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rolanni) wrote2025-07-25 09:34 amIn which connectivity goes down, and up again
What went before: Wrote about 700 words, mostly expanding existing scenes. WIP currently stands at +/-62,500. I need to think about whose POV will be most fun in this next scene. I'm leaning toward Gordy, but Imma sleep on it, because my brain is tired. Along with the rest of me.
I sliced the bread and put it away (except for that one slice that fell face down in the butter, so I ate it instead of wasting it). Cleaned up the chaos of baking.
Trooper managed to work his way through one can of Fancy Feast tuna in gravy over the course of today, and now he's punching me in the arm and demanding Happy Hour, right now!
Tomorrow morning, I have an appointment with the chiropractor and while I'm out will hit the vet for more probiotic, and the grocery for the essentials: wine, cat gravy, and fruits, plus whatever looks like it will be good in terms of things to eat for a Writing Weekend.
SNIPPET: WARNING: Possible Spoiler for Diviner's Bow.
"And," Priscilla's voice came from unexpectedly near at hand. "Anthora must remember to ask her brother about his own adventures building a lifeline and how he was rescued by his eldest daughter."
"By Padi!" Anthora exclaimed, and the sullen look was quite gone from her face, replaced by startled glee. "Absolutely, you owe me that story, Shan-brother!"
"I also have an interest," Val Con murmured. Miri came to his side and slipped an arm around his waist.
"Me, too," she said.
"And I," said Ren Zel.
"Everyone shall have the story!" Shan cried over this growing tumult. "However, I insist that we proceed in an orderly manner, dealing with the most important matters first. For instance, my glass is empty. Who is with me for a refill?
Friday. Sunny and going to be hot, for Maine values &c.
Breakfast was scrambled eggs and potatoes with homemade toast and strawberry jam. Lunch may be meatballs in red sauce over bread. With cheese. Need a veggie, there. Or, yanno, not. Red sauce is a veggie, right?
Trooper has already eaten half a (smol) can of seafood feast in gravy with his meds (because I ran out of bisque and he now will not eat the stew, apparently because it has icky inclusions of real food. I need to call the vet and get some more probiotic. I've only been getting ten packs at a time, but maybe I should get more? I have no idea, but I'm guessing it will be useful to someone, if we don't finish it all, here.
Firefly joined Trooper on my lap last night and they had a little cat love fest, which is nice to see. Trooper's grandkids -- well. technically Firefly is his niece, since she came from the same cattery -- are very solicitous of him. They stop by to clean his ears and they sleep near him. Yesterday, Rook forgot himself and grabbed onto the back of Trooper's neck to wrassle, and Tali let go with a roundhouse that knocked Rook right off the bed, then she licked Trooper's ears and curled up next to him.
As previously advertised, I have an appointment with the chiropractor this morning, then some errands, then I hope to have a productive weekend of writing.
At some point, I'm going to have to get some time -- by which I mean a couple of days -- where I can focus All My Scant Brain Power on the WIP, to see what I have, which piece goes where and which pieces still need to be written. I really don't have much time-in-a-chunk right now, because of Trooper's necessities. OTOH, there are still pieces I know need to be written, so I'm good for the moment.
SPEAKING OF WRITING -- I once again remind people not -- that's NOT -- to give me "story ideas." If I need suggestions, I will ask for them. In the meantime, if your unsolicited suggestion happens to hit something I was going to do anyway, but haven't gotten to yet (not, in most cases "forgotten about"), I will drop that idea. This is because some people are stoopid and evil, and I don't want a lawsuit at this time in my life, OR to be cut off from the intellectual property that supports my household. Thank you for your attention to this minor but important detail.
So, South Park! I have to tell you I had no idea South Park was still A Thing. Also, Satan needs a better dating app.
One thing about getting up at 6 am? The morning goes on forever. I've got time to perform my duty to the cats before I head out to my appointment.
What're y'all doing today?
