Victoria Zigler's Blog: Zigler News, page 48
February 6, 2020
#AmReading + #AmWatching + #AmListening - Media Shares And #Reviews 06-02-20
She read books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live.
~Annie Dillard
Welcome to this week's weekly media shares and reviews post!
*Disclaimer: no matter what's being reviewed, all opinions in this post are entirely my own, and I reserve the right to have them, regardless of who may or may not share them. Feel free to express your own in the comments, but please respect my right - and the rights of other commenters - to have opinions that might differ from yours, and to express those opinions too.
Also, please remember that I read/watch/listen to things in a variety of genres, and for all ages, so you should make sure you check that the book/movie/show/song is suitable for the intended audience before reading/watching/listening to it, especially if children are involved. I take no responsibility for anything which may happen as a result of failing to do so.
If you want to know more about the book, or the author, click on whichever it is you want to learn more about, and it will take you to the appropriate page on Goodreads. Clicking on my rating should take you to my actual Goodreads review for the book in question. Please bear in mind that the format I've reviewed on Goodreads may not be the format I actually read.
Alternatively, if it's a movie or TV show you want to know more about, just click on the title to go to a page where you can find out more details about the movie or TV show in question; the title links will usually take you to a page on IMDB.
Unless otherwise stated, all music videos are via YouTube.
OK. Let's see what I've been reading, watching, and listening to, and which song I'm going to share this week, shall we? After all, that's the point of this post, and why you're here today, right?
Reading:Thanks in part to my main focus being on reading and writing over the weekend, and also in part to the relatively short length of three of them, this week I read five books. So, here's what I read, along with my book reviews.
Airships by Barbara G. TarnMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was an excellent ending to the adventure, and a fantastic read in its own right. Wonderful worldbuilding, great characters, plus a nice blend of cyber punk, appocalyptic, and paranormal elements.
Laughter Lines: Life from the Tail End by Sue VincentMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a marvelous and entertaining collection of poems. I'm already a fan of Ani from her blog posts and previous book, but I'm sure this book would have made me fall in love with her if I hadn't been. That dog is such a character, and the stories told in these poems are delightful.
Doggerel: Life with the Small Dog by Sue VincentMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is another delightfully entertaining collection of poems. I loved catching up with more of Ani and Sue's adventures through the stories told in them. If you're a fan of dogs and poetry, I have no doubt you'll enjoy them too.
Open a new door: a collection of poems by Robbie CheadleMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a beautiful collection of poems. The glimpse of South Africa we get in the poetry from that section is fascinating to someone like me who has never been there, and is unlikely ever to do so. Then there are the poems in the sections about family, work, and other personal experiences of the two poets, which will touch your heart, even if you can't relate to the exact same experience. In short, this is a wonderfully written collection of poetry, which I highly recommend.
Death of a Crafty Knitter by Angela PepperMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
My actual rating is 3.5 stars, but I rounded up. This was a pretty good read, but not as enjoyable as the first book. I kind of felt like the author was focussing more on the sarcasm and sense of humour of the main character than on the mystery at times. Also, the title kind of bugs me, because the knitting club essentially seemed to be there just to create a link between something in the story and the title (not to mention, I have to wonder how they finish any projects if their gatherings are like the one we saw all the time, since the little knitting they did during it seemed to just be an excuse to play a drinking game with their wool). So, a good read, but not a fantastic one. Good enough that I want to continue the series though.
Watching:This week I curled up on the sofa with Logan and watched some episodes of "NCIS" season 13. I also watched one of the versions of "The Jungle Book" (it was the old animated movie, which I've seen so many times I've lost count).
Listening:This week I haven't really been listening to anything. With that in mind, here's "The Bare Necessities" - sung by Bill Murray and Kermit Ruffins - from Disney's "The Jungle Book" (though not the version I watched this week) for your listening pleasure, since - though I haven't seen the version of the movie this version of the song comes from - this is my favourite song from the version of the movie I have seen. Anyway, enjoy!
February 5, 2020
#BlogTour - The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles; We Have A Character As A Guest, And A #Giveaway Too!
I have a special guest for you today, who crossed to our reality just to meet you all. I'll let him introduce himself.So, tell everyone who you are.
I am the Shadowdancer, but for those who know me well I am called Olek.
Welcome, Olek. So, tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a half-elven male, I live in Harkenen, in the Tremellic valley. I think I’m about forty, or thereabouts. Let me see... I like food, good weapons, good wine, horses, and antiques gathered from hidden places. I dislike the Witch-Hunters, slavers, bad wine, and rats. Rats taste terrible, and the little buggers get everywhere.
My lady, Ozena, says I’m two men – Olek who enjoys food and good company, laughs a lot and is kind – and the Shadowdancer who will kill a man with barely a thought, a man who has done things which would give most men nightmares.
I hope it's the first of those we have with us today. Anyway, how did you end up in the situation you’re currently in?
Which particular situation? The breaking into a fort full of armed Witch-Hunters; the hunting down of slavers; the liberating of elves; the quest to find an invisible elven city that may not even exist?
I go where my master, the Oncoming Storm commands I go, and where it suits us. My life is rarely dull.
Yeah... I can see that. So, is your life now as you envisioned it? If not – then why?
I doubt anyone’s life turns out exactly as they first envisioned. I am the bastard half-breed son of a whore. I am a thief, a murderer, and an outlaw. Officially I’m dead. But then again, I’m a half-elf – society says I have no rights, no property and I belong to my master as a chamber pot, or a fine rug belong to him. Elves and half-elves are little more than slaves so my prospects were not exactly outstanding. As it is, thanks to Lord Archos, I am wealthy, powerful, and educated. Our lives are not exactly...normal.
Fair enough. By the way, do you believe in monsters?
Yes, of course. I’ve fought with undead, giant salamanders, and Witch-Hunters. I suppose depending on your point of view I could be described as a monster or a monster hunter, and monsters can walk on two legs, be charming, and look like ordinary folks.
That's true. So, you call yourself a monster. Have you committed a crime? What was it?
Define ‘crime’... I assume you mean an act which goes against the laws of the land. The laws of Erana are restrictive, and oppressive, and so I tend to ignore them. Have I committed a crime? How long do you have? I’ve killed so many people I’ve stopped counting. It really does get easier after the first one, believe me. Although my first was self-defence. I’ve stolen everything from food to survive, to family heirlooms, to people, to horses, to money, jewels and books. I’ve burned buildings and sabotaged armies. My existence is, technically, illegal so I may as well have some fun.
OK then. But, do you have a moral code?
It’s more of an amoral code. I am loyal to a fault, and I would never betray those I care for – but as I said I am an assassin, a thief, I’ve been a whore, a blackmailer...
Do I only kill ‘bad’ people? That is a relative term. I don’t kill just on a whim – and I’m careful about it – most of the people are a danger to us, and what we fight for. Or have done something wicked... but not all. Good and bad are such...woolly terms. And it depends which side you come in from.
That's a valid point. So, I think I know the answer to this, but would you kill for those you love?
I do and I have.
I thought as much. But, tell me, would you die for those you love?
Without a doubt.
Good for you, though I hope it never comes to that. Anyway, out of curiosity, how do you think others see you?
That depends on if they meet Olek or the Shadowdancer.
Yes... I imagine that's too true. So, Olek, how do you define ‘heroism?'
Someone who does what must be done no matter the personal cost. One who will fight when others can’t and who will
That's a good definition. By the way, do you believe in god(s)?
Only a fool doesn’t believe in the gods in a world of magic. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not devout, but in a life such as mine it does no harm to nod to the gods now and then.
That's a fair answer. Out of curiosity, if you could have three wishes what would they be?
The first would be that the land of Erana could be free from the tyranny of the Order of Witch-Hunters; the second would be some dragon scale armour – Drakescale is good but dragonscale – now that’s legendary; three – a child perhaps. Although I doubt, I’m a very good role model.
You're probably right on that last point. Still, a child changes people as if by magic sometimes, perhaps that would happen to you. Assuming you believe in magic... Do you believe in magic?
I’m an adept, I live in the house of a sorcerer lord. You take a guess.
I'll take that as a yes. Anyway, Olek, thanks for stopping by today.
***~~~***
Books in which this character appears:
The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I
The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book II
***~~~***
About the author:
British-born A. L. Butcher is an avid reader and creator of worlds, a poet, and a dreamer, a lover of science, natural history, history, and monkeys. Her prose has been described as ‘dark and gritty’ and her poetry as ‘evocative’. She writes with a sure and sometimes erotic sensibility of things that might have been, never were, but could be.
Alex is the author of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles and the Tales of Erana lyrical fantasy series. She also has several short stories in the fantasy, fantasy romance genres with occasional forays into gothic style horror, including the Legacy of the Mask series. With a background in politics, classical studies, ancient history and myth, her affinities bring an eclectic and unique flavour in her work, mixing reality and dream in alchemical proportions that bring her characters and worlds to life.
