I'm getting into the yard care cycle. Mr. L is feeling more capable than he has in months. He still has erratic days, but, generally speaking, his stamina continues to improve.
I hope his doctor will give me the go ahead to get my knee done in June at our May appointment.
I'm continuing to work through the decluttering. Some areas that get decluttered become recluttered quickly. Just keep plugging away at it.
I'm working on numerous projects. Some relating to writing and some not.
A neighbor friend has a tree cutting business, and he mulches his trees. He had some clean stuff, and Mr. L wants it to raise the level of the yard. In the last two weeks, he's dumped three loads in the yard. We're getting it spread.
Still plugging along.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Monday, April 25, 2016
Frustrating
Struggling with my health and all my projects wear me down. I know I'm not exercising enough. But I stay too tired to do much. And I often lack the will. The results seem so far off. I truly need to find a local exercise buddy, but the people I know either are much fitter than me or have no interest in fitness at all. Still, buddy or not, I need to be exercising no matter how bad I feel. Easy to type, but hard to do. The story of my life.
If things go according to plan--and we know what happens to the best laid plans--I should publish Floozy Comes Back in July of this year. That's what I'm aiming for. We'll see if I have enough material for the book. Without a weekly deadline, I have not produced as much humor as I have in years past. Something about a deadline--and a paycheck--kept me pounding away at the keyboard. While some of the columns produced during that time weren't that funny, many were.
My problem is willpower or lack thereof. No surprise there. Hard to whip myself or reward myself enough to keep me at the keyboard. That's getting better, but I'm not where I should be.
In other news, I've been looking around for software to ultimately replace Windows and Word. The latest version of Ubuntu has many good qualities, and perhaps if I spent a few weeks with it, I would become accustomed to its quirks and abilities. Right now, I don't have time or the desire to do so. Particularly with all these projects going on. Today was frustrating because I messed with Ubuntu for several hours and could never accomplish what I needed it to do. I'm sure it's possible, but I don't have the hours to spend. My energy is limited right now, and I can't spend it on what doesn't deliver, even though it might in the future.
Eventually, Microsoft will make me mad enough to change over. Their policy of "change for the sake of change" is endlessly annoying. They have design people, though, whose jobs depend on them making changes, even if those changes are necessarily productive or useful. The changes will keep coming. You'd think they would have learned from Windows 8, but the lessons don't seem to have stuck.
This week:
More chores. There are always chores to be done. Always.
More dieting. Low carb. Never craved bread as much as I do now.
More writing. Floozy Comes Back and Murder by the Mile are the two projects that are commanding my time and attention. And both deserve all I can give them.
More editing. I'm trying to edit a story for a friend. It's too long, but I don't want to cut the "flavor" of the piece.
Hope you have a great week! Talk to you soon.
If things go according to plan--and we know what happens to the best laid plans--I should publish Floozy Comes Back in July of this year. That's what I'm aiming for. We'll see if I have enough material for the book. Without a weekly deadline, I have not produced as much humor as I have in years past. Something about a deadline--and a paycheck--kept me pounding away at the keyboard. While some of the columns produced during that time weren't that funny, many were.
My problem is willpower or lack thereof. No surprise there. Hard to whip myself or reward myself enough to keep me at the keyboard. That's getting better, but I'm not where I should be.
In other news, I've been looking around for software to ultimately replace Windows and Word. The latest version of Ubuntu has many good qualities, and perhaps if I spent a few weeks with it, I would become accustomed to its quirks and abilities. Right now, I don't have time or the desire to do so. Particularly with all these projects going on. Today was frustrating because I messed with Ubuntu for several hours and could never accomplish what I needed it to do. I'm sure it's possible, but I don't have the hours to spend. My energy is limited right now, and I can't spend it on what doesn't deliver, even though it might in the future.
Eventually, Microsoft will make me mad enough to change over. Their policy of "change for the sake of change" is endlessly annoying. They have design people, though, whose jobs depend on them making changes, even if those changes are necessarily productive or useful. The changes will keep coming. You'd think they would have learned from Windows 8, but the lessons don't seem to have stuck.
This week:
More chores. There are always chores to be done. Always.
More dieting. Low carb. Never craved bread as much as I do now.
More writing. Floozy Comes Back and Murder by the Mile are the two projects that are commanding my time and attention. And both deserve all I can give them.