Below, coon cat love-in with Trooper and Firefly, and Tali and Trooper in the sun
jhetley) wrote2025-07-25 06:44 amA hostage of fate
jhetley) wrote2025-07-24 05:02 pm(no subject)
jhetley) wrote2025-07-24 12:55 pmWhere have all the flowers gone . . .
jhetley) wrote2025-07-24 11:13 amThursday floral report
Roadkill limited to one bullfrog in a thoroughly residential setting. Also, the usual supply of stains on the road with no visible corpse. Did smell skunk over by the DOT garage. And no geese or ducks yet on the cemetery pond.
Got out on the bike, up to the golf course and over to the road through the bog and back, warm and sweaty work. Did not die.
15.33 miles, 1:25:48
rolanni) wrote2025-07-24 08:13 amI had a premonition that I should not go alone
What went before: One thousand two hundred seventy-three new words today, bringing the WIP entire to +/- 61,750.
Trooper has not eaten so very much today, and he several times came to me, crying, but it wasn't food OR cuddles that he wanted. I tried brushing him (very carefully, with a slicker brush; his fur's gotten so thin, I'm afraid I'll scratch him), and he purred. Then he jumped down and fell asleep with all the rest of the cats, in or near one of the open windows.
It's almost Happy Hour, after which I have another couple things to do, but basically, it's Quittin' Time.
Everybody stay safe; I'll see you tomorrow.
SNIPPET:
Anthora pressed her lips together. Val Con turned to stare at her.
"Hold. Is this what I was scolded most soundly for doing on behalf of my lifemate?"
"Yes," Anthora said, sounded goaded. "But you had done it stupidly."
Thursday. Sunny and going to be warmer. Station air is on.
Yep, up at 6 again, though I did successfully repel borders at 4.
Today, we bake bread. The ingredients have been measured and are coming up to room temperature while I eat some vanilla skyr, drink my first cup of tea, and update the internets on the doings here at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory.
After two "good" days in a row, Trooper again refused his gravy-with-meds. I foresee a long and fretful day, though he's sleeping in the copilot's chair right now.
The other cats are about. Firefly is overlooking the front garden and lawn. Rook is hanging out in front of the pantry, in case I open it again. He's *fascinated* by the Wall that Opens. I'm not sure where Tali's got to, which probably means she's in a window, behind the curtains.
I didn't manage to make either of my phone calls yesterday, and, honestly? It's not looking good for today, though it occurs to me that I might be able to send an email to one of them. I can manage that.
Sigh. Raise your hand if you hate making phone calls.
What else? Oh. I need to add (at least) one thing to the scene I wrote yesterday, and go back a couple scenes to place Mr. Foreshadow.
Ah. Tali arrives in a burst of skitter-scramble-bam! She's found a spring to play with. Rookie is now under the standing desk, which is in the UP position, pouting because I didn't give him /a/n/y /o/f my cup of skyr.
Aside the bread, and my duty to the cats, and that maybe-email, that's all I have on the list of chores. So, hoping to write another scene this afternoon.
What're you doing today?
Today's blog post brought to you by Mr. Glenn Frey, "Smuggler's Blues"
Last night, I had help getting ready for bed:
jhetley) wrote2025-07-24 06:52 amWorld enough and time
rolanni) wrote2025-07-23 08:24 amTired writer is tired
What went before ONE: So many kindred Rock Spirits! That's So Cool.
Trooper has had another half can of "in gravy" -- seafood mix, I think -- licked up all the gravy and ate about half the food. Yesterday, I would have sworn he was on Death's door step.
What do I know?
I did clip his claws, so hopefully no more face scratches, though honestly I would prefer not to get smacked by an importunate cat at 6 am at all.
I have placed stickers on the back window of my car, which display my Affiliations. On the left, the Hubble Space Telescope sticker given me by Lauretta Nagel. And on the right, a cat fish sticker -- which is to say a cat that has really lovely koi-like fins and tail.
