crickets

Costco is a-perkin’, and the teas are a-steeping. Plus glorious pies and cookies from all around the world!

And the results of the big fancy neuro poking and shocking and jerking test? I have neuropathy. Duh. I knew that already. Anyway, it’s good news, in that nothing crazy appears to be going on. So that is a GREAT relief!

Wanna read how I got kicked out of a Canadian hostel in the middle of the night, and how I survived? Read the latest installment of Continental Drift, a memoir of a bit of my misspent youth.

Read Red’s tale too, it’s thrilling.

Have a good one.

Man, those are two good looking pies. Coffee and teas are ready to accompany them.

I have a neuro test late this afternoon. They are going to be sticking a lot of needles into me. Wah.

I other news, I sent out my first book query yesterday, to David Foster Wallace’s agent. If you are gonna fail, fail big. I already noticed a typo in my synopsis, so if they get that far I will probably lose them then.

The Canada memoir (thanks for reading Red) is on hold til I can find time to write more. But more is coming!

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Quote by redwriter

Still confined to the house, but with the weather as it that is no hardship although there is hope for an early Spring with the first showing of crocus blooms.

The recent discussions about members appearing on 'Inspirations' had me realising that apart from Anna May, I know of no other member contributing from this side of the pond (hopefully that statement will bring protests flooding in)

Interesting too, is the fact that since new year, apart from prose from Jeff, Cora and Scott there have been mainly a goodly range of poets. (Some most praiseworthy) I have 13 chapters of 'The High and the Humble' showing with number 14 on the way, and two more to conclusion, and only one loyal reader so far. (thanks Jeff). Do members not realise that by ignoring 'Inspirations' the fun they are missing in the whole of SS? Folk there aren't all moaners, like me!

Hey, you’re preaching to the choir, Red. We need more readers and more coffee-drinkers around here. I have more Canada adventures written.

Dark and cold and foggy today - it’s supposed to snow later.

As for Talia’s news: she’s retiring early as well! We’re gonna be a retired COUPLE! Good thing that Covid taught us already that we can spend ALL DAY together in the house and not drive each other nuts.

The cats are thrilled.

Coffee is coffing, teas are teaing, and cookies are in the tins. Carpe the carp!

Good morning everyone. I hope a wonderful Valentine’s Day was had by all. We had a good one.

Sunny and high 40s here. I’ve been walking in this weather and really enjoying it - it’s actually warm in the sunlight. So I am back in my writing/walking groove. Yay! Taking a break from editing the big memoir and working on that loopy hitchhiking memoir today. It’s amazing I didn’t get killed. Seriously.

The coffee is Colorado Comet, a zesty homegrown bean. Our teas are the ever famous Kitty Zoomies and Sumatran Sloth. And DAY OLD KING CAKE! Anyone bite into the baby yet?

Well, I’m married, but back in the day, sure!

Have you ever been on a good blind date?

led

Education

News

Tootsie roll pop or bubble gum pop?

Lovey dovey

Today I am tired because my favorite street was blocked off and I had to walk for way too long.

Thanks for all the emojis E, and Happy Valentime’s Day (what my kids called it) to all! frantically hangs all the emojis on the wall. Wait, there’s no coffee or tea! quickly whips up a percolator of brown bean water and fancy teas

Talia has some big news but I will leave it to her to tell you. No, she’s not pregnant.

Same old, same old, at least until T gets home and V Day commences. The cats want Valentine’s candy. Moochers.

Enjoy V Day everyone, whether you are in a relationship or not! Peace!

I think we’ve been abandoned for the cool kids, Cora.

Still, happy you got the teas and coffees going.

Same old day here. I hope everyone is well. A cookie would be great with this wonderful coffee.

Quote by etairay

Hey hey hello everybody!

Hey E! Nice to see you.

I guess I’ll rustle up the coffee and tea and cookies this morning. presto chango! Well, that was easy.

Super Bowl was a good game. I didn’t get to see much of halftime. Talia made pizza rolls, which made me happy.

More importantly, pitchers and catchers report in TWO DAYS. Let’s go baseball season (sorry, Red).

I’m adding new sections to my memoir of my crazy hitchhiking adventure through Canada. Anyone cares to read it, there’s three sections up now.

Enjoy the rest everyone!

Quote by Mendalla

Mine has always been shaky, at least for actually remembering "to do" items and dates and such. I'm good with facts and ideas, just not what I am supposed to do next week.

Don’t be dissing Tay Tay!

Good to see everyone is on the mend. I worry about cognitive issues too. My memory can be shaky, and I’m having a few neuro issues as well. Jeez, we’re a fun bunch. I kind of like having us feel free to talk about all this stuff in here. It feels like a safe space. I see you all as friends.

Snowy and cold here, and probably all weekend. We bought pizza rolls for the Super Bowl, which I am legally required to do as an American. We’ll watch the game, and hopefully it will be a good one. I get tired of the whole commercial watching thing, but Talia digs it

Same old day here. I have to critique stories for novel group tomorrow, which is particularly dull.

Have a great weekend friends! May I have a coffee and a football cookie?

I like the term dolly-bird. Thanks for that, Red.

Cora, I am sure no one here is bothered by your writing. I’d like to read any memoirs you have of that experience (I’m kinda into memoir lately). It sounds like an account of your courage and determination.

Supreme Court is, as I write this, tearing Colorado a new hole (rightly so, I think personally - you have to have everyone on every state ballot). Really interesting.

Wallace is fine after a vet appointment. He was following me around like a baby duck (or a wounded cat) after.

Can I have a coffee and a football cookie?

Quote by redwriter

Recent events have forced me to give up driving--after months of pleading from my dear lady and advice from my family (all ignored since I haven't had an accident for many years). I had to admit to myself that if what had happened at the breakfast table that morning, had happened when I was driving--WHOOMP!--more people than just myself could have suffered. So in the end it was my own decision.

Disposing of the red Mazda turned out to be easier than feared. When I approached my second son Gary, to see if his 18 years old son would fancy it--he thought if would not be BRUM! enough for him. But my son told me that his own partner Marina, was on the verge of learning to drive. She had always admired the Soul Red of my car. And to make the situation perfect, it happened to be her birthday on the 12th February. He rang her, told her I want to speak--well, when I asked about a special birthday present--told her what it was--she broke into tears of gratitude. Silly girl!

So, now--no car and legs that still don't work so well--I'm going to have to step up the exercises.

How does the song go? "Make just one person happy--"

Sorry about you losing your ability to drive, and a Mazda no less! Glad you were able to get rid of the car, and that your spirits are high.

Cat went to the vet early this morning. Tooth cleaning, which bizarrely is an all day thing - they even have to sedate him.

Me? Same old, same old. Still haven’t heard if I sold that stupid Band Box article.

A coffee and an M&M cookie!

Cloudy and coldy out. Same old same old.

The Mpls paper I tried to sell my story to has left me hanging for two weeks now. Grrr. Writers are the lowest rung on the ladder. Feels like that anyway.

Red has got some words up on the front page, as do I. Read em if you get the chance.

Boring editing work today. Coffee is several cookies please.

Quote by AnnaMayZing

Just popped in to inform you all that another long-standing member has passed. Sadly, JWren, Alan has passed away after fighting a long illness. Rest in Peace, Alan. 🪦🙏🏻

He was such a kind and helpful man. He was always really nice to me. He was a good and generous writer and editor. Talia put her hand to her heart when she heard - she really liked him as well. Rest peacefully Alan

Morning all!

Cold and sunny here today. Same old, same old. The cats are restless.

I'd love a coffee and a cookie.

Hey all. Usually not here on a weekend, but we're kinda snowed in. Talia is painting-by-numbers: a really cool, sorta psychedelic picture of a cat. I'm writing.

I just submitted the 2nd part of Continental Drift to SS (I also took down and re-submitted part 1). It's a long, intentionally rambling account of my hitchhiking trip through Canada, back in the day. When they come out, read them if you get the chance. After you read Red's chapters, of course.

Not much else going on here. Glad everyone seems to be doing well.

I’ll grab one of those m&m cookies, Cora. Hope you are feeling better today. My legs were a little wobbly yesterday but I am doing well today.

Nice to see you around Red. Soon you’ll have to start listening to me babble about baseball. For now I will babble about Red’s historical novel - it’s good stuff. I’m four chapters in. I think there are eight chapters up so far.

Cold and snow are moving in, just in time for the weekend. I’m not complaining!

Fancy teas and working man’s coffee and tasty cookies are out!

Wow, busy in here! Nice! Hi Cora, hi Red, hi Ape! And thanks for the cookies Sara!

Congrats on the top author/top writer status, Red. Sounds like you are quickly returning to old form.

Sorry you are still feeling poorly Ape. And Cora, sorry about the seizures in your legs. We are a sickly bunch this week.

Me, some old thing, different day!

Seize the day!

Yum!

Hope everyone is well. Same old, same old here. I’d love a cup of coffee.

I have the first segment of a very long hitchhiking saga up. Not spectacular writing, but I am getting the facts down. Read it if you are so inclined, it’s only about 1000 words.

Enjoy the day!

Hey everyone. Nobody set up yet? dumps yesterday’s flowerpot coffee in the percolator, sets up the SUPER fancy teas, displays the cookies on a silver platter

Not much today. Got the rest of the developmental edit back. I should dive into that, but it’s just so HARD! Wah.

At least it is a warm sunny day. And I have nothing to complain about.

Enjoy your day everyone!

Sorry you and the missus are down with the 19 and/or a regular cold. Hope you two feel better. I'll have a cup of that flowerpot stuff.

Looks like you are doing better, Red. That's good to see.

Bright sunny day, should be in the mid 50s. Should be a great day for a walk. I'm writing about hitchhiking again today. It's fun to excavate those old memories.

Enjoy your day everyone!

Quote by Mendalla
Cartagena, Colombia

This place looks too cool.

Sorry about the big 19. Doesn't sound fun.

Unseasonably warm, so I am gonna walk. Football on the radio - Baltimore is down by 7. Sorry Fuzz, my daughter lives near there, so I gotta root against the Chiefs.

Enjoy the day. One last coffee for the road!

Nice to see you back, Ape. I will try a cruise some day. My vacations for2024 are set though: total eclipse in April, and Gettysburg/Anteitem with my daughter in the summer.

Snowed all night, and it’s snowing a little now. Since I can’t walk on snowy days, I started weight training yesterday. Little five pound weights, but I want to get some exercise in every day.

Time to write.

Thinking of you, Red.

I’d love a cup of coffee.

The Magnificent Bastard returns! And in honor of Red, no less. A worthy reason. Hope you are having a good day Red. And good to have you back Ping. Stop by more often!

I’d also recommend Red’s historical fiction on the front page, up to chapter four now. It’s good writing.

Still waiting on the Band Box article sale. It must be too cold to work quickly up there in Minneapolis. Hope I find out today.

We have Costco beans a-perking, some General Patton tea steeping in honor of Ping, and some Courageous Cardinal in honor of Red. Plus football cookies!

Quote by redwriter

Here's is a horror story (true)-I'm not looking for sympathy but I need to seek your understanding for any language errors I'm might make in the came days (weeks)---until my brain beings to function as normal.

Fact is, last Saturday morning after finishing breakfast, I suddenly past out and ended up under the table. Neighbours finally got me on a sofa until ambulance arrived-I knew little of what was going on. My senses slow arrived during the hospital journey. Arriving there, I was placed in a bed and a consultant was there immedately saying, "It seems you've had a stroke!" A stroke? Me?

This was where the horror began. The questions. "Tell me the months of the year?" Easy--"Er, December, hum May" Panic was already rising. "Try days of the week." Again--hesitation, little input. "What about your address?" Now that was simple, "One, Earlington Court" Only that was my previous address. I could not recall the address where I had lived for past thirty years.

So it went on, saying sensless things , mumbling odd words. Despite countless reassurances it was a horrific twenty four hours. Overnight I talked myself into getting months of the year in the right. Even found that a could recite me mobied phone number. Sunday went well on the way to get most things right, and all most slurring add gone. This was due to some medication which dealt with a rogue cell in the brain. Not out of the woods totally but nearer the exit

For any one who begun "THE HIGH AND THE HUMBLE" that us up to Chapter Four ( a really exciting chapter). It had been intention to produce a new chapter at least every other day. Circumstances have informed with that plan. But it was written ready for publication. So I get on with that as I recover I'm mojo

Dude, that sounds so frightening! I’m glad you are finding your way out of the woods. Growing old is not for the faint of heart, and there is a great bravery in facing its sometimes scary grasp (I’ve been dealing with some scary neurological issues so I get it). We are thinking of you everyday Red. Hang in there. And if it helps to come in here and leave a message, please do so, so we know you are okay.

Everything else seems mundane in comparison. It’s cool and cloudy here. I took a winter walk yesterday in 48-ish degrees. It was pleasant.

I’m at pg 70-ish of the 200 pg edit. I am getting there. Slow work.

Coffee and teas and football cookies all available to anyone who cares to enter.

FEEL BETTER RED!

I'll take on of those Lions cookies Sara! Guess it's time to begin rooting for a team. Gotta be honest, the Super Bowl to me means it's almost baseball season. (Bah! Humug!)

Hope everyone is well! Teas and coffee await!