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 |   A terminal for all blogs coming in or going out. A view into my life. |
Started July 1st 2019 for contests, etc. as other blogs are filling up and have other purposes.  I'm starting a new blog because
I'll be linking to
I've started an appendix (I no longer have one personally) to keep track of my Space Cadet journals for Space Blog. It's a work constantly under construction. Mind the mess.
I needed to start a folder for contests as there are so many deadlines and details to remember.
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| 25 degrees and sunny at 10:30 a.m. May get up to freezing today, definitely tomorrow. Finished "SpyBoy" #7 graphic novel (YA, complete with chibis) which was a nice break from what I was reading. This was book #4. The days are getting longer, sun stronger and this is the time of year when I want spring to be sprung! knowing full well that it might show up in April or May. Weather is going to be milder but still wintry with snow or worse (rain), so reading is a decent way to amuse myself. Hope my energy levels go up. More perishables in the house after shopping last evening in a beautiful big-flake snow shower. I have bread! I skipped shopping for a week due to frigid weather. I hadn't stepped outside for about 10 days. Went to the Senior Center noonish and sat outside in the sun in front of Big Dipper. Don, Ben, Kathi and me. Kathi gave me a club salad. I was thankful because I seldom eat greens. Back in my rooms sitting in sunshine. It feels good on my bare skin. 30 degrees at 3:44. Thinking of shaving my beard. I didn't dare when it was below 0 ... should've because I didn't go anywhere! Worked on a poem, will work on others. Starting another book, a diary of a breakdown done like a cartoon book with line drawings. Watered some plants; onions rooting; spider plant blooming. Took out the garbage... I know these are mundane tasks but being room-bound is really depressing. I consider any small task completed a personal victory. For "Blogging Circle of Friends "  : Use these words in your blog today: crouch, vote, commission, hesitate, fail and spoil.The Commission on Progress was called to order. They were intent on finally removing all eyesores and promoting Mapleton as one of the most beautiful in the state. The smelly marsh spoiled that image. It would be improved by putting in a clean asphalt parking lot. The commission never failed to disappoint the progressives; the luddites had held sway for generations. But then... there was me, moved back from the modern city with a degree in urban planning. I had replaced Old Man Murray who was dead set against any improvements other than new streetsigns... and even then... So far, I was the villain to his minions. The town was dying; it needed to change. I wanted new lighting, a larger library, a new school auditorium. But this... I remember crouching in the cattails as a child, intent on seeing the bittern protecting her eggs. I remember her protests and the dive-bombing black-birds, the leeches mom had to remove, the vampire mosquitoes that made me itch all night. I loved and hated that marsh. They were going to fill it in with the rubble from torn down buildings. Build a parking lot, get rid of the stench and danger. They were going to put in a culvert, straighten the meandering stream, remove it from sight; birds could always nest elsewhere. Progress they assured everyone. The board was split down the middle; but, they were certain it would pass as they smiled at me. I thought of Old Man Murray, barely cold in his grave. When my name was called I didn't hesitate. I voted nay. Night falls and I've finished a poem:
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| Almost 4 p.m. and I've done very little. 31 degrees. Light snow aloft? Got up to freezing today. Up too late. I took a nap. I'm on book #4, a YA graphic novel. I needed a break. No writing yet and I should wait until I force myself to go outside to pick up groceries. 27 degrees at 7 p.m. Big flakes.  Went out for first time in ?? days ... I think it's been 10. Snizzle on the way to Orange Food Farm; huge flakes smacking me on the way back. Magical.  Coffee is the culprit. I buy it when it's 30 cents off. The cheaper culprit? Ice cream. I trudged up the stairs huffing and puffing but not as bad as some other times. An answer to QOTD: You roused the Rabble ... including me.  But I'll keep it short. Good/evil is a cultural construct. The dichotomy is not universally accepted. Those who live within their culture: traditions, customs, rituals, beliefs will mirror that. Those who venture outside will learn about other point-of-views. Books, movies... you name it... allow us to go where no one has gone before. It's why books are burned and movies banned. They threaten the 'truth' of a narrow belief system. Because of my multi-cultural life experiences my beliefs are much broader. Yet, a quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá makes sense to me. Good exists; evil is nonexistent. |
| White Days ... all color removed, everything reduced to a hush. Brighter, warmer today. +27 (-3c) degrees at 1 p.m. Finished my book last night. An interesting revelation at the end that cleared up one character's motivation. Sarah Zettel writes in various genres including mystery, fantasy and sci-fi. Got up late... not good for me because it means a shorter 'day' during these short days. I could venture out but might wait until tomorrow. Maybe another coffee will help. Or eating something!  Kathi responded to the above comment left on facebook. Kathi Campbell: Off my balcony today Mountains are invisible. Me: White Days ... all color removed, everything reduced to a hush. Kathi: Crows ... slash of black through white winter's sky. Me: Eagle cruising the river ... lunch under ice. Kathi: Heated dog dish.....Sparrow hot tub. The Frozen Chosen via 92.9 (Lutherans should really understand): https://www.facebook.com/128173570552926/videos/419671312666977 Speaking of Lutherans... The Washington Examiner has an article https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/why-patriotism-and-nationalism-don-t-mix-... where they quote on Psalm 146: "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save." I don't agree with the Christian obsession with Salvation (who, why, how, etc.) but the article makes the valid point that nations come and go. As for Lutherans... The State Church of Germany was taken over by the Nazis in the 30s. It didn't end well. I finished book #1 of my 52/52. That makes 3 finished. I should start #4 tonight... if I'm smart. I was stuck on Autumn Letters. It had triggered me and I was blocked. Reading 2 other books unblocked me. I'll need to do 'reviews' now. AL was set in Nebraska 1963-68. Assassin's Masque in England 1716. Storm Petral in Scotland 1980s. I'll have to go another direction in my next choice. Nothing heavy I hope. I thnk I'm supposed to be on book 7 ... so some catching up to do. |
| Midnight A spare flake or two and 11 degrees. Cold smoke rises like ghosts from chimneys against the dark, only light from the city glistens off the crystals falling and fallen. I am up-to-date with my writings but I need to finish a couple, three more this week. I'm up to page 167 in my book. Intrigue, thy name is Peggy. With contests it's mostly waiting. Some are judged in a day or two; others take a month. I can't keep track of them all. I won the "Writing 4 Kids Contest " two months in a row. This concerns me. I'll have to ruminate 'why' before I share."On the rink [322]" which I made into
My favorite colors are orange and green, so I really do like this merit badge. It helped me flip my merit-meter to 301. I'm not fond of the number 3 so I'll ignore it for a few years  or centuries  .![Merit Badge in Writing 4 Kids
[Click For More Info]
Congratulations on your 1st Place win in the January 2021 Round of the [Link To Item #1999597] Contest! Excellent entry! *^*Smile*^*](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Writing_4_Kids-1997507_14.gif) 9:40 a.m. Light snow and 14 degrees (-10c). The river  gleams white, do I dare cross over? NO! Wee-weak-weekly-goals: Go outside!  (I've spent a week inside). Finish one book (#2) and start another . (Did 5.) Finish three pieces of writing for contests.  "Crone and Sage [349]" "In search of Iris"  but progress on others These are weak goals because I still have little interest and no oomph to do anything. Noon: still bright white. 