Quote by Mendalla

Then how can you have a "writing arm"? You need both to type.😉

I guess you're right. Although technically all I need are my index fingers. I'm a fast hunt-and-pecker. Heh.

Mets swept a double header yesterday. Sorry, Sara. There's a game on right now, too, though I'm dong my usual dealio of trying to avoid the score for 8 hours and watch it tonight. 50/50 chance I'll make it.

86K words. I'm waking up every morning excited about adding the next scene. It's nice - writing is so often hard work. This is why it pays to plot in advance (something I used to be dead set against).

I'm having too much fun on our ancient Nintendo Wii lately. I just set it up in the basement. 15 year old gaming system, and I'm still hooked - best console ever. Good aerobic exercise.

Time to make the donuts. Thanks for making coffee and tea Scott.

Coffee and a cookie please.

Quote by DenimAngel
It was either Folgers or Maxwell house coffee with that commercial

Talia sez Maxwell house too.

Scott, I type too. I couldn't write a story longhand to save my life. I'm too dependent on a word processor at this point.

712 words. Time to focus.

Yes, an old school percolator! Dink-a-dink-a-dink-dink! Da-dink-a-dink-dink! Anyone remember that commercial? Folgers maybe?

Your Braves kicked our butts last night Sara. Double header today.

I having some physical therapy done on my shoulder. It's pretty minor, and not particularly time consuming--5 minutes away and half hour sessions--but some days it'll be hard to fit in. so weird to be retired and still feel like I don't have enough time in the day! Still, it'll be nice to increase my range of motion. It is, after all, my writing arm.

So, baseball and physical therapy and more baseball and writing today. Cracking 86k today, with any luck.

A cinnamon shortbread cookie and a coffee please.

Good morning all. Has no one made coffee? I'll get the percolator going (old school today!) and put on some a tea kettle.

Mets threw a no-hitter this weekend, albeit of the kind that takes 5 pitchers. It was fun to watch. Talia was napping on the couch and I told her, Wake up! You're about to experience Mets history! Her eyes appeared to be open as the final pitch as thrown, but I can't be sure.

Sara, we're taking on your Braves tonight! Should be quite a pitching duel.

Other than that, writing and walking today. Might get a haircut. I signed up for StokerCon in Denver in mid-May. Gonna stray out of my comfort zone and learn to network! Learn more about writing too!

A coffee and a n0-hitter shaped cookie please!

Man, you guys are an educated bunch! I majored in Theater Arts, minored in Education.

So, Talia is back (yay!), but this morning she left for the physical office. I woke up and both cats are looking at me like WTF!? You again!?

Warm but very windy here (sorry Sara).

Yesterday my therapist officially diagnosed my condition, and I’m quoting verbatim here, is I’m “turning into a big old softie.” I’m paying a $70 copay for this? (Actually I love my therapist.)

Okay. Time for coffee and words. A coffee and cookie would be swell.

I speak only one language, and speak even that one poorly.

Good stories on the front page - worth a look!

Today will be annoying - dentist, followed by therapy (okay, I like therapy), which leaves me only three hours to get my thousand words, and NO time to walk on a gorgeous sunny day. And no game tonight!

Oh well. Talia is home, the cats are happy, I am healthy: I'll quit complaining.

A coffee and an apple shaped chocolate cookie please!

Quote by redwriter

I am not looking forward to a hospital inspection on Monday

Hope your hospital inspection went okay.

I am happy Talia is home.

Hear that sound? That's the sound of joyful purring from Mimi, now that Talia has returned safely. When Talia came upstairs, Mimi came out of her hiding spot, shot her a passive-aggressive stink look, and slunk back to her hiding spot. It was pretty funny. They've since reconciled.

I am, needless to say, happier than Mimi at Talia's return, but my purring is quieter.

So, same day I usually have, just with Talia smiling as she works at the kitchen table. 83K words! Getting there.

And, the Mets won AGAIN! They're going to be arrested for impersonating an actual team.

So sorry for the cold, Ape and Elizabeth! It's pretty warm today, though we'll probably get a couple more snows. this being Colorado and all.

Coffee and a Talia-shaped cookie please!

Looking forward to reading all the new stories.

Talia is home tonight, albeit late. So my slightly altered morning routine is: write, walk, clean the house like a madman for a few hours, baseball.

Speaking of, the Mets had a wild win last night.

That coyote story I was blathering on about last year got accepted into an anthology! Yay! Lotsa rewriting though.

Enjoy the day everyone. A coffee and a cookie please!

Quote by Mendalla
I think we sold my son's. I used to play the Wii Sports games like tennis sometimes. Generally not a fan of videogames, though.

MarioKart!!!

Thanks for the coffee Ape. Sorry about the back. Been there.

