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29 May 2021

Quote by Mendalla
Quote by Survivor

Good day to you, Verity. It's so lovely that you bring up Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, By coincidence, I just happened to be in a production of that work as a play on stage here at our local arts theatre. I played the nefarious Child Catcher.

You and "nefarious" are not two words that go together in my mind, but that's acting. I sometimes contemplate seeking out an amateur theater company to try out with but other than a strong voice (mostly used for preaching and other public speaking), not sure if I have any qualities suited to the stage. I live in a city with a fairly strong theatrical tradition so there's plenty happening stage-wise normally.

Quite a theatrical bent to the Inspirators here! We were talking about doing some theater work here, pre-pandemic, and now that things are opening up again we may. Not in front of the audience, but backstage stuff. I love doing lights and sound.

We are buying a grill for the house this weekend! Chicken and corn on the cob and hot dogs and portobello (sp?) mushrooms!

I'll probably watch a little Braves-Mets action this weekend too.

Coffee and a cookie please!

28 May 2021

Quote by rolandlytle
For the baseball fans; players being paid millions of dollars can still play like little leaguers.

I LOVE THIS CLIP! Just insane. All he had to do was step on first base. And when Javy was running away from first, toward home, why follow him? Craziness! Thnaks Roland!

Mets swept a double header yesterday, and are ow 2.5 games in fist place, despite the entire frikkin team being hurt. It's like a magic trick! And we play Sara's Braves starting tonight.

Ping, we haven't watched the Friends reunion yet. Probably tonight. But Talia has half of today and Memorial Day off, so it's a three and a half day weekend! Gonna go out and buy a grill Saturday, and grill chicken and portabello mushrooms.

Other than that, not much else going on. Within spitting distance of finishing the coyote story today.

Coffee and a cookie please!

27 May 2021

Ping, you are into motorcycles the way I am into telescopes! Telescopes are cheaper. A little.

Finished Army of the Dead last night. Took me three days, partly because Talia doesn't want to watch it, partly because it's SO FRIKKIN LONG. It's way over the top, and the zombies are stupid (and not actual zombies at all), but it's way more entertaining than it has any right to be.

Larry, your Padres have come alive! They might be the team to beat in the west.

Mets were rained out AGAIN yesterday, so there is a double header today, even as I type this. They're blacked out here, so I will make myself write first, and then watch them when the archived games become available. Jeez, I'm neurotic.

Mimi Rose Howard and David Foster Wallace are playing with that cute lil monkey of Sara's. I'll have a coffee and a baseball cookie.

26 May 2021

Quote by rolandlytle

I wanted to mention something today but forgot earlier. The US Covid death toll has passed 600,000 (nearing the total military deaths in the Civil War), but the number of new deaths has dropped dramatically, and more than half of all adults have been vaccinated. But yesterday, the world death tolls crossed 3,500,000. Africa, South America, and southwest Asia (especially India) deaths are still climbing. Some are predicting 5,000,000 by the end of the year. The WHO has stated that the world death totals may be 25-40% higher on a conservative estimate.

A situation I have followed during the Covid pandemic is US federal institutions. The VA has had more than 12,000 veterans' deaths. And the military death toll is at 315. That is more than the number of fatalities in Afganistan over the past eight years.

BTW all of the federal institutions (military, VA, and prisons) are not counted in the US numbers listed by the media.

I did not want to bring everyone down, so here is one of my kittens, Bubblegum.

MagBass, I enjoyed that squirrel video. Thanks!

Hey Roland. Digging the picture of Bubblegum. And those numbers on Covid are sobering - I'm so glad I have had both shots.

Here's a pic of our kittens, Mimi Rose Howard and David Foster Wallace. They are brother and sister!

26 May 2021

Quote by MagnificentBastard
GoT (again) with my son. Just watched the series finale of Last Man Standing (sad to see it go) and the season, which may also be the series finale of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. It has not yet been renewed for season three.

Why are there no more Justified’s out there???

Tons of motorcycle videos on YouTube. If you haven’t seen her, check out Itchy Boots. Noraly is from the Netherlands. She travels on her motorcycle by herself around the world. She uses four GoPro’s, including a drone for stunning images.

