life after the apocalypse – Page 3

Sekrit Cat Biz and Stampede Strings

What went before ONE: So lunch was food truck chicken nuggets and French fries. I have enough leftover for days, if I wish to play it that way.

Haircut achieved. I decided to let it stay long(ish) this pass. Stopped at the grocery for Trooper wet foods and tomatoes. Stopped at food truck. Came home, ate lunch. I think I have time to finish the book I’m reading before I need to leave for the chiropractor’s office.

It’s a pretty day, for those keeping score.

What went before TWO: Well, that’s a boring bunch of mail. Two letters from people who want me to donate money; one scolding me for daring to have filed a complaint against it (I can file complaints against any entity that it does business with, but not against itself, which is very convenient for itself); and another that was supposed to correct a previous error, which, um, didn’t.

OTOH, it remains a lovely, sunny, and cool day out of doors.

What went before THREE: Rook’s baby picture, May 30, 2024 (from FB Memories). Notation on original posting: So, this is Rook. He will be ready to leave his littermates in mid-June. However, because of Schedules, I will not be able to receive him at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory until July.

It’s funny, when I picked out his name, I thought to myself how unfair it was that black cats are often named for their color, and I decided that I didn’t want to do that. And while I was mulling names, (Steve) suggested Rook, a powerful and flexible chess piece. I liked it, too, because it comes with Rookie as a nickname, and he certainly will be that.

It wasn’t until I was talking to the breeder today, and she said, “Oh! I know what a rook is — it’s an English crow!” that I realized I’d been foiled.

What went before FOUR: So, the Jigsaw Draft has been put together. I need to Bring Up some stuff, but I’m feeling much happier about what I have, now.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

Saturday. Glary and cool.

Disturbed night, what with Sekrit Cat Business — which is fine, as long as Sekrit means Quiet — unsettling dreams and various whatnot. Slept in slightly, and am slow to get moving. I may have a cup of coffee.

Breakfast was rice crackers with cream cheese and a side of cherries. Lunch is TBD.

I should find out if the local homeless shelter takes pillows. Steve had stockpiled pillows, and after more than a year, I’ve determined that they’re In The Way, and I’m not going to use them.

Today will be mostly devoted to writing. Shan has written two letters, and I see that we must read them over the shoulders of the recipients, so that will be fun. Shan writes great letters.

Speaking of letters — I got an email from SSA yesterday, and thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to experience a Stress Spike whenever anything having to do with SSA hits my mailbox, or it’s coming round time for the monthly deposit. In the case, it turned out to be only the usual annual statement, but it was a thrilling few minutes that I could have done without.

The lady cats were having a bout of fisticuffs (fistipaws?) earlier. Not sure what it was about. They’re now sharing opposite ends of a window, overlooking the path between the house and the garage.

I know there’s a lot of Business of Democracy taking place this weekend. If you’re involved, have a care; I see there’s unsettled weather predicted here and there.

What is the weather where you are?

PS: After telling myself four times since getting up this morning to check Steve’s Tilley hat to see if it has a stampede string, I have finally accomplished this, and — yes. Yes, it does.

puts on pile for Monday’s boat tour

Chapter Jigsaw

Business first! This just in from Tantor Audiobooks!

To celebrate Barnburner‘s fifth year as an audiobook, Tantor is knocking 75% off of cover price, which means you can get this fine cozy mystery set in Maine, written by Sharon Lee, narrated by Traci Odom for only $4.00.

The sale ends on July 12.

Please share this news widely. Here’s your special sales link

#What went before: Still playing chapter jigsaw.

I strung my lights. I couldn’t make Plan A, over the bookshelves, work, so we’ve gone with Plan B. Of course. Plan B being over the windows. It will be fine.

Paid the bills and accounted them, and getting ready to pour a glass of wine and sit down with my headset and my tablet and see if I can’t reconcile their sudden differences.

Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe. Stay strong.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

#Friday. Sunny and cooler. Friday the Thirteenth.

Breakfast was half a blueberry muffin, with a side of cottage cheese; tea. The idea that I had no idea what I was going to eat for lunch woke me up, which seems unfair, though, really, it was almost 8.

Went to sleep listening to Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day — the chapter where she Speaks with Tony at the cocktail party, which is — so much fun.