More editing. I'm trying to edit a story for a friend. It's too long, but I don't want to cut the "flavor" of the piece.
Hope you have a great week! Talk to you soon.
Ephemeral plot bunnies
One of the songs we sang in church yesterday was an old hymn called The Morning Trumpet. Our music director is really good at taking old songs, writing a chorus, and making them sound modern-ish. It's not unusual to sing songs written in the 15th century on any given Sunday. (Have I mentioned our church used to be a Polish Cathedral? The parish sold it to us because the other offer, which was higher, was someone who was going to demolish it and put in apartments.) The Morning Trumpet is newer--the words were written in 1793 and the music in 1844. Paul's new chorus has the following lyrics:
"Shout, Oh glory! For I shall see the Christ on high, when I hear the trumpet sound in that morning."
Of course, we sang it several times during the hymn, and the whole time, Walter was tapping his fingers. I don't know what he's got up his sleeve, but it seems to be something Left Behind-ish, only darker. I have no other details. It's annoying.
I know what it isn't. It's not someone who gets raptured and Heaven doesn't fit the bill. I'll leave those to the unbelievers and the disenfranchised former believers. I can't suspend my reality enough to make that work in my head. OTOH, I don't want to make it overtly religious. I'm thinking closer to C. S. Lewis allegory. Something closer to The Screwtape Letters.
I don't know. I wish Walter would get it together. That's two stories now he's tossing around like a tennis ball; throwing it from hand to hand, bouncing it off the wall sometimes.
I've started going for short walks in an effort to increase stamina and, hopefully, blood flow to my brain. I'm in the worst shape of my life right now, and it's not getting better on its own. Can't imagine why. I've started going around a block or two, twice a day. I'm not concerned with anything except stretching out muscles and not getting winded. I don't even care about my weight right now. That seems to have stabilized. At least, I don't need the rubber band extender for my jeans. I'm more concerned with overall health right now. Having said that, it would be nice to not look revolting in a swimsuit this summer in Vegas. Eric has a hacker convention there, and I'm tagging along to sight-see and write. We only have to pay for my airfare and food. Going back to Vegas wasn't on my bucket list. I've been twice. That seemed like enough. But it will be fun. I won't be at the day job.
"Shout, Oh glory! For I shall see the Christ on high, when I hear the trumpet sound in that morning."
Of course, we sang it several times during the hymn, and the whole time, Walter was tapping his fingers. I don't know what he's got up his sleeve, but it seems to be something Left Behind-ish, only darker. I have no other details. It's annoying.
I know what it isn't. It's not someone who gets raptured and Heaven doesn't fit the bill. I'll leave those to the unbelievers and the disenfranchised former believers. I can't suspend my reality enough to make that work in my head. OTOH, I don't want to make it overtly religious. I'm thinking closer to C. S. Lewis allegory. Something closer to The Screwtape Letters.
I don't know. I wish Walter would get it together. That's two stories now he's tossing around like a tennis ball; throwing it from hand to hand, bouncing it off the wall sometimes.
I've started going for short walks in an effort to increase stamina and, hopefully, blood flow to my brain. I'm in the worst shape of my life right now, and it's not getting better on its own. Can't imagine why. I've started going around a block or two, twice a day. I'm not concerned with anything except stretching out muscles and not getting winded. I don't even care about my weight right now. That seems to have stabilized. At least, I don't need the rubber band extender for my jeans. I'm more concerned with overall health right now. Having said that, it would be nice to not look revolting in a swimsuit this summer in Vegas. Eric has a hacker convention there, and I'm tagging along to sight-see and write. We only have to pay for my airfare and food. Going back to Vegas wasn't on my bucket list. I've been twice. That seemed like enough. But it will be fun. I won't be at the day job.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Long time, no see
Somehow, two months have slipped by. It's been pretty much business as usual. Work, chores, wedging in words. I've got the garden going as much as I can for now. My seedlings are growing. I've transplanted some of the tomatoes to larger biodegradable pots, and the herbs are in their home pots on the table. They seem happy but I'll be happier when I can move them outside. It's not quite warm enough yet. We're supposed to hit freezing tonight.
Alex finally found part time work at the grocery store where I do most of my shopping now. He'll be working a few hours a week stocking shelves at night. It's not a lot, not enough, probably, but it's a start and will pay for his gas and such. Maybe he can start pecking away at student loans. I think that bill starts to come due in June.
