Category: Blog

Thursday and the errands thereto

Thursday. Sunny and cool so far.

Sigh. Have I said recently how very very tiresome it is to have worked for one’s whole life at something one loved, only to have it stolen, and simultaneously declared worthless?

I need to go out in a little while to take my CPAP machine to the sleep clinic for a Talking To. It’s decided all on its own to start blowing a gale, and I seem to no longer be allowed to set my preferred flow rate. What fun.

I’m a little … startled to see that our clocks Fall Back this weekend. Well. Another hour of Halloween. Why not?

The cats are asleep in Steve’s office. I fear that I may be a trifle boring. Or perhaps I’m just not taking the hint to Sleep Through It.

I have here a worrisome document from the US Department of Commerce/US Census Bureau, alerting Current Resident to the honor about to be done them in a visit from a Census Worker, who will need to speak with me for 45 minutes. It’s probably just me, but I would really not be forced to entertain anyone attached to the gummint in my home, whether or not they show me their badge. I’m not told when this happy event will occur, so maybe I’ll luck out and not be home when they call. Or, yanno, we can stand outside. Maybe it’ll be raining.

. . . I do believe that that? Is the morning news.

What’s happening at your place?

Oh.  I did undergo defluffling yesterday.  Below, the result, with bonus braids.

Tuesday afternoon

Um. Tuesday. Sunny and chilly.

This morning, I worked on what I’m calling “Call to Judgment,” the outtake/side-story that was excised from Kin Right.

I’m home from my last session of PT. I’m pronounced stable, skilled in recovery, and strong. I am to continue my homework, which I have So. Much. PT homework that it qualifies as a part-time job.

This evening is needlework, and tomorrow morning I have a haircut/trim/shaping/whatever, and then I expect to get back with Jethri.

What’s occupying your time today?

Visual evidence of dandelion fluff hair with supporting coon cats:

Dandelion fluff:

Firefly:

Rook:

Wicker

So, that was … interesting.

I went to the Regal Cinema in Augusta to see Wicker. I fear that going to the Regal Cinema is not a cheap date. Between the tickets and a medium Pepsi (which, to be fair, was dern near a gallon of Pepsi), I spent $25. I’d planned on getting popcorn, but I couldn’t afford it. I believe I will not be returning to the Regal Cinema in Augusta, no matter how much I want to see a movie now.

Wicker itself was … other than I had anticipated. When something is billed as a “comedy,” certain expectations arise. There were some funny bits, but Wicker is not, IMHO, a comedy, and had I had a clearer knowledge of what it actually is, I would probably have waited until it wandered 20 miles north to a cheaper venue.

The movie wanted to talk about the patriarchy, how one person’s unhappiness in a close-knit society can poison an entire village, how kindness is so little valued, how crippling is unkindness; and how simple love actually is.

These are worthy topics, and if I thought some of the roles were a little broad, it does well to recall that (1) the movie is based on a literary short story, and (2) I’m a genre writer, and Fantasy isn’t a Teaching Tool for me; it’s real.

That said, I’m not at all unhappy that I saw the movie. Aside from the fact that you could do worse of an afternoon than see Wicker for the story alone, Peter Dinklage was, well, Peter Dinklage, which I’ve always found to be worth the price of admission; Alexander Skarsgard as the Wicker Husband, and Olivia Colman as Fisherwoman are adorable, and the chemistry between them is terrific.

I stopped at the Rusty Lantern on my way home for a slice of hot pizza for supper, and now? It’s time to have another glass of wine and read a chapter or two before bed.

