Tag: chop wood carry water

Radio Rolanni Off-Line for Scheduled Maintenance

Saturday — sunny and cool.

I have finally found the Sekrit to making an enjoyable (as opposed to merely an OK) cup of Harney’s Chocolate Chai Supreme, which is! (1) Realize that there is more than one cup, but less than two cups of leaves left, and just brew it all, leaving the cup 1/3(ish) empty. (2) After tea is brewed, fill the rest of the cup with milk, and dump in the last spoonful of Ghirardelli’s Cocoa Powder. The result is something like spicy hot chocolate, and really quite tasty. That said, I will not be re-upping my supply of chocolate chai.

Today, as previously reported, I’ll be finishing my packing, making sure the laptop is functional, and flipping a coin to see if I’ll be taking one of my crazy keyboards. Speaking of over-packing. I’m really bad on a flat keyboard anymore, but! I don’t intend this to be a Writing Retreat. On the Gripping Hand, if I’m suddenly Struck by Inspiration (which is almost guaranteed to happen exactly when one is intending Not To Write), I want to be able to type, not flail. I think I have Steve’s Special Flipping Coin around here somewhere…

Also today, I need to swap out the cat fountains (not the cat boxes; I did that earlier in the week), and decide how to adjust station air for the cats. It’s going to be in the mid-50s a couple days, but what worries me more is the warmer days in the middle of the week. I believe I’ll be setting station air at 72 COOL, which should keep things comfortable for them. They really don’t get the Go Downstairs strategy when the upper house gets too warm, and they have plenty of blankets, not to mention each other, to snuggle with if it’s cool.

I think it fair to say that from this point on, Radio Rolanni in all of its iterations will be transmitting intermittently, and possibly not at all. The conference areas will be open, and the kitchens stocked with snacks. Feel free to meet and talk among yourselves, or bring games and crafts.  We’ll be back on the air next weekend.

I append a picture of The Long Back Yard, with lilacs and those low-growing purple weeds that the bees like so much. I’m pleased to see such a lush patch of those.

The grape escape

Business First: Draft2Digital this evening has let me know that The Fey Duology is available from Kobo.

. . . and, indeed, it is listed here

No, I have no idea what’s going on
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Today, in my capacity as General Factotum and Cat Mom, I have retrieved from under the bed and the bureau, thirteen springs and one floofy pink ball.

I went to Marden’s and purchased half-a-yard of material that I hope will form the basis of a future embroidery project. I also topped off the gas tank, and stopped at Hannaford for a smol run of supplies — wherein lies a tale.

One of the things in my smol run of groceries was a plastic cup of grapes, so-called KidSnaks. As I was putting my stuff on to the conveyor at the cashier’s station, the cup of grapes staged a Thrilling EScape, darting from the cart to the floor, where the cup exploded and grapes went everywhere.

Surprisingly enough, I did not swear. But I did say, “Well, there’s a tragedy,” as I creakily began to bend over to gather up the carnage.

And the guy behind me said, “I’ll pick those up for you, ma’am.” And so he did, putting all the escapees back into the cup, and standing up to hand it to me. “If that’s the only thing goes wrong today, we’re both lucky!” he said.

I thanked him and waved him ahead of me, since he only had two beers and a pizza, and I was discommoded. Besides, who am I to stand between a helpful person and their well-earned treat?

When it was my turn with the cashier, I explained what happened, and she told me that I didn’t want those grapes, took the cup out of my hand, and dispatched “Ben,” to “go get this lady another cup of grapes, please.” And so it was done.

I have not got any reading of Trade Lanes done today, so that will be tomorrow’s task. Right now, since I’m finished retrieving springs, I’m going to go make the bed.

Everybody have a good evening. I’ll check back in tomorrow.

Look at the stars; look how they shine for you

Thursday. Sunny and pleasantly breezy. Weatherbeans calling for a high of 64F/18C. And there was much rejoicing. The cooling units are OFF, the windows are OPEN.

Breakfast was leftover pierogi. This finishes the bag. Lunch is uncertain as of this moment, because my math was off, or I was hungrier than I had anticipated, but I need to Consider My Options, a task for which I am uniquely unsuited.

Before I get to that, though, I’m onboard for changing out the cat boxes, and vacuuming the basement. Following that, I have two unexpected errands to run, to which I either will or will not add a swing by a grocery store, pending the results of Considered Options.

I slept late, though not, so the Garmin Watch tells me, well. The Garmin is quite worried about me; low sleep and high stress triggers its protective instincts, poor device. I told it I’ve had a lot on my mind, and that a change of scene, not to mention good sea air, will do me good. I’m not sure it believes me, which is fair enough, as I’m not sure I believe myself. One can only do one’s best, after all, even if entropy is winning.

What else? Ah. The Fey Duology — 200 preorders at Amazon this morning.

Baen will be publishing the ebook edition on June 1.

I note on D2D that Apple reports 30 preorders, BN 8, and Kobo 16. This despite BN reporting (same page, different column) that it has “delisted” the title, and Kobo as “publishing” the title. At the bottom of the long column of delists, I am told that the vendors accepting preorders are Apple and Smashwords.

Now you’re as confused as I am.

Thanks to everyone for your support of our work, and for your company as we navigate the unkempt paths of our bold new reality.

Does anyone else feel especially oppressed by the Stupidity, Cruelty, and Crassness? I feel, perhaps wrongly, that I could bear the entire world being set on its side, if the oppressors were at least, you know, more like Regency heroes — Suave, Intelligent, and Charming. No less cruel in their policies, certainly, but prettier to look at.

Well. My second cup of tea is gone, which means! the basement calls.

Today’s blog post title brought to you by Jacob Collier.  Yes, it’s long, but it’s worth your time.

Here, have a picture of Rookie in the Window, to cleanse your palate:

Sunny Wednesday

Well. Wednesday. Sunny and already warm.

We here at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory have gone from oil heat to heat pump cooling. Yesterday, we broke every single record for high temps on May 19 — 92F/33C in Portland. We here in Central Maine only hit 90F/32C.

Breakfast was the last of the yogurt with strawberry jam and wheat germ. Oatmeal cookie already lined up for Second Breakfast. First load of laundry is drying. Need to get the second load in the washer.

I realized this morning that, in my considerations of what to take to the ocean, I had forgotten to choose a traveling companion. I therefore put the matter to Sunny, who is an Old Orchard Beach native, adopted into the Lee-and-Miller household years ago, and he has agreed to ride shotgun. Sunny’s paw pads used to change color under the influence of Solar Rays, but I don’t think they do that anymore. So does age toy with us all.

Last night, I found the last draft of Trade Lanes, which Steve had set aside in frustration. I say “the last draft,” but what I have is about 35,000 words, and a bunch of it is notes, rather than narrative. My job today, while all of the previous Jethri books are fresh in my mind, is to read this document.

With the help of System76, I have resolved the problem of the two computers that would not update. Honestly, System76 has the best help-desk people in the known universe. And now Fezzik the laptop and Steve’s Short Meerkat/Sharon’s Writing Computer have up-to-date POP!_OSes.

In addition to reading the incomplete draft of Trade Lanes, I have some correspondence to catch up on, and the laundry of course, so I can commence in to packing the purple duffle bag.

What’re you doing today?

Here, have a picture of Sunny:

Tuesday morning relavations

Tuesday. Sunny and warm, heading for the high 80sF. Trash and recycling are at the curb.

Already done a day’s work and my back isn’t going to be thanking me, realsoonnow, so! The kettle’s on for tea. Second breakfast will be an oatmeal cookie, mug of tea, and two Tylenol.

It’s kinda looking like I’m going to have to give up the house in the next year or so, unless I find someone willing to go on retainer to do upkeep, or I enter into a marriage of convenience with a much younger and more ambitious person.

And then I can go looking for a condo-ish situation that will let me have THREE cats, the magic number for Allowed Cats (when they’re allowed at all) being two.

Well. Those are happy thoughts. But it doesn’t have to be solved today.

Amazon this morning reports 190 preorders for The Fey Duology — many, many thanks to everyone who is still with me at this point in the proceedings.

After Second Breakfast, I’m for a comfy chair, preferably one in a window, where I will continue reading Fair Trade.

What has Tuesday morning brought to you?

Tali is giving me relaxing in the window lessons.

A demon can get into real trouble, doing the right thing

Thursday. Cloudy, cool, and damp. Weatherbeans are calling for the damp to start falling out of the sky in a few hours. And the sun has come out during the hour I’ve been away to tend other matters.

So, I watched Good Omens 3 last night. I’m sorry the story had to be punished for Neil’s alleged bad behavior. The lack of his vision and what he imagined for Sir Terry’s vision was obvious in its absence, and what was offered was a flimsy sort of closure with a “feel good” denouement.

I thought, but have since better informed myself, that the last season had been cut from 6 episodes down to 90 minutes, which I was willing to admire the editor’s skill, while mourning the lack of depth.  In fact, I learn that neither Neil nor his production company was involved in Season 3. It was created by a Whole ‘Nother Group, which … kinda shows.

I actually wanted more of Jesus; he was shaping up really well, and I adored the practicality of — whatever it takes to bring people to you so you can teach — stories? pizza? Three-card monte? It’s all good.

This morning, I have been doing bookkeeping and poking at financial matters, which isn’t upsetting in the least. I will shortly get with sorting through closet and dresser drawers, moving winter out and into the spaces where spring and summer now reside.

For those following along at home, the preorder numbers thus far reported for the ebook edition of The Fey Duology are! Amazon 149; Apple 25; BN 7; Kobo 16.

The proof of the paper edition should be with me tomorrow.

Amazon wants me to go to “groundwood paper” for my paper editions, but doesn’t seem to be offering a sample, so — no, Amazon. Thanks for thinking of me.

And that’s the news.

How’s your day starting out?

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Sweet baby kitties. Who could guess that they were trying to murder each other five minutes ago?

The Rule of Three

Tuesday. Sunny, with a cool breeze. Trash and recycling at the curb.

Breakfast was hummus on rice crackers with a side of cherries.

Woke up this morning reminding myself of the Rule of Three*, which is only a little unsettling. After breakfast, I spent about an hour on the phone with a young person at Fidium whose name I heard as Alistair, but my ears probably dropped syllables. He was very helpful and patient and has, he said, gotten the landline to forward to the cell. Fingers crossed.

Though Alistair was very helpful and kind, I found the whole experience rather stressful, since we had to deal with Fidium’s lack of previous record-keeping, such as not removing Steve as the account manager, but merely adding me to the account, when I called them in 2024, so there was a lot of scraping off of old paint and serial numbers so that new could be applied.

I do need to unload the dishwasher (which is working nicely, and is slightly quieter than the previous dishwasher), and change out the cat fountains, but after that, I may just find a sunny chair and read. I’m thinking a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch. Maybe a grilled ham and cheese sandwich.

The cats have been on the case. Tali, in particular, took up a position under the ledge of the stand-up desk while Alistair and I were doing business, and pressed herself, warm and cat-solid, against my thighs, which was very good of her. Rookie brought me his pink ball, which was of course a comfort. Firefly sat in the window, and occasionally looked over her shoulder and smiled.

For those keeping score at home, preorders for the ebook edition of The Fey Duology as of this morning: Amazon 131; Apple 23; BN 7; Kobo 16.

So! What’s happening in your life this morning?

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*The Rule of Three is the principle that what you do returns to you three times. It’s most usually invoked as an argument against doing harm.

Delisting and strikes to the heart

I seem to have slipped up on the posting schedule.  Not much of any importance has happened, really.  I’m trying to catch up with real life tasks, so I can get back to writing, which is going about as well as you might think.

Today’s events of note where, in order of occurrence:

1  The proof for the paper edition of The Fey Duology arrived in the mail.  Gosh, what a pretty book. Seven hundred and thirty pages, $35US.  I inspect it, find it Good, and go over to D2D to push the button to publish.

2  Pushed the button to publish, and immediately got an email from D2D stating that because The Fey Duology contains “Dubious Consent (dubcon): Dubcon explores the gray area between consent and non-consent. Not clear if the receiver of the sexual act was fully on board or not at the time of the act,” and will not enter the network for print distribution.  Went back to D2D, and the book is already being delisted.

2a  Preorders for the ebook edition are still being accepted at all vendors.

3  The landline rang, and I foolishly answered it.  A woman said, brightly, “Hi!  I just received a phone call from a Steve Miller and –” I told her that Steve Miller was dead and that she was a liar.  She laughed at me and hung up.

So, that was, as they say, a strike to the heart. Tomorrow, I will be calling Fidium and if they can’t make the landline forward to the cell, I’m pulling the plug on the damned thing. We’ve had this number since we moved to Maine, so that’ll be interesting when people get “this number has been disconnected.” Like I need more Interesting in my life.

My chest hurts.

I actually had another point to make. Ah.

Update on ebook preorders for the Fey Duology: Amazon, 120; Apply, 21; BN, 7; Kobo 16.

Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe. Hug the people you love.

I’ll check in tomorrow.

A Saturday in May

Saturday. Sunny, breezy, still a little cool, maybe, but I have windows open.

Laundry is laundrifying.

Preorder numbers for The Fey Duology: Apple — 19. Amazon — 97. Yes, Amazon is 80% of all sales. This is the game, and if you don’t play, you starve.

So! The UFO files have been released, hey? And the Virginia courts have just proved that voting is a waste of everyone’s time? And Mr. Trump is awarding no-bid contracts to a friend?

Have I mentioned before that I hate this timeline? That one man’s stupidity, o’erweaning ego, and fear of being held accountable for his actions can do so much damage. And that’s not even the Really Terrifying Thing. The Really Terrifying Thing is that, if the god in charge of this narrative should wake from their doze, stretch out a hand and edit out every egotistical, self-serving monster in the story, leaving only persons of honor, who are working for the common good?

They might not be able to fix the mess that’s been made.

Well.

It was a pretty planet.

In other news, the to-do list tells me that today I will be writing, finishing the laundry, filing, baking, and trying my hand at fixing a mechanical clock.

What’re you doing today?