Eva Pasco's Blog, page 15
February 1, 2023
Eva’s Byte #405 – Making a Mend
Sure, there’s making amends by attempting to reconcile or resolve a wrong against someone. In regard to tangibles, if we can’t restore things to their former glory, there’s always mending when it comes to holding it together.
Not the least mechanically inclined except when it comes to the mechanics of writing, I often resort to making a mend with duct tape in a similar color as the offending object.
When a suction cup couldn’t support the weight of a suncatcher, two discreet strips of clear duct tape secured it to the window for good.
I used clear duct tape for interlocking two disjointed fan guards on an upright fan beside my elliptical trainer.
A small square of black duct tape covered a patch of sun-eroded leather on the console of my vehicle, blending in nicely.
In the capacity of a writer who mends/edits as I go along prior to the colossal grand editing at “the end,” I’m wending my way through the draft of chapter 27 (1229 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*During the onset of adversity, may each of us find a way to hold it together.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Not the least mechanically inclined except when it comes to the mechanics of writing, I often resort to making a mend with duct tape in a similar color as the offending object.
When a suction cup couldn’t support the weight of a suncatcher, two discreet strips of clear duct tape secured it to the window for good.
I used clear duct tape for interlocking two disjointed fan guards on an upright fan beside my elliptical trainer.
A small square of black duct tape covered a patch of sun-eroded leather on the console of my vehicle, blending in nicely.
In the capacity of a writer who mends/edits as I go along prior to the colossal grand editing at “the end,” I’m wending my way through the draft of chapter 27 (1229 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*During the onset of adversity, may each of us find a way to hold it together.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
January 25, 2023
Eva’s Byte #404 – Breadbox
In the mid-twentieth century, when you’d buy a loaf of bread without chemical preservatives, and wrapped in paper directly from the bakery, it was meant to be consumed in a day. Hence, the phrase, “give us this day our daily bread” held prayer credence.
A kitchen counter contraption—the breadbox—was primarily invented for storing one’s daily loaf to keep it fresh, limit mold-producing moisture, and to keep it out of harm’s way from mice and ants.
Is the breadbox still the best thing since sliced bread?
Since I store bread in the freezer, my oak, rolltop breadbox closes its lid on packaged/pre-wrapped crackers, cookies, and candy bars.
Up to about 16 inches wide to 9 inches high and deep, the query, “Is it bigger than a breadbox?” was made popular by Steve Allen on What’s my Line?
In my capacity as a writer, I’ve closed the lid on chapter 26 (1686 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun slicing through chapter 27 (367 words thus far).
*May each of us exercise creativity for recycling and repurposing stale odds and ends.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
A kitchen counter contraption—the breadbox—was primarily invented for storing one’s daily loaf to keep it fresh, limit mold-producing moisture, and to keep it out of harm’s way from mice and ants.
Is the breadbox still the best thing since sliced bread?
Since I store bread in the freezer, my oak, rolltop breadbox closes its lid on packaged/pre-wrapped crackers, cookies, and candy bars.
Up to about 16 inches wide to 9 inches high and deep, the query, “Is it bigger than a breadbox?” was made popular by Steve Allen on What’s my Line?
In my capacity as a writer, I’ve closed the lid on chapter 26 (1686 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. I’ve begun slicing through chapter 27 (367 words thus far).
*May each of us exercise creativity for recycling and repurposing stale odds and ends.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
January 18, 2023
Eva’s Byte #403 – Head Tripping
In the capacity of a writer, my head trip designation is the ‘70s. I’ve arrived in order to add credence without clobber for the setting in Part 1 of my Contemporary work in progress. (Drafting chapter 26 – 1497 words thus far)
In chronological time, I identify with the Sixties more than any other era. However, several memories persist from the decade associated with high gas prices, Watergate, and Vietnam:
I drove a green AMC Gremlin. My vehicle was one of many in around-the-block lines to get gas. Rationing and going to the pump on odd/even days played into it. Daylight saving time stuck around all year in 1974.
