Saturday 9: At Last

Saturday 9: At Last (1960)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) Etta James sings that "life is like a song." What song reflects how you feel about life these days?

A. What Was I Made For? by Billie Ellish.

2) She is delighted to have found the love she has always dreamed of. Have you found true love to be the way you imagined it would be? Or has it surprised you?

A. I never gave much thought to true love. I found a good man whom I love as best I can love, and he loves me back. We take care of one another and put up with each other, and we will walk off hand in hand, or something like that. Love has so many twists and turns, I don't think anyone can prepare for it, however it ends up. People change, and love takes work, whether you're simply friends or lovers. None of this has surprised me, really, though I could not predict all the changes. I am glad he's still with me.

 

3) Etta's mother encouraged her to not just sing but perform a song, telling her daughter, "Even if a song has been done a thousand times, you can still bring something of your own to it." Is there a singer whose performances often touch your heart?

A. I used to cry every time I heard Don McLean sing "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)."

 

4) As a teen, she was considered a gospel prodigy and churches all around Los Angeles requested she "guest" at their services. Do you have a favorite religious song?

A. No.

5) "At Last" is one of the most often requested songs for the newlywed's first dance at the reception. What song reminds you of a sweetheart?

A. "Longer," by Dan Fogelberg. It was played at our wedding. My brother sang it.

This is the last Saturday 9 before Valentine's Day and so this morning we shall focus on the upcoming holiday.

 

6) It's been reported that millions of roses are grown specifically for Valentine's Day each year. What's your favorite flower?

A. I have always been partial to irises.

 

7) The earliest recorded celebration of Valentine's Day was in Paris in the year 1400. Obviously, you weren't around for that one. What do you remember from one of your earliest, childhood Valentine's Day celebrations?

A. I remember those packages of Valentines we bought and then we were supposed to give one to every kid in the room. I was often left off of people's list, apparently, as I never received the same number back as I gave out. I gave one to everyone, but not all kids did.

 

8) About 20% of pet owners say they give their dogs, cats, birds or bunnies a Valentine. Is your pet getting something special on February 14?

A. The cows will get their usual bale of hay.

9) Of all the professions, teachers are #1 when it comes to receiving Valentine cards. Did you ever have a crush on a teacher?

A. I kind of crushed on many of teachers, but they were more like, "please save me and take me home with you" crushes. Not swooning "oh he's so cute" crushes.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

Thursday Thirteen

1. Today we get a free-for all. Who knows what will appear here? In any event, a quick health update - I still sound croaky but I think I'm getting better. This infection has been hanging on a long time, though.

2. I picked up a little freelance work, but I am not keen to do it. It feels like a step backwards, the pay is not the best, and so far, the people involved are uncooperative. I don't need the stress for something that isn't going to make or break me.

3. I am almost done with the bookkeeping necessary to send my taxes to the accountant. In fact, I hope to wind it up today and have it ready to go tomorrow. I try to get it to the accountant no later than the 15th, but in this instance, with legislation concerning the tax payments in flux in Congress, waiting might be the best option, if it passes.

4. Many people I know are ill. My father is ill, my friend Teresa is ill, I have been ill, and I know some of my fellow bloggers and readers have been ill. Stupid germs.

5. Have you noticed the price of batteries? Wow, they are out of sight. I bought cheap ones but they don't last very long. It's better to spend the extra to get a Duracell, although I've had trouble with batteries corroding more since the pandemic. I think we have people making things who don't know how to make things. 

6. Clorox products are also pricey. Bleach, toilet bowl drop-ins - anything with the Clorox name on it is quite costly. What's with that, Clorox?

7. In spite of all humanity does (and we do a lot), the sun still comes up, the moon waxes and wanes, and the stars twinkle whether they're hidden by light pollution or not. In the larger scheme of things, we're not much, and many folks need to step outside on a dark night and look up at the vastness of the sky and stars to understand that our lives are not relevant in the grand scheme of things.

8. Most of us will die poor, or barely eeking by. Why people think they're somehow going to turn into billionaires at the end is beyond me. And the money doesn't matter, anyway. Death is a journey we all take alone.

9. One of my friends told me she was having laser hair removal under her arms. The thought of that makes me shiver. It has to hurt. She is half my age and said she was tired of shaving. I said I'd been shaving for longer than she'd been alive.