Noraly is currently touring South Africa. Three years ago she travelled over 60,000 kilometres through Asia and Europe. Last year, her Patagonia to Alaska trip was cut short in Chile due to the pandemic. Hopefully, she returns to that leg soon.

I watched GoT with my youngest daughter last year. My favorite part was staring awkwardly at the walls during the nude scenes. smile

smile

Actually it does bring up some interesting discussions, and I'd seen it before, so i know what's coming. It holds up well under a second viewing. Even the last season - though it's rushed, it's not as bad as everyone said it was at the time.

No more Justified, though the same team is trying to get another Elmore Leonard series off the ground. And Timothy Elephant was in The Mandolorian!

I'm deep into Better Call Saul now. After that I'm trying to convince Talia to try Breaking Bad.

26 May 2021

Quote by MagnificentBastard
Verbs, you whiny little...

Fine. Here ya go. Sheesh. Bro hug ‘n booty grab.

Hi Everyone! Gill, Rumps, LarBear, EB, DoubleD, RollyMeister, Canadian Ape Boy, and our 30+ year Ingrish teacher. Sorry if I missed anyone.

Any updates on Rachel? Damn. I popped by Red a while back. I hope she’s doing better. Any news on Tonya or Vanessa?

Only big news here is that I bought a motorbike. Honda finally made something I wanted. It’s not really anything classic or traditional. It’s more of a fusion of styles with lots of tech and nanny modes. It’s a Rebel 1100 DCT. Essentially, it’s a spirited scooter. Well, not really. It does do a sub-4 second zero-to-100 km. I call it my naked sporty cruiser. LOVE IT.

Like many, I’ve got my first COVID shot, but am now in vaccination purgatory. Got the Astra-Zeneca one, but with blood clot fears and short shipping, I wait. Can’t get another from another either. So, I wait.

Kids are well. My little boy has now reached my height. Buggar is only thirteen. He reminds me of both, constantly. The girl is becoming a handful. She is branching out. Becoming her own obnoxious preteen self. Thankfully, she hasn’t contributed to my early demise in the terrifying still of the night. I fear I may end up pleading for her to do so.

Puppies are doing well too. Both are almost nine months. After dental surgeries, spay & neuter, etc, were into both for about twelve grand. Ugh.

Bought a new 8-person tent. Pitched it in the backyard this extended long weekend. Simply fab. Laying on my super comfy air mattress as I type this, both dogs on and beside me, the boy playing some Mario on his Switch across from me, while my daughter Zooms some ballet online in the basement. Time to make dinner, I suppose. And then an early evening ride on my iron horse.

I still have no urge to write, but Verbs, I too have many coyotes near by. I’ll pee on your fence, any day, any time. You don’t even need to ask.

Take care you gnarly band of deviants.

PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!! You Magnificent Bastard!

A big new motorcycle! Wow! That must be almost as good as having a penis!

Anyway. It's terribly good to see you. Even Talia is glad you're back - I just yelled "Ping's back!" and she yelled "Yay!" So much has happened in the last six months! I'll PM you later.

We used to do the tent in the back yard thing. My youngest spent an entire spring break living in the tent out back, back in the day.

I don't understand this strange new sport you describe. How do you say it? Gaulf? Hitting white balls with little sticks? How can that possibly be entertaining to watch? You need a real sport like baseball. The Mets won last night, incidentally. DeGrom is back! Best pitcher in baseball! Sadly, they are playing the Rockies now, meaning the game is blacked out until 90 minutes after the game is OVER. Meaning I can't even start watching til around 10, and finish around 1. Grumble.

Elizabeth, no one in that division can string together a winning record. You're in last place, but only 3 games out of first.

As for the coyotes, I haven't heard them in several days. They quit howling in the story I'm writing too. Because--in the story--they are busy hypnotizing all the neighborhood pets!!! Trying to start a revolution. I don't think that is happening in real life, but I could be wrong.

Okay, I gotta go do stuff. I'd love a lemoncello. Do you have any grape? Or root beer?

Top it off with a kaiju cookie!

25 May 2021

Quote by gillianleeza
It's good to see everyone. Roland, it is always a treat to find you here. I am glad you are feeling better.

