Eva Pasco's Blog, page 12
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
August 8, 2023
Eva’s Byte #432 – The Almighty Dollar
The phrase, “almighty dollar” has been historically attributed to Washington Irving who mentioned it in the story “The Creole Village” (1837).
One can celebrate the might of the almighty dollar on National Dollar Day (August 8th) even though we spend money for this and that on any given day of the year. Depending on how much money we’ve had to shell out for this or that, there’s probable cause for complaining rather than celebrating.
So, what can the almighty dollar buy today?
Many of these items come under the radar of a dollar by one cent; others are a lot cheaper:
E-Book
Scratch-Off lottery tickets
Tube of lipstick
Greeting card
Plenty of discounted school and office supplies as kids head back to school
Pair of ankle socks
Fast-food specials
Inexpensive spices and seasonings
The buck doesn’t stop here. Seek and one shall find more…
In the capacity of a writer who is fussy and frugal with words, I’m in the midst of drafting chapter 38 (1118 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us spend our time and money wisely.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
One can celebrate the might of the almighty dollar on National Dollar Day (August 8th) even though we spend money for this and that on any given day of the year. Depending on how much money we’ve had to shell out for this or that, there’s probable cause for complaining rather than celebrating.
So, what can the almighty dollar buy today?
Many of these items come under the radar of a dollar by one cent; others are a lot cheaper:
E-Book
Scratch-Off lottery tickets
Tube of lipstick
Greeting card
Plenty of discounted school and office supplies as kids head back to school
Pair of ankle socks
Fast-food specials
Inexpensive spices and seasonings
The buck doesn’t stop here. Seek and one shall find more…
In the capacity of a writer who is fussy and frugal with words, I’m in the midst of drafting chapter 38 (1118 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us spend our time and money wisely.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
August 2, 2023
Eva’s Byte # 431 – The Loop
In the loop, or out of the loop, that is the question.
While I consider myself in the loop as to being informed, I’m definitely out of the loop when it comes to hitting the road.
A busy retiree in command of how I spend my own time—most of the time—I generally hit the road by nine o’clock in the morning for running errands. Major and secondary roads are less hectic. Last week, due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to travel along two major freeways for a 4:15 p.m. routine dental appointment.
The adage, “stay in your own lane” is applicable:
To my horror, a vehicle veered in my lane, adjacent to me! Inches within colliding, the driver corrected to the left. I braked and corrected to the right with stinginess due to the flow of traffic in the lane to my immediate right. It was surreal! The other drivers in my vicinity, paying attention, must have braced themselves to avoid a chain reaction.
In the span of a second it took to avoid a crash, the space to my right and directly behind me, looked clear of any moving vehicles. Truly, Divine Intervention was at work. Henceforth, the mental anguish associated with the incident has receded to the rearview mirror of my mind.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m in my own lane driving along chapter 38 (882 words thus far), for furthering my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us exercise diligence for keeping safe and sound in the midst of chaos.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
While I consider myself in the loop as to being informed, I’m definitely out of the loop when it comes to hitting the road.
A busy retiree in command of how I spend my own time—most of the time—I generally hit the road by nine o’clock in the morning for running errands. Major and secondary roads are less hectic. Last week, due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to travel along two major freeways for a 4:15 p.m. routine dental appointment.
The adage, “stay in your own lane” is applicable:
To my horror, a vehicle veered in my lane, adjacent to me! Inches within colliding, the driver corrected to the left. I braked and corrected to the right with stinginess due to the flow of traffic in the lane to my immediate right. It was surreal! The other drivers in my vicinity, paying attention, must have braced themselves to avoid a chain reaction.
In the span of a second it took to avoid a crash, the space to my right and directly behind me, looked clear of any moving vehicles. Truly, Divine Intervention was at work. Henceforth, the mental anguish associated with the incident has receded to the rearview mirror of my mind.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m in my own lane driving along chapter 38 (882 words thus far), for furthering my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us exercise diligence for keeping safe and sound in the midst of chaos.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
July 26, 2023
Eva’s Byte #430 – The Wraparound Porch and Such
Making its “rounds” in the 1700s throughout southern United States, the wraparound porch served as a sanctuary from the stifling summer heat. Family and friends gathered around for socializing, leaving their worries behind.
Snapshots of yesteryear’s porches come to mind: rocking chairs, handheld paper fans, water droplets on a pitcher of lemonade, and the springing sound of a screen door when it opens and closes.
During my adolescence in the Sixties, the breezeway with jalousie windows, attached to the one-level ranch my family lived in, served as a sanctuary for my sister and me during summer vacation from school. When we got bored with frolicking outdoors, it was a great place to camp out for playing a board game or watching ‘Where the Action Is’ as the cross-breeze from the open windows kept us cool.
There was a time during adulthood when I enjoyed lounging on a raised deck overlooking my extensive back yard abutted by one of those historic New England stone walls in the woods beyond. I had a front row seat to an entourage of deer traipsing through, encouraged to trespass by plentiful foliage to nibble on.
In the here and now at my apartment complex, I don’t have a porch or such to step onto. But, there is a gazebo on the grounds to step inside.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m wrapping my head around drafting Chapter 38 (407 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress which, incidentally, features a wraparound porch.
*May each of us find time to enjoy the panoramic view afforded by our surroundings.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Snapshots of yesteryear’s porches come to mind: rocking chairs, handheld paper fans, water droplets on a pitcher of lemonade, and the springing sound of a screen door when it opens and closes.
During my adolescence in the Sixties, the breezeway with jalousie windows, attached to the one-level ranch my family lived in, served as a sanctuary for my sister and me during summer vacation from school. When we got bored with frolicking outdoors, it was a great place to camp out for playing a board game or watching ‘Where the Action Is’ as the cross-breeze from the open windows kept us cool.
There was a time during adulthood when I enjoyed lounging on a raised deck overlooking my extensive back yard abutted by one of those historic New England stone walls in the woods beyond. I had a front row seat to an entourage of deer traipsing through, encouraged to trespass by plentiful foliage to nibble on.
In the here and now at my apartment complex, I don’t have a porch or such to step onto. But, there is a gazebo on the grounds to step inside.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m wrapping my head around drafting Chapter 38 (407 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress which, incidentally, features a wraparound porch.
*May each of us find time to enjoy the panoramic view afforded by our surroundings.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
July 19, 2023
Eva’s Byte #429 – The Ripple Effect
The next one in line to approach the counter at my local pharmacy, I stared into space while biding my time. A woman pushing a walker stopped crossways in front of me. Speaking to no one in particular, she asked aloud if anyone had found her wallet, having left that counter moments before.
Both pharmacists, along with the customer currently being helped, the people in line—including myself—feeling helpless, looked into the air around us, as though the wallet might materialize. Meanwhile, to no avail, the distressed woman, rummaged inside her spacious handbag.
I, the closest person to her, noticed several canvas pockets attached to the bar on her walker. One who has a tendency to panic like the woman searching in vain, I dared to ask if she looked inside one of those pockets.
Voila! Fishing out her wallet from pocket no. 1, she thanked me. Everyone in our immediate surroundings gave out a whoop of joy. As someone in line behind me articulated, “This could have turned out badly.”
Not only did I feel great for having made a discernible difference, but the positive impact had a ripple effect among strangers rooting for an underdog.
In the capacity of a writer, the ripple effect of dialoguing has run its course for completing the draft of Chapter 37 (1112 words) along my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun paving the way for drafting Chapter 38 with a warm-up of words to be strung into sentences.
*In our compassion for humankind, may each of us remember the power of one can create a positive ripple effect.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Both pharmacists, along with the customer currently being helped, the people in line—including myself—feeling helpless, looked into the air around us, as though the wallet might materialize. Meanwhile, to no avail, the distressed woman, rummaged inside her spacious handbag.
I, the closest person to her, noticed several canvas pockets attached to the bar on her walker. One who has a tendency to panic like the woman searching in vain, I dared to ask if she looked inside one of those pockets.
Voila! Fishing out her wallet from pocket no. 1, she thanked me. Everyone in our immediate surroundings gave out a whoop of joy. As someone in line behind me articulated, “This could have turned out badly.”
Not only did I feel great for having made a discernible difference, but the positive impact had a ripple effect among strangers rooting for an underdog.
In the capacity of a writer, the ripple effect of dialoguing has run its course for completing the draft of Chapter 37 (1112 words) along my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun paving the way for drafting Chapter 38 with a warm-up of words to be strung into sentences.
*In our compassion for humankind, may each of us remember the power of one can create a positive ripple effect.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
July 12, 2023
Eva’s Byte #428 – Hob-Knobbing
Since the humidity in my New England state has ranged anywhere from 70 – 90+ per cent, the air feels downright soupy. For one who prefers the bay breeze wafting through my windows, discomfort has prompted me to switch on the AC units in my office and living room.
The old jalopy of a model in the living room requires hob-knobbing to select various modes. Wouldn’t you know, during the still of the night, it took all I could do to hob the knob to “high” with no recourse for other options. With luck, I was able to hob the knob to “off”. At any rate, I could always pull the plug if I had to.
Mind you, maintenance had serviced the unit in Spring by removing the screen and giving the entire shebang a thorough vacuuming and cleaning. Still, the jalopy tended to spew dirt resembling volcanic ash when in use.
My hob-knobbing dysfunction proved to be a blessing in disguise because I now have a new unit operative by either a remote or touchscreen navigation.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m hobnobbing along the draft of chapter 37 (672 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*In the face of adversity, may each of us keep our cool.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
The old jalopy of a model in the living room requires hob-knobbing to select various modes. Wouldn’t you know, during the still of the night, it took all I could do to hob the knob to “high” with no recourse for other options. With luck, I was able to hob the knob to “off”. At any rate, I could always pull the plug if I had to.
Mind you, maintenance had serviced the unit in Spring by removing the screen and giving the entire shebang a thorough vacuuming and cleaning. Still, the jalopy tended to spew dirt resembling volcanic ash when in use.
My hob-knobbing dysfunction proved to be a blessing in disguise because I now have a new unit operative by either a remote or touchscreen navigation.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m hobnobbing along the draft of chapter 37 (672 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*In the face of adversity, may each of us keep our cool.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
July 5, 2023
Eva’s Byte #427 – M-o-o-d Enhancer!
From my perspective, one of the culminating highlights on a road trip is unwinding with a pit stop for ice cream. An antidote for boredom or fatigue, it’s a m-o-o-d enhancer.
Cowabunga!
Even though many ice-cream places carry a minimum of 45 flavors, I tend to order a waffle cone with a single scoop of vanilla for roughly five dollars and up. It’s quite an outlay of cash for the more adventurous ice cream aficionados, compounded by rounds of mounds for the family.
If you’re getting your licks in while sitting at a picnic bench on a hot, summer day, it behooves you to curtail conversation to keep tabs on the meltdown.
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting chapter 36 lickety-split @ 1676 words, and have begun composing chapter 37 (64 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us make the most of things we enjoy while they last.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Cowabunga!
Even though many ice-cream places carry a minimum of 45 flavors, I tend to order a waffle cone with a single scoop of vanilla for roughly five dollars and up. It’s quite an outlay of cash for the more adventurous ice cream aficionados, compounded by rounds of mounds for the family.
If you’re getting your licks in while sitting at a picnic bench on a hot, summer day, it behooves you to curtail conversation to keep tabs on the meltdown.
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting chapter 36 lickety-split @ 1676 words, and have begun composing chapter 37 (64 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us make the most of things we enjoy while they last.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
June 28, 2023
Eva’s Byte #426 – Spare Change
“You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”
(Purportedly the source of this American saying is lost to history)
This quote rewinds itself during my drive along a certain major thoroughfare on the outskirts of the city where several downtrodden and disenfranchised people dot the sidewalks. As the chasm splitting the haves from the have-nots grows wider, I’m reminded how life can turn on a dime for any one of us with a roof over our head and wheels beneath our feet to start walking a mile in their shoes.
