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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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| Snow???? It's 35 degrees and precipitating at 10:10 p.m. It warms up and dries out on Friday so I shan't complain. No deep thoughts. I'm upset so I need to distract myself. So I watch this? In truth it's validating. My answer to today's 30dbc was blunt and without the usual color because I don't consider 'harmless' jokes harmless. Most of the folks here at WDC are majority members of their respective community and may not understand the anger of those who have been marginalized. And the anonymity of social media attacks hasn't made life better for many people. This entry by Sinbad also helped: "MANAGEMENT FUNDA'S. ".......🤪"  34 degrees at midnight. 39 degrees at noon and sunny. I told Neva (edited): "I really like Maya Angelou's insight [about how the world goes on without us]. My travels were like work, one I mostly enjoyed; however, occasionally I needed a day to do little or nothing. When I came home I would be on vacation. This past year has messed that up. Without travel, home has become a cage. I want out. When I get back to traveling I may have to take it slower with more days of rest. I just don't have the energy like before.  40 degrees at 7 p.m. It should be liberating stating that I'm not doing well, that I'm totally adrift and part of me has given up caring. I don't even need worry that anyone will notice. No one visits except Bri and I talk to few people. It's not that no one cares. I know better. Azir sent a message today from Kosovo; Nick the Swiss earlier this week from Costa Rica and Ann Maria last week from Estonia. Elle in NZ wrote a poem for me. But no one reads blogs anymore to check in on how people are doing. FB isn't much better. So, let me say that I'm not doing well and leave it like that. 36 degrees at 8:39. It will be warm enough tomorrow to open a window and keep it open till Sunday bedtime. My place needs airing out. I also desperately need to do a wash. Not everything can easily be washed out by hand. Bri's sweet potato pie ... saw Billie Jo, Peter, Joel and Travis. She shares and cares. |
 PROMPT March 25th What’s the best or worst practical joke that you’ve played on someone or that was played on you? I DO NOT PLAY! Seriously, this prompt is ill-timed. I punched someone in high-school. I bit someone in college. I was bullied enough. I DO NOT PLAY. |
| 11:22 a.m. 38 degrees on what will be a cool damp day. I'll do the shopping, but no real oomph to go out. Bored, to tell you the truth. Buying bread is just what I do. Nothing exciting about it. The sun may peek out again come Friday and Sunday may be the nicest day we've had so far this early spring. At least I've had my coffee and fish sandwich (mayo, celery seed). It was pollack. I really prefer cod. Checked vaxx situation here. I became eligible this week (criteria here not as generous as elsewhere) but there's a vaccine shortage and no J&J listed and ... I don't jump through hoops. 42 damp degrees at 3:10 p.m. I went. I saw. I bought... I try to spend $20/week on groceries by buying on sale and not buying all the chocolate and nuts I see. Today? $20.70. I splurged and bought gnocchi and mild Italian sausage. Now I eat. Women's bball: Oregon (6) in a mild upset that some predicted; good game [4.8]. And Texas (6). Two other close games. Good news: Virginia bans the death penalty. Bad news. My nerves are shot. |
I just found out that David McClain  died March 21st. He was the Mayor of Blogville back in the day. He and Mel aka Mrs Tor were beloved members of the WDC community. David was a natural story teller. His exploits at Almosta Farm are remembered by many. Melinda was a horse woman and lover of nature. She died in David's arms years ago. Since David and I were close in age and looks, it's hard to see recent photos from hospice. Pancreatic cancer robbed him of flesh and more. Better to look at photos from years ago when they were happy with horses, dogs, goat and a pig. ** Image ID #2177391 Unavailable ** In this ancient photo found in Debi Wharton 's blog from 2009 we see CC, Ken, Melinda, Eric and Debi: "My memories of the last few days" David's death March 21st puts it in perspective. |
| ... or just madness I told Robert: If I don't help someone and they die, is it my fault? If I help someone and they die, is it my fault? The answer to both questions is no, it's not my fault. But if I help I'll probably be blamed. It's one reason why Fauci is blamed and DJT is given a pass. It's why people don't help at times. Midnight and 35f degrees, 2c. I did pick up a new book. A bit too late to read though. *sigh* 11:40 and 36 misty degrees here between mountains. Our mountains glisten. 100/105% snowpack, so we're okay until summer. This is naturally short-grass, scrub and ponderosa. Quite dry. Water matters. I told Lilli, responding to QOTD: "I am looking at my toaster-oven. I buy everything second-hand and I've had it for years so it's nothing to look at! But... these two rooms with two south facing windows heat up in summer (3rd floor, no awning, no trees, blinds but I have plants and no other windows) and I don't have a/c. So... many years ago I turned off the oven. The pilot lights were roasting me but I kept the stove on and now the oven collects pots and pans. Since I live alone, the toaster-oven works well for me." I told Judith, responding to her blog: "Thank-you for this entry. As a traveler I mostly meet younger people and because I like strangers from strange lands I engage them. And... because I talk to everyone first and I don't ask permission I draw out shy quiet people.  