Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Giving In
No Friday Five Favorites today. Just a quick update.
.
I gave in this week. I determined to let my body take the sleep it cried out for and craved. I gave in to the exhaustion of FM. And instead of thinking of it as losing precious time, I looked at it as a period of restoration. [Thank you, Alethea!] Time will tell whether it makes the difference. I am sure of one thing though. One day it was Tuesday, and the next it seemed--- was Friday. No. It doesn't mean I slept straight through. But the week simply came and went; much too quick.
.
There's a local health food store that sets up weekly for B12 injections; $15 per shot. I've determined to go next week and give it a try. Can't hurt. Well, yes it will! (~: ANYway, if it helps me to feel less tired, it will be $15 well spent.
.
And as regards my pc monitor dilemma. That resource did not pan out. The power switch is "not fixable," and he didn't have any monitors to sell. So, I gave in today and started to do a little online window shopping. I'm going to take my time. But. My saving grace in all of this? Comparable 19", wide flat screen monitors are a good $100 less than what I paid just a year and half ago. Still-- it's a strain on my already fragile budget!
.
Remember my work on refurbishing my Saxony spinning wheel? Well, I finally got around to taking that polishing cloth to it today. I still need to purchase a maintenance kit. But what with needing a new monitor, the kit will have to wait. Besides, I still have the cord band drive and I can fudge a connector to the peddle. And wheel oil? I'll think of something.
.
Oh! And the basket behind the wheel is that rose gray alpaca roving I bought from Marathon Alpacas, on ebaY. I picked up another bag of loose black alpaca roving about two weeks back. So, I've got the fiber. I just need the wheel.
.
There's also the matter of finishing up work on rejuvenating the small drop spindle for spinning that silk hankie.
.
In the meantime, I need to finish reading Stella, by Colin Galbraith. More on that soon. [See the side bar for my Review Queue.] For now, have a look at the book trailer.
.
I gave in this week. I determined to let my body take the sleep it cried out for and craved. I gave in to the exhaustion of FM. And instead of thinking of it as losing precious time, I looked at it as a period of restoration. [Thank you, Alethea!] Time will tell whether it makes the difference. I am sure of one thing though. One day it was Tuesday, and the next it seemed--- was Friday. No. It doesn't mean I slept straight through. But the week simply came and went; much too quick.
.
There's a local health food store that sets up weekly for B12 injections; $15 per shot. I've determined to go next week and give it a try. Can't hurt. Well, yes it will! (~: ANYway, if it helps me to feel less tired, it will be $15 well spent.
.
And as regards my pc monitor dilemma. That resource did not pan out. The power switch is "not fixable," and he didn't have any monitors to sell. So, I gave in today and started to do a little online window shopping. I'm going to take my time. But. My saving grace in all of this? Comparable 19", wide flat screen monitors are a good $100 less than what I paid just a year and half ago. Still-- it's a strain on my already fragile budget!.
Remember my work on refurbishing my Saxony spinning wheel? Well, I finally got around to taking that polishing cloth to it today. I still need to purchase a maintenance kit. But what with needing a new monitor, the kit will have to wait. Besides, I still have the cord band drive and I can fudge a connector to the peddle. And wheel oil? I'll think of something.
.
Oh! And the basket behind the wheel is that rose gray alpaca roving I bought from Marathon Alpacas, on ebaY. I picked up another bag of loose black alpaca roving about two weeks back. So, I've got the fiber. I just need the wheel.
.
There's also the matter of finishing up work on rejuvenating the small drop spindle for spinning that silk hankie.
.
In the meantime, I need to finish reading Stella, by Colin Galbraith. More on that soon. [See the side bar for my Review Queue.] For now, have a look at the book trailer.
I looked and looked, last year for a battery recharger system, and couldn't find one to save my proverbial soul. BUT, after using up the last of the throw away variety, I renewed my search effort and found a Kodak Value Charger. My digital camera is now back in 'greener' business. So is my tape recorder, which I intend to use, to take notes, as I read the hardbound Every Heart Has Its Day, by Lynda Lukow. [Scroll down the page and you'll see I am one of the winners of her Sweet Treats contest. Thank you, Lynda!] I find hardcopy books great for those periods when I'm relegated to the couch; in Recovery Mode. And the tape recorder will also help cut down on the use of notebook paper. Oh! My Kingdom for a Laptop! (~:
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sunday Morning Gardening
.
The Sun was barely up when I set out to putter in my humble little garden. That's the one I planted while I was a few weeks offline; with another dead pc monitor. I'm currently using a loaner [Thank you, Raymond!] , but have a resource to see if my 19" Flatron can be repaired. More on that later!
.
This post is about gardening. I'd already set the stakes for the two tomato plants, earlier this week. But today, it was time to tie them up.
.
Oh! And let me offer one helpful hint. If you decide to cut costs this year and purchase a package of those green bamboo stakes, just remember to use gloves! That dye brushes off onto everything you touch and does not wash off easily. My hands and nails were a faded green for days.
.
There's another helpful hint I now have the experience to offer. Before anyone sets out to create their own Victory Garden, take in the full account of the project and know your limitations. I wanted to do my part and plant [albeit a small one] and grow my own food, but failed to give consideration to the entire process.
.
Knowing I can no longer plant and work a proper garden is one thing. Deciding to utilize the empty containers sitting in my garage doing nothing, is another. But failing to consider the basic maintenance and the toll it has already taken on my ailing body, well-- for now, let's just write that off to brain fog.
.
I also believed that gardening would help get me outdoors and keep said foggy brain more active. But watering my future crops has me in recovery mode every morning. I make at least 3-4 trips, inside and back out, with my watering cans. At very least, I eventually gave thought to, and now take a foot stool out so I can sit as I water. That's been of tremendous help.
.
Getting it all planted had me recovering for days. Setting out and fussing with those tomato stakes had me in recovery mode for hours. Even container gardening goes not well with a degenerating and OA-ridden spine. Securing the tomato plants this morning, has me sitting here, again, with the heating pad on HIGH! And I can't sit here much longer.
