Eagles Over the Kennebec

So, that was ... interesting.

I went to the Regal Cinema in Augusta to see Wicker. I fear that going to the Regal Cinema is not a cheap date. Between the tickets and a medium Pepsi (which, to be fair, was dern near a gallon of Pepsi), I spent $25. I'd planned on getting popcorn, but I couldn't afford it. I believe I will not be returning to the Regal Cinema in Augusta, no matter how much I want to see a movie now.

Wicker itself was ... other than I had anticipated. When something is billed as a "comedy," certain expectations arise. There were some funny bits, but Wicker is not, IMHO, a comedy, and had I had a clearer knowledge of what it actually is, I would probably have waited until it wandered 20 miles north to a cheaper venue.

The movie wanted to talk about the patriarchy, how one person's unhappiness in a close-knit society can poison an entire village, how kindness is so little valued, how crippling is unkindness; and how simple love actually is.

These are worthy topics, and if I thought some of the roles were a little broad, it does well to recall that (1) the movie is based on a literary short story, and (2) I'm a genre writer, and Fantasy isn't a Teaching Tool for me; it's real.

That said, I'm not at all unhappy that I saw the movie. Aside from the fact that you could do worse of an afternoon than see Wicker for the story alone, Peter Dinklage was, well, Peter Dinklage, which I've always found to be worth the price of admission; Alexander Skarsgard as the Wicker Husband, and Olivia Colman as Fisherwoman are adorable, and the chemistry between them is terrific.

I stopped at the Rusty Lantern on my way home for a slice of hot pizza for supper, and now? It's time to have another glass of wine and read a chapter or two before bed.

Did some excavating of words in the WIP today, and did some ... let's call it "plotting." I was up early and was early at the desk, so I need to grab a short lunch before I head out for book club. And, I do believe that I will drive down to Augusta to see "Wicker," after.

I also need to call for an appointment to get my hair cut. I look like a dandelion fluff.

And that would be today's installment in the Exciting Life of a Writer.

What's happening that exciting in your life?

Cat toll:

Firefly: You awake yet?

Rookie:  I've been up for hours 

68  Tryst, Elswyth Thane (re-re-re-re-&c-read) (e)
67  The Gate of Ivrel, (Morgaine #1), CJ Cherryh  (re-read) (e)
66  Mr Gorzug and the Required Qualifications (Mr Gorzug #2), Nole Moody (e)
65  Mr Gorzug, Substitute Teacher (Mr Gorzug #1), Nole Moody (e)
64  Serpent's Reach, C.J. Cherryh (e)
63  The Thief of Time, Terry Pratchett re-read (e)
62  Chanur's Homecoming, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
61  The Kif Strike Back, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
60  Chanur's Venture, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
59  Pride of Chanur, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
58  The Glass-Cursed, (Whispers & Wayfarers #1) P.H. Blackwood (e)
57  The Paladin, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Stephen Bowlby
56  An Heir of Possibilities (Bad Heir Days #6), Grace Burrowes (e)
55  Bone and Blood, (Border Kingdom #2) C.E. Murphy (e)
54  Liberty's Prison, Randall Liberty, Christine Graf (e)(bkclb)
53  Daggerbound, (Swordheart #2), T. Kingfisher (e)
52  A Gentleman of Modest Ambitions (Lord Julian #12), Grace Burrowes (e)
51  Swordheart, T. Kingfisher (re-read) (e)
50  Carousel Seas (Archers Beach #3), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
49  Carousel Sun (Archers Beach #2), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
48  Carousel Tides (Archers Beach #1), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
47  Diviner's Bow (The Redlands #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
46  Ribbon Dance (The Redlands #2), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
45  Kin Right (Korval in Exile #7 AND Tinsori Light #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (unedited manuscript)
44  Salvage Right (Korval in Exile #6 AND Tinsori Light #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
43  Trader's Leap (Korval in Exile #5 AND The Redlands #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
42  Accepting the Lance (Theo Waitley #7 AND Korval in Exile #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
41  Neogenesis (Theo Waitley #6 AND Korval in Exile #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
40  The Gathering Edge (Theo Waitley #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
39  Alliance of Equals (Korval in Exile #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
38  Dragon in Exile, (Liaden Universe® beginning the Korval In Exile arc), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
37  Sourdough, Robin Sloan (e) (bookclub)
36  Necessity's Child (standalone in the Liaden Universe®), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens.
35  Dragon Ship (Theo Waitley #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
34  Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
33  Saltation (Theo Waitley #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
32  Fledgling (Theo Waitley #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
31  The Talisman Ring, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Joe Jameson
30  A Gentleman Far from Home (Lord Julian 11) Grace Burrowes (e)
29  Black Sheep, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Natalie Simpson
28  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Raj Ghatak
27  Platform Decay, (Murderbot) Martha Wells (e)
26  A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles (e) (bookclub)
25  Fair Trade (Jethri Gobelyn #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
24  Ribbon Dance (Liaden Universe #26), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
23  Trade Secret (Liaden Universe #17), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (e)
22  Sea Wrack and Changewind, Sharon Lee, narrated by Alex Picard
21  When the Wolves are Silent (Sebastian St. Cyr #21), C.S. Harris (e)
20  An Heir of Distinction (Bad Heir Days #5), Grace Burrowes (e)
19   Longeye (Fey Duology #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
18   Duainfey (Fey Duology #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
17  *Crystal Dragon (Liaden Universe® #10), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
16  *Crystal Soldier (Liaden Universe® #9), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
15  Seeking Persephone (Lancaster Family #1), Sarah M. Eden (e)
14   Theo of Golden, Allen Levi (e) book club
13  *Balance of Trade (Liaden Universe® #8), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
12  *Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
11  *Scout's Progress (Liaden Universe® #6), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
10  *Local Custom, (Liaden Universe® #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
9   *I Dare (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
8   Cuckoo's Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7   *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6   Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5   *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4   *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve    Miller
3   *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve                 Miller
2   A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace             Burrowes (e)
1   Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)

________
*I'm doing a straight-through series read in publication order

**I screwed up and moved right on to I Dare from Plan B, therefore deviating from publication order.  I will now amend myself and go back to pick up Local Custom.

***I'll be re-issuing Duainfey and Longeye as an e-omnibus later this year, and so I need to read them!

Business first: BIG SALE! The audiobook edition of Ribbon Dance, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard, is on sale for $7.80! Yes! That's 70% off!

Share the word! Share the link!

#
So, yesterday was a total wash, though I must say that the pillow-and-blanket fort on the couch is inspired, especially since a kind friend made sure I have heated fleece throws. Basically, I snugged in, feeling like I'd been run over by a train, while Firefly tucked against me, and Rookie stretched out on my hip, and we "listened" to Mouse and Dragon all day. I did rouse myself to order in from the local deli -- butternut squash and apple soup is good! Who knew? -- and I may order in again today, for no reason other than sheer self-indulgence.

Once again and truly -- many many thanks to the folks who have kindly sent DoorDash cards.

This morning, the train has left the station, and really the only thing that hurts is my arm, which I can totally live with.

I wrote 1,090ish new words this morning, bringing the WIP to 65,935ish, and it's starting to convincingly be A Book.

For some reason, I have a full inbox, which I'll have to deal with after lunch. Which, yes, I will order in for I Am Weak and Hate to Cook.

How's life going for you today?

I am back from getting the COVID shot, and checking the post office box.

Came home and Cruelly Deprived™ Rookie of chocolate pudding, moved the windchimes into the garage, closed the Flying Fish Saloons, since I haven't seen a hummingbird in weeks, and the liquor level has not fallen, and am letting the furnishings of said saloons soak before giving them a scrub and putting them away for the winter.

Took care of some correspondence, and should probably figure out this questionnaire I received from the Survivalist's Office.

No ill effects from the shot yet, so -- fingers crossed on that front.

Various delivery services give me to understand that I will be receiving packages tomorrow, including my DVD of "Hadestown," which I didn't expect until November.

Oh!  And -- so far at least -- my fix to the toilet architecture is holding.  Orientation is Key.

I'll probably be shutting down early this evening, just by reason of the normal stresses of the day.

Everybody have a good evening. I'll check in tomorrow.

