A to Z II - X is for Xenial

Today is day 24 of my personal A to Z challenge, which means that X is our letter today. X is for xenial.

To be xenial is to be hospitable. Now that may seem contradictory considering Joe's reclusiveness, but in actuality, he's very xenial with Michael.


He comes out to him when Michael is still a complete stranger to him. Joe makes himself completely vulnerable to someone he doesn't know or trust. But he comes out as a way to extend his hand out to Michael when Michael says that he is gay. He's clearly nervous, and he just explained to Joe how he moved to Detroit from Phoenix to be with a man who was married to a woman. So he's scared and lonely. Joe admits he's bi so that Michael doesn't feel judged. He uses it as a way to reach out to Michael, to make him feel more comfortable and accepted.

Further still, Joe opens his home and his life to Michael. He spends quite a bit of time with him, which Joe doesn't normally do. Whether they go out, or just relax in Joe's apartment, the two men spend quite a bit of time together. For Joe to allow someone other than Claudette into his home, or to spend his free time with someone other than Pete or Claudette is as xenial as he can get. It may not rival southern hospitality, but it is quite hospitable nonetheless.

Keeping things relative, you can see that Joe is actually very hospitable with Michael. He opens himself and his home as much as he can. Joe, by nature, is a loner, but he is a xenial loner.

A to Z Challenge - X is for Xanthic

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

It's time for another A to Z Challenge! This year, I want to tell you about a story that is currently a WIP (work in progress). It's the story I'm writing in honor of my baby lovebird, Robert. It's a fantasy story, but it's really a story about emotional healing. So let's examine it by going through the alphabet!

X is for xanthic. Xanthic means yellow, or yellowish in color. What does this have to do with Robert or his story? His little face was yellow. Look:

Thus, x is for xanthic.

Come on back tomorrow as we discover what the letter y represents!

2015 A to Z Challenge: Pianissimo - Day 24 (X)

 For the third consecutive year, I am participating in the A to Z blog challenge.
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

This year, we're going to go through my latest full-length novel, Pianissimo.

We're already up to day 24! We're at the letter X! X is for Xenagogue.

A xenagogue is a guide.

In Pianissimo, Agnes is our guide. 

Agnes' spirit reminds Corinne, quite frequently, that she is not alone. The house and the piano are saturated with Agnes' energy. Corinne is guided to the basement, to the piano, to the box of letters and photographs all by Agnes' ghost.

It is Agnes' photographs, diary, and letters that walks us through her entire life.

Ultimately, this is Agnes' story. She guides us through Corinne's experiences, as well as her own life. Through her diary, letters, and pictures, we are able to connect the two.

Although the story isn't told from Agnes' perspective, she is the foundation and the xenagogue through all that is Pianissimo.

http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B00OEOTZMC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420832795&sr=8-2&keywords=lauren+shiro

A to Z '14 - Xenial

For this year's A to Z Challenge, I am honoring my grandfather who passed away on April 3, 2013.


X is for Xenial.


To be xenial is to be hospitable and caring - especially to strangers. They are considered helpful and useful.


My grandfather was considerably xenial.


He was happy to help people - and animals - in need.



He would hold doors to others, help by donation or by reaching his hand out to help you out. He was raised to be a true gentleman and humanitarian.


He was incredibly hospitable as well. He was happy to host our wedding at his home.






He was a good man and was always ready to help anyone in need.


Xenial is an adjective you're not likely to hear very often. The next time you do, think of my grandfather. It describes him well!


X is Xenial.

X: Xylography

According to arthistory.com, xylography is "wood engraving, and the oldest known relief printmaking technique. The discipline was first practiced in China, then picked up in Europe centuries later. Using a block of wood in somewhat the same manner as a rubber stamp, a xylographer cuts and/or carves wood away from those parts of the design that will not be inked. The 'sticking up' parts that are left form the final print."

Once again, I have learned something new. For fear that I would be writing about xylophones (no offense, xylophone players), I knew there had to be some kind of art form that started with the letter x.

I LOVE wood engraving. As some of you know, I worked with a chainsaw carver for a couple of years. I loved working with wood. Sanding, burning - it was an incredible new medium for me and I adored every second of it.

I also love print making. My grandfather passed earlier this month, but during his amazing career, he was in printing and lithography.

So a combination of wood art and printing really hits close to home.

Since I know so little about xylography, I looked up some images and thought you might like these: