I've been going back and forth between technologies lately: working on my computer, reading on my tablet, trying to figure out a new phone; then writing longhand with my fountain pens in journals, reading actual books, and gardening.
Doesn't get a whole lot lower tech than digging weeds out of the garden and chopping up tree branches.
The adventure of setting up and getting used to a new device isn't quite the nightmare it once was, but there's still the fun of remembering where all your passwords are, and what they are, and getting them into the apps on the new device, because of course, THOSE don't transfer over with all your other data from your old device.
Loving the new phone so far. Like the edge display at night that shows time at low light level. Will be useful to not have to wake up the phone to see the time when staying somewhere anymore. (Not that I'll be traveling as much now that Mom's gone. Well, there are always con trips, and we MIGHT get to make a couple more of those, who knows?)
So many things going on, so little time to organize my head enough to write.
It's been horribly HOT lately! (Well, it IS July!)
The new phone has settled in well, I am enjoying all the new fountain pens, there is a set of four out there that still hasn't shown up. (Hello, Amazon? That particular supplier needs to be on your naughty list... all the other Chinese pens have shown up promptly, even early!)
We went with friends to see Star Trek Beyond tonight It's actually pretty good. It isn't classic Star Trek, not by a long shot, but the spirit of the original is closer in this one, the assertion that unity is our strength, and that the impossible is not really quite so impossible if we work together. Differences are to be valued, and some sacrifices are worth making. I felt the overall message of this one was more hopeful than the first two. The humor was spot on, exactly the sparring and smartass remarks our familiar crew was known for.
This post has been over a week in the making, and I am still finding it difficult to get my brain to stay here and write what needs to be written. Grass pollen is high, and so my sinuses are in full revolt (ing) mode. Stuffy, painful, itchy, the whole works. The medications help, but the block-headed feeling is still there.
All this has also made my voice work interesting, to say the least. If I start out all right, either the low range or the high range will end up with crap landing on it. Sometimes it's the middle range, which REALLY makes singing a pain. I just wish it would clear up and stay cleared up.
In other news, I got my hair cut again on Thursday. Really short again, and it feels wonderful in this heat. Of course, if the hot flashes and night sweats could stop, that would be great, but I won't hold my breath.
Tomorrow is Monday once again, and so starts another busy week. Here's hoping I get some sleep between the stuffy sinuses and the hot flashes, and the headache that threatens...
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Saturday, July 9, 2016
This World Is Slowly Coming Undone
I cannot begin to understand this. So many killed just because they happen to have dark skin?
And then, shooting police officers in the back, because of the previous shootings?
What is this? The wild west?
On top of this, the climate's gone bonkers, weather's all screwed up, and all our lawmakers can do is try to save the pocketbooks of big corporations, and argue about emails and other nonsense instead of doing something to see to it that ALL Americans have justice and the freedom to go about their lives without fear.
Yes, things are getting scary out there. But really, they always have been. We've just been forced to look at it more closely lately. We DO need to change. Hate, suspicion and violence cannot be permitted to continue. We have to listen to each other, really listen, understand the fears on both sides, and yes, there are fears that the cynical play on to pit poor whites against blacks and other minorities. Those fears are unfounded, but that matters not to the elite who profit from keeping folks divided. We have got to start thinking about how others feel. People like me, who have had certain advantages that we pretty much took for granted, have to examine that and see where we need to be humble and grateful, and what we can do to ensure EVERYONE gets those advantages. There IS enough to go around, we just have to let go of greed, and we'll see it. Easier said than done, I know. All of it is. Easy to say that we ought to change, hard as heck to do the work. The work MUST be done.
In the midst of all this sorrow, anger, and soul-searching, I have been cleaning out my office. Found some things that made me smile. Valentine notes from coworkers, most precious, one from Melodie, who was taken from us by cancer a while back. Old love letters from Matt. Oh, my, did the boy ever have it BAD! (So did I!) 32 years later, and we're still together...
I have cleaned out the file drawers, the closet, and most of my desk. Reorganized the bookshelves, both in my office credenza and in the closet. Looks a lot less like things are going to fall on me now. Everything on my weekend to do list is done, except the laundry. I can do that tomorrow after church. I got several limbs off the pecan tree yesterday, and Matt got the little electric chain saw going today to chop up the last of the big pieces so they'd fit in the trash. The pecan tree is no longer rubbing the crepe myrtle, which is a good thing. I got both yards mowed well before last night's rain hit, and the entirety of today, except for a walk, was spent sorting, cleaning, and tossing things in this office. Whew. Church and laundry are going to feel like a vacation!
I am blessed right now with an embarrassing number of wonderful fountain pens. I guess I'll have to get busy and put more time in with those journals of mine!