18 degrees. Cooler than normal inside for some reason. For "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" :15. Write a list of songs that make you feel happy and/ or bring back good memories. Claire-de-lune (memories, calm), the songtrack of "He's coming to me" (hope), Sweet-Pea (summer of '66 and green paint all over me), Gracias por la vida (gratefulness), O fado (tears and memories) In 2015? I stood at the balcony of the hostel (seen in this video) watching the serenata in the rain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZeXX7pCWzU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcFAcjXZKWY I can't listen to this without crying, without wanting to be back in Portugal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PO2kbWy1H4 16. It’s Mardi Gras! What’s the best party you’ve ever been to? I don't party! Fasnachtsküchle are served in the days before Lent. I grew up in a German neighborhood. 17. Take your mind off the cold weather and think ahead: Make a list of fun things you are going to do this summer! GETTING OUT OF HERE! Doesn't matter much where. 18. If you had an entire day to do ONLY things you enjoy, what would you do? Where would you go? Who would be with you? Today? Would love to be visting friends in Taiwan or Costa Rica. My friend Jean just went to Lukang and ate seafood (I really like the small city). I see pictures ...  These days doing anything with anyone would be wonderful. 19. Who / what inspires you? Anything/anyone. I've learned from high and low. 20. What is your favorite flavor to pair with chocolate? Orange, hazelnut, peanut, even garlic and chile with cacao (mole poblano). 21. Is there something that has frustrated you recently? Talk about it. Silly question. I go from the bed to the chair to the sink/stove to the toilet. I haven't gone outside in a week. I have no access to a printer and the only cafes open are across the frozen river. |
| 10 p.m. Already Valentines Day east of here, but I don't care. I truly have avoided most conventional holidays and this particular one is problematic. I'll probably spend the day submitting an entry that's due to my remaining contest. I'll also read. Might see people; might not. Earlier I met Roderick the Rabbit who was moving out (going back home). Saw Bri and Billie Jo. Looked out at the snow. I'm no one's valentine so my expectations are low. 9:09 a.m. 5 degrees and 'warming' up. My computer lost my entry last night. This is part of what I wrote: To Robert: "Oh, babe, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz... February... so much easier to pronounce in French, Spanish, Norwegian... By February, the days are lengthening. So... better for me than say mid-December. Remember, I grew up along the North Coast. Grey, cold, and praying for snow to brighten things up. As for false positivity... my response shall remain unmentioned because it's unprintable. If it works for others ... so be it ... some folks need their pump primed before they smile. Mine comes natural and so does my scowl. Anyone who knows me knows how I'm feeling." One main exception: poker. I never play poker but I'm good at it. I finished this last night and posted:
One more contest to go. I'm on page 70 of my book and it isn't triggering me so I should finish today or tomorrow. Assassin's Mask by Sarah Zettel is a spy romp set in 1700s Britain at a time when French culture ruled. Easy read and that's what I need. 34. What are your hopes and dreams for 202021? I love this prompt! Why? The typo makes it less boring. I mean... this question is always asked at the beginning of the year, dashed by spring, forgotten by summer, lamented come autumn, buried in early winter to merely haunt us again as a zombie prompt at the turning of the year; but... 202021... There is no such thing. In human history that's an unheard of extent of time. It's Minguo 110 in Taiwan (republic era); Reiwa 3 in Japan (emperor); 2564 in Thailand (Buddhist-solar); 1442 in Saudi Arabia (Islamic-lunar). It's 177 in the Baha'i calendar until the New Year on March 20. So... 202021 is unfathomable in historic terms. Personally? If I were transported there: 1. Food. Gotta have food. Some would probably be familiar. Humans are fruit and grain eaters. I'd want to try something new. 2. Drink. Coffee may be passe but there'll be something potable. 