Eagles Over the Kennebec

What went before ONE: So, one of the joys of writing in Archers Beach was being able to set things not only in a real place (for those coming in late, Archers Beach is built on the map of Old Orchard Beach), but in real time.

For instance, "The Night Don't Seem So Lonely." The White Way did burn on the night of the moon landing, and though the fire burned hot and strong and long, they didn't lose anybody, not even a mule. The firemen did have a bad minute, though, when they sighted the two kids up on top of the Jack 'n Jill, with the flames licking up all around them. They couldn't get the trucks close enough to deploy the ladders, so they dragged in the hoses, and they soaked the scaffolding and yelled at the kids to climb down, grabbed 'em when they got close enough and ran with them down to the beach.

A writer reading that piece of history might well ask herself, But, what were they DOING up on top of that ride that night, after the park had closed?

And that's where stories come from.

What went before TWO: No Actual Words written today, but I have been doing a lot of cleaning up and putting away and ... stuff, which says to me that I'm thinking. Tomorrow morning, I need to go to Home Despot, and if they don't have what I want, I will make the pilgrimage to the Capital City to visit Lowes. If Home Despot does have what I want, then I will perhaps visit the new Reny's before I come home and see if I've worked out enough story stuff to write.

I got desperately lost in the ASL homework today, and had to do some research before I could go back to class. This may have been me, or it may be that Dr. Bill got bored and decided to throw everybody off the pier and see who sinks and who swims.

WHOA!

Ahem. Tali was having the Zoomies. She got up to speed, took to the air at the edge of my office, was in full flight as she passed my shoulder, hit the top of the desk, slid OFF the desk, and zoomed out again. The rest of the cats are sitting in high places. With reason, I see.

On that note -- everybody stay safe.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Monday. Sunny. Not quite as warm as predicted.

Breakfast was Kodiak chocolate chip oatmeal and a cup of Irish Breakfast. Second cup of tea just up -- Twinings Focus, which Steve had laid in quite a few boxes, and it's not gonna drink itself. Lunch is too far away to think about.

Boy, Alan Hunter's on a roll on Classic Rewind this morning. "Welcome to the Jungle" (not a favorite song, but I love the line, "You can have anything you want, as long as you don't take it from me"), "Swingtown," "Betty Lou's Getting Married," "Beast of Burden" (one of the many songs Steve and I would sing together, and sit in the car until it was over), "Don't Let Him Go," "Midnight Blue," "New Girl Now..."

Firefly's in the living room, listening up close and personal, the other three are in my office, helping me type this note.

So, this morning, I need to go to Home Despot, and may also go elsewhere, depending on mood, and if I really want to go to a movie tonight.

Thanks to all who took the time to review recently. MUCH appreciated. If you have been considering leaving a review, but are embarrassed because you're not Totally Up To Date -- reviews on Old Books Count, too! If you love a particular book --- review it! Does no harm; may do some good. And I point out that this is not just the case for our/my books. If you loved a book, tell the world! and make a writer's day.

Before I finish my tea, do my duty to the cats and -- ooh, "Heartless" on the radio, now -- get on the road, I do wish to note that Cael the Wolf *knows* how to talk to a cat: Cael dropped to one knee, and bowed his head, squinting his eyes in a cat smile. "My lady," he said softly, "you honor me with your radiant presence."

What went before ONE: This just in, Diviner's Bow, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller is still in the top 50 of Bookscan's new book releases in SF. Number 39.

That's ... a surprise. A pleasant surprise, mind.

Thank you all!

What went before TWO: With the handwritten scene (I had misremembered; I didn't have two scenes; I had one scene and Copious Notes), the WIP Entire now weighs in at +/-29,400 words.

I am now going to do a Lightning Review of my ASL homework and? Go to school.

Everybody stay safe; I'll see you tomorrow.

Friday. Sunny, warm, and breezy. The wind chimes are humming to themselves outside my office window.

Breakfast was bialy with cream cheese and a side of strawberries.  Lunch will be turkey cutlet (now fully defrosted) and spinach.

I have been up for hours. However, much of that time has been trying to figure out who's calling me from Northern Light Medical Center. I answer the phone, the person on the other end says, "This is Rachel calling from North--" and the signal drops. I try to call back, and get a recording telling me that I've reached a trunk line and there ain't no humans here.

So! Since the local hospital is going poof! and my cancer team is in Bangor and affiliated with Northern Light Health, I've spent an hour trying to find out if one of them has been trying to get in touch. My last hope is Theresa in Oncology, but her phone has been solidly busy for the last two hours.

Fun times. I'm supposing that I won't answer the phone the next time it shows that ID, and see if Rachel is able to leave voice mail.

Today is Arts 'n Crafts. Since I have never myself ever put on window film -- no, that's not true. I put window film in one of my day-job offices. So! Since I myself have Not Recently installed window film, I am going to do a Practice installation on the window in my office door. After I've learned what I can from that process, I'll move on to the bathroom.

Tomorrow, there's a free intergenerational dance class at the Greene Block, downtown, which I may try to make. I'm expecting lots of grandkids spinning in circles and yelling, which may make this a short-lived experiment, but, hey, Wild Clover's right around the corner in case I need to bail.

Or even if I don't.

I've been thinking of committing a chapbook. This one would include "Core Values," now available to be read for free on splinteruniverse.com, "Neutral Ground," which is a story that contains story nuggets that were then (more) fully realized in Ribbon Dance and Diviner's Bow, and! an outtake from Ribbon Dance. I don't know how many words that would be. "Core Values" and "Neutral Ground" combined are 21,495 words. I don't have a word count on the outtake.

So, that may be coming down the pike, if there's interest.

ASL class last night was fun. We seem to be down to 6 students, which encourages the social aspect of the group, so it's part gossip and part learning new vocab. Several people now have noted that one day a week is too little to attain fluency. We really ought to form a coffee club, but we haven't gotten to that step yet.

Tali is coming to terms with the fact that I am the sole source of cuddles, treats, and throwing things for her to chase, and is making modest attempts to jolly me along. She and Rook are in direct competition for my lap, and this morning she actually did curl up for about 2.5 seconds and purred. Then she saw that Rook was eating and had to jump down to join him.

Rook remains unshakeable in his certainty that he is the center of the universe. Firefly is pleased to read with me and is more often deliberately coming into the space I'm occupying. She does still visit Steve often. Trooper -- sleeps a lot. The crying seems to be less, and I'm inclined to just let him be. He's still playing, and eating, and seeking me out for company; he occasionally forgets what he's doing but, hey, who doesn't?

So, today is Good Friday, according to some traditions, and Sunday is Easter. Who has Plans?

Blast from the Past:  Steve and Sharon visiting the Augusta Barnes & Noble to check out our poster:

What went before ONE: This just in, Diviner's Bow, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller is still in the top 50 of Bookscan's new book releases in SF. Number 39.

That's ... a surprise. A pleasant surprise, mind.

Thank you all!

What went before TWO: With the handwritten scene (I had misremembered; I didn't have two scenes; I had one scene and Copious Notes), the WIP Entire now weighs in at +/-29,400 words.

I am now going to do a Lightning Review of my ASL homework and? Go to school.

Everybody stay safe; I'll see you tomorrow.

Friday. Sunny, warm, and breezy. The wind chimes are humming to themselves outside my office window.

Breakfast was bialy with cream cheese and a side of strawberries.  Lunch will be turkey cutlet (now fully defrosted) and spinach.

I have been up for hours. However, much of that time has been trying to figure out who's calling me from Northern Light Medical Center. I answer the phone, the person on the other end says, "This is Rachel calling from North--" and the signal drops. I try to call back, and get a recording telling me that I've reached a trunk line and there ain't no humans here.

So! Since the local hospital is going poof! and my cancer team is in Bangor and affiliated with Northern Light Health, I've spent an hour trying to find out if one of them has been trying to get in touch. My last hope is Theresa in Oncology, but her phone has been solidly busy for the last two hours.

Fun times. I'm supposing that I won't answer the phone the next time it shows that ID, and see if Rachel is able to leave voice mail.

Today is Arts 'n Crafts. Since I have never myself ever put on window film -- no, that's not true. I put window film in one of my day-job offices. So! Since I myself have Not Recently installed window film, I am going to do a Practice installation on the window in my office door. After I've learned what I can from that process, I'll move on to the bathroom.

Tomorrow, there's a free intergenerational dance class at the Greene Block, downtown, which I may try to make. I'm expecting lots of grandkids spinning in circles and yelling, which may make this a short-lived experiment, but, hey, Wild Clover's right around the corner in case I need to bail.

Or even if I don't.

I've been thinking of committing a chapbook. This one would include "Core Values," now available to be read for free on splinteruniverse.com, "Neutral Ground," which is a story that contains story nuggets that were then (more) fully realized in Ribbon Dance and Diviner's Bow, and! an outtake from Ribbon Dance. I don't know how many words that would be. "Core Values" and "Neutral Ground" combined are 21,495 words. I don't have a word count on the outtake.

So, that may be coming down the pike, if there's interest.

ASL class last night was fun. We seem to be down to 6 students, which encourages the social aspect of the group, so it's part gossip and part learning new vocab. Several people now have noted that one day a week is too little to attain fluency. We really ought to form a coffee club, but we haven't gotten to that step yet.

Tali is coming to terms with the fact that I am the sole source of cuddles, treats, and throwing things for her to chase, and is making modest attempts to jolly me along. She and Rook are in direct competition for my lap, and this morning she actually did curl up for about 2.5 seconds and purred. Then she saw that Rook was eating and had to jump down to join him.

Rook remains unshakeable in his certainty that he is the center of the universe. Firefly is pleased to read with me and is more often deliberately coming into the space I'm occupying. She does still visit Steve often. Trooper -- sleeps a lot. The crying seems to be less, and I'm inclined to just let him be. He's still playing, and eating, and seeking me out for company; he occasionally forgets what he's doing but, hey, who doesn't?

So, today is Good Friday, according to some traditions, and Sunday is Easter. Who has Plans?

Blast from the Past:  Steve and Sharon visiting the Augusta Barnes & Noble to check out our poster:

What went before ONE: Well. that was fun. And also? It looks like I need a new washer and dryer. And somebody to install them and take away the old ones. So, I guess I'll be going to Agren tomorrow and see what they can do for me.

I sketched in a small scene, but I thought I was going to have time for a larger one, too. Man proposes and god disposes. Something like that. I wonder who the god of washing machines is.

It was not, I should say a Catastrophic Failure. A little bit of water on the floor, easily mopped up, and the machine unplugged because, yeah. Not seeking catastrophe.

And, now, I think I'll swap out the cat fountains, while I'm playing with water...

What went before TWO: And apparently I have not been having my full quota of fun, because I just found ants around the cats' feeding station. This is new. And unwelcome. Rook isn't sure I should be deploying orange stuff, and he's right to be concerned; it says "pet safe," but that doesn't mean I want them eating the stuff. Of course, I don't want them eating ants, either.

What went before THREE: Cat feeding area de-antified, and rearranged so if the ants are coming in through the wall from the deck (not impossible though not a route they've every tried before), they'll hit the Water Hazard before actual food. I have orange sprayed and cinnamoned. The feeding area is cinnamoned, and directly after I got everything back together there, Trooper walked over and had a drink, so, yeah, the cinnamon doesn't seem to be a problem.

I've vacuumed the whole area, the rug, and under the rug, because -- ants, and now?

I believe I will pour a glass of wine to unload the dishwasher with. It's early, but I've earned it.

I therefore say, good-night; everybody stay safe.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Oh. I need to find out when Agren opens.

waves

* * *

Monday. Cloudy and breezy. Beans calling for dern near 60F by the end of the day.