Books read in 2026

69  Saratoga Trunk, Edna Ferber, narrated by Robin Miles
68  Tryst, Elswyth Thane (re-re-re-re-&c-read) (e)
67  The Gate of Ivrel, (Morgaine #1), CJ Cherryh  (re-read) (e)
66  Mr Gorzug and the Required Qualifications (Mr Gorzug #2), Nole Moody (e)
65  Mr Gorzug, Substitute Teacher (Mr Gorzug #1), Nole Moody (e)
64  Serpent’s Reach, C.J. Cherryh (e)
63  The Thief of Time, Terry Pratchett re-read (e)
62  Chanur’s Homecoming, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
61  The Kif Strike Back, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
60  Chanur’s Venture, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
59  Pride of Chanur, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
58  The Glass-Cursed, (Whispers & Wayfarers #1) P.H. Blackwood (e)
57  The Paladin, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Stephen Bowlby
56  An Heir of Possibilities (Bad Heir Days #6), Grace Burrowes (e)
55  Bone and Blood, (Border Kingdom #2) C.E. Murphy (e)
54  Liberty’s Prison, Randall Liberty, Christine Graf (e)(bkclb)
53  Daggerbound, (Swordheart #2), T. Kingfisher (e)
52  A Gentleman of Modest Ambitions (Lord Julian #12), Grace Burrowes (e)
51  Swordheart, T. Kingfisher (re-read) (e)
50  Carousel Seas (Archers Beach #3), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
49  Carousel Sun (Archers Beach #2), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
48  Carousel Tides (Archers Beach #1), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
47  Diviner’s Bow (The Redlands #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
46  Ribbon Dance (The Redlands #2), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
45  Kin Right (Korval in Exile #7 AND Tinsori Light #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (unedited manuscript)
44  Salvage Right (Korval in Exile #6 AND Tinsori Light #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
43  Trader’s Leap (Korval in Exile #5 AND The Redlands #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
42  Accepting the Lance (Theo Waitley #7 AND Korval in Exile #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
41  Neogenesis (Theo Waitley #6 AND Korval in Exile #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
40  The Gathering Edge (Theo Waitley #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
39  Alliance of Equals (Korval in Exile #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
38  Dragon in Exile, (Liaden Universe® beginning the Korval In Exile arc), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
37  Sourdough, Robin Sloan (e) (bookclub)
36  Necessity’s Child (standalone in the Liaden Universe®), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens.
35  Dragon Ship (Theo Waitley #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
34  Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
33  Saltation (Theo Waitley #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
32  Fledgling (Theo Waitley #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
31  The Talisman Ring, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Joe Jameson
30  A Gentleman Far from Home (Lord Julian 11) Grace Burrowes (e)
29  Black Sheep, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Natalie Simpson
28  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Raj Ghatak
27  Platform Decay, (Murderbot) Martha Wells (e)
26  A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles (e) (bookclub)
25  Fair Trade (Jethri Gobelyn #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
24  Ribbon Dance (Liaden Universe #26), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
23  Trade Secret (Liaden Universe #17), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (e)
22  Sea Wrack and Changewind, Sharon Lee, narrated by Alex Picard
21  When the Wolves are Silent (Sebastian St. Cyr #21), C.S. Harris (e)
20  An Heir of Distinction (Bad Heir Days #5), Grace Burrowes (e)
19   Longeye (Fey Duology #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
18   Duainfey (Fey Duology #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
17  *Crystal Dragon (Liaden Universe® #10), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
16  *Crystal Soldier (Liaden Universe® #9), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
15  Seeking Persephone (Lancaster Family #1), Sarah M. Eden (e)
14   Theo of Golden, Allen Levi (e) book club
13  *Balance of Trade (Liaden Universe® #8), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
12  *Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
11  *Scout’s Progress (Liaden Universe® #6), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
10  *Local Custom, (Liaden Universe® #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
9   *I Dare (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
8   Cuckoo’s Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7   *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6   Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5   *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4   *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve    Miller
3   *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve                 Miller
2   A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace             Burrowes (e)
1   Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)

________
*I’m doing a straight-through series read in publication order

**I screwed up and moved right on to I Dare from Plan B, therefore deviating from publication order.  I will now amend myself and go back to pick up Local Custom.

***I’ll be re-issuing Duainfey and Longeye as an e-omnibus later this year, and so I need to read them!

Monday catch up, with cat toll

Did some excavating of words in the WIP today, and did some … let’s call it “plotting.” I was up early and was early at the desk, so I need to grab a short lunch before I head out for book club. And, I do believe that I will drive down to Augusta to see “Wicker,” after.

