Morning, all! Or afternoon, I guess.
Family Day here as well – since we're both in Ontari-ari-O, and the streets are quiet. Eerie. Quiet streets in Toronto. What next?
I'll have a cuppa Red Rose and some GF cookies. Sara – I know that patience is hard, but there are times when it's a must. I think it was St. Francis who said, "Lord, give me patience – and hurry!"
Take care, there, girl!
Quote by Mendalla
Gooooood morning, Inspirations!
Last I checked it is a weekend. And that means ... I'm not at work. Not even on call this week.
Been prepping my stories for the anthologies and once again cussing myself out for the "big oops". Lost the original Docs file for "The Empty Office" so I had to take a PDF image of the copy on the site and use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to convert it to a text file, then do some editing to deal with the vagaries of OCR. But I now have a usable copy.
Anyhoo, coffee is brewing. Borrowed some Kicking Horse Pass from another local institution (glances around nervously as if checking for large, white furry animals).
Tea du jour is English Breakfast and Peach.
Hot chocolate is ready to go for those what drink it, and marshmallows are restocked from the newly replenished reserves.
Hmmm…well, as the only large, white, furry animal here, all I can say is – go for it!
Mendalla, what I did was to go to the story page here, click "Edit" at the bottom, copy the text, paste it into a Word document, then send that. Not only does that work, even if you've lost the original files, but it also includes any last-minute edits along the way.
Worked for me.
Some Earl Grey, hot for me, plus a couple of Sara's GF cookies, please!
I'm sorry, I don't understand. I am elated to have my story acknowledged and appreciated. And I would not have wanted to be a judge in this competition – all of the stories were remarkable!
Is it really necessary that there always be a fight over judging?
Violet's story was extraordinary, and she has continually grown as a writer – and for that, I rejoice.
But that throws no shade on any other author who entered. It was an astonishing array of talent on display.
I'm going to splash out with a large mug of Irish Breakfast tea, and a couple of the GF cookies that Sara so thoughtfully provides!
And congratulations to the winners and runners-up in the competition, especially to Violet the Eloquent and the other podium winners! A fascinating topic, so kudos to Molly, too!
Way to go Violet! Congratulations! And to all three of the podium winners, and 9 of the top 10 – Well done!
It was an intriguing topic, Molly – so thank you for suggesting it.
One of these years, we should have a very different kind of Valentine's Day theme: Massacre!
Quote by Mendalla
I has a sad. Ivan Reitman, the director of Stripes, Meatballs, Ghostbusters, and so many more movies that made me laugh has left the world at 75. Great director and he left the best possible legacy: his son Jason has followed in his footsteps, with Up in the Air that he wrote and directed and his father produced getting six Oscar nominations and winning a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay.
Sunny, cold day here again but the coffee is hot. Got a pot of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe for the coffee crowd, Irish Breakfast and Peach for the tea drinker, and hot chocolate on standby for those what likes it. There's rumours that the blockade on the Ambassador Bridge stopped a shipment of mini marshmallows but that was cleared yesterday so all should be well. watches nervously for the truck
Up in the Air really hit a chord with me. I came close to identifying with the George Clooney character because my job (pre-pandemic) involved so much travel. Unfortunately, I don't have Clooney's looks or charisma and am happily married, so the resemblance didn't carry over to being casually irresistible to women.
OTOH, I had a home to go to, and someone there to greet me, so it more than evens out.
Green tea sounds good, Mendalla, and a couple of Sara's GF cookies would be great!
Happy Hallmark Day, y'all! 😉❤️
Quote by redwriter
Our 12 year old shih tzu died of a heart attack last night. No apparent illness, painless, rapid--a blessing in that respect. But no more words through the tears.
I'm sorry to have just noticed this, but condolences. Even if they die well, the death of a beloved pet always sucks.
Quote by verbal
Ugh. On what should be the last dumpster load. My back is barking, as my Dad used to say. Still, we are very close to being ready. 13 days away.... It does feel gratifying.
I quit writing. I'll start up soon, but I'm scared if I write without my head fully in it I'll just f it all up anyway. So, a little 1-2 week break until this house stuff is settled.
Not to get political, but what's up in Canada with the truckers? We don't get a huge amount of coverage. I assumed it would peter out, but it appears to be getting kinda weird and dangerous.
Coffee and a dumpster-shaped cookie please!
To add to what Mendalla said, it started out as a small minority of truckers who objected to being vaccinated for the usual stupid-ass reasons. However, all of the right-wing-nut groups saw it as an opportunity and jumped aboard. Unfortunately, the authorities didn't take action quickly, which emboldened all these a--h---s, and they are now using supply chain chokepoints to hold the economy to ransom.