Breakfast was cream cheese on rice crackers and applesauce. Lunch may be Out.

Today has become unexpected -- yeah, I think I can stop there. First! The Washer/Dryer Hunt. Then to Agway to see if diatomaceous earth is in their repertoire. And! for two hundred dollars and the convertible -- this evening, Waterville Creates is sponsoring a free showing (for which I paid a $5 donation, because at the moment I can) of Laurie Anderson's Heart of a Dog, with Learned Comments from a Colby professor preceding.

In good news, I see no ants around the cat bowls, and I also see evidence that cats have been snacking out of those bowls, so! Win-win. So far.

As soon as my tea's done, I'll be on the road.

Who else is having an unexpected day?

#

Well, that was a Lightning Tour.

Home Depot will be delivering a matched set of LG Washer/Dryer next Wednesday. They will install the new machines, and will make the old machines go away. $600 off the pair, and a $50 rebate from Efficiency Maine for having bought a Energy Star Certified Washer. Bought the protection plan for both. In case you're wondering, even at six large off, washers and dryers are still spendy.

While I was in Home Depot, I bought window privacy film for the bathroom window, since the film Steve installed seven years ago is rolling up.

Agway did not have food-grade diatomaceous earth, but Aubuchon did. They get it in, so the nice floorman told me, because it's Chick Season.

I decided to do my grocery shopping at Shaw's, which was looking like a lost-our-lease sale. Thought about getting the car washed, but judged I had Accomplished Enough if I was also going to the movies tonight.

The groceries are mostly put away. I'll tend to the rest of it as soon as I've finished my cookie. This afternoon, I may do arts and crafts with the bathroom window. I do need to get the trash into the garage for tomorrow's Formal Progress to the curb, and figure out lunch. Um. Maybe a sweet potato? That could work.

Home Depot was full of helpful people in orange vests bustling around, helping customers, telling them good morning, sweeping the floors and such like. It was almost like Olden Times.

So, that's my story so far.

#

Change of plans. I'll do arts and crafts with the bathroom window on a day when my knee is happier with me. And! Lunch was Progresso lentil and veggie soup with added spices and spinach, bread and cheese on the side.

I Had An Idea about the WIP as I was racing around Waterville like a chicken with my head cut off, so I'd better immortalize that in a sketch before I forget. And, I'll want to leave early for the movie -- ref unhappy knee.

I have the windows in my office open and have put out one set of windchimes. Sounds like summer...

Today's blog title brought to you by REM, "Stand"

What Went Before: So, I'm kinda tired, which I attribute to having been woken up and terrified before the day properly began. The heart monitor is all wrapped up with a note detailing its slide into insanity and ready to be dropped off at the UPS store. I've written a note to my cardiologist on the portal, explaining what happened. I've done some ASL homework, and some writing, by which I mean thinking and also writing 750-ish new words, bringing the total words thus far to +/-21,260.

I'm done for the day. I may monkey a bit with Steve's Chromebook, but it will be from the corner of the sofa, and under my comfy blanket.

Sunday. Cloudy and cold, but not precipitating. We are now under a Severe Weather Alert, but the probable accumulation of snow has been scaled back to 2 inches. There's still ice in the forecast, and ice must never be discounted, but the accumulations there, too, have been reduced.

Woke to find two turkeys making an inspection of The Long Back Yard. It's been years since I've seen turkeys in the yard.  . . . and I've been living here long enough now that I can say years . . .

Breakfast was three little leftover Chinese sweet potato piergoies, with sour cream, and an orange. Finishing up my first mug of tea. Lunch will be leftover drunken noodles (yes, again).

My plans for the day are to perform my duty to the cats, study ASL, and write new words. Also on the list was getting the kitchen trash bagged up and into the garage before the weather started, but that's been done.