She also curates speculative fiction themed book bundles on BundleRabbit.
Her short novella Outside the Walls, co-written with Diana L. Wicker received a Chill with a Book Reader’s Award in 2017 and The Kitchen Imps won best fantasy for 2018 on NN Light Book Heaven.
Alex is also proud to be a writer for Perseid Press where her work features in Heroika: Dragon Eaters; and Lovers in Hell – part of the acclaimed Heroes in Hell series.
Social Media links
Website http://www.libraryoferana.co.uk/books.html
Blog https://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/about-a-l-butcher-fantasy-author-poet-author-promotion/
Amazon Author Page http://amzn.to/2hK33OM
Smashwords Author Page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ALB123
Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/LightBeyondtheStorm/
Indiebound Author Page https://www.indiebound.org/search/book?keys=author%3AButcher%2C%20A.%20L
Twitter http://bit.ly/Twi2hJZ3h9
Goodreads http://bit.ly/GR2iqokvK
Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-butcher-8342ab13b/
Tumblr https://www.tumblr.com/blog/libraryoferana
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.co.uk/abmonkey/
***~~~***
$20 Amazon Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
February 4, 2020
Of #Dog Toys, #Tortoise Habitats, #Imbolc Celebrations, And The Rest Of My Week
Another week is over, and we're already in February. Can you believe it?
Weatherwise, it's been another cold, and mostly rainy, week. Still no sign of my snow. A couple of years we haven't had it until late February or early March though, so I'm still holding out hopes for some.
Anyway, what have I been up to during the past week? Let's take a look, shall we?
***~~~***
The main highlight of last Tuesday was that we had the monthly delivery we get with stuff ordered online for Mollie and the dogs. There wasn't anything for Artemis this time, since we've been getting the tortoise stuff from the reptile centre we got Artemis from, so we can be sure we're getting the right stuff (especially while we're new to this tortoise owning business). There was a toy each for Lilie and Logan though, along with their food and treats, and some things Mollie needed. Well, there has to be a toy for Lilie and Logan, doesn't there?
I'd get one for Mollie more often too, but she doesn't really need one every month. Same will apply to Artemis. They'll get new stuff from time to time too though. Yes, I spoil them. No, I don't care if you disapprove of my doing so.
However, When it comes to the dogs, toys don't last them long, since Lilie loves to remove the squeakers. But if I don't get her the cuddly toy with a squeaker kind, she gets so upset Kelly ends up going in to town to fetch her one anyhow. So a cuddly toy with a squeaker in it is what they get. This time it was elephants (I get them the same, because when I didn't, they only argued over them). I actually posted on Facebook and Twitter right after I gave them the toy that I bet she'd have the squeaker out of at least hers by dinner time. Yeah... It took her almost an hour, but she definitely made it before dinner time. And, yes, that's for both toys. Hey, at least it's only the dog stuff she chews these days.
Sorry. No photos of the dogs with the toys. Given Lilie's reluctance to nap lately, I just wanted to distract them with the toys so I could get some things done online. It worked too. Between them settling with a chewie after their walk, them being busy with the toys, and eventually exhaustion making even Lilie have to admit defeat and take a nap, I managed to get caught up on most of my eMails, as well as the posts I hadn't read from the blogs I follow.
***~~~***
On Wednesday, Kelly went in to town to run some errands, as well as get some stuff we needed and wanted for Artemis. While he was gone, I alternated between organizing Artemis' morning bath and cuddle time, playing with Lilie and Logan, and doing a few bits of housework, and Mollie took a nap.
When we got Artemis, we'd gotten the basic tortoise setup, but there were a couple of things that weren't essential, so weren't included with it, that we knew we could do with having. Those things being a cave the tortoise could hide in, and a good flat rock slab for when Artemis feels the need to bask beneath the heat lamp. Since they weren't essential, we didn't rush to get them, but waited until Kelly needed to go in to town again anyhow. We have them now though, and Artemis only had to wait a couple of weeks for them. Not that the tortoise seemed all that bothered about the wait.
So, after I got it all set up, I had Kelly grab you photos. Probably should have waited until after I changed the food, but it was about lunch time when this was being done, and I change the food in the evening. I do it in the evening on purpose, because of the greens being what I'm having for dinner that day too, and didn't want to mess with the tortoise's feeding schedule for the sake of changing the food when I was redecorating the habitat. Plus, it's only now that I'm posting this that it occurs to me the food in the bowl probably doesn't look too fresh. Well, at least now you know why that is. Anyway, here's what Artemis' habitat looks like:
We had to slightly change how the wooden archway was. The sides are steep enough that when Artemis tried to climb it, the tortoise would fall in the attempt. So I sunk it deeper in to the wood chips, so only the very top - which is only slightly sloped, so Artemis can climb it more safely - sticks up above the wood chips. It does mean Artemis has to burrow beneath the wood chips to be in the tunnel, but since Artemis was burrowing beneath the wood chips in there when making use of the inside of it anyhow, that's not a problem. Artemis seems to like it the way we now have it, and we're glad the tortoise hasn't fallen while attempting to climb on top of it, so everyone's happy. The setup is still basically the same. The wooden arch just doesn't stick up as high as it does in the photo above featuring the side of the vivarium it's in.
Anyway, here's a photo of Artemis exploring the new layout:
Sorting those things took us to Wednesday lunch time. Not much happened after that though. Other than pet playtime, I tried to take it easy the rest of the day. I'd been coughing a bit throughout Tuesday night, and woken up all sniffly Wednesday morning, so was worried I might be coming down with something. I drank plenty of fluids - including some elderflower and cranberry tea - and ate a couple of oranges to boost my vitamin C - trying to use natural methods, and hopefully avoid needing anything more - and hoped that would be enough to stop anything developing. Or at least keep it from getting too bad. I also made sure to rest by taking a short nap, and making a point of actually settling to sleep right after toast and sweetie ball time (which now includes the extra step of turning off the tortoise lamps for the night). Luckily, the dogs were willing to co-operate with these plans. Even Lilie.
***~~~***
Thursday morning I woke up early, so figured I'd get up and do some writing. Besides, I also needed to do a bit of post rescheduling, since I needed to move the interview that had been scheduled for this past Friday to another date. Well, I didn't "have to" as such. But it was easier on the person who the pet belonged to, so I agreed to, especially since I had a post of Mollie's I'd been planning to post the following week, so could easily bring that forward to fill the spot. After I'd done those things, I sorted some eMails until it was time to turn on Artemis' lamps for the day, have breakfast, drink more elderflower and cranberry tea, etc.
Lilie has apparently decided naps are sometimes acceptable again, though admittedly often only after a bit - in some cases a lot - of persuasion. It's an improvement though, and meant I managed to get a bit more writing and eMail sorting time in the afternoon. It would have been a lot more, but the combination of the early morning and feeling rough meant I decided to join in with nap time for the last hour or so. Even with that nap, I ended up cutting my reading time short, and going to bed right after toast and sweetie ball time again.
***~~~***
Friday was pretty much the same as Thursday, with only the minor variations caused by having different chores and eMails needing my attention, etc. I was still sniffly, but the cold hadn't gotten any worse, which I was glad of.
Honestly, there's not much else to say about Friday, unless you'd be interested in a play-by-play of what I do in a day? You probably wouldn't, but if you are, let me know, and I'll consider doing one of those, "A day in the life," posts. Although, do bear in mind that my fluctuating sleep schedule means it would just be a look at one day, and not an example of what every day looks like for me, since the next day could go completely differently. I might have things I call, "The usual day to day chores and things," that get done each day, but the time and order they get done in usually varies. Still, if you want to see an example of a potential day in my life, I'll do one of those posts. Just let me know.
Oh, by the way, you've probably heard - if you haven't, congratulations on that, and nice to see you crawled out from under the rock you've been hiding under, since I'm sure even my tortoise has heard, and Artemis spends a large chunk of the day beneath a pile of wood chips - the UK officially left the EU as of 11:00pm Friday night. I'm not going to talk about it, since I try not to discuss politics on here - or at all - if I can help it. But I figure I should at least acknowledge that it happened, even if I don't want to start a discussion about it. I really don't, so please don't try to make me, otherwise I might go join Artemis under those wood chips. Just saying.
***~~~***
I ended up getting up early again Saturday morning, because apparently that's how my current sleep pattern is working. So I messed about on the computer for a while until breakfast time. I did sort a few eMails and things, but since it was the weekend, I didn't worry about whether I was being productive, and instead mostly browsed whatever I felt like online, played one of the accessable games I have on my computer for a while, etc.
Then I dealt with a couple of hours of dogs in tired toddler mode (puppy jail was used, and threats of it being used again were involved too). Once Lilie and Logan finally calmed down, I dealt with Artemis' bath, and then I decided to take advantage of the fact it was a nice day, and sat in a sunny spot with the tortoise for a while, so Artemis could get some natural sunlight (it's not essential, since we have the UV lamp in the vivarium, but it's still a good thing for the tortoise to have when possible). Artemis loves cuddle time, and was enjoying the combination of the cuddle and the sunshine, so stayed like that for a good long time. I loved it too; it turns out tortoise cuddles are an incredibly hygge experience.
