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Inspirations, the Stories Space Coffee House: If you're reading this it just might mean I'm back, sorta. If you're not reading this, well, congratulations.

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Quote by Mendalla

That's great. Progress is always good when recovering.

Never read Moby Dick. Not sure if I ever will. My ability to read much of anything seems limited these days.

It’s a fun read, though you have to drag your way through the occasional boring section (types of whales, anyone?). But Arab is a gas. And I just finished the part about the real life whale attacks that MD is based on. Cool

Daughter continues to improve. This will be a little easier than we thought it would be.

My goal is to be able to protest with her on June 14. Flag day. Trump’s birthday. Military parade. It’s gonna be a day.

Fire and Ice - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words competition, first place

Monster - Survivor competition, first place

Heading into a long weekend here and in much of Canada. "Victoria Day", celebrating our first monarch (Confederation happened during Victoria's reign) and our relationship to the monarchy. To be honest, it's mostly the first long weekend of the summer. People open their cottages, take their first camping trips, high schools have their proms, people plant their flower beds, and so on. Weather looks mixed but today is nice at least. I'm working in my alternate home office, aka the deck.

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

Hoo boy, a day off! Watching the Mets-Yankees game (no score) and a play later (Sister Act, which I REALLY don't want to see, but Talia does, and that's what marriages are made of).

Overall, the caretaking is going a little easier than expected. Downside is, I get really tired by 6 or so, and I've been exhausted by the end of the drive home. Hoping to regain my energy this weekend.

Coffee please! I hope everyone is well.

Fire and Ice - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words competition, first place

Monster - Survivor competition, first place

Jeff, I'm glad your daughter's recovery is going well. I don't even want to think about that stupid parade. I've been trying to avoid all news these days. It was a little easier the last two days. We had a severe storm go through on Friday evening, and our power was off until this morning. Two people were killed not far from where I live when trees fell onto their cars. A tree also fell on a metro bus two streets away from us. It was a very short storm that wreaked havoc in the area.

I am finally feeling a bit better. My "cold" turned into pneumonia, so I have been exhausted and not keeping up with anything. I felt so bad that I could not see my father until I was better. I don't know why I was worried, he still thinks I come every day and that I am his sister. He's happy where he is. I received the best news: his long-term health care has finally approved his claim and will pay almost all of the monthly fees. It only took six months to get it approved. It's a huge weight off my mind.

I hope everyone has been having a good weekend. Take care of yourselves. Cheers.

Quote by gillianleeza
He's happy where he is. I received the best news: his long-term health care has finally approved his claim and will pay almost all of the monthly fees. It only took six months to get it approved. It's a huge weight off my mind.

Holy hell, what a crap show, though. Six months? At least it's settled and they're taking care of the fees.

Hope your recovery goes well, too. And Jeff's daughter.

It being Victoria Day, we went plant shopping. Picked up a new patio umbrella for the table I use when I work on the deck. Old one was probably letting more light through than it was stopping. It's the original we bought with the set so overdue for replacement, I guess.

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

New day, new week. Survived the long weekend and got stuff done so all is well.

Coffee of the week is Kicking Horse Grizzly Claw. For teas we have Yorkshire Gold and Earl Grey Cream. Fresh pitchers of iced tea and lemonade are in the fridge along with an assortment of sodas. Kettle is hot and ready if you're wanting some other hot beverages. And there's fresh plates of brownies and cookies.

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

I'm glad you are getting over your pneumonia, Gill, and that your dad is happy. That's important!

Things are going pretty well with my daughter's recovery. One complication reared its head this week, but nothing we can't deal with. I'm getting used to all the animals in her house. Only three of them, but that darned bird is annoying.

About halfway through Moby Dick. It's a good book.

Thanks for the treats Ape.

Fire and Ice - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words competition, first place

Monster - Survivor competition, first place

Coffee and tea are refreshed as are the goodies. Rainy and a bit miserable here until the weekend.

Pondering whether I can find something to write for here that won't tie me down in endless convolutions like my three or so current projects have kind of done (all are headed for novella territory or so). Something I can put to bed in 4-5K words.

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

Starting to get back to normal. I'm actually spending the morning at home, before heading over to my daughter's place in the afternoon. A complication has reared its head, but things should be fine.

I probably should be writing, but right now I'm just soaking in the peace of a free morning with no obligations.

A much-needed therapy session in a couple hours! Coffee please!