I also need to call for an appointment to get my hair cut. I look like a dandelion fluff.

And that would be today’s installment in the Exciting Life of a Writer.

What’s happening that exciting in your life?

Cat toll:

Firefly: You awake yet?

Rookie:  I’ve been up for hours 

Update of a chilly Sunday

Sunday. Pale blue and chilly.

Regarding my health, and dealing with a minor flare-up of an old complaint, which is tiresome, but in no way life-threatening, or even very interesting.

Regarding the WIP, I’m missing … something. Therefore, this will be a puttering day.

I apologize for the leanness of my updates recently. We’re still struggling with the new order here, and I’m dreading winter.

I hope everyone has a good Sunday. Be safe and take care.

Books read in 2026

68  Tryst, Elswyth Thane (re-re-re-re-&c-read) (e)
67  The Gate of Ivrel, (Morgaine #1), CJ Cherryh  (re-read) (e)
66  Mr Gorzug and the Required Qualifications (Mr Gorzug #2), Nole Moody (e)
65  Mr Gorzug, Substitute Teacher (Mr Gorzug #1), Nole Moody (e)
64  Serpent’s Reach, C.J. Cherryh (e)
63  The Thief of Time, Terry Pratchett re-read (e)
62  Chanur’s Homecoming, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
61  The Kif Strike Back, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
60  Chanur’s Venture, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
59  Pride of Chanur, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Dina Pearlman
58  The Glass-Cursed, (Whispers & Wayfarers #1) P.H. Blackwood (e)
57  The Paladin, C.J. Cherryh, narrated by Stephen Bowlby
56  An Heir of Possibilities (Bad Heir Days #6), Grace Burrowes (e)
55  Bone and Blood, (Border Kingdom #2) C.E. Murphy (e)
54  Liberty’s Prison, Randall Liberty, Christine Graf (e)(bkclb)
53  Daggerbound, (Swordheart #2), T. Kingfisher (e)
52  A Gentleman of Modest Ambitions (Lord Julian #12), Grace Burrowes (e)
51  Swordheart, T. Kingfisher (re-read) (e)
50  Carousel Seas (Archers Beach #3), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
49  Carousel Sun (Archers Beach #2), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
48  Carousel Tides (Archers Beach #1), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
47  Diviner’s Bow (The Redlands #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
46  Ribbon Dance (The Redlands #2), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
45  Kin Right (Korval in Exile #7 AND Tinsori Light #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (unedited manuscript)
44  Salvage Right (Korval in Exile #6 AND Tinsori Light #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
43  Trader’s Leap (Korval in Exile #5 AND The Redlands #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
42  Accepting the Lance (Theo Waitley #7 AND Korval in Exile #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
41  Neogenesis (Theo Waitley #6 AND Korval in Exile #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
40  The Gathering Edge (Theo Waitley #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
39  Alliance of Equals (Korval in Exile #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
38  Dragon in Exile, (Liaden Universe® beginning the Korval In Exile arc), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
37  Sourdough, Robin Sloan (e) (bookclub)
36  Necessity’s Child (standalone in the Liaden Universe®), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens.
35  Dragon Ship (Theo Waitley #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
34  Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
33  Saltation (Theo Waitley #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
32  Fledgling (Theo Waitley #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
31  The Talisman Ring, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Joe Jameson
30  A Gentleman Far from Home (Lord Julian 11) Grace Burrowes (e)
29  Black Sheep, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Natalie Simpson
28  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Raj Ghatak
27  Platform Decay, (Murderbot) Martha Wells (e)
26  A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles (e) (bookclub)
25  Fair Trade (Jethri Gobelyn #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
24  Ribbon Dance (Liaden Universe #26), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
23  Trade Secret (Liaden Universe #17), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (e)
22  Sea Wrack and Changewind, Sharon Lee, narrated by Alex Picard
21  When the Wolves are Silent (Sebastian St. Cyr #21), C.S. Harris (e)
20  An Heir of Distinction (Bad Heir Days #5), Grace Burrowes (e)
19   Longeye (Fey Duology #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
18   Duainfey (Fey Duology #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
17  *Crystal Dragon (Liaden Universe® #10), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
16  *Crystal Soldier (Liaden Universe® #9), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
15  Seeking Persephone (Lancaster Family #1), Sarah M. Eden (e)
14   Theo of Golden, Allen Levi (e) book club
13  *Balance of Trade (Liaden Universe® #8), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
12  *Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
11  *Scout’s Progress (Liaden Universe® #6), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
10  *Local Custom, (Liaden Universe® #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
9   *I Dare (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
8   Cuckoo’s Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7   *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6   Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5   *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4   *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve    Miller
3   *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve                 Miller
2   A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace             Burrowes (e)
1   Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)

