Eva Pasco's Blog, page 11
October 18, 2023
Eva’s Byte #442 – Self-Meditating
“We’re all mad here.” (Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)
Besides my outlet of writing and meticulous attention to housework, a dose of ambient music serves to suppress and dispel those occasional anxiety-ridden, g-r-r-r pileups. What Audrey Hepburn as Holly Go Lightly in Breakfast at Tiffany calls the “mean reds,” which boils down to my intolerance for situations outside my jurisdiction which I have no control over, going awry.
Otherwise, I keep my fever to the form for staying grounded on my terms, ohm-ing along by self-meditating as needed:
The numbing, narcotic effect of ambient music accompanying my forays at the keyboard, works wonders for restoring calm and reducing anxiety.
I’m particularly fond of compositions featuring the healing flute of Tibetan music which soothes the soul.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m drafting chapter 43 (966 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress. I daresay, the term “feng shui” came up during a dialogue between characters.
*May each of us have the wherewithal to create our own calm for restoring inner peace and harmony.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Besides my outlet of writing and meticulous attention to housework, a dose of ambient music serves to suppress and dispel those occasional anxiety-ridden, g-r-r-r pileups. What Audrey Hepburn as Holly Go Lightly in Breakfast at Tiffany calls the “mean reds,” which boils down to my intolerance for situations outside my jurisdiction which I have no control over, going awry.
Otherwise, I keep my fever to the form for staying grounded on my terms, ohm-ing along by self-meditating as needed:
The numbing, narcotic effect of ambient music accompanying my forays at the keyboard, works wonders for restoring calm and reducing anxiety.
I’m particularly fond of compositions featuring the healing flute of Tibetan music which soothes the soul.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m drafting chapter 43 (966 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress. I daresay, the term “feng shui” came up during a dialogue between characters.
*May each of us have the wherewithal to create our own calm for restoring inner peace and harmony.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
October 11, 2023
Eva’s Byte #441 – The Benedict Arnold
A recent culinary breakfast delight I’d developed a taste for at my favorite local breakfast nook is the Sausage/Eggs Benedict. Any Benedict variation previously ordered, whether the traditional Benedict with ham, or the Florentine with spinach—I like my eggs poached hard.
Well, this last time, my Sausage/Eggs Benedict arrived with a fried egg yolked hard.
What I’m calling a Benedict Arnold!
Like the aforementioned turncoat in the Continental army, I’ve turned tail on any variety of eggs Benedict because it practically takes an act of Congress to get the boiled eggs poached hard to my liking.
It doesn’t take much to turn my gastronomical preferences into distaste. Such that, fried clams and steamed clams are no longer on my radar.
Just last week I poured two half-gallons of flavored iced coffee down the drain because I’d sucked up a wad of pulp through my straw. It’s now unsweetened black for me. I dispense enough whole milk to lighten it to my preference.
In the capacity of a writer, I’ve finished drafting Chapter 42 (903 words) and have begun turning phrases for drafting Chapter 43 (159 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us embrace the changes which enhance evolving our authentic self.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Well, this last time, my Sausage/Eggs Benedict arrived with a fried egg yolked hard.
What I’m calling a Benedict Arnold!
Like the aforementioned turncoat in the Continental army, I’ve turned tail on any variety of eggs Benedict because it practically takes an act of Congress to get the boiled eggs poached hard to my liking.
It doesn’t take much to turn my gastronomical preferences into distaste. Such that, fried clams and steamed clams are no longer on my radar.
Just last week I poured two half-gallons of flavored iced coffee down the drain because I’d sucked up a wad of pulp through my straw. It’s now unsweetened black for me. I dispense enough whole milk to lighten it to my preference.
In the capacity of a writer, I’ve finished drafting Chapter 42 (903 words) and have begun turning phrases for drafting Chapter 43 (159 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us embrace the changes which enhance evolving our authentic self.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
October 4, 2023
Eva’s Byte #440 – If Not Now, When?
That generic question covers the gamut from A to Z. From my perspective it applies to seizing an opportunity to forage for sea glass along the shore of Sabin Point.
All things considered, being
:
Finding the time when other things don’t take precedence.
The weather: Rhode Island has had frequent brushes with hurricane-influenced gusty winds and soaking rains, causing powerful waves and riptides.
Of utmost importance, low tide.
On September 27th, my ship came in, so to speak. Partly sunny skies, 68 degrees, and a low tide of 0.0 ft. at 11:57 a.m. EDT.
As time and tide wait for no one, off to the Point I go.
Surprisingly, with all of the sea’s turmoil, the shore wasn’t inundated with sea glass I consider prime for the picking. Nevertheless, I rounded up a good amount of blunt-edged, frosted pieces of glass and pottery to add to my growing collection of finds. Currently, I have four clear-glass, cylindrical, 8 in.-high and two 4-in.-high, clear-glass, cylindrical vases stuffed to the brim in various locations around the homestead.
Whether I’m out foraging or not, I make it a daily habit to check the tides because I’ve always been a beach bum at heart.
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting Chapter 41 (1358 words) along my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun drafting Chapter 42 (324 words thus far).
*May each of us find the time to pursue our pleasurable pastimes.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
All things considered, being
:
Finding the time when other things don’t take precedence.
The weather: Rhode Island has had frequent brushes with hurricane-influenced gusty winds and soaking rains, causing powerful waves and riptides.
Of utmost importance, low tide.
On September 27th, my ship came in, so to speak. Partly sunny skies, 68 degrees, and a low tide of 0.0 ft. at 11:57 a.m. EDT.
As time and tide wait for no one, off to the Point I go.
Surprisingly, with all of the sea’s turmoil, the shore wasn’t inundated with sea glass I consider prime for the picking. Nevertheless, I rounded up a good amount of blunt-edged, frosted pieces of glass and pottery to add to my growing collection of finds. Currently, I have four clear-glass, cylindrical, 8 in.-high and two 4-in.-high, clear-glass, cylindrical vases stuffed to the brim in various locations around the homestead.
Whether I’m out foraging or not, I make it a daily habit to check the tides because I’ve always been a beach bum at heart.
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting Chapter 41 (1358 words) along my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun drafting Chapter 42 (324 words thus far).
*May each of us find the time to pursue our pleasurable pastimes.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
September 27, 2023
Eva’s Byte #439 – Life Lines
A few of my favorite quotes:
“Be a leader, not a follower” - while many have proffered these words, I credit my mother for this line. She said it often enough to me during my formative years.
“Compete with yourself, cooperate with others” - expressed in other ways, this was mine printed on a banner in my third-grade classroom.
“Before you judge anyone, walk a mile in their shoes” - adapted from a Native American aphorism, these words ground me.
“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” - Vince Lombardi’s quote was an integral part of a showcase in the elementary school where I taught. I keep this life line in mind when I hit a snag with my writing.
“If you don’t want to look old, here’s a little tip—don’t make old lady noises,” said Sophia Loren. Many older women have defied the stereotypical pigeonholes of ageism by accomplishing great things while keeping their fever to the form.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m wending my way to the finish line of drafting Chapter 41 (975 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May words of wisdom fan the wind beneath our wings and enable us to soar above adversity.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
“Be a leader, not a follower” - while many have proffered these words, I credit my mother for this line. She said it often enough to me during my formative years.
“Compete with yourself, cooperate with others” - expressed in other ways, this was mine printed on a banner in my third-grade classroom.
“Before you judge anyone, walk a mile in their shoes” - adapted from a Native American aphorism, these words ground me.
“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” - Vince Lombardi’s quote was an integral part of a showcase in the elementary school where I taught. I keep this life line in mind when I hit a snag with my writing.
“If you don’t want to look old, here’s a little tip—don’t make old lady noises,” said Sophia Loren. Many older women have defied the stereotypical pigeonholes of ageism by accomplishing great things while keeping their fever to the form.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m wending my way to the finish line of drafting Chapter 41 (975 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May words of wisdom fan the wind beneath our wings and enable us to soar above adversity.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
September 20, 2023
Eva’s Byte #438 – An UH-OH Moment!
Not the first or last UH-OH moment, I’m sure, but one nonetheless.
Most of my UH-OH moments revolve around a lack of mechanical aptitude, magnified by fear of taking on such endeavors. My most recent debacle occurred while replacing my printer’s ink cartridges.
Since my jalopy of a printer still works, and my computer tech told me to stick with it rather than acquire a newer model, I have. As a major office supplies retailer no longer carries this model’s ink cartridges, I’d been advised to purchase remanufactured cartridges.
This time, having a dickens of a time removing the seal tape on the black ink cartridge—wait for it—I inadvertently removed the chip.
Oops!
Fortunately, I reinstalled the old black ink cartridge, did a printout test, and the quality was great. Overcompensation from the new colored ink cartridge, perhaps. Anyway, I ordered a new black ink cartridge, the wiser for my ways the next time around.
