Blog – Page 136 – Sharon Lee, Writer

Books read in 2021

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

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.

Stitching Time

Some folks have asked about my embroidery projects, so here’s a quick tour. Remember that all of these projects are kits, and they are considered beginner work, samplers, what-have-you. No, I don’t mind being a beginner, or an amateur or whatever that one young person over there was getting at. It’s relaxing to do something that’s relatively undemanding. I, mean, I write novels; I already have enough difficult and mentally demanding projects lined up. Embroidery is a complete change of pace, like, oh, coloring, or putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

So, for those interested, here are the projects I’ve completed so far. The cross-stitched napkins were the sole leftovers of my former stash. One had already been completed when I took up my needle again; I finished the other kind of to prove to myself that I could actually hold a needle and manipulate thread.

The piece to the far left is the first new work I completed, a simple sampler, to relearn, and in a couple cases, to learn, stitches.

The astronomical is a novice-level piece. It came with directions, and possibly with floss, but I varied from the suggested colors here and there, because I Am A Rebel.

The work in the hoop is the project I’m currently working on — another stitch-learning sampler.

The next photo features work in queue. They’re still simple/beginning/amateur kits. Eventually, I want to design and stitch two particular pieces, but I expect that’s down the line a bit, and in the meantime, I’m enjoying myself.

The next photo is of Trooper, who got bored with me taking pictures of pieces of cloth, and stumped out of the living room into the jetpac in my office.

Oh. I should add that I got my kits from Etsy — littledear and wildflowerfox; and from Snuggly Monkey

And that’s the news from the hobby side of things here at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory.

The Writers Goofing Off

Sunday, May 16 was our first non-medically aligned Electron-Free Day in. . .actually more than a year, and did double duty as a Sharon Practices Driving Day. Steve and I first drove down to Rockland, so we could take pictures of the harbor and pretty boats at play. Only…there were no boats at play or at rest. We walked around the harbor, from the Harbormaster’s Office to Archer’s on the Pier, and back, getting back into the car with cameras barely warm.

It was then we decided to go to Camden Hills State Park and see if the car was up to Climbing Mount Battie.

Short form, it was. Here are a few photos from a height.

Close up of sailboat on Penobscot Bay from Mount Battie

Cover reveal!

Coming to a bookstore near you in February 2022, A Liaden Universe® Constellation, Volume 5. Art by Sam Kennedy. Stories by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.

Table of Contents:

Authors’ Foreword

Fortune’s Favors

Opportunity to Seize

Shout of Honor

Command Decision

Dark Secrets

A Visit to the Galaxy Ballroom

The Gate That Locks the Tree

Preferred Seating

Ambient Conditions

Dead Men Dream

Books read in 2021

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.

Well, he walked up to me and he asked me if I wanted to dance

So, I’ve been working along at my Proper Business, and will in theory finish a story in first draft this weekend, which will give me room to start another story, while I’m doing my pass through the novel chunks given to me by Steve. Turns out that I can edit/expand pieces of a novel and write one short story on the side, but not more than one short story. A Revelation.

I’ve been neglecting my embroidery for a couple days, because of the tendency of the Proper Business of writers to slop over into every other part of life, but last evening, I thought I’d have a Go at designing/practicing my embroidered signature.

In all, I had three Goes. The first two were worked in three strands of blue thread; the second in yellow thread, name in one-strand, date in two-strands. Yes, yes, I’m telling you this for a Reason.

For my First Go, I decided to see if I was an Undiscovered Artist of Thread and could sign my name freehand. Spoiler: I am no sort of artist at all, a revelation that surprises no one.

For my Second Go, I used the so-called “fabric pencil” I had purchased at JoAnn’s to try to sign the fabric. This was a Disappointment for several reasons, the most important being that the pencil dragged along the cloth and barely left a guideline at all. Still, I Made the Attempt. The result was Somewhat better than the freehand, and I was encouraged to think that, if I used not three strands, which is standard embroidery sewing thickness, but one, I might get a more readable result.

For my Study in Yellow, I used a fountain pen to sign the fabric, which left a good sharp line for me to follow with my thread. I signed my name with one strand, and it was readable, but I felt, too thin. I worked the date with two strands, and I think I have found my Grail.

All of this doodling around with thread has, I fear, Inspired me. I wish to create a sampler of my own. To do this, I will need to practice my letters, but that’s not much of a hardship, there being tutorials on the web. What’s going to be hard is getting my design on fabric so I can stitch over it. I see people saying that you can transfer from PDF patterns onto cloth by using a sunny window (and a fabric pencil? errr…), but that really seems like a non-starter to me for what ought to be precision work. I used to have a lightbox (yeah, no, not an artist — I did layout), but it’s gone the way of Things Long Ago. I suppose I could buy a kid’s “toy” lightbox; they’re cheap enough and ought to do the job. OTOH, I’m already into this hobby for thread and needles and a sewing box, and I’ll really need to eventually break down and get an iron, and Where Will It End, I ask you?