Talia returns in about 25 hours. She will come home to a cleaned and organized garage we can actually fit both cars into. Barely. AND set up my ancient Nintendo Wii in the exercise room! AND organized my Dad’s genealogy and photos! I will spend the day cleaning up (I wasn’t a pig or anything) and editing, and then teach the cats to sing Talia a welcome home song.

Mets had a good weekend - most wins in the majors! The Dodgers still have a better winning percentage.

How is the ankle, Sara? I would love a cookie to go with this coffee.

Quote by elizabethblack

Jeff, I don't know...are you showering and shaving regularly with T gone? Maybe that has Mimi upset.

I tell everyone about the article I read that said get a female dog and a male cat. But they all didn't read the same article so you never know what you will get. I remember reading don't put a bluebird box in or on a tree as they like open spaces like fence posts. Gave a friend a bluebird box and as soon as she hung it among the trees, a pair nested in it. See, they didn't read that book either.

I'll have you know I'm showering and shaving with the same frequency I was when Talia was around, though that is an admittedly low bar.

Today I am consolidating tools from my toolbox, my Dad's toolbox, and my Grandpa's toolbox as I organize the garage. Something kind of primal about that: bringing together the tools of three generations. Something kind of phallic too. :)

I'm also hanging up my Mets flag in the garage today! Talia will be so thrilled. <insert sarcasm emoji>

Mets played a nail-biter against the Snakes last night. Where are you, Bill? I wanna talk baseball with you. Wah. I hope you are well.

I hated meetings, Ape, and so I feel your pain. I am so happy to not have to attend them. Especially Zoom meetings - at least yours was in person.

Sara, feel better.

Coffee and a cherry shortbread cookie please. Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Good morning all.

Sunny and warm today. Same old dealio: write, walk, eat, watch baseball. Supposed to ger REALLY windy, which may nix my walk.

I have prepared a PowerPoint presentation for the cats explaining that Talia really is coming back, in exactly four bowls of food (that's how cats tell time). Poor Mimi is hiding much of the day. Wallace follows me around from room to room.

Mets vs. D-Backs tonight. Makes me miss Bill. Has anyone heard from him?

A coffee/cookie combo would be lovely.

Thanks for the date-specific cookies Sara )how's that for a euphemism?). Back to the salt mines today.

The game is starting right now, so I am once again going to try to avoid the score all day, and get writing and walking and lunch with my daughter under my belt before I kick back and watch. Ugly loss last night.

I should break 80k words by the end of the week, so I am getting kinda psyched.

A coffee and a cookie. Time to face the page.

Quote by elizabethblack

Sara, as usual your cookies are beyond adorable and delicious. But, like Ape, about you skipping around with the kiddies. You must take great care.

The Nationals are struggling along, but not at the bottom of the pile yet, so I am hopeful. Seems we have a young pitcher or two that look very promising.

For Jeff, female cats are fearful, on guard and have the biological link of having to protect the young. Male cats are like human men - Ho, ho, ho, and a bottle of rum, let's go play.

You are right, Elizabeth, and they were super skittish when we first got them - the female is still pretty jumpy and easily scared. I really wish I knew cat language to tell her Talia will be back soon. The male, as you rightly point out, is happily oblivious.

Mets swept a double header yesterday. Best record in baseball! It's utterly meaningless this early in the season of course.

Writing, doc visit, walk, game tonight - my day is chill but planned out, and I was lazy a f yesterday, so time to get to it.

A coffee and a 4/20 cookie please.

Sun is shining here too, a lovely Spring day. I’ve concluded my writing early today so I can watch the double header. What better way to bide m6 time until Talia returns.

The cats appear to be of two kinds about Talia’s absence - David Foster Wallace has mostly adjusted and is following me around like an eager-to-please puppy, but Mimi Rose Howard is skeptical, and spends most of the day hiding from me and throwing me stink looks when she enters the room. Could be a long week.

Mets are down by a run. Back to the game.

Coffee and a cookie would be wonderful.

Quote by Ping

Yup. In addition, Killing Eve concluded. My daughter and I really enjoyed the series, more so than many reviewers. The finale was an emotional rollercoaster. We really grew to love the characters.

Started season two of Peaky Blinders but I’ve been to busy to continue. Tom Hardy joined the cast in season two. That in itself will draw me back, but PB is probably fifth on the list.

Apart from Saul’s final season beginning next week, both Russian Doll and The Flight Attendant begin their respective season two’s next week as well. Both had intriguing first seasons with good storytelling and even better acting. Kaley Cuoco was spectacular as actor and producer as the slutty drunken flight attendant. We’ve all known or dated a few of those. Right Verbs? 😉

But the best new series is a updated retro throwback, or something like that. Tokyo Vice. I screamed when I discovered it, like little Verbs screamed when he dropped the toilet seat on his wee wee, while being too inebriated to stand during urination, or as he calls it, Wednesday.

The cinematic genius that he is, Michael Mann (Miami Vice, Crime Story) is the energy behind this excellent deep-dive spin on Japanese culture and it’s organized crime underbelly. It’s not nearly as flashy as the other projects he’s developed. It’s understated in a way Japan views it’s humble and honourable traditions. It’s a slow burn of other world, with the viewer being dropped into a rich, language-barrier and culturally-nuanced land as if one is learning a new language. The setting is the tension.

It’s definitely not a show for everyone. Patience with an understanding nod to some early series hiccups, are necessary. But my favourite Japanese actor, Ken the head Samurai from, The Last Samurai, and the driver from Baby Driver, are the leading actors. Lots of Tokyo tidbits. Viewing episode five now.

Old man winter is MMAing that spring fella’s ass. Snowed again today. This weather is a disturbing force, said Yoda and OB 1. No riding bikes for you, said the soup Nazi. I disagree.

I just finished Killing Eve season 3 last night. It rocked, but I can't figure out how to watch season 4 (for free).

Blowing through season 5 of Saul too, though I will have to wait quite a bit for the last season.

Really looking forward to new seasons of Russian Doll (I didn't know it was supposed to HAVE a second season) and Flight Attendant and Stranger Things.

In the monomanical grifters genre, we loved The Dropout and Inventing Anna, and really like WeCrashed. The Thing About Pam is fun, though the voice-over guy annoys me (Talia assures me I am missing the irony because he's the Dateline voice). She also says Rene Zellweger is wearing a far suit! Is that rue? Probably.

Those cookies look swell Sara.

I hope everyone had an excellent Easter. Mine was low key but pleasant. Lots of running around today, but it’s warm and sunny, and I have given myself the day off of writing, so all should be cool.

Mets are up against the best record in baseball tonight (Giants).

Gotta run. Talia’s back in 5 days. The cats blame me.

Coffee and a bunny cookie please.

Quote by gillianleeza
The older I get, the more I appreciate quiet. My father's memory issues never seem to affect his telling the same jokes repeatedly. Someone told him it was Good Friday, so he told his yearly joke. "What are you doing today? (He raises his arms out to the side), "Just hanging around." That joke has annoyed my mother for over sixty years. My brother and I always found it funny as kids.

I told that joke to my daughter. She groaned.

Hoppy Easter everyone! Gloriously sunny day here, I hope it is for everyone else.

Sadly, Talia has departed, and it's just me and the cats - no Easter egg hunt this year (except for the three eggs I buried in her luggage). So, an insanely chill bachelor Easter planned: wake-and-bake (gasp!), watch the game, work on the yard, take my walk, then kick back and binge the second half of season three of Killing Eve (blew through the first half last night). And then try to figure out if I can even watch season four without paying.

So happy to hear from you and your baby Annie.

Enjoy the day everyone. A coffee and a bunny cookie please.

Quote by DenimAngel
I wouldn't know a wild weekend is unless it comes with instructions.

Good line, Sara.

Chill day, doing the same stuff I always do. I'm not complaining. I like all this stuff! Home Opener for the Mets is today (like, NOW!), I am foolishly going to try to avoid the score until I am done with all my stuff.

We'll hang out tonight and have a nice evening in. Then, off to the airport tomorrow. Wah.

The cats are trying to sneak into her suitcase. I can't blame them. Ah well. She'll be back in a week.

Coffee and cookie please!

Write, walk, watch baseball. Lather, rinse, repeat. That's my life.

Actually, it's not today, no baseball, and eating lunch with my daughter in the midst of it.

Talia will be gone next week! Wah! I'm planning for a wild bachelor week consisting of...wait for it...writing, walking and baseball. I'm so frikkin boring anymore. I will miss her, but I will get a lot of writing done. And a lot of baseball watched.

A coffee and an oatmeal banana cookie please.

Quote by Mendalla

So he changed from Paul to Saul? Did he go blind?

Yeah, he goes from Paul to Saul as he throws away his moral code. I am guessing there will be a reference to blindness - they've never been shy about mentioning the Biblical origin of the name.

Such a good show, and such good performances.

SO happy that Better Call Saul season 5 in on Netflix. He changed his name to Saul this season! I always wondered if the were referring to the Biblical story of Paul on the road to Damascus (but backwards). I'm thinking so now.

Thanks for the coffee, Sara. you do know I write your name like 20 times a day now (Sara is one of the main characters).

I'll try to quit blathering so much about baseball, though I will note the Mets won.

It's dark and stormy looking out - looks like the beginning of a movie. Weirdly, I don't think we're expecting rain. Must be aliens.

Time to write. No other plans, which suits me fine.

WHERE ARE THE ALL THE COOKIES!? Guess I'll stick with coffee. Yum.

Quote by gillianleeza
I hope everyone's week is off to a good start. I am eagerly looking forward to a sofa delivery tomorrow. I bought it in January, but with supply issues, it has taken this long to get it. I have forgotten what it looks like. It should be interesting. Have a great week, everyone.

This made me laugh. It'll be fun to see what couch you picked out!

Physical therapy (mild shoulder discomfort) and therapy therapy (mild mental discomfort) done for the day. About to sit down late to write - 74k in, and I can SMELL the ending, it's so close. I expect the first draft will top out at 110k, and I will delete a good 30k during the second draft. It's exciting to be close to finishing draft #1.

A coffee and a cookie please!

Quote by DenimAngel

Hi peeps

A beautiful day here. Spent time herding kittens at church ... they ran me ragged .

pouring a glass of tea and adding sugar to it

Ready to call it a day but still have a l personal finance class tonight

peeking in the cookie jars we are in good shape.

giving the adorable critters fresh water and treats

Fresh cookies tomorrow

Baseball season is going great

Stay safe everyone

Sara, glad to see baseball season is treating you well. Me too. I won't gloat on winning 3 of 4 from the Nats, particularly since they may have the coolest uniform in the league (the Pirates throw-back uni is also pretty cool). Sorry Elizabeth. At least you've won a World Series in the last 5 years. It's been 35 years since the Mets did it.

It's mid-afternoon, and most of my writing for the day is done. About 300 words to go. Then, read a little of Cryptonomicon, then supper with Talia, then watch the game. I can live with that.

No more coffee, but a cookie would rock!

Quote by elizabethblack

Quote by verbal
"You see what this guy did in his first draft? Don't do that!"

Still laughing. Hey, not so bad (yes, it is). Giggle. Watching the game now. I just know the Nats in those new fabulous uniforms will win tonight. Yep.

Those truly are some fabu uniforms. Hats too! Just love the cherry blossoms. The last game of the series is on now, but I won't get to it til tonight. I love how you can watch the game whenever you want these days. Ah, technology.

The Braves, meanwhile, are a game out of first place. I expect the Braves and Mets to battle for first all year long.

Errand running today. About to sign up and spend $300 on my first live horror convention - Stokercon in Denver (I did a virtual con once). Lots of good info at those panels. There's a cheap-ish virtual version of the con - those inspirators who write horror might wanna Google it.

Time for coffee and a Mets cookie.

Just finished novel critique group. Went pretty well. Weirdly--and I don't know if this is a compliment or an insult--the guy who runs it is starting a Youtube/Tiktok channels for writing, and wants to use my WIP as an example (among others). I said sure - he's gonna give me a free content edit when I'm done in payment. I choose to take it as a compliment, even though he's basically gonna be saying "You see what this guy did in his first draft? Don't do that!"

Sorry the Mets have been pounding on the Nats, Elizabeth. They really did totally dismantle that World Champion team of 2019. At least they kept Soto - that guy is a force of nature.

The rest of the days is laziness. We'll watch new episodes of WeCrashed and The DropOut and What's the Deal With Pam (or whatever it's called). As well as the Mets game, of course.

Just a cookie - I think it's too late for more coffee.

Good morning everyone.

Baseball season has begun! Good fun game, though I'm sure those rooting for the Nats probably feel differently. It'll be fun to see Scherzer get a lengthy ovation in DC tonight.

Back to writing after a day off yesterday. I've got 25k words to go. Time to push.

A coffee and a baseball cookie please!

Quote by redwriter

Quote by verbal
Red, your last story here was really powerful.

Thanks for that appraisal. Verbal, It's so rare to see work mentioned on this page . BTW Call me Jim, 'Red' sounds pretentious . My son bought me TWO bottles of Jack Daniels, for my birthday as he knows along with Single malts that is one of my favourites. I see that bourbon figures in your delights. I shall have a little toast to your generosity tonight. Pity I can't slip you a small sip!

It's nice to meet you Jim. I had an uncle everyone called Red, so I am fond of the name. The story stuck with me. Have you seen Fury? It's a really gripping WWII tank battle movie, with a really good Brad Pitt. I'd recommend it - seems like you'd like that sort of thing.

It's Opening Day! I love Opening Day. Sorry to keep droning on and on about it (pity Talia, who has to live with it).

Taking the day off writing to watch baseball, though I will probably do some editing. And I'll be here at 5 to settle in with coffee and a cupcake and watch the game. Elizabeth, will you join me? Sara, the Braves are playing tonight, come rest you rankle on the table and root for your boys. Larry, the Padres are playing. Ape and Bear and Pingu, you Canadians can root for the Bluejays. Let's have a party!

A coffee, a cookie, and a cupcake please. Lets Go Mets!