In the capacity of a writer, I’ve rallied to the finale of Chapter 40 (970 words) along my Contemporary work in progress. I’m just starting to ink the draft for Chapter 41 (267 words thus far).
*May each of us spring forward from any setbacks encountered along our journey.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Most of my UH-OH moments revolve around a lack of mechanical aptitude, magnified by fear of taking on such endeavors. My most recent debacle occurred while replacing my printer’s ink cartridges.
Since my jalopy of a printer still works, and my computer tech told me to stick with it rather than acquire a newer model, I have. As a major office supplies retailer no longer carries this model’s ink cartridges, I’d been advised to purchase remanufactured cartridges.
This time, having a dickens of a time removing the seal tape on the black ink cartridge—wait for it—I inadvertently removed the chip.
Oops!
Fortunately, I reinstalled the old black ink cartridge, did a printout test, and the quality was great. Overcompensation from the new colored ink cartridge, perhaps. Anyway, I ordered a new black ink cartridge, the wiser for my ways the next time around.
In the capacity of a writer, I’ve rallied to the finale of Chapter 40 (970 words) along my Contemporary work in progress. I’m just starting to ink the draft for Chapter 41 (267 words thus far).
*May each of us spring forward from any setbacks encountered along our journey.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
September 13, 2023
Eva’s Byte #436 – Timeless
Timeless as a black dress, trench coat, Oxfords, Chanel No.5, and oversized sunglasses are a writer’s story themes.
Like something old, something borrowed, and nothing new, the writer incorporates timeless themes to give a story its heartbeat. Universal, relatable truths predispose the reader to care about the characters we’ve spawned out of our plot’s woodwork.
After all, internal conflict is art imitating life’s vulnerabilities.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m pivoting from the themes “coming of age” and “redemption vs. self-guilt”.
Moseying along my Contemporary work in progress, I’m at the forefront of drafting Ch. 40 (539 words thus far).
*May the pivotal points of our creative works stand the test of time.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Like something old, something borrowed, and nothing new, the writer incorporates timeless themes to give a story its heartbeat. Universal, relatable truths predispose the reader to care about the characters we’ve spawned out of our plot’s woodwork.
After all, internal conflict is art imitating life’s vulnerabilities.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m pivoting from the themes “coming of age” and “redemption vs. self-guilt”.
Moseying along my Contemporary work in progress, I’m at the forefront of drafting Ch. 40 (539 words thus far).
*May the pivotal points of our creative works stand the test of time.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
September 6, 2023
Eva’s Byte #436: The Semantics of Ceramics
In the semantics of archaeology, ceramic artifacts are one of the primary means of dating an archaeological site. Ceramic remnants inspire storytelling based on findings and conjecture.
The inspiration for my semantics hails from the treasured ceramics in one of my shelving units, remnants in time celebrating life’s milestones:
On the top shelf, resides a 1970s Vintage hand-painted, Egyptian-patterned, Lenox salad bowl. A retirement memento in recognition for my mother’s years of service at the company she worked for, it symbolizes a chapter in her life within the framework of a quality control inspector.
On one of the lower shelves, resides a floral Lenox vase from the Barrington collection. Gifted to me when I retired from a career in teaching, it symbolizes one of the most rewarding chapters in my life.
In the capacity of a writer, I’ve logically and conceptually finished drafting the semantics of Chapter 39 (877 words) along my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun laying out the blueprint for Chapter 40, progressing from 126 words.
*May the storyteller in each of us configure our semantics with artistic expression.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
The inspiration for my semantics hails from the treasured ceramics in one of my shelving units, remnants in time celebrating life’s milestones:
On the top shelf, resides a 1970s Vintage hand-painted, Egyptian-patterned, Lenox salad bowl. A retirement memento in recognition for my mother’s years of service at the company she worked for, it symbolizes a chapter in her life within the framework of a quality control inspector.
On one of the lower shelves, resides a floral Lenox vase from the Barrington collection. Gifted to me when I retired from a career in teaching, it symbolizes one of the most rewarding chapters in my life.
In the capacity of a writer, I’ve logically and conceptually finished drafting the semantics of Chapter 39 (877 words) along my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun laying out the blueprint for Chapter 40, progressing from 126 words.
*May the storyteller in each of us configure our semantics with artistic expression.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
August 30, 2023
Eva’s Byte #435 – Subtleties
In my neck of New England, the subtleties of autumn are kicking out the summer jams:
Along my daily walks, I’ve come across several bird feathers scattered here and there. Apparently, molting generally occurs between late summer and early fall.