I have a haircut scheduled for 11, so I have to decide if I want to keep my hair at what passes for “long” nowadays, or if I want to chop it all off until it stands up in terror. I will before that time of reckoning refresh the cat’s on-demand bar and perform my other duty to their felineships.

I have a chiropractor’s appointment at 3, and in-between I shall be continuing my solo game of chapter jigsaw, which is necessary because I find Good Solid Blocks of Narrative Here, and then There, and then Over Here, and Then — is boring, flat, and annoying. I’m aware of the complaint of our books that there are too many characters in too many places, doing too much, but — nobody wants a bored author. At least, I don’t want a bored author, so here we are. Chapter jigsaw to mix things up and keep them interesting.

What’re y’all doing today that isn’t boring?

Just waitin’ on a friend

What went before: Sewing was fun; more people continue to find the group. The conversation turned at one point to bats, which was lively and enjoyable.

I hear that I should expect the Martin’s Point Nurse Visit tomorrow between 8 and 10 am, so I guess I’d better get my pill bottles in one place; not that I have that many pills, but I do take vitamins. Will also remember to ask about a referral to an audiologist. I don’t know that the traveling nurse can do that, but — maybeso.

The cats have been fed, to Trooper’s vast satisfaction, and I have poured myself a glass of wine. After I gather up my pills, I’ll be having the evening meal, and, yes, another early night, being as I will have to be up early tomorrow, JIC.

Everybody stay safe.

G’night.

Wednesday. Sunny and already warm.

Waiting on the Visiting Nurse.

Breakfast was half a blueberry muffin with a side of cottage cheese. Drinking my first cup of tea.

First Official Act of the Day was filing a complaint against the spoofed profile. FB reminds me that it will only remove things that are against its community standards, and it appears that, actually, pretending to be someone else is not against community standards.

Which actually tells us everything we need to know about FB, and yet here we all still are.

My sister-in-law is defending her doctoral thesis this afternoon, so if you can spare a good vibe or two on Scholar Net, that would be awesome.

Aside the Visiting Nurse — who just called and says he’ll be here right around 8 o’clock — I need to take bottles to the redemption center, and stop at Agway for rose spray.

And, in view of the Imminent Arrival of the Visiting Nurse, signing off for now.

Later that same morning: So, that was a reasonable and informative visit. I remain Disgustingly Healthy. Speaking of double-edged blades.

I think I talked the Visiting Nurse into taking his wife to Corning to make glass. And I may have a lead on a doctor who is accepting “transfer patients.” Apparently that’s the magic phrase, right there — not “new.”

The lawn guy’s here to mow, and his equipment, naturally enough, is in the driveway, so I’ll be taking the bottles out after he’s done his thing. Which, given that it’s only 9 o’clock — mornings go on forever when you get up at 6:30 — will be about the time the redemption center opens.

Rook was Not At All Certain that he had cleared Vets in the House (double entendre alert: the nurse is, as so many medical folks are up here, ex-military), and hid in Steve’s room. The other three cats stayed in my office: Firefly and Trooper at the desk, and Tali behind a curtain.

Second cup of tea in hand.

The larger part of the day will be working on the WIP. I hope to get the correx entered today, so I can do the Grand Rearranging of Scenes tomorrow, and be set up to write new words, assuming I haven’t forgotten how, by the weekend.

I did a Coon Cat Weigh-In the other day. Everybody is staying stable — Firefly almost 12 lbs; Rook almost 13; Tali at 11 — except Trooper, who lost 2 lbs. He’s now on the mid-morning Elder Snack schedule. Good thoughts for Trooper, please.

How’s everybody doing today?

Rookie’s box arrived yesterday afternoon, and was put to use immediately I cleared out that pesky rope of lights:

Today’s blog post courtesy of the Rolling Stones, “Just Waitin’ on a Friend.”

Doctor on Deck

What went before ONE: All righty, then!

In my small, as yet uninvaded by Marines corner of the US, where it is cloudy, cool, and damp, I did go see the chiropractor, which was good, because back pain had continued escalating, until I was forced to sacrifice one of my precious Meloxicams to stem the pain and it was exactly like throwing a snowball at Hell.

I’m not gonna lie: getting smacked with a hammer in precisely the places I hurt most wasn’t fun. OTOH, the relief was damn’ near immediate. I came home, threw down some muscle relaxants, in order to get ahead of the cycle, got an ice pack and laid down in the bed, where I was immediately joined by Rook in what may be his first solo nursing gig. When I woke up, he was still curled against my knee, and I had Firefly and Tali bracketing my hips, so obviously this was considered a Serious Event by the care staff.

I have another appointment with the chiropractor tomorrow afternoon, but the absence of pain is a benediction, as ever.

I’m out for the rest of the day, obviously, but hope to be functional tomorrow.

Everybody stay safe.

Oh! Someone had asked about my neighbor: I’ve seen him round and about, though not to talk to — so I guess he’s Clearing Stuff Out.

‘night

What went before TWO: The names! The names! Obviously, I knew about the Sasanoa, but Upper Hells Gate and Hockomock have somehow eluded me for 35 years…

Cruise the upper Sasanoa River through Upper Hells Gate into serene Hockomock and Montsweag Bays. These tidal channels connect the Sasanoa River, Back River, and Sheepscot Rivers and once served as the primary rout for transportation between coastal communities like Bath, Wiscasset, and Boothbay. Their brackish waters host abundant fish and wildlife and serve as beautiful backdrops for photography opportunities. — Maine Maritime Museum Tours

Tuesday. Mizzling and cool. Trash and recycling are at the curb. It would be nice if it didn’t rain on one Trash Day so I could finish getting the Winter Boxes out of the garage before it’s Winter again.

Breakfast was oatmeal with inclusions. Lunch may well be the leftover pretend chicken parm.

I am sneezing. Happily my back does not hurt this morning, so I may do so with impunity.

Follow up with chiropractor at 3 today; sewing at 5 (or, really, whenever I get there); grocery shopping after. In-between, one’s duty to the cats, and the work of the house. I could, yanno, throw in a load of laundry, if I’m feeling particularly ambitious.

Two of the cruises offered from the Maine Maritime Museum hit the six lighthouses along the Kennebec River, and, Readers, I Am Tempted, because there’s no other way I’m going to be able to view these lights. All I need to do is figure out if I can cope with two to three hours trapped with strangers and their kids on a tour boat, and what I’m going to do about not burning to a crisp.

Last night, the cats and I finished up Season 1 of Ncuti Gatwa’s Dr. Who, and, having now seen the Whole Arc, I applaud Mr. Davies’ storytelling (yes, yes, I know; y’all are experts on Everything Who; allow me my discoveries in their own time). Firefly Did. Not. Approve. of Suketh. She threw herself onto the couch and aggressively snuggled against my side, purring, and occasionally looking up at me. I had to assure her several times that Ruby would Fix It, with help from the Man Person.

Ah. And today marks 300 days of traveling with Perry Wink in Finch. A melancholy celebration in its way, but, hey — any excuse for a party.

The younger staff members are playing tag in the back hall; Trooper is asleep on the co-pilot’s chair.

Have a picture of the rose bush:

The Luck in Action

What went before ONE: Well, that was more excitement than I wanted from lunch.

First, I spilled almost an entire box of elbow macaroni over the kitchen floor — I always try to catch things. Often I do catch them. Even more often, the result is worse than if I had just let whatever it is fall.

Rook came rushing to the scene of the catastrophe, looked at the mess, looked up me (“Mom. What the Hell?”), then assisted in clean-up by finding the macaronis that had taken cover under the cabinets, and smacking at least one to its Forever Home under the stove.

Eventually, I got back to the cooking part of the process, and it was lunch, and I even have leftovers for lunch-in-future.

Rook’s been practicing taking selfies:

What went before TWO: Well. A Compleat Change of Plan.

I did get some writing done, but after lunch, I noticed that my back hurt, and my hips hurt, and my knees hurt, and — you get the picture, I’m sure. So! I took a couple aspirin (I’m holding on to the High Test until I’m sure I have a doctor who can prescribe more, OR until aspirin doesn’t do the trick), and then I — wait for it — took a nap.

Woke up somewhat less achy, approached the keyboard, and remembered that today’s shopping trip to the freezer had Revealed An Error.

I was out of blueberry muffins.

Clearly, that situation could not stand, and a batch of blueberry muffins is finishing up baking as I type this.

Next, I need to go back down to the basement to see if I still have blueberries. Which tangentially reminds me that I ought to be making a grocery list. (EDITED TO ADD: I have blueberries.)

So! Minor amounts of writing completed today.

Here, have a snippet: “No, Bechimo had accepted Theo Waitley as captain, and there was nothing that could induce one of Korval, be she kin or be she clan, to relinquish a ship that was in her hand. She had been adamantine, had Captain Waitley, and admitted no error – which had only made him more determined to reft the ship from her.”

Oh. The muffins are out:

Monday. Glary, damp and coolish. Windows are open in my office.

Breakfast was . . . different from planned, due to the fact that the cottage cheese appeared to have Mystery Inclusions. So! instead of half a blueberry muffin with a side of cottage cheese, I had half a blueberry muffin with cream cheese. Lunch is likely be a sweet potato, since I’m not feeling All That ambitious.

I hereby report an Instance of the Lee-Miller Sloppy Luck. I had cut two roses off the new bush two days ago, and put them in a bud vase on the dining room table, where they remained, undisturbed and cheery, until!

. . .I’m guessing last night. Maybe early this morning. A Person Unknown — *cough* Tali *cough* — knocked the bud vase over onto a pile consisting of a SanDisk mp3 player attached to a pair of headphones, which was sitting on the case (closed) of another pair of headphones, which was next to a large book.

Reader, most of the water was still in the vase. The mp3 player was slightly damp, but is working. Both sets of headphones are untouched, as is the book. The tablecloth was a little damp, but it needed to be changed, anyway.

I did not sleep well last night, and my back is still bothering me. It occurs to me that the chiropractor was not attached to the hospital that left, so perhaps a phone call to see if I still have an In there is in order. (EDITED TO ADD: I still have an In, and better yet? An appointment for this afternoon.)

Otherwise, today is a writing day. No, really. I mean it.

Looking forward to the rest of the week, tomorrow evening is sewing, after which I’ll go to the grocery. Wednesday, I am to reside in a State of Anticipation of the arrival of the Home Visit Nurse, sometime between 8am and noon. Thursday morning Ashley will arrive, and Friday morning, I get a haircut.

I should sometime soon see what’s to do in Bath, so I can have some fun and find out where my doctor’s new practice is. Maybe there’s a Reny’s.

That’s the news from the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory.

What’s happening with you?

Pics from yesterday:

My father says that almost the whole world is asleep

What went before ONE: Litter pans changed out, basement vacuumed, shower had, shopping done (Do I need more jeans? No. But I adore the Starfish pull-ons from Lands End, and? They’re On Sale! Besides, I cleaned out the basement.)

Next up — the midday meal — and then back with the WIP.

For the Record, should there actually be a record — it’s raining like heck.

What went before TWO: The afternoon theme. My question is: why am I awake?

What went before THREE: So, I did not finish reading the WIP today. I did realize that what I have needs to be rearranged, now that I have nearly half of a (technical) book written. Tomorrow, I’ll start the rearrangement. Or, I’ll write the scene that’s missing. Or, yanno — both. Or neither.

I note that, for this book, and against Standard Practice, I made what I’m pleased to call An Outline, in service of the fact that I’m operating on half the recommended brain-power for the writing of a Liaden book.

It has served me well this far, but its usefulness will end as I commence rearranging the segments, which is fine, because I have the middle pretty much nailed down, and A Few Ideas about the ending.

In other words, we’re in pretty good shape, over here in It’s Time to Write Your Novel Land.

I did not take a nap today. This may or may not have been An Error, though I did not make the Definite Error of applying caffeine, which leads me to suppose that this will be another Early Night.

The Coon Cats have been suing for Happy Hour since 4:45. Right now, they’re being quiet, perhaps even Too Quiet, but I’m willing to take a lack of noise Right Now for the probability of Chaos later.

I will append the Outline to the end of this communication, for those who have an interest in such things.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

Outline for current WIP
VARIABLE
VELOCITY
TIME
CONVERGENCE
DISPLACEMENT
SOLUTION

Honest to ghu, people don’t pay attention.

Here’s Charlie Giguere, flying the Pride flag outside the Silver Street Tavern, which he has done for years (I mean Literal Years: I’m pretty sure there’s a picture of Steve and me standing in front of it around here somewhere, and I was wearing a corset, which is an article of clothing I last wore in 2019. But that year the bullies were too interested in shutting down the bookstore), and only now, he’s getting flack. Like it’s all Brand New, and Charlie Just Got Woke.

It’s not that I want a better class of bully, but the stupid does sometimes burn.

In other news, the Maine Grain Association is sponsoring a Bread Walk in Portland and also an After Dark Bread Walk, which makes me both grateful and sad that I don’t live nearer to Portland. On the 26th, though, there’s the Bread Fair at Skowhegan Fairgrounds, and I may try to make that, absent brain-fying heat.

Where was I?

Ah.

Sunday. Bright and warm.

Breakfast was French toast with strawberries. Second cup of tea is brewing. Lunch may be, um. Maybe I can take a premade chicken patty, cook it in tomato sauce, put it over macaroni and pretend it’s Chicken Parmesan. That could work.

Today is a writing day.

That’s it. That’s all I’ve got.

What’ve you got?

This morning’s blog post brought to you by Abney Park, “The Wake“

Rites of Spring

What went before: So, I’ve read 108 out of a possible 197 manuscript pages. Will finish that tomorrow.

Otherwise, a Very Quiet day here at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory (except Now, because Trooper is yelling for Happy Hour NEOW!). I am for some reason Just Exhausted, so it will be an early night hereabouts.

I watched “Rogue” last night from Dr. Who. The Doctor did look ever-so-tasty in his Regency duds, though I’m going to be very disappointed in him if he doesn’t find the lad.

Hope everyone has had an enjoyable Friday.

Stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

Saturday. Cloudy and cooler.

Slept late. Thinking about sleeping some more, but! Today is change-the-cat-boxes day, so — duty first, then nap, if I’m still So Inclined.

It rained last night — a lot — and the ‘beans are calling for more, off and on, during the day.

Tali and Rook did engage me before breakfast in a vigorous game of Spring, which presently goes like this:

1 Rook and Tali Gather Round, looking up at me Expectantly.

2 I Produce a Spring and show it to them.

3 They wriggle.

4 I throw the spring.

5 They chase it at turnpike speeds (Tali runs faster than Rook, but this isn’t an advantage, as she often over-shoots the target).

6 Rook (usually) recovers the spring (if Tali manages to get to it first, he takes it away from her), and brings it back to me, so I can throw it again.

6a If Tali retains the spring, she bats it around until she loses it, then comes back to me, eyes wide, waiting for me to Produce a Spring. However!

6b The game ends when the spring is lost.

7 VARY: Rook hides the spring and then comes back to me, eyes wide. I go find it and throw it again. This Variation has a three-throw limit or ends when 6b is invoked.

So, that’s the news from the Cat Farm. I note that this time last Saturday, I was driving twisty little roads through tidy Vermont towns in the Pouring! Down! Rain! and wondering if it just made more sense to pull over, buy a house, and never drive anywhere again.

What’re y’all doing that’s interesting, today?

News of tomorrow, today

For those who were wondering about 2025’s chapbook (remember that?) — roughed out, including the back matter, but not the front matter, we’re looking at 29,780 words/136 manuscript pages. Contents are: Author’s Explanation, Neutral Ground, Outtake: The Healer Removed; Core Values; Text of the Heinlein Acceptance Speech.

This is still in Very Rough Shape, and it naturally takes second place to the novel, which! I’ll begin reading tomorrow, because, yes, I DID get All The Stuff Done, and it is time — nay! past time! — to go back to work.

It’s my intention to post the first two installments (the only two installments I can find, and, indeed, possibly the only two that were written) of Cyberplane, Steve Miller’s electronic fanzine from 1996, to The Usual Places, possibly tonight, and Devote Myself To My Craft, tomorrow.

Which is to say, Friday on the East Coast of the USA will be a Planned Electron-Free Day at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory.

So! Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you, for sure, on Saturday.

Well, our fathers fought the Second World War

What went before ONE: I have achieved and sited roses. The tiny one is the baby from the front garden. The yellow one is True Kindness, which is a hybrid tea rose, said to be hardy, disease resistant and heat tolerant.

If this works out, I’ll try an heirloom rose.

I have also registered for the watercolor class and conquered the rest of my errands, save the bank, which is a Phone Call.

What went before TWO: So! I have a couple more things to do to catch up with Real Life, but it looks like I’ll be going back to work on Friday. Yeah, Friday; and I’ll probably be working all weekend, too, because my boss is a witch, man.

Tomorrow will be a Hide from the Heat day, because 90F/32C, and sunny. Friday will be a little cooler and cloudy, and then Saturday it will be SIGnificantly cooler, with rain. So, it’s not like I’ll be missing a Great Weekend on anything.

I have taken the Executive Decision to put twinkle lights up in the living room. Those should arrive tomorrow, and will be something to do In-Between.

Rookie very responsibly made his annual vet appointment for July. I’m so proud of him. Trooper is calling for Happy Hour, but he still has a little while to wait.
. . . and that’s the evening report.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

Thursday. Sunny and already warm enough by my reckoning. The weatherbeans are calling for Warmer, and a thunderstorm or two.

I had hoped that the Corning trip would serve as a buffer against meltdowns, as I came home from a con without Steve, and, indeed, emotions have taken their time catching up. Unfortunately, this morning it all kind of hit like a dump truck. Firefly just brought me her orange chew-and-chase thing, which is of course a Great Comfort.

Today, I’ll be doing normal quiet things — hanging away the laundry, making a pot of rice, doing one’s duty to the cats. I have two phone calls to make, and that will be my limit on Real World Business today.

There had been a call for me to post the text of my speech, so it can be compared to what I actually said. I’ll try to get that done — just a cut ‘n paste.

The coon cats have put their plans for the day into motion. What’re your plans?

Today’s blog title brought to you by Billy Joel: “Allentown”

Art storm

What went before ONE: So, I report a Tragedy. There was a traffic jam between me and home about an hour ago. So, I was forced to turn off at Gifford’s Ice Cream and partake of a chocolate milkshake (yes, with whipped cream) while I sat on top of a picnic bench, and watched the traffic sort itself out.

Alas. O! Alack.

What went before TWO: So, sewing was fun; I got a good start on my next project.

It’s going to be Summer tomorrow, really Summer on Thursday, Summer on Friday, and! rainy and cool on the weekend. Guess I’d better close the windows and crank up the heat pumps.

Everybody stay safe; I’ll see you tomorrow.

Wednesday. Sunny and heading for the mid-80sF/20sC.

Breakfast was the last of the noodles with an egg scrambled in, tea on the side. The rest of the eggs that vacationed in the fridge while I was away are on the stove for hardboiling, because lunch? Will be a summer meal: salad with tomato, and potato, and olives, and tuna, and egg — I think that’s all I’ve got that can go in a salad, but yanno? That actually sounds good enough to eat.

I slept long and hard, and did not dream of zombies, which has been the default for the last week, and let me tell ya — I’m not a fan. I did dream of having to escape through tunnels, but I attribute that to the book I’m reading.

Woke up with a determination to, yeah, sign up for the watercolor class at the senior center. I mean, it’s been proved many times over that I Am Not An Artist, but I haven’t tried watercolor in half a century or so, and at the very least, I’ll learn something about technique and philosophy.

I also have a couple of errands to run — to the vet for Trooper’s Special Sort, and to Uncle Dean’s for some dried lavender, and to the bank to tell them that, no, I do not want them to just roll the CD-about-to-ripen into another CD of similar length, but Sekrit Interest Rates.

Then I thought I’d go to Agway and see about buying a rose bush, which has blossomed — or do I mean exploded? — into this notion that, since I’m so often at the back of the house overlooking the deck — could I grow roses in containers on the deck, so I could see them from my windows?

The answer is — yes! This is possible. I need pot(s) and probably wheels for the pots, so they can be moved at need; the deck is plenty sunny, and — this is no longer a Case For Agway. So, I’m guessing I’ll go out to Fieldstone Gardens and see if I can get the ear of an expert.

So that’s the morning taken care of, and I’ll be getting on the road as soon as the eggs are done.

Who else is Exploring Art today?

Oh. I hung the plaque in Steve’s office; there was space on the wall behind his desk: