Three Things from the Malaga Airport (because our flight is very, very delayed)
Three Things from the Malaga Airport (because our flight is very, very delayed)
Relief, Spain, Windmills...
What I’m Writing…
Two weeks ago I wrote about waiting to hear from my agent about my new novel and how tenacity is such a big part of the writing life. Well, friends, I’m happy to report that the waiting is over! And she loves the book!
And, of course, she sent pages of revision notes. As I always say (quoting the late, great poet William Matthews): Revision isn’t cleaning up after the party. It is the party.
What better way to start the party than to go on a nice long trip? (More on this later) For me, it’s always best to read revision notes, and do nothing for at least two weeks. A month is better. Even longer is better still. It’s like letting wine ferment—waiting will only make the revisions better.
So I’ve been mulling and imagining and dreaming, chasing my own windmills…
Next week, I’ll be ready to dig in to revisions.
Another piece of wonderful news came my way! Months ago, someone wrote me the loveliest fan letter about two short stories I had in Seventeen magazine over thirty years ago and how much they meant to her.
Her email was bittersweet to me. I love reading and writing short stories. Sadly, I haven’t done much of the latter lately because markets for short stories are so few. But I wrote enough short stories for a collection, An Ornithologist’s Guide to Life, of which the Kirkus Review wrote: “11 humorous, heartfelt stories by novelist Hood , with characters who find small, determined ways to shock the bourgeoisie.”
My fan wrote that she couldn’t find the stories from Seventeen online and wondered if I had copies of them. I did not.
To my utter delight, she found them and sent me the magazines!
Just a few weeks ago, I was lamenting the loss of magazines. And then these land in my arms.
What I’m Knitting…
A trip through Andalusia!
As you probably know, I believe that knitting is a metaphor for so many things: writing a book, solving a problem, planning a big trip…
Michael told me the cities he wanted to visit: Toledo, Granada, Seville.
We both decided on Jerez de la Frontera at a friend’s suggestion (sherry! flamenco!).
And I chose Zahara de los Altunes because Michael likes to end at a beach. Let the knitting begin!
My days as a TWA flight attendant, with layovers all over the world and free passes practically falling from the sky, helped me learn a few things about traveling and trip planning.
Fly Girl, my memoir about those halcyon days, lets you in on those secrets and more!
Knitting this trip was especially fun because I’d never been to Andalusia! Everything felt new and exciting.
Highlights in Toledo:
Staying at Casa Entre Dos Aguas, the former home of the great flamenco singer Paco de Lucia.
The Museo de Queso.
Dinner at local Taberna Embrujo. If you are like Michael, you will want to order the pig ears; if you are like me, the pork and peas stew.
In Granada:
The beautiful streets.
Wine and tapas bar Taberna Malvasia.
Our Spain Food Sherpas tour with the lovely Inma.
In Seville:
Our hotel (with room service breakfast!) Hotel Casa de Colon.
Flamenco!
The bull ring.
Tapas at Bodeguita Romeros (especially the fried eggplant with honey).
The Alcazar. Great tip: I booked the 8:00AM tour, which starts before the actual opening at 9. To see this gorgeous palace with no other tourists was definitely worth all the grumbling and stumbling we did to make it there on time. (Note: Michael and I are not morning people)
In Jerez:
Sherry. Flamenco. More sherry.
And I’ve already showed you pictures of beautiful Zahara de los Altunes.
Soon I’ll be back to actual knitting…if we ever leave this airport…
What I’m Thinking About…
Many people contacted me after I wrote here that I only travel with a carry on. So I took two short videos of me packing for you to watch.
And I’m happy to report, I wore everything I packed, except the white trousers because it was too warm at the beach for pants.
Most worn item, this fabulous kaftan from Zara:
My son did point out it looks a lot like the costumes from Third Law, the most recent play from the theatre company he and James Clemens have run for the past decade, What Will The Neighbors Say?.
Hmmm…Except these were designed by the talented Elizabeth Shevelev!
And also…
Friends, I’ve worked so hard on this new novel, which took a lot of research, has a complicated plot and so many twists and turns. I can’t wait to revise it, to get it just right and into your hands. My advice to you: Keep dreaming!
Here’s a little from Zahara de los Altunes for you, should you need some magic…
You look so happy! 💕
What beautiful photography! Thank you for sharing!