67  The Gate of Ivrel (Morgaine #1) C.J. Cherryh (re-read) (e)
66  Mr Gorzug and the Required Qualifications (Mr Gorzug #2), Nole Moody (e)
65  Mr Gorzug, Substitute Teacher (Mr Gorzug #1), Nole Moody (e)
64  Serpent's Reach, C.J. Cherryh (e)
63  The Thief of Time, Terry Pratchett re-read (e)
62  Chanur's Homecoming, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
61  The Kif Strike Back, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
60  Chanur's Venture, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
59  Pride of Chanur, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
58  The Glass-Cursed, (Whispers & Wayfarers #1) P.H. Blackwood (e)
57  The Paladin, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Stephen Bowlby
56  An Heir of Possibilities (Bad Heir Days #6), Grace Burrowes (e)
55  Bone and Blood, (Border Kingdom #2) C.E. Murphy (e)
54  Liberty's Prison, Randall Liberty, Christine Graf (e)(bkclb)
53  Daggerbound, (Swordheart #2), T. Kingfisher (e)
52  A Gentleman of Modest Ambitions (Lord Julian #12), Grace Burrowes (e)
51  Swordheart, T. Kingfisher (re-read) (e)
50  Carousel Seas (Archers Beach #3), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
49  Carousel Sun (Archers Beach #2), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
48  Carousel Tides (Archers Beach #1), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
47  Diviner's Bow (The Redlands #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
46  Ribbon Dance (The Redlands #2), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
45  Kin Right (Korval in Exile #7 AND Tinsori Light #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (unedited manuscript)
44  Salvage Right (Korval in Exile #6 AND Tinsori Light #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
43  Trader's Leap (Korval in Exile #5 AND The Redlands #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
42  Accepting the Lance (Theo Waitley #7 AND Korval in Exile #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
41  Neogenesis (Theo Waitley #6 AND Korval in Exile #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
40  The Gathering Edge (Theo Waitley #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
39  Alliance of Equals (Korval in Exile #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
38  Dragon in Exile, (Liaden Universe® beginning the Korval In Exile arc), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
37  Sourdough, Robin Sloan (e) (bookclub)
36  Necessity's Child (standalone in the Liaden Universe®), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens.
35  Dragon Ship (Theo Waitley #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
34  Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
33  Saltation (Theo Waitley #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
32  Fledgling (Theo Waitley #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
31  The Talisman Ring, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Joe Jameson
30  A Gentleman Far from Home (Lord Julian 11) Grace Burrowes (e)
29  Black Sheep, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Natalie Simpson
28  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Raj Ghatak
27  Platform Decay, (Murderbot) Martha Wells (e)
26  A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles (e) (bookclub)
25  Fair Trade (Jethri Gobelyn #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
24  Ribbon Dance (Liaden Universe #26), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
23  Trade Secret (Liaden Universe #17), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (e)
22  Sea Wrack and Changewind, Sharon Lee, narrated by Alex Picard
21  When the Wolves are Silent (Sebastian St. Cyr #21), C.S. Harris (e)
20  An Heir of Distinction (Bad Heir Days #5), Grace Burrowes (e)
19   Longeye (Fey Duology #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
18   Duainfey (Fey Duology #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
17  *Crystal Dragon (Liaden Universe® #10), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
16  *Crystal Soldier (Liaden Universe® #9), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
15  Seeking Persephone (Lancaster Family #1), Sarah M. Eden (e)
14   Theo of Golden, Allen Levi (e) book club
13  *Balance of Trade (Liaden Universe® #8), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
12  *Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
11  *Scout's Progress (Liaden Universe® #6), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
10  *Local Custom, (Liaden Universe® #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
9   *I Dare (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
8   Cuckoo's Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7   *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6   Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5   *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4   *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve    Miller
3   *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve                 Miller
2   A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace             Burrowes (e)
1   Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)

________
*I'm doing a straight-through series read in publication order

**I screwed up and moved right on to I Dare from Plan B, therefore deviating from publication order.  I will now amend myself and go back to pick up Local Custom.

***I'll be re-issuing Duainfey and Longeye as an e-omnibus later this year, and so I need to read them!

Friday. Rainy and chill. Sarah will be here in a few minutes to do her magic.

Rook wandered around this morning, calling for Tali to come chase springs with him. The Tali-come-play call is pretty distinctive, which is how I'm able to discern his intention. He was willing to chase springs without backup, so there is that.

I'm lately reading all kinds of things about how the information about Who We Are that's given us by our parents/caregivers/peers as children stay with us all our lives. There are so many agreements to these posts and articles that I'm starting to wonder where are the popular children who excluded and taunted us now?

That aside. . . it comes to me that one can accept other roles, once one is free from the father who explained very patiently how very lazy you are, or the mother who tried to "beat sense" into you, and, yes, the other children who thought you were weird -- and they probably weren't wrong, given the rest of it.

I, for instance, lucked into friends who valued "weird thinking" as "creative." Since several were themselves highly creative individuals, I had to believe that they knew what they were looking at. So, I began to take my own stories, and my attempts at writing them down, not as a waste of time, but something that had some value. Since being "weird" seemed to be attached to my art, I slowly began to try to work with my brain -- an exercise that continues to this day. While we still do distrust each other, we're no longer constantly at odds, though I'm aware that being weird when you're old is a risky business all its own.