.
But here's a quick update on the fruits of my labor.
.
That first little everbearing strawberry that formed in my hanging berry patch, is just turning red and will be ready to pluck in a matter of days! And my first Roma tomato has taken its beautiful meaty oblong shape. Oh for the first salad they end up in!
.
There are also the bush [not vining] cucumbers. I found the first liddy biddy inch long cuke nestled underneath all those prickly leaves. I'm so looking forward to the first few slices of homegrown cucumber.
.
I need to do a little research, though, as I've discovered SOMEthing is nibbling at my eggplants. Only one plant so far [of the two varieties I planted], is showing wholes in the leaves, but I've never grown eggplant before, so I'm not familiar with the possible pests.
.
The Radicchio is coming along nicely [as you can see to the left. I have two pots of that.], but I've had to go out late in the day to re-water. And, I've already harvested a few White Sage leaves and brewed my first pot of tea. I've found absolutely nothing more soothing than the first swallow of sage tea.
.
I came up here [to my studio office] with the scent of tomato plants still on my hands. Regardless the pain, I've been too long away from that kind of smell. Purchasing twine isn't in my budget right now, so I made a quick decision on which spool of 1/4 inch ribbon to sacrifice to the cause. And as I tied, pulled at, and straightened the branches and stems, I took the quiet of the new day to thank them for being here. With the sky as my church, this is where I find and have known the Creator. By being with and respecting Nature.
.
Need to go now; my back is screaming!
.
Have a wonderful day, and Blessings to All.
The Sun was barely up when I set out to putter in my humble little garden. That's the one I planted while I was a few weeks offline; with another dead pc monitor. I'm currently using a loaner [Thank you, Raymond!] , but have a resource to see if my 19" Flatron can be repaired. More on that later!.
This post is about gardening. I'd already set the stakes for the two tomato plants, earlier this week. But today, it was time to tie them up.
.
Oh! And let me offer one helpful hint. If you decide to cut costs this year and purchase a package of those green bamboo stakes, just remember to use gloves! That dye brushes off onto everything you touch and does not wash off easily. My hands and nails were a faded green for days.
.
There's another helpful hint I now have the experience to offer. Before anyone sets out to create their own Victory Garden, take in the full account of the project and know your limitations. I wanted to do my part and plant [albeit a small one] and grow my own food, but failed to give consideration to the entire process.
.
Knowing I can no longer plant and work a proper garden is one thing. Deciding to utilize the empty containers sitting in my garage doing nothing, is another. But failing to consider the basic maintenance and the toll it has already taken on my ailing body, well-- for now, let's just write that off to brain fog.
.
I also believed that gardening would help get me outdoors and keep said foggy brain more active. But watering my future crops has me in recovery mode every morning. I make at least 3-4 trips, inside and back out, with my watering cans. At very least, I eventually gave thought to, and now take a foot stool out so I can sit as I water. That's been of tremendous help.
.
Getting it all planted had me recovering for days. Setting out and fussing with those tomato stakes had me in recovery mode for hours. Even container gardening goes not well with a degenerating and OA-ridden spine. Securing the tomato plants this morning, has me sitting here, again, with the heating pad on HIGH! And I can't sit here much longer.
.
But here's a quick update on the fruits of my labor..
That first little everbearing strawberry that formed in my hanging berry patch, is just turning red and will be ready to pluck in a matter of days! And my first Roma tomato has taken its beautiful meaty oblong shape. Oh for the first salad they end up in!
.
There are also the bush [not vining] cucumbers. I found the first liddy biddy inch long cuke nestled underneath all those prickly leaves. I'm so looking forward to the first few slices of homegrown cucumber..
I need to do a little research, though, as I've discovered SOMEthing is nibbling at my eggplants. Only one plant so far [of the two varieties I planted], is showing wholes in the leaves, but I've never grown eggplant before, so I'm not familiar with the possible pests.
.
The Radicchio is coming along nicely [as you can see to the left. I have two pots of that.], but I've had to go out late in the day to re-water. And, I've already harvested a few White Sage leaves and brewed my first pot of tea. I've found absolutely nothing more soothing than the first swallow of sage tea.
.
I came up here [to my studio office] with the scent of tomato plants still on my hands. Regardless the pain, I've been too long away from that kind of smell. Purchasing twine isn't in my budget right now, so I made a quick decision on which spool of 1/4 inch ribbon to sacrifice to the cause. And as I tied, pulled at, and straightened the branches and stems, I took the quiet of the new day to thank them for being here. With the sky as my church, this is where I find and have known the Creator. By being with and respecting Nature.
.
Need to go now; my back is screaming!
.
Have a wonderful day, and Blessings to All.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
A Story of Prompt and Circumstance
.
I took a little time out today to practice my craft. The following exercise comes via a writing prompt from one of the Daily Writing Challenges, found in the forums of The Working Writer's COACH.
.
The Prompt:
.
Candace looked up at Mark. “You know what this means, don't you?”
.
He gulped, then nodded. His head bounced like a bobble-head ball park figurine or one of those dogs seen in the rear windows of cars that have known better days.
.
"Well!" The one syllable word flowed sing-song (not quite a statement; not quite a question) out of his mouth, as he turned to meet— well— what he alone perceived as doom.
.
However adept back home, Professor Townsend now knelt in the company of a long-drawn-out avoidance of Fate. Oh! He talked the Talk. But when faced with the more mobile aspect of said equation, his flair for the verbal banter knew no bounds. And, it actually stood beyond reproach.
.
Too excited to wait for him to answer, Candace continued. "I get to see your brilliance at work. First hand!"
.
Though several years his junior, and at times markedly naive, Mark knew Candace was no fool. He watched her drink in the excitement of the moment. And revel in the grandeur of the exotic and other-worldly surroundings.
.
