Re: How to get started...

**M* <m*@optonline.net>**

Once again, this list has come through in my time of need. I thought I'd point out some of the most helpful suggestions here in case anybody else finds themselves in a similar situation. Also, this spares Lon the agony of pointing out the non-necessity of sending out thank you's. Lon, (big smile on my face :-)  I certainly understand the need to keep posts at a minimum. Thank you's all around though, you'll all see for yourself how your suggestions worked for me.

That hated outline, well that was the ice breaker for me. There were certain points I knew I just had to touch upon so I wrote those down. Starting with a history, working up to the present, sprinkling in some annecdotes, hard core hybridizing information and ending with future desires was an easy choice.

Doing the outline on a nice clean pad with a sharp pencil while sitting in front of a picture window watching the snow fall was a delightful break from the computer. 

Getting away from the topic and putting it on the back burner came next as I vacuumed every speck of cat hair from the rugs (hey, it's really snowing outside I coudn't go shopping). 

Sitting down at the computer and just typing away was theraputic. I began with a letter to the editor of the newsletter. Soon I was deleting the letter part and leaving the article in it's place. 

Once the fingers started working they began to fly. In retrospect I think several of you were correct in pointing out how worried I might be to think of George Rasmussen's opinion of the article. Putting into words the memory of my first garden visit where we found a big black snake in the garden and both ran to stand on the front stoop helped ease that fear.

Finally, the editor contacted me within minutes of receiving the piece and George called almost immediately upon receiving a copy on his computer. All is good, they loved it!

With sincere thanks,
Melanie D. Vassallo
Garden Writer/Lecturer/Photographer (tomorrow is a great opportunity to take garden in the snow photos!)
melaniev@optonline.net

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