So, there’s That. And now the reason I went on and on endlessly about colors and thread and the Science of my approach.

Here are the Blue Attempts:

And here is the Yellow:

And, just for fun, here’s the sampler I finished the other day:

Today’s blog title is brought to you by The Crystals, “Then He Kissed Me.” This is one of those songs from the 1960s that I love, and which would probably be Deeply Disturbing if I first heard it today. Culture moves on, I guess. Anyhow, here’s your link.

Derelict now available for preorder

Derelict, edited by David B. Coe and Joshua Palmatier is now available for preorder from the Kindle store. All stories are original to this anthology.

Here’s the Table of Contents:
“Symbiote” by Kristine Smith
“The Wreck of the Sarah Mohr” by D.B. Jackson
“The Tempest in Space” by Griffin Ayaz Tyree
“Playing Possum” by Andrija Popovic
“Standing Orders” by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
“Time, Yet” by Gerald Brandt
“Flight Plans Through the Dust of Dreams” by Kit Harding
“Saving Sallie Ruth” by Gini Koch writing as Anita Ensal
“Methuselah” by Jacey Bedford
“Celestial Object 143205” by Mark D. Jacobsen
“Mercy for the Lost” by Jana Paniccia
“When the Star Fell and the Levee Broke” by Alex Bledsoe
“Derelict of Duty” by Chaz Brenchley
“Two Ruins Make a Beginning” by R.Z. Held
“Orpheus” by Jack Campbell
“Decay in Five Stages” by Julie E. Czerneda

Here’s the blurb: No one can resist the mystery of the abandoned ship–whether it’s the ghost ship found afloat at sea in the Bermuda Triangle or the spaceship drifting in the depths of space a la the movie Alien. What happened to the crew? What horror forced them to abandon their vessel and flee…or are they still on board, trapped or even all dead? In this anthology, we want authors to explore all of the possibilities when one runs across…a DERELICT.

And here’s your link.

NOTE: Derelict was funded through Kickstarter. Please check your status as a supporter before preodering. Thank you.

Books read in 2021

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.

I can see all obstacles in my way

So, it’s been an exciting few days here at the Confusion Factory. For the first time in five years, I have a new pair of glasses. Also! We opened the Hummer Bar, starting with two choices of venue — the Flying Saucer and the Hot Air Balloon. Not fifteen minutes after we opened our doors, we served our first customer, and there has been a steady flow, since. I anticipate opening the annex in the front garden sometime in the coming week, and possibly relocating the Hot Air Balloon venue from the back deck to an existing feeding station in the back yard.

Speaking of lawns and yards and gardens — it has been a banner year for daffodils. Honestly, I don’t remember that we had this many daffodils, but my memory is a little patchy in spots nowadays, and it’s hard to argue against daffodils, so I’m just pleased to see them.

We — by which I of course mean Jeremy the Landscaping Guy — have installed three more cedar trees (emerald arborvitae), which fills in the line between our house and the Neighbors to the Right. This should have been done last year, but a lot of things didn’t get done last year.

The day after the Planting of the Cedars, we entertained Robbie the Arborist, who took down several trees in the back that had been fatally damaged in the big winter wind storms. Sadly, two of them were birch trees, and their absence really changes the view from my office windows.

Pete the Builder has accomplished the long-awaited steps from the deck to the back yard. Still some more work to do there, but having the stairs in place, and thus a second way out of the house in case of emergency, is a huge relief.

Up next week is a visit from the Dump Guy, to give us a quote on taking down the shed in the back, similarly damaged in the winds, and hauling it away, along with various repositories of Actual Junk in the garage and elsewhere.

We’re also looking for a return of Jeremy the Landscaping Guy, bearing two red maples (acer rubrum red sunset), and a Snowdance Japanese tree lilac, for the front lawn, the maples to provide shade, and the Snowdancer because it’s gorgeous, and neither one of us could resist the name. As soon as the City tells us where the sewer and water lines are, we’ll have them planted, and then we can take a breather.

. . .except for getting the book finished and turned in, and three short stories written. Yeah, yeah, piece o’cake.

Here have a picture of the Hummer Bar:

Today’s blog title brought to you by Johnny Nash, “I Can See Clearly Now.” Here’s your link.