________
*I’m doing a straight-through series read in publication order

**I screwed up and moved right on to I Dare from Plan B, therefore deviating from publication order.  I will now amend myself and go back to pick up Local Custom.

***I’ll be re-issuing Duainfey and Longeye as an e-omnibus later this year, and so I need to read them!

Errands to run and new shoes, too

Um. Thursday. Yes. Kind of a surly autumnal morning going on outside. Chilly, and the day’s projected high has been downgraded from the mid-60sF to the high-ish 50sF.

It turns out that I? Need to run some errands, and, that I have PT at 1:00. So, I’ll be going out after I finish this note to accomplish errands, swing back to the house to put the groceries away, and then go out again to PT.

I don’t think anything amazing, or even noteworthy, is going on here at the Confusion Factory. Well, Rookie wants me to throw his ball, but he won’t let it — well, there. He has let it go and knocked it under a bookshelf. How … catlike.

Oh. I should also see if Wicker will be playing anywhere … hang on. Pfui. Apparently we here in Central Maine will not be joining in the Limited Release and will need to wait until … November? Really. Ah, well. Something to look forward to.

Oh, and I have a new pair of shoes, or, actually, ankle boots. I decided that the nice, gooshy tenners the podiatrist thinks are the bee’s knees are an active danger to my balance, feeling, as they do, as if I have pillows strapped to my feet, and, yanno? Screw that. I have purchased a nice pair of flat-soled leather ankle boots, and already I feel more stable. Non-compliance are us. (Link to shoes, for those interested.)

And I really do think that’s all the news.

Who’s having an Exciting Thursday?

Back to work

Business first: BIG SALE! The audiobook edition of Ribbon Dance, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard, is on sale for $7.80! Yes! That’s 70% off!

Share the word! Share the link!

#
So, yesterday was a total wash, though I must say that the pillow-and-blanket fort on the couch is inspired, especially since a kind friend made sure I have heated fleece throws. Basically, I snugged in, feeling like I’d been run over by a train, while Firefly tucked against me, and Rookie stretched out on my hip, and we “listened” to Mouse and Dragon all day. I did rouse myself to order in from the local deli — butternut squash and apple soup is good! Who knew? — and I may order in again today, for no reason other than sheer self-indulgence.

Once again and truly — many many thanks to the folks who have kindly sent DoorDash cards.

This morning, the train has left the station, and really the only thing that hurts is my arm, which I can totally live with.

I wrote 1,090ish new words this morning, bringing the WIP to 65,935ish, and it’s starting to convincingly be A Book.

For some reason, I have a full inbox, which I’ll have to deal with after lunch. Which, yes, I will order in for I Am Weak and Hate to Cook.

How’s life going for you today?

Calling in sick

Tuesday. Dark and cold. The trash and the recycling can stay in the garage until next week.

Woke up at 2 am with a blinding headache, shivering so hard I could barely walk (not an exaggeration), all my joints aching, and also the arm into which the happy COVID vaccine was injected. May have been in an Altered State, but fell into one of those not-asleep, not-awake states that’s so unpleasant, and apparently fell back to sleep, because I just woke up.

I do have a small fever, but the headache is less ouchy, and I’m brewing a cup of tea before I find a breakfast bar or something like, so I can take Motrin/Tylenol and either go back to bed, or make a pillow fort on the couch.

And that was, for the record, Mister Pfizer’s little effort.

So! Calling in sick today.

Everybody stay safe.