Tag: embroidery

Some people hope for a miracle cure

What went before ONE: New embroidery hoop! SOooooo exciting!

Oh. Also, my ballot.

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What went before TWO: 6:30 and it’s dark. I know it will only get worse from here, but … I’m really not ready for the dark this year.

Well. Sucks to be me.

On the writing front! One thousand nine hundred and fifty-fiveish new words, bringing the entire WIP into the vicinity of 92,300 total words.

Tomorrow, which I’ve been using Tuesday as a Chore Day because the needlework club makes it shortish, I plan on formatting Civilized Behavior and with luck may actually get the ebook up for preorder.

Wednesday and Friday both look clear for writing all day, which will be … exciting. A Schedule is starting to emerge from the surrounding chaos.

I did not make the phone call to the lawyer today, so that’s been bumped to Thursday, which will also be a Chore Day. This means I could call early, which does me no good at all, because the lawyer’s in Seattle.

The new oblong hoop is exactly what I want to finish embroidering my shirt, and that’s all set up. I do still need to thread my needles for tomorrow.

I also have my absentee ballot. This year we have a “Citizen Initiative” to vote on, to wit! Do I want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and those with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on ballot return envelopes, limit the number of ballot drop boxes, require voters to show a photo ID before voting, and! — this is the best part — “make other changes to our elections”.

. . . I am sorry to report that my ballot is incomplete. I may vote Yes or I may vote No, but I may not vote HELL No. Well. I will make do.

Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

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Tuesday. Sunny and a little breezy. Trash and recycling at the curb. Emails written. Breakfast et (toast and cottage cheese and strawberries). Kettle on for second cup of tea.

Lunch will be premade salmon cakes with leftover butter beans.

I and my Trusty Meter Stick have retrieved not one, but two! springs from beneath the bureau.

As soon as I’m finished here, I’ll be (1) completing my absentee ballot, (2) compiling Civilized Behavior, and! (3) doing my best to get it set up for preorders. Also on today’s to-do is one’s duty to the cats, getting my needles threaded, and going out to needlework.

Today is (I checked) Book Day! for the Ribbon Dance audiobook, written by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard.

Go forth, Little Audiobook, and do Great Things!

Link to All Things Ribbon Dance.

What’ve you got planned for the day?

Today’s blog post title from Billie Joel, “Innocent Man“

Selling the chiefhold

What went before: So, proofed about 100 pages today, since I finished writing early, and the WIP had nothing more to say to me. That puts me well ahead of schedule, but honestly, I would be happy to get it done early so I can pick up another one of the writing-adjacent projects waiting in the wings.

I’ve been having a little problem with the shirt I’m embroidering. There’s the unexpected resistance offered by having to stitch through the paper grid and the shirt, even though I deliberately chose a light shirt. Also, the instructions are adamant, that I use a small hoop, and that . . . just isn’t working for me. The pattern is peeling up from the fabric and — just not working. One of my friends at needlework last night asked if I didn’t need a bigger hoop and I explained that a small hoop was called for, but the more I thought about it today, the more I really wanted a bigger hoop. So, I’ve made that adjustment. What I really want is an oval hoop, but I don’t have one in-hand, though I do have one on order, now.

Tomorrow evening is my first stained glass class, so that will be exciting. The plan is to write! first!, then see what I can do in the time left before class.

The cats have had Happy Hour, and it’s time for me to read the October 1 chapter of A Night in the Lonesome October, and then find a glass of wine and something to eat.

Everybody stay safe. Have a good evening.

I’ll check in tomorrow.
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Good morning:

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Writing session:  supervisors on the job:

 

 

 

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Well, let’s see.

Thursday. Sunny and seasonally warm.

The blanket I used to cover the rosebush last night was a little icy when I took it off at 8 o’clock. I’m not seeing a call for frost tonight, so that’s good. I have to look up this sort of rose and find what they want for winter.

In the meantime, this morning’s go at the keyboard netted+/-1,340 new words, bringing the WIP to +/- 88,800, which is kind of a pretty number, actually.

I have done my duty to the cats, and taken a walk. I’m planning on a late lunch because my evening class goes late. Ish.

Sarah confirms that she will be here bright and early tomorrow to clean — it’s been a while, what with having to cancel last time so I could see my doctor in Bath. The house is looking a little wild because my first priority has been to keep up with the writing and writing-adjacent stuff. Housekeeping is ‘way down on the list of Other Stuff I feel compelled to accomplish.

