Today is a holiday. I took yesterday “off” and spent it with some friends. We four sat outside and ate and gabbed and had a delightful visit. I’ve often wondered who labors the hardest, the “common laborer” who is truly anything but, or a mother. Both jobs are very hard work.
A friend emailed me the other day that he had purchased a copy of my new book, The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings and had read some of it, was delighted with it, and I of course immediately turned jealous! Happy, but jealous! I ordered books (plural) when the book was published, and I didn’t yet have them. So, I ordered one for me. It came. My friend Mary came, and she wanted to buy it. Since Mary is one of the reasons it looks so good (she did the final proof reading) I decided to part with it. After all, I have books (plural) coming. That’s the problem with POD books. If one orders more than one or two, it takes longer. sigh.
Jim, my friend reading the book, said he really likes that he can open it up to any page and find something interesting to read—poem, story, memoir. He said the lady who designed the book was really smart! 😉
Anyhow here is the lady who not only designed the book, but wrote it, too, with purple and pink hair, holding her one and only book that now lives with Mary 😉 Uh, no, she didn’t write it with purple and pink hair, she used a pen, paper, and or a computer. That is the Columbia River in the background of the second photo.
Just hung up the phone from talking with a publisher friend of mine, and she is calling back in a bit to interview me for her podcast, and newsletter. So today will be another busy day. Another day of labor. /snicker/
Also, I have finally figured out how to easily record and post short pieces, so you might want to check the Spoken Wordnow and then. I’ll put the latest recordings on the top of the list.
Am limiting myself to two 15-minute segments on Facebook. I set my timer, log in, and when the timer goes off, I log out. IF I’m writing something, I finish, then log out. Helps keep my blood pressure down, and my mood up. 😉
A Meme swiped from Facebook that I truly like. I think it is apropos to writers, readers, canners, etc. I am doomed.
Weather in the Tries: I don’t want to make any extreme promises, but in looking at my weather app, it looks like we’re still back to a normal summer, whatever that means in this day and age. The AQI shows “Good” air quality, though I’m smelling smoke in the air—but not seeing it. I’m still masking when I walk the dog.
Speaking of masking: I was in a store the other day where the hired help all wore masks. Mostly on their chins or mouth, only putting them up when a customer came near, and taking them down to talk. They all wore cotton masks. They couldn’t leave their face properly covered because it was too hard for them to breathe. What a crock of brown stuff! Wonder how comfy they’ll find a tube for breathing? Or the inside of a casket? Sigh.
And now I’m not sure if I’ve been exposed or not, I have a sore throat, congestion, but no fever. I mask. I socially distance myself. I’m tired of these selfish brats and their dependance on me for herd immunity when they can’t help themselves, let alone care for other people.
Which is all a way to let you know that I’m on a bit of a rant today. It’s an old rant, but still a rant.
To eBook or Not to eBook? That is the question!
I love ebooks. I love to read my fiction on ebooks. I don’t understand the cost of ebooks. Stores don’t have to stock them, shelve them, dust them, etc. They take up no room in warehouses, don’t have to be boxed, shelved, and mailed. Yes, they take up room in the cloud, but how much space? How big is the cloud? Yes, it costs money to store/retrieve/send the ebooks. I’m guessing pennies, not dollars. But when you buy an ebook, you’re not really buying it—you’re renting it. You can’t read it and give it to your local Friends of the Library. You can’t sell it on ebay, or to a used bookstore. In many cases you can’t loan it to a friend, and if you can, you can only loan it once. You can’t leave it to your heirs, well, I guess you can, if they want to continue to pay your membership, etc..
And what’s with this bit where an ebook now costs $14.99 but the paperback only costs $11.99? Come winter if necessary, I can burn my paperback to cook food or stay warm. Can’t do that with my ebook. Oh, and if the carrier who supplied my ebook folds, I lose my book. If I quit subscribing to the company where I rented, I mean bought, my book, I lose my book.
I know authors have earned and deserve to be paid. Publishers know it, too. But there must be a way to make ebooks more affordable, especially considering their limitations. A great many people can’t afford to buy books, and reasonably priced ebooks could be a solution. Every kid has a smart phone. Make books inexpensive enough they can afford them.
Now publishers are trying to force libraries into buying extremely limited licenses—in other words, they can only loan the ebook out one or two times, five at most. This isn’t about books or authors, it’s about greed. Not of the author, s/he isn’t getting any more money.
I might feel a bit better about it, if I was assured the author actually got the majority of it. In the meantime, for a book I really want to read, I just might go back to paper. Or find another author/publisher.