"If you like, I can step aside and grant you the honor of coaxing it back out." Mark craved the luxury of knowing how much longer he could stall.
.
"Oh no, Professor!" Dark ringlets of damp hair clung to the sides of her face. "I couldn't imagine missing out on such a rare opportunity; seeing you in action."
.
'There is it.' Mark reflected.
.
He’d savored every gradation of their well-meaning, if ill-placed praise. And he'd been fortunate, all the years of his tenure, to be the sole witness to the extent of his fraud. Relatively speaking, Mark found Candace a credit to her species. But her incessant public requests, demanding a spot on his next expedition, completely wore him down. Even more when the Dean of Faculties insisted he open up and garner field experience to commendable students; i.e. Ms. Foster.
.
“Alright— ” He replied, running the backside of his hand across his forehead.
.
As Candace moved to the fore to set up the camcorder and documentary video, Mark drew in and released a hard-drawn breath. His eyes rolled up and to the back of his head as the lids crept over them slowly, and then shut.
.
Pulling a frayed and faded plaid hanky free from the upper pocket of his photographer’s vest, Mark wiped his face. And here, in the sweltering heat of the Amazon Rainforest, Professor Mark Ellsworth Townsend, wet to the core with sweat, had no choice but to shake loose the shackles of his fear. Trapped by the inevitable, and regardless how ungracious his potential undoing, Mark turned back to the earthen doorway of the elusive long-haired Giant Hissing Arachnoid.
.
“I’m ready when you are, Professor.”
.
“Yes. Well. Your eagerness is— well— It’s—” Mark practiced pointing to the tree when his head started bobbling again.
.
While Candace focused the lens and her attention on the base of the massive and ancient tree, Mark wrestled with the image of eight long legs jutting out and wrapping about his hand. And while the question of his manhood never once entered the student's mind, Mark struggled with the subsequent sensation of being dragged through the comparatively small opening and down into a dark and vast abyss.
.
Though he also gave thought to feigning heat stroke, it was sooner or rather than later, that Mark's pride in his standing in the academic community triumphed. With a tinge of salt in his left eye and every ounce of courage he could in secret muster, Mark braced himself against the lichen-covered tree and plunged a very, very, very long stick forward and inside the whole; to poke at a monster of both dire and imagined proportion.
.
Story draft by L.L. Abbott
.
I took a little time out today to practice my craft. The following exercise comes via a writing prompt from one of the Daily Writing Challenges, found in the forums of The Working Writer's COACH..
The Prompt:
.
Candace looked up at Mark. “You know what this means, don't you?”
.
He gulped, then nodded. His head bounced like a bobble-head ball park figurine or one of those dogs seen in the rear windows of cars that have known better days.
.
"Well!" The one syllable word flowed sing-song (not quite a statement; not quite a question) out of his mouth, as he turned to meet— well— what he alone perceived as doom.
.
However adept back home, Professor Townsend now knelt in the company of a long-drawn-out avoidance of Fate. Oh! He talked the Talk. But when faced with the more mobile aspect of said equation, his flair for the verbal banter knew no bounds. And, it actually stood beyond reproach.
.
Too excited to wait for him to answer, Candace continued. "I get to see your brilliance at work. First hand!"
.
Though several years his junior, and at times markedly naive, Mark knew Candace was no fool. He watched her drink in the excitement of the moment. And revel in the grandeur of the exotic and other-worldly surroundings.
.
"If you like, I can step aside and grant you the honor of coaxing it back out." Mark craved the luxury of knowing how much longer he could stall.
.
"Oh no, Professor!" Dark ringlets of damp hair clung to the sides of her face. "I couldn't imagine missing out on such a rare opportunity; seeing you in action."
.
'There is it.' Mark reflected.
.
He’d savored every gradation of their well-meaning, if ill-placed praise. And he'd been fortunate, all the years of his tenure, to be the sole witness to the extent of his fraud. Relatively speaking, Mark found Candace a credit to her species. But her incessant public requests, demanding a spot on his next expedition, completely wore him down. Even more when the Dean of Faculties insisted he open up and garner field experience to commendable students; i.e. Ms. Foster.
.
“Alright— ” He replied, running the backside of his hand across his forehead.
.
As Candace moved to the fore to set up the camcorder and documentary video, Mark drew in and released a hard-drawn breath. His eyes rolled up and to the back of his head as the lids crept over them slowly, and then shut.
.
Pulling a frayed and faded plaid hanky free from the upper pocket of his photographer’s vest, Mark wiped his face. And here, in the sweltering heat of the Amazon Rainforest, Professor Mark Ellsworth Townsend, wet to the core with sweat, had no choice but to shake loose the shackles of his fear. Trapped by the inevitable, and regardless how ungracious his potential undoing, Mark turned back to the earthen doorway of the elusive long-haired Giant Hissing Arachnoid.
.
“I’m ready when you are, Professor.”
.
“Yes. Well. Your eagerness is— well— It’s—” Mark practiced pointing to the tree when his head started bobbling again.
.
While Candace focused the lens and her attention on the base of the massive and ancient tree, Mark wrestled with the image of eight long legs jutting out and wrapping about his hand. And while the question of his manhood never once entered the student's mind, Mark struggled with the subsequent sensation of being dragged through the comparatively small opening and down into a dark and vast abyss.
.
Though he also gave thought to feigning heat stroke, it was sooner or rather than later, that Mark's pride in his standing in the academic community triumphed. With a tinge of salt in his left eye and every ounce of courage he could in secret muster, Mark braced himself against the lichen-covered tree and plunged a very, very, very long stick forward and inside the whole; to poke at a monster of both dire and imagined proportion.
.
Story draft by L.L. Abbott
.
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Friday Five Favorites of June 5th
.
Though I've been back online since last week, getting a post updated has proved difficult. More on that later. For now, I merely want to get a Favorites out to everyone. This week I thought I would address five of my favorite RSS feeds. So here we go.
