Summer is officially over today.  The last time we posted was in June.  We get the irony that September 6 was "Fight Procrastination Day." 

Bloggers who post on a daily basis, or even a weekly basis, have our utmost respect.  They must be super-disciplined, or really exhausted.  Either way, it's amazing.

Our hectic summer ends with the Cuesta College Writers Conference, and this year's program was another successful one.  Nothing is more inspiring and confidence-building than events like these.  Certain folks are just fun to hang with.  That list includes writers, animal lovers, and musicians.  They seem to have an attitude of "Not only am I gonna stop and smell the roses, but I'm gonna do it with my dog and my iTunes, and then I'm gonna write about it."  Thank you, Cuesta College and SLO-Nightwriters!

What's New:
*Evy has a new little book, "Oriental Brush and Verse," which is a combination of her simple techniques in Sumi-e painting and her own original haiku.  She discovered that haiku is very much like painting--both activities are meditative and the results can be very satisfying.  And they don't eat up your time!  A bonus!  Contact Evy for questions about painting and information about obtaining her booklet.

*Diane printed her three volumes of "Ruthless Readers of the Central Coast do Aesop," a collection of Aesop's fables done in play format, updated and infused with humor.  They're part of a series of Middle Grade Readers suitable for reading and performing in both small and large groups.  Diane continues this labor of love, including scripts in the areas of American Folklore, Fairytales, Greek Myths, Norse Myths, Egyptian Myths and Jataka Tales.  Eventually, she has plans to tackle such biggies as Beowulf and Gilgamesh.  She's crazy like that.  If you are a teacher and need a play adaptation of a piece of literature, contact Diane.  The library of literature taking up space in her brain is a terrible thing to waste.

*Diane also put together a pocket book called "Editor in my Pocket."  It's a culmination of all the cheat-sheets she provided for her students over the years, including helpful hints about grammar, spelling, punctuation and such.  It even includes an impressively long list of "Other Ways to Say Said."  Ask her about how you can get the book or have one custom made with your own photo as the cover.  (Hers is her dog.)

Enjoy your "roses" (and hope for rain)!

Going from Blahhhg to BLOG!

                                   Monarch butterfly--got 'em eating out of my hand? 

It's June, school's out, and we've re-cuped--as in recuperated.  At the risk of sounding like we're full of excuses, the following explains our hiatus from blogging:

1.  Diane recovered from her dental work marathon.
2.  Evy started her own dental work marathon.
3.  Diane's "little job" at the elementary school turned into a BIG job--multiple classes in poetry, reader's theater, journalism, and art.  She also coordinated and taught peer mentoring at both the middle school and the high school. (SUMMER ART CLASSES OFFERED AT Nipomo Recreation Summer Schedule).
4.  Evy has several oriental brush pieces in a local gallery (PAINTINGS ON SALE AT Five Cities Gallery).
5.  Another writing group added to our schedule.  Besides "Long Story Short," a flash critique group run by Diane, we attend "Just Us," a critique group for the children's genre. (JOIN AT SLO-Nightwriters).
6.  And finally, we'd really like to spiffy-up our blog.  You know, make it more interesting.  So ...

Thank you to our many friends and supporters, for hanging in there while our New and Improved Blog undergoes a little makeover.  Stay tuned for more cool stuff than you can shake a stick at, including new artwork and short stories we'd like to share with you.

                                                 Dragonfly--shaking a stick?
Enjoy!
Evy and Diane

P. S.  As a little preview, here's Diane's interview with the editor of Leodegraunce (READ AT Leodegraunce Author Interview).

What's New for the New Year

A very happy holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, etc.) from Evy and Diane! We are both so excited to meet the New Year with products and services for our local communities of San Luis Obispo, the 5 Cities, and Nipomo. Our specialty is no-hassle, easy-on-the-pocketbook, and FUN art and writing help. See what we are offering below*.

Saying goodbye to 2010 raises mixed feelings. Looking back on the move from San Diego to the Central Coast, two words come to mind: joy and fatigue! But we're all in agreement that it was the best move we could have made. We've been painting, writing, gardening and pressing flowers to our heart's content. It was great fun at the Morro Bay Arts and Crafts Faire, a chance to peddle our wares and meet yet more new folks in a neighboring community. 

Diane has really enjoyed being a member of the writing community, specifically SLO NightWriters, aptly called the “Premier Writing Group on the Central Coast.” These are some genuinely talented writers with a very positive outlook. Look for Diane's published story “Bingo at Belly Acres” (you can Google it) in Tolosa Press's three publications, SLO News, Bay News, and Coast News. Interested in SLO-NW? See their website: http://www.slonightwriters.org/

So here we are—healthier, happier, and more hopeful about what the future will bring. Hope you are as well. Join us!

UNO ARTS:

Evy's offerings: In January 2011 Evy will provide private painting lessons in her home studio in AG.

Painless and easy watercolor techniques.

Mixed media methods.

Chinese brush painting basics.

--What you get: 

Copy of Evy's art instruction booklet.

One-on-one customized lessons.

Group discount rates available.

Email with questions for Evy: evymore@charter.net

Diane's offerings: In January 2011 Diane is scheduled to teach three adult education classes through Lucia Mar Adult Education (http://www.lmusd.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=1778):

The Art of Writing (a combination of art and writing activities)

Memoirs - Essays of Yesterdays (writing your personal life stories)

Make a Floral Impression (easy pressed flower projects)

--What to do: Watch for the spring brochure and register for a class online.

Need help with your report or manuscript? Get editorial assistance here!

Want study guides? A custom study guide can be created for whatever your English Comp, Literature, or Language Arts class is throwing at you!

Email with questions for Diane: mdcomposes@gmail.com

Enjoy!