Photo of the Week: This is what I wanted to show you last week but couldn’t figure out how. My BOC (brother of choice) came to the rescue and taught me how, so here you are, with many thanks to Davey;-)
Books: Remember, if I finish a book, I review it, and post my review at Rainy Day Reads
Finished two books I have yet to review:
Defiled, by Joseph Flynn. A marvelous who done it, with two of my favoritest fiction heroes, John Tall Wolf and Ron Ketchum, and
The Poppy War: A Novel (Book 1 of a trilogy) by R. F. Kuang. She’s a new author to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed her book. The other two are available.
And there it is, Gentle Readers. Another week gone by. Oh, and if you’re wondering why this post is a tad late, it’s because last week was a tad early and I thought I should make up for it. Sammy sends pupkisses, and I send properly masked and socially distanced hugs until next week.
Weather in the Tries: Wahooo!!! We’ve got a week of relatively cool weather. At least in comparison to what we’ve been through. Are we going back to our ‘normal’?? Our highs will be low 80s and our lows mostly in low 50s with a couple of dips into the 40s. Wahooooooo!
Public Service Announcement #1:
NO, IT ISN’T MONDAY! YES the blog is a day early because of PSA #2. I wanted to give y’all a chance to read it and come if you’re interested. Love to see you there.
Public Service Announcement #2:
The Archetypes
A Zoom Poetry Reading
featuring works created in Wayne Lee’s The Archetypes of Poetry workshop
Monday, August 23, 2021
7 pm MST (6pm PDT, 8pm CDT, 9pm EDT)
featured readers:
Lenora Rain-Lee Good
Lou Cimalore
Sharon Rizk
Wayne Lee
The reading will be followed by a Q&A and short open mic. The first 8 people to reserve their spot (by replying to me by email) will be given 3 minutes to share their poems. (Spots filled.)
This question in one form or another has appeared often on my Facebook page. I’ve ignored it. But I’m also sick of seeing it. I do believe the question deserves an answer, so here’s my answer.
I truly think if you or I had committed even one of the offenses he is alleged to have committed, we’d be there, no questions asked. But, here’s the difference: you and I aren’t the ex-prez.
You or I would have a trial by jury of our peers. THEN if we be found guilty, we’d have our own chance at redecorating a corner of the selected hoosegow.
And that, I think, is what the question should be. Should our ex-prez be brought up on charges, given a trial in front of a jury of his peers (ie, American Citizens, not billionaires), and IF and ONLY IF he’s found guilty of crimes against the country, should then be sent to the hoosegow. There is the possibility that sending an ex-prez to prison is asking too much, but he could be barred from ever holding elective office again in this country.
Photo of the Week:
Hoped for a video, with sound, but, alas, the old squish-ware isn’t cooperating all that well. Maybe next week. In the meantime, we not only had smoke with which to contend, but good, old fashioned-dust and dirt from ripping up the street behind me. Fun to watch when the wind is in the right direction 😉 I don’t even want to know what chemicals are in that dust. Fun to watch the guy get the corner of the concrete with the jaw and pull it up. No more jack hammer! And it must be 6″-8” thick.
Books: Remember, if I finish a book, I review it, and post my review at Rainy Day Reads
Finished four books. Actually, I finished Choose Me —by Tess Gerritsen and Gary Braver some time ago, and because it’s electronic, I didn’t have it on my desk to remind me to review it, and just now am doing so. Also read Nailed —by Joseph Flynn. First of another great series. And two books of poetry—Atomic Paradise —by Jules Nyquist and Still Life with two dead Peacocks and a Girl —by Diane Seuss. Two great books of poetry by two great poets.
Quote of the Week:
The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison wall. —Denis Healey
And there you have it for this week, a day early. I know poetry isn’t everybody’s cuppa, but if it’s yours, try to make it. Lou and Sharon have some great poetry, as does Wayne. Wayne taught the class, and I can hardly wait for the next one. He’s a tremendous poet in his own right. Sammy will be sleeping in the other room. He is not an aficionado of poetry! If I was talking to him, and not the computer, well, maybe. 😉
Weather in the Tries: Well, the temps are supposed to be somewhat cooler, closer to our normals this coming week with highs in the low 90s. Not sure about the air quality. AQI has been in the Unhealthy area for several days now. Makes for short walks for my short-legged friend and his human.
Blogs, Blogs, and…
I know I’ve told you before, if I read a book, I review the book, and I publish the review. If I don’t finish the book, I don’t review it. Because of this, I get on various lists by various people, including authors. M. K. Tod asked me to read and review her latest book, Paris in Ruins. I did. I loved the book. I wrote and published my review. In the ensuing conversations we had she asked about my book, Jibutu, Daughter of the Desert, and I told her about it.
There are more blogs on world building at her site, just go to View all posts by M. K. Tod, and you’ll find them.
I enjoy world building, but oh how I admire those who write historical fiction and are able to build a believable world. They must research vocabularies of the day, clothing, money, foods, transportation, and oh so much more. Much easier to build a world from scratch.