Now the authorities will have to act, and the wing-butts will get their January 6th moment. All of the politicians wanted to stay away from it, especially the conservative ones, because there are no political winners in this, only losers – which is actually one of the things that some of the right-wing groups want. They want the governments to look weak and ineffective.
Their demands were ridiculous at the start, and are now impossible. Even if a government wanted a "I have here a piece of paper" moment, they couldn't get it. Now they have to fight.
If it weren't so tragic and incredibly stupid, it would be fascinating, especially as wing-butt groups in other countries are watching and asking themselves, "Hey – why don't WE do this?"
Bad ju-ju all around.
Busy day today – and more tomorrow. Lady Jay and I are about to start making a major change in our lives. Much as it pains me to say it, we will be leaving Toronto, a city that I love and that absolutely infuriates me.
Not yet, but probably in the early summer.
A stiff Red Rose tea, please, innkeeper. And some of Sara's finest GF cookies, please and thank you.
Greetings, all! I've just finished reading the last competition entry, and I agree with Violet. There are some stunning entries, and I'm glad to see some newcomers!
I have no idea whose story I would pick as the winner – and am glad that I'm not doing the judging! To be honest, after a while the stories start to blur in my memory. But then, I've been told I have a one-track mind, so keeping several stories straight is clearly beyond my feeble abilities!
A mug of Red Rose, please, Mendalla, and a couple of GF cookies to go. I've got tasks to manage before I can collapse and do some more reading!
Ironically, I find myself almost rooting for the owners in the MLB debacle of negotiations. The MLBPA wants to bring in free agency a year earlier, which I understand from the players' point of view, but it also means you grow to love and root for a player (like Vlad Guerro Jr.) then BAM! They've moved on to the Yankees or Dodgers!
But I doubt very much the owners will accept that. They've said, loudly and repeatedly, that it's a non-starter.
sigh
Take me out to the ballgame,
Take me out to the crowds…
At least may I please have some Red Rose tea and a couple of GF cookies? I'll be back lying on the floor by Sara's chair, hoping for a fur-brushing!
Quote by Amelia
Oh I am so ready for baseball again! Hopefully this year my Red Sox will go farther and just dominate lol 😂 I will always love them even when they are having a horrible season. Though they do know how to frustrate me lol 😂
The weather here is COLD and icy … I wish it was snow and not this ice mess
Amelia, I'm right there with you on baseball – except I'm a Blue Jays fan!
But I suspect both of us are going to be disappointed as the MLB owners and players are continuing their uninterrupted string of monumental stupidity at the negotiating table. They've more or less admitted that Spring Training will be at least delayed, and they're still miles apart in positions.
If the owners weren't such entitled, spoiled brats, they would learn from the NBA and hire a professional commissioner, instead of an ass-kissing flunkey. Peter Ueberroth was the last professional commissioner they had – and that was in the 1980s!
So, much as I would be counting down the days to pitchers-and-catchers – I ain't holding my breath!
Since MENDALLA is still having vision problems, let me get things started this morning.
We've got pots of Red Rose and Lemon Zinger teas brewed on the side, plus sachets of other fine teas. We've got hot chocolate mix, plus a heap o' marshmallows for those who love 'em (especially Sara).
And I've managed, once again, to clean out, rinse, and reset the coffee machine without blowing anything up, so coffee's a-brewin'!
(checks cookie tins)
Yup. Sara's Disney cookies are going fast, but there are still some left.
I think this is a Red Rose and cookies morning, so you'll find me over by Sara's chair, waiting for my fur-combing.
Quote by CuriousAnnie
Evening all, I am delighted to have actually got back into the groove of competition stories; and to think I was told that new mums can't find the time to write. Well it is actually so true, discipline when I am writing is key. Lol and I am late with my submission here, mind you being good friends with Violet does assure me of knowing I wont be last. Of course my story has to get approved, but, if it is, do check it out if you have a minute.
Hot and humid here, a very wet warm summer, but fortunately no bushfires as a result. Did you know I have hardly ever seen snow and never in Sydney? And some of my online friends have snow blowers.
Quote by Mendalla
It's a quieter, less raucous hangout for us more refined writers😉.Lol, don't tempt me, I can do raucous, which by the way is a fabulous word, must find more uses for it. Oh and how does one become a refined writer; just asking for a friend.😇
Simple, Annie. Just eat a lot of sugar!
But you're sweet enough as you are, so I wouldn't bother.
Well good morning, Inspirators! As I'm not sure how Mandella is doing today, I thought I'd get things started.
The tea kettle is rinsed, filled, and steaming away, and today we have both Red Rose (orange pekoe) and Irish Breakfast already in pots, plus sachets of other teas for those with a different palate.
