tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54833598509864102672024-03-15T18:11:44.386-07:00Life As Mirror Twins A blog about being twins, and being writers.B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.comBlogger506125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-70244246284046815882024-03-13T08:00:00.000-07:002024-03-13T08:00:00.177-07:00St. Patrick's Day and Other Holidays by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoowdBw4ShGs0iYPIAYxvFTbF93BRLzogCydDhOMYFcjurklKHW4lffngqLwRa7rihgpHfSJ9CGi8KAME_GXFzImHB4tF2vcv5FQqD4kdrpWYphVvPx7zZlzyVQ0zqdOIkyXYy1zvIXngvYXcyWPkAY41aFdgawL7F1hRwV7zi6YVzmw_b6FsmMaysuMU/s1000/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoowdBw4ShGs0iYPIAYxvFTbF93BRLzogCydDhOMYFcjurklKHW4lffngqLwRa7rihgpHfSJ9CGi8KAME_GXFzImHB4tF2vcv5FQqD4kdrpWYphVvPx7zZlzyVQ0zqdOIkyXYy1zvIXngvYXcyWPkAY41aFdgawL7F1hRwV7zi6YVzmw_b6FsmMaysuMU/s320/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">In four days, it will be St. Patrick’s
Day. I’m also informed, thanks to social media, that the holy periods of Lent
and Ramadan are going on right now, with Palm Sunday on the 24<sup>th</sup> and
Easter on the 31<sup>st</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">All of this got me thinking about holiday
traditions and which ones we, or our characters, follow. I know I have touched on
traditions concerning big holidays like Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and
Christmas, but what about the others?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t know about schools today,
but when I was a kid, St. Patrick’s Day was a big deal, mostly because of pinching
anyone not wearing green. I have previously mentioned my cousin who was vicious
with his pinches back then.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, on St. Patrick’s Day, I always
try to remember to wear green. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">In my husband’s family, their
tradition was to have corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, which is
something my family never did, but now I do it every year. This year as usual
you will find me at my sister-in-law’s place having corned beef and cabbage. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">When it comes to Ramadan, of course, we don’t celebrate that, but we also never celebrated Lent. Growing up, Lent
was just lighting a candle on each of the four Sundays before Easter, and the
one we lit on Easter was white while the rest were green.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was an adult before I learned some
people give up stuff during Lent, but that is as far as it goes for me. Now
Easter is a big deal. It's as big as Christmas really. But even still, it isn’t like it
was when we were kids and everyone showed up at church in their new spring
outfits complete with hats, gloves, and little purses. I hated those hats. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We still dress up for Easter, but
then we try to dress up for every Sabbath day. Easter is on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other Easter traditions are the Easter
egg hunt and Easter baskets, and way too much candy!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">In our church, it is more about reading
about the Resurrection of Christ than all those treats, just like we try to
make Christmas more about the birth of Christ. However, I admit it is harder to
find décor about the Resurrection of Christ than it is to find décor depicting
the birth of Christ. Explaining why I have so many Nativities and only one “He
is Risen” knickknack. I wish I had more. Though I do have a couple Gethsemane
statues. Gethsemane had to happen before the tomb could be found empty! That’s
important too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">But what about in our stories? Do we
ever use some of these holidays in them?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I know I have used
April Fool’s Day</span><span> </span><span>at least once</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">, which is the day after Easter this year, but I don’t think I’ve
ever done much about St. Patrick’s Day. Have you?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">As far as stories go, I know Blue
Bloods usually does something about St. Patrick’s Day, but that is a bigger
deal in New York or Chicago. Wasn’t it the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day
parade that The Fugitive got lost in?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">But how about in small-town America?
What kind of things would they do?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know we never had a parade on St.
Patrick’s Day, but it is usually still pretty cold on St. Patrick’s Day, I’m
surprised New York and Chicago have parades for it, then again, New York has
their big parade on Thanksgiving every year, which is pretty darn cold.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Around here, it is normally a white
Thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though if you are making up a town,
or using a small town that never did much for the holiday, what would that be?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or would it be mentioned at all?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m sure in Sci-Fi the likelihood of
them celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is pretty slim, the same in Fantasy, but
what holidays would they celebrate? What would that look like? What is the
tradition for it? Is the tradition different for separate groups?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I should consider this for my Sci-Fi
because what sort of culture doesn’t have holidays? For my speculative fiction, I don’t think any of our holidays are mentioned specifically, but it does occur
in late spring, right before high school graduation for some of the characters.
And that is in the story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">But most of what I write is romance,
and I have no idea why I don’t mention St. Patrick’s Day in any of them. I
clearly could have in the one where I mention April Fool’s Day because the female
lead’s little brothers would make a big deal out of that too! And I do not know why I didn’t at least mention it in passing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, happy writing everyone! And
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-88503062960688641832024-03-06T08:00:00.000-08:002024-03-06T08:00:00.137-08:00Of Weather and Differences by Konnie Enos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuX5apg8NW4E-spDi9FZkJlqOol1_Ab58AipK0WyycoKdRddNjNQnn-SBSFoqGhaRmHplRDjBYfllty_1-HVsoRtOsCJhoiD0o6ByNMJC-gLgYpt4ixd2CeAwaI3v84Wr7JTtoyWO7TTj20S3rDnUKlgMMfOuRK8nOcxtRujL4YVecsmIaZxtWjmCZxc/s320/twins.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuX5apg8NW4E-spDi9FZkJlqOol1_Ab58AipK0WyycoKdRddNjNQnn-SBSFoqGhaRmHplRDjBYfllty_1-HVsoRtOsCJhoiD0o6ByNMJC-gLgYpt4ixd2CeAwaI3v84Wr7JTtoyWO7TTj20S3rDnUKlgMMfOuRK8nOcxtRujL4YVecsmIaZxtWjmCZxc/s1600/twins.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Time is flying this year. Here it is already March and like
the old saying it came in like a lion, roaring. This past weekend we got what
the weather reports were calling a Winter storm. But around here, that doesn’t
mean snow.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">What we got was intense winds, blowing things around and
downing some trees, or at least taking some branches off them. My daughter said
she thought the wind had blown a branch off of our tree because there was one lying
under it. Though it’s not something you’d notice on our massive tree. I wasn’t
concerned about it. It was planted nineteen years ago, and it’s supposed to
have roots that go extra deep and long. I think it’d take tornado-strength winds
to pull it out of the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The power company warned us about power outages but all we
got was one short one on Saturday morning. Long enough for us to notice the
power went off, but not long enough to start worrying about issues from its
loss. I don’t think it was out for five minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">By Monday, things had calmed down around here. We still have
some wind, but it’s quieter. The sun’s out, we have blue skies. The weather
report predicts temperatures hitting the low 70s this week. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Monday is also the day I read headlines about the major
blizzard hitting Northern California and into Northern Nevada. Specifically,
around the Tahoe and Reno areas. They got socked in. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My son, Tony, is working in Northern Nevada so I was happy
when he called. I asked him how the weather was up there and how he was faring.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">He mentioned that his bosses had shut down his job site on
Saturday because of the weather and the fact they had more snow and ice. He
didn’t mention any power outages or other issues with the weather though his
call was about him needing a ride to come to Las Vegas today. Jerry, of course,
willingly drove up to get him last night, though Tony had some warnings about
the road conditions up there. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now, having grown up in Idaho, I’m a bit familiar with the
weather there and I knew that by March the snow is at least starting to melt, if
not mostly gone. And while there might still be snow around, the roads are
clear. But March tends to roar in like a lion so lots of wind. Prime weather for
some kite flying, as I remember.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I didn’t see Idaho’s weather reports, so I assumed they were
just seeing typical March winds and maybe some rain. Then learning about the
blizzard, I thought they may have gotten some snow from it. Though being March
already, and not seeing any headlines about them getting a storm too, I assumed
it wasn’t more than a light snow, something that could melt off in a day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Since this was Monday, and I had plans for the evening, I
was contemplating if I’d even need a jacket and the possibility of digging my sandals
out rather than wearing my tennis shoes for the evening when Bonnie surprised
me by calling.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I very nearly panicked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It was the middle of the workday! And unlike me, she has a
job. Plus, she never calls in the middle of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">So, my first response when I picked up the phone was, “What’s
wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her first sentence
was bemoaning the fact that the snow was up to the bumper of her car, which is
an SUV! Apparently, because of the slope of her driveway and the depth of the
newly fallen snow, she couldn’t get out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I’m thinking about the nice spring weather, and she’s snowed
in! Not only that, but her anticipated company wouldn’t be able to get to her
place because of it. (The slope of her driveway is at least half the problem.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Talk about March coming in like a lion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then, after we’d hung up, I had to laugh about the
differences in our lives. From the extreme differences in our weather to the
differences in our living conditions. Her only companion is her cat while I
live with most of my kids, my husband, and some dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Of course, she also had tons of friends, not to mention
family nearby, and she lives in the small town we grew up in. I live in a huge
city with no family nearby and, as usual, I don’t have as many friends. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Though we still have our similarities. Saturday, Melinda was
French braiding my hair and commented on my extreme lack of gray hair. Yes, I have
some, as does Bonnie, but at nearly 62 years old, it’s not much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And, as of yesterday, Dictionary (as we affectionately call
her) is 63.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the day a brighter day.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-51948377245038732042024-02-28T08:00:00.000-08:002024-02-28T09:19:25.618-08:00A Rose By Any Other Name by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKvZK67Jua4Z7_Us0sRBWxPsbIh4Z4TqCJElBewhX-G9TBkDrL3hBMpORCVx4aMxAS3qR9hqNEVdNPU78_arjZnyqrZaDYLdZOwIDAz7trpnt8XTq2zdULgLDucknsEWyOl5XmHoMGUym4zok8YA0yz0ZrxZX4TeJm9cuWine0-95W5HZVTmXoNl1bS8S/s510/arose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKvZK67Jua4Z7_Us0sRBWxPsbIh4Z4TqCJElBewhX-G9TBkDrL3hBMpORCVx4aMxAS3qR9hqNEVdNPU78_arjZnyqrZaDYLdZOwIDAz7trpnt8XTq2zdULgLDucknsEWyOl5XmHoMGUym4zok8YA0yz0ZrxZX4TeJm9cuWine0-95W5HZVTmXoNl1bS8S/s320/arose.jpg" width="297" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I recently skimmed an article on a study about children
with unusual or unpopular names. And it got me thinking about a lot of things.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My first thought was the fight we had with Dad when our
youngest brother was born. I can’t remember the name he wanted to give Dan, but
I do remember telling Dad, “He’s going to get teased enough as it is because of
our last name!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, our maiden name is Westover. We got teased a lot
for that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">That may be the only time teenagers have ever backed up
their stepmother, but I’m sure Dan is glad we prevailed! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The article I scanned also mentioned the more recent
penchant for parents to “creatively” spell their children’s names, which got me
thinking about the “creative” spelling of our names.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I know that our mother got our oldest sister’s full first
name off the headlines when she was born. Dictionary, otherwise known as Jacki,
was born in March of ’61. Guess who was in the headlines back then. Our big
sister always preferred Jackie over the longer version, but eventually, she
dropped that “e,” making her name Jacki.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">As kids, she was Jackie, and that is a common spelling. She
never had problems with her name. I also never really had any problems when I
stuck with Bonnie, but there were clear issues with my middle name, and that
blasted “e” our father decided to exclude from my birth certificate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Konnie and Bryon had significant issues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">As you can see from all our posts, her name is Konnie, not
Connie. But while people sometimes misspelled her name, no one ever tried to
tell her she was spelling it wrong; at least not that I can remember.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Bryon on the other hand did experience an issue with the spelling
of his name. When he was in fifth grade and Konnie and I were in sixth grade we
went to a school where the fifth and sixth grades were combined in the mornings
and split in the afternoon, and well the fifth-grade teacher kept insisting on
calling him “Byron.” When we told her that his name is pronounced Brian, she
told us he was spelling his name wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We tried to tell her he wasn’t, but she wouldn’t listen, if
his name is Brian, it should be spelled B-r-i-a-n not B-r-y-o-n. Please note that the “r” is before the “y” in his name, so she mispronounced his name, but
she wouldn’t listen to that argument either.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We gave up until we had a chance to tell our mother what was
going on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">She resorted to taking all three of our birth certificates
to the school the first chance she got and cussing the principal and that
teacher out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, none of our names are spelled wrong. All three
of us were named after family friends. Our first names are spelled just like
who we were named after. The only “creative” spelling is when Dad dropped that dang “e”
from both mine and Konnie’s middle names.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Nowadays, the creative spelling you come across can be so
bad, that it is sometimes hard to figure out how it is supposed to be pronounced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Not too long ago I embraced this trend by giving a character
in one of my WIPs a creatively spelled name, but I also gave her a simple,
conventionally spelled, nickname.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I do have a point in my story where the hero wonders what her
full first name is because on the first day of school that year (her first in
that district), all the teachers stumbled over her name and then asked her how to
pronounce it. In each instance, she responded, “Just call me Wren.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, what I got from my cursory glance at the article was
that kids with unusual or unpopular names are less likely to be successful and
more likely to be teased and or shunned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And yes, I can see anyone named something like Adolf being
shunned, but mostly kids just teased, and I don’t see how that teasing
adversely affected me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Though I assure you, I will always insist that parents think
of their children, and how they may get teased when naming them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, have you used “creative” spelling in your character
names, or given your characters unpopular names?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">What are some of your strategies for naming characters? Do
you set different rules for different stories?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">In one of mine, all the girls in the female lead’s family