Back to the supposition that the lessons of childhood never leave us -- even though I was learning to embrace my art, and had produced a professional persona that got me through the day job, I was staggering under the weight of the old lessons when I met Steve Miller.

I'd never met anybody like Steve Miller before. I may have said this a time or two. Steve had . . . let us say that Steve had a Powerful Vision of himself. He paid for this in other ways, but his Best Self was strong, resilient, affectionate, protective, intelligent, and creative. He projected that image -- believed in that self -- so strongly, other people were swept up into it, believing and supporting it.

Certainly, I was.

Steve treated me as if I were brilliant, creative, beautiful, and strong. And I believed him. It wasn't just paint and wallpaper; I did believe him, and I began to behave as if I truly was brilliant, creative, beautiful, and strong. I was Steve Miller's partner; I could conquer worlds.

. . . which we did, together.

This is not to say that I don't occasionally yell at myself for being lazy, nor that I don't occasionally feel, truly, worthless. But neither did I boomerang back to the All the Old Lessons when Steve left.

So.

My wandering thoughts for a rainy Friday morning.

What thoughts occupy you this morning?

65  Mr Gorzug, Substitute Teacher (Mr Gorzug #1), Nole Moody (e)
64  Serpent's Reach, C.J. Cherryh (e)
63  The Thief of Time, Terry Pratchett re-read (e)
62  Chanur's Homecoming, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
61  The Kif Strike Back, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
60  Chanur's Venture, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
59  Pride of Chanur, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
58  The Glass-Cursed, (Whispers & Wayfarers #1) P.H. Blackwood (e)
57  The Paladin, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Stephen Bowlby
56  An Heir of Possibilities (Bad Heir Days #6), Grace Burrowes (e)
55  Bone and Blood, (Border Kingdom #2) C.E. Murphy (e)
54  Liberty's Prison, Randall Liberty, Christine Graf (e)(bkclb)
53  Daggerbound, (Swordheart #2), T. Kingfisher (e)
52  A Gentleman of Modest Ambitions (Lord Julian #12), Grace Burrowes (e)
51  Swordheart, T. Kingfisher (re-read) (e)
50  Carousel Seas (Archers Beach #3), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
49  Carousel Sun (Archers Beach #2), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
48  Carousel Tides (Archers Beach #1), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
47  Diviner's Bow (The Redlands #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
46  Ribbon Dance (The Redlands #2), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
45  Kin Right (Korval in Exile #7 AND Tinsori Light #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (unedited manuscript)
44  Salvage Right (Korval in Exile #6 AND Tinsori Light #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
43  Trader's Leap (Korval in Exile #5 AND The Redlands #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
42  Accepting the Lance (Theo Waitley #7 AND Korval in Exile #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
41  Neogenesis (Theo Waitley #6 AND Korval in Exile #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
40  The Gathering Edge (Theo Waitley #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
39  Alliance of Equals (Korval in Exile #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
38  Dragon in Exile, (Liaden Universe® beginning the Korval In Exile arc), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
37  Sourdough, Robin Sloan (e) (bookclub)
36  Necessity's Child (standalone in the Liaden Universe®), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens.
35  Dragon Ship (Theo Waitley #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
34  Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
33  Saltation (Theo Waitley #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
32  Fledgling (Theo Waitley #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
31  The Talisman Ring, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Joe Jameson
30  A Gentleman Far from Home (Lord Julian 11) Grace Burrowes (e)
29  Black Sheep, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Natalie Simpson
28  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Raj Ghatak
27  Platform Decay, (Murderbot) Martha Wells (e)
26  A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles (e) (bookclub)
25  Fair Trade (Jethri Gobelyn #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
24  Ribbon Dance (Liaden Universe #26), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
23  Trade Secret (Liaden Universe #17), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (e)
22  Sea Wrack and Changewind, Sharon Lee, narrated by Alex Picard
21  When the Wolves are Silent (Sebastian St. Cyr #21), C.S. Harris (e)
20  An Heir of Distinction (Bad Heir Days #5), Grace Burrowes (e)
19   Longeye (Fey Duology #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
18   Duainfey (Fey Duology #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
17  *Crystal Dragon (Liaden Universe® #10), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
16  *Crystal Soldier (Liaden Universe® #9), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
15  Seeking Persephone (Lancaster Family #1), Sarah M. Eden (e)
14   Theo of Golden, Allen Levi (e) book club
13  *Balance of Trade (Liaden Universe® #8), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
12  *Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
11  *Scout's Progress (Liaden Universe® #6), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
10  *Local Custom, (Liaden Universe® #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
9   *I Dare (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
8   Cuckoo's Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7   *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6   Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5   *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4   *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve    Miller
3   *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve                 Miller
2   A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace             Burrowes (e)
1   Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)

________
*I'm doing a straight-through series read in publication order

**I screwed up and moved right on to I Dare from Plan B, therefore deviating from publication order.  I will now amend myself and go back to pick up Local Custom.

***I'll be re-issuing Duainfey and Longeye as an e-omnibus later this year, and so I need to read them!

Tuesday. Rainy and cold and grey and cold and did I say? Rainy. And cold. I b'lieve I may be in for the day.

Wrote 1,000ish new words this morning, brining the WIP to 64,205.

This afternoon, I have -- *sigh* -- phone calls to make, but before that I need to make lunch. I bought a surplus on-sale rotisserie chicken at the grocery yesterday, so some of that will be going into today's stirfry. Then, I'll be about freezing some of it, maybe making chicken salad, and -- who knows? chicken soup. I'll need to poke around and see what I have in the way of Stuff that Makes Soup Interesting.

I finished reading Serpent's Reach last night, which -- not a book to be finishing right before bed. Next up is a CS Harris Civil War novel -- Good Time Coming.

The cats . . . the cats are sleeping a lot, though they are, after all, cats. They're both pretty much sticking with me. Firefly's trying to pick up Tali's lap shifts, which, for anyone but a Truly Dedicated lapcat, is ambitious, and for somebody who was a sitter-with -- it's got to be a challenge. I appreciate the effort she's making.

Firefly also is seeming to think that she "hears Tali" -- I'm saying this because, when Tali was still with us, Firefly would come to sit with me in the evening while I was reading. Tali would be getting her last wee dram of cat food before coming into my lap. During that time, Firefly would wake up from a sound sleep, disturbed by the crunching, so one assumes, and do a series of Discover Moves, including ears pricked forward and the slow-get-up, and the deep concentration before she'd realize that, yeah, a tiny mouthful was probably a good idea, and go join Tali at the food bowls. It's a distinctive bit of body language, and she's still doing that -- waking like she hears Tali eating.

Rook. . .I can't tell if Rook is more pragmatic, or if his grief is subsumed in all those naps during the times that he and Tali would be playing.

And me -- I have many beloved feline ghosts. I still occasionally think I see Archie out of the corner of my eye, thirty years gone that he is.

Well.

What's doing at your house today?

Today's blog post title brought to you by Mr. Elvis Presley, "Kentucky Rain."  Yes, my mind is a scary, scary place.

Second Sunday of the week. No mail, but FedEx delivered two packages correctly, in the garage. 

I may faint.

Wrote new words today -- only 500ish; I had to go back to a previous scene and square it up with what's going forward, now that I -- cough -- actually know what's going forward.

Firefly and Rookie were both in the office with me, working hard from their separate sun puddles. Which is where they still are.

I? need to rustle up lunch, get my packages in, remake the bed now that the sheets have been washed and do a bunch of other chores that I'm not sure how they're even here, given that I did chores two days ago.

Well.

How's the beginning of the week beginning for you?
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So, I came into the bedroom to put the bed back together, only to find that Rookie was already on it: '#
For those who indulge, the hardcover edition of Liaden Universe® novel Kin Right, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, sequel to Salvage Right, may now be preordered at Amazon.  Here's the link

. . . this may be the first time in my life I can say this without irony: Preorders count, as they form the basis for determining whether Book X is deemed, say, a NYTimes Bestseller.

#
So, plans changed somewhat, since it looks like tomorrow, when I had planned to run errands, we will be having heavy rains, and I don't like grocery shopping in the rain. Call me an effete dilettante at the game of life all you will.

So! Groceries have been taken on. I forgot to bring along the cat food I'm going to donate to the shelter, so that was a great deal of lecturing myself not to visit the cat room gone to naught. Well. I'll be out and about again on Wednesday.

I fear I have been Careless. Yes. Careless. In the evening, as I'm setting up the bar for coon cat happy hour, I will take down a wine glass for mine own happy hour, and?

You're ahead of me.

Rookie has learned the sound of that cabinet opening, which I discovered when I opened it earlier this afternoon to put a wine glass away.

And on that note, I do believe I'll close down for the day.

Everybody have a good evening. I'll check in again, tomorrow.