Next, the coffee machine has been emptied of yesterday's beans, rinsed, refilled, and reassembled, primed with fresh coffee, and is now perkin' away.
Thanks to Sara for the Disney cookies. I'll take a couple, plus some Irish Breakfast in a to-go mug – busy day today!
Take care out there, y'all! And welcome back, Writer Girl!
Quote by Sugarcube
I finally got my hair cut. And now I'd like to color it a bright, vibrant color if I can. For all of the time I blended in, I'd rather stand out now.
Sugarcube, you're a woman after my own wife's heart. Colourful hair, colourful nails – and colourful personality, that's her – and apparently, you, too!
Now, since we were so successful yesterday…at NOT burning the coffeemaker (and thanks for the vote of confidence, Sara!), let's see if we can keep the string going.
Tea is on, with pots of Red Rose and Lapsang Souchong already brewed in pots on the sideboard, plus a wide assortment of other fine teas for the more discerning tea drinkers. (Which is to say, picky)
And, yes, I have rinsed, refilled, reloaded, and restarted the r…I mean, coffeemaker, and she's bubbling away.
Coffee should be here soon!
Meanwhile, I'll sit back with a cuppa Red Rose and some of Sara's lovely GF cookies!
I had some troubles getting the site to load this morning. Anyone else?
Well good morning, Inspirationalists! As Mandella is hard of seeing today, I thought I'd take a shot at getting things running. Filling the tea kettle I can manage, and I often make pots of tea, so today we have both Red Rose (orange pekoe) and Earl Grey (fruity-toot-toot) brewing, plus sachets of other teas for those with a more tender palate.
Now how does this coffee thing work? (hums away for a while). OK, I think that's got it…so, the coffee machine has been emptied of yesterday's beans, rinsed, refilled, and reassembled, primed with fresh coffee, and is now perkin' away.
(checks biscuit/cookie containers) I see Sara's been busy, so there are cookies a-plenty for those who want a bit of a gnosh…so – there we go!
Let's all keep our fingers crossed for Mandella. It is a routine procedure, but he seemed a bit nervous about someone aiming a high-energy beam into his eyes for some strange reason!
Quote by WriterGirl
Hi!
Feeling my age at Universal Studios and Disney. I've been shaken, stirred, spun, dropped. 🙄 Every part of me hurts. I think the Spiderman ride broke me. 🤣 My son is being very sweet moving slower for me.
AAAHHHH!!!! Help! It's the Masked Writer Girl and her sidekick, Son-of-Her! Run for your lives!
(snicker)
Sounds like you're having fun, kid. Just tell your aches and pains that "age" is just a number, right?
And can you bring me back a turkey leg and a Mickey Bar from Magic Kingdom? Thanks!
Some Red Rose tea, please. Lots to do today, especially as we are visiting our son, DIL, and especially our 22-month old granddaughter. She's just getting the knack of talking, and is remarkably cute. And bright, brilliant, even. Amazing – and, well, my granddaughter. What more needs to be said, right?
BTW, if anyone needs their fur brushed out, I'd recommend Sara! She's an A #1 fur-brusher-outer!
Quote by Mendalla
And speaking of the comp, we are down to less than a week. Come on, folks. We don't even have ten for a complete short list yet.
OH! Does that mean I have a chance?
Quote by Mendalla
I hope that cookie syringe is full of cookie COVID vaccine.😊 I will take a syringe and a Band-Aid.
Gooooood morning!
Coffee pot is full up with some good Blue Mountain brew. Teapots have Peach and English Breakfast. Hot water is ready.
And guess what? It's Friday!
A mug of English Breakfast for me, please. I still can't get over the idea of fruity teas. It's downright un-Canadian if you ask me!
I'm gonna take my mug, snaffle a couple of the GF cookies that Sara keeps, and wander over to her corner to wait up. I haven't had a good fur-ruffle in a while, and she gives great ones!
No peeking, now!
Quote by DenimAngel
Hi folks
A little bit chilly here in my neck of the woods.
Finally getting better .. ugh I don't like being sick. I'm staying away from people as much as possible.
That's the one thing I love about small towns.. good neighbors and friends who check on people who are sick and might need something.
Soon as I feel better there will be fresh cookies.. there are cookies in the cookie jars and when those run out there is a stockpile in the cookie tins behind the counter.
Taking a cup of peppermint tea and climbing up in my favorite overstuffed chair
Stay safe everyone
Hey, Polar Bears don't catch cold, so I'll sit with you Sara. Lemme get a mug of Lemon Zinger tea to warm the cockles. You get comfy – I'll be right there, OK?
Quote by AnnaMayZing
Quote by JamesPBear
Quote by AnnaMayZing
Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I have a question for you all which concerns the different spellings of words between British and American English.