are named after flowers, so I had to give them flower names. In another story, I
set up rules about the last names of a colony of aliens. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy writing everyone.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p><br /></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-25510168346461101312024-02-21T08:05:00.000-08:002024-02-21T08:05:03.515-08:00Apologizes By Konnie Enos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y2tfP65ifRRf4wJOcf6vvBaftGZaEU0-7g7upw2z6ypzKdK7oAU6GAjoUnmrBZRQyA129TvHHs7xStmnpvqRaBhGXb5NmOVxycfxx8llAUdv86cdl8MuMBnfjgrYr4ERfYoTC4NQJzFHh-deiffAOTEF46W_zh6aR91K_jiKW4qe_4RCmo0JKqVkndo/s478/notebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="478" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y2tfP65ifRRf4wJOcf6vvBaftGZaEU0-7g7upw2z6ypzKdK7oAU6GAjoUnmrBZRQyA129TvHHs7xStmnpvqRaBhGXb5NmOVxycfxx8llAUdv86cdl8MuMBnfjgrYr4ERfYoTC4NQJzFHh-deiffAOTEF46W_zh6aR91K_jiKW4qe_4RCmo0JKqVkndo/s320/notebook.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Here it is Wednesday morning, and I haven’t got an idea in
my head. All I can think about is how I didn’t get much sleep last night
because I know I was tossing all night. That and I’m not completely awake now.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Racking my brain for an hour just to formulate a few words
isn’t working so I’m going to have to apologize to our readers for not getting
a post up this week. I’m afraid writing, well anything, is right up there with filing
my taxes. I know I should do it, but I can’t bring myself to focus on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Even with my total lack of ideas, I also know it’s important
to keep our readers apprised of the situation, so they don’t feel like everything
is off-kilter in their routine. I read a blog every Tuesday, only it hasn’t
been updating on its normal schedule lately. So, I personally understand that
off-kilter experience. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Seeing that I fell asleep sitting here trying to come up
with yet one more thing to make this post longer, I’m giving up and trying to
get some more sleep. Though between the sun being up and family members moving
about the house, which includes my daughter who is cooking her breakfast now, I’m
sure it’ll be too noisy here for that to work for long. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the day a brighter day.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-8098373602235891682024-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:002024-02-14T08:00:00.210-08:00Sleep Apnea and Other Issues by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerr2toVvDwvjB9SZPmsn4wemWJ-EtTHwLJxWtvrJxW8dGDWG-ERmvzIy6YE6J_ZQy-yilXfcHyx1fGOPQn298qFKUgSgqfSR_aOzJ4jG5qicWHSPPTxhyZWwfCUrV_oWqSlgjruikLQOS_wZO76-7UVNzjESGYzLIrX-qsYbmeaa6mvkOlXDHQ2hWgIHF/s1000/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerr2toVvDwvjB9SZPmsn4wemWJ-EtTHwLJxWtvrJxW8dGDWG-ERmvzIy6YE6J_ZQy-yilXfcHyx1fGOPQn298qFKUgSgqfSR_aOzJ4jG5qicWHSPPTxhyZWwfCUrV_oWqSlgjruikLQOS_wZO76-7UVNzjESGYzLIrX-qsYbmeaa6mvkOlXDHQ2hWgIHF/s320/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m sure I mentioned that my cat has taken to waking me up
in the middle of the night. For a while there I thought I would never get a
decent night’s sleep again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But one night I was having trouble getting comfortable and I
ended up sleeping propped up in more of a sitting position. And Patches didn’t
jump on me once that night! That isn’t to say he didn’t wake me up; he did,
right around the time he decided he needed his breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the difference; three or four times a night, he had
been jumping onto me from my desk. Once in the pre-dawn hours, he would crawl
onto me meowing and pushing his nose into my nose. He is still doing that. If I
sleep in a more inclined position, he doesn’t jump on me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Problem solved, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Around this time, I kept waking up with a headache, and I always seemed tired. I finally decided I needed to revisit the idea of a sleep
study. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn’t looking forward to this, because I’d tried it once
before years ago while Tom was still alive. I didn’t sleep one wink hooked up
to all those cables. Now though they can do the study with fewer
cables and it is possible to do it at home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It took some doing, and getting the appointment to get the
device took some time, but I finally got the sleep study done.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">They were slow to contact me about the results, but they
finally called to set up an appointment for me to come in and learn the
results.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">So I went to the appointment, and the professional I talked
to informed me that I stopped breathing three times that night! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Patches jumped on me three times that night!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, that’s right. Patches jumps on me when I stop
breathing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I did mention that he doesn’t jump on me when I sleep
propped up, and she said that made sense, and suggested I do that until all the
red tape is cut and I get a C-PAP machine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">At least Patches doesn’t wake me up as often that way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">In other news, I have been having a ton of financial issues
these past several months, mostly due to how many days I missed work due to not
getting enough sleep the night before. But it hadn’t been just that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I missed several days because I put one or both knees out
and I couldn’t walk. I missed at least one day because my blood sugar went sky-high on me. When my neighbor came to check on me, she thought what I needed was
orange juice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">FYI, orange juice or candy is used when the blood sugar is
too low; when it is too high, avoid carbs altogether and have protein.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Also, when it is too low, you are dizzy, faint, and woozy;
when it is too high, you have dry heaves and you are sweaty, maybe also dizzy.
There is a difference. I promise giving someone carbs or sugar in this case
would only make matters worse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Now my financial issues aren’t as easy to handle,
though things are looking up. I paid off one credit card in December
thanks to a generous gift from some friends. I paid off another bill last
month, which was a big help because it was the highest monthly payment I had.
And I am working on not missing so much work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, that is the hard part. I am still having issues
with sleep. I don’t just have sleep apnea; I also have insomnia issues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It turns out I am on the spectrum, and insomnia is a common
problem for those of us on the spectrum. And here I just thought it was a
family problem. Dad and our brother Bryon had problems with it too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Has anybody mentioned that Autism most likely has a genetic component?
And yes, they have.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The myth that it is caused by vaccines is bunk, but it is a fact that it is often hereditary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, I only received one vaccine as a kid, and I was displaying
what is now known as clear signs of Autism long before grade school. And I know
I have mentioned all my stims before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Now I am wondering why I don’t write a character that is on
the spectrum. That is certainly something I do know. And I might just do it eventually,
or I might add some detail to an already existing character to make that person
on the spectrum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m thinking I should make the character female to help spread
the work that isn’t a male-only problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, happy writing everyone! </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-30800545404258592382024-02-07T08:00:00.000-08:002024-02-07T08:00:00.144-08:00Rainy Days, Achy Joints, and Muses by Konnie Enos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibib3Urn_x9jZAnm3vuRB-t1gfBN5Lk_JX6fwEODpBxZSg_ypxp4hj8xr_8a9nvAqglg-vAI1fGGfy-vBmHx7xQ6y5-COLH3kxiZU-zB8i3EyXQwijjpa7a7eov157FQz-4rRipZ2i08iA4y8KDjEZDxuWXp9F0ufq0DIpbthVH3741QrlmNVCUqMBCbI/s230/rainyday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="219" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibib3Urn_x9jZAnm3vuRB-t1gfBN5Lk_JX6fwEODpBxZSg_ypxp4hj8xr_8a9nvAqglg-vAI1fGGfy-vBmHx7xQ6y5-COLH3kxiZU-zB8i3EyXQwijjpa7a7eov157FQz-4rRipZ2i08iA4y8KDjEZDxuWXp9F0ufq0DIpbthVH3741QrlmNVCUqMBCbI/s1600/rainyday.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Monday morning, I woke up craving pancakes. Now since
I am diabetic, I don’t have pancakes very often. It had been months since the
last time so I decided it would be okay to have some that day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now most people nowadays get their pancakes by
ordering them at the nearest restaurant (fast food place) that serves them. Or
they get a package of Eggos or Bisquick, whichever one they feel they have the
time and energy for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Me? I got out the recipe book and started gathering
ingredients. Flour, sugar, salt, etcetera. I didn’t even get out a mixer but
stirred them by hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">When it came time to cook them my daughter and I
discussed which pan we would use. Our largest frying pan is my cast iron. It’s
only about ten years old so we still season it regularly. My daughter keeps it
in pristine condition. It was already on the stove, so I just used that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Once it was warmed up and prepped for cooking, I poured
four nice round pancakes into the pan. While they cooked, I set about getting
some eggs cooked to go with my pancakes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then I went to turn my four beautiful pancakes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">They stuck horribly. In the middle of trying to flip
them, I realized I’d been standing too long. I had to sit down, and Melinda had
to help me rescue the stuck pancakes. I found another pan to cook the rest of
them in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The pancakes turned out fine, though those first four
were a mess. And if you are wondering, I only ate two, and both without syrup.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">What wasn’t fine was my back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Normally, when I stand for too long, I would sit, and rest,
for roughly at least as long as I’d been standing to give my back a rest. That
didn’t work on Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After I’d eaten, I went to my bed where I could be
more comfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">While I was sitting there, I was fine, but the minute
I had to get up I could feel it. In my back and hips, even my knees. I didn’t
just strain my back. My arthritis was acting up. Going to the bathroom, which
isn’t that far from my bed, I was a stooped-over, little old lady, unable to
straighten up all the way. I wasn’t in excruciating pain. Just enough to know I
didn’t want to move much or far. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">So, I was sitting in my bed, complaining about aching
joints and being unable to walk when my husband mentioned that his arthritic
shoulder was hurting. It was then I began to suspect that my issues were more
than just strained my back. So, I talked to my son, who also has arthritis, how
he was doing. He loves to complain so he had no problem mentioning that his
feet hurt more than usual. I’m sure we weren’t the only people feeling the
shift in the weather in our joints. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Once I realized I was miserable and in no mood to get
out of bed, I remembered that Jerry and I had plans for the evening. Going out
in the rain is one thing, but doing so when you hurt just trying to move? Yeah,
not fun. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I opted to stay home and rest instead. And I did feel
somewhat better on Tuesday. Not perfect. I still had some joint pain, but I
could walk normally. The rain is supposed to let up after today so hopefully my
remaining aches will let up soon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">On the bright side, somehow through all of this, I
managed to spark my muse enough to at least work on my fantasy for a few hours.
Mostly, I just read and edited the first eight chapters, but I have some ideas
for fixing some things going forward now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Though, those weren’t my only options for spending a
lazy day in bed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I could have worked on a couple of cross-stitches I
have. There is also the fact I have crochet hooks, knitting needles, and
knitting looms with enough skeins of yarn to keep me busy producing useful
things for months.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Or I could have just picked up a good book, or two. I
have piles of them including the nine new ones I got for Christmas and have yet
to even crack the binding. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I didn’t do any of that. What I did was get lost down
the rabbit hole. Somehow, whenever I open Facebook, I manage to think I’ve only
been on for a few minutes when it’s been hours. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I don’t suppose I’m the only one who spends too much
time on social media.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the day a brighter day.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-7173489128539641562024-01-31T08:00:00.000-08:002024-01-31T08:00:00.143-08:00Reading by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z-j-48kOsXWituscCAWm5PYQ_UXBy0Td3ppLkhh7iM61TZBnxadKkADF13QD0IPuuEmv4c5cRkw_GTyBrc649nH3EpwLkpwBdwM553PYkcn2ReOjv8mE7vkm-LUFzWdT31M85vJqS4QDTFYN2_jAPZUdVOMIatFWvk_G30iVchKvX7PRPYf__3i7s7hA/s900/books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z-j-48kOsXWituscCAWm5PYQ_UXBy0Td3ppLkhh7iM61TZBnxadKkADF13QD0IPuuEmv4c5cRkw_GTyBrc649nH3EpwLkpwBdwM553PYkcn2ReOjv8mE7vkm-LUFzWdT31M85vJqS4QDTFYN2_jAPZUdVOMIatFWvk_G30iVchKvX7PRPYf__3i7s7hA/s320/books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been doing lots of reading this month. And by that,
I mean I haven’t done any writing except for my blog posts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">At this point, I’m in the middle of my 28<sup>th</sup> book
for this month.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It started out with me reading what Jana Deleon books I did
have on my reader, and then I decided to look up more of her works. I am currently
on her Miss Fortune series. I have now read ten of those, there are 24 or 25,
so I still have more to get. And that’s only one of her series! I just want to
get through all the Miss Fortune books before I read anything else of hers. I
plan to read the Mudbug series after the Miss Fortune series.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, if you are looking for funny cozy mysteries,
look up the Miss Fortune series. They are more of a fish out of water combined
with a comedy of errors than anything. And they are hilarious, which is saying
something since I don’t get jokes too often.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">After I read those ten books, I thought I’d read another
mystery. I read one that is more suspense than mystery, the author of that one
gives the POV of several characters including the bad people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I decided to read something less intense and switched
to my Marta Perry “The Three Sisters Inn” series. That’s three books of cozy,
sweet, mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">After that, I decided I’d had enough of mysteries for a while
and switched to Brenda Minton’s Cooper Creek series, what I had of them on my
reader. I am still one book short on them. I read the first seven, but
somewhere along in there, I realized some of the characters mentioned were in
her series about cowboys, which I have six of in hard copy, so I dug them out
and reread them, only to discover I was missing the final two of that series
both of which are before Cooper Creek starts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I got those two at an exceptionally low price on
my reader. The first one of those two is the one I am on now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">However, in talking to Konnie about authors she knows and
likes, we got on the subject of Rusty Ellis, another mystery writer I like, and
well, he is family. He’s married to a distant cousin of ours. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But in talking to Konnie, I realized he had more books out
than the one I already had, so I looked him up on Amazon, and now I have four
of his books. So, I already have my February reading list.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have tons of mystery books. I know I have mentioned Dick
and Felix Francis before, but I also have some of the likes of Agatha Christy
and Patterson, as well as all the mystery writers I've already mentioned. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I even have the first twelve of the Boxcar Children mysteries.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And as far as sweet romance goes, well, clearly, I have several
by Brenda Minton. More than I have already mentioned. Three more to be exact.