Welcome to Harly and Verity.

I've not been here for a bit. My Mom had a stroke, thankfully a mild one and she is recovering well now at home. It resulted in some stress and worry with my Dad. Long long stories but at least I have a GPS on the key ring he takes everywhere that can locate him if necessary. I stayed with him and have no idea how my Mom does it. I am happy to be back at my house.

I hope everyone is doing well.

I'm going to take some cookies and go nap. I'll try to catch up later.

Cheers!

My thoughts are with you, Gill. I'm glad the stroke was mild. And I'm glad you're back at your house.

Mets have lost three in a row, and the entire team is injured, as Roland pointed out (hey Roland!). But since we are in first place I won't complain. A Mets/Braves showdown looms this week though. Ready Sara?

Time to write about coyotes. smile

smile

Larry, I'm sure you're right, I haven't gotten rid of them. All I wanna do is scare them a few houses down, so they don't use our yard as their entree into the neighborhood.

Did I use entree right? I think that needs an umlaut or something.

Coffee and a kaiju cookie please!

24 May 2021

Quote by Verity
Quote by verbal
Good morning everyone!

So, I'm not sure how to apologize to the mods here - I submitted a story yesterday, then got a revelation about the plot a couple hours later, and pulled the story so I could rewrite it. I hope I didn't give someone some unnecessary work!

Nice to see Roland this weekend! And everyone else too!

It's a nice, sunny day here. Not much going on. Write, pay bills, have a lovely dinner with Talia, ammd watch the game. Life of Reilly, this retirement is!

I'd love a coffee, and a Megalon cookie if there are any left.

Now let's tackle that rewrite.

I do that all the time. As I’m new to writing I write what I think is okay. It’s only after it has been published that I think of a better ending or plot line. I’m just going to have to invent a time machine.

You can go back in and re-edit them after you've published them - just make the edits on the document submission window on the site itself. I've done that a bunch. In this case I cut out a character entirely, so I kinda had to pull the story.

Any more cookies?

24 May 2021

Good morning everyone!

So, I'm not sure how to apologize to the mods here - I submitted a story yesterday, then got a revelation about the plot a couple hours later, and pulled the story so I could rewrite it. I hope I didn't give someone some unnecessary work!

Nice to see Roland this weekend! And everyone else too!

It's a nice, sunny day here. Not much going on. Write, pay bills, have a lovely dinner with Talia, ammd watch the game. Life of Reilly, this retirement is!

I'd love a coffee, and a Megalon cookie if there are any left.

Now let's tackle that rewrite.

22 May 2021

Quote by rolandlytle
Hi, everyone.MuBjex9BHaKDx9nu

Sorry for my disappearance. I was in the hospital for almost a week with an infected liver. With my dementia, that was awful! A steady routine helps me get through things, and everything was different in the hospital. They let me come home several days early because of it. I have been in bed a lot since getting home. I have a drainage bag coming out of my side, which sucks, but I will have to wear it for 4-6 weeks.

I am back and reading. I met a lovely young lass from the UK, Harley. I see she has popped in here, and that is great. Mostly watching baseball, but I am actually writing on paper. It looks like little kids' writing. My wife was laughing at it yesterday.

I am sorry I missed out on the kaiju cookies. Maybe Sara can make some more. A Sci-Fi channel on YouTube, The Templin Institute (I love this one), just recently had a series of the old Godzilla monsters on there.

I will have some tea and a cookie. I am still waiting to get my appetite back. The good news is that the illness did help me lose 35 pounds in a month.

By y'all!

DUDE! So nice to see you again - I had no one to talk baseball with! My wife died of early onset dementia, so my heart goes out to you. It can be a cruel disease. Glad you were able to get out of the hospital early.

Welcome Verity!

So, the coyote saga might be coming to an end. I made noisemakers out of soda cans and pebbles, and twice in last few days I've heard the coyotes howling around midnight, ran downstairs and shook the can, and both nights they stopped immediately. My neighbor two doors down was shining a spotlight out in the fields where they were, so it might have been him. Either way, I think they are howling less now.