After that, I spent several hours curled up with Logan watching DVDs, while Lilie took a nap with Kelly. Then, when the dogs were done napping, had some time playing with both Lilie and Logan, only stopping those things to come back on the computer for a while in the late afternoon to deal with a couple of time sensative things that don't come in until the afternoon (which, I admit, mostly means checking the deal of the day eMails, to see if there were any good book deals I wanted to take advantage of that day, though I did sort a couple of other time sensative eMails too).
For those who don't know, Saturday was also the start of Imbolc celebrations. Officially Imbolc happens on February 2nd, but it's a generally accepted rule that celebrations run from Sunset on the day before, and last until the next day's sunset. Whether I pay attention to that, or just do something on the day, depends what the plan is. This time I started my celebrations the evening before though, since poetry reading and writing was to be my main way to acknowledge the sabbat, since Brigid (the Goddess associated with Imbolc) is a Goddess of healing, poetry, and smithcraft. Considering I'm a poet, honouring Brigid is potentially a good call in my case, and reading and writing poetry is a favourite way of mine to acknowledge Imbolc. So I decided my Saturday evening reading time would involve poetry reading, and read both "Laughter Lines: Life from the Tail End" and Doggerel: Life with the Small Dog" by Sue Vincent (since they're short books, and I started my reading time right after dinner).
The other thing we did to kick off the celebration of Imbolc was to have pizza for dinner, and discover that I was right I could add the jackfruit pepperoni to my vegan garden party pizza and have the best of both worlds. YAY! Yes, we ordered. I had a vegan garden party pizza with pineapple and jackfruit pepperoni added to it. Well, in our defence, bread and dairy are foods associated with the holiday (or vegan dairy alternatives in my case) and pizza covered both of those. Yeah, that's our excuse, and we're sticking to it. Plus, Papa John's had a 50% off all vegan items thing on over the weekend, and it meant I could get a pizza big enough to feed me for two days, plus those extra two toppings, for less than the cost of my usual size pizza. I had to take advantage of that, didn't I? *wink*
***~~~***
Sunday is meant to be one of the days I take off from writing, and try to limit online activities (I'm trying to do this on both Saturday and Sunday, in the interests of better self care, hence my "playing" more than working when I was on the computer Saturday morning). However, since we were in the midst of Imbolc celebrations, and my focus for that is honouring a Goddess associated with poetry, I decided to set aside part of my Sunday for poetry writing. So I did that when I once again woke up early, along with sorting the reviews for the books I'd read Saturday evening (which you'll get to see in my media shares and reviews post on Thursday).
After breakfast and pet care were dealt with, I did mess about on the computer some more, but avoided doing any work/writing, or worrying about if I was doing anything productive. Just messing about while all the petkids were napping. I had considered going to watch some more DVDs, but Lilie and Logan fell asleep in their computer room beds while I was sat on my computer chair drinking a cup of tea and talking to Kelly, so I decided to mess about on the computer for a bit while they napped instead. Mainly to avoid waking them back up, since doing so could have resulted in Lilie deciding nap time was over, and I didn't want that to happen. Lilie may think she doesn't need naps all the time, but she totally does, whether she agrees or not.
Later, to finish off my Imbolc celebrations, there was leftover pizza for dinner, and more poetry reading before bed for me. This time I read "Open a new door: a collection of poems" by Robbie Cheadle and Kim Blades (again, you'll get to see a review in Thursday's post).
***~~~***
Which brings us to Monday, which is today to me right now, because it's when I'm putting this post together, but will be yesterday by the time you're reading this. At least, assuming you're reading this post the day it goes live.
I was up early again, so took advantage of that to start sorting the eMails that piled up over the weekend when I was mostly ignoring them - which they have a habit of doing on those days when I just mess about on the computer, and don't focus on trying to be productive - so I could get as many as possible dealt with before the dogs got up. As it turned out, this was a very good thing, since I had the stuff finally waiting in my inbox for something that's meant to be going up as part of a tour for someone tomorrow, so needed to get that scheduled.
This morning, after breakfast, Kelly went to do some shopping, and I took advantage of the fact Lilie sits by the stair gate to wait for him to come home, and Logan settles easily if you just show him one of the chewies the dogs have scattered all over the place, to prep my food for tonight without "help" from the dogs (if you know what I mean). Then I bathed Artemis, changed the water in the bowl/pool that's in the vivarium, etc.
Now the petkids are all napping - like Artemis is in the above photo, which was taken just a few minutes ago - and I'm using that quiet time to get this post written and scheduled, since I didn't get a chance to deal with it earlier this morning, which is what I normally would have done.
My cold hasn't developed in to more than a bit of the sniffles and a slight cough (the latter only at night) so I'm hopeful the elderflower and cranberry tea, combined with lots of oranges, is doing its job, and it will go away soon. Can but hope, right?
It's actually lucky that's the case though, since I've got an appointment to see the consultant about the lump that formed when the area of my tongue that got cut while I had the broken tooth healed, and the appointment is for 10:20am on Tuesday February 4th. So I'll either be getting ready to leave for it, actually at the appointment, or already done with it by the time you're reading this - depending on when you read this post. The hospital called asking if I could make that time. No. I didn't expect to be seeing someone so quickly either. They didn't seem concerned with how I sounded as regards the slight cold over the phone, so hopefully they won't be annoyed at me showing up a little sniffly.
***~~~***
So, that was my week. How was yours?
Weatherwise, it's been another cold, and mostly rainy, week. Still no sign of my snow. A couple of years we haven't had it until late February or early March though, so I'm still holding out hopes for some.
Anyway, what have I been up to during the past week? Let's take a look, shall we?
***~~~***
The main highlight of last Tuesday was that we had the monthly delivery we get with stuff ordered online for Mollie and the dogs. There wasn't anything for Artemis this time, since we've been getting the tortoise stuff from the reptile centre we got Artemis from, so we can be sure we're getting the right stuff (especially while we're new to this tortoise owning business). There was a toy each for Lilie and Logan though, along with their food and treats, and some things Mollie needed. Well, there has to be a toy for Lilie and Logan, doesn't there?
I'd get one for Mollie more often too, but she doesn't really need one every month. Same will apply to Artemis. They'll get new stuff from time to time too though. Yes, I spoil them. No, I don't care if you disapprove of my doing so.
However, When it comes to the dogs, toys don't last them long, since Lilie loves to remove the squeakers. But if I don't get her the cuddly toy with a squeaker kind, she gets so upset Kelly ends up going in to town to fetch her one anyhow. So a cuddly toy with a squeaker in it is what they get. This time it was elephants (I get them the same, because when I didn't, they only argued over them). I actually posted on Facebook and Twitter right after I gave them the toy that I bet she'd have the squeaker out of at least hers by dinner time. Yeah... It took her almost an hour, but she definitely made it before dinner time. And, yes, that's for both toys. Hey, at least it's only the dog stuff she chews these days.
Sorry. No photos of the dogs with the toys. Given Lilie's reluctance to nap lately, I just wanted to distract them with the toys so I could get some things done online. It worked too. Between them settling with a chewie after their walk, them being busy with the toys, and eventually exhaustion making even Lilie have to admit defeat and take a nap, I managed to get caught up on most of my eMails, as well as the posts I hadn't read from the blogs I follow.
***~~~***
On Wednesday, Kelly went in to town to run some errands, as well as get some stuff we needed and wanted for Artemis. While he was gone, I alternated between organizing Artemis' morning bath and cuddle time, playing with Lilie and Logan, and doing a few bits of housework, and Mollie took a nap.
When we got Artemis, we'd gotten the basic tortoise setup, but there were a couple of things that weren't essential, so weren't included with it, that we knew we could do with having. Those things being a cave the tortoise could hide in, and a good flat rock slab for when Artemis feels the need to bask beneath the heat lamp. Since they weren't essential, we didn't rush to get them, but waited until Kelly needed to go in to town again anyhow. We have them now though, and Artemis only had to wait a couple of weeks for them. Not that the tortoise seemed all that bothered about the wait.
So, after I got it all set up, I had Kelly grab you photos. Probably should have waited until after I changed the food, but it was about lunch time when this was being done, and I change the food in the evening. I do it in the evening on purpose, because of the greens being what I'm having for dinner that day too, and didn't want to mess with the tortoise's feeding schedule for the sake of changing the food when I was redecorating the habitat. Plus, it's only now that I'm posting this that it occurs to me the food in the bowl probably doesn't look too fresh. Well, at least now you know why that is. Anyway, here's what Artemis' habitat looks like:
We had to slightly change how the wooden archway was. The sides are steep enough that when Artemis tried to climb it, the tortoise would fall in the attempt. So I sunk it deeper in to the wood chips, so only the very top - which is only slightly sloped, so Artemis can climb it more safely - sticks up above the wood chips. It does mean Artemis has to burrow beneath the wood chips to be in the tunnel, but since Artemis was burrowing beneath the wood chips in there when making use of the inside of it anyhow, that's not a problem. Artemis seems to like it the way we now have it, and we're glad the tortoise hasn't fallen while attempting to climb on top of it, so everyone's happy. The setup is still basically the same. The wooden arch just doesn't stick up as high as it does in the photo above featuring the side of the vivarium it's in.