Brenda Minton is one of the authors in the “After the Storm” series on the “Love
Inspired” line. That series is good too. And I have two of Minton’s standalone
books.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I also have several “Love Inspired” books by Linda
Goodnight, some are in a series, and one is a standalone. My favorites of hers
are the “Whisper Falls” series and “Special Delivery Baby.” I have four of the “Whisper
Falls” series and five of the “Triple C Cowboys” series. I really should look
up if there is more sometime. Can’t afford to buy more right now though.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then again, I got my first Linda Goodnight for free on
Kindle. Yeah, I’m hooked. Of course, I know that any “Love Inspired” book isn’t
going to have scenes I don’t want to be reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This reminds me, I received three books as Christmas
presents this last year, and I’ve never heard of any of the authors, so I have
no idea what I’d be getting into with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Years ago, I first read Nora Roberts in a Reader’s Digest condensed
book. On reading a full book of hers, I discovered I can only handle her in the
condensed form, and that made me hesitant to read any full works of Dick
Francis. I didn’t delve into his uncondensed works until a friend promised me
his writing was clean.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Hence why I am reluctant to read unknown authors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Not that I haven’t done that. Any book published by Deseret
Book or part of the “Love Inspired”, “Sweet Romance” lines, or family, guarantees to be
a safe read.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, happy writing everyone.</span><o:p></o:p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-64325761191126475922024-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:002024-01-24T08:00:00.265-08:00Of New Years and Old Things by Konnie Enos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UXfZngCeZuw8k-U4p3b0zqLb0hSZuDyS6Z1F-VEb760cZqBBcYD4tKl5fLez7FZMfDjZxvsmqLYNvfiyDdZ3ajo9YX6jSWqxuR_1W2_JQItqnD4jyQ_ojnj_0UDeyCT9ZqMPPHsHlv42eBdionw1Sssm5xmznIDuwqgQFGbK0ENEdeoz9piwpBQNg3k/s411/tired-just-tired-sleepy-meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="411" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UXfZngCeZuw8k-U4p3b0zqLb0hSZuDyS6Z1F-VEb760cZqBBcYD4tKl5fLez7FZMfDjZxvsmqLYNvfiyDdZ3ajo9YX6jSWqxuR_1W2_JQItqnD4jyQ_ojnj_0UDeyCT9ZqMPPHsHlv42eBdionw1Sssm5xmznIDuwqgQFGbK0ENEdeoz9piwpBQNg3k/s320/tired-just-tired-sleepy-meme.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Here it is, nearly the
end of January and I’m thinking about all the things I have not done with this
new year.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I have not read a single
book, not even that pile of books I got for Christmas. (I got somewhere in the
amount of nine or ten new books.) Or any of the new-to-me books I acquired in
the few months preceding December. Though I admit I have tried to read a few of
my books. I think I have three that I’ve started in the last few months and
just never picked up again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I have not done a single handcraft.
I not only have tons of yarn, hooks, and needles in easy reach, but I also have
some knitting looms and some cross stitches I can do. I have all sorts of plans
for all of it, and I have picked them up at least once or twice, but I have not
put any serious effort into it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I have not consistently kept
up with my chores. I’m not cleaning the kitchen regularly and I haven’t been
helping Melinda with planning our weekly menu or writing our weekly shopping list.
I’ve cooked dinner only once, leaving the bulk of it to Melinda. I’m also
behind on keeping my checkbook up to date.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I have not been making my
church meetings. Most of that is I cannot seem to stay awake long enough to get
dressed and ready to go. Most of what I’ve spent my waking hours on is getting
lost in the rabbit hole that is Facebook. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Most importantly, I have
not been writing, or editing any of my work. Or in fact, anything to do with
writing except contributing to this blog. Unless you count thinking about how things
I could change in my current WIPs. I’ve done that but come up with no solid
ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now I know a lack of desire,
or interest in doing things you normally do would be seriously concerning. However,
my lack of action has nothing to do with my lack of interest. It has everything
to do with my lack of energy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">You see, I’ve also been
falling asleep randomly throughout the day and taking two to four-hour naps. That’s
on top of a full night's sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">What I have done this
month (besides wasting time on Facebook) was go to multiple doctor’s
appointments to be poked and prodded to find out why I’m feeling so lousy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">One of the first concerns
was cancer. Fortunately, the test results have already ruled that out. My doctor
also found I had a mild infection, which might account for my tiredness. So, I’m
on antibiotics again. If that doesn’t work, I’ll probably be poked and prodded
some more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My doctor was also able
to determine that I do need a simple surgery. Nothing major. In and out in the
same day. I’ll be having that done in the next month or so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Hopefully, I’ll get back
to having enough energy to attend all my church meetings and keep up with my
chores. The things I normally do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">If I can get that down
again then I can work at adding working on my writing, reading new books, and doing
some handcrafts. I mean there are plenty of hours in the day when you aren’t
falling asleep randomly or wasting time in rabbit holes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">One thing I have done
this month, which I’d like to continue, is watching some movies. Ones I remember
seeing at some point and liked. I started with the original Star Trek movies, those
with the original casts from TOS and TNG. The new ones are available too, so I may
watch those too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Next, I watched The Quiet
Man and McClintock. No, I’m not what I would call a Duke fan. I just like some
of his movies, especially those with Maureen O’Hara. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then I wanted to watch
some movies from when I was young. Netflix has a classics section. I looked
there. The oldest one was from 1984 and most of the rest were from this century.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">How can the classics be
less than 40 years old? That’s right up there with songs released while I was
in high school being played on the oldies station. Or high schools having retro
dances with an 80s theme. In my day it was the 60s. Then again, they are
probably doing 90s themes now. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then in the process of trying
to find some of those old movies I remember from my childhood, I discovered they
were “old” before I was born. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I guess I just prefer the
stuff from my parents’ childhoods.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the day a brighter
day.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-37747125952506534072024-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:002024-01-17T08:00:00.131-08:00Too Cold! by B. L. Hamilton<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0D5RCaMX_rPOF_eL_FCB_3F4ZeAZxI6zMKhjfllLchI-JaEVLjrzauEkJBnRetYhyjXHa5bep4C1GBodq6i3ncAzxz_51VHHyQ1LsONa9MsRK7GSvQ_oP1SZAsuoCzS3nlLG8ODxQAa-Q0JaW4FD5Ff4T0FKMa0EMtQRkNjyUJWRQOoOvpXjvCCS9tFY/s768/winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0D5RCaMX_rPOF_eL_FCB_3F4ZeAZxI6zMKhjfllLchI-JaEVLjrzauEkJBnRetYhyjXHa5bep4C1GBodq6i3ncAzxz_51VHHyQ1LsONa9MsRK7GSvQ_oP1SZAsuoCzS3nlLG8ODxQAa-Q0JaW4FD5Ff4T0FKMa0EMtQRkNjyUJWRQOoOvpXjvCCS9tFY/s320/winter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There is something weird going on with the weather around
here. Today I saw something on Facebook about the temperature in Dallas Texas
being 23 degrees and the temperature in Salt Lake City Utah being 30 degrees!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, when I saw it, the first thing that hit me was
that it was a whopping 30 degrees in Salt Lake City! I found myself wishing it
was that warm here. Then I noted the other city in that meme and wondered what was going on. Is it really colder in Dallas than in Salt
Lake? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Though before I could fully absorb that information, a
friend of mine, who lives in New Orleans, posted it was 17 degrees at her
place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My response was, well at least it wasn’t -2!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">That isn’t to say it was -2 at the time I commented. No, at
that time it was 23 degrees out, just like in Dallas, but it had been, well it
got to -3 Monday night.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">How is this happening?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Dallas and New Orleans being colder than Salt Lake is bad enough,
but to have to deal with negative temperatures here, well, I’m not the only one
having problems.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn’t the only one at Auto Zone yesterday because of
battery issues. There were three other people there with the same issue. And as
that was afternoon, I’m sure they had a lot more come in earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then a friend of mine came over to help me with the new
battery I needed, and he told me he moved from Bear Lake to get away from below-zero weather.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I said at the time that I didn’t think he had moved far
enough south for that and </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I even wished I lived in Vegas with Konnie right now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">He told me Bear Lake gets colder. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, it probably does. Bear Lake, like Rexburg, is at a
much higher altitude than down on the Snake River Plains where we live. And let’s
face it because Pocatello is situated in such a small valley, most storms skip
over us and hit Blackfoot, I.F., and Rexburg with way more than we get here.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I should know, I’ve lived in those places, and even Salt
Lake. Pocatello does not get hit with winter weather as hard as places further
north or at least in much bigger valleys than here. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Which isn’t to say we don’t get hit, because we get hit,
there’s a good six inches outside from this past weekend’s storm. And from
all reports, it was worse out of this valley. Chubbuck and Fort Hall got it
worse. They always do and considering how close they are to Pocatello it still
seems amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">For those of you who don’t know the town I live in, to get
from Pocatello to Chubbuck, you just have to cross a street. And, while driving through
Chubbuck on Yellowstone Ave, about the time you hit the suburbs, you cross into
the Reservation, which doesn’t end until you hit Blackfoot.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Taking Yellowstone Ave, the other way, you get to farms
before you hit Inkom, but there isn’t as much open land there as there used to
be! And Inkom isn’t in this valley either.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And I promise Inkom tends to get hit worse than Pocatello.
Again, this small valley.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I just wish this small valley could protect us from the
cold. At 9:30 last night, it was -4 outside! Yikes! I’m glad I was inside. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, that doesn't include the wind chill factor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s dang cold out there!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But we’re supposed to start warming up tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The forecast is for the high 30s for tomorrow. That is tolerable,
that is what we are used to for this time of year; we are in the north. If this
is the kind of weather down in New Orleans, I can see how they would be miserable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Like how I was in a hot, muggy, Virginia summer. Give me arid
heat any day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Actually, arid weather period. Humidity kicks it up several
notches either way I think. Though it never got this cold in Norfolk while I
lived there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I had quite a few laughs at the reaction of the locals to
the snow. They actually closed the schools over a skiff of snow! I mean you
could still see the grass between what little bits of snow there was, and it
wasn’t laying on the asphalt or concrete.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It was even funnier when there was a run on groceries when a
winter storm was predicted. They acted like they’d be snowed in for weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes you just have to stop and consider where you are,
and what you are used to compared to the people around you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We all have different experiences, or perspectives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, happy writing everyone!</span><o:p></o:p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-78073967665230584482024-01-10T08:00:00.000-08:002024-01-10T08:00:00.239-08:00Of Old Age and New Experiences by Konnie Enos<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy0_obF8t-6ePKXzhXTTaPQok9u8OwebwU4KfCYK7BT8AkKb46PBl4b3U-6aHvSaB24A5Y-XrzH3jpHhiLnIgHpNZGesRiHuFbaihpGDUInRs_Y17R4rcs28RZwkkbIvCdzJI4etDoKOzGrbrHUdig7vpSE3SzPsc4hpAGid1Bc1_K8pK_IMj2DepGAs/s275/grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy0_obF8t-6ePKXzhXTTaPQok9u8OwebwU4KfCYK7BT8AkKb46PBl4b3U-6aHvSaB24A5Y-XrzH3jpHhiLnIgHpNZGesRiHuFbaihpGDUInRs_Y17R4rcs28RZwkkbIvCdzJI4etDoKOzGrbrHUdig7vpSE3SzPsc4hpAGid1Bc1_K8pK_IMj2DepGAs/s1600/grandma.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I have spent the last year with tech issues. One was
my laptop. I liked my laptop, but Royce didn’t because it would randomly have glitches
that he’d have to fix for me. The last one is when it stopped charging altogether.
