Tag Archives: domestic bliss

Shazamski (Goodbye Stress Version)

Posted on April 3, 2019 by PB Rippey

We are selling our home. I’ve read that the 3 greatest causes of stress in a relationship can be: $ $ Moving Antidote(s)=deep breaths, low-salt diet, always the ocean, ordering at least 3 crispy tacos from a food truck on … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, dog, Faction, middle grade, Writing | Tagged 2019, books, box turtle, domestic bliss, early colonials, home buying, home selling, kittens, money, stress, tacos | Leave a comment

Sugar Cookies (‘Is Mars in Retrograde’ Edition)

Posted on September 19, 2015 by PB Rippey

My son and his dad have a game in which my son pumps his legs hard and gets one of the swings on our creaky set to as high as he can without giving me a heart attack, and my … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Faction, Writing | Tagged 2015, Dogs, domestic bliss, fiction writing, gunshots, kids, Los Angeles, memoir on acid, personal goals, poetry, suburbia, writer's angst | 5 Comments

Screens

Posted on November 15, 2014 by PB Rippey

Staring at my writing, I heard what I thought was our younger cat pulverizing the bedroom window’s screen, as he does when he’d like to be let inside, despite the little Hobbiton upside-down-U’s we had cut in pertinent doors, just for … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, Children's Books, dog, Faction, Writing, WTF | Tagged children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, fiction writing, hobbits, life, Los Angeles, middle grade writing, personal goals, poetry, writer's block, writing | 2 Comments

Mornings Become Them (Birds Edition)

Posted on June 20, 2014 by PB Rippey

615am–I get out of bed to let the dog outside and get back in bed forgetting to let the dog back in and he barks and I shoot out of bed not wanting the dog to wake the first grader … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, books, Children's Books, dog, Faction, Fiction, middle grade, Parakeet, Pets, Poetry, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged 2014, cats, children's literature, Conures, dog, domestic bliss, fiction writing, First Graders, Freelance Writing, life, Los Angeles, poetry, writer's angst, writing | Leave a comment

Spring Break Snoozing (Wide Awake Edition)

Posted on April 18, 2014 by PB Rippey

During this luscious week of no school for the Kindergartner, we snooze well. Except when we are awakened from chasm-sleep somewhere between 2a.m. and maybe 4:30a.m.—after the bars have closed, but before the rooster across the alley busts its lungs—after we’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, books, Children's Books, dog, Faction, Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, Pets, Poetry, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged 2014, cats, children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, fiction writing, Kindergarten, Kindle Fire, labrador, life, Los Angeles, middle grade writing, personal goals, poetry, writing | 1 Comment

Bathroom Reading (Scouring Edition)

Posted on December 4, 2013 by PB Rippey

While holiday cleansing the bathroom, on my knees scrubbing corners usually in my blind spot, I glance up and notice books also, apparently, usually in my blind spot. I have no idea when Dylan Thomas arrived. Definitely wasn’t me who … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Children's Books, dog, middle grade, Poetry, Writer's Angst, Writing | Tagged 2013, children's literature, domestic bliss, Dylan Thomas, fiction writing, Freshly Pressed, Henry James, Kindergarten, life, Los Angeles, middle grade writing, Nicole Kidman, personal goals, poetry, Portrait of a Lady, Reader, Sherman Oaks, The Turn of the Screw, writing | 2 Comments

The Truth Is…(Maintenance Edition)

Posted on October 29, 2013 by PB Rippey

The truth is, I’m way too busy to blog—sprawling on the couch eating bonbons takes up a lot of time. And let me make this extremely clear: NOT milk chocolate bonbons with cherries tucked inside them. If I was even … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, Fiction, middle grade, Pets, Poetry, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged 2013, cats, children's literature, chocolate, chocolate bon bons, dog, domestic bliss, fiction writing, life, Los Angeles, memories, middle grade writing, Reader, writer's angst, writing | 8 Comments

Quote For The Week: Diana Nyad (Butterscotch Cookies Edition)

Posted on September 11, 2013 by PB Rippey

Find a way. —Diana Nyad I briefly interrupt evening reading time to announce I’m zooming to Albertson’s for eggs for tomorrow’s scrambled egg jamboree and ask my spouse if he needs anything from the store. In the Daffy Duck brogue he utilizes when … Continue reading →

Posted in Faction, Writer's Angst, Writing, WTF | Tagged #FindAWay, 2013, box turtle, chardonnay, Diana Nyad, domestic bliss, fiction writing, Kindergarten, labrador, Quckenstien Hatches A Family, Spock, Star Trek Into Darkness, writing, Zachary Quinto | 4 Comments