I've been working more closing shifts at work lately, now that I have another reliable opener. It's a double edge (edged?) sword. On the one hand, it stinks because I don't see much of Eric. We might have fifteen minutes before I get ready for bed to talk, but usually not more because we have to be up early so I can take him to the train, and I need my beauty sleep. On the other hand, I'm working with everyone each week and getting a much better sense of their strengths, weaknesses, and goals, which will be helpful at evaluation time if nothing else. It will help me figure out who I should recommend for promotions and raises, or at least bring to my boss' attention. I'm mostly on nights next week, but I've hired a new guy so when I do the schedule next week I can maybe figure out a way to balance it better.
The house, specifically the basement, is coming together. We had our storage delivered Easter weekend, and the bookshelves have been a big help. For the first time ever, I think, we have all the tools in one place. Mostly, at least. The ones we use a lot are upstairs, but the rest is together. I sorted through pictures the other day and identified some to donate and some to hang. Hopefully I'll get them hung this weekend. Eric is going on a retreat with our church, so I'll have a day of quiet to get things done. I should really make a list.
That's about it. Everything else you know from Hangouts and Facebook. Do we even have readers outside our circle? If we do, I'd better become more interesting in a hurry!
Alex finally found part time work at the grocery store where I do most of my shopping now. He'll be working a few hours a week stocking shelves at night. It's not a lot, not enough, probably, but it's a start and will pay for his gas and such. Maybe he can start pecking away at student loans. I think that bill starts to come due in June.
I've been working more closing shifts at work lately, now that I have another reliable opener. It's a double edge (edged?) sword. On the one hand, it stinks because I don't see much of Eric. We might have fifteen minutes before I get ready for bed to talk, but usually not more because we have to be up early so I can take him to the train, and I need my beauty sleep. On the other hand, I'm working with everyone each week and getting a much better sense of their strengths, weaknesses, and goals, which will be helpful at evaluation time if nothing else. It will help me figure out who I should recommend for promotions and raises, or at least bring to my boss' attention. I'm mostly on nights next week, but I've hired a new guy so when I do the schedule next week I can maybe figure out a way to balance it better.
The house, specifically the basement, is coming together. We had our storage delivered Easter weekend, and the bookshelves have been a big help. For the first time ever, I think, we have all the tools in one place. Mostly, at least. The ones we use a lot are upstairs, but the rest is together. I sorted through pictures the other day and identified some to donate and some to hang. Hopefully I'll get them hung this weekend. Eric is going on a retreat with our church, so I'll have a day of quiet to get things done. I should really make a list.
That's about it. Everything else you know from Hangouts and Facebook. Do we even have readers outside our circle? If we do, I'd better become more interesting in a hurry!
Tech can only take you so far
In years past, I coveted the newest tech, particularly writing programs and faster computers. The idea I had was that "if only I had that writing program (faster computer, larger hard drive, etc.) I would be a successful author." Or certainly more productive.
And some of that turned out to be true. Word processing programs (WordPerfect and Wordstar--remember them?) allowed me to write two of my books (Murder by Dewey Decimal and Murder by the Acre) faster and with less errors than my Smith-Corona electric typewriter. And as those programs added spelling checkers and formatting, they became even more useful. Eventually, Microsoft Word out-marketed them, and I switched and never looked back.
However, eventually you come to the realization that tech has done all it can do. Oh, there are some writing programs out there that offer options for writing in various forms, but they help you only be more productive if you're writing in the first place. They automate tasks that writers do more often than other people, like creating table of contents, indexes, etc. They don't write the book or screenplay or play. Tech only take you so far; ultimately, your success in writing--or in life--is up to you.
This realization was hard for me. For one, it took away my justification for the latest and greatest computer--I had always enjoyed upgrading for the speed and sheer geekiness of it. The second reason it was hard because it placed the onus for my success--or lack of--only on me. It was...painful.
Lately, I have been reading and re-reading Your Own Worst Enemy by Dr. Kenneth W. Christian. The book has the subtitle on the cover: "Breaking the Habit of Adult Under-Achievement." As I've worked my way through the book, I've seen myself in so many chapters. It's like he wrote the book for me; I wish I had read it in my twenties. Over the years, I've read dozens of self-help and self-improvement books, but none of them spoke to me the way this book has. I cannot recommend it highly enough for any creative person who is frustrated by how they sabotage their creative efforts.