10. On our farm, you will find cows, a pond, tractors, old buildings that one may or may not call barns, tools, pasture fields, and hay fields. You'll also find us, the people, the caretakers of this small little piece of earth. 

11. It's hard for me to feel poetic and write something flowery before 9 a.m. in the morning, so this is why this Thursday 13 is all over the place. I am not totally awake, although I am awake and have been up for three hours.

12. I do more things that are not good for me than I do things that are good for me. I think. I need to move more, sit less. And eat better. Not necessarily less, just better. Ah, the shoulds. They do follow me around, don't they? I should I should I should. What if I just accepted myself as I am and said, ok, you're a lazy butt. It is what it is, as my brother likes to say.

13. This would have been better if I'd given it some thought, but I have had trouble keeping up with what day it is, and suddenly here it is, Thursday. How'd that happen?

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 846th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Legislative Update

On January 12, I wrote about a bill before the Virginia Legislature that would require physicians who recommended hysterectomies to refer their patients to a (partisan) website that is anti-hysterectomy prior to performing surgery.

I looked the issue up today and found that saner heads sort of prevailed. The bill was changed to read:

HOUSE BILL NO. 217

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Health and Human Services

on January 23, 2024)

(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Orrock)

A BILL to direct the Department of Health Professions to review and make recommendations regarding informed consent requirements for hysterectomies and oophorectomies.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Department of Health Professions shall, in consultation with the Board of Medicine, review the informed consent requirements surrounding a physician who recommends or performs a hysterectomy or an oophorectomy and determine if any regulations are needed regarding the educational information that is provided to a patient, as part of the informed consent process, in advance of undergoing such surgeries. The Department of Health Professions shall report its findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2024.

So, this is a recommendation for review of what is going on, and not a directive. For the moment, anyway.

The motion to review this went before the Virginia House on January 30, and it passed 51-49. 

You know what surprises me? That something this inane goes before the legislature. Of course, physicians must abide by rules and regulations and every industry, even healthcare, needs oversight because people are, well, basically stupid and some are even evil, but honestly, did this have to go before the Virginia Legislature? And where's the similar vote to review what physicians tell men who want vasectomies or need to have their prostrate removed or whatever the case may be?

I guess reviewing it is alright, only I don't know who makes up the House and Senate Committees on Health and Human Services. I do know the guy who initially sponsored this legislation is on the HHS committee, so that's not good. If they are sane people (and the guy who filed this bill initially would not be counted among the sane), it shouldn't be a problem. But these days, we have so many inmates running the asylums, it is hard to tell who is going to determine what.

Monday Monday

You really can't trust Mondays. One never knows what a Monday will bring.

Today brought me more of the same viral thing that I've had since mid-January, along with a new source of work.

Short term freelancing is always good. Fortunately, it's mostly internet research and I won't have to talk on the phone.

Good thing, because my laryngitis is bad. My half-deaf husband hasn't heard a word I've said for 3 weeks.

He's probably good with that.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. What three words best describe you?

A. Smart, kind, and caring, according to my husband.

2. What makes you unique?

A. My personality and my abilities, according to my husband.

3. Who is someone important in your life?

A. According to my husband, him.

4. What is something that always makes you laugh?

A. According to my husband, him.

5. Who is someone who can always cheer you up?

A. According to my husband, him. Also, people doing stupid things in stupid videos.

(OK, husband has left the room.)

6. When was a time you were really proud of yourself?

A. When I received my masters degree in 2012.

7. What is something that is difficult for you?

A. Moving out of my comfort zone.

8. What three places would you love to travel to?

A. Ireland, New Zealand, and Machu Picchu.

9. What is a fun memory you have with your best friend?

A. We saw Barbie together.

10. If you could have dessert for breakfast, what would you eat?

A. Chocolate cake.

11. If you published a book or wrote a movie, what would it be about?

A. Some kind of fantasy with a strong female lead.

12. Which is easier, math or English?

A. English.

13. What three things make you the happiest?

A. Writing something well, playing music, and my husband (not necessarily in that order). (And he's still out of the room.)

14. What is an event in your life that has shaped who you are today?

A. I married.

15. Which is more important, being kind or being honest?

A. Being kind. There is no need to tell someone they look hideous just because it's the honest thing to say.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Poor Little Fool

Saturday 9: Poor Little Fool (1958)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Ricky Nelson sings of a girl with "carefree devil eyes." Are your eyes your best feature? If not, what is?