Yes, I know that that's annoying. Yes, it's not always culturally acceptable. Yes, some young American women think a man is going to rape them if he smiles and says hello (a whole 'nother issue). BUT, I use my age to my advantage and I share... whatever. I don't need to ask more than 5 questions to find something in common. Sometimes I forget that I'm old! Young people react to me as their crazy uncle or dotty grandfather or retired professor. I'm fine with that as long as it works. I also interact with pets, animals, trees... There's beauty all around us and if I'm with someone I'll point that out. I like to imagine that I'd do that with aliens as well." To Cappucine: "To Pollyannas I must seem to wallow in my sorrows. Truthfully? At this moment I'm basking in sunshine, noticing the green of my plants and a bright red geranium. And I just ate an 'interesting' concoction of ricotta, cheese-broccoli, tuna and pasta (no recipe). I write better when I'm depressed or at least when I'm not agitated. I do nap. I do daydream. In some ways I've made Sadness my friend. I wring out every tear to water my Muse." 38 degrees and slowly cooling at 8:39 p.m. Only one mild upset in women's bball today: Michigan (6); no exciting games at all. The men's Sweet Sixteen has 7 teams with a seed 6 or over. Imho opinion? I think they goofed up with some of the seeding, but with due respect, it was a quirky year. I wrote two poems today: "Windpump [3]" "Þimbleberries Þieves (Thimbleberry Thieves) [178.4] " I'm "caught up". |
     PROMPT March 23rd What do you do to improve your mood when you are sad? If you are frustrated or angry, what is your secret to feeling better? If you are happy and cheerful then continue being happy and cheerful and don't let my sadness or sorrow cloud your sunny day. BUT, if you demand that I be happy too? Go away ... far far away. Validate me by letting me be if you cannot embrace me. I work things out through sadness and tears just like others release their feelings through laughter. If you insist on me having to keep it all in because you can't handle it? You're being toxic. And that makes me angry (with isn't good for me). I need to ask myself when I'm angry, "what do I fear?" In this case the fear is becoming invisible when my true emotions aren't validated. I had a friend who always wanted me to be happy around her. No gloom anywhere near her. It actually made it very difficult for me to be me. Perhaps my gloom was toxic to her? Perhaps I reminded her too much of her son? Of that I'm sure. Allow me to work on my own emotions in my own way. You don't own them; you are not responsible to 'fix' them. That said... a hug is most welcome. Listening helps me. Sharing something that resonates makes me feel less alone. Distracting me (let's go for walk, smell the flowers, get coffee, make dinner, plant potatoes, pick peas) can be a great idea. Especially a  with coffee in it (cream, sugar, spice, please).Call me Eeyore if you must. Bring me a mug and a hug if you can. |
| The song that won't win Eurovision '21: The Norwegian teeny-boppers instead chose what imho is a very bland song. Tix will present "Fallen Angel". International reaction is that Norway will be shut out of the final this year by choosing the wrong song. One comment was interesting. It suggested the Tix won because of social media presence. Could be. This has been lamented by authors trying to get published. No proven media presence? Don't bother us. Marketing has always been an issue in the arts, along with racism and classism. Gatekeepers, as it were, jealously guard their domain. 36 degrees at 10:40 p.m. Other sad news. I knew it was the 21st but I wasn't sure which day of the week it was. Everything got thrown out of whack this past year and for me it's not back to normal in any way, shape or form. I'm going to join the class on Steampunk. Blimprider suggests I have no clue... and maybe I don't, but I hope I learn something beyond my comfort zone. One reason why I signed up was because I still have no travel plans. 38 pale grey degrees of gloom. Almost noon. Finished my first coffee. That does count?  The bball saga continues. The women's games of Jane Doe versus Betty White is so predictable. I love Betty but poor plain Jane has no chance. It's as if she were purposely invited so the sorority girls could make fun of her. Maybe if women's basketball were played more seriously on the high-school level it would help with depth. Regardless, the really talented women could play on the best men's teams. Spoke too soon. BYU (11) won in the first upset. And Wright State (13) in a thriller! Now Belmont (12). In men's bball: Oregon (7) with the upset. USC (6) over Kansas [I called this one]. 42 and a stray ray of sunshine at 1:23. Gasoline is $2.64/gallon. It's gone up a bit. I keep track in my journal because I see the sign out my window. Silly when one considers that I don't have a car; but, like the weather, it keeps me oriented to when and where I am. New weekly goals:  write at least 2 postcards (and mail them!) and make 1 phone call to family. find the photos to what I wrote in Journalistic Intentions for possible trinkets.  write in my hand-written journal every day.  enter 3 contests and not stress if I have to give up on the others. (wrote some) read! I've neglected this goal for a couple weeks. |
  PROMPT March 22nd Write about your earliest memory. Try to describe it in as much detail as possible. Maybe if I could remember I'd be triggered. The real answer? Nothing. My first head injury apparently was around age 3. In some ways I have no childhood. Everything I remember is an echo of a memory. And now as my memory fades it's even worse. I know we had a green '53 Oldsmobile until I was 4 or 5. I think I remember seeing a cow once. My kindergarten teacher wanted to keep me back; but, that's my mother's memory not mine. I used to know her name. Can't remember my second or third grade teacher's name either at the moment and I know I used to know! 1st grade was Miss Mancuso; I got all C's. I have a school photo somewhere. When I look at that I mostly remember names. I'm the short kid at the front with the big smile and buck teeth. I know I had a blue-green security blanket. Our quilt used when we were sick, and my sister and I were always sick, was red and patchwork strips. I know I've mentioned before how I remember hearing "Ombra mai fu" and "Greensleeves" about age 3. But that didn't come to mind when I read the prompt! My mind has slipped this last year. I wonder how noticeable it is to others. It's why I really resent not being able to travel this past year. If this is onset dementia then I won't have much time left to travel. |
NCAA Men's  The first 8 games on the 20th had some exciting moments but the second 8 games had the upsets as Abilene Christian (14), Ohio (13), UCLA (11), and Maryland (10) all won. Abilene Christian's upset over Texas was rated (9.0), the best game of the tournament so far. It's been a quirky year. Illinois and Gonzaga are still favored to meet for the championship, but the upsets are entertaining. 36 degrees at 11:39 p.m. I did write today, the 20th, but didn't get as much done as hoped. Never left the building, which isn't helpful. Did see Bri and Billie Jo. 41 grey degrees at 1:23. I ate beefy mushroom over corn pudding. Well... kinda.  Won't find my version in no fancy cookbook. And don't bother asking because I don't bother measuring. Loyola-Chicago (8) upsets Illinois in men's NCAA basketball. Women's basketball started today with a promise of two days of yawns. There are great athletes and great teams but they could limit the field to 16 and there still wouldn't be much of a chance of a 4 beating a 1. The 'rich' schools simply gobble up all the talent. There isn't any parity. Song in my mind? "Memories" by Maroon 5. 40 degrees and shrouded at 6:13. Probably snow mist between here and the mountains. I wrote to Elisa: "The comment about skin tone is interesting. My father was 'pink' as is my sister. Noon day summer sun? Can you say burnt strawberry? My mother on the other hand could tan sitting in front of a window in March. She knew she had English-Irish-French-German roots. What she didn't know was that the Franco-German just wasn't. It most likely was Iberian-Greco-Roman-Slavic. At least that's what the DNA tests said! So much for family secrets... Now when I see a picture of her, age 28 with curly black hair and olive skin, I see that. My father on the other hand was definitely English-Scandinavian-Finnic but his German blood was most likely Slavic. Again... what people don't know or forget. He looked like a Swede. [My sister] and I look Swedish as well. People in Sweden assumed I was Swedish. People in Norway when I tried to speak Norwegian thought I was Swedish. I don't speak Swedish. My mother had yellow undertones. She looked sallow in yellow and worse in green. She looked great in ice blue or pink. She had enough color that she could wear white without looking like a ghost or black without looking like a corpse. Was she olive skinned? Pale olive maybe. My memories of her when she was younger cannot be relied on. She's now 98, so whatever she was then doesn't really matter. Neither she nor her mother (lived to be 93) became crinkled though like Arizonans or many people here in Montana. As for the meat of your post... we are all brought up within family or community in a time and place (or families, times and places) and that skews our point-of-view. Just because I believe in the Oneness of Mankind doesn't mean I don't have blind-spots or that I'm totally detached from my childhood or my past." Just told a friend re WDC ratings [edited]: I have a poem "Fine wine" which has nothing to do with alcohol but the rating-nitpickers... Mostly I just slap a 18+ rating on everything even if it's E and ignore folks who give a darn, because I don't give a damn. I'm a writer not a Catholic middle-school nun admonishing pregnant 12 year olds for swearing." Just turned midnight here. BB wrap-up. Men's had additional upsets and near misses. Oregon State (12), Oral Roberts (15), Syracuse (11) all won as underdogs. Arkansas and Houston barely escaped. Along with Loyola Chicago (8) that's 4 upsets out of 8 games. There were no upsets among the Women's 16 games. Only two were close. Two games were rated 0.0. That bad from the first possession. |
  PROMPT March 21st What food or dish have you never eaten but would really like to try? Svið (Icelandic sheep's head) comes to mind ... as does horse. For me meat = meat. I like tongue and liver. I've had heart and kidney. Some meats are less harmful than others but meat = meat. Frankly I'd prefer goose, duck or fish (cod, crappie, milkfish, roble, flounder) or seafoods (octopus, squid). I do understand the hesitancy some folks have over eating sentient beings, but fyi, some octopi are smart! And some folks have never been poor. There are hundreds of edible vegetables; most I've never tried. Cooking and preparation makes a huge difference in how palatable they are. I never liked collards until I had them properly made. Same with brussel sprouts. My sister knows how to cook them. The Far East has many vegetables I'd like to try. Odd fruits too. But how about camel's milk? Bugs? How about grasshoppers QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham  ?Food = food. I don't like everything I try, but that's the only way to discover and experience new foods. If I ever get to visit you please don't take me to McDonalds. |
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