While doing the exercises the book recommends, I've also been working on three writing projects. I will publish at least one book of my own this year and hope to do two. Your Own Worst Enemy has allowed me to push aside fears and self-limiting behavior. I hope it--or something else--can do the same for you when you're stalled in life.
And besides chores and doctors' visits, that's my life right now. I hope life is treating you well. It not...make it do so!
And some of that turned out to be true. Word processing programs (WordPerfect and Wordstar--remember them?) allowed me to write two of my books (Murder by Dewey Decimal and Murder by the Acre) faster and with less errors than my Smith-Corona electric typewriter. And as those programs added spelling checkers and formatting, they became even more useful. Eventually, Microsoft Word out-marketed them, and I switched and never looked back.
However, eventually you come to the realization that tech has done all it can do. Oh, there are some writing programs out there that offer options for writing in various forms, but they help you only be more productive if you're writing in the first place. They automate tasks that writers do more often than other people, like creating table of contents, indexes, etc. They don't write the book or screenplay or play. Tech only take you so far; ultimately, your success in writing--or in life--is up to you.
This realization was hard for me. For one, it took away my justification for the latest and greatest computer--I had always enjoyed upgrading for the speed and sheer geekiness of it. The second reason it was hard because it placed the onus for my success--or lack of--only on me. It was...painful.
Lately, I have been reading and re-reading Your Own Worst Enemy by Dr. Kenneth W. Christian. The book has the subtitle on the cover: "Breaking the Habit of Adult Under-Achievement." As I've worked my way through the book, I've seen myself in so many chapters. It's like he wrote the book for me; I wish I had read it in my twenties. Over the years, I've read dozens of self-help and self-improvement books, but none of them spoke to me the way this book has. I cannot recommend it highly enough for any creative person who is frustrated by how they sabotage their creative efforts.
While doing the exercises the book recommends, I've also been working on three writing projects. I will publish at least one book of my own this year and hope to do two. Your Own Worst Enemy has allowed me to push aside fears and self-limiting behavior. I hope it--or something else--can do the same for you when you're stalled in life.
And besides chores and doctors' visits, that's my life right now. I hope life is treating you well. It not...make it do so!
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Publishing news of a sort
It's been a long frustrating day, but many things were accomplished, some of which probably shouldn't have been, but there you go. In good news, much planning has been going on for the anthology Blackbirds Third Flight. So far, we have authors Heath Stallcup, Wendy Blanton, Jean Schara, Gail Henderson, and myself in place. We are "wooing" three others who will add new perspectives to the annual anthology. I don't know how people produce a monthly magazine, though. Just getting this out yearly takes a lot of effort!
In personal news, I also wanted to tell you Floozy Comes Back is also on track for publication this year. Yes, another collection of my mishaps and adventures for people to enjoy. It's good to know my bruises and pain are a funny thing for people. But in a loving way, I'm sure. Sort of sure.
And just because I'm sharing writing news: The first five chapters of Murder by the Mile are being proofed. I haven't scheduled that book for publication this year, but it looks increasingly likely that this will be the year of three books for me. Can't promise it, but it looks that way.
Otherwise, I spend too much time at the doctor's office. I don't exercise enough, but I'm trying. Don't eat right, but I'm trying. Don't accomplish enough, but by golly and by dingo, I'm trying.
How are you doing?
In personal news, I also wanted to tell you Floozy Comes Back is also on track for publication this year. Yes, another collection of my mishaps and adventures for people to enjoy. It's good to know my bruises and pain are a funny thing for people. But in a loving way, I'm sure. Sort of sure.
And just because I'm sharing writing news: The first five chapters of Murder by the Mile are being proofed. I haven't scheduled that book for publication this year, but it looks increasingly likely that this will be the year of three books for me. Can't promise it, but it looks that way.
Otherwise, I spend too much time at the doctor's office. I don't exercise enough, but I'm trying. Don't eat right, but I'm trying. Don't accomplish enough, but by golly and by dingo, I'm trying.
How are you doing?
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
I'm back!
We will try to post more often here. Please stay on the the edge of your seat. Jean has many things to say. I will try to say some things, too. We will be announcing another anthology in the next month or so. Watch for Blackbirds Third Flight coming to a disturbed mind near you soon.