Laptops are useless without power. They also cost a few hundred dollars. Since
we can’t afford to replace it, I’m stuck sharing with all the men in this
household. Fortunately, they don’t use it very often.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Another issue was my tablet, which was old enough that
any charge only lasted a few hours. Having to charge it two and three times a
day got old. And my phone, even older, was only slightly better. Royce wanted
me to replace them and recently insisted he was going to go pick me up a new
tablet. Which he did go to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">While at the store picking out a new tablet for me, he
called me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I kid you not, my phone glitched so bad it would not
let me answer the phone! After several attempts including shutting my phone off
and restarting it twice, I finally used Jerry’s phone to call him. When he
answered the phone, thinking it was his dad, I was ranting and raving about my
dumb phone glitching. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Without replying to me at all, and as calm as could
be, he addressed the salesperson. “She’d like a new phone too.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It stretched out the transaction a bit but now I have
a new tablet and a new phone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The tablet is a newer version of my old one, so the
navigation and stuff are similar. Learning how to use it has been easy. On the
plus side, it responds every time. My old one had developed a zone that only
responded when it felt like it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now my phone is a completely different issue. It’s a
different brand than I’ve ever had before. I am adjusting to it, but the first
few days I had to ask Royce to yet again explain how to do something simple,
like log onto my phone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Thankfully, I’m not so old that I can’t retain new
information and learn new things. I’m getting along just fine with my new
technology now. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In other news, sometime in November I was conversing
with my Voc Rehab counselor and mentioned that I no longer have a car and would
have issues getting to job interviews or work because my mobility makes taking
the regular bus system impossible. She suggested I apply for paratransit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I consented but was unsure they’d allow me to use that
system. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Yes, I have some mobility issues. But I can still
walk. My issue with the bus system is getting to the bus stops and standing
around waiting for them. I did put in the application, and they did ask me
about what my mobility issues were. They also told me that after I submitted
it, they’d do a review and require me to come in for a mobility assessment. The
entire process was supposed to take at least a month if not two.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I mailed it just before Christmas. The instructions
were to call back in seven days. Due to the holidays, I spaced it until after New
Year’s. As soon as businesses were open again after the holidays, I called them
back. It stunned me when I found out they approved me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Okay. I have doctor’s appointments this month. Let’s
see how things work if it works.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I went to try to set up an appointment. First obstacle.
They will only set up transit three days in advance. So, I waited a few days. When
I went to set things up it was easy, but I learned there was a charge for it. I
have no cash and no budget for all the trips I’d need for my appointments. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">While I was quickly calculating how much I’d need to
cover all those trips, I started reading everything I could find on the site
about paratransit. Especially how to pay for it. In that process, I stumbled upon
the information that Medicaid covered paratransit rides for medical
appointments. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I made a call. Talked to a guy. He confirmed I was in
the system and eligible for rides to medical appointments. I set up the transportation
I needed for my first appointment this month, which was yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">So, for the first time in my life, I used the paratransit
system. While I was sitting on the bus heading to my appointment, I realized I
not only had mobility issues, but I’m a senior citizen, even if I don’t feel or
look it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Mostly, I’m just thankful I can make my appointments
without stressing over finding a ride to them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the day a brighter day.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-72831146989371721152024-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:002024-01-03T08:00:00.140-08:002023 Recap by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSl77cp3-ZbdHKOadcrZUuvWXfJGy1Cw4hCiG_4-KUodt7xHYFMR-f4C0XLJe5DqLnhboteuhQifHRT4iundtOjXGYds8TOnsgnJlATZraRdIfHe_wOX8gfA_AjwF09ZI2eLGG8lSX_uTgsvovmeP0BNA45LXEExoL9v0zq-S8PwfsmzpoMGIbXH-KoEg3/s1000/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSl77cp3-ZbdHKOadcrZUuvWXfJGy1Cw4hCiG_4-KUodt7xHYFMR-f4C0XLJe5DqLnhboteuhQifHRT4iundtOjXGYds8TOnsgnJlATZraRdIfHe_wOX8gfA_AjwF09ZI2eLGG8lSX_uTgsvovmeP0BNA45LXEExoL9v0zq-S8PwfsmzpoMGIbXH-KoEg3/s320/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">A new year has begun and here’s hoping it goes better than ’23
did.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Just for a recap, I ended up in the hospital twice with septic
arthritis. Both times I was on intravenous antibiotics and no work for a couple
of weeks each. Not good for my finances. And I did ask for help, except it wasn’t
enough when my old landlord raised my rent and put the building up for sale. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Here I was trying to figure out how I was going to pay for
the increased rent, and hoping the new owner didn’t raise it more when I started
having major plumbing issues and I couldn’t get a hold of the landlord (he wasn’t
answering his phone, and he didn’t have voice mail set up) so I contacted the
prospective buyer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">They got a hold of my old landlord and told him to fix it,
then called me to ask if he had done it. He hadn’t. The prospective buyer
backed out of the sale just a few days before it was supposed to go
through.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My old landlord blamed me for contacting the prospective
buyer. However, I must point out that they didn’t step out until after my old
landlord didn’t fix the plumbing. But as he considered it my fault, he threatened
to evict me. Thankfully, a friend of mine told me he legally couldn’t evict me
while my rent was current. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Now to just get the plumbing fixed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My friends rallied around me and tried to help, they did the
best they could, but I needed a professional. By this time, my old landlord
refused to talk to me and hung up on any of my friends who tried to talk to
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then another prospective buyer came on the scene. As this
guy lives in Utah, and his brother was right here in Pocatello, he asked his
brother to do a sight visit. Which made for an interesting experience. At the
time, the only occupied apartments were #1, #5, and #6, and all three of us
ladies are members, so we were taken aback when the local mission president and
his wife came to inspect the place. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Mind you, my apartment was not legally habitable.
The mission president asked me if I had help and I told him I did. I promise
things would have been worse without the help of my friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He
was so worried about me that he called the stake president to make sure my ministering
brothers knew of my situation. The stake president called me to find out if I
even knew who that was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The answer is yes, and he was indeed on the list of friends
I’d mentioned to the mission president who was trying to help me, I just never
said he was my ministering brother.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And
the next day the realtor for my old landlord showed up with a plumber who
started on the repairs. By the time the sale finally went through, my place was
up and running again! And better yet we have a new landlord that actually
responds on the same day to repairs. As in, within the hour. And, it turned out that since I hadn’t signed a new lease with the new lease amount, my rent reverted
back to three or four years ago. NICE!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But all that solved the rent problem, but it didn’t really
help me all that much, since I have put one or both of my knees out on
several occasions. I couldn’t walk; getting to work was out of the
question.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">One of those days was the first Monday in December. I was
actually getting ready for work when I turned wrong, and I couldn’t make it to
work. Tuesday, I decided to go out a little early, so I had time to clear my
windows. I was in the middle of trying to do that job when my slick, steep
driveway conspired against me, and I landed hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I missed all that week and part of the next because I couldn’t
sit up. I couldn’t sit, period. And I can’t drive or work lying on my side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I missed most of December between falling
hard on my seat and the office being closed for more days than I care to count.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And last Wednesday I was going to go to work, right up until
I woke up unable to walk. Thanks to my restless legs, I put my knee out in my
sleep!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then on Thursday, I woke up with a head cold.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">So much for December, now the new year has begun and I still
haven’t made it back to work since the Thursday before Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, happy writing everyone! And happy New Year!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p><br /></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-57669292434805215002023-12-27T08:00:00.000-08:002023-12-27T08:00:00.174-08:00Reflections by Konnie Enos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLBar3AshFe7LtskB-x6Q-2VQFm1R9y2xx94NWBQhQxXDNU4Xodxp7MhyphenhyphenmFWpp8jbSGKmqJIu3Pgxp9U9T8T44fDsbbZdG1wspx36AVaAJCbB5Ll1I39VE1x7IlHPHaYKbNV6UbvhRuo_eIaUDWxdmRIAWJLRRVAdEo29F5Gt4bOW0xLhlDqwhTX3sCQ/s179/computer%20grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="179" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLBar3AshFe7LtskB-x6Q-2VQFm1R9y2xx94NWBQhQxXDNU4Xodxp7MhyphenhyphenmFWpp8jbSGKmqJIu3Pgxp9U9T8T44fDsbbZdG1wspx36AVaAJCbB5Ll1I39VE1x7IlHPHaYKbNV6UbvhRuo_eIaUDWxdmRIAWJLRRVAdEo29F5Gt4bOW0xLhlDqwhTX3sCQ/s1600/computer%20grandma.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I’m sitting here reflecting on all that has transpired this
year as it comes to a close. And my family has been pretty battered by it.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The oldest of Jerry’s brothers passed on and doctors told
the youngest of his sisters that her days were numbered. She’s on borrowed time
now. We also had three of our pets cross over the Rainbow Bridge. We still have
dogs in the house, but they are all seniors. Two of them are 14, so the
prospect of losing another one is ever-present. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Thankfully, we have had no major appliances go out this
year. (I think we had enough of that in the previous couple of years.) We did,
however, lose our car and have some computers die. We went from everyone in the
house having their own laptop to four of the five of us sharing one. I was not
at all happy when I was included in that number. Considering the age of my
phone and tablet, and the fact neither one of them holds a charge for long, I
have been planning to replace both all year. You know, just as soon as I could
afford it. My laptop was the newest of the three and still worked great.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Royce would disagree with me because it had weird glitzes regularly,
but it suddenly losing all ability to charge was unexpected. It might be a repairable
issue, but I can’t afford that any more than I can be replacing the phone and
tablet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I suppose it is a plus that the guys in my family do have
other tech and don’t get on this computer very often. There has yet to be any
conflict when two or more of us needed the laptop at the same time. This, thankfully,
means that I can still track our finances and write. Though, predictably, I’m
yet again experiencing writer’s block. I’ve had no new ideas for stories nor
felt like editing what I do have.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We have had some good things happen this year. The biggest
one is that Tony not only found a job that pays well, but he seems to have
found a vocation. I have long believed that not everyone needs a college degree
because there are trades available with apprenticeships and on-the-job
training. All with the plus of good pay. We’ve been telling our boys they
should investigate trade schools. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Earlier this year Tony decided to join an electricians’ union.
He is a general laborer now and has already applied for their apprenticeship. The
last hurdle is an interview, but he’s made a good impression on a few of the journeymen
he works with, and they’ve given him some good references. I don’t think it’s
going to be a problem for him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I will say that he is excited about the pay and benefits,
but he also enjoys the work. It helps that the work isn’t monotonous. All the
other jobs he had were doing the same things day in and day out. Another benefit
is he can always go to the union hall and get another position for any reason.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Finally, my health has been lacking, especially in the last
few months. I’ve been sick, or at least under the weather, about every couple
of weeks for months now. Then this month it’s been the whole month. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Our family was hit with Covid which shut down most outside
activity for a couple of weeks. We didn’t even attempt our weekly shopping
trip. Then, par for the course, I got a secondary bacterial infection. And if
that wasn’t enough, just as I was getting over both of those, I started
experiencing yet another major health issue. As in getting an immediate
appointment with my doctor. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I’m still in the “let’s run some tests” stage, but my doctor
did say there were only two possible causes for my issue. Both would require
surgery. In fact, the same surgery could solve both problems. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">If that weren’t enough, Melinda is also facing a medical
issue. She’s tried a couple of treatments already but at this point, it looks
like she too will need surgery in the next few months. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I am sitting here hoping this next year is better for all of
us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I’m hoping Royce and Melinda find jobs or the means to
complete their education. I’d like to find even a part-time job. Mostly because
Jerry’s fixed income is not keeping up with inflation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We’ve also discussed getting more pets. My big concern is
that Xavier won’t like being the only dog in the house. Not that I expect
Gunner or Ivan to die, but they are 14, and there is still the possibility of
Melinda moving out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Anyway, I hope 2024 is a better year for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the day a brighter day.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-88475433387264005992023-12-20T08:00:00.000-08:002023-12-20T08:00:00.132-08:00Autism And Me by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp_4jLzRyEq9DWZ8-0vOwA3pi4BxGgxqe__ZOY4c-0dgFHV_Kyz7TUDKWGZV7FpzfCZVU3h7QEebddVJCOkOoIJtlU9-v8rNtfZssB1C4_nG3zQn3EH1N2ZYZplDPVBkiqwN7m-JzSr6MRiY02QvZso92XLRl0doyCKX3GZVCRidCWPISZQcGG13Ed070/s1000/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp_4jLzRyEq9DWZ8-0vOwA3pi4BxGgxqe__ZOY4c-0dgFHV_Kyz7TUDKWGZV7FpzfCZVU3h7QEebddVJCOkOoIJtlU9-v8rNtfZssB1C4_nG3zQn3EH1N2ZYZplDPVBkiqwN7m-JzSr6MRiY02QvZso92XLRl0doyCKX3GZVCRidCWPISZQcGG13Ed070/s320/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This last week my niece, Claire, received the official diagnosis
she is on the Spectrum. This has been quite a journey for our family.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I can’t remember how long ago it was, a couple of years at
least, if not more, but Claire sent her mother (Konnie) an article about adult
women who are on the spectrum. Claire sent it to Konnie because she felt the
article described herself and she wanted her mother’s opinion. Konnie read the
article and found more that described me than it did Claire.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This is not to say that it didn’t describe Claire, it’s just
that I do more of the things it listed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Within a couple of months of reading that article, I went to
a psychiatrist who asked me a ton of questions, noted my answers, and sure
enough I am on the Spectrum.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Claire had a harder time finding someone who would evaluate
her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, each time I read more about adult women who have
gone undiagnosed and or unrecognized as being on the spectrum, I find something
I did or still do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have previously mentioned how my mother made excuses for me not looking people in the eye, and my stepmother yelled at me for playing
with my hair while I was studying, but I’ve done some other things that were obvious
signs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I recently came across this meme:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Me: I’m Autistic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My parents: There were no signs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Me as a child:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Eats food in order (in my case my least favorite
food to my most favorite food)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Wouldn’t wear certain fabrics (or in my case
hats)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Food aversions (absolutely!)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lining up toys (I don’t recall doing this one)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Organizing things in order (I am a little OCD)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Extreme obsessions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Violent meltdowns (YIP!)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Huge imagination (Duh)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Couldn’t express feelings (true)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Kept getting in trouble for being rude (big
time)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Scared of social situations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Particularly good at problem solving puzzles but
not knowing simple things like the meaning of words (I didn’t have this
problem, not with Dictionary for a big sister)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Repeating sounds or sayings I hear from other
people or the TV.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Verbally stimming<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Physically stimming<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">n<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->fidgeting<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn’t do all of these, but I did quite a few. I also
have to point out that both of my parents were dead long before Claire read
that article, so they never had a chance to say there were no signs, but I
think they might have.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps, I should ask my stepmother her opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then again, maybe not. I read one meme that stated that
Autism is highly genetic. Then it went on to say there is a huge flaw in the diagnosis
process where parents are expected to know if there is anything “different” about
their child, but well, how are they to know when its likely their whole family
is on the spectrum?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, when I was growing up Autism effected only white
boys, period, and the big one was that they were nonverbal. Not even the pros
of that era would have considered me as being on the spectrum.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I am white, but very much female, and I was never nonverbal.