Of course, this means I am now writing a story about coyotes. Did you know that 20% of an urban coyotes' diet is cats? Not housecats so much as feral cats. Weird.

The Mets are severely injured team right now, but still winning. Sara's Braves hit TWO grand slams last night!

An iced tea and a Godzilla cookie would sure hit the spot!

21 May 2021

Quote by Harley
Coffee is life.

You got that right. Welcome, Harley.

Larry, a comp would be fun! I know they don't happen often here. I was even in one back in the day.

Gonna be a long day, and probably a bruising one too. I won't go into detail, but I could use a very strong coffee and a very tasty cookie this morning, to point me in the right direction.

21 May 2021

Smash - trample

20 May 2021

Quote by Mendalla
Did some catch-up of favorite PBS Digital Studios shows on Youtube.

Eons (which discusses deep time and evolution) covered the evolution of wood, which then allowed trees as we know them to evolve.

Sound Field (which looks at various topics in music) did a nice piece on Beethven's Fur Elise, which also marked the return of co-host Nahre Sol who's been away most of the past few months

It's Lit (like Sound Field but for literature) did a history of manga, the Japanese comics that inspire a lot of anime and have become popular and influential in the West over the past 3 or so decades

FYI, if you're looking for them, Eons and Sound Field have their own Youtube channels, It's Lit is one of three shows sharing a channel called Storied. It's stablemates are Monstrum (about monsters in folklore and literature, which I've talked about in other places on the site) and Other Words (about language and the origins of words).

These all sound excellent! I'll check them out.

We're watching Cruel Summer. The story and acting are pretty good, but what really sets it apart is that it's told from the POV of three different years, and flips back and forth. It's a cool effect, and allows the scenes to comment on each other.

20 May 2021

Quote by Rumple_deWriter

How y'all are? Just so y'all know, odds are I wont be around as much as usual for the next few weeks. Here's why:

My number three great-grandchild will be coming home from the hospital today. 'Addy' checked in at six pounds twelve ounces and is ready to dominate family activities for some time to come. For those keeping count, she's g-g kid number three and g-g daughter number two and is the first-born of my own first born's first-born.

Later in June, I'll head up to Lawrence, Kansas for a week of getting back in touch with the two earlier models of my great-grandkids. After days of doing this and that type family stuff, I'll tag-along with them plus their parents on our way to Phoenix. And so now you know why I'll probably be mostly out of pocket for awhile. ;)

Later, Inspirators. they

Hello all.

That sounds like a splendid trip, Bill. I love the Midwest. Arizona too - I lived in Mesa for a couple years, growing up.

Tough loss for the Mets last night. Today's an off day.

A gorgeous day today. Perfect to write about coyotes stealing children from a nice suburban neighborhood. smile

smile

Coffee and a Megalon cookie please.

20 May 2021

Hello Rachael. Hello Harley (we used to have a cat names Harley, growing up).

I'm not that cool, but they let me hang out here too.

19 May 2021

Quote by DenimAngel
Hi peeps
A beautiful day here
Not a lot going on today
Slow start to my day .
*Moving yesterday's cookies to the emergency cookie tins behind the counter and filling the cookie jars with the fun cookies :
Ghidorah, Megalon, MechaGodzilla, Godzilla, and Caesar cookies too!
*Giving the adorable mascots fresh water and treats shaped like baseballs*
Tomorrow will be circus themed cookies !

Have a great day everyone!

Ghidorah cookies! Thank you Sara! I love biting off their heads one at a time. Sorry about the tough loss last night. Last game of the series tonight. Did you see our guy get hit in the face with a 100 mph fastball?

I got THREE rejection slips in one day yesterday. Three. Sigh. This writing life ain't for the faint of heart.

At least it is sunny and warm out. AND I think I figured out part of the coyote thing: they started to howl last night, I shook my soda-can-and-pennies noisemaker and they immediately stopped howling! Yay! AND I got a story idea out of the whole thing.

Coffee please. I already have a cookie *bites off first head*

18 May 2021

Banana milkshake! I love banana flavored stuff!

Red Vines or Twizzlers?

18 May 2021

Good morning, all.

Workman all over the hoise today. It's kinda annoying, and equally hard to be annoyed, because we are the ones who asked them to come. Talia has to work during all the hubbub so is a bit on edge.

