Weather in the Tries: Looks like we’re gonna be coved with clouds a couple days, and then Thursday, we get sun for a couple of days, then play hide and seek a day or two. Phone is subject to change, as is the weather. As I write this, it’s 33 outside. I’m Thankful I have a warm bed, a warm dog, and a warm apartment in which to be. There’s gonna be frost on the unpicked pumpkins this week. Brrrrrrrrrr!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving: Many, if not most, Indigenous Peoples do not celebrate this day. African Americans celebrate it but for slightly different reasons. It is, primarily a holiday for the Euro Americans. Truth be told, I think the day should be celebrated as a National Day of Gluttony, but no one listens to me.
I’m thankful for a whole lot of things—far more than things I’m not thankful for. My partial list of Thankfulness contains the above mentioned things, but also for Libraries who allow the homeless in to get warm, the restaurants who put their edible ‘leftovers’ out every day at the same time so the homeless/unhoused know to come and eat. I’m thankful for the internet, and the ability to use it, well at least sorta use it. I’m thankful for my plethora of friends, and those friends I haven’t met yet but know that I will. And I’m thankful for things like modern sewing machines, people who make quilt patterns, people who teach quilt patterns, and people who make fabrics and threads to use with quilt patterns. And restaurants and their workers and…well, you get the idea. I’m not thankful for wars, but am thankful for those who go to treat the wounded, report on them. I’m not thankful for diseases, but am thankful for those who develop meds, etc, to treat the diseases. And I’m so very, very, very thankful for groups like End of Life Washington. They do a tremendous good. (And my EBOC Thomas is turning over in his urn at all the ‘very’ used above! He’s raising his hands to cover his ears and groaning that he taught me better. I’m also thankful for memories.)
I hope you have an even longer list (aren’t you glad I didn’t list everything?) of Thankfuls as Thursday approaches. And do, please, remember those who may not have such a long list as you, maybe slip a few dollars in your pocket before you head out the door to shop for Auntie Lenora’s Winter Gift, offer a bill or two to a homeless person you see. That’s the bestest gift you can give Auntie Lenora this year. Oh, one more thing, if you haven’t already read The Wizard of Pigeons by Meghan Lindholm, please get a copy and read it. Oh, Auntie Lenora is gonna have a great winter this year!! Thank you, so very much!!
And, if you don’t really celebrate Thanksgiving because you’re Native American, or African American, or just don’t want to, you might like a poem by my EBOC Thomas, Hey Columbus!A copy is published by Tuesday Poem on Tuesday, October 29, 2013. If you go to the page, you can see and hear Thomas read the poem. The video is at the bottom of the page.
From the Paws of the Brave Dog: Bet I won’t get pie, and dressing, or turkey. I’d whine, but I know I’ll get pumpkin and brown crunchy brown bits. I am thankful my human chose me out of all the dogs looking for a new home. She says she is thankful I chose to come live with her.
Addenda: And I’m thankful that although I didn’t have a life of sex, drugs, and Rock n Roll, I’m still looking down at the grass at my age—and though I may be on a diet I can still look at the menu—and Mick Jagger. Hmm, wonder when his birthday is…maybe I can call and sing him the birthday song. Yes? (not sure who sent me the meme below, but many thanks!)
And I’m sorry to be so late in publishing this post. I was busy working on some of my Winter Gifts and totally spaced that yesterday was Sunday! I’m thankful for a, a, … well whatever it is, I’m thankful for it.
Weather in the Tries: Favorite Daughter has done her bit to convince the weather gods to send no more snow this winter—she bought a snow blower. And her Favorite Mother has done her bit to see to it we get no more ice—she bought a set of YakTrax. Of course, they aren’t here, yet. Looks like our lows for the next week are in the upper 30s except for a couple that will dip to freezing, but barely. And our highs are on schedule to be mid-to-upper 40s all week. A couple days with sun breaks, one with rain, and one day with sunshine! We really do need the weatherman to come up from Tucson for a month or two and start giving us our sunshine back. This is the desert, y’know what I mean, Jelly Bean?? Sunshine, not clouds, not rain. Typical Seattle weather. But typical Seattle weather belongs on the Dark Side of the Cascades, not the Light Side where I live!!
Spare! There is a new book out, Spare. It took a few nanoseconds for the somewhat familiar face on the cover to register. I first thought it was about the little black dress. Well, I certainly no longer need a spare LBD in my closet. In the first place, I’m not so little anymore, in the second place, I don’t need any LBDs for my wardrobe as I’m retired. Now, a spare pair of dungarees… Then I thought maybe it was about tires. Now I do have a spare tire, it’s worn where I used to have a waist and is known as a love handle. I’d rather not have that spare, but… Then I recognized the face. And then the reviews started coming in. OMG, are we to be subject to another Narcissistic Victim whine and cry? It’s not his fault he came second instead of first, it’s not his fault he was born to privilege and feels guilt from everyone not born to his privilege, oh, oh, oh, woe is the Spare. Harry, darlin’ if you want sympathy, it’s in the dictionary between stuff and syphilis. Before you bare your soul to the printed page, whining and crying about your heartaches and how you diss your family and they finally got to the point they’ve decided to be grown-ups and ignore you, don’t whine, cry, sob, etc. Go see a licensed therapist, preferably one in your home country who has an idea, no matter how far-fetched, of your family and personal woes. Watch the classic movie, Gone With the Wind one more time, and pay special attention to Rhett Butler’s signature line. Memorize it. In fact, here it is: “Frankly, my Spare, I don’t give a damn!” I do care that you hurt, but I’m not a psychiatrist; I can’t help you, the American public can’t help you, other than pour alms into your outstretched hands. I doubt the people of Britain can help you, either, beyond the adding of more alms in pay for your confession of being mere boy human, who perceives great wrongs by friends and family. You do hurt, but until you accept where you fit into the cause of the pain, you will always hurt. There is no magic pill, no panacea, only you can heal your wound. Or, if you prefer memes, here’s an oldy but goody: “Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys.” You do have joys, do you not? I’m quite positive that answer is a ‘yes’—expound upon those joys, Harry. Help Rhett change his saying to something like, ‘Frankly, my Spare, I’d love to hear more. Would you like a cuppa?’ I just realized that Harry wrote the book with a ghost writer and the book is filled with inaccuracies and untruths. Apparently, the ghost writer was George Santos writing under one of his thousand and one pseudonyms.
Kitchen Hack: Out of cream or milk for coffee, hot or cold cereal? Have I got a hack for you! Use ice cream. Any flavor works, and if you’re fixing breakfast for the kidlets, they will love you forever, but don’t use the ice cream forever, just once in a while as a special treat.
Photos of the Week:
The Boys Club has returned, of course I don’t know it’s the same group of drakes that hung around all summer, but… I was taking the second photo as they decided to go check out the hens at the other pond. Before I could get them in flight, they’d all flown off. You can see them starting to take off in this photo Especially the first one on the left and the top one on the right. They all took off basically as one. And they are noisy when they fly, sound like a helicopter warming up as they flap their little wings— whomp, whomp, whomp.Know what this is? It’s the Rotisserie Chicken bin at Costco. THE CUPBOARD WAS BARE! Had to wait 10, maybe 15 minutes, before they emptied one of the rotisserie ovens. If you’ve never seen how they do it, it’s pretty nifty. Guy number one takes a stack of the black trays and deals them out on the big table, three rows until the table is filled. As soon as he’s got a few down, Guy number 2 starts bringing the spits over with three chickens each. As soon as Guy number one is finished with the black trays, he’s back at the beginning putting the tops on, and then putting them in the bin. In all my years of going to Costco, I have never seen the chicken bin empty. The gal next to me, also waiting, says it happens to her more often than not. The chicken is worth the wait.
Entertainment: Books Read: If I finish it, I review it: https://lenoragood.blogspot.com Still reading Meru by S.B. Divya. It’s a long book at 475 pages, and I’m about 50% through. It’s quite a read. The more I read, the more I like it! I’ve already pre-ordered the sequel, due out in 2024!
Movies & TV: Am now in Season 4 of Babylon 5. I remember watching it 20 years ago and loved it. But I had forgotten so much. I’m watching it all over again for the first time. I miss Kosh. One episode had a news cast with one of ‘These Days in History’ parts, and in 2018 the first part of the foundation for a Moon colony had been laid. OMG! We were such optimists way back when this was written.
Sammy Brave Dog Says: He’s mighty grateful the days are some warmer and as long as it isn’t raining (which belongs on the Dark Side) he hopes to start taking his human on some walks. At least around the complex. Maybe even some exploring of the other streets. After all,he says, I am a desert dog from Chihuahua!
Weather in the Tries: I am pleased, actually some more than pleased, to tell you it didn’t get down to 12F last week. However, this coming Thursday it’s scheduled to get town to 3F for our low and 12F FOR OUR HIGH! Then, again, I refuse to panic just yet. One, nothing I can do about it but snuggle in bed with the dog, and two, the weather is more than likely gonna change.
I still say we should borrow the weather person from Tucson, or Las Cruces, just for the next 3 months or so. Then they can go back home for the rest of the year.
You do know the New Year is almost here, don’t you? And that it comes one week to the day after the 25th of December? Every year Christmas and New Year’s fall on the same dates, yet so many people seem so surprised when they roll around every year at the same time.
I’m not surprised, but I’m also not ready. I have most, if not all, of the mailable packages ready to mail, and tomorrow, I hope to finish the baking. I’m seriously considering mailing everything after the 25th, so no postal person will feel an obligation to get them delivered before the 25th. A poetry friend says I’ve got until 6 Jan to get them mailed. Twelve days and all that. She’s become my new BFF;-)
I think this commercial showed up in a FB link, but I’m not positive. For some reason I watched it, and shared it on FB, and I’m delighted I did. I believe it was Sir Laurence Olivier who commented many years ago when TV was just coming into his own, that he truly wished they would stop interrupting the commercials with the programs. The really good acting was in the commercials! I do believe he was correct. There are a few commercials that in a minute or less have reduced me to tears. The Folger’s commercial where Peter gets leave and comes home for Christmas is one. And now this one. I’m so grateful for the www and search engines. I can watch some truly great acting any time I want. And this is one I will watch several times—and probably cry each time. (The first time I watched it I sobbed for five minutes! It’s now down to snivels.) Watch this, all the way to the end. https://tekdeeps.com/the-jb-ad-in-which-a-grandfather-learns-to-put-on-makeup-to-receive-his-trans-granddaughter-for-christmas/?fbclid=IwAR0tAQkn1JGdzdLrQfQU1c7vaZ_Fh6UfKzuK8SD6n2bzKNLopiV0k6XxKWAOf course, when the New Year rolls around, it’s time for a lot of new things. Rearrange the living room, get the office organized, clean out the refrigerator, change the look of your blog… Yes, sometime between now and 1 Jan 23, my Blog Guru and I (actually, she) will change a few things. Like a new photo instead of the escaping pelican, some new pages, including my MOVIE/TV reviews. I’m leaving the old page up, but not maintaining it, am moving to this site, where I can not only add new reviews, but change/correct stuff the old page won’t let me do. No longer will I be limited to 150 words. No longer will Netflix be the default.
Photo of the Week:
My Christmas Tree is packed somewhere and I can’t find it. I’m pretending this cedar is my tree.
Books of the Week: https://lenoragood.blogspot.com/ I will continue to maintain the book blog where it is. It’s kind of nice keeping track of how many books I’ve read, especially since starting the blog in 2012 (645). Alas, all my reading has been online, I haven’t picked a book up, not even an ebook, in weeks. If you’re looking for something, feel free to prowl around my book blog. With 645 reviews, you’re bound to find something to read.