When the film Love Story debuted in 1970, I stood in an around-the-block line to get inside the Avon Cinema in Providence.
That same year, when I was a college freshman, there was plenty of dissent toward President Nixon’s announcement to escalate the War by dispatching troops into Cambodia. Then, what happened during the student uprising at Kent University on May 4th, prompted a nationwide student strike which I honored.
By the time I launched my teaching career in 1973, female instructors were allowed to wear pantsuits in the classroom.
*May the head trip you embark on invigorate your imagination to enrich the stories you tell.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
In chronological time, I identify with the Sixties more than any other era. However, several memories persist from the decade associated with high gas prices, Watergate, and Vietnam:
I drove a green AMC Gremlin. My vehicle was one of many in around-the-block lines to get gas. Rationing and going to the pump on odd/even days played into it. Daylight saving time stuck around all year in 1974.
When the film Love Story debuted in 1970, I stood in an around-the-block line to get inside the Avon Cinema in Providence.
That same year, when I was a college freshman, there was plenty of dissent toward President Nixon’s announcement to escalate the War by dispatching troops into Cambodia. Then, what happened during the student uprising at Kent University on May 4th, prompted a nationwide student strike which I honored.
By the time I launched my teaching career in 1973, female instructors were allowed to wear pantsuits in the classroom.
*May the head trip you embark on invigorate your imagination to enrich the stories you tell.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
January 11, 2023
Eva’s Byte #402 – Demises
From a literary viewpoint:
“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.” Isaac Asimov
From my perspective as a writer, there’s much ado about transitioning for depicting a character’s demise. In order to fit the framework of my story—timing, method, and staging are crucial.
Premeditation! Premeditation! Premeditation!
Always striving to blur the lines of demarcation between nonfiction and fiction in the lit with grit I pen, research has me veering off the beaten path on the Internet. One such detour which led me where I needed to go, pertained to the stages of rigor mortis.
In previously published works of fiction, my characters have met their demise as a result of: a fatal fall, brain aneurysm, drowning, illness, and accidental shooting. Trust me, I’m contemplating other demises for stories incubating in my mind.
At this point in time, I’ve stopped the press at the end of a scene in chapter 26 of my Contemporary work in progress (817 words thus far) to ferret out facts on carbon monoxide poisoning and hypothermia. Until I homogenize the facts with fiction, my sorry-ass character lives on borrowed time.
*May the end justify ethical means for achieving desired outcomes.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.” Isaac Asimov
From my perspective as a writer, there’s much ado about transitioning for depicting a character’s demise. In order to fit the framework of my story—timing, method, and staging are crucial.
Premeditation! Premeditation! Premeditation!
Always striving to blur the lines of demarcation between nonfiction and fiction in the lit with grit I pen, research has me veering off the beaten path on the Internet. One such detour which led me where I needed to go, pertained to the stages of rigor mortis.
In previously published works of fiction, my characters have met their demise as a result of: a fatal fall, brain aneurysm, drowning, illness, and accidental shooting. Trust me, I’m contemplating other demises for stories incubating in my mind.
At this point in time, I’ve stopped the press at the end of a scene in chapter 26 of my Contemporary work in progress (817 words thus far) to ferret out facts on carbon monoxide poisoning and hypothermia. Until I homogenize the facts with fiction, my sorry-ass character lives on borrowed time.
*May the end justify ethical means for achieving desired outcomes.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
January 4, 2023
Eva’s Byte #401 – First Order of Biz
The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
“Light My Fire” by the Doors (1967)
The dawn of a brand new year always inspires me to light my fire for undertaking the first order of business on January 1st.
Since I keep four various-sized theme trees up year round, and my snowmen, moose, and reindeer stay put all winter—putting away holiday decorations is a subordinate clause easily done the day after Christmas.
My first order of biz is purging my office.
It entails rifling through all storage units to eliminate passé papers no longer relevant in the New Year. It involves going through desk drawers to ferret out the impertinent. Then, there’s cabinet fever, where I assess what odds and ends are still worth keeping behind its closed doors.
