Dreams, Pipe Cleaner People, and Duller Action Items

So, last night I had a dream. I'm sure I dream every night, but I rarely remember dreams. Once a month, maybe. Usually less. So I'm always curious if there's any meaning to the dreams I do remember... and on some occasions I actually worry that there might be meaning to them.

Healthy, happy, brains intact.

For instance: Last night I dreamed that I removed my dog's brain. Then, when she started acting lethargic (you know, because her brain was no longer connected to the rest of her), I put the brain back in. When she didn't get back to normal right away, I got a cat for her to chase--which she did.

Welcome to my land of dreams... a world I don't pretend to understand. But that's why other people who think they understand them write books, right? So people like me can put my faith in them when I dream about bizarre-o stuff.

So, alarmed at what this dream might mean, I turned to the dream dictionary a former roommate gave me many moons ago and opened it to "brain." On the subject of brains it reads: "Pleasant and/or profitable news from an unexpected quarter is forecast in a brain featuring animal brains..."

Really? I don't even want to know how anyone EVER figured that out! But still, I liked it. It's better than what I was thinking. It's the kind of prediction I can get behind so today I've been focusing on things that I feel have the potential to pay off--as opposed to things I do because they're fun and maybe-might pay off. There's a difference. We all know that, and yet it doesn't make it easier to re-focus.

The "Buffalo Wing"

So today I've been making lame illustrations for one of my pet projects. And when I say lame, I mean L-A-M-E (see image). But hey, we all have our Tim Gunn "make it work" moments. I don't think Tim Gunn would be at all impressed with this solution, but it's better than nothing... maybe.

Other than pipe cleaner yoga poses, the other thing on today's menu is an edit of what I'm calling "The Avenues." This is the novella that covers the time between books 1 and 2 from Ty's perspective. The story has always been there in my head, but I was about half way through writing book 5 when one of you readers once again pointed out how smart you all are. (That's one of the things I like most about readers who are loyal to Rhea: as a rule, you are all very, very smart.) I had already been debating whether or not certain information needed to be made public or if it was fine staying in the background when I was led to a blog where someone was asking every question "The Avenues" answers. It was at that moment that I said, "You know, even if it's just for this person, it's worth it to put it out there. I'll just write it fast, not obsess over it, and make it an ebook that people can read if they choose to. No loss if they don't, but extra insight if they do."

So, that's "The Avenues." And while it did take a week or so away from "Unpleasant Grove," book 5 is still on schedule and I'm sooooo excited to get it into your hands. I hope you love the ride into book 6, which is pretty much the most fun LDS fiction can be, if you ask me.

But as for today, I'm focusing on Pipe Cleaner people and edits of a novella as I await pleasant and/or profitable news from an unexpected quarter. It's like waiting for Christmas when you don't know what day it lands on. Looking forward to it whenever... *checks watch* Seriously, any time now. :)