Time to sit down and face the blank page for the day. New story, about...wait for it...COYOTES!!!

They're still around, btw.

Oh my, what a bounty of cookies! I think I'll have a Godzilla. Thanks for making all the new cookies Sara. Makes me sorry the Mets beat the Braves last night.

I'd love a coffee to go with Mr. G.

17 May 2021

Hey all.

Lost weekend for the Mets. The less said the better.

Warm sunny day here. A few workers coming by to help with the house.

Scott, I don't actually pee on the fence. Talia nixed that idea. I pee in a bottle, and then pour the bottle along the fenceline. Not quite as fulfilling as peeing directly on the fence, but much MORE fulfilling than getting arrested for public exposure. smile

smile

Sara, I gift you these cookie cutters. We can eat Ghidorah, Megalon, MechaGodzilla, Godzilla, and Caesar cookies too!

I'd love a coffee.

14 May 2021

Quote by elizabethblack
Sara,

Or how about a coyote?

TOO COOL! I MUST HAVE THIS!

(Sorry for yelling.)

14 May 2021

Quote by Rumple_deWriter
Today is a special kind of TGIF as in, Thank God It's Finally -Unmask day, at least here in the States.

To celebrate this l-o-n-g anticipated event, I've given the coffee pot a good rinse, filled it with dark roast Louisiana coffee and water from the mighty Kansa River which also supplied the water for the tea kettle. Both have been turned on, so to speak.

Over in that seedy den of depravity in the Red Zone I left a post last night that had some info on Sprite. The bottom line is good news since she claims to be much mo' better.

Coffee's ready. Gonna fill my mug with that ambrosia then fill my free hand with Sarah's cookies. Since the temp is expected to push past 100f again, think I'll sit over at the corner table with the fan turned on.

Later, Inspirators.

Good to hear about sprite. I even popped my head in the Red Zone to offer healing vibes. Been awhile.

The unmask thing hit me harder than expected - in a good way! It seems like we actually accomplish something as a country. Despite all the partisan bickering and lack of trust, we pulled together and did things right. I feel a little patriotic. It's makes we glad we got our shots.

Baseball again tonight. Gotta enjoy first place while we have it. It won't last.

I'd love a coffee, and a sugar cookie in whatever shape Sara chooses. The Ant is sick today so he stayed home. If you see that lil scamp Molly the Monkey give her a hug.

13 May 2021

Quote by Mendalla
Quote by verbal
Quote by DenimAngel
hi peeps

Jeff I'll bring sugar cookies tomorrow what shapes would you like ?

Hugs to everyone!

Godzilla cookies for the win.H1CCUrZqP6x2piqS I second this motion. As long as they don't breath radioactive fire. Though I suppose that could be helpful if my tea gets cold.

Ask for a King Kong cookie. Our cookies can fight each other.

13 May 2021

Quote by DenimAngel
hi peeps

Jeff I'll bring sugar cookies tomorrow what shapes would you like ?

Hugs to everyone!

smile

13 May 2021

Woke up to no hot water this morning, which I just fixed (hopefully) for the lovely Talia. If you hear something on the news about a huge gas explosion in mid-Colorado, you'll know i did something wrong. smile

smile

No baseball tonight. Great Mets win yesterday afternoon, beating our former ace Matt Harvey. Matt got a standing ovation, which was cool. We play Sara's Bravos next week.

I got nothin. Finished a story yesterday, but it's a VERY rough draft. Today I reread, rewrite, and try to figure out if it's any good.

Coffee would be a treat. A sugar cookie for me, and a crumb for the Ant (full name Ant E. Freeze). Hugs and treats to all the mascots!!! And to the humans!

12 May 2021

Sorry you are having a trying day, Larry.

Me, I'm trying to keep from watching the Mets game, which started about a half hour ago. I'm telling myself I can only start watching after I pump out 450 words (half my quota for the day). We shall see. They won a great game last night. About time to start their yearly swoon and fall into last place.

Where's Roland?

Where's Ping?

WriterGirl's story at the top of the front page is quite good - it deserves some views.

Coyotes in the yard this morning (Talia saw them, I did not). The saga continues.

I got an enthusiasts badge! Probably for blathering in here every morning. smile

smile

Coffee and TWO cookies would hit the spot. I'll give one to Talia.

11 May 2021

Quote by elizabethblack
Quote by verbal

I've already scared coyotes out of our yard once today. They're getting bold. I scared him away by banging pots and pans. Later I am going to hang up blinky lights that are supposed to mimic animal eyes. I am also (no, I'm not making this up) going to pee along the fenceline all this week. If those techniques don't work, I want to buy a life-sized plastic coyote that is supposed to work well - you just set it out in the yard. Talia is less than thrilled by this approach.

I think you are on the right track Verbs, but here is a better (?) idea:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079XSX1ZP?tag=pestpointers-20

Certainly would be cheaper to empty your own bladder, but if the neighbors notice....don't know.

Baseball! How quickly the mighty fall. Actually should have taken a picture when the Nationals were, very briefly, in first place. And started out playing first game against the Yankees and demolished them. I refused to discuss the last two games. Deep sigh.

I SAW the wolf urine, but did you read the reviews? Every single one talked about how it smells like a skunk. I think the cure may be worse than the disease.

We'll let those blinky eyes do their thing and see what happens.

11 May 2021

Quote by gillianleeza
It was so nice to have my parents for dinner yesterday. My middle son, his girlfriend, and their adorable pug came to celebrate Mother's day as well. It was a nice treat especially after a few stressful days dealing with some unfortunate new behavior my dad is exhibiting.

I'm feeling a bit discouraged about everything at the moment. Depression is a sneaky thing and I need to be alert to the symptoms. So forgive me if I am not as active.

I hope Monday was kind to everyone. I'll be in the corner enjoying some of Sarah's cookies.

Take care of yourselves, both mentally and physically. Be kind to yourself.

Cheers!

Hey Gill! Depression is insidious, you really have to keep an eye on it or it sets up house in the corner. Sorry about your Dad, that condition is such a continuingly moving target.

Woke up to snow on the rooftops this morning, but not much stuck. Just cold and rainy. Again.

No baseball last night.

I'd love a coffee. A crumb for my ant (full name Ant E. Aircraftmissles) and a big hug for that lil monkey. And everyone else!

10 May 2021

Bill, I'm sorry the Mets waited until this weekend to wake up. Sweeps hurt - I remember the Cubs sweeping us a couple weeks ago. If it makes you feel better, our best pitcher had to leave the game with muscle tightness. Hopefully he's not injured.

Cold and rainy here today. What a weird spring. It's always cold and wet.

I've already scared coyotes out of our yard once today. They're getting bold. I scared him away by banging pots and pans. Later I am going to hang up blinky lights that are supposed to mimic animal eyes. I am also (no, I'm not making this up) going to pee along the fenceline all this week. If those techniques don't work, I want to buy a life-sized plastic coyote that is supposed to work well - you just set it out in the yard. Talia is less than thrilled by this approach.

Coffee and a handful of cookies please. A crumb for my Ant (full name Ant E Pesto) and a hug for the monkey.

9 May 2021

The Mets are playing Bill's D-Backs as I type this - I can feel the broadcast signal ACTUALLY PASSING THROUGH MY BODY!!! But i won't be able to watch til tonight. So I'll pop in and out quick, before the score is revealed to me. Our big guy, DeGrom, is on the mound, which is the good news. They NEVER score runs for him would be the bad news.

Speaking of the Big Guy, where is Roland? Haven't seen him around for a bit. Love to talk some baseball with him.

A coffee for me, a crumb for my Ant (full name Ant E Disestablishmentarianism), and a baseball cookie for the monkey.

8 May 2021

We all survived our Covid vaccine! 22 hours later, and all we have are sore arms. And better wifi reception!

The Mets won a nailbiter against Bill's D-Backs last night. Playing again tonight. I think the Snakes are facing the weak underbelly of the Mets rotation tonight.

Beautiful day today. I hope to enjoy it.

Coffee and a cookie for me, a cookie crumb for my Ant (full name Ant E Histamine), and if Molly would like anything, tell her she may put it on my tab.