.
.
No. 1—Words on a Page
I’ve posted a link to her blog more than once already, but it bears repeating. Lori Widmer is a great resource for freelance writers. She is also a champion for fair working wages [Writer’s Worth Day], and not selling oneself short.
.
No. 2—The Urban Muse
I found Susan Johnston’s site via Twitter [UrbanMuseWriter], and find it to be another great source of information. See: 5 Tips for Organizing Source Material or I Said, He Said, We Said
.
No. 3—Freedom From The Mundane
Okay! I’m more familiar right now with his website and Twitter posts, but— I’m a few chapters into Colin Galbraith's, Stella, [Yes. You read right! Review pending—and more about that soon!], and subscribed to his blog a day or so back. Check out his first stop on the blog tour for:
Though I've been back online since last week, getting a post updated has proved difficult. More on that later. For now, I merely want to get a Favorites out to everyone. This week I thought I would address five of my favorite RSS feeds. So here we go..
.
No. 1—Words on a PageI’ve posted a link to her blog more than once already, but it bears repeating. Lori Widmer is a great resource for freelance writers. She is also a champion for fair working wages [Writer’s Worth Day], and not selling oneself short.
.
No. 2—The Urban Muse
I found Susan Johnston’s site via Twitter [UrbanMuseWriter], and find it to be another great source of information. See: 5 Tips for Organizing Source Material or I Said, He Said, We Said
.
No. 3—Freedom From The Mundane
Okay! I’m more familiar right now with his website and Twitter posts, but— I’m a few chapters into Colin Galbraith's, Stella, [Yes. You read right! Review pending—and more about that soon!], and subscribed to his blog a day or so back. Check out his first stop on the blog tour for:
No. 4—Quips and Tips
Another Twitter find, Laurie Pawlik-Keinlen’s site is another great resource for both the beginning and seasoned writer. As goes her Tweets? They're filled with inspiring quotes and quips.
No. 5—Working Writer’s Coach
Lastly, I met Suzanne Lieurance during last year’s Muse Online Writer’s Conference, and subscribed to her Build Your Business Write newsletter soon after. Do yourself a favor and meet up with her as well.
Though I linked only a few, all [myself included] tweet regularly on Twitter.
That's it for today. More posts pending. Reeeeally!
Blessings
Thursday, May 7, 2009
A This-n-That Update
.
Remember the shopping I did on ebay? The rose/gray roving from Marathon Alpacas, arrived in Tuesday's mail. Lucy and Pearl buried their noses in the fiber. They approved! And where I'll likely spin the recently-purchased silk on a drop spindle, I really want to use my wheel for the alpaca.
.
I spent a little time this morning working on said spinning wheel. I took a damp [and then dry] cloth to the dust. I set it in front of the window to let the cool breeze air it dry. I'll take a polishing cloth to it tomorrow. Look for a picture some time next week. In the meantime, I need to shop for a maintanence kit. Drive band, footman joint, wheel oil , etc.
.
Here's a photo of Lucy playing Tower Guard. As I brush her I've been saving her discarded hair for spinning into [hopefully] a viable yarn. I need to buy some smaller carders for that, and I believe I know just the ones. This would be another drop spindle project, which is why the Spring 2009 issue of Spin-Off caught my eye the other day. Looking forward to opening the mailbox for that one.
.
I've been considering a new and separate blog for my creative interests. The working title is: All About The Craft. Something I could tie in with an Etsy account. I'm registered there as Heartsong Studio. Maybe the new blog should reflect the same name?
.
I finished knitting one new pattern for the sampler I want to update with an upcoming review. But the second line of written instructions for the second stitch choice stopped me cold. This will be one of the negative aspects of said review. Suffice it to say, I couldn't have picked a more perfect example of the main, but significant, problem I have with this particular INTERWEAVE PRESS book. I'm shooting for posting my review early next week.
.
Time to think on how I will contribute to and support Writer's Worth Day. Aside from upcoming Soul Echoes posts, the first thing that came to mind [as I've got medical bills to pay] was-- find a paying gig! I pulled up the Online Job Boards found @ The Working Writer's COACH, and will get familiar with what's available. I surfed through LinkedIn a couple of weeks ago. And there's Anne Wayman's regular posts on @ About Freelance Writing. There's also an article that Devon Ellington wrote--but I don't remember whether it's one of her blog articles, or a guest blog post. Aa great deal to learn before I signoff on anything. But one thing I need to ask of myself, is surfing the boards the best use of my limited time? Or should I make my interests work for me? More on this in a separate Writer's Worth post.
.
I finally updated my review of Hex Breaker. But with that, along with trying to figure out how the Twibes feature works on Twitter, I totally forgot about this week's Tuesday's Tip. How am I going to manage a paying gig [albeit a temporary one], when I forget the commitment to my own blog?
.
I made three trips to the garage this morning, with the items I'm downsizing to a future garage sale. I have one of those collapsible carts to help with transporting boxes, but you wouldn't believe how long it took me to dawdle both ways. Cart handle in one hand; cane in the other. But, I also looked for and brought out a few old terra cotta pots to clean up and use for planting my strawberries.
.
Getting the kitchen ready for some serious food dehydrating, as the oxygen absorbers arrived in the mail earlier this week as well. The overall problem is my counter space is soooo small! I'll get it figured out though.
.
I'm starting to feel those trips to the garage and am now heading down to the couch for recovery mode time.
.
Blessings,
Remember the shopping I did on ebay? The rose/gray roving from Marathon Alpacas, arrived in Tuesday's mail. Lucy and Pearl buried their noses in the fiber. They approved! And where I'll likely spin the recently-purchased silk on a drop spindle, I really want to use my wheel for the alpaca..
I spent a little time this morning working on said spinning wheel. I took a damp [and then dry] cloth to the dust. I set it in front of the window to let the cool breeze air it dry. I'll take a polishing cloth to it tomorrow. Look for a picture some time next week. In the meantime, I need to shop for a maintanence kit. Drive band, footman joint, wheel oil , etc.