In this case, I am referring to the word Brake.
Here in the UK, we have a brake pedal in our cars, and if we wish to stop quickly, we brake hard. If this was past tense, we would have braked hard. Once we have stopped, we apply the handbrake.
When I check this with Grammarly, it tries to tell me that the would is Break. This would change the meaning entirely, I don't want to damage my car, I just want it to stop.
So, the question is this. Is the word Brake used in American/Canadian English or is Grammarly just trying to ruin my car?
Not in Canada. But then, Canadians have a weird habit of letting our spelling veer between 'Murcun, and English!
I suspect that Grammarly is just plain wrong, and when it's wrong, it seems to get VERY insistent, unlike polar bears, who are practically perfect, as well as being incredibly modest!
Hope that helps!
Sorry, I should have said, is the word Break used in American/Canadian English instead of Brake?
Not to my knowledge, no. The brake on a car, whether foot or hand, is spelled as you have done it, not "break" as in to destroy.
However, according to Merriam-Webster (which is, I believe, American) "break" also means "to stop or bring to an end suddenly". Yet, the same entry also says "When the subject is slowing or stopping movement, the word to use is brake"
In summary, I believe Grammarly has made an ungrammarly mistake!
Quote by AnnaMayZing
Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I have a question for you all which concerns the different spellings of words between British and American English.
In this case, I am referring to the word Brake.
Here in the UK, we have a brake pedal in our cars, and if we wish to stop quickly, we brake hard. If this was past tense, we would have braked hard. Once we have stopped, we apply the handbrake.
When I check this with Grammarly, it tries to tell me that the would is Break. This would change the meaning entirely, I don't want to damage my car, I just want it to stop.
So, the question is this. Is the word Brake used in American/Canadian English or is Grammarly just trying to ruin my car?
Not in Canada. But then, Canadians have a weird habit of letting our spelling veer between 'Murcun, and English!
I suspect that Grammarly is just plain wrong, and when it's wrong, it seems to get VERY insistent, unlike polar bears, who are practically perfect, as well as being incredibly modest!
Hope that helps!
Can someone remind a poor old Bear how to change his signature? I used to know, but I'm having a Sometimer's moment!
Hey Sara! I didn't think it was your turn to be sick! Cut it out, OK?
Seriously, hope you feel better soon, kiddo!
Meanwhile, I'll have a mug of the Earl Grey tea, and slump down in the corner, near – but not TOO near – Sara to offer some company.
Mandella, we'll all keep a lookout for your story! Yours tend to be very character-driven, so I'm looking forward to it!
Quote by DenimAngel
Hi peeps
A large hot chocolate with mini marshmallows would be great.
Yesterday was a little busy and this morning was spent herding kittens.
Moving the old cookies to the emergency cookie tins behind the counter and filling the cookie jars to the tippy top
Today's offerings are diabetic and gluten free friendly sugar cookies.... WINTER ANIMAL theme : Arctic fox , Arctic wolf ,polar bear, brown bear .seals and penguins
Giving the adorable critters fresh water and treats
Please stay safe everyone
Like me and Henry, for example! Thanks, Sara!
And thanks for the GF treats, as always!
I'll take a couple of those, plus a mug of Red Rose tea, and find a comfy place to rest my weary bones a spell!
I'm reading the competition entries, and am coming to believe that it will be possible to finish out of the rankings – even if there are fewer than 10 entries! What great stories!
I'll take some Irish Breakfast tea and a couple of Sara's yummy GF cookies, please, Mendalla.
And I just re-submitted my comp entry after discovering that I had (foolishly) edited out one of the required words in a final polish.
I have a one-track mind, and this time I jumped the track!
Oh, well…
Quote by gillianleeza
Covid is everywhere now. My parent's retirement community has dozens of cases. My sons' work has cases, and I know several people in our neighborhood who have it. Thankfully everyone is vaccinated, so they all have mild symptoms so far. I'm still exhausted and waiting for my sense of smell and taste to return. It took months last time. Weirdly everything smells burnt to me when I can smell. It's very cold here, so a good weekend to stay in and watch movies. One effect Covid left me with is difficulty concentrating. It makes reading hard, and that makes me very unhappy. I'm done complaining, for now, lol. I hope everyone is staying warm and healthy. Have a great weekend.
Sounds horrible, Gillian. Condolences – not that they help much. I know it won't help much but I've read a couple of health officials say, informally, that everyone, sooner or later, will catch Omicron. If you're not vaccinated, that will be bad news. If you are, especially with three doses of vaccine, then it will almost certainly be mild.
We were badly prepared for this pandemic, soon to be endemic. The bigger question in my mind is whether we will learn from it! I'm doubtful – and hopeful, both.