Konnie and I did use “twin speak” when we were little, which is why we took speech
therapy in our early years of grade school. And I have mentioned this before. I
was never nonverbal; We were just slow to speak in a language the adults around
us understood.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This is actually a common problem with twins, particularly
identical twins.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But aside from all that, reading up on it, I have found some
other things I did or still do that place me on the spectrum.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We can start with scratching and or picking at scabs. Yes,
that’s on the list.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Another one is constantly rehearsing conversations or interactions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">May often, fidget, chew, tap, or do other repetitive
behaviors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">May struggle with situations that are unfamiliar (absolutely
true!)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">May chew, rub, or tap certain materials obsessively.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I could go on; the list is pretty long.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">What I find most interesting is that on the top of list of “bizarre
neurodivergence things” is something called “nesting.” On the spectrum, “Nesting”
is having a certain spot, and having certain things nearby to that spot at all
times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">You can ask Konnie, I do that.<br />Nobody, and I mean nobody has
any trouble figuring out where I sit in my living room, even if I’m not sitting
at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, I also tend to mimic people in order to blend
in. I’ve caught myself doing it a time or two.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, happy writing everyone! And Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year!</span><o:p></o:p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-15948786713143038522023-12-13T08:00:00.000-08:002023-12-13T08:00:00.264-08:00Of Gifts and Birthdays by Konnie Enos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SZe_0VVGI1xta-IXUA4jFCxJBSSRq_ulU8OsSThppYkR_R_RCelE-MWhyyz2ViOcLqzxnknORD3u7p_yGXhEXwnaD6aluMPK6Phb6uL5MdEZ-FVFqoeKZ12Vy0y9ZViqmNzSwu3SUNTLCAJ57fL-g_1800ndllfVIZ1bopGmMQfNsa2Qz8WnGEshJnc/s130/gifts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="130" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SZe_0VVGI1xta-IXUA4jFCxJBSSRq_ulU8OsSThppYkR_R_RCelE-MWhyyz2ViOcLqzxnknORD3u7p_yGXhEXwnaD6aluMPK6Phb6uL5MdEZ-FVFqoeKZ12Vy0y9ZViqmNzSwu3SUNTLCAJ57fL-g_1800ndllfVIZ1bopGmMQfNsa2Qz8WnGEshJnc/w147-h147/gifts.png" width="147" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My oldest posted yesterday about the small number of gifts
under her Christmas tree, and why they weren’t doing more. She mentioned what
Christmas was like growing up, with the effort I put into gift-giving. Which
got me thinking about what Christmas was like for me growing up.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Some years, we were lucky if there was anything under the tree
or in our stockings. In others, it took us hours to open everything. The big
difference was well, Momma couldn’t provide as much as Dad could. There were
reasons for this, none of which was Dad being a deadbeat dad. He did all he
could. It's just things were better financially the years we lived with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Anyway, I never wanted my kids to feel those lean years. I
tried so hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I scrimped all year, so I’d have some money for gifts. Some
years, that even worked. For other years, I pulled together scraps of cloth and
yarn and made doll blankets for my girls. One year I put together a simple
picture book with construction paper, printer paper, my rough drawings, and a
poem I wrote. When I had money, I spent most of it at thrift stores. And I
found charities, even Toys for Tots, to sign up for, just to make sure they had
something. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">One year, I’d managed to sign up for Toys for Tots, made
them something (the book), and saved some money for Christmas. On top of Toys
for Tots giving us tons, our congregation provided us with a bunch too. It was
probably our biggest Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I remember that year, I was told I could only sign up the
kids I already had for Toys for Tots, not the one I was expecting near Christmas.
When it came time to pick up what they had for us, my baby was a few days old. They
let me pick up a couple of small things for him too because he’d been born a
couple of weeks earlier than expected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Even after our finances became, well, steady, and putting
money aside each month for gifts was possible, we’d frequently run into
unplanned financial strains, like car repairs. Or replacing broken appliances. The
help I sought and some that just found us was always a blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">One thing I can say is that my methods of gift-giving have
changed over the years. One, I no longer look for charities to help. My kids
are adults now, and we have a steady income so I can usually save enough for
Christmas. (Usually, baring unforeseen events like replacing appliances or major
repairs on expensive items, like cars, or central air conditioning systems.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">There are other changes too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I used to aim to spend the same amount on everyone. This
could end up with one person getting a big stack of less expensive gifts and another
getting only one or two more expensive ones. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then I tried spreading the money out over three or four
gifts each. This didn’t allow for nicer gifts but at least everyone was getting
the same number. This method also made it difficult to find enough ideas for
gifts for everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then I found the suggestion to get each person exactly three
gifts, something they could use (such as clothes), something to read (yes, a
book), and something fun. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I tried it for one year. Two family members (who shall
remain nameless) complained about the books (for different reasons). I seem to
recall one or two (or maybe three) objecting to my choice of useful things (the
clothes). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I dropped that idea quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now I aim for one or two gifts each and try to find things
the recipient will appreciate. (And that can be hard with the guys in our family.)
To keep in mind my limited funds, I have a price range for each gift. Some I
might go over a bit, but others I go under, so I don’t end up not having enough
gifts for everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Anyway, we aren’t taking several hours just opening gifts. Hopefully,
everyone is getting things they like. (No more complaints.) And on the plus
side, I don’t have to spend days, or all night on Christmas Eve, wrapping
gifts. This year I finished shopping and had wrapped all but the pet gifts,
before Thanksgiving, which is my goal. I can spend December focusing on other
things. Like the reason we celebrate Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I didn’t know I’d be spending this month isolating with
covid but at least I don’t have to worry about what I still need to do for
Christmas while I’m recuperating. And I’m still remembering that Anthony will
be 24 tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the day a brighter day.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-65469517693048746452023-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:002023-12-06T08:00:00.147-08:00Car Trouble and Other Accidents<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL92DfylzXBDUTaz-l_-COYHuwg2dMpgWF66JD12GKR1lR9ElQSCc1nSHwvq-U_CVCHvAl_x0OfAVqtb44er_ISdFGiF3Xcsuep-SjZvQM9RvrECOfkAkI3Q0X0v6SdsGWt3KosFMhyb7y-gaRvGa9jLMtoQ4hA6taFTLTWTWhreqRteDrL2UAM0hcfMQ/s478/laptop.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="478" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL92DfylzXBDUTaz-l_-COYHuwg2dMpgWF66JD12GKR1lR9ElQSCc1nSHwvq-U_CVCHvAl_x0OfAVqtb44er_ISdFGiF3Xcsuep-SjZvQM9RvrECOfkAkI3Q0X0v6SdsGWt3KosFMhyb7y-gaRvGa9jLMtoQ4hA6taFTLTWTWhreqRteDrL2UAM0hcfMQ/s320/laptop.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, National Novel Writers Month is over, and I’m glad I
managed to reach 50k so early in the month this time because I didn’t get much
beyond that thanks to life getting in the way, and this last week winter got in
the way too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Last Tuesday, while Konnie was probably fretting about her
post for the following day, I hurried outside to scrape the ice off my car
windows, and only got three windows before I slipped on the frozen over snow
and landed hard on my derriere. I guess I should count myself lucky that I have
so much natural padding that I only bruised my rear, rather than breaking
anything.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The only thing is I ended up spending the week unable to sit
up without a bunch of pillows under me. Good thing I have so many. However, it
wasn’t good that I couldn’t manage work. Five hours sitting on my
bruised behind was bad enough yesterday. Last week was impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And that only added to my problems.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">You see, the week before, I got Thanksgiving off (I usually
don’t work Fridays, so I had that off too) but a storm came through Wednesday
night. Thanksgiving I was socked in by fog. I called my sister-in-law and we agreed
to postpone it until Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Come Saturday the first thing I had to deal with was all the
frozen snow on my car. I managed to get all the windows except the windshield,
and I couldn’t budge any of it. I ended up getting my very nice neighbor to
come out and scrap my window and while he did that, I tried to start my car.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Tried being the operative word. My battery was dead. And
being broke I couldn’t call a service to jump me. I called my friend, whose husband
has helped me before with my car.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The problem was, he wasn’t home, and had her car. By the end
of the day my car was running again but we had already postponed it until
Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We did manage to get together then, and I was followed home
by a man for the first time in my life. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>My cousin, Steve, knowing all the car troubles
I’ve had lately, insisted on making sure I got home safely, w</span><span>hich was actually nice of him.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then Monday happened. I got up in time for work and hurrying
around to get dressed, when I turned wrong, and put my knee out, again. Yeah, I
didn’t make it work on Monday last week, then I took my spectacular spill on
Tuesday trying to get work on time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">That was a great week. Here I am barely making ends meet and
I lost a whole week of work, which didn’t do me any good. By Sunday I was so
anxious about my finances that I had trouble sleeping. Then, when I finally did
get to sleep, I slept right through my alarm and woke up, still groggy, only to
discover I was late for work! As in, I should have already been there. And I
was barely awake enough to realize I had to call in. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It was one in the afternoon before I was able to put two
coherent thoughts together beyond that. Yeah, it was not a good start to a new week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And then I woke up yesterday feeling a little sick to my
stomach, and I thought I might have to call in again, which I didn’t want to do
not just because of the money but because I felt they were getting tired of my
excuses, no matter how valid they were.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, after getting something to eat, I was able to
get out the door. I’d gone out early thinking I might have to at least scrape
windows, but a warm front had come in. Temps were up in the fifties.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And yes, Konnie probably thinks that fifty is cold because
she’s gotten so used to warmer climates first in coastal Washington and Oregon now
in Las Vegas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The last time I visited her, I had to borrow one of her jackets
because my coat was too heavy for the weather, but there was enough of a breeze
I needed something. I do recall I borrowed her unlined windbreak; she was using
her fleece-lined jacket.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I also recall her friends at church bundled up in parkas and
complaining about how cold it was. Remember, I was wearing my sister’s windbreaker not my winter coat, and they were complaining about it being freezing
outside.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Right about now, I wish I could move south for the winter.
There is no way I would stay there for the summer, too warm! But it would be
nice if I could go for the winter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, happy writing everyone!</span><o:p></o:p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-80000353553672959432023-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:002023-11-29T08:00:00.136-08:00Of Decorations, Food, Family, and Celebrations <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD08s1Z3lEyOaCeYsLaEAbnIBAVqP06EkwR9CSM5GMDqUubZmgsp5QR7Le2nPt1ckw6-ui7Tb6aEfeQBE3FF6MQJevhJMSLcMf57dRz0tm-i0KO_xlABkqsEsctscVDJ4L8Cy65Win2FcK46-a9txShlhq-x1VNhGxr121xKHXLJ03WQl2SfhY-nEAP7s/s238/christmas%20tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="212" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD08s1Z3lEyOaCeYsLaEAbnIBAVqP06EkwR9CSM5GMDqUubZmgsp5QR7Le2nPt1ckw6-ui7Tb6aEfeQBE3FF6MQJevhJMSLcMf57dRz0tm-i0KO_xlABkqsEsctscVDJ4L8Cy65Win2FcK46-a9txShlhq-x1VNhGxr121xKHXLJ03WQl2SfhY-nEAP7s/s1600/christmas%20tree.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Currently, my mind is on Christmas.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The few presents I have left to wrap, and I’m considering
not wrapping them. What food and treats we will need for our celebrations. Then
there is the decorating.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Though I’m not sure why the food and decorations are such a
big part of nearly all our celebrations. I mean you can enjoy the holidays
without indulging in extravagant meals or eating sweets. But it seems we tend
to do both. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Anyway, yesterday I was talking to Melinda about our plans
for the holiday season. First, what meal we will prepare so we can start
planning for it. I fail to see why we must have two such large meals only a
month apart. I’m all for making a smaller, simpler meal especially to give some
relief to our chief cook (Melinda). She, however, wants a nice meal and I suppose
since she is cooking it, it’s her choice. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then we discussed what treats we would need for the holiday.