Photo of the Week:
Sea Grass at the Bandon Light House in Coquille, Oregon October 2008
Status of The Bride’s Gate &c: I received the proof pages and read them AND sent my markups back. So now we wait. Some more. I think I have the ‘sell sheet’ or Information Sheet complete except for the price and ISBN. Oh, and I’m waiting for the contract. But it will come.
Netflix:
Haven’t started another series yet. Well, I’ve tried a couple, and decided I don’t like them enough to continue. So just watched this week’s episode of Hospital Playlist. I hate being current and having to wait a week between episodes! Not fair! Whiiiiine!!!
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it, and post my review at Rainy Day Reads
Pacific Northwest Foraging for Beginners: A 3 Step… —by Paul MacyThis is a marvelous book, and an easy read, on how to and not to collect edibles from the wild. I appreciated how Mr. Macy stressed sustainable harvesting as well as when and when not to harvest. A great read before your next hike.
Binti: The Complete Trilogy —by Nnedi Okorafor OMG! This is one of those books where you just need to get in, sit down, and buckle up, ‘cause you be goin’ for a ride! The world building is fantastic (I’m so jealous!!) And I hated to have to put the book down to do far less important, but more demanding, things. I can hardly wait to read more of her books.
Quote of the Week:
“I blog because I have something to say.” —Eddie Huang
And there you have it, two blogs in one. Well, there are some other blogs linked, too. Sammy Brave Dog and Auntie Lenora hope you stay cool, stay safe, and have clean air. If you won’t mask against Covid, please mask when the AQI is above Good 😉
Weather in the Tries: Monday (Today) will be 88, then 95, then five days of triple digits–low 100s. Fortunately, we usually have relatively low humidity. As long as the AQI is good, and it’s cooler out than in, I will open doors and turn on fans. So far, my a/c has come on very few times. It’s set at 80.
Joys of Dealing with Indie Bookstores:
As you undoubtedly know, I’m book poor. I’d rather buy books than groceries; however, I am fortunate in that I can afford both. More’s the pity for my waistline.
I also love supporting authors I know, especially poets. The loving partner of John Roche of Placitas, NM, Jules Nyquist of Jules’ Poetry Playhouse, had a reading at Bookworks Indie Book Store in Albuquerque the other night. I could hardly wait to join the festivities, via zoom, and when the long-awaited time came, I was there. And when Wyatt, of Bookworks, posted the link in chat, so I could order my very own copy of her new book, Atomic Paradise, I clicked.
Imagine my surprise the next morning when I got up and there was an email from Wyatt at Bookworks double-checking to be sure I had ordered the correct book, as I had ordered a different book, and he wanted to be sure I wanted that one v. Jules’ book. My response was, of course, immediate. I wanted Jules’ book.
What I didn’t pay attention to when ordering, because I was really paying attention to the reading, is that Wyatt, or someone, also posted the link to a related book. I clicked on the wrong link. Fortunately, I’d asked a question about getting my copy signed, and when I ordered the book I thanked Wyatt and the store for making the reading available via Zoom, and I looked forward to my signed copy.
Now, if I’d done that with one of the large bookstores, I’d have received the wrong book in the mail in two weeks. Now, thanks to Wyatt, I’ll receive the correct book.
Indie bookstores take care of their customers. I’ve dealt with them for years. I also deal with the big stores, too, but I’m willing to bet 95% of my books come from indie bookstores.
Use your Indie Bookstore. Yes, you can buy it for less from one of the larger stores, but the Indie Stores are owned by your neighbors. And, should you live in one of those cultural deserts without a local, Indie Bookstore, I recommend Bookworks in Albuquerque or Adventures Underground in Richland WA They have websites and know how to mail a book or a game, or anything else they have you want. Honest. Trust me.
I must also state our local Barnes & Noble Bookseller, is a great fan of local authors, and stock their books when possible, and will hold readings and signings when Covid again allows. The staff of our local B&N treat the customers more like an Indie store than a chain store. They’re marvelous.
Photo of the Week:
Cyberwit.net sent me this cover for my approval. I’m assuming that means they’re going to publish the book. The painting is from a street mural in Frederick, Maryland. It is called The Unfound Door painted by William Cochran Studios and I have their permission to use the photo. There is a story about this painting, it is with the title poem, The Bride’s Gate. Mr. Cochran thought it great.
Status of The Bride’s Gate &c: They have sent the cover for my blessing. I blessed it. So am assuming I’ll be receiving the proof copies soon.