Fire and Ice - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words competition, first place

Monster - Survivor competition, first place

I feel like I am always coming in here and complaining about something. No reason to stop now, lol. I am feeling physically a lot better, but mentally not so much. My aunt (my father's last sibling) is in hospice care now in Philadelphia. It's an awful decision, but I will see her but not take my dad. It would only be upsetting for him, and then he would promptly forget about it all, and I don't think I could deal with him for a long car ride. The whole situation makes me feel terribly sad. My aunt and I are close. She was so supportive when my mom was sick. She let me vent to her constantly and was so kind. Not sure how to deal with all of this.

I hope to have good news one of these days. Thanks for letting me vent here. Take care of yourselves.

Sorry to hear, Gil. It just seems to keep coming at you, doesn't it? Vibes to you and your family.

We just lost my dad's sister a couple weeks ago after a short hospice stay. Late 80s and had a rough ride healthwise in recent years, including a nasty bout with C-19. Still, she seemed pretty good when I saw her last summer at her son's place. That's basically the end of that generation in my family tree. Her husband is still alive but that's a relative by marriage. He turns 91 this year and is still in good shape last I heard.

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

I'm sorry for your loss, Gill. Some seasons of life, the hammer just keeps coming down. You are among friends here, feel free to vent. We've all been there.

I just got dropped by my neurologist, for reasons that are unclear, but probably involve clearing Medicare patients off the rolls so they can make more money. I got another one, so they won't interrupt my care. But, at least here in the US, it's clear the billionaires have taken over. Sigh.

Coffee please.

Fire and Ice - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words competition, first place

Monster - Survivor competition, first place

It continues to astound me that people can see a basic service like medical care as a commodity, not as an essential service. Even here with our public healthcare system, I see that attitude around, esp. in our Conservative Party. There's actual resistance to extending it to cover dental, drug, mental health, and home/longterm care, even though those should be part and parcel of a comprehensive health system.

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

Hiya gang! I’ve been on vacation. Back now.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 3 days for me, so I’m excited! Came back tired from my trip.

I’m working on a short disturbing story for here in the Thriller category. 😈 I don’t know why I like the darker stuff so much now. 😳

Just a simple girl from Kentucky scribbling her way through this great big world.

I’m so sorry, Gillian! You’re going through it right now for sure, but these sad times will pass someday. Just take things one day at a time. I understand about not taking your dad. We’re not taking dad to a family wedding for the same reasons you noted.

❤️

Just a simple girl from Kentucky scribbling her way through this great big world.

Sunday!! And it really is SUNday here. Not a cloud in the sky for once. Though the forecast suggests that won't last.

It's a housework day and maybe cut the grass. Oh, and I was slinging pancakes this morning. So there's some out for anyone needing some yummies. For coffee I've put on on Kicking Horse Three Sisters. Tea is Assam Organic. Fresh lemonade and iced tea are in the fridge. Sodas are stocked up.

Hope folks are having a nice weekend and have a nice week ahead.

Later, alligators.

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

Memorial Day! One of those holidays that always gets me thinking and feeling…

I just submitted a very short thriller on here. My first of this type. I wanted it to be quietly disturbing. If you are interested, please let me know what works, and what doesn’t. I want to grow.

Just a simple girl from Kentucky scribbling her way through this great big world.

Yeesh. That'll be the first story in almost 3 weeks and only the fourth in May. Wish I could get something going that I can get out quickly. Current projects are all running long and won't be done any time soon.

Sunny here for a couple days after a fairly nice weekend. Hope Americans are having decent weather for their long weekend.

There's some Deathwish Dark Roast on for coffee. Teas are Scottish Breakfast and Black Currant. Cold beverages are lookin' good.

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

I wish more published here, but there’s just not many readers right now. I’ll publish regardless, but I understand authors wanting to be read if they publish.

I’m turning a story into a play for here next. Ha! We’ll see how that goes! 😳

Just a simple girl from Kentucky scribbling her way through this great big world.

A play sounds cool. My favourite play is the silly version of Hamlet, which includes memorable lines like:

Hamlet: To bee or not to bee, that is the question.

Bee: Here's an answer for you.

The bee doth sting Hamlet

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

I can't really believe I wrote that. I blame my state of mind.

Good morning and welcome. Coffee and tea are refreshed and hot. How are things in your world?

