PORCH PONDERINGS

Catching Up

It's been a busy time here in Montana.

I am head cheerleader for the OctoPrep challenge again this year. There are three others I shepherd as we cajole, encourage, exhort the preppers for NaNoWriMo. It is always fun to read ideas, read chapters of new works and just generally give kudos and other prizes to those who stick with the process.

Beyond that, I still volunteer in town. There is a great deal of drama with the senior meal program. The lady in charge is new on the job, less than a year. She has managed to alienate most all the volunteers. The program is in jeopardy of being shut down by the state, if they don't get their act together. Food quality is bad, the people we deliver meals to are upset. The sponsoring agency for the senior kitchen is upset as well as now the state governing body. My hubby and I have told the volunteer organization that we will deliver meals til the end of October. Then we'll reevaluate our volunteer jobs and perhaps not do this any longer. Sad.

I did go to Billings earlier this week for 2 days. I participated in a focus group, stayed there for 2 nights. The group paid anyone who participated both days, and was on time, $700. Yippee! Of course, from that I had to pay for 2 nights in a hotel so I didn't have to drive home in the dark.

It was nice both nights, so I walked around downtown Billings. I had a quick burger while sitting outside the restaurant on their patio. I met someone who knew people in Roundup. It is said that Montana is just one long Main Street with cross streets along the way. Somehow everywhere you go, someone knows another person you know.

You tend to forget, when living in a small town, just how busy and exciting a big city can be. Of course, by the standards of the rest of the country, Billings is not that big a place. Only about 120,000. But it is growing. I think it is still the largest city in Montana. There were people out and about in all the restaurants and bars. People walking everywhere. I found a few new places to go for lunch when we go shopping for the day there.

Halfway through the month and as I stated, the OctoPrep challenge is doing well. We have had a few drop off the ranks, but
I know sometimes life gets in the way. The ideas you start with are not gelling as you thought they would, so you get discouraged and drop out. Time just gets in the way for many when you have to perform according to a schedule.

Having done this OctoPrep before I realize how challenging this whole process is. But it really helps you focus on your story, on your craft.

Didn't join this year? Perhaps in 2025 you'll take the plunge.