Funny story about that. I had a tshirt from Balticon 37, where Steve and I were Writer GOHs and Sheila and Omar Rayyan were Artist GOHs. The tshirt was of a catfish -- aka, a cat with a fish tail, and I loved it so much I wore it out. But before that day came, I was wearing it when we went down to Old Orchard Beach one day, and in the course of our Adventuring stopped at the rest area sort-of across from Eartha. And a Small Child saw my shirt and planted himself in front of me and demanded, "What kind of animal is that?" to which I answered, truthfully, "It's a catfish," and passed on. Behind me I could hear his mom -- or at least, the adult woman he was with -- saying to him, "Never mind. She was telling you a joke." I didn't hear if she clued him in to what the joke was, but I kinda hope she did...
What went before TWO: Getting pounded awake at 6 am is not working out for me long-term. Just got up from a nap. I'm guessing there will be no writing done today.
OTOH, Trooper has eaten two Fancy Feast cans of Whatever in Gravy, and made a start on a third.
Wednesday? I think so. I'm starting to get a little off-footed on what day it is, which is ... annoying. Outside the office windows, it's sunny and cool. Going to be warmer later, but not, yanno, hot.
Breakfast was leftover dhal. Second cup of tea to hand. I have chicken for lunch, and a veggie to be named later.
Yep, up at 6 again. This morning, I got up when Trooper yelled in my ear, figuring he was going to win, anyway, and not wanting us to start the day at odds. He yelled me all the way down the hall to the kitchen, yelled while I mixed his meds into the gravy, and yelled me back to the bathroom, where he was served.
He's now conked out on the copilot's chair and my nerves are starting to settle. Trooper has a very effective yell.
Since I was up, I threw a load of laundry in,to sort of prove that I was relevant, and now I'm waiting for my brain to catch up with being awake, because I have a bunch of /t/h/i/n/k/i/n/g creative labor I need to do today.
break for Rook to throw himself into my lap, snorgle my cheek and pat my hair. "There you go, Mom, NOW you're ready to face the day. An' if that creative labor gives you any cat sand, you send 'em to ME." Thanks, Rookie.
ANYhow, I'll have a shower after I finish my tea, and try to shock the system into wakefulness. And, yanno, there's always more tea.
I have two phone calls that I really need to make, but I haven't been able to scrape together the OOMph to get them done. I'm hoping to make at least one of them today.
I need a secretary, or maybe I mean a keeper.
On that topic, sort of, when I was down in Bath a few weeks ago, I passed one of those, um, retirement communities, and I briefly thought that it might be ... interesting to live in Bath, so I made a note of the place's name and when I got home, I filled out internet form for more information, and, I mean --
snort
I don't want to mock people who are more substantial than I will ever be, but ... let's just say that if I did have an extra five hundred grand laying around to buy a "cottage"? The monthly fees are more than the mortgage payments on this house (which are, yes, low, because Steve insisted we refinance in that bygone day when money was for some reason cheap), but even at the original less cheap rates. And then you have to do the things you do, anyway, like eat, and put gas in the car, and (I think this is not included) pay to keep the lights and the heat turned on.
And, let's face it, I'm not moving out of this house. For one thing, I don't want to move, period. For another, the house is put together to remind us -- and now me -- on any daily walk-through what it is we chose to do with our lives, and how that worked out for us, and there are some days when I really really need that reminder.
Well. My tea is gone, and the laundry needs to be shifted from the washer to the dryer, so I guess it's time to get shakin'.
What's going on with y'all?
Cat census:
jhetley) wrote2025-07-23 06:55 amNot under heat dome
jhetley) wrote2025-07-22 11:44 am(no subject)
rolanni) wrote2025-07-22 09:56 amStones are the bones of the earth
What went before ONE: Making dhal for (my) lunch.
Trooper resting comfortably in the copilot's chair. Firefly in the box on the desk. Rookie stretched out on my papers on the desk. Tali resting in Steve's office.
Apparently, we've all had a rough morning and are seeking comfort.
What went before TWO: +/-970 new words today, which means! The WIP has broken 60,000. We may actually be able to do this thing.
Everybody stay safe; I'll see you tomorrow.
Tuesday. Sunny, cool, and pleasant. Trash and recycling are at the curb.
The rose continues to survive in the front garden. I continue to apply chili powder around the base.
Trooper ate a pouch of gravy with meds included, and half of a three ounce can of Fancy Feast Grilled Tuna and Cheddar in gravy. Which is to say! He licked up all of the gravy, but then he actually did eat some of the food.
Trooper is on-deck to get his claws trimmed today, because he scratched my face this morning as he was pounding on me to get up, get up, GET UP AND FEED ME, WOMAN!
I? am very tired.
This morning, I would like to talk about rocks. Rocks have been a lifelong passion. When I was a kid, I read everything I could about rocks. I took a summer class in rocks in elementary school. I picked up rocks to take home and study. I could tell a igneous rock from a sedimentary rock, from a metamorphic rock. I loved agates, and my bucket list included finding garnets in the wild. I kept a Rock Notebook. I would talk for hours about rocks to anybody who made the mistake of asking me what I liked.
I just Loved Me some rocks, OK?
In adulthood, I kept with the picking up of Cool Stones. I would talk to Steve about rocks, mostly because he never learned not to say, "So, tell me about this one. What made you pick it up?"
And for one birthday, he surprised me with a trip into the Maine mountains to a "played out" quarry, where you could fill up a bucket with the broken stones from the discard heaps, then go sit under a tent and sift them, looking for tourmalines.
Best. Birthday. Present. Ever. And I was over 50 at the time.
I still have a lot of the rocks from that trip, even after having given away a box or two. A week or so ago, I decided to put some of the more interesting ones out on the deck on the table and let the rains cleanse them. Many of these rocks have inclusions; many have pits, where iron crystals had formed and then rusted away. A couple are just big chunks of black tourmaline. Some have quartz crystal inclusions, some, I think are garnets, but they might just as well be pink tourmaline. Some of the rocks are slabbed with mica, and, yes, there are tourmaline inclusions in almost every one. Very small tourmalines, mostly black. Black tourmaline is not as valued as the other colors.
[Taking a break to see what Trooper has made of the second half of the can of tuna and cheddar, and? The plate was clean (I put a closed door between him and the kids for this, so he dines in seclusion sometimes; other times, I butle for him.).]
OK, back to rocks. I've been checking the rocks on the outside table every morning, turning them and oohing and aahing over each new reveal. This morning, as I was performing this ritual, I noticed that the rains had really cleaned up a rock I particularly liked, and I could see crystals in its pebbly surface. And several of those crystals were green.
This is very exciting. Moreover, the rain has revealed in addition to white quartz crystals, and the green, many, many orange-ish crystals, which had given the piece its "pebbly" affect. This is basically a crystal farm, growing on a granite base.
Happy sigh
Thank you for listening to me talk about rocks.
Today at 11 I'm expecting an arborist, who will tell me now much it's going to cost to take the scary pine trees at the head of the drive down before the winds knock them down and they hit the house, taking a swath of wires with them. Tonight is needlework. Between now and then, I have my duty to the cats, and I wish to write. And, yes, trim Trooper's claws -- that smack was way too close to my eye.
So! What childhood passion still makes you happy as an adult?
Have some pictures. On the table of rocks, those two black chunks? Those are black tourmaline.
jhetley) wrote2025-07-22 09:46 am(no subject)
jhetley) wrote2025-07-22 06:52 amMorning improvement
Air temperature 55 F, wind west about 7 mph, sunny. Foraging later, either bike ride or walk at some point.
rolanni) wrote2025-07-21 01:53 pmFor Trooper's Fan Club
DISCLAIMER: This is not an easy read. If you don't wish to read about the end-of-life situation of elderly coon cats, and their equally elderly caretaker, please pass on. I'll look forward to checking in with you again tomorrow.
Background: My first cat was Archie McGee, who came to me as an orange-and-white kitten some time Pre-Steve -- say, the early 1970s. Some years later, when Archie was grown, I met Steve Miller. He had a gray and white cat of Extremely Regal Bearing named Arwen. The combined household eventually acquired a third cat, a brown tabby barn cat named Brandee. Steve and I kept cats together for 47 years. We have nursed sick cats, and assisted failing cats through their last days. And when we were let to know that it was Time, we let them go, with grace and love.
Trooper is 15 years old; 16 in December. He'd been fine until last summer when he began to lose weight. He was still sharp and took an active paw in raising his grandson. He took it ... badly when Sprite left us (as did we all), and that was when he began to decline. He's been steadily losing weight, and getting more and more demanding and more and more forgetful.
The problem here is not that his appetite is not tempted, nor that he is "sick" (all his blood work comes back perfect), but that he forgets food while he's eating it. He will, in fact, no longer eat crunchy food, though he will eat a few hand-fed crunchy treats, and (sometimes) freeze-dried chicken treats. He will not eat chicken baby food, the first cat I've ever had that refused this delicacy. He's ... disinterested in tuna water, and mostly ignores tuna. He will eat Delectables gravy, which is not food, necessarily, but he will lap it up -- until he forgets what he's doing, and then I need to show him the bowl again, push his nose down, and he remembers and finishes. He will eat the so-called "stews," by which I mean, he will lick up the gravy and ignore the inclusions.
This morning, after having smacked me over and over again to get up and feed him, he looked at his bowl, uncomprehendingly. What was this strange thing? I stirred the gravy and offered again -- still no recognition. I took the food up. He started yelling at me to feed him. When I went on making my breakfast, he curled up in his box on the desk. Later, I offered the gravy again. Again -- no idea what this is, Mom. I offered freeze-dried chicken and he ate a chunk. Then he figured out the gravy.
According to the vet, Trooper's problem is dementia. While there are apparently therapies for dogs that somewhat mitigate their symptoms, or at least the attendant anxiety (because Trooper knows there's Something Wrong), there are none for cats. I don't know about CBD, but I feel that his vet would have mentioned it, if she thought it would help. She's not a newbie, either.
I am going on at length with this because while these things have been reported in bits and bobs, as I mention what I do during my day, I have not laid the whole thing out in one place and some folks are coming in late, having not heard the whole story.
I am not asking for advice. I am taking expert advice, and I'm feet on the floor here, in a very fluid situation.
I do thank everyone for your support and concern.
Here's a picture of Trooper this morning:
jhetley) wrote2025-07-21 06:49 amMore humdrum prospect
rolanni) wrote2025-07-20 08:05 pmBooks read in 2025
40 When the Moon Hits Your Eye, John Scalzi
39 These Old Shades, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Sarah Nichols (re-re-re-&c-read, 1st time audio)
38 Faking it (Dempsey Family #2), Jennifer Crusie, narrated by Aasne Vigesaa (re-re-re-&c-read, 1st time audio)
37 Copper Script, K.J. Charles (e)
36 The Masqueraders, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Eleanor Yates (re-re-re-&c-read; 1st time audio)
35 Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha's Vineyard, Nora Ellen Groce (e)
34 Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Winifred Watson, narrated by Frances McDormand (re-re-re-&c-read; 1st time audio)
33 The Wings upon Her Back, Samantha Mills (e)
32 Death on the Green (Dublin Driver #2), Catie Murphy (e)
31 The Elusive Earl (Bad Heir Days #3), Grace Burrowes (e)
30 The Mysterious Marquess (Bad Heir Days #2), Grace Burrowes (e)
29 Who Will Remember (Sebastian St. Cyr #20), C.S. Harris (e)
28 The Teller of Small Fortunes, Julie Leong (e)
27 Check and Mate, Ali Hazelwood (e)
26 The Dangerous Duke (Bad Heir Days #1), Grace Burrowes (e)
25 Night's Master (Flat Earth #1) (re-read), Tanith Lee (e)
24 The Honey Pot Plot (Rocky Start #3), Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (e)
23 Very Nice Funerals (Rocky Start #2), Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (e)
22 The Orb of Cairado, Katherine Addison (e)
21 The Tomb of Dragons, (The Cemeteries of Amalo Trilogy, Book 3), Katherine Addison (e)
20 A Gentleman of Sinister Schemes (Lord Julian #8), Grace Burrowes (e)
19 The Thirteen Clocks (re-re-re-&c read), James Thurber (e)
18 A Gentleman Under the Mistletoe (Lord Julian #7), Grace Burrowes (e)
17 All Conditions Red (Murderbot Diaries #1) (re-re-re-&c read) (audio 1st time)
16 Destiny's Way (Doomed Earth #2), Jack Campbell (e)
15 The Sign of the Dragon, Mary Soon Lee
14 A Gentleman of Unreliable Honor (Lord Julian #6), Grace Burrowes (e)
13 Market Forces in Gretna Green (#7 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
12 Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent, Judi Dench with Brendan O'Hea (e)
11 Code Yellow in Gretna Green (#6 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
10 Seeing Red in Gretna Green (#5 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
9 House Party in Gretna Green (#4 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)*
8 Ties that Bond in Gretna Green (#3 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
7 Painting the Blues in Gretna Green (#2 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
6 Midlife in Gretna Green (#1 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
5 The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (Author), Kyle McCarley (Narrator) re-re-re&c-read (audio)
4 The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune (e)
3 A Gentleman in Search of a Wife (Lord Julian #5) Grace Burrowes (e)
2 A Gentleman in Pursuit of the Truth (Lord Julian #4) Grace Burrowes (e)
1 A Gentleman in Challenging Circumstances (Lord Julian #3) Grace Burrowes (e)
_____
*Note: The list has been corrected. I did not realize that the Gretna Green novella was part of the main path, rather than a pleasant discursion, and my numbering was off. All fixed now.
jhetley) wrote2025-07-20 05:45 pmMinor amusement
rolanni) wrote2025-07-20 08:35 am"Just try to make it sound like you wrote it that way on purpose."
What went before: So, a slow start, ending with +/-1,287 new words, for a Full WIP wordcount of!
+/-58,890.
. . . I am going to have to go back and fill in so many holes, and I am going to have to eventually figure out That Thing, but "eventually" is the operative word, and Future Me is going to be Quite Put Out with me.
OTOH, we have motion in a forwarder direction.
The cats are demanding Happy Hour, I have pots 'n pans to wash, and, oh, I should try to find The French Connection somewhere.
Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe. I'll see you tomorrow.
Sunday. Damp and dim and cool(ish). "Violent" thunderstorms are apparently on the menu.
The rose survived another night.
Breakfast was onion, potato salad, and leftover broccoli scrambled with an egg. Whole wheat toast with strawberry jam on the side. Lunch -- if nothing else, I have salmon cakes left over from yesterday.
I need to sneak out to the grocery for cat food, and some fruit while I'm at it. I also want to stop at Reny's, which opens at 9, so that's my window for getting out of here.
Today, I need to change out the cat fountains and I probably ought to do other housekeeping-like things, but the chances are I'll be in the comfy chair, making Notes for the WIP, since yesterday's scene Revealed where that other scene needs to go, and what its job is. I love how writing is such an orderly process.
No, wait a minute -- no. I don't. It's one of life's ironies that I was trained as a secretary, to make and keep order inside of Chaos. I was also the order-keeper in the partnership, which is a Testament to Steve's capacity for Chaos.
Ah. The thunderstorms are projected to arrive about 11 am. I therefore Make Plans -- out at nine, back before 11. I can do this.
Oh. I should say, in re the film I was looking for: NOT The French Connection, which I have heard of but never seen, and actually have no desire to see (apologies to all of those who sang out with great love for the experience). The movie I was looking for is The French Dispatch (Wes Anderson), and the search goes on. Possibly, I can stream it from Amazon, if Amazon will stop fetching me 404s instead of film pages.
I also need to finish reading John's book so I can take it back to the library on Tuesday, and give somebody else a chance. I mention this because the library sent me a note, telling me that my book is due back soon.
So! What're you doing today?
Today's blog post title is from The French Dispatch. And now you know why I want to watch it.
This is one of the day lilies I rescued from last year's landscaping project. Turns out to be one of Steve's Special Sort, and I can't tell you how glad I am to see it.
jhetley) wrote2025-07-20 07:07 am