Undergoing my first order of biz declutters my immediate surroundings and removes all unnecessary traces of the previous year. Getting rid of excess baggage, be it stuff or stressors, enables me to put my best foot forward blazing new trails in 2023.
In my capacity as a writer, it’s biz as usual. I’m forging ahead along the journey of drafting my Contemporary work in progress, having just finished Chapter 25 (1481 words).
*Whatever your first order of business in the New Year, may it afford you a clearer vision for blazing new trails.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
No time to wallow in the mire
“Light My Fire” by the Doors (1967)
The dawn of a brand new year always inspires me to light my fire for undertaking the first order of business on January 1st.
Since I keep four various-sized theme trees up year round, and my snowmen, moose, and reindeer stay put all winter—putting away holiday decorations is a subordinate clause easily done the day after Christmas.
My first order of biz is purging my office.
It entails rifling through all storage units to eliminate passé papers no longer relevant in the New Year. It involves going through desk drawers to ferret out the impertinent. Then, there’s cabinet fever, where I assess what odds and ends are still worth keeping behind its closed doors.
Undergoing my first order of biz declutters my immediate surroundings and removes all unnecessary traces of the previous year. Getting rid of excess baggage, be it stuff or stressors, enables me to put my best foot forward blazing new trails in 2023.
In my capacity as a writer, it’s biz as usual. I’m forging ahead along the journey of drafting my Contemporary work in progress, having just finished Chapter 25 (1481 words).
*Whatever your first order of business in the New Year, may it afford you a clearer vision for blazing new trails.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
December 28, 2022
Eva’s Byte #400 – Ready or Not?
Whether we’re ready or not, the New Year is heading our way.
Self-reliant, while hoping for the best, I try to prepare for the worst. I don’t put off till tomorrow what can get done today. Let me assure you, I pivot from these two principles out of necessity rather than self-righteousness, thanks to Murphy’s Law. You know it well, I’m sure—anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
For instance: Preparing for “the worst storm in a generation” which made landfall on December 23rd in my neck of the woods, I backed into my parking space, same as I would whenever there’s a forecast for inclement weather. Never thinking I’d have reason to drive in the pouring rain with wind gusts up to 70 mph—sure enough, Murphy’s Law struck. So, I took off like a bat out of hell to tend a matter of importance that couldn’t be put off till tomorrow.
In my zeal to hope for the best while preparing for the worst, I’ll be scheduling a routine maintenance appointment at the dealership for my vehicle in the New Year.
In my capacity as a writer, I’m drafting chapter 25 ( 759 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress, hoping for the best as I approach its finish line.
*Ready or not, may each of us brave any unforeseen elements in the New Year with resolve.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Self-reliant, while hoping for the best, I try to prepare for the worst. I don’t put off till tomorrow what can get done today. Let me assure you, I pivot from these two principles out of necessity rather than self-righteousness, thanks to Murphy’s Law. You know it well, I’m sure—anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
For instance: Preparing for “the worst storm in a generation” which made landfall on December 23rd in my neck of the woods, I backed into my parking space, same as I would whenever there’s a forecast for inclement weather. Never thinking I’d have reason to drive in the pouring rain with wind gusts up to 70 mph—sure enough, Murphy’s Law struck. So, I took off like a bat out of hell to tend a matter of importance that couldn’t be put off till tomorrow.
In my zeal to hope for the best while preparing for the worst, I’ll be scheduling a routine maintenance appointment at the dealership for my vehicle in the New Year.
In my capacity as a writer, I’m drafting chapter 25 ( 759 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress, hoping for the best as I approach its finish line.
*Ready or not, may each of us brave any unforeseen elements in the New Year with resolve.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
December 21, 2022
Eva’s Byte #399 – Last Minutes
While most of us have probably decked the halls for Christmas by now, there’s always a few last-minute preparations. Perchance—wrapping presents, baking, and/or grocery shopping for the holiday dinner.