Anyway, here's a photo of Artemis exploring the new layout:
Sorting those things took us to Wednesday lunch time. Not much happened after that though. Other than pet playtime, I tried to take it easy the rest of the day. I'd been coughing a bit throughout Tuesday night, and woken up all sniffly Wednesday morning, so was worried I might be coming down with something. I drank plenty of fluids - including some elderflower and cranberry tea - and ate a couple of oranges to boost my vitamin C - trying to use natural methods, and hopefully avoid needing anything more - and hoped that would be enough to stop anything developing. Or at least keep it from getting too bad. I also made sure to rest by taking a short nap, and making a point of actually settling to sleep right after toast and sweetie ball time (which now includes the extra step of turning off the tortoise lamps for the night). Luckily, the dogs were willing to co-operate with these plans. Even Lilie.
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Thursday morning I woke up early, so figured I'd get up and do some writing. Besides, I also needed to do a bit of post rescheduling, since I needed to move the interview that had been scheduled for this past Friday to another date. Well, I didn't "have to" as such. But it was easier on the person who the pet belonged to, so I agreed to, especially since I had a post of Mollie's I'd been planning to post the following week, so could easily bring that forward to fill the spot. After I'd done those things, I sorted some eMails until it was time to turn on Artemis' lamps for the day, have breakfast, drink more elderflower and cranberry tea, etc.
Lilie has apparently decided naps are sometimes acceptable again, though admittedly often only after a bit - in some cases a lot - of persuasion. It's an improvement though, and meant I managed to get a bit more writing and eMail sorting time in the afternoon. It would have been a lot more, but the combination of the early morning and feeling rough meant I decided to join in with nap time for the last hour or so. Even with that nap, I ended up cutting my reading time short, and going to bed right after toast and sweetie ball time again.
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Friday was pretty much the same as Thursday, with only the minor variations caused by having different chores and eMails needing my attention, etc. I was still sniffly, but the cold hadn't gotten any worse, which I was glad of.
Honestly, there's not much else to say about Friday, unless you'd be interested in a play-by-play of what I do in a day? You probably wouldn't, but if you are, let me know, and I'll consider doing one of those, "A day in the life," posts. Although, do bear in mind that my fluctuating sleep schedule means it would just be a look at one day, and not an example of what every day looks like for me, since the next day could go completely differently. I might have things I call, "The usual day to day chores and things," that get done each day, but the time and order they get done in usually varies. Still, if you want to see an example of a potential day in my life, I'll do one of those posts. Just let me know.
Oh, by the way, you've probably heard - if you haven't, congratulations on that, and nice to see you crawled out from under the rock you've been hiding under, since I'm sure even my tortoise has heard, and Artemis spends a large chunk of the day beneath a pile of wood chips - the UK officially left the EU as of 11:00pm Friday night. I'm not going to talk about it, since I try not to discuss politics on here - or at all - if I can help it. But I figure I should at least acknowledge that it happened, even if I don't want to start a discussion about it. I really don't, so please don't try to make me, otherwise I might go join Artemis under those wood chips. Just saying.
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I ended up getting up early again Saturday morning, because apparently that's how my current sleep pattern is working. So I messed about on the computer for a while until breakfast time. I did sort a few eMails and things, but since it was the weekend, I didn't worry about whether I was being productive, and instead mostly browsed whatever I felt like online, played one of the accessable games I have on my computer for a while, etc.
Then I dealt with a couple of hours of dogs in tired toddler mode (puppy jail was used, and threats of it being used again were involved too). Once Lilie and Logan finally calmed down, I dealt with Artemis' bath, and then I decided to take advantage of the fact it was a nice day, and sat in a sunny spot with the tortoise for a while, so Artemis could get some natural sunlight (it's not essential, since we have the UV lamp in the vivarium, but it's still a good thing for the tortoise to have when possible). Artemis loves cuddle time, and was enjoying the combination of the cuddle and the sunshine, so stayed like that for a good long time. I loved it too; it turns out tortoise cuddles are an incredibly hygge experience.
After that, I spent several hours curled up with Logan watching DVDs, while Lilie took a nap with Kelly. Then, when the dogs were done napping, had some time playing with both Lilie and Logan, only stopping those things to come back on the computer for a while in the late afternoon to deal with a couple of time sensative things that don't come in until the afternoon (which, I admit, mostly means checking the deal of the day eMails, to see if there were any good book deals I wanted to take advantage of that day, though I did sort a couple of other time sensative eMails too).
For those who don't know, Saturday was also the start of Imbolc celebrations. Officially Imbolc happens on February 2nd, but it's a generally accepted rule that celebrations run from Sunset on the day before, and last until the next day's sunset. Whether I pay attention to that, or just do something on the day, depends what the plan is. This time I started my celebrations the evening before though, since poetry reading and writing was to be my main way to acknowledge the sabbat, since Brigid (the Goddess associated with Imbolc) is a Goddess of healing, poetry, and smithcraft. Considering I'm a poet, honouring Brigid is potentially a good call in my case, and reading and writing poetry is a favourite way of mine to acknowledge Imbolc. So I decided my Saturday evening reading time would involve poetry reading, and read both "Laughter Lines: Life from the Tail End" and Doggerel: Life with the Small Dog" by Sue Vincent (since they're short books, and I started my reading time right after dinner).
The other thing we did to kick off the celebration of Imbolc was to have pizza for dinner, and discover that I was right I could add the jackfruit pepperoni to my vegan garden party pizza and have the best of both worlds. YAY! Yes, we ordered. I had a vegan garden party pizza with pineapple and jackfruit pepperoni added to it. Well, in our defence, bread and dairy are foods associated with the holiday (or vegan dairy alternatives in my case) and pizza covered both of those. Yeah, that's our excuse, and we're sticking to it. Plus, Papa John's had a 50% off all vegan items thing on over the weekend, and it meant I could get a pizza big enough to feed me for two days, plus those extra two toppings, for less than the cost of my usual size pizza. I had to take advantage of that, didn't I? *wink*
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Sunday is meant to be one of the days I take off from writing, and try to limit online activities (I'm trying to do this on both Saturday and Sunday, in the interests of better self care, hence my "playing" more than working when I was on the computer Saturday morning). However, since we were in the midst of Imbolc celebrations, and my focus for that is honouring a Goddess associated with poetry, I decided to set aside part of my Sunday for poetry writing. So I did that when I once again woke up early, along with sorting the reviews for the books I'd read Saturday evening (which you'll get to see in my media shares and reviews post on Thursday).
After breakfast and pet care were dealt with, I did mess about on the computer some more, but avoided doing any work/writing, or worrying about if I was doing anything productive. Just messing about while all the petkids were napping. I had considered going to watch some more DVDs, but Lilie and Logan fell asleep in their computer room beds while I was sat on my computer chair drinking a cup of tea and talking to Kelly, so I decided to mess about on the computer for a bit while they napped instead. Mainly to avoid waking them back up, since doing so could have resulted in Lilie deciding nap time was over, and I didn't want that to happen. Lilie may think she doesn't need naps all the time, but she totally does, whether she agrees or not.
Later, to finish off my Imbolc celebrations, there was leftover pizza for dinner, and more poetry reading before bed for me. This time I read "Open a new door: a collection of poems" by Robbie Cheadle and Kim Blades (again, you'll get to see a review in Thursday's post).
***~~~***
Which brings us to Monday, which is today to me right now, because it's when I'm putting this post together, but will be yesterday by the time you're reading this. At least, assuming you're reading this post the day it goes live.
I was up early again, so took advantage of that to start sorting the eMails that piled up over the weekend when I was mostly ignoring them - which they have a habit of doing on those days when I just mess about on the computer, and don't focus on trying to be productive - so I could get as many as possible dealt with before the dogs got up. As it turned out, this was a very good thing, since I had the stuff finally waiting in my inbox for something that's meant to be going up as part of a tour for someone tomorrow, so needed to get that scheduled.
This morning, after breakfast, Kelly went to do some shopping, and I took advantage of the fact Lilie sits by the stair gate to wait for him to come home, and Logan settles easily if you just show him one of the chewies the dogs have scattered all over the place, to prep my food for tonight without "help" from the dogs (if you know what I mean). Then I bathed Artemis, changed the water in the bowl/pool that's in the vivarium, etc.