There is also a story I've been working on for MONTHS, and I just might be able to coax it along to a finish before much longer. (My proofreader is either going to love me or hate me.)
I have a birthday card or two to make tomorrow, as well as a budget to fuss, so it won't just be church and laundry.
Right now, however, it's National Pina Colada Day, so I'm going to make myself one, and sit here with my feet up enjoying it and reading fanfiction! (It's how I relax!)
Until next time, be well, and be good to each other!
And then, shooting police officers in the back, because of the previous shootings?
What is this? The wild west?
On top of this, the climate's gone bonkers, weather's all screwed up, and all our lawmakers can do is try to save the pocketbooks of big corporations, and argue about emails and other nonsense instead of doing something to see to it that ALL Americans have justice and the freedom to go about their lives without fear.
Yes, things are getting scary out there. But really, they always have been. We've just been forced to look at it more closely lately. We DO need to change. Hate, suspicion and violence cannot be permitted to continue. We have to listen to each other, really listen, understand the fears on both sides, and yes, there are fears that the cynical play on to pit poor whites against blacks and other minorities. Those fears are unfounded, but that matters not to the elite who profit from keeping folks divided. We have got to start thinking about how others feel. People like me, who have had certain advantages that we pretty much took for granted, have to examine that and see where we need to be humble and grateful, and what we can do to ensure EVERYONE gets those advantages. There IS enough to go around, we just have to let go of greed, and we'll see it. Easier said than done, I know. All of it is. Easy to say that we ought to change, hard as heck to do the work. The work MUST be done.
In the midst of all this sorrow, anger, and soul-searching, I have been cleaning out my office. Found some things that made me smile. Valentine notes from coworkers, most precious, one from Melodie, who was taken from us by cancer a while back. Old love letters from Matt. Oh, my, did the boy ever have it BAD! (So did I!) 32 years later, and we're still together...
I have cleaned out the file drawers, the closet, and most of my desk. Reorganized the bookshelves, both in my office credenza and in the closet. Looks a lot less like things are going to fall on me now. Everything on my weekend to do list is done, except the laundry. I can do that tomorrow after church. I got several limbs off the pecan tree yesterday, and Matt got the little electric chain saw going today to chop up the last of the big pieces so they'd fit in the trash. The pecan tree is no longer rubbing the crepe myrtle, which is a good thing. I got both yards mowed well before last night's rain hit, and the entirety of today, except for a walk, was spent sorting, cleaning, and tossing things in this office. Whew. Church and laundry are going to feel like a vacation!
I am blessed right now with an embarrassing number of wonderful fountain pens. I guess I'll have to get busy and put more time in with those journals of mine!
There is also a story I've been working on for MONTHS, and I just might be able to coax it along to a finish before much longer. (My proofreader is either going to love me or hate me.)
I have a birthday card or two to make tomorrow, as well as a budget to fuss, so it won't just be church and laundry.
Right now, however, it's National Pina Colada Day, so I'm going to make myself one, and sit here with my feet up enjoying it and reading fanfiction! (It's how I relax!)
Until next time, be well, and be good to each other!
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Dispatches From The Beginnings of Summer
6/19/16
Yesterday was very hot, but we got the lawn and other yard work done early enough.
Had a chance to watch Pan's Labyrinth, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
In spite of the very loud thunderstorm and heavy rain that showed up.
After that, we noticed the air conditioner was blowing warm air.
Goody.
Just what you need on a VERY stifling evening.
Thank goodness for ceiling fans, and our little portable oscillating fan.
Using those on high speed, we spent a mostly comfortable, if rather droningly noisy night.
The call in to the repair service we contract with paid off.
We missed church, but we had our air conditioning fixed before the time we normally would have returned home form church.
The budget wasn't squeezed too badly, and oh, the air is wondrously cool in here again.
I declared today a day of lethargy and gluttony. No exercise, and I didn't particularly watch what I ate.
I did do the laundry and get the grocery list written, however.
6/20/16
Grocery shopping done, all workouts done, voice lesson accomplished, and the dishwasher run. Busy day.
6/24/16
Yikes! This week has gone QUICKLY!!
Matt only worked half a day today, and I took a day of leave, because SOONERCON started today! It's our hometown con, so we go out and support our local fan fun. I bought one of the t-shirts because they are actually nice looking, and so are the badges/passes the gave us. WAAAYY nicer looking than the ones from that giant con (that was a con-game) in Houston. Got to meet Vic Mignogna and checked in with Larry Nemecek again. Will see them both again tomorrow, and Sunday, too, most likely.
My "Come Not Between The Dragons" Poster now has Vic's signature on it, too. (Gigi, Michelle, and Chris signed it in Houston.)