According to Crossroads, Rhode Island—each year, about 4,000 men, women, and children experience homelessness.
Last week, I happened to catch one of the red lights on North Main Street. I tend to keep my eyes straight ahead out of respect for those sitting or standing by the wayside with their worldly possessions. Idling in my vehicle diagonally across from a Dollar Store, my field of vision captured an image which will remain etched in my brain forever, and for the better.
A disheveled gentleman who appeared to be as down on his luck as the next person in the vicinity, exited the store. Rummaging in his jacket pocket, he took a few seconds to scrounge up spare change for a panhandler sitting on the ground near the door.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m at the tail end of drafting Chapter 36 (1292 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us continue to appreciate what can easily be taken for granted.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
(Purportedly the source of this American saying is lost to history)
This quote rewinds itself during my drive along a certain major thoroughfare on the outskirts of the city where several downtrodden and disenfranchised people dot the sidewalks. As the chasm splitting the haves from the have-nots grows wider, I’m reminded how life can turn on a dime for any one of us with a roof over our head and wheels beneath our feet to start walking a mile in their shoes.
According to Crossroads, Rhode Island—each year, about 4,000 men, women, and children experience homelessness.
Last week, I happened to catch one of the red lights on North Main Street. I tend to keep my eyes straight ahead out of respect for those sitting or standing by the wayside with their worldly possessions. Idling in my vehicle diagonally across from a Dollar Store, my field of vision captured an image which will remain etched in my brain forever, and for the better.
A disheveled gentleman who appeared to be as down on his luck as the next person in the vicinity, exited the store. Rummaging in his jacket pocket, he took a few seconds to scrounge up spare change for a panhandler sitting on the ground near the door.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m at the tail end of drafting Chapter 36 (1292 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us continue to appreciate what can easily be taken for granted.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
June 21, 2023
Eva’s Byte #425 – The Tastes of Summer READING
It’s time to roll out the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. More than soda, pretzels and beer cited in this seasonal song of cheer (“Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer” by Nat King Cole; released – May, 1963)—it’s:
Lobster rolls, barbecue, wine coolers, potato salad, watermelon, hitting the beach—and, the beach read.
Without getting into the history of the term’s emergence in 1990, a beach read is generally considered escapist reading while enjoying a day at the beach. Content is usually engaging and light. Even better if the book has a beach setting. The genre is open to speculation. Yet, me thinks, even the wide latitude probably rules out True Crime, for one.
Nowadays, my beach days entail being on the go trekking along the shore for sea glass. However, when I recall past years of sprawling on the sand, slathered in baby oil and soaking up the rays—my companionable books defied typecasting. They defined my year-round preferential reading tastes for dark fiction and true crime.
Don’t sugarcoat the lemonade, I say!
So, does the season of summer with its predilection for carefree days alter your taste in reading?
In the capacity of a writer who strives for unflinching realism, I’m rolling out the draft of Chapter 36 (755 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us enjoy the days of summer, savoring the tastes of good food and engaging books.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Lobster rolls, barbecue, wine coolers, potato salad, watermelon, hitting the beach—and, the beach read.
Without getting into the history of the term’s emergence in 1990, a beach read is generally considered escapist reading while enjoying a day at the beach. Content is usually engaging and light. Even better if the book has a beach setting. The genre is open to speculation. Yet, me thinks, even the wide latitude probably rules out True Crime, for one.
Nowadays, my beach days entail being on the go trekking along the shore for sea glass. However, when I recall past years of sprawling on the sand, slathered in baby oil and soaking up the rays—my companionable books defied typecasting. They defined my year-round preferential reading tastes for dark fiction and true crime.
Don’t sugarcoat the lemonade, I say!
So, does the season of summer with its predilection for carefree days alter your taste in reading?
In the capacity of a writer who strives for unflinching realism, I’m rolling out the draft of Chapter 36 (755 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us enjoy the days of summer, savoring the tastes of good food and engaging books.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