Netflix:
Got hooked on another K-Drama, Navillera (2021). Two things stand out in this movie: 1. The question of what makes you happy? 2. You’re never too old to pursue your dreams! Yes, the computer and search engines are wonderful; “Navillera means beautiful with some soft. In the Joseon Dynasty, they use the word when …watching traditional dance.” It was a one season show and I binged it. The 70-year-old man always wanted to be a ballerino and finally decided to take lessons. His dream was to dance, on stage, in Swan Lake. The arrogant kid was made his teacher. Oh, yeah, you can guess some of it, but I don’t remember ever crying as much in the last episodes as I did in this—I cried for sad, I cried for happy, I laughed out loud. One of the best series ever. It may be available in English, but I always watch movies/series in the language filmed in with English sub-titles. One of the most beautiful series I’ve ever seen. If it ever comes available for purchase, I want a copy. Trailer.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it, and post my review at Rainy Day Reads
Deaf Republic: Poems—by Ilya Kaminski. One of the best books of poetry I’ve ever read. Blew my socks off! Read my review.
Quotes of the Week:
“You see, bookshops are dreams built of wood and paper. They are time travel and escape and knowledge and power. They are, simply put, the best of places.” —Jen Campbell
“I have gone to [this bookshop] for years, always finding the one book I wanted—and then three more I hadn’t known I wanted.” —Mary Ann Shaffer
And there you have it, gentle readers. My week of excitement. I hope your week brought you as much joy as mine did me. Sammy Brave Dog and I wish you a great week coming. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and watch a new kind of movie, stretch your imagination a bit. 😉
Weather in the Tries: I thought it was going to start to cool down a bit, but no, we’re still getting uber warm temps, and now we’re getting high numbers on our AQI scores. Like up in the 170s- Unhealthy for children and other living things!
Public Service Announcement #1:
If you’re going to bake, using flour, do not wear a black tee shirt.
Public Service Announcement #2:
If you’re going to be sifting powdered sugar to get all the lumps out, do not wear a black tee shirt.
Public Service Announcement #3:
If you’re going to insist on such foolishness in the heat of summer—make it good and have fun creating it!
Peesmo and Other Famous People:
I love British humor, and British TV. Several years ago, we imported a Brit to run a talk show on CNN, I think he took Larry King’s place. Now, Larry King was good at what he did, but I didn’t particularly care for him. But I didn’t dislike him, I just preferred his competition, but I was eager to see his replacement as I’d heard a lot about him, Piers Morgan. So, when I remembered, I tuned in to watch. As luck would have it, Morgan wasn’t there, but some guy who would introduce himself as Pees Mo, except he said all together and it sounded, to me, like Peesmo. (I did wonder if he had a prostate problem or UTI, but not my worry.) Anyhow, I didn’t care a lot for this guy, so I would quit watching after a few minutes. It took me quite a while to figure out it was Piers Morgan! He’s an Other Famous Person. I truly don’t understand why. But then, I never understood the Kardashians, either.
Enter Simone Biles. Now THAT young lady Has my respect Seven ways to Sunday! She suffered with the “twisties” so withdrew both for her own health, and for her team. That had to have been a difficult decision, but a necessary one. Uh, what are “twisties”?
After reading what I could find, I think it’s a form of vertigo. If she’s doing stuff, especially in the air, that could be not just dangerous, but lethal. She had worked hard to get where she is, she is no slouch, and I commend her for having both the self-awareness and the courage to withdraw, but to remain and cheer her team on, and to share in their accomplishments rather than to suck it up and go out and drag the team down with her, or worse. What a shame Peesmorless didn’t do a bit of research before opening his racist and ignorant mouth and inserting both dirty feet.
She is a consummate athlete, highly trained, extremely skilled. She’s been working for this her whole life. If she withdraws, people should listen to her, and support her, not make stupid remarks that border on racism, and proudly show their ignorance of the sport of gymnastics and the athletes who perform it.
Cheers and gold medals to Simone Biles for being in tune with her body and listening and having the guts to do what’s right for her and her team.
A muzzle on Peesmo.
Photo of the Week:
BeforeAfter
It was a Margarita Cake. It was triple digits outside when I made the lime curd, the candied limes, and the icing. It was triple digits outside when I baked the cake. In my black tee shirt. It was worth it. The group loved the cake.
I’m excited:
I think I’m excited, but I’m trying not to be at this point, but I think Cyberwit.net is going to publish my book, The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings: An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers. They at least asked to see it 😉
Netflix: I finished Sense8. What a story! What a roller coaster ride! Like a really good who done it, we don’t find out what’s really going on until the last episode, and then all is made clear. There is a lot of nudity, sex—heterosexual and homosexual, violence—very improbable, some suicide, language bombs, and many laughs. I mean really good belly laughs
Books:
Not much reading this week, working on my own projects, though I have started Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. So far, I’m enjoying the heck out of it. Wonder why I haven’t read it earlier…
Quote of the Week:
“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” – Roy Disney
And so another week has passed. It’s been busy, and warm, and warmer, but Sammy Brave Dog and I have made it through, and hope you have, too. And I apologize for you not getting notices the last two weeks. I didn’t realize the notification wasn’t working, but once I found out, Web Mistress Barb went to work and got it fixed. We hope. 😉
Hoo Boy! According to my phone (would my phone ever lie to me?) we’re headed back to the triple digits this week, with Thu, Fri, Sat being 104, 106, 106 respectively. On Fri and Sat I have to bake a cake, &c and have it ready to go first thing Sunday. Now, if it was just any cake, for any book group, I’d go to Desserts by Kelly and call it good. But this is a long-promised Margarita Cake with tequila (not baked, added later), lime curd (cook it on the stove) and cream cheese icing. And it’s for my book group, and they’re special. One even donated the tequila with plenty left over for the baker! And, yes, there is salt on top of the icing.