.
Here's a photo of Lucy playing Tower Guard. As I brush her I've been saving her discarded hair for spinning into [hopefully] a viable yarn. I need to buy some smaller carders for that, and I believe I know just the ones. This would be another drop spindle project, which is why the Spring 2009 issue of Spin-Off caught my eye the other day. Looking forward to opening the mailbox for that one..
I've been considering a new and separate blog for my creative interests. The working title is: All About The Craft. Something I could tie in with an Etsy account. I'm registered there as Heartsong Studio. Maybe the new blog should reflect the same name?
.
I finished knitting one new pattern for the sampler I want to update with an upcoming review. But the second line of written instructions for the second stitch choice stopped me cold. This will be one of the negative aspects of said review. Suffice it to say, I couldn't have picked a more perfect example of the main, but significant, problem I have with this particular INTERWEAVE PRESS book. I'm shooting for posting my review early next week.
.
Time to think on how I will contribute to and support Writer's Worth Day. Aside from upcoming Soul Echoes posts, the first thing that came to mind [as I've got medical bills to pay] was-- find a paying gig! I pulled up the Online Job Boards found @ The Working Writer's COACH, and will get familiar with what's available. I surfed through LinkedIn a couple of weeks ago. And there's Anne Wayman's regular posts on @ About Freelance Writing. There's also an article that Devon Ellington wrote--but I don't remember whether it's one of her blog articles, or a guest blog post. Aa great deal to learn before I signoff on anything. But one thing I need to ask of myself, is surfing the boards the best use of my limited time? Or should I make my interests work for me? More on this in a separate Writer's Worth post.
.
I finally updated my review of Hex Breaker. But with that, along with trying to figure out how the Twibes feature works on Twitter, I totally forgot about this week's Tuesday's Tip. How am I going to manage a paying gig [albeit a temporary one], when I forget the commitment to my own blog?
.
I made three trips to the garage this morning, with the items I'm downsizing to a future garage sale. I have one of those collapsible carts to help with transporting boxes, but you wouldn't believe how long it took me to dawdle both ways. Cart handle in one hand; cane in the other. But, I also looked for and brought out a few old terra cotta pots to clean up and use for planting my strawberries..
Getting the kitchen ready for some serious food dehydrating, as the oxygen absorbers arrived in the mail earlier this week as well. The overall problem is my counter space is soooo small! I'll get it figured out though.
.
I'm starting to feel those trips to the garage and am now heading down to the couch for recovery mode time.
.
Blessings,
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hex Breaker, by Devon Ellington ~ A Review
.
I really hate to say how long it has taken me to get this read and reviewed! And I apologize to Devon for having taken this long. But~ I want to get this out before Old-Fashioned Detective Work releases.
.
I won the ebook version of Hex Breaker [first in a series] from the Interviewing Authors contest, and one of Devon Ellington’s many online interviews. She signed the CD, “Welcome to the adventure!” Adventure indeed! The novella length action is concise and fast paced. Were it not for my health concerns and needing to force myself to take a break from my PC after 2-3 chapters, had I read from a paperback I could easily say I could not put this down!
.
I did a little community theater many years ago [in my youth] so I enjoyed learning about the workings and goings on of a location movie set. And while it wasn’t necessary for me to meet pretty much everyone in chapter one, Devon sets the stage for her protagonist’s practiced ability to size up everyone.
.
The production of a paranormal film is in jeopardy. The cast and crew believe it’s cursed. And Jain Lazarus arrives—incognito—to help solve the mystery. Jain was invited to join the wardrobe crew, but it’s not her skill with kits or a needle that makes her invaluable. When she finally reads the script [where the main character unwittingly awakens a demon] it's her specialized education that helps in uncovering the dialog and incantation that's key to the source of trouble.
.
Jain Lazarus is a young take charge urban-chic woman, and a quick study. Where Jain may be a little too quick to defend her actions, much of her tough façade comes not from a need to appear self-assured, but to protect herself from those who would wish her harm—which she seems to have in spades. There is also a childhood fraught with bad memories, and the more recent pain of love foolishly lost.
.
Wyatt East is the detective who ends up shadowing Jain on the set after the unfortunate beheading of a member of the crew who is found to be nothing more than a walking corpse. OK! A Zombie. And where Wyatt comes off as the more confident of the two, it’s a truism when he’s on his own turf. He’s a little less sure of things when forced into Jain’s world. But he’s also at somewhat of a disadvantage from the start. Where he’s put in the position of verifying who Jain Lazarus is, she’s known about him from the dreams that plagued her prior to arriving in his neck of the woods.
.
Though I’ll watch a good [Oh! Who am I trying to kid, I'll give a fair or bad one the benefit of doubt!] vampire or werewolf flick [and I grew up on the original black and white classics], I never really got into the whole zombie scene. But this is much, much more than a story about the brain-eating walking dead. Devon’s story is rich in history, with a mystical hall of records to equal The Library of Congress. It’s about arcane knowledge and magic. It’s also about scorn and exacting revenge, and the never ending presence of greed.
.
Throw in an unlikely admirer, a car chase [in Jain’s “customized” car], another dimension, a god to truly fear, and a dragon whose name—in this lifetime and possibly the next—I shall never know, and you’re on one hell of an adventure.
.
What I liked about Jain is her use of communication skills. She reasons first and wields her blade last. But when Jain’s cover is blown and her words are too late, she has no choice but to separate a head from its body. And at first, I wondered if Wyatt may have accepted Jain and all of the querks of this case juuust a little too soon and/or easily. But then I wrote it off as being part of his growing attraction to this dark and fiery woman. Afterall, isn’t that what one does for the sake of Love?
.
