Good morning everyone.
Big snow last night, though it's sunny and warm today, so it should all melt off. Which mean it's gonna be wet and slushy should I decide to take a walk.
Coffees and teas are doing their thing. Cookies are out on a platter, and there's even a little pie left.
Time to write. Seize the carp!
Quote by redwriter
I wish you would stop apologise for your misdemeanours, Jeff. (Nobody is perfect--especially supporters of the Mets) Sara is immune from criticism because of her tremendous shortbread flowers (I'll just snag a couple to savour with a hot chocolate) Yum, do not disturb.
Okay, Red, Sorry for apologizing.
Teas and coffee and delish cookies are here for your pleasure.
Cold and rainy here. Should be a nice day though. I think lunch at the East Coast Deli is in the future of this newly retired couple. 
I finished the Canada story. Dang, that was a crazy trip. I'll post the final installments soon.
Seize the carp!
Thanks for all the spring cookies Sara! I want a bird and a flower.
Gorgeous day today, though the snow is coming. But today should be fine. I should finish the Canada trip memoir - at 12,000 words it's quite the opus.
First review of Dune 2 came out and it's supposed to be really good. Now with more SANDWORMS! I am so psyched.
It's almost baseball season (Sorry Red.)!
Quote by Mendalla
How's things?
Things're good. We're lazy here. Ate the most AMAZING breakfast ever - corned beef hash and eggs and a bagel. I'm just going to fantasize about eating it the rest of the weekend. Saved half for breakfast tomorrow!
And...there was a Mets game today! I suspect I will be watching that tonight.
I believe Red has his final chapter up on the front page. And I have two more chapters coming up! Lots of good stuff there.
Seize the carp!
tumbleweeds
Well, in the first inning of the first televised Spring training game, the Dodgers scored 8 runs, and won 14-1. They're gonna be a juggernaut. Not a lot of parity in baseball these days. Sorry Red.
Sunny and in the low 50s today, so I'll get a walk in. Talia still has some work details to sweep up. I get to work on the Canada travelogue today though, which is great fun. I'm almost done!
Costco beans are perkin', Jittery Junco tea is steeping. Plus all those tasty cookies!
Quote by redwriter
Hot chocolate would be a suitable way to drink a farewell toast to Jimmy!
A toast to Jimmy the pup!
Our cat is going to the vet today, but it's for routine stuff. Still, it'll be semi-traumatic getting him in the carrier.
BASEBALL TODAY! Spring training ball, but any port in a storm.
And...Talia's home all day now! We're both retired. She says hi.
Coffee and tea and cookie and pies...oh my!
Quote by DenimAngel
Sorry yall it was a really crappy weekend and start of the week .
I had to put my doggie Jimmy to sleep he crossed the rainbow bridge. He was 14 years old he got an infection and antibiotics didn't help and he had a bunch of seizures so we had to make the decision ... it was hard but the vet clinic was so compassionate and sensitive to the situation. The receptionist did goof so the case manager called this morning to apologize for them not getting us into a room right away so they refunded the cost because of it I told them it wasn't necessary since everything was done with great respect . But anyways now trying to get back to normal we will donate his beds and food to those in need
Cookies tomorrow
A large coffee would be perfect
taking my coffee and giving the adorable critters fresh water and treats
So sorry to hear of your pup going across the Rainbow Bridge. That’s got to hurt. My sympathies, Sara. I’m glad you had a good vet clinic.
But yes to baseball! First televised game tomorrow, first Mets game Saturday. I am BEYOND psyched,
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?
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!
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!
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
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!