Mini-Break 4: Summer Flu (Mr. Darcy Would Not Approve)

Posted on July 24, 2013 by PB Rippey

I see from Facebook that those of us women afflicted turned to the BBC’s 1995 Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. No coincidence. Those empire-waist dresses (so cheerful) and perpetually bouncing ringlets, lush countryside and obvious magnetism help … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Children's Books, Fiction, Poetry, Writer's Angst, Writing | Tagged 2013, Bath, cats, children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, fiction writing, Jane Austen, Jane Austen Society, Kindle Fire, Los Angeles, ocean, poetry, Pride and Prejudice, writing | 2 Comments

And The Seat Moved

Posted on January 22, 2013 by PB Rippey

My sliced finger salved and bandaged, wiping cat gak off my bare foot, it was about then I remembered my promise to learn to ride the unicycle before my next birthday, so I went outside, snatched up my son’s helmet … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, dog, Fiction, Pets, Poetry, To Explain, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged 2013, cats, dog, domestic bliss, fiction writing, labrador, personal goals, poetry, preschoolers, unicycle, writing | 4 Comments

Space Aliens Blow Up Fast Food Joints

Posted on November 7, 2012 by PB Rippey

Or: Writing In Increments (daylight edition) Between the post-workout shower and the trip to Redbox to return movies you suddenly noticed on the bookshelf as you craned your neck to see if your leg was straight as it pulsed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, dog, Fiction, To Explain, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged 2012, aliens, cooking, dolphins, domestic bliss, fast food, fiction writing, karate, labrador, McDonald's, middle grade writing, organic, preschoolers, Starbucks, writing | 2 Comments

Coasting From One Weekend Quote To The Next

Posted on September 9, 2012 by PB Rippey

Maybe I’m a writer because I’m desperately trying to clean up my mess. Other people go into therapy or become psychiatrists just to clean up the mess. Well, I couldn’t afford therapy at the time I needed it the most, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Children's Books, Fiction, Me and Us, To Explain, Writer quotes, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged 2012, Batcave, cooking, domestic bliss, fiction writing, Isabelle Allende, middle grade writing, Naomi Epel, personal goals, preschoolers, quotes on writing, Wild Krats, writing | 3 Comments

Deep Summer Checkpoint

Posted on July 25, 2012 by PB Rippey

Two summers ago I wrote: I create escape beneath my yard’s wind- bent gazebo, books on spread gingham, the shrunk house I dragged into our shade, ticking stove, stranger’s voice in the toy wall phone he refuses. Create with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Books, Fiction, middle grade, Poetry, Writer quotes, Writing | Tagged 2012, children's literature, domestic bliss, E.B. White, fiction, fiction writing, Joyce Carol Oates, Ken Follet, palominos, poetry, preschoolers, quotes on writing, revision, toddlers, writing | 1 Comment

Phases (Moon)

Posted on July 3, 2012 by PB Rippey

As I drove myself and the dog home from dropping the boy off at summer day camp (where they create 4th of July art, squirt water at each other, learn how to play Red Rover and build Lego creations all … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, Fiction, Pets, Writing Progress | Tagged 2012, cats, chaos, dog, domestic bliss, Full moons, preschoolers, summer camp, writer's angst, writing, yoga | 2 Comments

What I Can Do To Promote World Peace

Posted on March 6, 2012 by PB Rippey

548a.m. Pretty dark through the curtains. No birdsong. The bed is mine, S walking the dog, the boy snoozing anywhere from the next 15 minutes to the next hour. Barely awake, I feel the effects from gazing at my work … Continue reading →

Posted in books, dog, Me and Us, Quotes, Writing | Tagged 2012, cats, chaos, domestic bliss, Facebook, fiction writing, Mother Teresa, preschoolers, quotes on writing, Sandra Fluke | 1 Comment

No Sickness (O My Stars)

Posted on December 26, 2011 by PB Rippey

I remember using the mini food processor chopper thing to within an inch of its life, opening cans of Christmas delicacies like organic kidney beans, tomato paste (yes, organic tomato paste—who knew) and what is Christmas without ye olde Christmas mandarin … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, dog, Faction, Pets, Poetry, Writing Progress | Tagged 2011, cats, chaos, chili with chive-flecked dumpings, Christmas Spirit, dog, domestic bliss, fiction writing, martinis, pear cider, preschoolers, stomach flu | Leave a comment