Though I was confused a couple of times by the longer drawn out sections of dialog, having lost who was speaking, I loved the puns “… she’d have to dig a little deeper into Billy Root,” and the way Devon mingles a tense moment with sharp wit. She lays out the rules of Jain’s world quite well, and I love, luv, LOVE the Chaos Dragon! Having been a long-time fan of Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series of books, I admit to having a tremendous soft spot for dragons. This sole character of the tale stole my heart.
.
I highly recommend Hex Breaker as a very good read, for one simple reason. It is an innocent wish, in the end, that saves the day.
.
ISBN: 9781935141082
Firedrakes Weyr Publisher
Jain Lazarus Website – look for the free downloads of two more Jain Lazarus Adventures:
The Possession of Nattie Filmore & First Feet.
INK IN MY COFFEE Devon Ellington’s webblog
I really hate to say how long it has taken me to get this read and reviewed! And I apologize to Devon for having taken this long. But~ I want to get this out before Old-Fashioned Detective Work releases.
.
I won the ebook version of Hex Breaker [first in a series] from the Interviewing Authors contest, and one of Devon Ellington’s many online interviews. She signed the CD, “Welcome to the adventure!” Adventure indeed! The novella length action is concise and fast paced. Were it not for my health concerns and needing to force myself to take a break from my PC after 2-3 chapters, had I read from a paperback I could easily say I could not put this down!.
I did a little community theater many years ago [in my youth] so I enjoyed learning about the workings and goings on of a location movie set. And while it wasn’t necessary for me to meet pretty much everyone in chapter one, Devon sets the stage for her protagonist’s practiced ability to size up everyone.
.
The production of a paranormal film is in jeopardy. The cast and crew believe it’s cursed. And Jain Lazarus arrives—incognito—to help solve the mystery. Jain was invited to join the wardrobe crew, but it’s not her skill with kits or a needle that makes her invaluable. When she finally reads the script [where the main character unwittingly awakens a demon] it's her specialized education that helps in uncovering the dialog and incantation that's key to the source of trouble.
.
Jain Lazarus is a young take charge urban-chic woman, and a quick study. Where Jain may be a little too quick to defend her actions, much of her tough façade comes not from a need to appear self-assured, but to protect herself from those who would wish her harm—which she seems to have in spades. There is also a childhood fraught with bad memories, and the more recent pain of love foolishly lost.
.
Wyatt East is the detective who ends up shadowing Jain on the set after the unfortunate beheading of a member of the crew who is found to be nothing more than a walking corpse. OK! A Zombie. And where Wyatt comes off as the more confident of the two, it’s a truism when he’s on his own turf. He’s a little less sure of things when forced into Jain’s world. But he’s also at somewhat of a disadvantage from the start. Where he’s put in the position of verifying who Jain Lazarus is, she’s known about him from the dreams that plagued her prior to arriving in his neck of the woods.
.
Though I’ll watch a good [Oh! Who am I trying to kid, I'll give a fair or bad one the benefit of doubt!] vampire or werewolf flick [and I grew up on the original black and white classics], I never really got into the whole zombie scene. But this is much, much more than a story about the brain-eating walking dead. Devon’s story is rich in history, with a mystical hall of records to equal The Library of Congress. It’s about arcane knowledge and magic. It’s also about scorn and exacting revenge, and the never ending presence of greed.
.
Throw in an unlikely admirer, a car chase [in Jain’s “customized” car], another dimension, a god to truly fear, and a dragon whose name—in this lifetime and possibly the next—I shall never know, and you’re on one hell of an adventure.
.
What I liked about Jain is her use of communication skills. She reasons first and wields her blade last. But when Jain’s cover is blown and her words are too late, she has no choice but to separate a head from its body. And at first, I wondered if Wyatt may have accepted Jain and all of the querks of this case juuust a little too soon and/or easily. But then I wrote it off as being part of his growing attraction to this dark and fiery woman. Afterall, isn’t that what one does for the sake of Love?
.
Though I was confused a couple of times by the longer drawn out sections of dialog, having lost who was speaking, I loved the puns “… she’d have to dig a little deeper into Billy Root,” and the way Devon mingles a tense moment with sharp wit. She lays out the rules of Jain’s world quite well, and I love, luv, LOVE the Chaos Dragon! Having been a long-time fan of Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series of books, I admit to having a tremendous soft spot for dragons. This sole character of the tale stole my heart.
.
I highly recommend Hex Breaker as a very good read, for one simple reason. It is an innocent wish, in the end, that saves the day.
.
ISBN: 9781935141082
Firedrakes Weyr Publisher
Jain Lazarus Website – look for the free downloads of two more Jain Lazarus Adventures:
The Possession of Nattie Filmore & First Feet.
INK IN MY COFFEE Devon Ellington’s webblog
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Friday Five Favorites of May 1st
I pulled these from my Soul Echoes Mood Music YouTube Channel. Unfortunately, since Google took over, I can no longer get into my account to add to, or make changes in the playlists. When I log on, using my Google account info, it does give me the opportunity to access an existing account. But when I say yes, it simply will not load. If anyone has the secret to making it work, please let me know.
.
That aside, many writers, depending on what they're working on, have some form of music in the background playing to their Muse. And many do not want to be distracted by voices or lyrics.
.
So, here's this week's five favorite non vocal soundtracks--courtesy of the YouTube phenomena.
.
No. 1— ANCIENT WAY from Earth Drum ~David & Steve Gordon
The video opens with the rise of the sun in the American Southwest. And after a wonderful tour of images, it closes with the setting of the sun. It's easy to become entranced by this piece
.
No. 2— NARA from Unearthed ~E.S. Posthumus
Though the video is visually-stunning, to say the very least, this is one of my favorite instrumentals. It's intensity stirs the very Soul of imaginings! This is also a piece I would love to crank up to full volume.
No. 3— ADAGIO FOR STRINGS ~Samuel Barber
Need to be brought to tears? This one does it for me. Everytime! I have wondered what it was that touched Barber so, while he composed this piece.