Picture-perfect as I like Christmas to be, rude awakenings throughout the passing years have shown me what’s more important than ambience and fanfare:
Appreciation of my family because life is a tightrope walk and tomorrows with them aren’t guaranteed.
Giving selflessly to those who depend on me for their well-being.
Taking care of myself and hanging tough to stay independent.
Enjoying the simple pleasures of life to fortify me against those times when things seem to be falling apart.
On the home front, in my capacity as a writer, I’ve finished drafting chapter 24 (1590 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. Rounding the corner to Christmas on the 25th, I’ve begun drafting chapter 25 (379 words thus far).
*May each of us enjoy a Christmas made all the merrier with long-lasting peace and prosperity.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Picture-perfect as I like Christmas to be, rude awakenings throughout the passing years have shown me what’s more important than ambience and fanfare:
Appreciation of my family because life is a tightrope walk and tomorrows with them aren’t guaranteed.
Giving selflessly to those who depend on me for their well-being.
Taking care of myself and hanging tough to stay independent.
Enjoying the simple pleasures of life to fortify me against those times when things seem to be falling apart.
On the home front, in my capacity as a writer, I’ve finished drafting chapter 24 (1590 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. Rounding the corner to Christmas on the 25th, I’ve begun drafting chapter 25 (379 words thus far).
*May each of us enjoy a Christmas made all the merrier with long-lasting peace and prosperity.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
December 14, 2022
Eva’s Byte #398 – Much Ado about Fruitcake
Or perhaps, much ado about nut-things…
National Fruitcake Day is December 27, 2022.
Fruitcakes “date” back to ancient times. When in Rome, doing as the Romans do, their heavy cakes were made from barley mash, pine nuts, pomegranate seeds, and raisins. By the Middle Ages, folks packed it all in with honey, spices, and preserved fruits. Leave it to the American colonists to add candied fruits to the mix.
Fruitcake is often drenched in either brandy, bourbon, whiskey, or rum pum pum pum.
Which leads me to hark the herald: a fruitcake is edible for up to 25 years after it’s made! An adolescent during the Cold War of the Sixties when nuclear fallout shelters were hammered-and-sickled into us, fruitcake would have paired nicely with Spam for an underground meal. One of those just desserts!
Fruitcake naysayers tend to grumble about it being overly sweet, dry, and/or hard. From what I’ve garnered, applying more liquor should moisten the cake sufficiently.
If 25 fruitcake varieties really do exist, there’s a strong possibility every one of us can have our fruitcake and eat it too.
In my capacity as a writer, I’m sweetening the plot drafting Chapter 24 (1261 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us indulge in our favorite holiday sweets.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
National Fruitcake Day is December 27, 2022.
Fruitcakes “date” back to ancient times. When in Rome, doing as the Romans do, their heavy cakes were made from barley mash, pine nuts, pomegranate seeds, and raisins. By the Middle Ages, folks packed it all in with honey, spices, and preserved fruits. Leave it to the American colonists to add candied fruits to the mix.
Fruitcake is often drenched in either brandy, bourbon, whiskey, or rum pum pum pum.
Which leads me to hark the herald: a fruitcake is edible for up to 25 years after it’s made! An adolescent during the Cold War of the Sixties when nuclear fallout shelters were hammered-and-sickled into us, fruitcake would have paired nicely with Spam for an underground meal. One of those just desserts!
Fruitcake naysayers tend to grumble about it being overly sweet, dry, and/or hard. From what I’ve garnered, applying more liquor should moisten the cake sufficiently.
If 25 fruitcake varieties really do exist, there’s a strong possibility every one of us can have our fruitcake and eat it too.
In my capacity as a writer, I’m sweetening the plot drafting Chapter 24 (1261 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.
*May each of us indulge in our favorite holiday sweets.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
December 7, 2022
Eva’s Byte #397 – Christmas Boughs
How lovely are thy branches!
Harking back to Christmases of yore, I fondly recall some of the loveliest decorations of all. Those which graced the boughs of live balsam firs or artificial trees which took a stand in front of the living room picture window at my childhood home.