A. My skin is my best feature, or it used to be, anyway. It was very clear when I was younger, free of moles and skin tags, etc. Some of those have arrived as I have aged. My eyes are hazel and look like cracked ice if you look in them closely. They also are expressive; my husband looks at me and knows if I am having a good day or not simply by glancing at my eyes.

2) "Poor Little Fool" literally arrived at Ricky's doorstep. A pretty girl knocked on his front door, and played and sang her original composition for him. Who has most recently knocked on your front door (or rung the bell)?

A. My husband! He locked himself out of the house and rang the doorbell so I'd let him in to get his keys.

3) That girl was Sharon Sheeley. A teen model in Los Angeles during the 1950s, she met many of the early rock stars at promotional events. Elvis encouraged her to follow her heart and start writing songs, so she did. Who have you advised recently? Did they take your advice?

A. That would be my husband again, and no, I don't think he did.

4) With the success of "Poor Little Fool," Sharon gave up modeling and concentrated on music. Her songs were recorded by singers such as Richie Valens, Glen Campbell and Johnny Rivers. How many different occupations have you tried? Which was your favorite?

A. News reporting was my favorite. Besides news reporting, in my lifetime I've been a photographer, a musician, a parts counter manager selling automotive parts, a secretary, a legal secretary, and a teacher. I also held a number of jobs working for temp services at various times, most of which I did not like. 

5) Ricky Nelson was the son of Ozzie and Harriet and brother of David Nelson. They began performing together as a family with their radio program The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. They took the show to television in 1952, where they were referred to as "The Most Famous Family in America." What TV family would you like to hang around with?

A. I'm not sure being a member of a crew stranded in the Delta Quadrant on the USS Voyager counts as family, but that's what I'm going with. If that doesn't work, then I'd like to be Diana Prince's younger sister.

6) While Ricky eventually became the audience favorite, he wasn't initially a likely candidate for stardom. A producer described him as "an odd little kid," shy and small for his age. In those early days, big brother David was more outgoing and considered a natural actor. Thinking back to your preteen years, were you more like David or Rick?

A. More like Rick.

7) Ricky never got over his shyness. He often closed his eyes as he sang on camera or before an audience because it helped him battle his nerves and concentrate on the music. Fan magazine oohed and aahed over his beautiful long lashes and young girls fantasized about Ricky closing his eyes before leaning in for a kiss. Who was your big pre-teen crush?

A. David Cassidy.

8) In 1958, when "Poor Little Fool" was #1, American women were shopping for Italian-inspired footwear. Heels were lower, and the leather was textured and less shiny that the popular patent leather of years gone by. If you were to go shoe shopping today, what would you be looking for?

A. Sneakers. That's all I wear although I could use a pair of dress shoes if I could find something that wouldn't kill my feet.

9) Random question -- Which of these parties sounds like the most fun: a) one you host yourself; b) one at a friend's home; c) a surprise party in your honor?

A. (b) One at a friend's home.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

Thursday 13 (#845)

Here are 13 things that I think make life better, in no particular order. You may or may not agree:

1. Books. All books, even the ones I wouldn't read. They harbor so much knowledge! They make the world make sense, even in times when it doesn't make sense.

2. Word processors (not computers). I think the invention of a word processor that allows someone to write and rewrite without having to retype 90,000 words is one of the greatest things ever.

3. Quilts. Who needs a weighted blanket when there is a quilt around? If you want to feel cozy and snug, then this is ideal. Grandmas had the right idea when they made quilts.

4. Eyeglasses. For those of us who can't see well, they're definitely a necessity. For everyone else, wear sunglasses to protect those beautiful gateways to the soul!

5. Cameras. Now that everyone has one, all of the world is on record (though I have my doubts that future generations will ever see it.). But there's something exquisite about a beautiful photograph, one that moves you to inhale abruptly because it captures something extraordinary.

6. Musical instruments. Whether it's a bongo drum, a guitar, or a piano, making music is part of the heartbeat of humanity. Even early humans made music, using bones for flutes. Is there a more delightful sound than a musical instrument played by the hands of someone who loves it?