Movies & TV: It’s gonna be above, so stay tuned—changes, New Year, remember? In the meantime, you can go to my old movie review blog at https://rainydaysmovieoftheweek.blogspot.com/ I won’t be maintaining this blog, but there are a few reviews there, starting in 2011.
In the meantime, I’m still on Season 1 of Babylon 5. I’d forgotten how absolutely wonderful this show was and still is.
Happy Holidays
to you all. I just looked up one site that lists at least 17 Winter Holidays celebrated worldwide ( https://blog.remitly.com/lifestyle-culture/winter-holidays/ ). I’ve seen other sites which list something like 25. So I wish you Happy Holidays, with sincere wishes, hugs, and love, no matter what one/s you worship.
Sunday (today) and Monday are the only two days scheduled to be above freezing. Monday is scheduled to be sunny, all the other days are scheduled to be cloudy, BUT so far, no more snow or serious rain scheduled. The low is gonna be too low 27 down to 12F; the high at 30F down to 20F. Wear your long johns.
Never Insult Your Computer for, Like Dragons, They Have Long Memories and They Get Even!!!:
Dear Computer, I don’t know what I did to upset you, if you will tell me, I’ll do what I can to make it up to you.
Gentle Readers, I have checked all the boxes I can find that say something to the effect that I would like a notice when someone comments on one of my blogs. I do try to go in and check, but once the newer blog is posted, I don’t go back. I just went in to the back of the blog, you know, where the gray-haired dude is standing behind a curtain, pulling levers, pushing buttons, and realized I had a bazillion ‘pending’ comments from people I didn’t know had commented. Sigh.
I offer most humble apologies, and I have approved you all, so you may once again comment and not have to go through such things as being approved. I have gotten a couple of people who phishing or otherwise being inappropriate, and I did not approve them, but reported them (to the man behind the curtain) as spam.
Actually, it’s probably the software, for I truly don’t think it’s my beloved computer. My computer knows how much I love and adore it.
Aggressive Invasive Species:
A friend posted a photo of a Eurasian Collared Dove waiting for the feeder to be filled. A person with a very Euro-centric name responded: “They are a very aggressive and invasive species.” I couldn’t help but laugh. But then I do wear this tee shirt:
I do take my humor where I can find it.
Photos of the Week:
The end of ThymeOur pond with the main pond in the right background
Books of the Week:
Would you believe I’m still reading, haven’t finished a single book!
Movies/TV Reviews of the Week:
Still watching Babylon 5, still on Season One. For those of you unfamiliar with Bab5, I think it’s one of the best SciFi series out there. It takes place on the last of a collection of huge space stations, open to Aliens from all over, as well, of course, to Terrans. Of course, we don’t have Cpt Kirk dashing off to every planet he comes across, because Bab5 is in stationary orbit. In fact, we don’t have Cpt Kirk at all. The mission of Babylon 5 is to promote peace and understanding between all the peoples of space. Takes place is 2258. And we don’t appear to have learned much 😉 However, the Bridge Officers must have gone to the same Officers Training School (OTS) that Kirk and Company attended. I will never understand why the script writers always send the high ranking members of the Bridge Officers (ie Captain, First Mate, etc.) to check out the bad guys—THAT is the job of the Marines! I know, I know. The stories are never about the Marines, only about the Bridge crew. We must have drama over realism. Oh, sigh.
Happy Holidays
No matter which holidays you worship, they probably contain the idea of the giving of gifts. May I remind you that Auntie Lenora is a writer of words, and has books for sale. They make excellent gifts, and are always the correct size. Please click on My Books, above for a list of the books. They are available through the big box store that fits in your computer, the publisher, or your favorite brick and mortar store, though they may have to be ordered.
Wowser!! Fall has done fell. Highs will be 60-61 and lows 43 to 38. It got cold enough the other night that I couldn’t sleep. Turned on my sheet warmer and it didn’t come on. Figured out the next day I was pushing the Off button. Sigh. We also had rain a couple times, but nothing is on the schedule, rain wise, this coming week. However, there will be clouds, so who knows? If one leaks, we’ll have a bit of wetness, which the Brave Dog DOES NOT LIKE!
Addendum to the Weather: Hoo Boy! Do we have rain. It was not forecast on my phone, but is now. If you live in the Tries, carry a bumpershoot and or rain gear with you. Sammy is sad.
Creams? Cosmetics? Botox?
It got noticeably colder, both at night and during the day. I was grateful for my leather jacket, and the heavy-duty hoodie my elder brother of choice (EB)C) gave me. It is way too big for me, but it’s warm! I can wear it inside and or outside. And, I suppose, if I wear it with the hood up, I’ll get funny looks from passers by;-)
Found a really fun site today (remember, I’m writing/posting this on Sunday), Goodbye Crop Top. It’s written by Wendy, in “response to a profound lack of women my age across the media landscape. I was 49 years old at the time and I noticed it was a rare thing to see women over 40 portrayed in a positive way in print, on television or across social media platforms.” She goes on to say that “Goodbye Crop Top is really just a metaphor for what to let go of and what to hold onto.”
Wendy even has podcasts for women over 50, which is not the new 40. Well, she’s still a heckuva lot younger than Auntie Lenora who is staring at 80 and on the downhill side, picking up momentum as she goes. I think the brakes are gone. But I like Wendy’s attitude. I’ve read some of her posts, and hope you will also give them a read.
I’ve watched/read many of the ads touting this or that to get rid of wrinkles, reverse aging, and anything else they can use to guilt us from enjoying our age. Hey! I’ve earned those wrinkles. They’re my friends. I’ve even named some of them. Get rid of them? That would be like getting rid of friends. Shoot them with a needle full of botulism toxins? Paralyze my face so I can no longer smile, laugh, move my eyebrows to full advantage. Just so I can convince myself I’m not almost 80? Fuggedabout it! So what if I suddenly look 10 years younger? I’m still a Crone.