Now the petkids are all napping - like Artemis is in the above photo, which was taken just a few minutes ago - and I'm using that quiet time to get this post written and scheduled, since I didn't get a chance to deal with it earlier this morning, which is what I normally would have done.
My cold hasn't developed in to more than a bit of the sniffles and a slight cough (the latter only at night) so I'm hopeful the elderflower and cranberry tea, combined with lots of oranges, is doing its job, and it will go away soon. Can but hope, right?
It's actually lucky that's the case though, since I've got an appointment to see the consultant about the lump that formed when the area of my tongue that got cut while I had the broken tooth healed, and the appointment is for 10:20am on Tuesday February 4th. So I'll either be getting ready to leave for it, actually at the appointment, or already done with it by the time you're reading this - depending on when you read this post. The hospital called asking if I could make that time. No. I didn't expect to be seeing someone so quickly either. They didn't seem concerned with how I sounded as regards the slight cold over the phone, so hopefully they won't be annoyed at me showing up a little sniffly.
***~~~***
So, that was my week. How was yours?
February 3, 2020
#Love & #Friendship #Quotes + Words Of #Wisdom For #ValentinesDay 03-02-20
Since Valentine's Day is this month, my quotes for all the Mondays in February are about love or friendship. Enjoy!
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All things originate in the mind. Actions and events depend heavily on motivation. Appreciation of humanity, compassion and love are key points. If we develop a good heart, whether our field is science, agriculture or politics, since motivation is so crucial, they’ll all improve.
~Dalai Lama
You can’t just sit there and put everyone’s lives ahead of yours and think that counts as love. You just can’t. You have to do things.
~Stephen Chbosky
The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much and forgetting that you are special too.
~Ernest Hemingway
Real love is opening your heart to the unlovable. Real gratitude is giving thanks when things aren't perfect. Real generosity is sharing when you have very little. Real courage makes the 'impossible' — possible, with real faith.
~Bryant McGill
Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm & constant.
~Socrates
Girls want a guy who says I love you every night and proves it every day.
~Unknown
Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.
~Paulo Coelho
Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.
~Muhammad Ali
You can’t make any one person your world. The trick is to take what each can give you and build a world from it.
~Sarah Dessen
Wounds heal. Love lasts. We remain
~Kristin Hannah
The most valuable gift you can receive is an honest friend.
~Stephen Richards
Spread love. Hug the people you care about and make sure they know that you care and appreciate them. Make it known to your friends and family that you love them.
~Germany Kent
January 31, 2020
#FurkidFriday: Mollie The #Chinchilla On Recent Events And #Tortoises
Hi everyone. This is Mollie the chinchilla.
We were going to have a guest today, but things had to get rescheduled. Since that's the case, I thought I'd come catch you up on some things that have been going on around here lately, and how I'm doing.
As you probably know, my degu brother, Joshua, who lived in the cage next to me, went away at the end of last year. The human caretakers say he went to the rainbow bridge place, like Maizie did near the start of last year. I'm both happy and sad about that. Happy, because I know that's where his brothers went, and he missed them, so I bet he's really happy to be with them again. But sad too, because now I miss him.
The good thing is, my cage got moved to where Joshua's cage was. I'm glad about that, because it has a better view of the TV, so I can see my NCIS better. Well, I don't only watch NCIS. I like other shows too. But NCIS is the best! The original one is my favourite.
Where my cage used to be is a new neighbour. It's something called a tortoise, which I never saw before. They call it Artemis.
Artemis doesn't talk to me. Because of the kind of cage Artemis lives in, I can't see the tortoise properly apart from when Mummy and Artemis are having cuddle time, so I don't think it's anything personal.
I mean, Artemis doesn't even talk to the dogs, and they've tried getting the tortoise's attention by hanging out where they can be seen when Artemis comes towards the front of the cage. Well, the Lilie dog has mostly, because the Logan dog is mostly only interested in Artemis when Mummy is doing something with the tortoise, and even then gets bored and goes to look out of the window instead after a very short time, like he's doing in this picture:
To be honest, I think the only one Artemis notices exists is Mummy, and that's because Mummy's in charge of food. I'll say one thing: that tortoise has good taste in nibbles! I know this for sure, because Mummy always gives me some of the veggies - and every so often fruits - that Artemis is having, and they're always very tasty. I've always loved my fruits and veggies though. Mummy's smart enough to appreciate them too, and always has the same fresh fruits and veggies as us, though sometimes she adds others to her dinner that we don't get to have any of. But then, she doesn't get any of my chinchilla mix, Artemis' tortoise pellets, or the hay we both have, so I guess that's fair.
I really wish the fruit would happen more though, and I'm pretty sure Artemis agrees. Mummy says it has to be a rare treat for us both. Something about sugars. That hardly seems fair when Mummy gets to have fruit every day. But at least she gives us some from time to time, I guess.
Artemis loves nibbles even more than I do though. Look at the tortoise eat:
Anyway, I like to watch Mummy doing things with Artemis when I'm awake. Mostly I'm sleeping when Mummy's playing with Artemis though, because I sleep in the day, and Artemis sleeps in the night, so I miss things. Except the evening stuff, because I'm always up in time for evening nibbles. I don't mind the different sleep schedules though, since it means I can play and watch my shows in peace (especially since the dogs aren't allowed in the living room at night time).
But I'm glad the human caretakers made this video and photo of Artemis' bath time, since I always miss that, because Artemis is late getting up in the mornings so I'm usually asleep before tortoise bath time. Anyway, I hope you like seeing the photo and video too. Here they are:
Mummy uses a toothbrush to scrub Artemis' shell gently during bath time. Artemis hates it. Actually, Artemis hates bath time in general. The tortoise doesn't like having to get so wet. Smart tortoise. But Mummy says Artemis has to have regular baths to avoid dehydration, even if the only thing Artemis likes about bath time is cuddling in a towel afterwards.
So, that's about it for what I've seen going on around here lately.
I'd share some photos of myself, but it seems there aren't any new photos or videos of me for some reason. I shall have to have a word with the human caretakers about that, since I feel they don't take enough. Don't you agree?
Squeak soon,
Mollie
We were going to have a guest today, but things had to get rescheduled. Since that's the case, I thought I'd come catch you up on some things that have been going on around here lately, and how I'm doing.
As you probably know, my degu brother, Joshua, who lived in the cage next to me, went away at the end of last year. The human caretakers say he went to the rainbow bridge place, like Maizie did near the start of last year. I'm both happy and sad about that. Happy, because I know that's where his brothers went, and he missed them, so I bet he's really happy to be with them again. But sad too, because now I miss him.
The good thing is, my cage got moved to where Joshua's cage was. I'm glad about that, because it has a better view of the TV, so I can see my NCIS better. Well, I don't only watch NCIS. I like other shows too. But NCIS is the best! The original one is my favourite.
Where my cage used to be is a new neighbour. It's something called a tortoise, which I never saw before. They call it Artemis.
Artemis doesn't talk to me. Because of the kind of cage Artemis lives in, I can't see the tortoise properly apart from when Mummy and Artemis are having cuddle time, so I don't think it's anything personal.
I mean, Artemis doesn't even talk to the dogs, and they've tried getting the tortoise's attention by hanging out where they can be seen when Artemis comes towards the front of the cage. Well, the Lilie dog has mostly, because the Logan dog is mostly only interested in Artemis when Mummy is doing something with the tortoise, and even then gets bored and goes to look out of the window instead after a very short time, like he's doing in this picture:
To be honest, I think the only one Artemis notices exists is Mummy, and that's because Mummy's in charge of food. I'll say one thing: that tortoise has good taste in nibbles! I know this for sure, because Mummy always gives me some of the veggies - and every so often fruits - that Artemis is having, and they're always very tasty. I've always loved my fruits and veggies though. Mummy's smart enough to appreciate them too, and always has the same fresh fruits and veggies as us, though sometimes she adds others to her dinner that we don't get to have any of. But then, she doesn't get any of my chinchilla mix, Artemis' tortoise pellets, or the hay we both have, so I guess that's fair.
I really wish the fruit would happen more though, and I'm pretty sure Artemis agrees. Mummy says it has to be a rare treat for us both. Something about sugars. That hardly seems fair when Mummy gets to have fruit every day. But at least she gives us some from time to time, I guess.
Artemis loves nibbles even more than I do though. Look at the tortoise eat:
Anyway, I like to watch Mummy doing things with Artemis when I'm awake. Mostly I'm sleeping when Mummy's playing with Artemis though, because I sleep in the day, and Artemis sleeps in the night, so I miss things. Except the evening stuff, because I'm always up in time for evening nibbles. I don't mind the different sleep schedules though, since it means I can play and watch my shows in peace (especially since the dogs aren't allowed in the living room at night time).