Notes From The Armchair

Posted on September 26, 2011 by PB Rippey

And how is it going, PB, in your newly rediscovered armchair? Are you working under favorable conditions? Or does the scent of cat pee distract you, just as you’ve made yourself comfortable, laptop on lap, glass of wine on the bookshelf next … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, Fiction, Me and Us, Pets, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, WTF | Tagged 2011, cats, creamsicles, domestic bliss, domestics, fiction writing, life, personal goals, writer's angst | 2 Comments

Armchair Magic (With Tall Reading Lamp)

Posted on September 14, 2011 by PB Rippey

Last night I accomplished so much in my new special writing place that all day I anticipated my return. Now that I’m here, typing eagerly, feet crossed and slightly off an ottoman, my spine cushioned far more comfortably than when I’m up against … Continue reading →

Posted in dog, Me and Us, middle grade, To Explain, Writing, Writing Progress | Tagged 2011, cats, dog, domestic bliss, fiction writing, Marcel Proust, middle grade writing, T-Rex, writing | 1 Comment

Reveries

Posted on August 9, 2011 by PB Rippey

I’ve been seeing so many people from my past lately—I mean the past past, hazy-rocketing back to elementary school and working up from there—and it’s affected my dreaming. I have hosted reunions in my dream homes, welcoming total strangers to parties … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, books, Faction, Fiction, Me and Us, ocean related, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged 2011, children's literature, domestic bliss, domestics, fiction, fiction writing, life, personal goals, writer's block, writing | Leave a comment

Rocking Muses

Posted on August 4, 2011 by PB Rippey

YA Muses are having another contest/giveaway and all week have reposted tons of valuable writing advice. Their story is inspirational–seriously, check them out, especially today’s post. Really wish I was going to SCBWI-LA this year so I could meet them … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, To Explain, Writing | Tagged 2011, chaos, domestic bliss, life, SCBWI, toddlers, writing | Leave a comment

When I Write

Posted on July 1, 2011 by PB Rippey

I might wake up many times during any night due to: Nightmares involving fedora-wearing aliens intent on making off with my son. The certainty that I have heard a loud noise, which means rising from bed and checking my son’s room and the rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, books, dog, Faction, Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, Poetry, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged 2011, cats, chaos, children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, fiction, fiction writing, labrador, life, middle grade writing, personal goals, poetry, toddlers, writer, writer's angst, writer's block, writing | Leave a comment

Piddlings

Posted on June 10, 2011 by PB Rippey

I printed out a “finished” poem and left it on the chair next to my bed desk. I left the room. When I returned, I discovered that fearless, scratches-inflicting, wild, out of control, great white shark-mouthed and terminally cute Diggory-The-Kitten had … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, dog, Me and Us, Parakeet, Poetry, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged 2011, cats, chaos, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, labrador, poetry, toddlers, writer, writing | 1 Comment

New Muse

Posted on May 12, 2011 by PB Rippey

A kitten after my own heart. We have a new muse around here since Mother’s Day. He was this writer’s huge, completely unexpected, big-deal surprise. I’d forgotten how much joy kittens bring, endless chuckles for both adults and a little boy excited to … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, books, Me and Us, To Explain, Writing Progress | Tagged cats, domestic bliss, fiction writing, kitten, life, toddlers, writer, writing | 1 Comment

No Whining

Posted on May 6, 2011 by PB Rippey

No whining when it’s hard to write/revise because: 1. because a dog charged your cats at 6:00a.m. and in her haste to control her animal, the owner, lunging across your front yard and bashing into the wall below your kitchen … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding My Writing, dog, Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, ocean related, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged beach, children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, fiction, fiction writing, life, middle grade writing, ocean, personal goals, writer's block, writing | Leave a comment

There’s No Place Like Hush

Posted on April 7, 2011 by PB Rippey

It’s April. I’m quiet. I’m revising. Being a vigilant mother. Cooking for house guests (i.e. Costco-ing for house guests). Hulu-ing Parenthood (help me, Obi Wan—it’s my only vice). Typing in my quips on Facebook (help me, O.W.—it’s my only other … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult writing, Avoiding My Writing, dog, Fiction, Me and Us, middle grade, Parakeet, Steps In Promotion, To Explain, Writer's Angst, Writing, Writing Progress, WTF | Tagged aliens, children's literature, dog, domestic bliss, domestics, dreams, Facebook, fiction, fiction writing, life, middle grade writing, nightmares, toddlers, writer, writing | Leave a comment