So, what’s gone on this week?
Lots of stuff, and not much.
My Sister of Choice and her husband who just happens to be my Brother of Choice (SOC n BOC) live in Seattle, and drove to Walla Walla for a wine tour, they stopped on their way to WW and took me out to dinner at the 3 Eyed Fish. A nice wine bar and bistro, then off they went.
My friend, Mary Curry, who proofed the final version of The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings: An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers finished and returned it, and I got all the wee nits taken care of that a fresh set of eyes caught. I then wrote a short synopsis (how the heck does one write a synopsis about a book of discrete poems, stories, and memoirs/opinions?) and sent it, the first 40 pages of 170 pages, and the cover art to Cyberwit.net who published Marking the Hours in December. I’m now waiting on their response. In the meantime, I’m working on other writings.
On Saturday, my SOC n BOC stopped on their way home, and we went to brunch before they continued their trip to Seattle. Lots of good gossip, good food, and plenty of oh-so-good laughs!
Today, Sunday, I watched this week’s episode of Hospital Playlist and two episodes of Sense8. I still don’t really understand a lot of Sense8, but it’s one heck of a ride. I trust the writers/directors. Kind of like I don’t have a clue how a roller coaster works, but I trust the builders and the operators and the mechanics, get in, sit down, buckle up, and scream like hell all the way to the end when I get off with a face split in half by the biggest grin I can manage! (Yes, I love things like roller coasters, but will never, ever again, go on a Ferris wheel. I’m terrified of them, thanks to my dearly beloved ex.)
And I got a bit more house rearranged since getting all of my mom’s stuff. I do fairly well at stuffing ten pounds of stuff in a five-pound sack, if I do say so myself. 😉
Photo of the Week:
A very cold winter shot. That’s ice on the Columbia. It was cold, foggy, icy. And, did I mention it was cold? A perfect foto for a hot summer day, eh?
Entertainment:
Netflix: Am getting very frustrated that Hospital Playlist is releasing them one episode a week. Though I must admit this last one was the saddest I’ve seen. I’ve become very invested in the characters.
Sense8 is the roller coaster ride of series. Get in, buckle up, and scream like hell.
Next up: I’ve heard good things about Good Omens. I think it’s on Prime TV.
Books: Many years ago, I read a marvelous book, The Unredeemed Captive by John Demos. A history/biography of Eunice Williams who was taken by the Native Americans when she was eight years old, along with many of her village. Later, when she had the opportunity to return to her father (a minister) and family, she refused. She did, eventually visit them with her Native husband, but had no reason to return to the stifling life of a Puritan woman. I read several books in that time frame of white women who refused to ‘redeem’ themselves back to the European community for a variety of reasons.
My friend, Gayle Lauradunn spent several years researching and writing a book of poems, All the Wild and Holy: A Live of Eunice Williams 1696-1785. I received my copy, and devoured it in one sitting. I have yet to write my review, but hope to have it up soon. If you are at all interested in history of that time, get a copy and read it. It’s wonderful. ISBN: 978-0-821053-28-6, published by FootHills Publishing.
I’m also reading a marvelous book of poems, An Insomniac’s Slumber Party with Marilyn Monroe by Heidi Seaborn. Great fun, as the title suggests.
Writing: I’m working on a long poem, working title is Black is… and have written a few shorter pieces, including another poem about Daddy. I have written about 160 poems since 1 Jan 21.
Quote of the Week:
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist.” —Oscar Wilde
Sammy Brave Dog is loving this heat. He is, after all, from the Chihuahua desert. I’m not complaining, but admit I like the warmer days when we actually have cooler nights. The cool of Fall and the cold of Winter will be here soon enough. So Auntie Lenora and SBD wish you a most wonderful week, full of good friends, good food, and funny jokes!