Landscapers have mulched the shrubbery beds.
There are mesh bags of cinnamon-scented pine cones for sale in the florist section of the supermarket, reminding me to pick up a couple of bags to replenish those in my decorative wicker baskets.
My local retailer has loaded the shelves with autumn-scented aromatic diffuser refills. Due to the rapid-changing seasonal themes, I’ve stockpiled apple-cinnamon—one of my favorite seasonal scents.
My favorite of the four seasons, I can’t wait for the crisp days of autumn to make inroads to kick out the jams of hurricanes Franklin and Idalia, who’ve made their humidity known.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m blazing subtle inroads along my Contemporary work in progress, drafting chapter 39 (535 words thus far).
*May each of us enjoy the subtle transitions of nature.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Along my daily walks, I’ve come across several bird feathers scattered here and there. Apparently, molting generally occurs between late summer and early fall.
Landscapers have mulched the shrubbery beds.
There are mesh bags of cinnamon-scented pine cones for sale in the florist section of the supermarket, reminding me to pick up a couple of bags to replenish those in my decorative wicker baskets.
My local retailer has loaded the shelves with autumn-scented aromatic diffuser refills. Due to the rapid-changing seasonal themes, I’ve stockpiled apple-cinnamon—one of my favorite seasonal scents.
My favorite of the four seasons, I can’t wait for the crisp days of autumn to make inroads to kick out the jams of hurricanes Franklin and Idalia, who’ve made their humidity known.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m blazing subtle inroads along my Contemporary work in progress, drafting chapter 39 (535 words thus far).
*May each of us enjoy the subtle transitions of nature.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
August 23, 2023
Eva’s Byte #434 – A Ticket to Ride
If I were given a free ticket to ride…
Harnessing the wild imagination of a writer, I’d set my sights on Morocco. Solely because of its captivating setting in my all-time favorite film, Casablanca, where Rick’s Café is the figment of some other writer’s imagination for Sam to play “As Time Goes By”—again.
As time goes by, I’m still happily barnacled to my native state of Rhode Island, renowned for its sandy shores and picturesque Colonial-era towns.
Rhode Island is the setting for Etta’s Fishing Ground (2021) which takes place in the rural town of Foster. My current work in progress is anchored in seaside Charlestown.
Coasting along, I’ve finished drafting Chapter 38 (1619) in a scene which rides the tide on Sea Lea Avenue in Charlestown’s village of Quonochontaug (Quonnie). I’m at the puttering stage for Chapter 39 of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us derive pleasure along the rides navigated by our imagination.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Harnessing the wild imagination of a writer, I’d set my sights on Morocco. Solely because of its captivating setting in my all-time favorite film, Casablanca, where Rick’s Café is the figment of some other writer’s imagination for Sam to play “As Time Goes By”—again.
As time goes by, I’m still happily barnacled to my native state of Rhode Island, renowned for its sandy shores and picturesque Colonial-era towns.
Rhode Island is the setting for Etta’s Fishing Ground (2021) which takes place in the rural town of Foster. My current work in progress is anchored in seaside Charlestown.
Coasting along, I’ve finished drafting Chapter 38 (1619) in a scene which rides the tide on Sea Lea Avenue in Charlestown’s village of Quonochontaug (Quonnie). I’m at the puttering stage for Chapter 39 of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us derive pleasure along the rides navigated by our imagination.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
August 16, 2023
Eva’s Byte #433 – All the Way!
One of the many highlights during my sister and her family’s annual visit to our native state of Rhode Island was making a pit stop for wieners at Olneyville New York System Restaurant.
Wieners are reddish ropes of meat consisting of pork and veal, squared at the ends for a snug hug inside a steamed wiener bun—a bread bunting with crusted sides.
The Rhode Island thing is to order one or two “all the way”: a hot dog buried under meat sauce made from a secret recipe, topped with onions, mustard, and celery salt.
That’s just what the bunch of us did.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m progressing all the way to the near end of chapter 38 (1309 words thus far) along the draft of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us go all out to harness our creative energy.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Wieners are reddish ropes of meat consisting of pork and veal, squared at the ends for a snug hug inside a steamed wiener bun—a bread bunting with crusted sides.
The Rhode Island thing is to order one or two “all the way”: a hot dog buried under meat sauce made from a secret recipe, topped with onions, mustard, and celery salt.
That’s just what the bunch of us did.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m progressing all the way to the near end of chapter 38 (1309 words thus far) along the draft of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us go all out to harness our creative energy.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