Pies and cakes seem to be enough sweets to celebrate Thanksgiving, but other holidays
require candy for some reason. And there are both traditional (candy canes) and
family preferences to consider. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After that, we moved to decorating the house.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I have heard of people who decorate for every holiday and
season, but I’ve never done that. Probably because my mother (and stepmother
for that matter) never bothered to decorate for any other event. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I like making my house all festive for the season. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The nice big tree in the corner covered in baubles, memories,
and lights with brightly wrapped packages underneath. The wreath on the door
and lights trimming the exterior of the house. And further greens and lights decorate
surfaces within the house. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then there are the displays.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Christmas villages. Santa and his reindeer. Mistletoe. And,
of course, the nativities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It takes a lot of effort to put out the displays of the season,
but I like the result and how it makes a home look and feel. So, Melinda and I
discussed what we could do to decorate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I lost my wreath a few years ago so we talked about getting
a new one and ways to prevent it from disappearing from our door. Thankfully we
now have a doorbell camera so it might deter someone from stealing. However,
that isn’t going to stop the wind from blowing it away, which is what I suspect
happened to mine. So, we talked about what we could use to tie the wreath to
the door hanger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then we talked about our tree, or rather trees, and where we
would put it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Normally we have a six-foot tree we put in the corner of the
living room. We currently do not have access to that corner because we have
storage there. I suppose the mess in our garage and the clutter elsewhere in
our house is the price you pay for marrying a packrat and settling down for
nearly two decades in one place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">So, all we have room to put up is our two-foot tree and our few
stockings. This year we won’t have a wall of stockings with nearly twenty of
them. There are a lot fewer people, and furry family members here now. RIP
Reeses, Mabel, and Tiger. Wishing Clarissa and her family could visit again, and
that Tina and Bonnie would be able to come. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I might do bodily harm to Tony if he doesn’t come home for
the holiday. He won’t be working those days and it’s not like he can’t afford
to travel that far. He’s earning good money and it’s only the other side of the
state, not two states or more away. Or like Tina, clear across the country. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">But I think what I miss most about the holiday is putting out
my nativity and Christmas village. I even have a train to go with it now. What
I don’t have is room to display them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Oh, the nativity itself isn’t super huge. It could be put on
something as small as a TV tray. So, maybe I could find a corner for it. But I’ve
always put them side by side and it feels wrong not to do both. That and I want
to see my Christmas village set up since I’ve added pieces to it since the last
time I could. My nativity set hasn’t changed in the over thirty years I’ve had
it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I have looked at ways and means to set up a Christmas
village without taking up a lot of space but no matter how you go about it, it
still needs some space. It’s the space we don’t have.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And finally, the reason we celebrate Christmas. So maybe I
do need to find a place for that nativity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the day a brighter day.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-16551302038859743912023-11-22T08:00:00.000-08:002023-11-22T08:00:00.149-08:00Of Writing, Baking, and the Internet by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt_Y15Vxmr40YQD0jT3T_zFhgUrb6Lyp95mN3kvDd-KMoHUjpti78A58WeY-SCux9gkVREWzQgh9KUaRuAVuElrNIPh-xQTyr5i1i_1Aulv-rHUORVmCtG8wpgyx2c0obRV6hRcizRBoXkKIf5c0ao8ei94IqkjcbPtD9IiqYZHVpljjj1YIylXguDA9c/s1024/slow%20progress.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt_Y15Vxmr40YQD0jT3T_zFhgUrb6Lyp95mN3kvDd-KMoHUjpti78A58WeY-SCux9gkVREWzQgh9KUaRuAVuElrNIPh-xQTyr5i1i_1Aulv-rHUORVmCtG8wpgyx2c0obRV6hRcizRBoXkKIf5c0ao8ei94IqkjcbPtD9IiqYZHVpljjj1YIylXguDA9c/w248-h248/slow%20progress.png" width="248" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I am going to make this post short and sweet because I haven’t
got a lot of time to write it. For starters, my internet was down for several days,
and I wasn’t about to get much writing done since I couldn’t access the cloud
or anything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then of course there is the fact that today is the day
before Thanksgiving, and I have some baking to do before tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I admit that what baking I have to do is nothing compared to
how busy Konnie is preparing for her Thanksgiving dinner. At Konnie’s house, everything is fixed from scratch, and I mean everything, including the bread
for the stuffing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">At my place, I’m only providing a couple of desserts. Yes,
from scratch, but well, there aren’t going to be a lot of people at my sister’s-in-law
tomorrow. There just isn’t room over there for a lot of people, so I won’t need
to make a bunch of pies, which Konnie is doing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">As far as Nano goes, I actually finished the challenge on
the 12<sup>th</sup>, much to Konnie’s surprise. I did post that fact on
Facebook, and Konnie thought I was just posting that I was participating again
this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">No, I made my goal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have since added a few more words to my novel, just not a
whole lot due mostly to my internet issues, but I can also blame the write-in I
attended Saturday where the entire group got distracted when one of our members
was having trouble finding the answer to a research question she had.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">That took up a large chunk of the time we had for our
write-in as everyone tried to find the answer for her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the other members went so far as to call a friend and
ask her if she knew the answer. She didn’t off the top of her head, but she
managed to find the answer just as we were packing up to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The problem was solved, but I went home to find my internet was
down, so I wasn’t able to have what had become my usual weekend marathon of
writing. And my internet was down until last night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I guess I should be happy that I am already past the 50k
mark, I was just hoping I could manage something along the lines of what I did
when I wrote book one of this series. That was the year I got over 90k in November. And I was doing so well! After
all, I did make 50k well before the 15<sup>th</sup> and when I wrote the first
book, I was at like 30k on the 15<sup>th</sup>. Yeah, I did a ton of writing in
the last half of that month.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">At least there is still time to get a bunch more words and I
do have another weekend to do another marathon of writing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">On another note, a librarian friend of mine asked for a copy
of the first book so she could read it. She was very excited to read it and
even offered to get a copy for the library once I felt it was polished.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I had told her it was a rough draft.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I personally think she has too much faith in my writing as
she made that offer before she read the manuscript.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I need to get a bunch of stuff done before work today,
so I’m going to say, <br />
“Happy Thanksgiving! And happy writing everyone!”</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-45532632504828556202023-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:002023-11-15T08:00:00.139-08:00Of Reading and Favorites by Konnie Enos<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffNfao9EIMxPqZd2P5L1SlXhleQ1FHh2GewUcUxflBkrwUlisI2esEGx47OuKmF7thcNLXtKoBhvJqwNRev8PTYb75MyRlYCipecspKLYJDWASan4QB_YcaVZH3_v6E0Hb6sp6xgeRwuzLrVNJn6gcjxp1LRkBui1K2hvZUdyCeLsMRKqouu7QRBNgzg/s490/Girl%20reading.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="490" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffNfao9EIMxPqZd2P5L1SlXhleQ1FHh2GewUcUxflBkrwUlisI2esEGx47OuKmF7thcNLXtKoBhvJqwNRev8PTYb75MyRlYCipecspKLYJDWASan4QB_YcaVZH3_v6E0Hb6sp6xgeRwuzLrVNJn6gcjxp1LRkBui1K2hvZUdyCeLsMRKqouu7QRBNgzg/s320/Girl%20reading.gif" width="320" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Bonnie’s post last week about favorite authors got me thinking.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My very first thought was about going to the big city
library with my siblings. Sometime after we’d mastered all those stories about
Dick, Jane, Sally, and Spot we were able to get our library card and could
check out any books we wanted to read. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The city library was a big building. I know it was two
stories and it might have been three. The check-out desk was easily seen from
the entrance and just to the side of the children’s section where all the bookcases
were half-height. It was in this lovely section that I was introduced to the
delights of Gertrude Warner (Boxcar Children) and Sydney Taylor (All-of-a-Kind-Family).
It may also be where I was introduced to The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. I’m
sure there were many others but those were the ones I remember still. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then in school, I was introduced to more delights. The
type of book I gravitated to was historical fiction. I particularly loved those
stories about famous people, especially Americans. Yes, I have a copy of Across
Four Aprils. I also used to have a copy of the three-book set on Abraham
Lincoln by Carl Sandburg (Yes, I know that was a biography). Little House on
the Prairie? Anne of Green Gables? I’ve read those too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In school, I was also introduced to the delights of
Scholastic Books. I’m sure that’s where I got my copy (still have it) of
Pollyanna. It’s also how I got my first copies of Boxcar Children and All-of-a-Kind-Family.
I kept these and other favorites until a certain child, who shall remain nameless,
got ahold of them. (She has replaced some of them.) When my children started
getting forms to order Scholastic books, and I could afford a few, I’d get me
one or two. However, the last time I got a Scholastic Book they were no longer
doing the order forms, but book fairs in the schools. It was a book about the U.S.
presidents through Obama (shows how long ago that was). Maybe my grandkids will
invite me to one of theirs someday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then there are books I’ve been introduced to later in
life, like A Wrinkle in Time. I don’t remember when I first heard of Madeleine L’Engle,
but I know I have a copy of that book and would love to have others of her
work. I’ve also read Ray Bradbury and Orson Scott Card (some of those on
writing) and am actively searching for other sci-fi authors I would enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then there’s fantasy. I have enjoyed books by Terry
Brooks and J.R.R. Tolkien. I was introduced to my first fantasy in sixth grade.
Someone gave Bonnie and me a boxed set of The Chronicles of Narnia. I dove
right in, and though she read them, she wasn’t as enthralled as I was. I ended
up with them and kept them until they disintegrated. I acquired another set. I
wore those out too. I think my above-mentioned child helped me wear out, or lose,
the third set. My husband got me a large bound copy of it. And…. I wore it out
too. I got my newest copy since the pandemic. Since I love sci-fi as well, I
also have a copy of C.S. Lewis’s sci-fi books (all three stories, bound in one book).
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then there are the books and authors I learned about because
of my insistence on reading the books my kids brought home from school. Either
from class reading assignments or because the teacher just gave a stack of them
to my daughter, for keeps, because he knew she loved to read. One of those
books was Alanna: The First Adventure. I’ve been hooked on Tamora Pierce’s
Tortal books ever since. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I have
all the currently released Tortal books, all 19 of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I also like romances. I have a nice physical pile of
romances (most of those are the Love Inspired imprint). Not to mention at least
half my Kindle books are romances. The one romance author I have the most novels
by is Arelene James (she writes for Love Inspired). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then there are some by friends of mine, mostly sci-fi
or fantasy. Such as Dragon Protocol by Ali Archer, and Noman’s Land by Mel
Newman. L.C. Ireland is a great writer too, though I have never met her. Bonnie
has though, L.C. is one of her husband’s nieces. I enjoy her books Fatal Heir and
Horrid. Not of a fantasy or sci-fi nature, and probably the best of this bunch,
is Gawain: A Novel of Arthurian Legend by my friend Paul McLerran. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">As you can tell from this list, I’m eclectic in my
reading choices. After all, variety is the spice of life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the world a better place.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-80828919374238892422023-11-08T08:00:00.034-08:002023-11-08T08:00:00.137-08:00Favorite Authors by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKsjL0LV_1Ibd5D_lexXHdOypZd3GCrjoq-e-BviaGsabvHX_FMTZWxNQ-e2GjoMr_gldBWm-J_s3OfbAqn5ytbDFTgJTx-sZHD2SX2FQ15wWMYOvCFqy6atnZPWhEE-xEzudWD1IzzoZpf0ZcdxdCUx5uojwov0IO9jQkw65mO8xVEhMLA04RapbSki6/s900/books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKsjL0LV_1Ibd5D_lexXHdOypZd3GCrjoq-e-BviaGsabvHX_FMTZWxNQ-e2GjoMr_gldBWm-J_s3OfbAqn5ytbDFTgJTx-sZHD2SX2FQ15wWMYOvCFqy6atnZPWhEE-xEzudWD1IzzoZpf0ZcdxdCUx5uojwov0IO9jQkw65mO8xVEhMLA04RapbSki6/s320/books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Not too long ago, an author I know on Facebook, asked
her followers who their three favorite authors were. It took me a minute, but I
did come up with a list of four authors, the problem is it was far from
accurate. She would have gotten a different answer if she specified a genre.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a ton of favorite authors, all depending on the
genre.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">For instance, my three favorite mystery authors are Dick and
Felix Francis and Jana Deleon, which is interesting because the Francis father
and son duo write straight mysteries. In contrast, Jana Deleon writes closer to cozy
mysteries but it's more on the misadventure level or maybe a “fish out of water”
scenario. To put it frankly, the Francis duo writes intense mysteries and Deleon
writes hilarious stories.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Now on the other hand, if she had picked the genre of
romance, well, there are so many sub-genres, but I’ll stick with two. In the
sub-genre of LDS romance, my favorite is Sharon Downing Jarvis, with an apology
to my Facebook friend who originally asked the question, because that is her
genre too! And my favorite sweet romance author is Linda Goodnight. If I had to
come up with three, I’d say my favorite on a more secular level would have to be Muriel Jenson, but I think that is because she has a very accurate description
of what it is like to have twin babies, she’s also kind of lighthearted about
it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Now for children’s authors, I guess I could say J.K. Rowling because the Harry Potter series is supposed to be in that category, but I tend
to think of her works as more in the fantasy genre, so I’d go with Gertrude Chandler Warner for children’s author. And yes,
she is a mystery author, but also a children’s author. Judy Blume could also be
considered a children’s author for at least some of her work, but my favorites
of hers are more in the YA romance category.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have Agatha Christie, Ken Follett, and James Patterson in my mystery
collection as well, and they are all excellent authors in their own right.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Another favorite author of
mine is Jason Wright author of Christmas Jars and Richard Paul Evans author
of The Christmas Box, though I admit I like works of both men that fall into
different genres than these, it is these books that introduced me to their
wonderful writing skills.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I also like biographies
and autobiographies though the majority of those I have are for past and
present General Authorities of my church, I do have a few on historical figures
and even current celebrities; however, in this case, I can only think of one favorite autobiography, that would C.S. Lewis. But I also could mention that
I like Emma Bombeck’s books a lot and I have several.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And I could name so many
other authors mostly because I’m so widely read. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">In the category of
historical fiction, I’d have to with G. Lund. Yes, he is LDS historical fiction
but well, all of my historical fiction is LDS, since the only other stuff I
have in that genre are by the Yorgason brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Though I do have at least
one book by the Yorgason brothers that is non-fiction, and I couldn’t begin to
name all the inspirational non-fiction LDS authors I have, so I’m not going to
try.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have one favorite author
who is the aunt of a friend of mine. I in fact learned of her through his wife.