3. Shelter. Whether it's a cave or not might demand some adjustment. Clothes depend on climate. 4. Communication. I will still want to connect. As a speaker of an ancient unintelligible language I'll have to start all over again. Whether it's grunts or implants remains to be seen. 5. Humans may not be the alpha-specie. What are alien hopes and dreams? For other (tamer) prompts go to "Welcome To My Reality Forum" .Just posted to my Newsfeed! To Susan King: "I think it's [haiku] tantalizing because it's short. 2 hours of staring at the blue UFO then realizing it's a bug zapper (some of us are s.l.o.w...) then in a minute [thinking of L.L. Zern  ] blue UFO hovering — my neighbor turns off the bug zapper [345] But like most forms... "anyone can write one" ...but so few do and those who make it their bad habit know that finding a good one is winning the lottery." To Lance Convey: "I think my poetry speaks to me at times: "Nope. Don't wanna be a sonnet, free me from my chains!" ... in a snarky voice. But the next poem says: "Where's my rhythm, where's my rhymes; I said, where's my rolling rhythm, bad-ass rhymes." 😃 Last word from my Muse: "RoSes R reD; vilets screem Blu. Yr poultry stinKS; aN sew dew U." 7:16 p.m. 11 toasty degrees. I posted a poem "My name's not Jack!" and story "Climbing sweet briar [319] (601 words)" to "Second Time Around ~ Birthday Special" ... just in time. I frantically edited the poem and spent too much time trying to find a good story that 1. I had entered somewhere and 2. lost and 3. hadn't entered before. The ideal is an Honorable Mention. I'm getting old... in the sense that I can't keep track of everything even if I make lists. Of course, part of the problem is simple: I'm prolific. I have piles of pooh. 💩 Me: ༼ ºل͟º ༽ 3.719 9 p.m PS: Comment I sent to Mark in Wales: I got a message and an offer today. The message was from a friend in another country. The offer was to take me to pick up soup on sale. 🧡 |
| Midnight: -3F outside but fine in my room. I don't get much of a draft. The northside of our building has the beautiful view of the ice-flow choked river but also catches the wind howling down the canyon. The southside where I reside is brutal come summer. I don't like being here in either summer or winter. Finished: "Amerika über alles [331]" "Left behind [343]" "haikus [332]" Should do two more contests today of older writings if I can't find new ones. And I need to start another book! Noon: +6F notice the + sign. Of course... -14c. Far below freezing. Listening to the trial... looking forward to it being over. I suspect there will be an inquiry. Starting Chapter 2 of Assassin's Mask by Sarah Zettel. 4:44 p.m. +10F outside... high for the white-crystal day. Gasoline is $2.37/gallon. I know because I can see the sign out my window. Sweet cinnamon coffee  I mixed lemon, mint, spices and blueberry with chicken, then dumped in oatmeal and stirred in some green onion.  Lets say it was edible and surprisingly good. Impeachment: 57-43. But as Senator McConnell made quite clear: he was guilty-as-hell and not off the hook — yet. (He actually emphasized 'yet'.) Wrote: "Frozen over [344]" 9:44 p.m. +7F. Inside the hot tap water has been scalding. I suspect they upped the temperature to guard against pipes freezing. Tomorrow will be a tad warmer and possibly above freezing by Monday. Skip to the loo... I didna make it in time.  No evidence remains. Rewrote
3,712 |
As I told QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham  : It's 11 p.m. MST.We're a warm -5F. Might go down to -12. A Hellgate breeze from the east. May get up to freezing Monday or Tuesday. Western Montana = one never knows for sure. I live on the third floor away from the wind. Heat rises. Plus I just boiled potatoes. I have a coat for the bitter cold. If I need to go out for a few minutes, I can. ฉันพูดกับผี [C̄hạn phūd kạb p̄hī]  I'm reading and absolutely lost in thoughts. I just spoke to a ghost in Thailand. Filomena speaks Spanish. Lucky me. My hair turned silver and longer than it already was. ฉันอ่านหนังสือและคิดอะไรไม่ออก ฉันเพิ่งพูดกับผีในประเทศไทย Filomena พูดภาษาสเปน ฉันโชคดี. ผมของฉันเปลี่ยนเป็นสีเงินและยาวกว่าที่เป็นอยู่แล้ว [c̄hạn x̀ān h̄nạngs̄ụ̄x læa khid xarị mị̀ xxk c̄hạn pheìng phūd kạb p̄hī nı pratheṣ̄thịy Filomena phūd p̣hās̄ʹā s̄pen c̄hạn chokh dī. P̄hm k̄hxng c̄hạn pelī̀yn pĕn s̄ī ngein læa yāw kẁā thī̀ pĕn xyū̀ læ̂w]  I set out two bowls to catch sunlight by day, moonlight by night, stars when they fall, rain when it rains. One must be willing to receive gifts; one must be empty. ฉันตั้งชามสองใบเพื่อรับแสงแดดในแต่ละวันแสงจันทร์ในตอนกลางคืนดวงดาวยามตกโปรยปรายเมื่อฝนตก ต้องเต็มใจรับของขวัญ ต้องว่างเปล่า [c̄hạn tậng chām s̄xng bı pheụ̄̀x rạb s̄ængdæd nı tæ̀la wạn s̄ængcạnthr̒ nı txn klāngkhụ̄n dwngdāw yām tk poryprāy meụ̄̀x f̄n tk t̂xng tĕmcı rạb k̄hxngk̄hwạỵ t̂xng ẁāng pel̀ā]  I explained this to... ฉันอธิบายเรื่องนี้ให้ ... [c̄hạn xṭhibāy reụ̄̀xng nī̂ h̄ı̂ ...]  