Weather in the Tries: Looks like we be in for some haze (smoke?) for a couple days, highs in the upper 90s, then it clears and our temps are low 90s and upper 80s. With our lows (allegedly) dropping into the high 50s! Much more reasonable than the last couple weeks 😉
My Doppelgangers:
I seem to have two doppelgangers. The first is an actress/model. Starting when I was in my late teens, early twenties, friends would ask me when I’d gone to Hollywood to work in this show or that film. Even my family would ask these questions. Say, what? The funny thing is, I’d seen the show and didn’t recognize “me” at all. Then one day years later, I bought my mom a funny card. She was in hospice, and I looked for funny cards for her. She was sure I was the model in the card, positive. So positive, she told all the nurses in the hospital it was me. So much for the wise mother, eh? When I came to visit, they asked about it, and wanted to know how to do their own card. They agreed with mom, the photo was of me. Whoever this gal is, she is aging about like me, too. Because I still get asked every now and then if I was in this or that tv show. I haven’t a clue who she is, but I’m glad she’s having fun in The Business.
My other doppelganger is different. We don’t look all that much alike, but the rest of the similarities are striking. I met her through Facebook.
Lori Desrosiers is a poet, and we have several friends in common, so when she requested we be friends, I agreed. Then told her Lori has been my nickname since 3d grade, because no child could pronounce my name, Lenora, with their soft palates (it came out Anora, Canora, Banora, etc.). Turns out, Lori’s real name is Lenora, but she’s gone by Lori since a child and still uses it. Her parents decided Lenora was too much for kids to say.
Lori has published poetry books, I have published poetry books, hers are by a Poet, mine are by a Wannabe. By the way, I’ve read a couple of her books, and they’re very nice and well done. Published by Salmon Press in Ireland. I haven’t reached that level of expertise yet. Anyhow, check out the Book section below for reviews of two of her books.
We both learned of Reveille and Taps at our respective summer camps, we both took violin lessons in school—the difference being I had a really good violin to use, but no ear for music; she had a student violin to use, and an ear for music. She sings on key, I sing tenor—tenor twelve miles away, and even then it’s iffy.
Her childhood BFF was named Valerie Clark. My adult BFF for the last 60 years is named Valerie Clark.
Do you have a Doppelganger? Have you met this person? Do you know who s/he is? Where s/he lives? How do you feel about it?
Photo of the Week:
The Junk was my mom’s pride and joy (after the Ming Dynasty teacup and saucer), most of the knickknacks on the shelf were hers, and the statues on either side of the Junk. There are small tables, coromandel pictures, etc. The painting to the side is by my uncle, her brother. The Junk is sitting on my Chinese altar table.
If you liked the mind-bending sequences of the Matrix movies, you need to check outSense8.Great fun. Created and written by the Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads.
Writing: The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings, An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers. is at the proofreader’s. At this rate, it should be available in plenty of time for Christmas. You can buy it for gifts—for yourself and for friends.
And so, Auntie Lenora, Doppelganger Actress and Doppelganger Lori, and Sammy Brave Dog, who is sure his doppelganger is a Dragon, all wish you a great week full of joy and happiness and good things to eat (calorie-free, of course!).
Weather in the Tries: Well, we get more Hot weather from low 90s to 102 for the highs and down in the 60s for the lows. Unless, of course, that butterfly in Beijing starts doing the Salsa with his buddies.
The Almost Chinese Incident:
My mother’s name was Verona “Vera” Mae McBrayer. Then she married Daddy and added Good, then a few years after their divorce she met and married Lyle G. “Sandy” Sanderson. I put all the names there in case someone says, “Hey, I used to know someone like her.” Who knows, maybe it is. Was. Whatever.
Mom always loved all things Chinese, starting when she was a kid. (By the way, there may be a pop quiz worth 100% of your grade by the end, so pay attention to all these disparate parts.) When a child she found a nearly perfect Chinese red teacup and saucer at a garage sale for a dime. I say nearly perfect because the glaze had cracked all over and only the encrusted dirt held it together. She loved that cup and saucer. I was seldom allowed to look at it as I might get greasy eye marks all over it. I was never allowed to touch it!
By the time she learned to draw and paint, she was copying the Chinese style of art. She loved cooking Chinese food. That was her primary hobby, and during WWII when she couldn’t buy water chestnuts, she learned to make her own out of new potatoes! (Peel them, slice them, soak them in sugar water for an hour or more.)
As she could, she collected Chinese and Asian artifacts. Beautiful things of carved stone. She collected art. She collected friends. After I moved out of the house, she decided to take Chinese language lessons and enrolled at the Chinese Benevolent Society in Seattle for same. She became the first, and possibly the only, European woman to be elected secretary of the Society. And she met people, including the Chinese Consulate and his wife and entourage.
Now, mom and Sandy lived in a very nice house, I’m guessing 1920s architecture, and the kitchen was large with glass doors on all the cabinets. Mom loved to cook, and as noted above, loved to cook Chinese food and she and Sandy had the Consulate and group to the house for dinner one night. Mom was in the kitchen cooking. The Consulate came in to talk to her. That was fine, she enjoyed the company, but then he started looking in her cupboard. Mom’s back stiffened. Two things my mom couldn’t stand—people getting into her things, and people insisting on helping her cook.