Multicolored string lights: nothing dainty about them, but they glowed and that’s what counts.
Shiny Brites: those delicate, glossy ornaments in tulip shapes and rounds with intricate patterns which shattered so easily.
Tinsel: I never knew a package of “icicles” was considered expensive, and only wealthy families decorated their tree branches with tinsel. Perhaps that’s why my sister and I would try to salvage most of the strands and put them back in the package.
Angel hair: out of the box and onto the boughs, my mother spread it thinly across the branches. Made out of spun glass (fiberglass), it caused her skin to itch. Fast forwarding to today, most stores don’t sell the original stuff anymore.
In my capacity as a writer, I’m drafting chapter 24 (1031 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress. My characters are dashing through the Christmas season.
*May the spirit of Christmas shine from the light within our hearts.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Harking back to Christmases of yore, I fondly recall some of the loveliest decorations of all. Those which graced the boughs of live balsam firs or artificial trees which took a stand in front of the living room picture window at my childhood home.
Multicolored string lights: nothing dainty about them, but they glowed and that’s what counts.
Shiny Brites: those delicate, glossy ornaments in tulip shapes and rounds with intricate patterns which shattered so easily.
Tinsel: I never knew a package of “icicles” was considered expensive, and only wealthy families decorated their tree branches with tinsel. Perhaps that’s why my sister and I would try to salvage most of the strands and put them back in the package.
Angel hair: out of the box and onto the boughs, my mother spread it thinly across the branches. Made out of spun glass (fiberglass), it caused her skin to itch. Fast forwarding to today, most stores don’t sell the original stuff anymore.
In my capacity as a writer, I’m drafting chapter 24 (1031 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress. My characters are dashing through the Christmas season.
*May the spirit of Christmas shine from the light within our hearts.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
November 30, 2022
Eva’s Byte # 396 – Love, Joy, and Hope
Suffice it to say without preaching to the choir, the Christmas season wraps itself around the renewable gifts of love, hope, and joy. Not one to wear my heart on my sleeve, I’d be remiss if I didn’t pay tribute to my sister at this point in time.
Love:
Oh, we had our share of sibling squabbles growing up—she, the adventurous daredevil; me, the demur bookworm. To this day, I recall how she preyed upon my squeamishness for all things that jostled by rocking the Ferris wheel car we occupied while stopped at the tippity-top.
An active outdoor enthusiast, she continues to live on the cutting edge: whitewater rafting – Class V, strenuous hiking, and boxing.
Joy:
When I discovered she will make a full recovery after undergoing ten hours of emergency, open-heart surgery to reconstruct her heart after sustaining a three-fold aortic rupture. It’s a miracle, really!
Hope:
While she has a long road ahead of her, my sister’s strength, resilience, and self-discipline will overcome this temporary setback, one day at a time surrounded by the comforts of home.
In my capacity as a writer, I completed drafting chapter 23 (1651 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. I’m currently drafting chapter 24 (216 words thus far).
*May each of us value the spiritual gifts of love, joy, and hope to better ourselves and humankind.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Love:
Oh, we had our share of sibling squabbles growing up—she, the adventurous daredevil; me, the demur bookworm. To this day, I recall how she preyed upon my squeamishness for all things that jostled by rocking the Ferris wheel car we occupied while stopped at the tippity-top.
An active outdoor enthusiast, she continues to live on the cutting edge: whitewater rafting – Class V, strenuous hiking, and boxing.
Joy:
When I discovered she will make a full recovery after undergoing ten hours of emergency, open-heart surgery to reconstruct her heart after sustaining a three-fold aortic rupture. It’s a miracle, really!
Hope:
While she has a long road ahead of her, my sister’s strength, resilience, and self-discipline will overcome this temporary setback, one day at a time surrounded by the comforts of home.
In my capacity as a writer, I completed drafting chapter 23 (1651 words) of my Contemporary work in progress. I’m currently drafting chapter 24 (216 words thus far).
*May each of us value the spiritual gifts of love, joy, and hope to better ourselves and humankind.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
