chameleon? No, just part of my empathic tendencies, I believe.) I started out this morning crying—feeling as though I was reliving Katrina and all that has happened since. As I've mentioned before, I tend to be a method writer. Crying isn't bad; it's a stress reliever. But I needed to get past this so I could hear and then tell Ruby's story.

I also ate enough food for three of me today. (If I'm not careful, I'm going to become three of me.) At one point during the day, Mario put his arms around me and told me that I always go through this just before I begin a novel. I'm so glad I have him to remind me. I always forget. I liken it to the amnesia many women develop after childbirth—although I understand what I do is a wee bit easier than actual childbirth. I'm not kiddin' myself.

Tomorrow I'm determined to start the novel—after I make Serena breakfast. She's spending $20 a day on gas to get to school and back. We need to figure out how to help her get a car with better gas mileage. I think I'll lend her mine for a while.

In the meanwhile, some of you might be interested in this map of the flooding of New Orleans I found. It's an astonishing thing to watch on a map.

Imagine...

I imagine every day that the people of New Orleans are rebuilding their city. I imagine that this rebuilding is for the good of the land and the people. That's Kim's Imagine.

Ah well. Time to get off the computer and get to sleep.

Now, you say hello to your Mom-an'-em.

Labels: Katrina, Ruby's Imagine

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