Blog Without A Name

Monday touch-base

Oh, dear. I seem to have eaten all of the strawberries.
Well. I’m certainly not going out to get more today. We are currently laboring under an Active Heat Advisory (nothing so dire as Seattle’s Excessive Heat Warning, but enough to get *my* attention), and have gone into Station mode. Curtains and windows closed, high-energy lights out, heat pumps on.
I believe I heard that there will be BLTs for supper, which sounds an excellent plan.
Belle has joined me at the desk, and Trooper is napping in the jetpac. Sprite is supervising Steve in Another Part of the House.
Today’s To-Dos include writing This Scene Here and doing another compile of BAD ACTORS, now that the Tyop Hunters’ work is done. I believe I will hold off on doing the laundry, given the weather situation. We’re not prone to brownouts hereabouts, but, then, we’re not prone to what counts for us as Crazy Hot Weather. No need to put extra strain on an aged power grid.
Else? Oh. I came across an old review of Balance of Trade the other day, and there was an assumption made by the reviewer which I will address here, in case it matters, or someone here labors under a similar misapprehension.
The name of Our Hero in Balance of Trade is Jethri Gobelyn, sometimes shortened to Jeth. The reviewer’s assumption was that this was an…homage?…to Jethro Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies (who even *remembers* The Beverly Hillbillies?) — which — no.
As you all know, the authors like to play to with words and names, and language drift. In the particular case, we rather thought that Jeffrey might drift to Jethri.
Also, yes, his surname is pronounced “goblin” because I had at that point for years wanted a reason to name a spaceship Goblin’s Market.
So, that.

Watch the skies

Frantic deadline writing continues, and!  We have a title for the novel, which IS a Jethri novel, and that title is!

FAIR TRADE

In the midst of All That (yes, yes, but you — at least I — have to give my brain something to do while the backroom is slapping together the rough of the next scene besides play endless rounds of Lumeno), the thirty-third Adventures in the Liaden Universe® chapbook, BAD ACTORS, is in process.  The Tyop Hunters are returning their results, and I’m looking at putting the chapbook up for pre-order next week, with an eye toward a July 31 release date.

BAD ACTORS collects three previously published Liaden short stories that fell through the cracks in our reprint process, due in equal parts to differing availability dates (one story had an 18-month exclusivity period, the others had a year), and the publication of the various Liaden Universe® Constellations.  All three stories feature people who might have chosen better, and all three were commissioned.  No, I don’t know why three different editors wanted stories that practically begged for Protags With Questionable Morals(tm).

The stories included are!  Excerpts from Two Lives, Dark Secrets, and Revolutionists.  As it happens, two of them were principally written by Steve, one by me.  So, you can have fun trying to decide which is which.  Possibly this could be made into a drinking game.  Or, yanno, not.

Watch this space, and other spaces where Things Liaden are discussed, for news.  Be sure that when pre-orders open, we will shout it from the highest buildings available.

While you’re waiting, here’s another look at the cover art.

Books read in 2021

40  Angel of the Overpass, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #3) (e)
39  Upside Down, N.R. Walker (e)
38  Network Effect, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #5) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
37  Exit Strategy, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #4) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
36  Rogue Protocol, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #3) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
35  A Dead Djinn in Cairo, P. Djèlí Clark (e)
34  The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, KJ Charles (e)
33  Artificial Condition, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #2) (e)(Steve read to me)
32  All Systems Red, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #1) (e) (read to Steve)
31  Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain
30  Stranger Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #2)
29  Foxes in Love, Toivo Kaartinen
28  Strange Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #1)
27  What Abigail Did that Summer, Ben Aaronovitch (e)
26  Sizzle, Jennifer Crusie (e)
25  Tangle of Need, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11) (read aloud w/Steve — and this catches us both up)
24  The Secret Language, Ursula Nordstrom (re-re-re-oh-hell-who-can-count)
23  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e)
22  The Rose Cottage, Mary Stewart (e)
21  The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #2) (e)
20  What the Devil Knows, C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr #16)
19  Last Guard, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling/Trinity #21) (pre-pub copy provided by the author; read aloud with Steve)
18  Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters (e)
17  The Consorts, Melissa Addey (e)
16  Brightfall, Jamie Lee Moyer (e)
15  Spider Woman’s Daughter, Anne Hillerman (e)
14  Wild Sign, Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega #6) (e)
13  Marian Halcombe, Brenda W. Clough (The Thrilling Adventures of the Most Dangerous Woman in Europe #1) (e)
12  The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, Olivia Waite (read aloud w/Steve)
11  An Easy Death, Charlaine Harris (Gunnie Rose #1) (e)
10  Paladin’s Strength, T. Kingfisher (Saint of Steel #2) (e)
9   Strange Bedpersons, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
8   The Sugared Game, KJ Charles (Will Darling #2) (e)
7   The Rules of Magic, Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic #2)
6   Smoke Bitten, Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #12) (e)
5   Bonds of Justice, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #8) (read aloud w/Steve)
4   Hostage to Pleasure, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #5) (read aloud w/Steve)
3   Anyone but You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
2   Mine to Possess, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #4) (read aloud w/Steve)
1   The Duke and I, Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #1) (e)

NOTE:  I’ve started to list the series, if any, a particular title is part of, as well as its place in series, if known.