He opened the cupboard door. Mom debated whether that was worth an international incident. Then, he touched her most prized possession in the whole wide world—her cracked glaze teacup. He not only touched it, he had the temerity to lift it and the saucer out of the cupboard. Mom looked at the knife she was just slicing veggies with.
“Vera, may I have some silver polish and a rag, please?”
Poor mom. Not only was he holding her most prize possession (hint: higher value than me, I’m sure) now he wanted to polish it? To take a chance and dislodge that cracked glaze? How big an incident would it be to use the knife and rescue her prized teacup?
She handed him the polish and a clean rag, and even managed a smile. He started working on the bottom of one of the pieces. Smiled like a Chinese Cheshire Cat and said, “Hah! I thought so. Ming Dynasty, silver inlay. Now, you finish polishing after we all go home.” He carefully put her cup and saucer back in the cupboard, then went on with his conversation.
Mom’s back relaxed. Dinner was a success! Imagine, buying a Ming Dynasty cup and saucer, in perfect condition, for a dime! Imagine thinking that tarnished silver was dirt!
I had totally forgotten this story until a couple days ago.
After mom died, Sandy remarried, and then Peggy died, and he chanced upon his grade-school sweetheart, Emma who was also widowed. They married and had a few years together before he died. Now you may recall that Mother had collected several artifacts. When she died, they were to go to the Chinese Museum in Seattle. I’m not sure if it was Wing Luke or the Seattle Asian Art Museum, but I think the latter. I was never told for sure, only that they were donated, and forgot about them. Until some time after Sandy died when Emma contacted me to return some of my mom’s things. I saw a couple other items in the house and recognized them, but figured Sandy had bought them for Mom, and figured he’d give them to Emma. And they were in a good home and being enjoyed.
Well, as happens, Emma died a while back, and her daughter called and brought several items that were Mom’s, including the few pieces I’d seen in the house earlier. Very few pieces, the museum must have taken 90-95% of the pieces she donated. So now I am trying to get my little apartment re-vamped and organized to make room for all the new stuff including the model of the Junk. She loved that Junk. I think when the house is rearranged, it will find a home on my Chinese Altar table.
Photo of the Week:
Mom’s prized Junk. The case is 30″ x 34″ by 14″
Gracious: I saw something on my window and looked. A baby, or small, bat was climbing down the screen. I went outside to see and couldn’t find him. Tiny, he was scrunched in the corner of the screen and window. Somehow, he’d gotten inside the screen, between it and the window. I managed to get the screen off, and he flew away. THEN I thought of my camera. Sigh. Why was Bat out at 3:00 on a sunny day?
Entertainment:
Netflix: Still enjoying my Korean series, Hospital Playlist. And have startedSense8.If you liked the Matrix movies, I think you’ll like this series, though so far, I haven’t been given the choice of a red or green pill. But there are drugs, and I can pretty much guarantee that what you see isn’t what was there. Great fun. Directed by the Wachowskis (Lana and Lilly). Written by J. Michael Straczynski.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads.
Finished Dead Heat —by Patricia Briggs. Number four in the Alpha Omega series. Took me two days to read it only because I started reading it at night, in bed. Would you do anything to live forever? There’s a price to pay for that, you know. You get to say ‘goodbye’ to too many people as they grow old and die. Joseph was an old man, dying. His father wanted Joseph’s best friend to ‘turn’ him, make him a were like they are. But the Morrock has said no one can be turned against their will and live. Dad pleaded with his son, but his son refused. Dad pleaded with son’s best friend, Charles, son and enforcer of the Morrock. Tricky, tricky situation. Throw an Omega into the mix and just be sure the cinch is tight, because you’re heading off on the ride of a lifetime.
Writing: The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings, An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers. is just about complete and ready to go to be proofread. At this rate, it should be available in plenty of time for Christmas. You can buy for gifts, for yourself and friends.
OK, I lied about the pop quiz. Too hard to collect all the answers, then give a grade. Sammy says I’m a pushover. What can I say? Have a great week, stay safe, stay cool, stay hydrated and we’ll see you again next week. Honest. Trust me.
Public Service Announcement (or brags if you prefer):
Quill and Parchment online literary magazine published two of my poems this month.
The newsletter, Writing Women: by, for, and about published a recording of me reading my short story, “The Assassin.” It’s about 5 minutes long.
If you’re on Facebook, Poets’ Brew(Yakima Coffeehouse Poets) published my poem, “Commas.”
Apologies?:
Was scrolling through Facebook and came across an article posted by a friend, Amsterdam mayor apologises for city’s role in slave trade on BBC News. I read the article, and it seemed pretty straight forward. (“apologises” is the Euro spelling)
Someone added in the Comment section on Facebook that apologies are not enough.