I bid against a coworker on a piece of art in the art auction. Hope there are no hard feelings. I just wanted to let the artist know the item is appreciated!
6/25/16
Didn't even go check on the item I bid on. Pretty sure someone has outbid me. Had a good time, got to chat with Larry Nemecek and Vic Mignogna again today. Taking Vic some extra USDI buttons tomorrow.
6/26/16
Buttons made and delivered, and he seemed very happy to receive them. Good panel discussions today, and got to visit with Larry, Vic, and Count Gregore (John Ferguson) again today. All have a million funny stories to tell!
We capped off our weekend by treating ourselves to dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse. The food, service, and margaritas are always excellent there!
Another week gone, and I still haven't finished this post!! Four new fountain pens have shown up, making the writing self very happy, and the writing supplies hoarder is overjoyed!
I have written a couple of fan fiction stories, and they have been published on Tunnel Tales! Tunnel Tales
Here is the poem I wrote that appears at the end of To Be Made Whole Again
When I feel the need
To be absolved of sin
It's your arms I seek
To be held within
Where no harm can find me
There to be made whole again.
You are my light
My strength and hope
When I fear the night
You help me cope.
Say you'll let me help you
When the grief closes in
Let me stay and hold you
Make you whole again.
I don't know if my muse will give me any more stories about Beauty and the Beast, but I do enjoy the times that a story just shows up asking to be written.
Wish I had something more profound to say, but it's Saturday, and I'm at work, and laundry awaits me when I get home.
Kind of hard to be profound in the midst of so much day to day-ness.
So, I hope you enjoy this short bit from the beginning of summer.
Yesterday was very hot, but we got the lawn and other yard work done early enough.
Had a chance to watch Pan's Labyrinth, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
In spite of the very loud thunderstorm and heavy rain that showed up.
After that, we noticed the air conditioner was blowing warm air.
Goody.
Just what you need on a VERY stifling evening.
Thank goodness for ceiling fans, and our little portable oscillating fan.
Using those on high speed, we spent a mostly comfortable, if rather droningly noisy night.
The call in to the repair service we contract with paid off.
We missed church, but we had our air conditioning fixed before the time we normally would have returned home form church.
The budget wasn't squeezed too badly, and oh, the air is wondrously cool in here again.
I declared today a day of lethargy and gluttony. No exercise, and I didn't particularly watch what I ate.
I did do the laundry and get the grocery list written, however.
6/20/16
Grocery shopping done, all workouts done, voice lesson accomplished, and the dishwasher run. Busy day.
6/24/16
Yikes! This week has gone QUICKLY!!
Matt only worked half a day today, and I took a day of leave, because SOONERCON started today! It's our hometown con, so we go out and support our local fan fun. I bought one of the t-shirts because they are actually nice looking, and so are the badges/passes the gave us. WAAAYY nicer looking than the ones from that giant con (that was a con-game) in Houston. Got to meet Vic Mignogna and checked in with Larry Nemecek again. Will see them both again tomorrow, and Sunday, too, most likely.
My "Come Not Between The Dragons" Poster now has Vic's signature on it, too. (Gigi, Michelle, and Chris signed it in Houston.)
I bid against a coworker on a piece of art in the art auction. Hope there are no hard feelings. I just wanted to let the artist know the item is appreciated!
6/25/16
Didn't even go check on the item I bid on. Pretty sure someone has outbid me. Had a good time, got to chat with Larry Nemecek and Vic Mignogna again today. Taking Vic some extra USDI buttons tomorrow.
6/26/16
Buttons made and delivered, and he seemed very happy to receive them. Good panel discussions today, and got to visit with Larry, Vic, and Count Gregore (John Ferguson) again today. All have a million funny stories to tell!
We capped off our weekend by treating ourselves to dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse. The food, service, and margaritas are always excellent there!
Another week gone, and I still haven't finished this post!! Four new fountain pens have shown up, making the writing self very happy, and the writing supplies hoarder is overjoyed!
I have written a couple of fan fiction stories, and they have been published on Tunnel Tales! Tunnel Tales
Here is the poem I wrote that appears at the end of To Be Made Whole Again
When I feel the need
To be absolved of sin
It's your arms I seek
To be held within
Where no harm can find me
There to be made whole again.
You are my light
My strength and hope
When I fear the night
You help me cope.
Say you'll let me help you
When the grief closes in
Let me stay and hold you
Make you whole again.
I don't know if my muse will give me any more stories about Beauty and the Beast, but I do enjoy the times that a story just shows up asking to be written.
Wish I had something more profound to say, but it's Saturday, and I'm at work, and laundry awaits me when I get home.
Kind of hard to be profound in the midst of so much day to day-ness.
So, I hope you enjoy this short bit from the beginning of summer.
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