Books read in 2021

39  Upside Down, N.R. Walker (e)
38  Network Effect, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #5) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
37  Exit Strategy, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #4) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
36  Rogue Protocol, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #3) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
35  A Dead Djinn in Cairo, P. Djèlí Clark (e)
34  The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, KJ Charles (e)
33  Artificial Condition, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #2) (e)(Steve read to me)
32  All Systems Red, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #1) (e) (read to Steve)
31  Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain
30  Stranger Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #2)
29  Foxes in Love, Toivo Kaartinen
28  Strange Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #1)
27  What Abigail Did that Summer, Ben Aaronovitch (e)
26  Sizzle, Jennifer Crusie (e)
25  Tangle of Need, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11) (read aloud w/Steve — and this catches us both up)
24  The Secret Language, Ursula Nordstrom (re-re-re-oh-hell-who-can-count)
23  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e)
22  The Rose Cottage, Mary Stewart (e)
21  The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #2) (e)
20  What the Devil Knows, C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr #16)
19  Last Guard, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling/Trinity #21) (pre-pub copy provided by the author; read aloud with Steve)
18  Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters (e)
17  The Consorts, Melissa Addey (e)
16  Brightfall, Jamie Lee Moyer (e)
15  Spider Woman’s Daughter, Anne Hillerman (e)
14  Wild Sign, Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega #6) (e)
13  Marian Halcombe, Brenda W. Clough (The Thrilling Adventures of the Most Dangerous Woman in Europe #1) (e)
12  The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, Olivia Waite (read aloud w/Steve)
11  An Easy Death, Charlaine Harris (Gunnie Rose #1) (e)
10  Paladin’s Strength, T. Kingfisher (Saint of Steel #2) (e)
9   Strange Bedpersons, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
8   The Sugared Game, KJ Charles (Will Darling #2) (e)
7   The Rules of Magic, Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic #2)
6   Smoke Bitten, Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #12) (e)
5   Bonds of Justice, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #8) (read aloud w/Steve)
4   Hostage to Pleasure, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #5) (read aloud w/Steve)
3   Anyone but You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
2   Mine to Possess, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #4) (read aloud w/Steve)
1   The Duke and I, Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #1) (e)

NOTE:  I’ve started to list the series, if any, a particular title is part of, as well as its place in series, if known.

Of tablets, clocks, and Murderbot

Yesterday was Errands.

As you’re all of course aware the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite dropped yesterday, and it was in my mind to arrive at Best Buy in Augusta and Acquire One, since my old-in-computer-terms Asus tablet is trembling on the edge of the True Death.

Alas, the Best Buy in Augusta had no A7 Lites in-stock.  They would have been  pleased to order one for me, but yanno?  I can do that myself.

So, onward!

Our next stop was Ellsworth, where we picked up the tambour clock that we had dropped off for repair in March, and and which I have missed DESperately every day it was gone.

Having driven to Ellsworth via the high-speed (where road construction is underway on both sides — welcome to summer in Maine), we opted to drive home via the low-speed (that’s Routes 1 and 3 to you), arriving in good time at Belfast, where we had a lovely under-the umbrella lunch at Nautilus at the harbor.  Steve had the haddock sandwich and I had the portobello with melted cheese on toast, both pronounced excellent.  There was green wine on offer, but we sadly declined, since there was still some driving to do.

Funny thing about Belfast harbor yesterday — there were no seagulls.  No, not one, even though there were french fries in play.

We drove home, decided that the grocery shopping could be put off until today, and shared the piece of limoncello cake we brought home from Nautilus.  Then Steve put the tambour clock back into its place in the living room bookshelf, I logged into B&H Photography and ordered myself a tablet, and we reconvened in the living room with a glass of wine, to finish reading Network Effect to each other.

In a few minutes, it’s off to the grocery store, then a story conference, then all story all the time for the Next While.  I hear there are authors who never have Deadline Crunch, but those authors are not us.

It rained overnight; I’m not sure how much, and the weatherbeans today threaten us with roaming violent thunderstorms, armed with hail, so that will be exciting, and the more reason to do the grocery shopping early.

Everybody stay safe.