It got me to thinking, and believe me, in the heat of our past few days, that’s no easy task! What else could they do? Do todays Amsterdammers have any idea how many people they stole, bought, shipped, sold? Possibly. And there is, as the mayor said, no one alive today who was there at the time.
And what about me? Do I stand and stare straight ahead, and apologize for my ancestors who owned slaves, forced the Cherokee onto the Trail of Tears, the Catawba off their land? Then, do I move to stand in front of where I just stood, do an about face, stare straight back to where I stood, and accept the apology?
My ancestors owned slaves. They forced the Cherokee off their land. They stole land from the Catawba. They undoubtedly raped the women whether red or dark brown. That was the way it was back then (not so terribly different today, actually). They supported the forced kidnapping of Native children to be raised far from home, from comfort, forbade them their language, their clothes, their food, abused them any way they wanted. Forced them to become “Good little Indians.”
My ancestors were beaten. Raped. Forced off their lands onto reservations, land no one wanted (until oil or gold were found) by my ancestors. Are you confused yet? That’s OK, I am, too.
What I’m trying to say is that if the mayor made a genuine, heartfelt apology, I think it should be accepted. At least it is an acknowledgment of a wrongdoing by her ancestors. It’s a complicated situation. The majority of my ancestors were “white” Europeans, but I also have African and Native American (Catawba—Sioux & Cherokee stock). To whom do I apologize? From whom do I accept an apology?
When in probably 6th grade, I went on a trip with my grandparents, Grandma pointed out Chemawa Indian School as we passed it on the way through Salem, OR. She patiently answered my questions about what was it? etc. Of course, the answers were “whitewashed” but I was told it was where the Indian children were brought to receive a good education, where they were taught to be “Good little Indians.” Well, innocent me, I thought it was where they were taught about being Indians, what it meant, what their tribal histories were, etc. I began to plot. I knew where the school was. It was only, at most, a two-day hike from home. Could I sneak in? Could I, too, learn to become a “Good little Indian?” Even though my tribe was across the country, could I pass? Truly, I plotted, I planned (I may not have been a good little Indian, but I was a good Girl Scout. I even knew how to make a backpack out of a pair of jeans, and what plants I could and could not eat on my trek.).
Then I found out from someone, probably one of my teachers and the library, that to become “Good little Indians” they learned to become maids and farm hands. Can’t you just picture Auntie Lenora as some lady’s maid? (It’s OK, you may take time to laugh. I’ll wait.)
According to the www,Chemawa Indian Schoolis still there, still functioning, but functioning as it should be, not as originally intended. By now, I’ve got way too much gray hair to sneak in 😉
From the site: “The school has thousands of successful graduates and today is home to over 400 students and is coeducational. Despite its original goals of educating Native Americans into US society, traditional Indian culture is taught as well.
“The school carries on its traditions of education and First Peoples culture in harmony. It has a history of successful athletics and academics as well.”
Photo of the Week:
A small Anthurium flower a neighbor gave me when he moved. The flower is 2″ from the tip to the bottom of the wings.
Entertainment:
Netflix: Still enjoying my Korean series, Hospital Playlist. Hospital Playlist isn’t a soap, it isn’t a drama, I never watched Gray’s Anatomy so I can’t say how it would compare. It is a fun show, following 5 doctors. Some drama, not every patient survives, but a lot of laughs woven in. And toward the end of each episode, the 5 get together as a band. I think I’ll classify it as a Feel-Good series, though Wikipedia calls it a K-drama.
Books: Remember, when I finish a book, I review it at Rainy Day Reads.
Am maybe 20% through The Glass Constellation by Arthur Sze. Two good books going on at the same time. I think Auntie Lenora is going to get little else done but reading for a few hot days 😉
The book for my book group for June was Where The Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson. It has won several awards, including Finalist for the National Book Award. I did not finish it. I have a single criterion for reading fiction—I want to feel better for having read the book than not. I want if not happy ever after, a satisfactory end. I read too much non-fiction for sad. This book was well written, and if the purpose was to show how unlovable the protagonist was, he succeeded. I couldn’t like anyone in the book. I read a bit more than half, then skipped to the last three chapters and read them. We know from the get-go the girl is going to die. I dunno. If any of you read it, and have some ideas, I’m willing to entertain them, but I’d give it a thumbs down. In which case this is the only review I’ll write of it.
Writing: The Bride’s Gate and Other Assorted Writings, An Eclectic Reader for Eclectic Readers is just about complete and ready to go to be proofread. At this rate, it should be available in plenty of time for Christmas. You can buy copies for gifts, for yourself, and for friends.
Quote of the Week:
“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.” -Kimberly Howard
Sammy Brave Dog and his Human both got a little warm this past week, but cooler days are ahead. At least for the foreseeable future. Even though I did not find the calorie-free ice cream, I did enjoy some Ben & Jerry’s 😉 Have a great week, enjoy the weather, stay safe, and we’ll see you next week. Honest. Trust me.