But that would give too much away. My hair darkened and I began to speak Thai. แต่นั่นจะทำให้มากเกินไป ผมของฉันมืดลงและฉันเริ่มพูดภาษาไทยได้ [tæ̀ nạ̀n ca thảh̄ı̂ māk keinpị p̄hm k̄hxng c̄hạn mụ̄d lng læa c̄hạn reìm phūd p̣hās̄ʹā thịy dị̂] 11 a.m. I don't... have anything but spare time. Do I enjoy it? Since I'm housebound until I get the vaccine I'm limited. 42 steps with old legs and -2F (-19c) outside and my panaderie and patisserie closed due to covid? I boiled potatoes last night. Does that count? My neighbor made brownies. I hope to finish a book. I won January's "The Bard's Hall Contest"
4 p.m. 6F... a heat wave! And sunny.  I finished the two potatoes fried up with onion.I also finished Stormy Petral by Mary Stewart. I'll need to do a book review but it's a bit 'thin', which is okay as I needed a quick light read that wouldn't trigger anything. Her depiction of the Hebrides in Scotland was ab-fab wonderful, complete with stormy petrals, seals and midges (the Defenders of Scotland ). Today is the first day of The Year of the Ox. I wanted to be in Taiwan like I was last year. I wouldn't be eating potatoes. New Years is NOT the best time to visit Taiwan. Everyone spends it with family. Trains are packed. Accomodations are difficult. Shops are closed. The week after is the time to go! And then two weeks after is the Lantern Festival (February 26). Two trinkets based on last year's festival:     3705 |
| Bright this morning... in a white way. Maybe there are snow crystals in the air. Frigid. -18 degrees C. Hellgate breeze (from east) at 29kph. I have no need to go anywhere. Just a comment I left at Joy's blog: "No apples in Costa Rica. But papaya... I don't think of Costa Rica and culture. I'd say gossip and family and lying-so-no-one-is-upset describes it. It's a society that centers on the mother and do whatever you want (as long as your mother isn't upset). Music-art-architecture-literature seems to be borrowed. It's not that there isn't talent; it's just a lack of interest. I saw better street art in San Pedro than in Melbourne but Australians seemed proud of their artists while Ticos ignore them. Where I grew up... they were foodies, lots of apples, neighborhoods, sport teams. Here in Missoula... reading and writing, visual art and music, as in creating it not just consuming it." 3,701 |
| 5 p.m. and 22 degrees headed south of zero by daybreak. I count 6 heads of geraniums in bloom, one last flower on the kolanchoe blooming in the south-east window, new orange flowers starting in the other. I'm taking a break. But I did eat a mix of meat and rice and cheese today. I watched the Impeachment proceedings earlier (devastating). I may take a bath. It's been awhile. I wrote to the 48 hour media prompt. "Stalactite [345]" I've switched books. Now reading Stormy Petrel by Mary Stewart (1916-2014). I think the other book, Autumn Letters, was triggering me for some reason. I'm nearing the end of it so maybe after I get rid of this reading-blockage I'll be fine. |
| I'm really tired. Today my eyes were blurry which usually means "clean the lens!" but I didn't have my glasses on. It's little things... eyes, ears, teeth and toes. I need to write something for SB, probably using "Left Hand of Darkness" as my prompt. I wrote today; I'll write tomorrow, but I'm really worn out. Nick, a friend from Switzerland is in Costa Rica; Bryan in CR wants me to visit; Jean is in Taiwan. I go from my chair to my bed to the toilet to the front window in the hallway to look out at the snow. I love snow. But I wonder whether I'd be so tired if I were traveling. I may blog later. I may not. 3690 |
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