But I'm glad the human caretakers made this video and photo of Artemis' bath time, since I always miss that, because Artemis is late getting up in the mornings so I'm usually asleep before tortoise bath time. Anyway, I hope you like seeing the photo and video too. Here they are:
Mummy uses a toothbrush to scrub Artemis' shell gently during bath time. Artemis hates it. Actually, Artemis hates bath time in general. The tortoise doesn't like having to get so wet. Smart tortoise. But Mummy says Artemis has to have regular baths to avoid dehydration, even if the only thing Artemis likes about bath time is cuddling in a towel afterwards.
So, that's about it for what I've seen going on around here lately.
I'd share some photos of myself, but it seems there aren't any new photos or videos of me for some reason. I shall have to have a word with the human caretakers about that, since I feel they don't take enough. Don't you agree?
Squeak soon,
Mollie
January 30, 2020
#AmReading + #AmWatching + #AmListening - Media Shares And #Reviews 30-01-20
When all is said & done, the novel belongs to the reader & his or her imagination
~Alice Hoffman
Welcome to this week's weekly media shares and reviews post!
*Disclaimer: no matter what's being reviewed, all opinions in this post are entirely my own, and I reserve the right to have them, regardless of who may or may not share them. Feel free to express your own in the comments, but please respect my right - and the rights of other commenters - to have opinions that might differ from yours, and to express those opinions too.
Also, please remember that I read/watch/listen to things in a variety of genres, and for all ages, so you should make sure you check that the book/movie/show/song is suitable for the intended audience before reading/watching/listening to it, especially if children are involved. I take no responsibility for anything which may happen as a result of failing to do so.
If you want to know more about the book, or the author, click on whichever it is you want to learn more about, and it will take you to the appropriate page on Goodreads. Clicking on my rating should take you to my actual Goodreads review for the book in question. Please bear in mind that the format I've reviewed on Goodreads may not be the format I actually read.
Alternatively, if it's a movie or TV show you want to know more about, just click on the title to go to a page where you can find out more details about the movie or TV show in question; the title links will usually take you to a page on IMDB.
Unless otherwise stated, all music videos are via YouTube.
OK. Let's see what I've been reading, watching, and listening to, and which song I'm going to share this week, shall we? After all, that's the point of this post, and why you're here today, right?
Reading:This week I read three books, all of which were by the same author. In fact, they're all part of the same series; I'd read the first in the series before, so the first one mentioned here is book 2. Anyway, here's what I read, along with my book reviews.
Wanderlust by Barbara G. TarnMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is an interesting and action-packed book, which is a great continuation of the series. I look forward to reading more about these characters.
Across Continents by Barbara G. TarnMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is an excellent addition to this series, perfect for people who like to read books about the future results of appocalyptic events. I'm enjoying following these characters on their adventures.
Himalayas by Barbara G. TarnMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is another excellent addition to the series, and a fantastic read in it's own right. The worldbuilding is very well done, and the characters - human and otherwise - are wel-rounded. I'm enjoying seeing how they're evolving and their relationships are developing throughout the series, and look forward to the next book.
Watching:This week I watched some random "Friends" and "Star Trek Voyager" episodes that happened to be on TV when I was in the living room at various times. I also finished watching "NCIS" season 12.
Listening:This week I've been listening to a whole load of country music again. I could spotlight several songs today, but need to pick just one. So, with that in mind, here's "Coal Miner's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn for your listening pleasure.
January 29, 2020
#WriterWednesday: WriterlyLinks And #WritersLife 29-01-20 - #AmWriting
All you can do is try to write as well as you can.
~Harold Pinter
It wasn't a very productive writing week, since I lost a day to people who don't consider people who work from home to be doing anything important, so either show up late, or don't show up at all (see yesterday's post if you want to know more about that) and Lilie has decided nap time is over-rated. On top of that, I spent some time messing about with adding mention of Artemis the Hermann's Tortoise to my profiles, and rebranding my "Friends Of Furkid Friday" feature, now that not all my kids are the furry kind.
The rebranding doesn't officially happen until February. However, as you may have noticed if you check out the page tabs above, "Friends Of Furkid Friday" is changing to "PetKid Pals" in the very near future. I'm leaving the mention of "Furkid Friday" in the posts until the middle of February, because I had posts already scheduled until then that I'd sent the links out for, and it changes the url if I change the title before the post is published, which can cause problems with people trying to find the post via the links I gave out (there's a way to make it not do that, but I couldn't be bothered to mess with it). But I changed all the labels so they'll all fall under the "PetKid Pals" label, and any guests we have after February 14th will be refered to with the new label. Glad I decided to do this when we only had about two dozen posts for me to fix the labels on, and before I got the interviews I'm expecting in the near future for some pets who will be featured over the next couple of months. Took long enough as it was!
So, like I said, it wasn't a very productive writing week. But I'm not complaining, since I'd have wanted those things done sooner or later anyhow. Besides, it was probably good for my story to sit for this week before I start the rewrites on it. Rewrites it needs very badly, since it's a very rough first draft, like I said in last week's post. That's often the way though. So, assuming I can get Lilie to remember why naps are a good thing, this week I can start working on making a mess less complicated.
Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts.
~Anne Lamott
In other news: I was a guest over on the blog of fellow author, Mae Clair, last Thursday (January 23rd 2020) talking about why I write for children. You can read the post here, if you're interested.
You don’t choose a story, it chooses you.
~Robert Penn Warren
Anyway, if you're stuck for story ideas, there are plenty of great posts to help inspire you in among the posts for StoryStorm 2020. So, if you haven't done so, you should check those out. Also, here are some novel tips for writers to beat a creative crisis.
There are significant moments in everyone's day that can make literature. That's what you ought to write about
~Raymond Carter
OK. Now let's talk about your characters, starting with these things to consider when naming characters.
Next, here are some keys to writing great dialogue, so you can keep yours interesting.
No matter who says what in your story, check out this post with some things to think about when it comes to the hero archetype.
Also, if your characters are seeming a bit flat, here are some ways to spice up your characters. Just remember to consider cause and effect, and ensure your characters behaviour makes sense, regardless of whether they're the hero, part of the supporting cast, or the villain.
I want to write about characters who are earnest in what they’re trying to accomplish. Villains don’t see themselves as villains — that’s what interests me. No one wakes up and says, "What kind of monster am I going to be today?"
~Patrick Ryan
Regardless of who might be in your story, or the kind of character they are, if they're involved in a fight, you might want to have a look at this advice on how to construct gripping fight scenes.
Additionally, if your story involves a gathering quest, take a look at these ways to keep a gathering quest interesting, so you can make sure yours doesn't get too boring and repetitive for your readers.
Writing is not different from life—you want variety, you want refreshment, and you want balance.
~Alice Walker
Someone on one of the sites I get these links from shared some lesson's she'd learned from doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). So, check out her lessons on planning ahead, illiminating distractions, and perserverance, especially if you're thinking of doing Camp NaNo in April, or NaNoWriMo in November, this year.
Whether you plan to participate in Camp NaNo, NaNoWriMo - or any other writing challenge - this year, or not, if you're a beginning writer, or someone who's coming back to writing after a long break, this is why 2020 literary calender, so you can check out book related dates you might want to do something for this year, like J K Rowling's birthday, Hobbit Day, read an eBook week, etc.
January 28, 2020
January 28th 2020 Random Ramblings
The photo above is of a rather sleepy Artemis the tortoise, which I'm posting here just because I can.
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Still no snow!
We were promised some, and are promised more early this week, but so far no luck.
I think you guys in the states got our share on top of your own. Anyone who wants to give it back is welcome to do so.
We've had temperatures cold enough to have some - even on our sunny days temperatures have rarely been above 10 degrees C (that would be around 50 F) and mostly haven't even gotten that high - and some rough stormy weather (mostly a lot of rough winds, but a fair amount of rain too). But there's no sign of my snow. The closest we've had is the thick layer of frost we've woken to several mornings. Oh, and we've had some freezing fog too, which I dare say wasn't nice to be out in, and I'm glad I didn't have to be.
At least there's still time for me to get some snow. Winter's not over yet, after all.
But I want some snow!
Can someone send me some? Please?
I'm willing to exchange some snow for the rain we're getting. There's lots of it.
***~~~***
We had a late Christmas gift exchange with our friends, Lorna and Andy, a little over a week ago. Well, technically just Lorna, because Andy was busy, but we all agreed we'd waited long enough already (we usually do it around Christmas, but they had one of those horrible lingering flu bug things, hence not exchanging gifts until well in to January). Besides, Andy wasn't concerned about not being there, and with how difficult it is to park near us, it was kind of easier if Andy was going off somewhere with their car anyhow.
You know what? They're Buddhists, and don't exactly celebrate Christmas as such, and most of you know now that we consider ourselves to be celebrating the Winter Solstice really, so I'm not sure if we should call it a "Christmas" gift exchange. But we did, which just proves how little it matters what you call something. Whatever you'd call it, we had gifts to exchange, so we did.
We've been doing this for a few years. They usually get us something practical, and we usually get them a little something to treat themselves with. This year they got us some fluffy towels, and we got them a bottle of wine, which thankfully turned out to be a good one. Bearing in mind, since neither of us drink, we kind of just hoped for the best, based on what appeared to be popular with other customers, and what we think is a reasonable price range for wine... I only thought afterwards that I should have asked Jeanie (I'd ask your opinion now, Jeanie, except I didn't pay proper attention to what it was, so now can't remember, and obviously no longer have the bottle to check). It's only now occuring to me that I should have made a note of what it was for future reference. Oops! Well, too late now.
Anyway, Lilie and Logan loved having Lorna visit. Lilie did get a bit over excited about it, and need to be pulled aside to calm down for a few moments, but other than that they behaved while she was here. Logan just quietly alternated between sitting beside Lorna getting petted, and cuddling in my lap. Lilie tried desperately to do the same after she came back in from her few moments to calm herself, but just isn't very good at being calm. Honestly, with how they behave, you'd think Logan was the older dog, since he's the calmer of the two, while Lilie still hasn't grown out of her puppy enthusiasm, despite being three in a couple of months time (Lilie will be three on March 26th, Logan will be one on April 14th). Lilie may be better at numbers and doggy puzzles, but Logan is certainly better at being calm and sitting quietly. We always say Lilie knows the meaning of the word calm, but doesn't see how - or why - it applies to her. *wink*
***~~~***
Last week I had my dentist appointment, which thankfully went smoothly. Mostly.
Because they just needed to replace the enamel on that one tooth, they said they could try to numb it if I wanted, but I shouldn't feel it anyhow. Given how much hastle getting an area numbed for me is as a rule, I agreed to let her try it without numbing first, on the condition I could stop her and make her numb the area if there was any pain. She agreed. I've dealt with worse, and at least she was willing to step in with a numbing injection if needed. Plus, if it worked how she predicted, I'd get out of there quicker.
Honestly though, I wasn't too keen on the idea, and all I could think was, "OMG! This is going to hurt!" I only agreed to try it because numbing me is so much hastle, I wanted to go home as quick as possible, and she seemed pretty set on the idea. But I seriously expected to immediately be raising my hand to tell her it hurt (the agreed upon signal for, "Ouch! Stop! That hurts!") and need to have her try and numb me first.
Much to my relief, she was right, and there was no pain.
I mean, it wasn't exactly a comfortable feeling, but it didn't hurt, so I let her get on with it so I could get it over with. Plus, because I hadn't had to have the area numbed, I didn't walk out of there looking like a hamster with only one full food pouch, which was nice, especially since it's the hamster/chipmunk look caused by the numbing that makes dentists insist you wait for hours before eating and drinking, which meant I could eat and drink as soon as I wanted to (something I was glad of, since it was dinner time; I didn't get home until about 5:30pm).
On top of that, since she checked my other teeth while I was there - none of which need any attention, thankfully - they moved the appointment I had for early May to late July (it was on May 1st, but is now scheduled for July 21st at 12:30pm). So, YAY!
The only bad thing was that I have an area on my tongue that got cut when I had that badly broken tooth for so long last year, that's healed in such a way as to leave a bit of a lump, which irritates me a bit. It's not really a concern, but it's annoying, so I'm being refered to go to the hospital to have that removed. I imagine that's not going to be fun, but do agree it would be best for it to get sorted, since it does irritate me a bit, like I said. So I'm waiting for an appointment to get that sorted.
Because, you know, I just can't go too long without visiting a hospital for one reason or another. *sigh*
***~~~***
This next part is going to be a bit of a whine and rant. Consider yourself warned.
So... We were meant to be having our yearly boiler check last Friday.
I say, "Meant to be," because the person didn't show up.
The landlords told us the gas man was supposed to come between 9:30am and 11:00am.
But he didn't.
We eventually learned he'd forgotten about us, by which point it was after 3:00pm, and we'd been waiting almost all day, with no way to contact him and find out where he was, since arrangements for him coming had been made through the landlords.
In the meantime, the landlords were meant to be coming between 12:00pm and 12:30pm to pick up this month's rent, and finally arrived around 2:00pm. Although, at least they told us they were running late (even if they didn't do so until about 1:00pm) and did actually show up, even if their continued unwillingness to accept that we aren't free when it suits them, and do have other things to do, is rather irritating.
I really don't know why that's so hard for people to grasp.
I really wish people would realize that being home most of the time doesn't mean we don't have things to do. Not to mention, it's just plain good manners to let someone know you're running late the moment you know it's the case - unless there's a valid reason why you physically can't do so - and show up at all if you say you're going to, unless you have a very good reason not to show up, in which case, tell people you can't make it.
I mean, obviously there are situations where being late with no contact, or not showing up and failing to let people know you won't be, is understandable. Life threatening emergencies, for example. I get that.
If it's not something like that though, have the decency to tell people as soon as possible, even if you don't consider the things they do to be important, or time sensative. Like I said, it's just good manners.
We might not have to get to work for a certain time every day, but we do have things we both want and need to do. Things we'd rearranged to keep Friday free for the gas man and the landlords. Why is it so difficult for people to accept that?
Plus, seriously, how can a supposedly professional just forget to go do a job?
An emergency job or situation coming up, meaning he had to make that a priority, and didn't have time to come to us. Fine. I'd have liked to be told that was the case, so we could have avoided wasting our day waiting around, but I can accept that. But just forgetting? Um... No!
I'm not impressed, and he should consider himself lucky the landlords pay his bill rather than us, because I'd be looking for someone else to do the job if it was up to me, since he's clearly not reliable.
Of course, not only did we waste our day because of the gas man and the landlords, but it then meant the guy needed to come another time, and he and the landlords thought Saturday evening was a good time for that to happen, since apparently people think we have nothing better to do with our time.
OK, so we didn't have plans to go anywhere, or do anything - other than have a relaxing evening - and almost never do at that time of the evening, weekend or not. But who calls at 7:00pm on a Saturday night, asking if they can come check your boiler now? When it's not an emergency issue, I mean.
We were having dinner when he called, since it was a late dinner evening for us - besides, it was 7:00pm, when a lot of people have dinner - so we told him he'd have to give us half an hour or so, which he was fine with. Tough if he wasn't really, because that was the condition: he gave us time to finish dinner first, or he didn't come at all.
Seriously though, who does that?
Yes. He did actually arrive this time. Lucky for him, since I was irritated enough at having him come on a Saturday evening. If we'd spent our evening waiting around for him, and he hadn't shown up, I'd have been more than just irritated.
We do more than sit around twiddling our thumbs, and hoping for visitors, you know!
Also, like I said, why is it so hard for people to grasp that we might have other things we want or need to be doing?
OK. Rant over.
***~~~***
It was the Chinese New Year this past weekend, marking the start of the new lunar calender, and the beginning of the year of the rat. I was born in a year of the rat, and like rats, so I think it's cool we're in another rat year.
Anyway, I'm not Chinese, but I do like to pay attention to the moon phases, so I celebrated by having my first ever attempt at making home made vegetable spring rolls. I made them on Saturday, and ate them with some hoi sin sauce.
The simple - and entirely vegan friendly, of course - filling consisted of grated carrot, shredded cabbage, and some seasoned tofu that was blended until smoothe (I used a Chinese five spice seasoning mixture). That mixture was put in tortillas, because the rice wrapper things wouldn't play nice, and I gave up on them. Then I put my little spring rolls on a tray in the oven, and cooked them until their wrappers started to get crispy.
They were very good, if I do say so myself.
Also, though I've never successfully done it with the rice wrappers - as I said, this was my first time ever trying to make spring rolls - I personally don't think using a tortilla instead of the "proper" rice wrapper things made much difference to the taste. They still tasted spring roll-ish to me.
***~~~***
I needed to give Logan a bit of a bath the other day, because his face was all sticky. I think it's where his fur is so long from him missing his grooming session at the start of the month, but he keeps ending up with a messy face. Regardless, the plan was to just wash his face, and that's it.
I told Logan he could have a bath, got the water ready for him, and he happily jumped in there for me. So far, no problem.
Though Logan hated bath time at first, these days that's not unusual for him, though I find it amusing and strange that my dog is so eager to get in the bath. I mean, he'll actually jump in there and ask you to put the tap on sometimes. He likes to drink from the tap in the bath, and splash about in the water a bit. It's something he learned to like after I started putting the dogs in the tub and playing with them in there to cool them off when we had the really hot weather over the Summer, and these days hardly a day goes by without Logan jumping in the bath and asking for the tap to be turned on for him. I mostly only do it because it amuses me that he loves it so, especially given his reluctance to accept water at first.
I mention it today, because I hardly had him in there before Lilie decided she wanted to have a bath too.
We tried telling her it was just for Logan. She wasn't having it, and kept whining and jumping up at the side of the bath.
Lilie has always loved water. She wishes bath time didn't often involve shampoo. But the water part, she loves.
So, after a while, I gave in, and told her to go ahead and get in the bath if she wanted to that badly.
She did.
I ended up giving her face a bit of a wash too, and having both dogs splashing about happily in the tub.
Almost everyone else has dogs who run and hide at the meer hint of bath time. Not me. Mine actually want to be in there!
***~~~***
Lilie has decided naps are over-rated.
According to her, Mummy sitting down at the computer means it's time for her to be picked up to look out of the window.
As I'm sure you can imagine, this makes getting things done tricky.
I'm working on figuring out how to get her to stop launching herself in to my arms every time I sit on my chair, or bouncing beside me while yapping every time I'm quick enough in turning my chair towards my desk that she can't do so. Not having much luck so far. Probably my own fault for all the times I give in and pick her up.
***~~~***
What I'm calling my "big goal" for 2020 is better self care. I'm trying to think more positively/stop the negative thought cycles, reconnect with the spiritual side of myself (and stop stressing over what others will think of my doing so) and enjoy as many hygge moments as I can - especially with my pets.
It's something I want to do. But, more than that, it's also something I need to do, especially after how much I neglected personal care in favour of getting everything done in between hospital trips over the past couple of years. This quote I spotted the other day sums it up quite nicely:
I have chosen to be HAPPY because it is good for my health.
~Voltaire
Shame it's easier said than done sometimes. In fact, most of the time. *sigh*
I've actually done a lot better at the self care thing in January than I had been doing before. I've been meditating more regularly (even if for only short sessions, and not as often as I once did) and had plenty of hygge moments, both by myself, and with others (especially Mollie, Lilie, Logan, and Artemis).
Now, let's see if I can actually keep it up for more than a few weeks, and not slide back in to those bad habits of neglecting self care in favour of trying to do it all, please everyone, etc. You know? Like I usually do.
Yeah... So, apparently I'm still really struggling with the whole thinking positively thing - in case you didn't notice from my rant earlier in this post, and the contents of the previous paragraph - despite all the time I spend gathering all those positive quotes to share with you all. I'll get better at it though. Baby steps.
Breathe, and believe.
Think happy thoughts.
I can do this!
Seeing more positivity always helps, so let's help each other, shall we? OK... Help me out here, people. Tell me one positive thing from the past week. Or, if there have been several, and you can't choose, feel free to share them all.
January 27, 2020
#MondayMotivation - #Quotes + Words Of #Wisdom 27-01-20
Age is no guarantee of maturity.
~Lawana Blackwell
Never be ashamed! There's some who'll hold it against you, but they're not worth bothering with.
~J.K. Rowling
Memory is like a chain. We reach back into the past by a succession of links. I have kept alive little pictures of my childhood by repeatedly recalling them. Like having a copy of an ancient manuscript - I have an early copy, but the original is lost.
~C.R. Milne
Turn your wounds into wisdom, & your stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
~Robin Sharma
You make mistakes. Mistakes don't make you.
~Maxwell Maltz
What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.
~Tim Ferriss
The peace you seek begins with you! When you consciously and consistently choose peace in your words and actions, more peace will appear in your life. Stop blaming everything and everyone outside of you. Make peace within your priority.
~Jenni Young
It's never too late - never too late to start over, never too late to be happy.
~Jane Fonda
Your success and happiness lie in you...Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.
~Helen Keller
Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness.
~Buddha
Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow
~Doug Firebaugh
People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.
~Zig Ziglar
January 25, 2020
#CoverReveal #CyberPunk "Grinders" by C. S. Boyack @Virgilante - #ChineseNewYear #YearOfTheRat
As many of you know, I don't generally post on a Saturday. However, regular readers of this blog will know I do sometimes put something up on days that are usually non-posting days if I have a good reason not to wait for my next free scheduled posting slot. Today, I have a good reason. That reason is the Chinese New Year, and the fact I have a special guest, who was born in a previous year of the rat - like I was - and wants to tell you about his upcoming new release. So, over to you, Craig.
***~~~***
I’m here to reveal my newest cover and talk a bit about Grinders. This time, I’m tackling a cyberpunk world. It’s one of those worlds where the Internet and being connected too much controls our lives.
One of the things I like about science fiction is the ability to project current events into the future. I call this, “Poking things with a stick.”
I poked a lot of things in this book, but most of them are in passing. Some of them show up in advertisements, which are invasive in this world. Others might just be a news blurb. There are times when I dive a bit deeper, and not everything is negative. Here is a small list of things that show up in the story:
• Global warming
• Plastic pollution
• Helicopter moms
• Cyber shut-ins
• The energy crisis
• New ways for package thieves to operate
• Police who can’t carry guns until they are five-year veterans
• Homeowner associations
There are a lot more, and most of them are pretty subtle. Cyberpunk is not known for deep plots, but I wanted one anyway.
Grinders is set about a hundred years in the future, in San Francisco. The main characters are cops assigned to the Grinder Squad. This is the duty nobody wants, and you almost have to screw up to get this assignment.
Grinders exist today, but I ramped them up for this story. These are people who surgically modify themselves, or each other, in basement surgeries, beauty salons, and tattoo parlors. Real world examples are those who implant chips under their skin to allow themselves to unlock doors or start cars without a key. There has even been one who injected dye into his eyeballs in an attempt to see in the dark. In that example, it actually worked but the results were temporary.
My story involves the downside of these modifications, why they’re illegal, and most of them are a bit more extreme than the real world versions. For example, you’ll meet Brandi, who has moth-like antennae implanted into her forehead. They aren’t just cute, they allow her to taste virtually everything. She’s almost like a bloodhound, only using the sense of taste.
Grinder Squad rarely ever does anything, but the new girl on the squad, Jimi, wants to bust a grind shop in the worst way. She feels like it could be her ticket off this crap detail and on to better duty.
One of my silly goals was to release the book in time for Chinese New Year. I’m not going to make it. I still need to finish my final pass, send it to the formatter, and get my promotional posters. It’s going to need a blurb, too.
I targeted this date because in the story, it’s the Year of the Rat. An important part of the story takes place at San Francisco’s annual parade. There are even a couple of rats in the story that play a pivotal role. Aside from that, I was born in the Year of the Rat.
Readers won’t actually care about my silly target date, and it’s more important to give everything the final polish. What I did get in time was cover art. So Gong Hei Fot Choi, everyone, and enjoy the cover. The story will be available before you know it, and I’ll announce that on my blog.
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***~~~***
I’m here to reveal my newest cover and talk a bit about Grinders. This time, I’m tackling a cyberpunk world. It’s one of those worlds where the Internet and being connected too much controls our lives.
One of the things I like about science fiction is the ability to project current events into the future. I call this, “Poking things with a stick.”
I poked a lot of things in this book, but most of them are in passing. Some of them show up in advertisements, which are invasive in this world. Others might just be a news blurb. There are times when I dive a bit deeper, and not everything is negative. Here is a small list of things that show up in the story:
• Global warming
• Plastic pollution
• Helicopter moms
• Cyber shut-ins
• The energy crisis
• New ways for package thieves to operate
• Police who can’t carry guns until they are five-year veterans
• Homeowner associations
There are a lot more, and most of them are pretty subtle. Cyberpunk is not known for deep plots, but I wanted one anyway.
Grinders is set about a hundred years in the future, in San Francisco. The main characters are cops assigned to the Grinder Squad. This is the duty nobody wants, and you almost have to screw up to get this assignment.
Grinders exist today, but I ramped them up for this story. These are people who surgically modify themselves, or each other, in basement surgeries, beauty salons, and tattoo parlors. Real world examples are those who implant chips under their skin to allow themselves to unlock doors or start cars without a key. There has even been one who injected dye into his eyeballs in an attempt to see in the dark. In that example, it actually worked but the results were temporary.
My story involves the downside of these modifications, why they’re illegal, and most of them are a bit more extreme than the real world versions. For example, you’ll meet Brandi, who has moth-like antennae implanted into her forehead. They aren’t just cute, they allow her to taste virtually everything. She’s almost like a bloodhound, only using the sense of taste.
Grinder Squad rarely ever does anything, but the new girl on the squad, Jimi, wants to bust a grind shop in the worst way. She feels like it could be her ticket off this crap detail and on to better duty.
One of my silly goals was to release the book in time for Chinese New Year. I’m not going to make it. I still need to finish my final pass, send it to the formatter, and get my promotional posters. It’s going to need a blurb, too.
I targeted this date because in the story, it’s the Year of the Rat. An important part of the story takes place at San Francisco’s annual parade. There are even a couple of rats in the story that play a pivotal role. Aside from that, I was born in the Year of the Rat.
Readers won’t actually care about my silly target date, and it’s more important to give everything the final polish. What I did get in time was cover art. So Gong Hei Fot Choi, everyone, and enjoy the cover. The story will be available before you know it, and I’ll announce that on my blog.
Blog
Goodreads
BookBub
Amazon
Zigler News
Author and book news for children's author and poet, Victoria Zigler, as well as general news from the life of the Zigler family; furry and otherwise!
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