 

Books read in 2021

38  Network Effect, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #5) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
37  Exit Strategy, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #4) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
36  Rogue Protocol, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #3) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
35  A Dead Djinn in Cairo, P. Djèlí Clark (e)
34  The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, KJ Charles (e)
33  Artificial Condition, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #2) (e)(Steve read to me)
32  All Systems Red, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #1) (e) (read to Steve)
31  Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain
30  Stranger Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #2)
29  Foxes in Love, Toivo Kaartinen
28  Strange Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #1)
27  What Abigail Did that Summer, Ben Aaronovitch (e)
26  Sizzle, Jennifer Crusie (e)
25  Tangle of Need, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11) (read aloud w/Steve — and this catches us both up)
24  The Secret Language, Ursula Nordstrom (re-re-re-oh-hell-who-can-count)
23  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e)
22  The Rose Cottage, Mary Stewart (e)
21  The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #2) (e)
20  What the Devil Knows, C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr #16)
19  Last Guard, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling/Trinity #21) (pre-pub copy provided by the author; read aloud with Steve)
18  Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters (e)
17  The Consorts, Melissa Addey (e)
16  Brightfall, Jamie Lee Moyer (e)
15  Spider Woman’s Daughter, Anne Hillerman (e)
14  Wild Sign, Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega #6) (e)
13  Marian Halcombe, Brenda W. Clough (The Thrilling Adventures of the Most Dangerous Woman in Europe #1) (e)
12  The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, Olivia Waite (read aloud w/Steve)
11  An Easy Death, Charlaine Harris (Gunnie Rose #1) (e)
10  Paladin’s Strength, T. Kingfisher (Saint of Steel #2) (e)
9   Strange Bedpersons, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
8   The Sugared Game, KJ Charles (Will Darling #2) (e)
7   The Rules of Magic, Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic #2)
6   Smoke Bitten, Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #12) (e)
5   Bonds of Justice, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #8) (read aloud w/Steve)
4   Hostage to Pleasure, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #5) (read aloud w/Steve)
3   Anyone but You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
2   Mine to Possess, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #4) (read aloud w/Steve)
1   The Duke and I, Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #1) (e)

NOTE:  I’ve started to list the series, if any, a particular title is part of, as well as its place in series, if known.

One thing I think you should know…

Monday again.

Steve made us some splendid scrambled eggs with potato for breakfast.

We decided on a cover image for the next Liaden Universe® chapbook (#33!) and I did the layout, because apparently doing layout is more beguiling than cleaning off my desk so I can get back with the novel and write 8,000 words this morning.

I’ve also decided on the contents for chapbook #34, but that has to wait until I finish writing “Our Lady of Benevolence,” which really will be after pay copy is turned in.

Supposed to rain today, which will be nice if it actually materializes. In any case, it’s much cooler, and more in line with a Maine June, and if we don’t see 90F/32C for the rest of the summer, that will be fine by me.

Yesterday, yes, Sunday, I took delivery of three Hays LED “neon” tubes for my office, and last night I set up the two yellow tubes. They are BRIGHT! Which is a feature. Gonna change the Whole Look of my office during the winter months. I still haven’t figures out a place for the third tube — allegedly “warm white” — but I’ll figure it out, eventually.

In other news, I finished reading the proofs of the Trader’s Leap mass market edition, coming to a bookstore near you at the end of September, and I daily expect the proofs for the new mmp edition of Local Custom, which will be in bookstores at the end of November.

May I just say that Trader’s Leap really is a very good book?  I’m extremely fond of it on a number of levels.

Next up is getting back with the Jethri novel in progress. Right after I clean off my desk.

And that’s the news that’s fit to print. Oh, hey, here’s the cover for the next chapbook — just a tease; we’ll let you know when you can order it.

Today’s blog title brought to you by Fleetwood Mac.  Yes, again.  Here’s your link.

Anything can happen day

We had a small but boisterous thunderstorm on the overnight, which knocked out the power just long enough to be irritating.

Today is, indeed, Anything Can Happen Day, and all I’m saying is — it better.  Or, wait.  Maybe I mean EVERYTHING Can Happen.  I think that’s closer.

The To-Do List includes:

*Reading Trader’s Leap mass market proofs (which landed yesterday; correx due end of June)
*Renewing the Hummer Bars (three Hummer Bars. I think I’d better stop, now.)
*Do the laundry
*Continue work on contracted short story, working title “Gadreel’s Folly” (mid-July target date)
*Continue work on novel (due end of June)
*The mandatory walk and exercise regime

I’d briefly considered going over to Winslow and stopping at the Spiro’s Gyros food truck for lunch, but that might need to wait until, oh, tomorrow, when I have to visit the vampyres, anyway.

Yesterday, was Echocardiogram and EKG Day.  Now waiting for those results.  We also stopped at the grocery store and I had a haircut in the afternoon.  That was Interesting, though possibly not for the reason you may imagine.  In the space of those three events, I moved from an environment where everyone was masked, to an environment where employees were masked, and customers who had not been vaccinated were asked to be masked (and where one maskless guy tried to pick a fight with Steve about masks, but missed), to the the place where I get my hair cut which was packed and I was the only one wearing a mask*.

It’s been Wicked Hot here in Central Maine over the last few days — I think we cracked 100F/38C on Monday; yesterday was merely 88F/31; and today the weatherbeans are calling for a balmy 85F/29C.  I, myself, am living for Friday, when the high temp is predicted to be 66F/19C.

Presently, I have two coon cat supervisors, while Steve makes do with one.

And that’s how the day’s getting underway, here at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory.

Y’all stay safe.

Today’s blog title brought to you by the Mickey Mouse Club which was on network television around 1958/1959.  Here’s your link.

___________
*Yes, yes, I’m still wearing a mask, even though I’m vaccinated and all.  Doctor’s orders are to pretend I haven’t been vaccinated and the masking orders have never been dropped. This is because I’m a cancer patient (aka a person whose immune system has been purposefully repressed) and there’s some concern that the vaccine is not 100%, or even, yanno, 87% effective in that population.

I got nothin’ but love for you

Towels washed, now drying. Blankie run made, cat towels and throws now washing. The curtains in my office are CLOSED against the nice sunshine, because the weatherbeans are calling 95F today *and* have issued a Heat Advisory until 8 pm. I did…something…to my ankle, so will be typing with my foot up. Yes, it’s All About the Derring-Do. Tomorrow at ohmyghod in the morning, I have an appointment with the cardiologist, which will be new, but I hope not exciting. And I still have that story to finish. There is Mystery Soup from the back of the freezer for lunch, with a salad. Trooper has moved his operations to the jetpac next to my desk, and Sprite is curled up in the sun spotlight from the clerestory window, which dramatically lights the cedar chest. Belle is allowing Steve to brush her.

DEEP BREATH

. . .and I think that’s it from the Confusion Factory.

How’s it going at your house?

Today’s blog post brought to you by! Fleetwood Mac:  Monday Morning.  Here’s your link.

Books read in 2021

37  Exit Strategy, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #4) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
36  Rogue Protocol, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #3) (e) (read aloud w/Steve)
35  A Dead Djinn in Cairo, P. Djèlí Clark (e)
34  The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, KJ Charles (e)
33  Artificial Condition, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #2) (e)(Steve read to me)
32  All Systems Red, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #1) (e) (read to Steve)
31  Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain
30  Stranger Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #2)
29  Foxes in Love, Toivo Kaartinen
28  Strange Planet, Nathan W. Pyle (Strange Planet graphic collection #1)
27  What Abigail Did that Summer, Ben Aaronovitch (e)
26  Sizzle, Jennifer Crusie (e)
25  Tangle of Need, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #11) (read aloud w/Steve — and this catches us both up)
24  The Secret Language, Ursula Nordstrom (re-re-re-oh-hell-who-can-count)
23  Fugitive Telemetry, Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #6) (e)
22  The Rose Cottage, Mary Stewart (e)
21  The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, Seanan McGuire (Ghost Roads #2) (e)
20  What the Devil Knows, C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr #16)
19  Last Guard, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling/Trinity #21) (pre-pub copy provided by the author; read aloud with Steve)
18  Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters (e)
17  The Consorts, Melissa Addey (e)
16  Brightfall, Jamie Lee Moyer (e)
15  Spider Woman’s Daughter, Anne Hillerman (e)
14  Wild Sign, Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega #6) (e)
13  Marian Halcombe, Brenda W. Clough (The Thrilling Adventures of the Most Dangerous Woman in Europe #1) (e)
12  The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, Olivia Waite (read aloud w/Steve)
11  An Easy Death, Charlaine Harris (Gunnie Rose #1) (e)
10  Paladin’s Strength, T. Kingfisher (Saint of Steel #2) (e)
9   Strange Bedpersons, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
8   The Sugared Game, KJ Charles (Will Darling #2) (e)
7   The Rules of Magic, Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic #2)
6   Smoke Bitten, Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #12) (e)
5   Bonds of Justice, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #8) (read aloud w/Steve)
4   Hostage to Pleasure, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #5) (read aloud w/Steve)
3   Anyone but You, Jennifer Crusie (read aloud w/Steve)
2   Mine to Possess, Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #4) (read aloud w/Steve)
1   The Duke and I, Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #1) (e)

NOTE:  I’ve started to list the series, if any, a particular title is part of, as well as its place in series, if known.