I read the October 1 chapter of A Night in the Lonesome October last night, in which we get Insight into Snuff’s duties. I’m reading aloud, because it feels Wrong not to, though that will perhaps change. The cats are … not unamused. Firefly at least remembers this thing.

And I think that’s it, aside a snippet. We haven’t had a snippet in a while.

How’s everybody doing?
* * *
SNIPPET:
Val Con looked to Shan. “I haven’t seen this room open since Uncle Er Thom brought that person from the Aeschalees on-board.”

“Good gods.” Shan stared at him. “I’d forgotten all about that.”

“You’d been sent down to secure the trade,” Val Con said. “But I was cabin boy and called upon to serve.”

“Thus all I have is hearsay. And the rug, of course. Though it did clean up nicely.”

“And the trade was preserved,” Val Con continued, “and Uncle Er Thom was pronounced a chief of the Aeschaleen.”

“That I do remember,” Shan said. “Mother would occasionally ask how his second and third wives went on. Which was really too bad of her.”

“More cousins?” Miri asked.

“Sadly not,” Val Con answered. “He saw the wives each well-set-up in their own establishments with the proceeds from the sale of his chiefhold.”

Shan laughed. “Father had his moments, admit it.”

Believe in me, I’m with the High Command

What went before: 42% of new ramen shops close within the year; 72% close within three years.

Good heavens; I had no idea (1) how many people want to open noodle/ramen shops or (2) what the fail rate is.

Yes, I’m researching noodle shops for the WIP.

Because! You should write what you know.

Which means: Do your research.

Edited to add:  No, I’m not looking for stats; I’m looking for what you need in the kitchen.  The stats were just … there.

What went before: So, wrote a scene kind of like the scene I had in my head, about 1,180 words.

I have a couple of things to set up for the rest of the week, which is just chock full of fun. Book club early tomorrow afternoon — that’s fun. Mammogram at 8 am on Tuesday — not so much fun — and needlework tomorrow evening. They’re going to start charging me rent at the library.

Wednesday and Thursday are clear, and on Friday morning, I get to drive to Bath to visit my PCP. Could be worse, I guess. At least Bath is interesting, and I can reward myself for my patience by visiting the bakery, after.

Speaking of fun, I suddenly, and almost without warning, decided that I was done with low-stakes cozies for the moment and on the advice of a friend have taken on Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky. So far, so good. It’s good to see what the Iloheen got up to in their retirement. And it’s good to be reminded that we/I don’t write ambitious books.

Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe; I’ll check in again tomorrow.

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Earlier that same Monday: So, I often listen to Alan Hunter on Classic Rewind on Sirius XM. He’s doing something interesting — send him your top ten favorite songs from the “Cassette Era” and he, or somebody, will tally them up and play the Most Favorite Top Ten of Everybody Everywhere sometime in October.

Of course, I don’t remember Alan’s email address, and he did allow as how this is the sort of list that changes daily, if not hourly, but it’s an interesting challenge of itself.

So! I Challenge You! List your Top Ten Songs from the so-called “Cassette Era of Rock and Roll” (late 1970s-early 1990s) as of — Right Now.

Go.

My Top Ten before I finish my first cup of tea are (in no particular order, because that would be TOO crazy):
1 Silent Running, Mike and the Mechanics
2 Don’t Pay the Ferryman, Chris de Burgh
3 Werewolves of London, Warren Zevon
4 Don’t Fear the Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult
5 Under Pressure, Queen/Bowie
6 Burn with Me, Modern English
7 Missionary Man, The Eurythmics
8 Be Good to Me, Tina Turner
9 Sultans of Swing, Dire Straits
10 Beast of Burden, Rolling Stones

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Reading over a section I wrote a couple days ago. Made note: “Korval pilots do not SCURRY.” Sheesh. Who writes this stuff?

So, Monday. Sunny and pleasant. Been doodling around with mini-projects. Getting my needles ready for the next project. Making a pot of rice, doing some business correspondence. Need to go downstairs and clean the cat boxes in a few. Book Club at 1.

Last night, after I quit for the day, I sat down and handwrote another two pages. I really need to sit down, seriously, with the chapter-by-chapter and make a list of What’s Missing, ’cause I could write Good Scenes until the Heat Death of the Universe. Still looking at that title. It may have to do.

I keep forgetting to mention for the edification of Rookie’s Fan Club — for all his obvious charms, and they are many, Rookie has not really been very chatty. Given that he’s a Maine Coon, that made him practically silent. As a kitten, his purr was so loud, it sometimes knocked him over, which was — no, we don’t laugh at our kittens. We tell them they’re Very Special to have Thought of That. Now that he’s a Big Cat, though, his purr is extremely soft and puffy, and while I have once or twice heard him yell in frustration, his vocalizations were mostly quiet, and directed to the other cats.

That has changed, since, I’ll say, since Trooper left us. Rook has taken to meeping at me, making eye contact and Stating A Thing.  He’s still much more quiet-spoken than Trooper, or even Sprite, who spoke softly, but with Great Clarity — but he’s talking, and he clearly means to communicate. So, yanno, that’s exciting.

The kid’s still growing.

I don’t think I have anything else to report. As said, I’ve got a few chores to do before I head off for book club, but it’s not really a very crowded looking day.

How’s your Monday shaping up?

Today’s blog post title from Mike and the Mechanics, “Silent Running,” because how could I not?

Also, cat tax.  Tali is getting bold:

I’ll find out, when I get there

Friday early in the morning: Ducking in real quick to answer the morning’s most frequent questions.

The name of the character is Zigfrid, and she has a problem. What a surprise.

The caricatures of Steve and me hanging on the wall in one of the photos I posted yesterday are by Howard Taylor, creator of Schlock Mercenary. They were done at Denvention, the 66th World Science Fiction Convention, in Denver.

In that same photo, Rookie is not scared or angry. His tail is always like that.

And! Not a question, but an observation. I’ve been listening to Black Cats (soft) Jazz on Youtube, and like it very much. The cats don’t seem to like jazz, but I’m hoping it’ll grow on them, acknowledging that jazz is, like a Certain Professor, an Acquired Taste. Steve, for instance, loved him some blues, gypsy jazz, and fusion, most of which does not work for me.

All that said — onward! I’ll check back in, post-flu-shot.

Friday, post-flu-shot: Well. That was . . . an adventure.

An adventure, yes.

So, while I was getting my flu shot, I asked the nice young pharmacist when I could get reboosted on the COVID vaccine, the last booster I had being March. He kind of looked at the ceiling and said, kind of apologetic, “Well, see, the CDC isn’t making recommendations any more.” “Yes,” I said, “but aside that.” Weeeelllll, aside that, they don’t have, that is, they just can’t give, or well, actually — I need a prescription from my doctor stating that it is “medically necessary. “Otherwise,” said the pharmacist, “I’d give you one today. It’s been six months. I’m sorry; it’s really inconvenient.”

Well, no. I mean, yes, it is inconvenient, but they’re going to kill people. Already have killed people. And are So. Very. Proud. of Themselves.

I HATE this timeline.

I did some grocery shopping after getting my shot, and STILL there was no candied ginger on the shelf, so after I finished my business with Uncle Hannaford, I went down to Uncle Dean’s, and had my choice of several bags on the shelf. Which is why we need a natural market in town.

I’m home now, and everything put away. Next up is sitting down with some ice on my back and reading a chapter of my book, then! Lunch, and then?

To work.

Today’s blog post title from Tom Petty, “Learning to Fly.”

Cat pics and embroidery project The Next:

Egg rolls and embroidery

Wow. Thanks to everyone who sent birthday greetings. I can’t possibly answer each of you individually. Your wishes mean a great deal.

I had a pleasant, low-key kind of a day. In the morning, I sat in the comfy chair in my office in the sun and finished my embroidery project. I caught up with the character who refused to tell me her name and learned quite a lot about her, which of course meant that I had to rewrite a couple more scenes, but that’s OK! This is still the working draft; nothing is written in stone. Or even indelible ink.

I had stir-fried noodles and chicken, with egg rolls for lunch. I still have noodles left over, so that’s good.

The cats have been hanging with each other a lot today, largely congregating in Steve’s office. I’m assuming they’re doing some group work, and I let them have at it. Rook came by a couple times to check in, and Firefly and I did have a long chat about how being Boss Cat doesn’t mean she has to go it alone. I don’t know all the stuff that Trooper knew, because how could I? But I do know some stuff and have a lot of experience, so she’s not completely without backup. She seemed to feel better after our talk.

Tomorrow morning, I have a flu shot scheduled. By chance the pharmacy is in the grocery store, so I’ll be doing some shopping while I’m there. Then, I hope to come home and write some more.

Below are a few pics from the day, including the finished embroidery project.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll check in at some point tomorrow.

I’d rather learn from one bird how to sing

What went before ONE: So, fixed what I wrote yesterday, placed it in the WIP, fixed the chapter-by-chapter, and? That’s probably all the writing-related tasks I’m doing today.

The WIP, still titleless, clocks in at +/-64,160 total words.

What went before TWO: Had a good time at needlework; actually remembered to stop at the grocery before I got home, have served up coon cat happy hour. Need to put away the rest of the groceries, then find something to eat.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

Wednesday. Sunny and cool. Windows in my office are open.

Google initially told me that it was going to be “rainy” today. Questioned more closely, it admitted that there was a moderate chance of rain between 4pm and 5pm. Which piece of optimism Wunderground does not support, though it’s teasing me with the possibilities of thunderstorms on Friday. I could use me a good thunderstorm.

Trooper has already eaten a can and a half of gooshy food. Which reminds me that I ought to weigh him.

Breakfast was pb&j on a whole wheat English muffin. Tali came by to sit on my lap and purr while I finished my first cup of tea, so that was pleasant. Lunch has not yet suggested itself.

Today’s to-do includes doing one’s duty to the cats, exploring online/possibly subscription exercise programs (I know this about myself: If I haven’t made a commitment of some kind, I will not Just Exercise out of the abundance of my own good sense.), take a walk, and! writing.

My embroidery project at the moment was supposed to be a shirt I want to embroider, but I haven’t gotten my act in gear to decide what I want to do exactly and position the designs. So, I’ve been working on the little piece of handwork I was taking with me when we traveled. It was “supposed” to be an outline — by which I mean, not filled in — but I had started to fill it in as practice for stitching fur, and for twisting two colors of thread together. Last night, I finished the center. Pic below.

What relaxation project are you working on?

Today’s blog post title once more from ee cummings: “you shall above all things be glad and young”

One of these mornings, you’re gonna rise up singing…

What went before ONE: Aaaand home.

Spent hours in Michael’s. Which counts as a treat. Did not need to go to Target, because I found it in Staples. Toured Best Buy briefly to research tablets, because I think I’m going to buy a new tablet, though God She knows I have enough technology in this house to choke a camel.

First though! Now that Trooper, who met me at the door demanding to know WHERE HIS FOOD WAS, has been satisfied and is cleaning up, I’ve gotta find something to eat.

It is hot, and the air is thick, so I am glad to be back on Station Air.

What went before TWO: I am suddenly and for no reason bitterly tired.

So! Needlework was fun; we had a full house tonight, several new people, and some folks we hadn’t seen for a while. I had been going to take my shirt to embroider, but, with one thing and page proofs, I didn’t have time to make the transfer, so I grabbed my fox sampler and my traveling kit (the fox sampler may be five years old. I would bring it with me to cons, and work it on when we were on the train. At this remove, I’m not sure what I had in mind for the fox himself, who is maybe half-finished, so I just worked on some leaves this evening.

The cats have had Happy Hour, and I have poured myself a glass of wine. Tomorrow, there will be reading of page proofs.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

Wednesday. Sunny and? Going to be warm. What a surprise. We are on Station Air.

Breakfast was a bialy and cream cheese, with a side a grapes. Lunch will be a veggie burger with cheese.

I slept a whopping 7 hours and 55 minutes, and I actually do not feel like something the cat drug in (as we said in the Land of My Birth, where “drug” was the past participle of “drag”. “Flang,” however was not the past participle of “flung.” You had to go further south for that.).

The rosebush not only continues to survive, but there it’s blooming its silly head off.

Today, there will be Reading, of (1) a contract and (2) page proofs. If anyone wants me, I’ll be back in Steve’s office.

What’s on your schedule today?

Today’s blog post title from “Summertime,” from Porgy and Bess. The original from the opera is, IMHO, insupportable, but then I don’t tend to much like opera.  Here we have Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, which is Much More The Thing.

Rosebush, doing its thing:

Peace and particulates

What went before ONE: So, I think this is done. I’ll wait a bit and see if I’m Called to do the rest of the dots in French knots. The instructions say “not necessary.”

EDITED TO ADD: Someone in comments said that the stars that are not graced with a French knot are further away, and that is brilliant, especially since I had been thinking maybe I should do the smaller stars with one strand, to give the field depth. And here the field already has depth. Duh.

What went before TWO: 500ish new words today, bringing the WIP to +/-63,250. Words really seem to pile up faster once you crack 50,000, don’t they?

I am not feeling as well as I would like. I’m thinking overtired, here, so The Plan is to eat my dinner, and hit the bed. If I can’t sleep late, maybe I can sleep early.

Trooper ate the tiny can of gooshy CD that I picked up at the vet’s today, when I went in to pick up his meds (he’s been eating the dry CD forever). I do know better than to buy a case of the stuff, because the next time I offer it, he’ll turn his nose up, but I might want to go out tomorrow and pick up another can or two.

No snippet today, I’m afraid. Maybe tomorrow.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

What went before THREE: The Long Back Yard is very peaceful this morning.

Saturday. Sunny and cool so far, but They Say it will get warmer, later, and! We’re under a Severe Weather Alert due to bad air quality, the villain being particulates. I guess I’ll go on to Station Air in a bit. Right now, the windows in my office are open, and each one has a cat on the sill, observing the day.

I used my Audible credit to buy Devil’s Cub, and went to bed early to listen, and eventually fall asleep. I don’t care as much for this (male) narrator, who seems to think that all women must sound hysterical, which is fine for Fanny, but not at all a good look for Leonie. Still, I did fall asleep, and slept the night through. I woke up at 6, but not because Trooper was smacking me in the face. So that’s already a better day.

Had my first cup of tea on the deck; the second is with me here at the desk. Breakfast, so far, was a slice of cinnamon-raisin toast with cream cheese. I have no idea what I’m eating for lunch, or for the rest of breakfast, actually. Sigh. Who is the Goddess of Food? We need to have a chat.

On today’s to-do is one’s duty to the cats, naturally; signing my ribbon dance embroidery and putting it in the embroidery book; taking an inside walk (ref Bad Air Day); and writing.

I still feel a little … off. I’ll take a page from Steve’s book and blame the air. Given the AQI is 157, that seems to be a reasonable scapegoat.

Firefly has determined which drawer in my office chest of drawers holds the Cat Dancer, and was just trying to open it. I guess I have My Orders.

How’s everybody doing today?

Pic of Rook and Tali, who really have buddied up, snuggling and squabbling like true siblings.

In which Rookie went There and Back Again

What went before ONE: So, that’s +/-690 new words this morning before I quit to do some necessary chores and find out what’s for lunch. The Manuscript Entire is presently at +/-55,765.

I may or may not get back to the manuscript this afternoon after we get back from the vet. I may instead do the cat box change out in the basement, and take an early evening.

Trooper is now smacking me in the arm, demanding another snack, so that’s my cue.

What went before TWO: Rookie the Cookie, 16 months old, weighed on the Vet’s Official Scale, a cool 13 pounds-point-nothing. He is pronounced Healthy, Well-Grown, Solid, and Drop-Dead Gorgeous.

He has gotten his three-year distemper, and his rabies vaccine.

I regret to say that he swore loudly and with feeling all the way to the vet’s. He was much quieter on the way home, where I made myself strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, and Rook got a splurk of whipped cream. He is now sleeping the sleep of the guy who just got home after an adventure, and I’m going downstairs to change out the necessaries, after which it will be a shower and maybe some embroidery for me.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

So! Thursday. Dim and damp and not as cool as I would like. Maybe tomorrow.

Breakfast was the last slice of roast beast with the last slice of Swiss cheese on multigrain bread with a side of cherries. Second cup of tea to hand. Lunch will be — ah. Strawberry shortcake? Oh. With ice cream. And chocolate sauce. That’s all the food groups, isn’t it?

Rookie has bounced back from yesterday’s adventures and vaccines. He was not so much inclined to Cat Dance last night, being content to watch Firefly and Tali show off their moves, and he went to bed in the loft in Steve’s office early in the evening. But he’s on the move this morning, so all’s well, and we need Never Speak of It Again.

I worked on my current embroidery project last night while I finished listening to These Old Shades. I don’t think I had realized that this was Heyer’s second Regency; it’s such a leap forward from The Black Moth that I had always assumed she had written it much later, even given the Easter Eggs from Moth that are included.

The embroidery is going very quickly; it’s really simple, being mostly straight and back stitches. I have another couple kits, and I have some transfers coming. Maybe I’ll embroider a shirt next…

I had not reported yesterday that someone had tried to dig up the rosebush on the overnight. I repaired the damage, thought about putting gravel around it, but didn’t do. It looks undisturbed this morning, so — fingers crossed there.

Critter relocation has not called back. Need to call the next on the list today.

Also today, meeting friends for coffee this afternoon. Before that — one’s duty to the cats, and some writing are on-board.

So! What’s for lunch at your house today?

It’s a lonely ol’ night, but ain’t they all

What went before ONE: I am going to have to prevail upon the goodwill and kindness of the firemen to help with the smoke alarm. It is perhaps that an inner shield was not removed when the device was installed, and my hands are too week to turn the damned thing and open it.

I fear that’s also going to be the case with the electric broom, though I’m pretty sure the firemen won’t fix that.

Onward. I have made a cup of mocha, because I can, and have been through what I wrote yesterday, which remains good.

What went before TWO:

How Many Cats Are In This Picture?

What went before THREE: So, the generator guy pronounces the generator in good shape. He of course had to switch the power, so I’ll now have fun resetting all the clocks.

But that’s not why I called you here this afternoon. I am horrified by my new embroidery project.

#1: The thread is not embroidery thread; it seems to be Just Thread wound around a thread keeper, one strand and it’s all kinked up because it’s been wound on the card for … some time. I figured to iron it, to make it straighter and thus easier to work with, and? It melted. MELTED.

#2: One strand of this weird thread, doubled to make the two strands called for in the pattern, means a smaller needle than I usually use, and I am not certain at all that I’m going to be able to keep the dern thing in hand.

So! Definitely something I’ll be working on away from home. Or, I can possibly do a refrib, replace the stoopid thread with Actual Embroidery Thread from the Stash, and tally-ho.

That may be my best option.

But first?

The clocks!

What went before Three-point-one:  Summing up.  The weird thread is said to glow in the dark.  As I got the kit from a friend who was thinning her stash, and have no investment in the finished piece glowing in the dark, I have found appropriate colors in my Big Bag of cotton floss, and will be continuing with them.

What went before FOUR: Back from needlework. I got really involved in my project and the time flew. Good company helps.

Coon cat happy hour has been served up and I’ve poured myself a glass of wine.

I did a little bit of tinkering with the WIP today, but my real problem is how the scam is going to work, so I’m letting the boys in the basement work on their Powerpoint for awhile. I’m really like where this is going.

The only thing on tomorrow’s schedule, aside, yanno, one’s duty to the cats, and eating, and like that, is Rookie’s Annual with his vet in the afternoon. I hope to write in the morning hours, but if the guys are still working, it’s no big deal.

I think I may finish the green bit while I listen to These Old Shades — this will be New Territory; I’ve never listened to a book while I was doing something else. I wonder how that will work.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

Wednesday. Sunny and going for warm/hot-ish.

Once again, I am Up but not At ‘Em. I hope to find Motivation in a mug of Republic of Tea’s strong Irish Breakfast, as soon as it’s even remotely cool enough to drink.

Trooper has had his first snack of the day, with medical inclusions.

My breakfast, once I get to that part of today’s agenda, will be half an everything bagel and, oh, a slice of Swiss cheese; cherries on the side.

Slept hard, but with many disturbing and complex dreams, none of which I can remember of course, except that one had something to do with Alma Alexander and a car.

Notes on the day just behind us:

1 How Many Cats Are In This Picture of course comes from Highlights for Children, where it was a recurring puzzle. I don’t remember much else from Highlights for Children, but I do remember that. Obvs.

2 Listening to an audiobook while sewing is a Dangerous Game. I sat over my needle much later than I had intended, listening and stitching in an Altered State. If I’m going to make a Habit, I’m going to have to set a timer.

2a Last night’s experiment, ref #2, convinces me that listening to a book while driving is not going to A Thing for me. Good deal that I like to listen to music when I drive.

I didn’t have much of a plan for the day, but whatever it was, I have now taken the Command Decision to reduce it to: Breakfast, Cat Box Duty, Write until it’s time to swoop up Rook and take him for his annual check-up.

. . .and my tea is gone. Best find some day-clothes.

Who’s Up and At ‘Em this morning?

Today’s blog post title comes to you from Mr. John Mellencamp, “Lonely Ol’ Night“