The author is Julie Helm, and her book is The Crooked Swan. It is such a sweet story,
you should read it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Now in the fantasy genre,
I’ve already named two; J.K. Rowling and C.S. Lewis, except I like his
autobiography more than Chronicles of Narnia. The other author I have in this genre
is Frank L. Baum for obvious reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And this list doesn’t even
mention Dorothy Gillman, Mark Twain, Frances Hodson Burnett, or Victor Hugo.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">In short, I am a writer and
as such I am a reader and I really like a lot of different genres. I mostly write romance in both sweet and YA, but well one of my supposedly sweet
romances is actually speculative fiction. I don’t even think I have any books
in that genre, so I don’t know how that happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And then there is my
sci-fi, except on that level I do have a few favorites. Starting with Gene
Roddenberry and William Shatner. I might add I like Leonard Nimoy too but his
falls in the autobiography and poetry genres.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And yes, I am a big fan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Konnie’s list, however, would
be totally different from mine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, Happy writing
everyone!</span><o:p></o:p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-72387088069171245762023-11-01T08:29:00.004-07:002023-11-01T08:29:54.161-07:00Of Holidays and Celebrations by Konnie Enos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBySKrvFzGRlTGcjX5TU1eyT8yXZFhlzdncHRd2XOnn8T3y2799WoFq43n-6MUvBW_J5rAgYTokN-gbQnaVwnEYLQTofRIILaIv5fkrvxO-4O2tb-bchQdld1V_O3kLDEmU3sv6jJ1S4nGaBxsqVgFcf-iAjMWobIm-ZIU3wKCkm2-0K5TFUiEyQ6WapU/s500/medium-nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="500" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBySKrvFzGRlTGcjX5TU1eyT8yXZFhlzdncHRd2XOnn8T3y2799WoFq43n-6MUvBW_J5rAgYTokN-gbQnaVwnEYLQTofRIILaIv5fkrvxO-4O2tb-bchQdld1V_O3kLDEmU3sv6jJ1S4nGaBxsqVgFcf-iAjMWobIm-ZIU3wKCkm2-0K5TFUiEyQ6WapU/s320/medium-nativity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Where
has the time gone?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It’s
already November.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The
time of the year when businesses start advertising all their Black Friday deals
and gift ideas. The time of year when people plan gluttonous meals and go
frantic about buying stuff. All to celebrate the season.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It’s
the season for the idea that we must spend tons, buying piles and piles of what
amounts to extravagances. All those things we would like to have but would
never actually buy because we can do without them, they’re too costly, they’re
not necessary. But somehow buying those things as gifts for others once a year
is acceptable. The season when the planning and execution of one very large
meal is vital to the well-being of everyone, somehow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We
put so much emphasis on the gifts and the food that we’ve lost the real meaning
of this season of celebrations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We
do celebrate Thanksgiving with food, and Christmas with gifts, but we’ve lost
the meaning of why we do these celebrations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Why
food?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Thanksgiving
began as a celebration of a bountiful harvest and food, AND friends. But it’s
not about the food, or the friends, or even family. It’s about giving thanks. This
is the perfect season to count our blessings and see what God has done. Wouldn’t
it be wonderful if we all spent this month daily adding to our list of the
blessings we’ve received. That’s the way to celebrate giving thanks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Christmas
is a celebration of gifts, family and friends, but more than that, it’s the
celebration of CHRIST. Far too often people take Christ out of Christmas
(literally and figuratively). Wouldn’t we all feel better about the season if
we put him back into it? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Instead
of focusing so hard on the gifts we give, or might get, how about focusing on giving
Christ some gifts. We’re celebrating his birth after all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">What
can we give him?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Our
service. Serve others. Find ways to help and uplift those around you. The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors Giving Machines during the
season, providing us with opportunities to help people at home, and worldwide. Just
Serve (<a href="https://www.justserve.org/">https://www.justserve.org/</a>) has
opportunities to serve in your own community. Find one, or more, that you’d
like to help and support and donate your time, or money. Ask in your own
community, your church, or find ways to uplift others as you go about your day.
A smile can go a long way and doesn’t cost a thing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And
maybe, just maybe, you can sit down and reflect on the life of Christ. Even if
you don’t believe in his divine mission, reflect on the life he lived. A man of
honor, kindness, acceptance, forgiveness, and boundless love. A man who quietly
served, and taught, how to be a better person. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then
after you’ve done those things, maybe the effort you put into that big meal, or
all those gifts will take on a different significance. Maybe you’ll stop
fussing about the turkey cooked to perfection or the exact right amount and
variety of side dishes and instead focus on the friends and family you get to
spend time with. Maybe instead of focusing on buying that huge pile of gifts you’ll
focus on the people you want to bless, serve, help, love be it with a small
gesture, or a large one. But one that will greatly touch those you give them
to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Sorry,
this is not only shorter than usual, but late. However, I’m leaving this here
to give each of you time to think about how you’ll celebrate the season.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Happy
Holidays, one and all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile.
Make the day a brighter day.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-72976804129230126912023-10-25T08:00:00.028-07:002023-10-25T08:00:00.178-07:00NANO, Sci-Fi's and Editing by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7F9HK-ZfcsulxXbGWUlSQ1jzSG9eVBoMmG-fOUEJXX10Kh5-k8YjO9EVgXT1IGy7rxEbt9LN4UmbPQ-QYVmhYf6gtfpwKsJPA66o4bKd1YCNzS_Y0vx0aehCZyEJ3fDK1_8_kIZfkzpTlI_jtY7PnzrQkCzW2Io_ELLjKP4I-wwnKYJRevnwwHFG8anx6/s478/laptop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="478" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7F9HK-ZfcsulxXbGWUlSQ1jzSG9eVBoMmG-fOUEJXX10Kh5-k8YjO9EVgXT1IGy7rxEbt9LN4UmbPQ-QYVmhYf6gtfpwKsJPA66o4bKd1YCNzS_Y0vx0aehCZyEJ3fDK1_8_kIZfkzpTlI_jtY7PnzrQkCzW2Io_ELLjKP4I-wwnKYJRevnwwHFG8anx6/s320/laptop.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> I have been working on my sci-fi like I said I would, just less than I had hoped. I did get to the point where I was ready to bridge
the new scenes with the old stuff, whereupon I realized I didn’t “show” the
correct stuff in some of the new scenes, and I even once showed them doing
something that came later in the old stuff!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">So now I have to do some major rewriting of a portion of the
new scenes. Thankfully not all of them. But the most annoying part of all this
is I didn’t show my hero’s emotions correctly in the new scenes. How could I
have forgotten what was going on in the part of the story I did keep?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then there is the issue that my office has been closed for the last two
days. So today is my first day back at work this week. I’m having some financial
issues, and yet another check is going to be short. I can barely make ends meet
if I don’t miss any work. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">On the bright side, I did go through my sci-fi manuscript, and I
have removed the portion that is actually the second book of the series to a
separate file. That does need some changes made, but I’ll work on it later.
Right now, I want to finish book one!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And I am so close. I swear I am.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Once I fix the errors I made in the new scenes, it will mostly
minor changes and simple editing. And believe me, major changes take way
longer than minor changes and simple fixes. The major stuff is always a
problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The worst part is I always seem to get to a point in the day
when no words continue to come. It’s like my brain shuts down after a certain
number of pages of writing. I’m lucky if I can manage ten pages a day, it's
usually only five, which isn’t a thing to be happening right before NANO starts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">You see, to keep up with NANO I will have to write between
six and seven pages a day. Shutting down around five pages isn’t going to cut
it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It sometimes amazes me that I manage to finish NANO most
years. And it is even more amazing that in 2017 I managed to write over 90K
words in November. That is the year I started this sci-fi. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, we’re talking over 90,000 words in just one month. Which
is on par with the time I wrote an over 130K rough draft in just six weeks. (If
you are curious, that one was my story everyone couldn’t decide if was a paranormal romance, or sci-fi, and it turns out it's speculative fiction, who knew?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">In other words, I write more and faster when I am not
writing romance! I thought I was a romance writer. Go figure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I swear, most of what I write is romance. Promise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Just ask Konnie, she’ll tell you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But I must say I am having fun with this sci-fi, and it isn’t
like I have never liked sci-fi. I’m a Star Trek fan from way back. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Actually, that is something Konnie and I have in common –
Star Trek.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">She even used names associated with Star Trek in her opus
sci-fi. And I mean a ton of names from the Star Trek universe, both character
names and actor names. She’s even got Roddenberry in there, both Gene and
Majel! She actually did a great job.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">She’s got a Takai and a Sulu in there and every time I read
at least Takai’s lines I hear George Takai saying the line in my head! I do not
have any problems with most of the others. There is that issue with her
character Crosby where I always envision Tasha Yar, but generally, I just have
fun seeing all those familiar names on the page.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven’t done the same, but Konnie’s sci-fi is set way far
in Earth’s future whereas mine is set in an alien universe, so there is a big difference
there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There is one major change I’ve made to my sci-fi this last
month or so and that is moving the first scene with my hero to before the first scene with my heroine. This seems kind of strange because this whole story started
from a writing prompt competition, I entered ages ago. Everybody loved the
first few lines I wrote from the prompt in the heroine’s POV. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The problem was that the stuff I later wrote in the hero’s POV happened well before the first scene in the heroine’s POV, so I had to make the change. Linear wise it makes more sense, so it needed done.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, happy writing everyone!</span><o:p></o:p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-51838793516232707562023-10-18T08:00:00.001-07:002023-10-18T08:00:00.143-07:00Of Computers and Other Issues by Konnie Enos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4TyKb5voNnxeCzOu8BGtCPnAFwEiPO_S3Ly_hzduMQOV0j5qnbuSumkiF2xBkC2sir3vQj7CsfhbMc2Cjs1QhXLNo_tCLR2haCOIZM6fZKB27c8tj0dcZ-ggidpAcMDqPXkQe9vfWT4xilV6JHREl40d5cZy3F2kyGNUQaWLUASFQHNqpuzd6V0zRr0/s179/computer%20grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="179" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4TyKb5voNnxeCzOu8BGtCPnAFwEiPO_S3Ly_hzduMQOV0j5qnbuSumkiF2xBkC2sir3vQj7CsfhbMc2Cjs1QhXLNo_tCLR2haCOIZM6fZKB27c8tj0dcZ-ggidpAcMDqPXkQe9vfWT4xilV6JHREl40d5cZy3F2kyGNUQaWLUASFQHNqpuzd6V0zRr0/s1600/computer%20grandma.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Well,
this is fun. Not. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">My
computer died. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
suppose it could be worse. I’ve been using OneDrive exclusively for over a year
now and have all my files saved there. Meaning I didn’t lose anything. I’ve
also been using my tablet for most things so I can get on all my social media
and check all my email accounts. It’s the important things that I still need my
computer for that’s at issue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Last
I checked it had about 30 minutes of power left and no way to recharge. So, I’m
left with trying to figure out what I’m going to do now for a computer. My first
option was my tablet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">First,
I checked Word. I could open new, blank documents and probably type on them,
but I was unable to control the font and type size. Not that the program didn’t
have that capability but because my tablet is old and doesn’t function as well
as it should.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Second,
see if I can work with our blogging program which wasn’t on the tablet. It turns
out, I could get it. I even managed to open it and find what to click to create
a new blog. Then I found out that I could not control the font or type on it.
(I can from the computer.) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Though
my other issue was getting the document I typed in Word into that program. I
usually just copy paste. Yeah, copy/paste is not working on my tablet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Oh
joy, fun, fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Then
Royce had to remind me that the software I use to track our finances is on my
computer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Fun.
Now I had to see if I had yet another password to ensure I could access my
information from a new computer. Do you want to know how well that worked?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
have a password to access it, but it’s little use to me if I don’t have the
program on a different computer. So far, my efforts to find the solution only take
me to pages that require me to sign up for the program. I don’t want to sign up
again. I just paid my yearly fees. So now, I also have no means to even access
my records. I suppose I could try to contact someone, but for the time being,
I’m completely without my financial records because, I absolutely need the program
to access the information.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So
more fun. Oh Joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Thankfully,
based on the information I do have, my information is saved, I just don’t have
all of it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
then there is this issue of Grammarly. I have it on my computer. It’s not on
this one. This means I don’t have my most trusted source to make sure all my
words are spelled correctly, and the sentence structure is sound. I mean, I do
okay on my own, but the extra help is nice. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After
all this effort to find temporary solutions, there is the issue of a more
permanent solution to my computer dying. Clearly, I’ll need a new computer,
because using this one cannot be permanent. For one thing, there are already
three other people using it. This works for the three of them because none of
them spend a good share of their day on a computer. Their smartphones and/or
tablets work for what they need.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
have spent most, if not all my day on my computer. I do have a tablet, but as
noted, it does not do everything I need a computer for. I also cannot share my
computer. If for no other reason than doing finances can take most of the day
and when the muse strikes, having to relinquish my computer to another user who
needs it would mean losing my thread and my muse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">With
all the issues it has been giving me over this last year, maybe getting a new
one would be a better option. Unfortunately, I can’t afford even a new cord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Royce
also says a newer tablet (mine’s old and slow) might be able to run Word
better. If nothing else, it should respond easier than what my tablet is doing
right now. Though I’d still have to solve the financial program issue. I may
have to resort to going back to my longhand records, which currently aren’t as
up to date as they should be, though they aren’t off by much. Meaning I could
take the time to manually update them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">There
is also the issue with our car. It’s is still in the shop with no clear idea
when we’ll get it back. It has all the parts it needs; however, they have been
unable to reprogram needed parts to function in our car. So, another computer
issue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">More
heavy sighs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Smile.
Make the day a brighter day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-33246416458788497142023-10-11T08:00:00.032-07:002023-10-11T08:20:40.001-07:00Of Manners and Karens by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuFE5Ypqcbcd-is2lzqTUC36cM1b4HG67PqElLR9zoXE2R_bbvIO804yGbT-D80CQyPSEi9jKOBaBurdJ-qZmoBSiv1Ig0w2KjhVxIYRlSJlcAksmDejTBasYBORS7T1r9B5rWc7v761Tms0pmVG5w3lyFJtbosVq1OrSYLsSxTVeDt91w4fwhco87XU1/s1000/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuFE5Ypqcbcd-is2lzqTUC36cM1b4HG67PqElLR9zoXE2R_bbvIO804yGbT-D80CQyPSEi9jKOBaBurdJ-qZmoBSiv1Ig0w2KjhVxIYRlSJlcAksmDejTBasYBORS7T1r9B5rWc7v761Tms0pmVG5w3lyFJtbosVq1OrSYLsSxTVeDt91w4fwhco87XU1/s320/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><span style="font-size: large;">As you probably know by now, I sometimes listen to podcasts
about what the internet is calling Karens/Chads. And well, there are a couple of
things I don’t understand.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">First off; how come all these fools can’t tell the
difference between a fellow shopper and a store employee?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Think about it. How dense do you have to be not to recognize
that the man wearing the blue vest with military patches and medals all over and
not one shred of the store’s logo? And how blind do you have to be not to recognize a man in full military camouflage complete with name and rank clearly
showing, that he is not the hired help out collecting carts?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I really don’t get that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">On my most recent trip to Wally World (as my husband always
called it), at one point as I was moving up an aisle, I saw a fellow customer
putting something back on the shelf. Now I knew she was a fellow customer because
she had a shopping basket on her arm and wasn’t wearing that distinctive blue
with yellow logo vest. Dead giveaway.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But to listen to these “I don’t work here, lady,” stories,
the fact that she put something back on the shelf makes her an employee! How? In
what world does putting something back you decided you didn’t want make you an
employee?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And my second question is what makes these people think
store employees are there to be at their beck and call? What makes them believe
such human beings are nothing more than peons they can push around all they
want?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Had one of these dilutional persons seen the lady I saw put
that item back, she would have, upon reaching her and seeing she was standing in
front of the item they were looking, demand she hand it over and possibly even insist
the lady accompany them on the rest of their shopping. Such a person would even
go so far as to yell at her that she needed to do her job!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Newsflash, not even the actual store employees are there to do
your every bidding. These people were hired to stock shelves, clean floors,
straighten up, or maybe even gather orders, but they are not there to bow to
your every demand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">By the way, the lady I saw putting something back, was
standing next to what I needed when I reached her. Something that is on a high shelf,
and I always have trouble getting it down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I asked her politely if she would mind handing me one of those
product.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">She got it down and kindly put it in my basket and asked me
if I needed anything else. I told her no then thanked her for her help and said
I hoped she had a nice day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Plain and simple, I was polite.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I was equally polite a few aisles later when I found a store
employee with a ladder and quite a few boxes, stocking shelves, right in front
of something else I was there to get. I said, “Excuse me, I hate to bother you while
you’re working, but could you hand me,” and told him the exact item I needed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">He put said item in my basket and asked me if there was
anything else I needed. I again expressed my gratitude for the help and went on
with my shopping while he returned to do his assigned job.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But well, that isn’t the only time I’ve been considerate of
the folks hard at work in a store.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I can’t tell you how many times I move out of the way of a
store employee pulling or pushing some large cart or dolly, so they can get
past. I once stopped in a main aisle so an employee pushing a big cart could
get across said aisle. Not that my stopping helped much, every other shopper
around me kept going, as if they couldn’t see that poor woman trying to get
across there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">What happened to manners? What is wrong with being compassionate?
Especially to the poor folks working such hard forty-hour-a-week jobs?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I read one story where this poor fellow did work at the
store, but he was in there on his day off to do his own shopping! That didn’t deter
this lady; she knew he worked there, and for some strange reason felt he still
had to serve her very whim even though he wasn't working at that time!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Excuse me? They are not there to serve your every whim in
the first place, they certainly don’t have to put up with that when they are off
the clock!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">So, I really don’t get these so-called Karens/Chads. Do they
really believe store or restaurant employees are, well, either their personal
slaves or maybe not human, do you think?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, happy writing everyone.</span><o:p></o:p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-79893357094339757192023-10-04T08:00:00.001-07:002023-10-04T08:00:00.153-07:00Of Distractions and Quiet Muses by Konnie Enos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcroEXCv9Vc0z0mGEdSgARD_sZINUv6A7fCBR1xZaYj6s_zRAV1uRUS9ONnY6gxoCetnqI9AcHju0MXIdKBXoqlpKEJ_4swy6Aw85Iuvr8bJ89OdWeRusMtSBo3hh_bevihmVfmnwqVGgF2sj-t81cV4dJjKnv3fMzyKiwEaGTpHIH8RBtbrhL6cdsQg/s179/computer%20grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="179" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcroEXCv9Vc0z0mGEdSgARD_sZINUv6A7fCBR1xZaYj6s_zRAV1uRUS9ONnY6gxoCetnqI9AcHju0MXIdKBXoqlpKEJ_4swy6Aw85Iuvr8bJ89OdWeRusMtSBo3hh_bevihmVfmnwqVGgF2sj-t81cV4dJjKnv3fMzyKiwEaGTpHIH8RBtbrhL6cdsQg/s1600/computer%20grandma.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> Despite multiple notes that I had a blog post to write yesterday,
I did not get it done.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">What did I do yesterday?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After spending more time than I should not doing anything
productive because I didn’t want to tackle paying our bills, I finally opened
everything I needed to get that chore done. Which took considerably longer than
it should have in light of how much I actually got done. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My first obstacle was Jerry and the mild argument we had
about how much money he’d already spent and from the account I’d told him not
to touch because I needed all that money for the bills. It took nearly two
hours to figure out, and re-figure out, what I had to juggle around to make
sure everything was covered. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Next, I had to tackle making sure my Quicken records were balanced
with the bank records. Then I had to make sure all our bills were paid.
Normally this would have taken about half an hour but I kept getting
interrupted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After we discussed his spending, he found multiple reasons
to interrupt what I was doing. One would think since he was in the same room
with me and saw all the material I use to track our finances scattered around
me, that he would understand I was busy, but apparently not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even handed his phone to me, not once, but
three times to deal with one issue we had, and the last one required me to stop
what I was doing to deal with some emails and other paperwork. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then there is Royce, also here in the house and he takes
great delight in telling me about the stories he is reading and what happened
this time in the newest chapters. He came in at least once. Thankfully somewhere
between everything strewn around and the fact I wasn’t looking up from my
screen clued him in on the fact I was indeed too busy to have a conversation
with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now Melinda did come into my bedroom once but she didn’t
even say a word to me. Of course, I was in the bathroom as she entered but she
was smart enough to understand why I had everything strewn over my bed and just
dropped the mail and left. I probably wouldn’t have even known she’d been the
one to get the mail if I hadn’t seen her leaving my room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Considering that’s all who was in the house at the time, you
would have thought the interruptions would end there. You’d be wrong because I
have other family members. I heard from all my children and Bonnie yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">First was Clarissa, though she didn’t interrupt my efforts
to do our finances. She’d called before I got breakfast. So not an interruption.
It was fun talking to her and my youngest grandbaby while my son-in-law took
the older one to school.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then two people managed to both call and text me yesterday.
Tony texted me while I was paying bills which required me to stop what I was
doing to respond to him. He then called me later in the evening, after I’d
finished paying all the bills. Then Bonnie called me while I was busy, though
it was a short conversation. This she followed up with a text conversation later
in the evening about a Facebook post our brother had made, which she’d clearly misread.
I’d already seen it since I was on Facebook unwinding at that hour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Finally, Tina. Though she didn’t interrupt me. Jerry did. He
insisted I contact her right away. So I had to stop again and text another
child to ask her one question.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">When all was said and done, I ignored all reminders and
indications I needed to write this post and instead decided to unwind on Facebook.
I justified this by the fact I had no ideas to write about anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I finally decided I needed to either stay up half the night
trying to write while fighting sleep or get some sleep and get up early to get
this written. Getting sleep won. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">None of this gave me any ideas but when my alarm went off
this morning I dutifully opened my laptop and a blank Word document and just
started typing about why I didn’t get this done yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The long answer is this post trying to blame everything on
the interruptions I had yesterday. The short answer is far closer to the truth.
I went down the rabbit hole that is Facebook for several hours instead. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I tend to opt for distraction hoping my muse will strike me.
However, I usually have no idea until I start writing. My muse prefers action
before inspiration, most of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Smile. Make the day a brighter day.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Konnie Enoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16875767699839182307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483359850986410267.post-73723837859761481862023-09-27T08:00:00.017-07:002023-09-27T08:00:00.151-07:00On Writing, Reading, and Other Things by Bonnie Le Hamilton<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jlaApXhMlwW0vLjsDV_gbcuayP2o_y89xDUtZj1kPL5_wQV86XyP0Xw_qYTc4jB9UIIxrcgdqS2h9ZOleK8FIWgKMq22BagYvP4fwiuFY7IfY3TSB_tEVdrjpwfmS1GMjWoEj6FPLiNdi4hPdTgg6EafrdHp0sMj0twnnvV6ryu6h_nzcZxv_lEOP9Fj/s1000/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jlaApXhMlwW0vLjsDV_gbcuayP2o_y89xDUtZj1kPL5_wQV86XyP0Xw_qYTc4jB9UIIxrcgdqS2h9ZOleK8FIWgKMq22BagYvP4fwiuFY7IfY3TSB_tEVdrjpwfmS1GMjWoEj6FPLiNdi4hPdTgg6EafrdHp0sMj0twnnvV6ryu6h_nzcZxv_lEOP9Fj/s320/Business%20woman%20working-295783.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Here I sit in front of my computer, staring at a blank
screen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">You can’t fix a blank screen, but what do I write?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are curious about how last week went for me, I was on
antibiotics, again. The third time this year! At least this time it wasn’t sepsis.
This time it was bronchitis, so not much better. My paycheck is suffering
horribly because of all this sick time, and I was having trouble making ends meet
without missing work!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I’d write about my writing, but all I’ve managed to do is
reread one of my old unfinished stories. This isn’t helpful because it’s so old, most of the characters don’t have cell phones, and all have a
landline. Yeah, updating that one isn’t going to be easy. There were other
issues besides the phones that made it outdated. Ergo, it may never be
finished.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And I had wanted to get to the end of the edits for book one
of my sci-fi before the end of October, I’m running out of time here plus
rereading the Harry Potter series isn’t helping, but when I was sick this last
time, I couldn’t think very clearly, nor did I have the energy to do anything.
I mostly stayed in bed and read or called my neighbors for help a couple of
times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I needed my humidifier but didn’t have the energy to fill
that up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And of course, I’m a slow reader, but I also skipped between
HP and my own stuff, so right now I am just past the halfway point on Goblet of
Fire. I have three and a half books to go, but they’re the biggest books of the
series!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, I have no trouble finding time to read, or write.
After all my house is always quiet, for the most part. I do watch TV sometimes
and Patches likes to meow occasionally, but on the whole, my place is quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Which I have mentioned before. Most particularly, the time
Konnie was visiting me, and she put in a video just for the noise. She couldn’t
write without it! I, on the other hand, can’t write at her house, there is too
much going on. And I can’t tell you how many times I woke in the middle of the
night to the sound of paws tapping across the wood floors while visiting her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But then at home these days, I occasionally get woken up by
a cat landing on top of me. Dogs are noisy; cats are quiet, ergo, I get scared
a couple of nights a week. Patches likes waking me in the middle of the
night.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">You would think Konnie and I would be more alike, but when
it comes to noise or the lack thereof, it is what we are used to. I live with
a cat; Konnie still has kids at home and a menagerie of animals, primarily dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I hate being at Konnie’s place when those dogs start
barking. Actually, I hate being on the phone with her when those dogs start
barking. Cats do meow, but they are not that loud!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Though sometimes, it would be nice to have a distraction
around here. Just as long as it’s not me being ill again. I swear, if I have to
take antibiotics again this year, I’m going to scream! Come on, enough already,
isn’t three times more than sufficient?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">At any rate, I’m not getting much done around here, and I
still don’t know how I’m going to make my bills this next month.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">However, I can at least report my water heater and tub are now
in working order again, thankfully. Now all I need is for my current landlord
to actually sell this place, so I don’t have to deal with him anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">At any rate, I have a lot to do and not enough time to do
it, so I’m going to cut this post short.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy writing everyone!</span><o:p></o:p></p>B. L. Hamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155652341324818445noreply@blogger.com0