Very little, to be honest. Reading doesn't seem to engage me these days, though I am trying. Stories on here seem to be about it.

Quote by Molly
We've got another (big) competition in the works for September to help welcome back fall and routine. So keep that in mind.

Ugh, depends on when in September. I'm on the road starting late in September and not back until Canadian Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October). Travelling on a fairly busy tour schedule so no writing time. Will be watching for it, though.

Oo, fudge with raspberry topping. I can get down with that. (scarfs a couple)

We are into another heat warning here. I keep hoping each is the last but so goes this summer. Lasts until Wednesday. At least air quality is not too bad. 5 out of 10 with 10 being the worst. We've been as high as 7 when wildfire smoke from out West passes through.

Trying to write but not getting anywhere. I have a couple on the go but nothing close to publication.

Oo, cookies and the comp list. Molly doesn't come in here often, but when she does, there's always goodies involved. Thanks.

Woo hoo! Good list there. Congrats all, especially the top 3!!

Well, since you didn't add a question, I'll just answer my own. Most wake up when I'm ready. I am a natural morning person so the only time I might need an alarm is when travelling since some travel days are early even for me.

Paint or wallpaper?

CORA! Nice to see you. Hope all is well and thanks for the drinks and treats.

Okay ... Blue Jays ... Let's ... Play ... Ball!! (I imagine they've retired that song by now but it's stuck in my head for life). Absolutely not a baseball person but I'll perk up and pay attention a bit if they manage to go all the way.

There hasn't been much new from American singer-songwriter Malinda in a while. And apparently part of the reason is that she has been back on stage, where she started out, playing the lead in a production of the musical Waitress. The show's music is by the wonderful songwriter Sara Bareilles and "She Used To Be Mine" is a showstopper in anyone's hands (I've heard Bareilles herself sing it several times). But Malinda gives a powerfully emotional performance in this new video, seeming on the brink of breaking down a few times. But she carries it through and brings it home with a magnificent belt at the end.

I have my own top 3 pegged but that's my favourites, not a guess at the results. I have no idea if the judges and I are on the same page. We'll see tomorrow, I guess.

I am a bit fatigued after a morning headache.

6727, counting closer and closer to heaven

I tend to be a bit of an early bird. Habit I picked up from my dad, I think. Not sure there's a good reason beyond that. Maybe a general hatred of being late and things starting late.

Use an alarm clock or wake up when you are ready?

Good morning. Freshened up the hot beverages and checked the fridge.

Toying with writing but not doing much. Too tired after work these days. Maybe on the weekend.

Weather is better. Still a bit on the hot side but not the steamy, muggy days we've had at other times this summer. The air quality isn't perfect, but better than the beginning of the week.

And 1 day until the comp results. The suspense is building...😊

Email. My fingers can't handle a lot of handwriting anymore (osteoarthritis) and my handwriting is well nigh impenetrable anyhow (there is no truth to the rumour that Canadian spies use a font derived from my handwriting to obscure secret messages, though 🙄😉😀).

Pick up the phone (mobile or landline) or call using an app like Teams/Facetime?

Very optional. In fact, it is basically an occasional treat for me. Wife comes from a culture where dessert, if it happens at all, is just fruit or similar so she doesn't make like my mother did.

CD collection or streaming service (Spotify, etc.)?

As usual, Authors Publish kicked off the month with a round up of open calls and contests. Have a look at see if there's anything that suits your work. A lot of anthologies in this one, I note. Topics include a couple Romantasy anthologies from Flame Tree Press as well as mythology themed anthologies on The Valkyries and the Greek hero Odysseus (aka Ulysses); Poetry about the dead and related topics; aromantic relationship spec fic (friends, family, etc.); and an anthology on "hidden bargains, mysterious contracts, and eerie agreements". And much more, of course.

» 28 Themed Submission Calls and Contests for August 2025

A slice of each? I mean, I love both. Given a choice, though, I'd take pecan probably. Depends on whether the pumpkin has real whipped cream or stuff from a can.

Coffee or tea with dessert?

Interestingly, I have had more comments on a site where I linked to this story than I have on here. Admittedly, it's the fan site for a metal singer so perhaps a more receptive audience. What do folks think? How did this one land? Inquiring minds want to know.

Quote by gillianleeza
Scott, my husband, makes date squares fairly often. Maybe it's a Canadian thing? I modify the recipe when our fig tree is producing pounds of figs to make fig squares. I like both kinds of squares.

Not sure. Don't recall if I have had them in other countries. There's two types that I have had. There's the ones I think you are talking about where the dates are in a jammy layer in the middle with a crumble on top. And the ones my mother made where they were in pieces in a firm, dense cake-like dough. I have a recipe around for the latter and my wife have made it occasionally.

How is it going out there, folks? Bit cloudy and muggy in my world. Air quality is better but still a bit off due to smoky.

Fresh coffee is brewed and teapots are filled. Cold bevvies are looking good.

How about cookies and pie today?

Nature preserve (or at least a wild animal park). Better to see them outdoors and free.

Stargaze with just your eyes or get a telescope?

6725, we work to keep this thread alive

Yay! We are working again!

Good afternoon. Hope all are doing well this fine day. Our air has cleared out so I can go for a walk without inhaling smoke from fires so far away I only hear about them on the news.

Anything exciting in your world?

Drive myself. Our transit system is a bit of a mess and it would take me two transfers to get to work. If I could move down closer to the next major East-West artery, it would improve, but for now that's my reality.

Taxi or ride share (Uber/Lyft)?

Good day, all! Long weekend here in the Great White North but we are kind of shut in here due to poor air quality (smoke from the wildfires out West). However, I am doing some writing and listening and stuff to relax.

Putting on some Haliburton Costa Rica Azalea coffee. For teas, we have an Organic Orange Pekoe from David's and also their David's Breakfast. Pitchers are washed up and refilled with fresh lemonade and unsweet iced tea. Sodas are stocked up. For the tummy and tastebuds, we've got date squares and brownies.

While I may seem to be the site's resident headbanger, I do actually listen to more than just metal. One of my new favourite artists is singer-songwriter-guitarist Mary Spender. Nice, smooth pop sound with influences ranging from rock to folk to blues. Besides putting out top quality music, Mary also has courses out on things like music production and songwriting, and does videos in various venues on musical topics. She recently did a documentary on the legendary UK rock band Dire Straits and landed an interview with the band's bass player for it.

I am ... kind of meh today. Not sure why.

Dinner. Clubs are not really my thing.

Sports event or concert?

Thank you to Molly for getting this up and running.

Thank you to the mods for getting the stories up in good time.

And thank you to the writers of StoriesSpace. Because a story comp with no stories would be a bit ... pointless? Plotless, maybe? 😀

Quote by verbal

I haven't read the story yet, but HEAVILY agree about writing about what you love (he said, having never written about baseball) (I do have a small but about my love of playing catch in the novel).

Hmm. So for me, that might be a symphonic metal band with a cellist and a fantastic Dutch lead singer on a fantasy quest. Though a D&D party comprised entirely of bards is likely a bit of a losing proposition. 🤣