So WAZE. You tell it where you want to go and it decides on the best way and that's it? There's no negotiation, other than the really broad AVOID TOLL ROADS and such like? Because while I will happily take 295 out of Maine, I am allergic to taking 95 around Boston, and would rather head west on smaller roads to gain my overnight in Cooperstown. I know this can be done because I have done it, but ship and pilot had a navigator then, and I do not have the route in my head. There was a reason Steve was our navigator. For instance, I know I can get out of Maine via Routes 2 and 4 and pay my respects to Mount Washington, as I did on my trip to Vermont, but I'm not at all certain of my routes beyond.

At this rate I may have to buy a road atlas.

The generator has just come on for its weekly systems check, and my mug is empty.

Whatcha all doin' today?

Update:  It's begun snowing

Today's blog title brought to you by Gaelic Storm, "I'll tell me ma"

Sunday morning census below:

What went before:  OK. 850ish new words written today. The cats are becoming restless, and I typed # to start a new scene with the same characters a little bit down the timeline. Since I know what they're going to say, that seems like a good place to stop for the day.

I had a Interesting Idea for further along while I was taking my walk. Which of course means checking back in Salvage Right. Again.

Tomorrow, I really do have to hit the grocery, and, while I'm out, I might as well take the empty ink cartridges to Staples and put gas in the car.

I have a quote from the guy who can wash my windows and unclog/repair the rain gutters, so I'll need to look that over.

Mostly, though, I think I'm done for the day.

For those playing along at home, the Garmin watch thinks today was stressful and I should "take a break for some physical activity" and "find time to relax." It Suddenly Occurs to me that Garmin thinks "sitting and writing" is stressful (I mean, they're not wrong...) and that running ten miles is relaxing. Ho, I say. And, also? Ho.

#

Wednesday. Sunny and going to be warm(ish).

Breakfast was toasted black bread, the last of the potato salad, and an orange. Not in line for the Best Breakfast of 2025, but I ate something. Go, me. Lunch is in the future.

Today, there are errands: Post Office, Staples, Gas, Grocery. I think that's it. Maybe there will be something that looks good to eat at the grocery store.

There will be writing at some point after I get home, and that?

Is all I got.

Ah, the constant creative high of the Writing Lifestyle.

So! Who's on an adventure today?

Below, a picture from March 26, 2021.  Trooper and Belle, Old Married Cats.  (Those who have been with us for awhile will recall that for many years our cats consisted of Scrabble, the Office Manager and Cat of All Work; and a Coon Cat Nuclear Family, consisting of Trooper (the Da), Belle (the Ma), and Sprite (their Kid).

What went before: Oh, let's see. Wrote +/- 800 new words, sketched in another scene, did Yet. Another. Timeline off the end of Salvage Right, and I have to ask, Who thought writing a sequel to Salvage Right was a good idea, because We? Gotta Talk.

Finished the laundry, put the sox away, brushed four out of a possible four coon cats, watched a couple How To Play Nice With Your Microphone tutorials, because I have never in all these years made peace with microphones. I have not done my ASL work, and ... yeah, I'm not doing it now.

Coon Cat Happy Hour has happened. I'll need to refill the bowls with dry food before I go to bed or there will be complaints to the Committeecat.

Tomorrow is Monday, and the weatherbeans are calling for 2-6 inches of snow to fall between 10am and 10pm. In Theory a guy is coming by to look at washing the windows and cleaning the rain gutters, but I'm not holding my breath.

Pretty much, I'm done for the day. Gonna make a sandwich, have a glass of wine and find something to read.

Everybody stay safe; I'll see you tomorrow.

#

Monday. Cloudy and on the road to snow.

Breakfast was the two steamed chicken buns from the freezer. They made a pretty good breakfast, and the orange was a good chaser for the spice. Second cup of tea is brewing. I'm defrosting a beanloaf to have someway or nother for lunch.

Informed Delivery informs me that a package that the vendor rescheduled delivery for twice is suddenly! and literally Without Warning! out for delivery today. This may be what brought the snow to us.

The morning started with tears. Seattle in 2025 Programming wrote to me yesterday reminding me that I hadn't filled out my panelist information, and -- I took a deep breath and let them know that I would not be attending. SunnyJim wrote back very graciously, and -- I wanted to go, dammit. I even have enough Amtrak credit to fund half the trip, but reality suggests that the trip alone would unglue me for days, and it's not much of a con if you're huddling in your room (which is another Test I'm not ready to take; hotel reservations for Worldcons have become the stuff of nightmares). Steve would have made all this look easy, but that was Steve's promise before we even moved in together -- "I'll make it easy for you." Which, granting various definitions of "easy", he did. (Cue Paul Novak).

I note, a year out, that this New Order still has some massive bugs.

So, that.

Today, aside from the possible arrival of the guy who needs to look at the windows and the gutters, is projected to be a quiet day of homework, writing, and watching the snow. I think I have enough milk left to make a mug of hot chocolate to sip while looking out the window.

What are your plans for the day?

*Today's blog title brought to you by the Folk Wisdom that snow is the poor man's fertilizer.  Why? you ask.  Because snow brings nitrogen down to earth and revitalizes the soil.

Here's a picture of Trooper to light your way today.

What went before (late morning edition): Have foraged. Came home, put away the perishables, made myself a cup of cocoa, and retired to the Command Chair to finish reading The Tomb of Dragons. I may need to go back to Witness for the Dead and reread all three in one go, but not right now. Right now, I believe I'll move on to The Orb of Cairado.

I'm presently waiting for prospective lawn guy to show up to view the Long Back Yard and give me a price and a plan.

After that I'll have lunch and see what I feel like doing.

I note that Informed Delivery tells me I have a personal letter from the SSA unit here in the city. Which isn't terrifying at all.

Fans of the The Rookie will be pleased to know that he continues to come when he's called, which is fine by me and convenient for him as well. I inadvertently shut him in the hall closet. A little later, as I was giving out treats, I noticed that there was no Rook present, which is highly unusual. I called out, as one does, "Rook? Where is that Rookie?" heard a loud AaaRW! from the foyer and went to let him out.

What went before (evening edition): So, I got involved in trying to update korval.com, which is one of those tasks that will never end, but I got some stuff brought into this year, and some other stuff brought into the current decade.

I also made a rough start on my acceptance speech, and added a little bit to a scene, so the WIP can't complain that it's been ignored.

Prospective lawn guy came, toured the Long Back Yard, and promises to send me a couple of plans with prices.

Tomorrow, I'm meeting a friend for lunch, and I should probably bake a loaf of bread either before or after. I still need to tinker with the directories on korval.com, but that may be all I'm up for.

The letter from the local SSA office that I was worried about was only the annual reminder that I have filed an Advanced Designation of Representation with them, so that was a relief.

Coon cat happy hour happened early so I could finish updating the webpage I was working on, and now it's time for me to review my homework again (see what happens?), and then segue into the evening.

. . . onward . . .

Wednesday. Sunny and warm.

Breakfast was rice crackers and cream cheese and one of Those Little Oranges. Lunching at Portland Pie Company with a friend. Need to make a pot of rice so I'll have it on-hand.

Tali and Rook are Working Something Out. The entails a lot of Tali smacking Rook in the head, lashing tails, and face-making. Occasionally, Rook will throw himself at Tali, using his extra weight to knock her over, but that's not a Winning Strategy. Tali just wraps herself around him, latches into his sides with her front claws and kicks the heck out of him with her hind feet.

. . . I think she's done this before.

Anyhow, this will either teach Rook Science, or not to mess with Tali. Or possibly both. I haven't heard any bad words, so I am assuming that this has to do with the Feline Organizational Chart, and the eventual deployment of contractual tasks regarding the care and keeping of the thumbs, whose well-being is necessary to the comfort of cats.

Trooper is lazing in the sun. Firefly was on the back of the sofa, and available to receive pets and soft words of admiration, which were of course forthcoming.

I figured out that one of the reasons I like the Garmin watch is because it's not ... cute. Frequent readers will recall that I have a Limited Capacity for cute, most of which is used up by the birb and his adventures. The Garmin is friendly; it explains itself, but it's not ... huggy. Our relationship is well within my comfort zone.

Last night I read the teaser for Ministry of Time, which was -- all right? I mean, if I had had the whole book, I would have kept on reading, but I don't know that I'm motivated to go out and buy the rest of the story.

And that's all I've got here in my very small and insular corner of the world.

What's going on in your corner of the world?

What went before: Well. My watch is updating. I am not accustomed to the watch being my main point of information, so that will be a change. Also, some things that are I guess supposed to be intuitive -- aren't. Like, yanno, putting on the band. I did finally figure it out, but Jeez Louise as somebody once said.

I did get my reading of the WIP done, despite It All. It's not Terrible, there are some things that are in the wrong place, but since I'm trying to match at least three separate timelines so that everybody can arrive at their meeting at the right times, that's probably, oh, normal instead of evidence of a Descent into Dementia.

Yanno? When I was twenty, I never worried about a Descent into Dementia. Just sayin'.

I should probably go find some cheese to put on a piece of bread, brew a cup of chamomile tea, and take it and my book with me to bed, hoping for a better day tomorrow, which is!

Tali's third birthday.

Sunday. Cloudy. Well. I suppose I can concede to the Weatherbeans in this. Foggy. I am led to believe that it will be foggy all day, which I suppose is possible, at the rate that the snow is sublimating. The Long Back Yard is more grass than snow. I was just watching a crow sorting through dead leaves and old grass and fly off with a beakful into the Really Tall Pine Tree, so I'll guess I'll have new neighbors.

Breakfast was biscuit with sausage and a slice of cheddar with black grapes. Second cup of tea to hand. Lunch will be -- yeah, whatever. Maybe a scone.

As planned, I just put myself and my book into bed at 9, and read while I drank my tea. Firefly and Rook joined me in the bed. Tali took the overlook position at the top of the bookcase. The new watch says I had a "highly restorative" sleep of 7 hours and 40 minutes, with lots of Deep and REM, which have been in short supply lately, and probably why I've been feeling so tired.

I must say that I'm enjoying Mr. Harney's Egyptian Chamomile tea. I'm alternating with the Republic of Tea Chamomile Lemon that a friend sent me, which I'm also enjoying. I'm trying to simplify my life, but I really do think that I'll order in replacements of both.

I am not dizzy this morning, and I'm counting that a win. I am feeling rather meh (Note to Weatherbeans: Some sunshine would help over here), so, as advised by my new notepad, I made a list, and I do feel (a little) better. On the list is a blankie run, changing out the cat fountains, buying cpap supplies, homework, and writing.

Writing may only be working with the correx/additions I identified yesterday, but that still counts. And! one of the benefits of reading your WIP over (and over and over and...) is that engaging with the story produces more story (i.e. You know what's missing here? Or, happier: You know what comes next?) I don't know how writers who just start and flame through to the end of the first draft without ever stopping to read what they've already written do it, honestly.

As mentioned previously, today is Tali's third birthday. She has been celebrating energetically, chasing spring, ball and her kid brother all over the house, so much in motion that I am not at this time able to offer a picture of the Birthday Cat. She did come by and check in with Trooper. He muttered at her, she cleaned his ears, then bolted off to discipline Rook.

The new watch is ... interesting. It has a lot more functionality than the FitBit, and is much bigger -- despite which, it's lighter and more comfortable on my wrist. The FitBit and I had never had a warm relationship, even before Google decided to try to force me to buy a Google watch by driving the FitBit insane. By comparison, the Garmin (bear with me, people; we all have to work with the brain we have) is calm and friendly. I'm not used to having so much information on the watch but even so it's easy to navigate, and I can of course add and subtract the information I want to see. I think I did the right thing.

I'm about halfway through Tomb of the Dragons, and having a good time with it. I had to stop and explain to Firefly that these were not Liaden dragons, because they lived in another book. It's a hard concept, but I think she got it. At least, she blinked her eyes and went back to sleep.

And that's it from the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory.

So! Who has sunshine where they are?

What went before: Yeah, that bread isn't gonna rise, but I'm giving it a chance. I Did Something. Or Failed to Do Something. We'll see, but I Will Be Surprised.

In my own defense: I was sidetracked because a bag fastener exploded into my face when I was unsealing the plastic bag around the flour bag.

That was bad enough, but it deconstructed as it rebounded. I found the two big plastic pieces, but? I didn't find the spring. As those of you who have read the syllabus will be aware -- I have cats.

So, I went into overdrive, looking for the damned spring, got out the mop, the vacuum cleaner, and finally found it -- far, far outside the kitchen (good spring), and then I got back to the dough, which was cold, and 'way too sticky.

And, I expect I'm going to have a bruise on my cheek where the plastic casing hit, so that'll be worth a Look with the Do You Feel Safe At Home question at the doctor's office next week (answer -- no. My Things are trying to murder me.)

Bread dough has been dismissed.

Now deciding if I'm going to push my luck and make a plain vanilla, so to speak whole wheat, or break out the Emergency Loaf from the freezer.

In other news, I've made an appointment to get a COVID booster on Monday, which is sooner than I had wanted, but an allowed move, since my last booster was in September, and I'm over four months. I'm hearing that COVID boosters may no longer be A Thing, and I am going to Baltimore in May...

SPOILER: I made a quick loaf of "plain vanilla" whole wheat. It turned out great. Photographic proof:

Saturday. Sunny and chilly.

Woke up at 6, went back to sleep until 7:30, laid there for another half hour trying to think of a reason to get up. I did not actually think of a reason to get up, unless, "Oh, for Goddess' sake, don't be a crybaby," is a reason to get up.

Breakfast was toast (the "plain vanilla" whole wheat makes great toast -- just a note for those playing along at home), cottage cheese, the last of the grapes. Finishing up the first mug of tea. Lunch will be, it says, here, That Yam you meant to eat last week.

I have a few chores to do, and I may pull out the scrapbooks that I'd been putting together last year about this time, and see if I can recover any idea of what I thought I was doing.

A quiet day, in other words, with nothing much on the schedule. Except putting the kettle on for another cup of tea.

Who has a schedule today?

Saturday morning cat census:

All righty, then! Chores have been retired, po box run has been accomplished, hairs have been cut, cottage cheese taken on at the grocery.

There was a sympathy card at the post office box, and a bag of hot chocolate mix. I don't know what lunch will be -- probably hot chocolate isn't lunch by itself. I may call something in, as a better alternative to having Firefly cook.

My plan is to bear down and work this afternoon and tomorrow, since I am temporarily ahead of the chores. Well, not all the chores; I owe those two folks headshots and "a brief bio," and should probably do that first. I think I have a brief bio and the headshot problem has been solved -- thanks to all who stepped forward to share their expertise! -- and that's probably a better use of my time than angsting over what I'll make to eat.

So. First world problems. Not going to be able to say that much longer.

The stylist is a music enthusiast -- big Elvis fan, follows a particular impersonator; has plans to go with a girlfriend to the Grand Ole Opry; not only knows what The Band was, but can reel off the names of the anchors. She already has tickets to see Willie, Dylan, and Sheryl Crow at Bangor this summer. I didn't know Willie was coming to Bangor this summer.

Today, she said that she's starting to feel old, and I got a little bit of a shiver right then. Steve had told me he was starting to "feel old" -- and he wasn't wrong: once you start mooching into your 70s, you're legitimately old. But to feel old -- I don't. I feel tired and sad and lost, but I don't feel old -- which is just another item in an ever-growing list of things that I don't know how I feel about.

And on that note -- off to order in lunch, and find me that "short bio."

Memories kicked up a picture from eight years ago.

Also, proof of hairs being cut: