Stephen Harper, our PM prior to Trudeau, used to foster cats for the Ottawa Humane Society in the official residence, which I thought was cool even if I wouldn't vote for the guy on a cold day in hell.

Another day is winding down. Tea and cookies time!

Congratulations on your new governing team, Americans! A cake is in order, I think.

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Happy Birthday , Larry !!!!!!!

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Vibes, Gill, for both your clavicle and your parents.

COVID situation here has improved, at least in my city. Province still needs work. Apparently all people in longterm care in my city should be done for first shot by end of this week. After that, though, we are apparently in trouble due to a major shortage at Pfizer (their plant in Europe is having work done or something). Based on the vaccination plan I have seen so far, I am looking at Spring at the earliest.

Not much else going on. Keep working on some writing in fits and starts (more fits than starts, truth be told).

Tea and couple dog bones. Or are those the dog treats? Oh God, what am I eating?!?!?

Mini-marshmallows!!!! Bags and bags of them!!

Yeah, I was happy to see Roland around, too, and told him as much.

Snowing, but just light flurries. Figured winter would be back eventually. At least it's not enough to bother shovelling (yet).

Enjoying some tea as I work from home. Actually, would anyone mind if I just take over a table and chair here for the day? I'm sure the Wifi is decent and if not, there's always my phone's hotspot.

I'm kind of afraid of boats in general (not a swimmer), but probably sailboat at this point (really, I prefer canoes).

Read the book or watch the movie?

Creative

Fairies (though gnomes can be fun, too)

Friendly, pretty fairies or the darker, mischievous kind?

Got my daily exercise in. Got some more work done on a long gestating story set in my fantasy world. Will likely be gestating a bit longer. I'm thinking this is headed for 6-7K words based on progress so far (currently at c. 2300). Watched some Youtube. Yep, it must be Saturday.

Think I'll now grab a couple birthday cookies, make a green tea, and crash out in one of those comfy chairs while I figure out where this story goes next (And, really, where it is going in general. Still not sure of the ending.)

I have lived forever, Or so it seems to me, In my little temple, By the shining crystal sea. Some come in celebration, Some have come to sneer, Some have run in terror, I can be one to fear. My power is enormous, My mercy can be rare, Given to the wise folk, Calling me in prayer. But my world is fading, The magic in my heart Feels like it may leave me, I have played my part. My legend may...

Added 30 Oct 2020 | Category Poetry | Votes 6 | Avg Score 5 | Views 186 | 6 Comments

Something flew past the bedroom window as Shannon closed it for the night. The dark shape went by quickly, so quickly that Shannon could not really see what it was. Startled, she jumped back. “Probably just a bat or bird,” the young woman muttered as she quickly closed the window and curtains. She did not quite believe that. The shadow passing through the night had seemed too big for...

Added 27 Oct 2020 | Category Horror | Votes 9 | Avg Score 5 | Views 229 | 10 Comments

Talala looked down on the city square of Tantovar and smiled. Around her, people danced in a throng that filled the square. The rhythmic beat of hand drums and skirl of pipes filled the air with joyous sounds. “If only I could dance with them,” thought the goddess. But her body of carved stone was affixed to the temple dais. For deities could not enter the world of their own accord. They...

Added 21 Oct 2020 | Category Fantasy | Votes 11 | Avg Score 5 | Views 373 | 11 Comments

High up among the mountain peaks, 'Midst towering trees and flowing creeks; There I will find a holy space, That’s filled with beauty, love, and Grace. In this temple I shall bow and pray, And worship to the Cosmos pay.    ...

Added 15 Oct 2020 | Category Poetry | Votes 8 | Avg Score 5 | Views 201 | 9 Comments

Frank Baldwin stared out the window of his office. The lights of downtown Eversham shone before him. Usually, the mayor smiled when he looked out at those lights. A lifelong resident who had been the city’s mayor for twelve years, Frank was pleased and proud with the work he had done to improve the city. Tonight, though, he gazed out at them and sighed. It was looking like twelve years...

Added 10 Aug 2020 | Category Romance | Votes 7 | Avg Score 5 | Views 329 | 7 Comments

Butterflies and bees danced under the summer sun as Gail walked to the raspberry patch. The heat was increasing as the day wore on but was still bearable. With the lake as her pool, the heat did not really matter to Gail. She would re-apply sunscreen and go for a dip later. Finding a bush with plenty of ripe, red berries, Gail started picking. Her husband Michael was grilling a trout he...

Added 28 Jul 2020 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 19 | Avg Score 4.89 | Views 592 | 18 Comments

I am slumped in a chair, staring at my newest painting. For over twenty-four hours I have been awake, painting in a near-trance for more than half that time. The painting portrays a scene not far from my studio, a shallow bay on Lake Madeline. A woman emerges naked from the water. An overturned canoe floats nearby. The woman’s name is Lily. Memories flood in. ***** Thunder rumbled in...

Added 30 Sep 2019 | Category Supernatural | Votes 9 | Avg Score 5 | Views 626 | 11 Comments

Spooky people come out to play. This is now your special day. Scare the other folks away. Spooky people play! Monster people come out to dance, Tonight will be your perfect chance. Caper, spin, stomp, and prance! Monster people dance! Witch-y people grab your broom, Soar up through the twilight gloom, Past the stars you're going to zoom, Witch-y people zoom! Halloween people this is...

Added 31 Oct 2018 | Category Poetry | Votes 8 | Avg Score 5 | Views 658 | 5 Comments

The rider came swiftly towards Avenigar. Keeping his horse at a fast trot, he reached the cluster of buildings that stood beyond the town’s West gate. Those buildings stood mostly empty and boarded up now that winter had arrived. During the summer, though, they were home to hundreds when trade caravans passed through en route to the mountain passes. Dev Jackelbury, Warden of Avenigar, stood...

Added 13 Oct 2018 | Category Fantasy | Votes 8 | Avg Score 5 | Views 788 | 8 Comments

I saw the light born and reborn this morning. From dark sea and dim horizon came a holy glow, A signal that night's rule was ending; A first, tentative announcement that light and life would indeed return from the underworld. That first dim glow grew brighter, and my heart quickened, Delighting in the light, celebrating the warmth and brightness that soon would be. Then it happened. In...

Added 15 Jan 2018 | Category Poetry | Votes 6 | Avg Score 5 | Views 968 | 5 Comments