7. Pencils (or pens). What good are all of those thoughts bopping around in our heads if we don't write them down? I still use pencils, good ol' #2 yellow leaded pencils. I prefer them to anything else, though my favorite ink pen is a Pilot G-2 (05). 

8. Electricity. Just think of all the things made possible by the stuff whizzing through the power lines. Light to see by, heat to stay warm or cook - and to run those word processors.

9. Watches and/or clocks. I love watches and clocks. I prefer the old-fashioned clocks with a face on it and the 12 numerals, with a little second hand ticking away.

10. Clothing. Thank goodness for the things that keep us warm during cold days and cool in the heat of the summer! Plus, nobody wants to look at that without clothes . . . at least, I don't!

11. Chocolate. It really is a food of the gods. Can you imagine not being able to enjoy good chocolate?

12. A porch. This is probably foreign to most city or apartment dwellers, but honestly, sitting on a porch late in the evening, relaxing in a rocker and talking about the day, is one of the best ways to unwind ever invented.

13. Dishes and cutlery. Isn't it great to have a glass to hold your water? Or to eat from a nicely decorated plate? Much better than eating with your hands, right?

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 845th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

A Quote

"Conspiracy theories put you in the role of the truth-telling hero. Paranoia is the opiate of those who fear they may be insignificant." - David Brooks, "Chicken Littles Are Ruining America," The Atlantic, 01-2024.

The Games They Play

I had words with my pharmacist today. I had called in my prescriptions on Sunday, all of them due for refill within 7 days.

I noted on the pharmacy dashboard that one of them was not listed as being filled. It is a Schedule II drug (or maybe Schedule IV, I don't know and don't really care).

I've had trouble with this drug in the past. Sometimes I call it in and can pick it up 3-4 days before it's due to run out, other times the drugstore holds it until the day I'm supposed to run out. I wanted to know what the "rule" was. Or what the problem was.

A male-sounding person answered the phone.

I gave him my name and date of birth. "I'm calling about [particular drug]. I asked for a refill and it's not on my dashboard as being refilled."

He told me the drug could only be filled the day before it runs out by federal law. 

"This is most inconvenient," I told him, "I'd like to pick up all of my prescriptions at once. And must I call this prescription back in? You used to hold it until it was time to pick it up."

"You'll have to call it in the day before it's due. I'm not violating federal law," he boomed into the phone. 

"I'm not asking you to," I replied. "You can hold all of my other drugs there until I can pick them all up at once."

And then I hung up on him because I wasn't going to argue. In the first place, I really don't think this is the law, as I've picked up this drug several days before; I think it varies by pharmacist. In the second place, I still have a bit of laryngitis and he obviously wasn't listening to my question, which simply was this: when am I supposed to call my drugs in so I can get them all picked up at the same time?

Funny thing was, as soon as I hung up the phone, within a minute I had a call from the store telling me I had prescriptions that could be refilled. The phone bot just doesn't say which ones. Or if they are my husband's drugs.

I didn't press one to have whatever it was refilled. I hung up the phone and dearly wished I had the old style where you could slam down the receiver with great satisfaction. Clicking "off" just doesn't do it.

Kroger Pharmacy has the stupidest phone system I have ever had to deal with, and I understand pharmacists around here, anyway, are understaffed and probably underpaid. But that's no reason to get huffy because I asked a question. I pay them plenty for my medication and I've been getting my drugs there for 20 years. 

Why does everyone have to be a jerk anymore?

Oh, Pooh!

In December, I had my annual check-in with my gastroenterologist. A year ago, she had asked me about a colonoscopy, and since I was only 59 and had another year to go, I said we'd talk about it at this particular meeting.

She didn't even give me the option. She straight out said she thought I was a good candidate for Cologuard and we'd try that. I was surprised because I don't think I am a good candidate for it, based on what I've read. I have IBS and digestive issues galore.

But she said since I have developed a heart murmur, she thought this would be better and less stressful. Who was I to argue? 

Friends say that getting a colonoscopy checkup around here is difficult, taking up to a year to schedule. (Things are backed up. Ha.) I have never liked colonoscopies (I have had two.). It's an invasive "checkup." Too much could go wrong, between an anesthetic and the possibility of a bowel perforation. I prefer my wellness care to be much less invasive.

The Cologuard arrived via UPS last week. I had that upper respiratory infection going on, and the doctor put me on an antibiotic, so I wavered about doing the Cologuard test, but went ahead and took care of business. I didn't want to wait in case the antibiotic upsets my stomach. They do that sometimes.

Cologuard is basically a stool sample that is reviewed for cancer sheds and/or blood. The test claims to be 87% correct. Are those good odds? They would be in a life-or-death situation, but a positive result on this means loads of worry and a colonoscopy anyway. So, I shall have to hope for the negative in this situation.

I understand that in the UK this is the way they do colon checks all the time. They do the stool test first and go for the more expensive and better-paying (for the doctor and facility) invasive test only if warranted. Of course, here in the land of the dollar bill, the doctors are going to make something expensive routine (every 10 years, 5 if they find polyps).

Cologuard advertises heavily here, so I assume there is good money it in now. There is another test available called FIT, which I had never heard of until I searched to see if there were other tests. But if this is a brand, I can't find a website for it. Maybe it's not a brand but a description of the test. I'm not sure.

At any rate, the arrival of the test lead to a plethora of bad jokes and lots of discussion about how the mailroom at the science office smells. I surely would not want to be the UPS driver of the truck that carries these tests into the facility every day. You just know that not everybody screws the lids tightly on the test kits. Phewee.

Meanwhile, my upper respiratory issues are better, though I still sound a bit raspy, and I tire easily. I am trying to make today be like a normal day and not a sick day. I have had enough of those, so I am pretending I am not sick and trying to go about my routine as normal. I'm on the mend though I can see this may be a few more days before I can pronounce myself well.

When I get the results, I'll write about how that goes. It may be a few weeks. I am also anxious about the expense. No one has mentioned how much this costs.

*I am not getting paid to write about this. I am just talking about something I experienced recently.*

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. What are your plans for February?

A. To stay warm (it's usually a chilly month here), finish up my tax stuff and meet with my accountant, and that's about it.

2. Did you ever have or go to sleepovers as a kid?

A. I went to a few sleepovers, and I had a few. Not many. Being rural and because my mother worked an hour away from home limited such things.

3. Which books would you pick for a book binge?

A. I prefer to read things that are new to me, so I'd pick up some fantasies, maybe something by Juliet Marillier or Lois Bujold or some author new to me, an unread Nora Roberts book, an unread Stephanie Plum book (unfortunately there is only one of those I've not read), something new by David Sedaris, maybe a Neil Gaiman book, somebody's memoir, and whatever else I could find. My Kindle is full of unread books I've downloaded for free; I could spend plenty of time going through those. 

4. What features do you love most about your home?

A. It's one story with no stairs, it's small so it's easy to take care of, and we built it ourselves, with our four hands, so my husband and I know this place inside and out.

5. How often do you try something new?

A. Not as often as I should.

6. What type of sushi is your favorite?

A. I have never had sushi, and since I'm allergic to fish, I don't suppose I ever will.

7. Do you prefer to relax or go on adventures during vacation?

A. We generally tour an area, taking in the tourist spots, museums, stores, etc. My husband isn't much for sitting around.

8. Which colors look best on you?

A. Blue and purple.

9. Do you like brunch?

A. Sure.

10. Do you get stage fright?

A. Yes.

11. Which podcasts do you like at the moment?

A. I don't really listen to podcasts. I listen to audiobooks. Sometimes I listen to Ted Talks.

12. One thing that immediately makes your day better.

A. A phone call from a friend.

13. Which family members are you closest to?

A. My husband and my brother.

14. Something you practice often.

A. My guitar.

15. Are you a light sleeper or a deep sleeper?

A. I'm a light sleeper but a heavy dreamer.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Joanna

Saturday 9: Joanna (1983)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The subject of this week's song, Joanna, is described as someone who never lets you down and can always be counted upon. Who in your life is like that?

A. I have trust issues. I expect to be let down. My husband does a good job of being there for me, though.

2) Kool and the Gang vocalist James "J. T." Taylor sings that he will do his best to do what's right for her. Reflect on the last week. What did you devote special effort to?

A. I spent some time writing letters. I also did a lot of laundry, and this was major house cleaning week (I have someone who comes to help me with the things I can no longer do because of chronic pain.). But mostly I've been trying to rid myself of a sore throat that has given me laryngitis, so I've had more down time than I usually do.

3) This video was filmed at the Colonial Diner in Lyndhurst, NJ. Still open 40 years later, the Colonial is known for their Boom Boom Shrimp, aka fried shrimp in sweet chili sauce. Think of your favorite local restaurant. What menu item would you recommend?

A. The Tap House in Daleville has a great salad. They grow their own lettuce year-round and it's the best.

4) Kool and the Gang's biggest hit was 1980's "Celebration," which is popular today with disc jockeys at wedding receptions. Are you likely to get up and dance at a wedding reception? Or would we find you enjoying the party from your seat?

A. I haven't been to a wedding reception in years, but I can seldom not sway or at least bob up and down when there's good music on.

5) Kool and the Gang are proud of their NJ roots. Group founder Robert Bell was given the nickname "Kool" by his Jersey City friends because he was so "laid back." Do you think your friends would describe you as "laid back?"

A. No. I'm a pretty keyed up neurotic nervous Nelly. 

6) One of the Jersey City's biggest employers is Evergreen, a transportation and shipping company with offices in Evertrust Plaza, a high-rise near the waterfront. What is the tallest building you've ever been in? Were you there for business, or to enjoy the view?

A. I honestly don't know the answer to this for certain. I *think* I was in the Empire State building in New York when I was a teenager, but I'm not 100% sure of that. It would have been on a trip there with my parents when I was 13. I don't remember much about it except for eating the best Chinese food ever in Chinatown and seeing the Statue of Liberty from a distance.

7) In 1983, when "Joanna" topped the charts, Vanessa Williams became the first African American to be crowned Miss America. Today, Miss America is still among the most popular televised pageants, along with Miss World and Miss Universe. Do you watch beauty pageants?

A. I do not as a rule. My niece was a beauty pageant participant when she was young and if they were close, I went to support her. Those are the only ones I've ever watched.

8) Also in 1983, superstars Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson joined forces for the #1 song, "Say, Say, Say." Each man began his career as part of a group but went on to have success on his own. Can you think of anyone else who started out in band or group but also scored as a solo artist?

A. Stevie Nicks was in Fleetwood Mac but had a decent solo career. George Michael was in WHAM! but had a good solo career. Phil Collins was in Genesis before he became a solo artist.

9) Random question: Have you more recently eaten bread sticks or carrot sticks?

A. I have had carrots and bread but neither in sticks. I had baby carrots at Christmas so if the stick part matters, then I last had carrots. Otherwise, the sandwich I had at lunch takes the win for the bread.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

 

Friday Morning

 

It's unseasonably warm here now, so much so that I stepped outside onto the front porch in only my robe, slippers, and nightgown to take a photo of the moon. The deer in the front yard ignored me entirely. That gleaming white dot in the sky in the last photo is an over-exposed moon. The light was still low, so I was playing with camera settings to try to get the deer and the moon in a single shot. I would have preferred to have the moon look like the shot that looks like the moon is supposed to look, but the deer left before I could figure out where I needed to set the dial on the camera.

Where'd This Come From?

I have not been out of my house since January 10, yet somehow, I have ended up with a sore throat. It appears to be some kind of mild virus. I tested negative for Covid, but I don't know if the tests pick up the new versions of Covid.

My friends report other folks are having sore throats and I know strep is going around, but this does not appear to be strep. It's just a sore throat with a little sinus activity and some fatigue. I sound terrible, too, as I have a bit of laryngitis, but I generally get that with a cold.

I suspect my husband brought this home to me even though he hasn't been ill. Otherwise it hopped on me from the groceries he picked up.

The reasons I have been home have more to do with the weather than anything. We had ice, then snow, and I didn't go out because my car is not all-wheel drive. It's front wheel drive and our driveway turns icy in bad weather. I can get out, but getting back home is not always a foregone conclusion. The weather turned extremely cold, so the ice on the driveway didn't go away for a long time.

During this time, I finished up most of the tax records - I still have a little to do, but I haven't been in a hurry to finish them because I still need things from the banks and my husband's retirement information. Then I developed this sore throat and I've been trying to take care of that. This is the first bout of illness I've had in quite some time - since the beginning of the pandemic, really. I had other health concerns (another ulcer, for one thing), but my sinus and sore throat issues mostly vanished. I'm not surprised something finally caught up with me, but it would have been nice to have kept up my healthy streak.

I do not feel so bad that I have gone back to bed, but I have had trouble applying myself to things. But then, I think I have that problem regardless of the state of my health. Chronic procrastination seems to be one of my issues.

I don't think they have drugs for that.

 

Thursday Thirteen

Occasionally I think about the thing that I used to make a living doing: writing.

Here are 13 ways to improve your writing skills:

1. Research your audience and their questions before you write. This goes for nonfiction and fiction. Who are you writing for?

2. Start with an outline to organize your ideas and create a clear structure. I usually do this in my head, but some people write it down and have concise, clear outlines.

3. Simplify your topic and avoid over-explaining or using unnecessary details. This may not work if you're writing a fantasy, but it is a must for nonfiction. Aim to write for about the 6th grade level (if you can figure out what that is these days).

4. Expand your vocabulary and use precise words. Avoid jargon and obscure terms. Of course, if you're writing a college paper, you may need to do this, and if you're writing for a corporation, you're going to be using their buzzwords and such. But generally speaking, try to keep it clear.

5. Use contractions, colloquialisms, and conversational tone to make your writing more engaging and natural. This only works for fiction, nonfiction that has normal people (not professionals like doctors or lawyers and such) as the audience, and me.

6. Break the grammar rules when appropriate but know why and how you’re doing it. For example, do you know where commas go? How to use an ellipsis? Do you overuse exclamation marks!?!?

7. Use active voice, strong verbs, and sensory details to make your writing more vivid and dynamic. I consider this to be among the most important rules. Root out all of those do-nothing verbs like versions of "to be" or "go." Make your character run or shuffle along, not just go to the store.

 

8. Use transitions, headings, bullet points, and white space to improve the readability and flow of your writing. This is especially important in nonfiction work.

9. Use punctuation, capitalization, and formatting correctly and consistently to avoid confusion and errors. I tend to use Chicago style when I write, but you can also create your own style sheet and follow that. The point is, if you're always going to capitalize the word Error, then do it every time, otherwise, you've made an error.

10. Use a clear and consistent voice that reflects your personality and purpose. Of course, if you have no personality, then I suppose one ends up with very dry writing, but then again, maybe we need more of that in these days of overheated opinions and vast amounts of overwritten stupidity.

11. Edit your writing ruthlessly and eliminate any unnecessary or redundant words, sentences, or paragraphs. In other words, kill your darlings. This is hard for many writers to do. Don't fall in love with your sentences. Sometimes you just have to pull that great sentence out and hope you find another story in which to use it.

12. Proofread your writing carefully and check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. I am always amazed at how many people do not use the spellchecker in their word processing program. Word and Page and Word Perfect or whatever you're using, heck, even the browsers now have spell check in them. 

13. Seek feedback from others and learn from their suggestions and critiques. But don't ask your mom. She will always love it and that's not the kind of critique you need. You may need to pay someone for a critique if it's a long work. It's worth a couple hundred bucks to hire an editor (I do that kind of work, should you ever need someone.).

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 844th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Now Comes the Thaw

After shivering in temperatures in the teens all weekend, this week the weather is going to offer us above-freezing temperatures both night and day.

And rain.

While for those of us who dislike the intense cold this is great news, I worry about the plants. Last year we had a warm spell, then a hard freeze, and the local growers lost most of their peaches. I don't think it hurt the apple crops so much, but it was certainly hard on the peach growers.

We no longer are considered to be in a drought area, although I do not think we've yet had enough rain to warrant that designation. We've had some rain and the snow over the weekend has been hanging around, which means it should melt into the ground as the weather warms. That will be helpful, and snow adds nutrients to the ground. Goodness knows the pastures need it. But by our count, we're still a bit short in the water table department.

We have not had extra had to sell for a couple of years now as the weather cycles have been dramatic and frustrating. We are only growing hay, not fruit trees, and I can't imagine what those folks are thinking as they watch the weather forecast. A week of a too-high temperatures is enough to have the trees and bushes start an early growth period that could be detrimental with another hard freeze.

When your business is weather dependent, like farming, then things aren't easy. People can deny climate change all they want, but all I have to do is look outside and listen to the winds howling to know that it's different from 40 years ago. I have never understood the objection to having cleaner air to breathe. How is that a bad thing?

No one mentions that this upcoming warm weather may hurt the crops. But if you wonder why some of your fruits and vegetables are high, remember that the weather may have something to do with what you're paying.

A low yield means higher prices.