I'm getting a new driveway. Bricks are too much of a pain so instead of getting them relaid again (2nd time in the house's 25 year history), I'm ditching them in favour of concrete. Not cheap but it's supposed to be good for 30-40 years and I'll be happy if I'm still breathing then (I'd be 90-100).

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

“Frayed” is out, if interested. I won’t link to it since it’s easy to find on the Home Page and probably won’t roll off until next month. 🙄

Mr Ape, I’d say concrete is way to go, too. I do love brick, though. smile

Just a simple girl from Kentucky scribbling her way through this great big world.

Quote by WriterGirl
I do love brick, though.

Our builder offered brick and it looks nice so we went with it. My history was with asphalt (parents' place) and concrete (my first house) and in retrospect, I should have gone with one of those. Both are more practical, esp. up here in the land of ice and snow.

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

Looking forward to the play and the thriller, WG.

I’m no longer taking care of my daughter all day. She is going to try to get through mornings and early afternoons on her own, and I will pick up her kid and bring him home and hang out for a couple hours. Hope it works out. She s doing well.

So, with actual free time before me, I am going to write a story about a haunted garbage disposal.

Coffee please.

Fire and Ice - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words competition, first place

Monster - Survivor competition, first place

Good to hear that she's getting along with her recovery. And that grandpa is still helping out.😊 We're a bit far to help them much but if I'm retired by the time they have kids, we'll probably move closer.

And a haunted garbage disposal? Sounds more horror comedy than straight horror. Unless it got that way by someone being fed down it in pieces. 😲

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

Quote by Mendalla
And a haunted garbage disposal? Sounds more horror comedy than straight horror. Unless it got that way by someone being fed down it in pieces. 😲

Gonna try to play it straight. It's from the POV of two little kids. Little kids are TERRIFIED of garbage disposals.

Fire and Ice - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words competition, first place

Monster - Survivor competition, first place

Ah, little kid horror. Play on people's childhood fears and watch them freak out. Worked for King with It. And 'Salem's Lot, i think. IIRC the horrible thing in the spooky house was based on something from his childhood (there's also a short story called "Jerusalem's Lot" that's kind of the prototype for the novel but isn't a vampire story per se).

The old bookshop owner had something special for Dave.

Dash - Writer's Block competition entry

Quote by verbal

Gonna try to play it straight. It's from the POV of two little kids. Little kids are TERRIFIED of garbage disposals.

I’m terrified of them, too! 😨

Just a simple girl from Kentucky scribbling her way through this great big world.

Quote by verbal

Looking forward to the play and the thriller, WG.

I’d really like your thoughts on “Frayed”. It’s a different tone I was trying.

Just a simple girl from Kentucky scribbling her way through this great big world.

Hey there, hi there, ho there! I'm as simple as can be…

Or something like that.

Did you miss me? I'm elusive!

Sorry I've been AWOL folks, but life has been complicated. I've taken on a new project, and BIG one.

My father was a pioneering Oceanographer, starting in the 1940s and culminating around 1990 when he retired to be a professional golfer.

Before he died, he wrote his autobiography – all 156,000 words worth of it.

I sort of read it when he gave me a copy that he had printed at a local print shop, but more recently, I started to think more about it, especially as I now have experience in self-publishing.

It occurred to me that his autobiography is also about the invention of a new science: physical oceanography, and might be of interest to colleges, universities, researchers and research institutes, and people who enjoy reading about science and the history of science.

Accordingly, I'm going to attempt to edit his MS with an eye towards slightly refashioning it into a description of the invention of physical oceanography.

When I say he and his colleagues invented the field, I mean that quite literally. When they started it was thought that the ocean basins were mere repositories for sand from erosion on the continents that had been poured out by rivers. There were no instruments – they had to create them, dealing with conditions of extreme pressure and cold temperatures at the ocean bottom. And there was no one who could offer them any guidance.

Plus they had to deal with the constant problem of scientists everywhere and any time – to secure funding, and fend off political interference and censorship.

Sound familiar?

It's quite a task, but I'm hoping I can manage it.

Of course there have been other things going on in my life as well, like, um, well – life.

But I thought I would drop in, especially to read WriterGirl's creepfest, "Frayed", which I truly appreciated – even if I didn't find it light and fluffy!

Hi everybody! Gillian, I am so sorry to hear about your troubles. Life isn't usually fair, but it seems you've had more than your share of woe. 💔

Addicted to words, read and written.

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