Though it's not exactly my favorite video, it's one of the cleanest audio tracks. The live orchestral versions out there have too much audience interaction, coughing, etc.
.
No. 4— MOONLIGHT SONATA ~ Ludwig van Beethoven
Nothing embodies Melancholy more than Beethoven’s sonata. .
No. 5— THE SUN from Point of Origin ~Yanni
"And so the First One, the Primal Element of Creation, hurled an orb of flame out into the Great Void, and the marvel of Light shone and pierced the veil of the vast Dark."
.
That aside, many writers, depending on what they're working on, have some form of music in the background playing to their Muse. And many do not want to be distracted by voices or lyrics..
So, here's this week's five favorite non vocal soundtracks--courtesy of the YouTube phenomena.
.
No. 1— ANCIENT WAY from Earth Drum ~David & Steve Gordon
The video opens with the rise of the sun in the American Southwest. And after a wonderful tour of images, it closes with the setting of the sun. It's easy to become entranced by this piece
.
No. 2— NARA from Unearthed ~E.S. Posthumus
Though the video is visually-stunning, to say the very least, this is one of my favorite instrumentals. It's intensity stirs the very Soul of imaginings! This is also a piece I would love to crank up to full volume.
Another version ~ with images of Fantasy both Dark and Ethereal
.No. 3— ADAGIO FOR STRINGS ~Samuel Barber
Need to be brought to tears? This one does it for me. Everytime! I have wondered what it was that touched Barber so, while he composed this piece.
Though it's not exactly my favorite video, it's one of the cleanest audio tracks. The live orchestral versions out there have too much audience interaction, coughing, etc.
.
No. 4— MOONLIGHT SONATA ~ Ludwig van Beethoven
Nothing embodies Melancholy more than Beethoven’s sonata. .
Here's another version with various images of the Moon that would inspire any writer of Urban Fantasy.
.No. 5— THE SUN from Point of Origin ~Yanni
"And so the First One, the Primal Element of Creation, hurled an orb of flame out into the Great Void, and the marvel of Light shone and pierced the veil of the vast Dark."
~Dellasseea N’Syis, the FirstBorn Daughter of the Primal Elements,
after being granted the memory of the First Light.
From The Forbidden World Chronicles ~L.L. Abbott
.
Enjoy! And may you all have a wonderful weekend.
..
Blessings
..
Blessings
Thursday, April 30, 2009
The End of Another Month
.
It's already the end of another month in 2009. It doesn't seem that long ago when it was New Year's Day.
.
I accomplished no where near what I'd set out to do for April. Had a lot of down time though. But-- I did manage to finish up a quilted pillow top for a new pillow for my chair at the sewing table. What is so damn frustrating is knowing that what would have once taken me a weekend to complete, now takes a couple of weeks!
.
Enough said; as I do not wish to give my health issues any more power than they already possess.
.
I finished reading Hex Breaker, by Devon Ellington, but still need to key in my hand-written notes and then write a proper review. But-- my favoritest character returned to save the proverbial day!
.
One of my goals for April was to work with my food dehydrator. Well, I didn't get the first thing dehydrated, but I did do some research on the subject and found an excellent series of videos, Dehydrate2store, by a woman who truly knows her stuff! ANYway, after watching the first few videos, I went about looking for and just purchased [online] the 100cc oxygen absorbers. While I wait for those to arrive, I picked up a case of wide mouth canning jars and laytex gloves. I forgot the lemon juice, but I'm not working with anything right now that requires that kind of treatment.
.
Tuesday, I found the first of the season Vidalia onions and have them ready to prep for dehydrating. I also picked up a bag of organic celery hearts. I like to cook with celery salt and thought-- hey, now I can make my own. There's a couple bags of frozen organic corn in the freezer, that I can work with as well. So, I may not have written my article yet. But I'm not shy on research.
.
Yesterday, I drove out to the local garden center and picked up a tray of Everbearing Strawberries. Since I can no longer handle gardening in the ground, I though I would try a few hanging baskets. And, this is also something I can dehydrate and store for later in the year. I may pick out a few herbs next month; sage for one.
.
Though there's no real excuse for not having written my article about Sprouting, after reviewing a few more YouTube videos, I know what I did wrong as regards the soaking of anything one decides to sprout. I also didn't consider the casings of the chickpeas. Another thing just learned; though not that I saw it as an issue. More on that later.
.
I also finished reading through knit & purl ~ 250 stitches to knit, from Interweave Press, and have drafted out my review in a Word.doc. There's the matter of picking up a skein of fingerling weight yarn, and practicing a few new stitches. Just something I would like to include as a sampler in my update.
.
Did a little shopping on ebay this week, and won the bid for a basket of rose/gray alpaca roving. This gives me reason to get my antique saxony spinning wheel in better working order. I need to see if it will take one of those new elastibands. More on that endeavor.
.
I also picked up a vintage millinery hat frame. The explanation for that purchase will not be immediately obvious, but suffice it to say it goes along with a current work in progress.
.
Almost forgot about setting up an Etsy account. I know it's the hottest thing going online for artisans and crafts people. So, I need to study up and determine how best to use it.
.
And sad, sad news this week, as regards a local fabric store [in both Dayton & Columbus OH] going out of business. The Stitching Post has been a mainstay in this area for 50-some years, and I couldn't believe it when I received an email about it's Going Out of Business Sale. I figured I could finally take my Viking machine in for repair [end of this month], but now I need to look for another shop for servicing. I loved that store. Due to my limited income [after going on LTD], my patronage fell short. But knowing it was there--- Well--- Very sad day!
.
OH! I also changed out my Soul Echoes header; again! I like the texturized background better than the stark white. Let me know what you think.
.
That's it for today. I've got laundry to switch out, hang, fold, and/or bring updstairs.
.
Blessings
It's already the end of another month in 2009. It doesn't seem that long ago when it was New Year's Day.
.
I accomplished no where near what I'd set out to do for April. Had a lot of down time though. But-- I did manage to finish up a quilted pillow top for a new pillow for my chair at the sewing table. What is so damn frustrating is knowing that what would have once taken me a weekend to complete, now takes a couple of weeks!.
Enough said; as I do not wish to give my health issues any more power than they already possess.
.
I finished reading Hex Breaker, by Devon Ellington, but still need to key in my hand-written notes and then write a proper review. But-- my favoritest character returned to save the proverbial day!
.
One of my goals for April was to work with my food dehydrator. Well, I didn't get the first thing dehydrated, but I did do some research on the subject and found an excellent series of videos, Dehydrate2store, by a woman who truly knows her stuff! ANYway, after watching the first few videos, I went about looking for and just purchased [online] the 100cc oxygen absorbers. While I wait for those to arrive, I picked up a case of wide mouth canning jars and laytex gloves. I forgot the lemon juice, but I'm not working with anything right now that requires that kind of treatment.
.
Tuesday, I found the first of the season Vidalia onions and have them ready to prep for dehydrating. I also picked up a bag of organic celery hearts. I like to cook with celery salt and thought-- hey, now I can make my own. There's a couple bags of frozen organic corn in the freezer, that I can work with as well. So, I may not have written my article yet. But I'm not shy on research.
.
Yesterday, I drove out to the local garden center and picked up a tray of Everbearing Strawberries. Since I can no longer handle gardening in the ground, I though I would try a few hanging baskets. And, this is also something I can dehydrate and store for later in the year. I may pick out a few herbs next month; sage for one..
Though there's no real excuse for not having written my article about Sprouting, after reviewing a few more YouTube videos, I know what I did wrong as regards the soaking of anything one decides to sprout. I also didn't consider the casings of the chickpeas. Another thing just learned; though not that I saw it as an issue. More on that later.
.
I also finished reading through knit & purl ~ 250 stitches to knit, from Interweave Press, and have drafted out my review in a Word.doc. There's the matter of picking up a skein of fingerling weight yarn, and practicing a few new stitches. Just something I would like to include as a sampler in my update.
.
Did a little shopping on ebay this week, and won the bid for a basket of rose/gray alpaca roving. This gives me reason to get my antique saxony spinning wheel in better working order. I need to see if it will take one of those new elastibands. More on that endeavor..
I also picked up a vintage millinery hat frame. The explanation for that purchase will not be immediately obvious, but suffice it to say it goes along with a current work in progress.
.
Almost forgot about setting up an Etsy account. I know it's the hottest thing going online for artisans and crafts people. So, I need to study up and determine how best to use it.
.
And sad, sad news this week, as regards a local fabric store [in both Dayton & Columbus OH] going out of business. The Stitching Post has been a mainstay in this area for 50-some years, and I couldn't believe it when I received an email about it's Going Out of Business Sale. I figured I could finally take my Viking machine in for repair [end of this month], but now I need to look for another shop for servicing. I loved that store. Due to my limited income [after going on LTD], my patronage fell short. But knowing it was there--- Well--- Very sad day!
.
OH! I also changed out my Soul Echoes header; again! I like the texturized background better than the stark white. Let me know what you think.
.
That's it for today. I've got laundry to switch out, hang, fold, and/or bring updstairs.
.
Blessings
Sunday, April 26, 2009
My Little Copy Cat
.
I never gave much thought to the old "copy cat" axiom until I brought Lucy and Pearl home from the Humane Society-- what? Four years ago now? They were presented as sisters [and are very good with each other], though I suspect each simply befriended the other and the HS did not have the heart to separate them. I say this because their records show two different birth dates.
Well! It didn't take long for Lucy to follow suit; with Lucy being much the quicker at reappearing upon hearing, "Where's Lucy?" Sometimes I can walk into the bedroom, carrying fresh laundry, and she heads straight away under the bed. She won't come out until I ask, "Where'd Lucy go?"
I never gave much thought to the old "copy cat" axiom until I brought Lucy and Pearl home from the Humane Society-- what? Four years ago now? They were presented as sisters [and are very good with each other], though I suspect each simply befriended the other and the HS did not have the heart to separate them. I say this because their records show two different birth dates..
I also suspect it had more to do with them noticing some health issues in Pearl that I will be forever watchful of, and is why the two kittens were adopted out as two for the price of one. No worries! I am quite thankful for both of them. For these last few years, they've truly been my saving graces.
.
But! What have I learned while growing up with these two? I now know exactly from whence the above axiom is derived! My Lucy is the quintessential example of a Copy Cat.
.
It started when my little tuxedo kitty would dart under the bed to play the kitten version of peek-a-boo. I would say, "Where'd Pearl go? ... Where's my Pearl?" And she would lift her head from under the bedskirt and rush back out. I would then respond, "There she is!"
.
Well! It didn't take long for Lucy to follow suit; with Lucy being much the quicker at reappearing upon hearing, "Where's Lucy?" Sometimes I can walk into the bedroom, carrying fresh laundry, and she heads straight away under the bed. She won't come out until I ask, "Where'd Lucy go?".
I've actually left the room, having forgotten she was under there, and returned to say, "Where's my Lucy?"
.
"There she is!"
.
There are other examples of copycatism, though the most recent is due to Pearl's fascination with playing feetsies while I'm trying to write. First she sits and scratches at the front panel of the desk. To which I respond by tapping with my foot from this side of the panel. Then we play off of each other, tapping back and forth. Eventually Pearl pounces with both feet and it then progresses to reaching under the desk to grab at my ankle or foot.
.
One afternoon I stopped to look under to find the four-footed-furry-person who just snagged my sock was in fact Lucy! And once again, there's my little Copy Cat. In action. One too many, "Pearl! You silly girl!" I suspect.
.
That's it for today. I've had three days of running errands [as I can handle only one stop a day] and my back needs a break from this chair.
.
SPECIAL NOTE: My review of Hex Breaker is coming soon!
.
Blessings
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