I know a lot of women are worried about growing old, especially when the estrogen quits flowing and our bodies change, and we are no longer the sex kittens we used to think we were. We have entered the era of Crone. And I think that’s a great age in which to be. Nobody takes us seriously. But what the heck, did they ever? We can’t get pregnant 😉 (Been there, done that. And don’t want to repeat it!) No matter how hard I try, I’ll never have a body like Cher, so why not just relax and enjoy the one I’ve got? And wear clothes I like and that I’m comfortable in.
I can even wear purple and red togetherreams. And I do! And I eat pickles and bread. For those of you who have never read Warning by Jenny Joseph, or who have forgotten it, it begins, “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple” I believe it is still under copyright, so please go here to read it all the way through.
So, if you’re worried about looking older, give up your crop top and laugh! The crop top was never your thing, anyhow. I’m sorry, I know I wasn’t supposed to tell you… Stop buying all those potions and do-called beauty and anti-aging things. You’ll have a lot more money and you can spend it on important things—like books!
Finished The Raven Song: A Novel (A Conspiracy of Magic Book 2) —by Luanne G. Smith. I read book one, The Raven Spell some time ago, and loved it, and found this book to be great fun. I also read and thoroughly enjoyed The Vine Witch. The Raven Song is book 2 of a 2-book series. I really think you should read them in order, though, if you read a lot of fantasy, you might be able to read them backwards and not get too lost.
Kagemusha: The Shadow Warrior, 1980 directed by Akira Kurosawa. It’s a War story, and as I knew who one of the players in the war was, I was pretty sure I knew how it would end, but it was as to be expected from Kurosawa: wonderful! My biggest problem was Toshiro Mifune wasn’t in it. No real eye candy. Sigh. It really was a bit of a shock not to see him, as he and Kurosawa made 16 movies together. I think I’ve seen most of them. And I think Mifune could have played Tokugawa wonderfully—he did in Shogun;-) (Actually, in Shogun, he played Toronaga who was based on Tokugawa.)
I will get the reviews of The Raven Song and Kagemusha up in the next few days. As I told the people in my writing group when they wanted to know what happened next, “Patience, Grasshopper.” How many of you know who Grasshopper was?
Sammy doesn’t know, so don’t bother trying to sneak the question to him. He’s too young! And I seldom let him watch TV. Gives him nightmares when he sees the other dogs. And the ad out now where the wolf goes to Grandma’s door and snarls and Red opens the door and gives him a squeaky toy, well, Sammy hid his eyes at the wolf, but the squeaky toy sent him under the bed. I don’t think he had any toys when he was a puppy or was allowed to play. He’s terrified of anything that squeaks, and toys and balls are all given a dirty look and a wide berth.
I opened a news story and was immediately assailed with a black box in the center that said something similar to: “We notice you’re blocking ads. Do you realize that’s how newspapers generate the most income?” Yes, actually, I do. However, I believe the proper question would have been something along the lines of: “Why are you blocking ads?”
Oh, had they invited a reply, they might have had to hire someone to read them? Or send them to the junk file? I dunno.
I don’t mind ads that sit there and calmly and quietly show themselves. I frequently click on them if they interest me, and sometimes I make a purchase. But when they constantly move, flash, or get larger smaller larger, etc., I click on the little box to block it. I have tried contacting the company that puts the ads out to tell them why, but they insist I use a valid business email address. Obviously, they know they are irritating.
When I learned to drive, one of the vision tests I went through was for peripheral vision. The guy tested me a few times because he couldn’t believe how good mine was. It’s decreased a wee bit, but not all that much. And I find ads that are supposed to catch my eye by blinking and flashing and being annoying do. And if I ignore them, I feel like I’m getting motion sick. What I’d like to see is another ‘button’ to click on those ads that just freezes them. At one time, I could hit the Esc button on my keyboard. I can still do that, but it doesn’t do anything, at least not to the ads.
On a different topic, back to Ian and some sadness. One of my sisters of choice bought us matching tee shirts from Bert’s Bar & Grill in Matlacha, FL. They were printed after Charley and primarily meant for those of us who went thru it. Bert’s had some damage from Charley but was still there. Saw on the news that the only thing showing of the place now are the pilings. The owner looked around and couldn’t see where it flew, or floated, to. He said the wind went under it and lifted it, but I imagine the wind and surge worked in concert. There was nothing left of the area but rubbish. My SOC says there are no whole buildings left on the island. Many are totally gone, all are damaged.
I asked my Port Charlotte neighbor to walk by my old house and see how it survived. I’m hoping the damage was minimal. I’m really curious about the survival of the cage over the pool. The screening is gone; I hope the framing is okay. The framing was built to withstand 155mph winds.
Photos of the Week:
This is my old house in Port Charlotte, Florida, after Ian. My first thought was their solar panels survived, but I was quickly told it was the tarp, and I thought maybe I should enlarge the picture. It looks like the screen door is still there, so I’m hoping the front porch is still caged. The pool’s cage is all that screening next to the tarp on the grass. I hope the cage itself survived. I may write them and ask. Photo by Ginger AbrahamI won’t swear to it, but I believe the red leaves are Virginia Creeper. It’s a beautiful, albeit invasive and toxic, vine. Once the green leaves have dropped, I’ll pull the creeper down. Right now, though, tis a bit of color to liven the bush. And to make it fun, the Wonderful Wordy Web says it is invasive or non-invasive, that the poison is lethal or non-lethal. It’s impossible to control once it gets a root hold. Along a back fence it will be gorgeous, as long as kidlets and dogs leave it alone.
This past week, I have been fighting the Father of All Colds, and thought the cold could be put to use in binging my beloved K-Dramas. I finished the first season of The Extraordinary Attorney Woo, and now have to wait until 2024 for season two. No, that is not a typo. So I found a 6-episode series and binged it on Saturday—The Sound of Magic. I loved it. Perfect binge!! I was a little concerned that the Magician would show how the tricks were done, but he didn’t. You see, I may be old, but one of the things I’ve always loved and choose to believe, is magic. I don’t want to know how it’s done. And yes, I still believe in Santa Clause, too. 😉
Earworms:
For whatever reason, I just don’t want to listen to music. Probably because my ears are plugged, and my brain cells just aren’t functioning all that rapidly? I dunno.
Public Service Announcement:
For those of you who are calendar challenged: Christmas is coming! December 25. Time to start collecting those presents, and if you know anyone who is or was a caregiver, consider this:
The Brave Dog (that would be Sammy) and I (that would be Auntie Lenora) wish you all a really truly wonderful week. Sunny weather, unless you’re in drought, then I hope you get Seattle type rain—soft, and soaking into the ground. None of that Florida type rain where it dumps and runs and floods. And remember, when you get up in the morning, to look outside. If you’re looking down at the grass, you know it’s gonna be a good day!!!
Weather in the Tries: Looks like our week will be another gorgeous day in Paradise. Sunny most days, highs in the low 80s and upper 70s. Nighttime lows high 40s to low 50s. Air quality should be good most days, and no serious winds. BTW, back in 1962, we had a hurricane come up the northern coast of California, Oregon, Washington. and British Columbia. It wasn’t called a hurricane then (who would expect one in the Pacific NW and in October to boot). On the Pacific side, she was a typhoon named Freda and she slammed us on Columbus Day, 12 October 1962.
As you probably know, I usually write this a day or two ahead, then schedule it Sunday night for Monday morning. I started this on Wednesday and finished it in the days following.
From Charlie to Ian:
In 2004 I moved from the southern Oregon coast (Myrtle Point) to Port Charlotte, Florida. I think I moved in May. In August, Hurricane Charlie danced through town. And it was not a particularly dainty dance, as he was a high Category 4. The anemometers gave up at winds of 155 mph. Two more steady or sustained mph and it would have been a Category 5. Charlie was a skinny dude, about 35 miles wide by man oh man, he danced so fast we hardly knew he was there before he was gone. Okay I exaggerate a smidge more than a tad. Those of us who went through it, knew when Charlie came through. He was loud, he was ill-mannered, and did not clean up after breaking as much as possible. But he was fast. He travelled at 13mph, if my memory holds. He did a lot of damage, but not nearly as much as he coulda done at, say 3mph.
Welcome to Florida, he seemed to say. I remained there for one year fifty-one weeks. Yeah, one week shy of two years found me on the road heading back to the great Pacific Northwest!
Last week, I heard that Tropical Storm Ian was becoming a hurricane, heading up the Caribbean. Then the dreaded words, “It’s heading up the west coast of Florida to Tampa Bay.” No, said I to myself. The waters in Charlotte Harbor are warm and will sing its siren song. Ian will cut across Sanibel and go right up the Harbor, devastating as much as possible. I’m so sorry, I was right. He went up the coast, hit Naples, Sanibel Island, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte. Ian was angry about something. He was about 500 miles across, Charlie would have fit in Ian’s eye with room to spare. And by the time he made landfall, he had slowed from 10mph to 8mph, and was thought to go even slower, to 3mph. I don’t know if he slowed that much once his eye was all on land or not.
I still have friends in Port Charlotte. My Twin let me know she was okay as she and my brother-in-law were north up in Cape May. Today (Wednesday) she let me know she’d talked to a couple of our mutual friends and they’re okay, but that Port Charlotte is a mess. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard from a couple of friends who live in Port Charlotte and hunkered down for the ‘cane.
When Charlie came, we didn’t have time to evacuate or head to shelter, we were pretty much forced into hunkering down. And those shelters that were open weren’t allowing pets. Leave my cat? Alone? While she gets carried off to Oz? Uh, no, I don’t think so. I put all her stuff—food, water, box, blanket, in my bathroom (inside room, no windows) and then my housemate and I stood at the back window/sliding doors (in the lee of the wind) and watched our world blow away.
The scariest part was when the porta potty that was outside at the neighbor’s house (being built) was picked up and blew up the street, I was concerned that it might come through my living room window, but it went to the empty lot across the street and was gently set upside down among the palms and trash pines.
The worst that happened to my house was the cage in back was destroyed. (Cages are the screened in areas usually over pools). And a bunch of junk was dumped into my pool, mostly tree limbs. I was very fortunate. We got the junk out of the pool, and out to the road where it was picked up in a couple days. Power was out, but the streets were clear. Verizon brought in a truck and anyone without power could bring their phone down and get it charged free, regardless who their carrier was. We helped each other. FEMA came through within a couple weeks. The National Guard checked on us daily, brought us bottled water and packaged food. (No Meals Ready to Eat), the Red Cross came when the Guard left. We helped each other. We got to know our neighbors, if we didn’t already know them. (One of the really neat things of living in Florida was the garbage was picked up twice a week. And people would put things they didn’t want with a sign that it was free, and if no one took it, the garbage folks did.)
Packed away in Shed 54 is a piece of Styrofoam insulation from a mobile home over a mile away. I don’t know which home, but the nearest park was over a mile away.
Insurance was reasonably priced, and I believe most people had it (if they had a mortgage, they had insurance!) when I was there. Now so many companies are bankrupt, or just no longer underwriting home insurance for hurricanes and flooding. People can’t afford it when they get it, and if one has a mortgage, the mortgage holder will get it, at a premium price. Not sure how to fix that. One of the things I think should be looked at is the barrier islands on all coasts. When they are left alone, they usually have lots of vegetation, and they act as a buffer to the mainland. As the vegetation is cut down, and homes and roads are built, they no longer serve as a buffer, just very pricey real estate.
Ian was considerably larger, slower, meaner, nastier. I’m willing to bet the streets are in worse shape, and it’s harder to check on people than in 2004. I hope neighbors are helping neighbors. People are being told to stay out of the water because you don’t know what’s in it—sewage, alligators,… And I wish my friends would check in on Facebook. In the meantime, I continue to hope they are not among seriously wounded—or the dead.
Sunday morning update: my friends checked in. She couldn’t get Facebook on her phone, but they now have power. Their house is ok, and they are ok. She’s the last little chick to check in. Mama Hen (aka Auntie Lenora) will rest easier now.
I found Love and Honor, the third of the Samurai trilogy (Twilight Samurai, Hidden Blade) online at a streaming site, LookMovie, watched it free and with no commercial breaks. Well worth the search. Then went back in to see if I could find my own copy at something less than the $95.00 at Amazon. I did. I found a used copy for under $30.00, and it should be here later this week. I will soon have all three of the movies (reviews posted above) to enjoy when I want.
In the meantime, I’m enjoying The Extraordinary Attorney Woo. A Netflix series from South Korea. This is the third k drama series on Netflix I’ve seen where the protagonist has Autism and lives in the real world and is treated like a real person. And all have been very enjoyable. The other two are: It’s OK Not to be OK, and Move to Heaven. All are full of humor, and also I think, goodness. They are not soaps in our use of the word. Speaking of, have you ever wondered where the term “Soap Opera” came from? The early radio melo-dramas were broadcast during the day for the little housewife in her domain and sponsored primarily by various soap products.
And there you have it. I was too busy last week watching Ian to check out earworms. I did find a couple of quotes that are pretty good, and I am listening to The HU.
“Remember to set out cookies and milk for Jim Cantore on Hurricane Eve, or he’ll leave you with no electricity for a week.”
“People asked when is a good time to worry? The answer is when Jim Cantore shows up.”
Those of you who aren’t from Hurricane Country probably don’t understand why Jim Cantore is such a god of bad weather. He works for The Weather Channel (for over 30 years) and always goes where the worst of the ‘cane will his. I ‘googled’ Where is Jim Cantore? the day before Ian was scheduled to hit Florida. The answer came up in a couple of seconds—Punta Gorda!
Have a great week wherever you are, do what you enjoy, learn a new song, and dance with Crow. And remember, People are to love, things are to use.
Whoa, Doat! It looks like Friday was (note that, past tense) our last hot day for a while, maybe even until next summer. This week looks mostly sunny with temps from 81 to 93, with most in the 80s someplace. It’s nice to not just think about cooler weather, but for a while to enjoy it. Until it gets super cold this winter. Actually, I don’t mind the cold either, if I can dress for it, and the dog can go out in it, but that time isn’t here. Yet.
There Are Two Kinds of People
Okay, there are probably several kinds of people, but I believe most people will fit into one or the other category. 1. The LOVE talking to computers and playing games with AI. Many don’t want the personal touch of a human, they want to get in, get out, get back to what they were doing. Or, 2. They hate talking with computers, they want a person who can understand them, hold their had (virtually, if necessary) and take care of business with a smile in their voice, and a nice goodbye well-wish. I’m in the latter category. I hate having to push buttons for this, for that, for anything. When I call a business, I want to hear something like, “Please listen to the following menu as we’ve made a few changes. If you’d like to talk to a living, breathing human, press 1; if you’d like a computer who doesn’t give a frap about you or your piddling problem, press 2.
I hate it when I say I want a representative and the AI says, “Before I connect you, please tell me a little bit about what you want.” So I, being the dumb person I am, say, I need a pin number. “Oh, I can help you. Do you want to cancel your account? Press 1. Do you want to cancel someone else’s account? Press 2. Would you really like to unplug me? Press 3.”
I suppose, another way of saying there are two kinds of people is to say there are old farts and fartesses, and young farts and fartesses. Those of us who grew up when telephone operators were there to help like real people. Those who grew up taking computer classes in the second grade, want to talk to AI.
Then, if you’re a fan of AI, may I recommend a book? I read it 25 or 30 years ago, and am sure I’ve forgotten a lot of it, but I remembered enough that I went looking for it and have a new (used) copy to reread again. Lady El a science fiction novel by Jim Starlin and Diana Graziunas. I had just about given up on the book as the beginning was pretty rough—not the writing, the story line where a little girl (black) was the smartest in her class and was on her way to college in a few years and then her stepdad pimped her out. Uh, no. I don’t need that kind of a story, but I gave it another chapter and BAM!! All that was back story that was necessary, but that wasn’t made clear. Anyhow, she escaped, made her way to NYC, worked at menial jobs, but never THAT job, and spent her spare time in the libraries reading (my kind of gal). When she got her ID card, she signed up to be an organ doner. Yeah, you guessed it, she was shoved between the subway and wall, and was crushed to death. Ewwww. BUT the military was looking for ten good brains, from heads that weren’t damaged.
When she came to she found herself in a computer. The other nine either didn’t survive, or couldn’t handle the new them. But Lady El, she was on an adventure. She could visit any and all libraries in the world. She could read and comprehend books in mere seconds instead of hours. She could get even with her stepfather (stand up and cheer!!), she could go anywhere, and do just about anything. Yep, her death was the beginning of a new and best life ever! The best one she could have ever imagined. If you want a fun book, hit your favorite used bookstore and get Lady El, by Jim Starlin and Diana Graziunas.
Photos of the Week:
I may have put this enthusiastic dabbler in before, but I just love him and his kicking. All the other ducks are much more couth. But this little guy is having FUN!One of the dragonflies. Alas, they are mostly gone now.
I not only finished the four Golgotha books that are out (two more are coming—eventually) I ordered his other two series!
I did buy and read a new chapbook. It’s a small book with about 22 pages, 20 poems in Spanish and English, written by young men between 13-17 years of age who were, at the time of the writing, unaccompanied minors waiting in the Selma Carson Home in Pierce County WA to find out if they could stay or would be shipped back to their home country. Really, they were boys, but their poetry says they are old for their years. My review is at http://lenoragood.blogspot.com. The book is $12.00 including shipping & handling. Buy the book at https://www.collateraljournal.com/community. You’ll be glad you did. These young men have found the beauty in life, the book is full of hope. I hope they all got to stay. We need people like them.
Earworms:
3 hours of Spanish Guitar. Great background music while you rest, read, work.
Well, Tuesday was supposed to be cooler, I guess if you consider 102 cooler than the todays 106, then yes, it will be cooler (I write/schedule this on Sunday). If my phone isn’t telling tall tales, we will be triple digit for 3 days, then high 90s for three days, then back to triple digit. It would be considerably more bearable if we could get nights down to low 60s or lower. Oh, well, this is the desert, and better here with far less humidity than over on the Dark Side of the Cascades. They are really miserable over there.
On Writing:
Received an email from ProWritingAid on Tuesday with the title: Does Good Gramar Make You More Sexy? ProWritingAid is an app that can help anyone become a better writer, or so they say. In the meantime, I had to chuckle at some of the results.
Apparently, men say that good grammar is important, then swipe their dating app for physical attributes. However, younger women are “31% more likely to choose well-written profiles” over ones filled with grammatical mistrakes. But the one that got me was that Americans seem to care more about good grammar than Brits. This surprised them?? Obviously, they never read Eats, Shoots & Leaves that was written a few years ago by a Brit.
Admittedly, grammar is not my strong suit, but I also don’t claim to be a grammarian. I tried, but could not read what should have been Eats, Shoots, & Leaves. The one thing I understand, at least most of the time, is the Oxford comma. It serves a vital function. And, besides, it’s cute.
However, back to the ProWritingAid’s surprise about American’s being more caring about grammar than Brits, I remembered something from my time in the military and being stationed in Germany. Many of the GI’s were able to wrangle assignments to the University of Heidelberg. Because they were considered foreign students (Brit or Ami) they had to take and pass an English test—in a German University. Go figure. All the guys gathered for their test, and much hilarity ensued with one group teasing the other about not speaking “real” English but speaking American. So, the forty or so guys filed into the testing room, took their test and re-assembled in the hall waiting for their scores. To a man (no women were in this group) all the Americans passed with high scores, and all the British flunked and had to take remedial English to qualify. Apparently, at that time, the English saw no reason to teach English to those born there and growing up using the language. I don’t know if anything has changed or not, but I assume (silly me) that it’s not, as they were surprised at the outcome.
I spent some time on dating apps in years gone by, and I found good grammar a turn-on v. bad grammar. I had never given it any thought, really, as to why, until now. At some level bad grammar told me he probably had lower self-esteem, a younger sense of humor (think 5th grade potty humor), possibly be more needy and looking for mama, probably preferred sports to good books—if he read at all, and would have more limited conversation skills. Now, according to this article, women with good grammar were penalized more. Ya know what? That’s probably okay. An intelligent woman wants a partner in a relationship, not a boy to raise, especially if she’s of an age and has already raised her children.
ProWritingAid is a for-profit app, I do not use it, but do receive their emails. If you are looking for a writing app to help you, check it out. read the fine print, and then draw your own conclusion. And if anyone cares, my title today is On Writing. That is also the title of an excellent “How to Write” book by Stephen King. It’s okay. One may not copyright a title.
One more thing…Housemate sent this to me. He found it in a book online, and thought I’d like it. He was correct, and I’m sharing it with you for the same reason, I think you’ll like it. One of those things that we probably all know at some level but have not consciously cogitated. From The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase. Adjectives, writes the author, professional stickler Mark Forsyth, “absolutely have to be in this order: opinion-size-age-shape-colour-origin-material-purpose Noun. So you can have a lovely little old rectangular green French silver whittling knife. But if you mess with that order in the slightest you’ll sound like a maniac.”
Poem-a-Day. It’s no secret I love poetry—reading it, writing it, living it. I subscribe to at least two Poems-a-Day, and one I get on Mondays only. The one that came on 27 Jul, Why Do You Love the Poem? —by Charles Bernstein, is one of the best I’ve read in a while. I use repetition, both in my poetry and in my prose, though not so much there. I’m a firm believer that when used to good effect, it’s worth the while. Give this poem a minute of your time. Even if you don’t love poetry. (Stretch yourself now and again—it’s good for you.;-)
Photos of the Week:
One of our more melodic residents enjoying the sprinkler. Who called this meeting? Why?I got a new phone cover. the sides are encrusted with wee diamonds (glass) and the back is dynamic with the sparklie’s moving. Originally purchased for fun, but all the bling sure makes it easier to find my phone!
I’ve started a couple of books. One is the fourth in a series, and I became intrigued enough to buy Volumes 1, 2, & 3 and put 4 away until I get the others. Not sure exactly what the genre is, western, horror, fun??? Then I started another urban fantasy. And then along came Jones, slow walking—sorry, I got carried away for a few seconds. I decided it’s time to haul out some novels I’ve written, and go through them again to polish as much as possible, then see if I can interest an agent and or publisher. If those count as books read, and read again, and yet again…My Adventures as Brother Rat and Forgotten Daughter. Does it count that I need to read them cover to cover to make changes? Those of you who have read any of my novels as a reader, I would appreciate knowing which novel you read, and if you had problems with the names.
Earworms:
Years ago, waaaaaay back in my own ancient history, Folk Music was the big thing in music. I loved it. I loved Joni Mitchell. Then I wandered away from folk music to rock n roll, blues, classical, whatever. At some point I remember that Ms. Mitchell had some health problems and alas, she dropped off my radar. Well, the other day, someone sent me an NPR link about the Newport Folk Festival concert where Joni Mitchell made a surprise appearance and stole the show. Her voice is deeper, but she’s still got what it takes and then some!!! Check her out. Read the article. Watch all the videos! Joni Mitchell, entertainer extraordinaire!!
Just Like this Train
Both Sides Now with Brandi Carlile (shall I admit this is one of my “I’m gonna cry now” songs? Naw, I don’t think you need to know that do you?)
“All my battles were with male egos. I’m just looking for equality, not to dominate. But I want to be able to control my vision.” —Joni Mitchell
“I see music as fluid architecture.” —Joni Mitchell
“I learned a woman is never an old woman.” —Joni Mitchell
I think the Brave Dog will be happy when this heat dome dissipates. The sidewalk doesn’t seem to get too hot, but the driveway does, and the mid-late afternoon walks are of necessity, short, and usually in our small yard. The early morning walk is usually the only ‘long’ one of the day right now.
Please note: I am not telling you for whom to cast your vote, only begging you to vote. Vote, please. Vote as early as possible, and if you already have voted, celebrate — with ice cream, a movie, tequila, whatever floats your boat. And Thank You.
Intro:
Flashback:
Remember last week’s quilt photo? And I said I might not get it to Bronte before he was lecturing at MIT? Well, heeeere’s cute Bronte and handsome dad Michelangelo, with the quilt. Mom was busy taking the picture 😉
Writer’s Block: One Solution—
I know all you, my gentle readers, don’t write, but several of you do. Not sure many of my readers are still working for a living, but if you are, you may be asked to write for your boss at one time or another. Maybe something in here will help. Or at the very least, give you a chuckle or two.
Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block? I can think of few things more frustrating, unless it’s looking for the exact word you need and can’t quickly find it! You know it’s there, right on the tip of your tongue, but…. (I lost the word ‘cholesterol’ one time, talking to my doctor. She had ordered some blood work, and I wanted to know if I had to fast for the (long blank stare and I tried to think past a brain fart) test. I looked at her. She looked at me. I went all around it, and finally asked if I had to fast so she could find out if I was eating too much cheese. She smiled and said not to worry, that yes, I’d temporarily lost the word, but I got there, and I was really okay. And to fast.)
I’m fortunate in that I’ve never faced a blank page and wondered what to put on it, but I have faced a major Writer’s Block and thought I’d share my solution. I imagine every writer faces Writer’s Block at one time or another, of one type or another, and every writer has her own way to go over, around, under, or through the block. Here’s mine.
A few years ago, I was just finishing a first draft of a novel and knew I was within a couple of chapters of the end, but I just couldn’t get that ending to come. I fussed. I fretted. I paced. I took a long shower. I tried everything I could think of. I went out to lunch with a gentleman I knew. He is a nice person, but not my type for a long term relationship, so we never really dated, but are still casual friends. But, and that’s a big one here, he did give me one piece of great advice. When he asked with his usual snarkiness how my novel was coming, I told him my problem, that I just wasn’t getting the ending. That I was sure I was within a chapter or two of the ending, but just couldn’t get there. In a very smart asterisk manner, he told me to send my character an email and let her email me back with the solution.
Yeah. Right. Or (short pause) might there possibly be something there?
So, that night, before I turned off the computer and went to bed, I wrote the protagonist a note and sent it to her in care of my email address, turned off the lights and went to bed for a sound sleep. A truly remarkably sound sleep. The next morning, I got up and in going through my emails came to the one I’d sent my character. Now, she obviously didn’t respond. (Not sure I would have wanted that, actually) but suddenly, I saw the ending of the novel, and finished it that day. Or at least the draft.
The next time I saw my friend, I thanked him for his suggestion, and told him it worked. He was somewhat taken aback, and admitted he was being a smart asterisk with his response to me. “I know,” I said, and smiled sweetly, “but it worked, and I thank you.” We no longer see each other unless it’s a chance meeting at the grocery store, so who knows what words of wisdom I’m missing? But that solution to my Writer’s Block worked and I’ve not forgotten. It worked for me. It might work for you.
If you’ve ever experienced Writer’s Block, and found a way to unblock it, I’d love to read about how you did it. Maybe it will help some of the other writerly readers of this blog.
As it turns out, my friend and fellow blogger (Dixie Helps Writers) also wrote about Writer’s Block for her blog that came out a couple days ago. Some more good ideas. As always, you have to take the info that works for you and ignore the rest. What works for her, what works for me, what works for you, are not all the same.
Happy writing!
The book I was trying to finish:
Jibutu: Daughter of the Desert, is available from Amazon, your favorite bookseller, or for a signed copy, contact the author. To read about the book, go to the My Books page above.
Entertainment:
Alas, I’ve spent my spare time either watching the news, or writing. And planning another wee quilt. Well, not totally true, I also attended a virtual poetry reading in NYC on Friday. Not as much fun as being there in person, but nonetheless, Zoom and similar software, does bring the world to our computer room. And I get to do things like a NYC poetry reading I wouldn’t otherwise get to do. There were two poets, Yona Harvey and Taylor Johnson, both young, both good, but the highlight of the show was each had someone signing her poems as she read them! I thought that was a marvelous idea, and something to think about if/when the time comes for live readings at my end of the road.
There’s a wide world of goodness out there, we just have to find and tap into it.
Books:
See Rainy Day Reads for reviews and mayhaps a bit of snark. Who? Me? Snark? Bwahahahaha!
There are new reviews posted — novel, medical, poetry…
Outro:
When you’re out in public, even outside walking your dog or cat or pet skunk or spousal unit, wear a mask, and wear it over your nose. Please. It’s not to protect YOU, we all know you aren’t scared of a teensy weensy virus, but you may host one on the in-breath and share it unknowingly on the out-breath. Think of your neighbor, your family, that hunka-hunka coming toward you on the sidewalk. Decorate it (the mask, not the hunka-hunka, though that does have possibilities) for Halloween. Put some fun in someone’s life, not a virus. (Can you tell, Auntie Lenora has been too long in lock-down.)
Show your love, wear a mask! (Thanks, Bill for the video! 😉
THOU SHALT NOT COVID THY NEIGHBOR’S LIFE–WEAR THY MASK! (Swiped from the www.)
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