Month: February 2022

#MondayThoughts: You are doing the impossible.

Standard

It’s beautifully sunny today, the kind of day that makes you believe in spring. Across the ocean, though, war rages in Ukraine, and even with all the sanctions in place, putin still acts as though victory is within reach.

And everyday Russians will suffer. For the ego of a man who doesn’t see them as anything more than a means for power.

So to any people of Russia who find their way here, who are living with the despair of lack of control, we understand. We really do, more than we ever have, after the nightmare of trump, who learned everything from putin and is far less capable.

I wish for you brighter, freer days. Days when you can speak your mind as you choose. Days filled with hope and promise, and no more life under the gloom of a megalomaniacal dictator.

And to the citizens of Ukraine, your bravery, your resolve astounds me. You are doing the impossible. You are a beacon to everyone who wants the world a different way.

It’s ironic to think this war could bring great peace, great global stability. It might yet.

All of us, let us take Ukraine as an inspiration. Let us do the impossible and make the planet a better place for everyone on it.

And with that, I wish you a wonderful Monday, and if you are in harm’s way, a safe one as well.

Check out  my full-length novels (affiliate links): 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#FridayThoughts: More familiar than their own breath.

Standard

Wow do I need more coffee. I can sit here thinking about it or just do it.

I’m going to do it. I’ll be right back.

OK, I’m back and it’s brewing. I bet you didn’t even notice I was gone.

I’ve been thinking lately about how this world could be a wonderful place for everyone in it. How there’s no need for violence. How there is more than enough if we could only learn to share.

And yet those who seek power for some strange sort of validation always seem to find it. Those whose greed is more familiar to them than their own breath.

We had a nice little window, didn’t we, with the internet games.

Meanwhile it’s sunny today. There was talk of snow but I don’t think it looks like it. The weather says this afternoon.

Maybe.

At least my coffee’s ready.

And with that, I will call it a week. Have a great Friday and a fantastic weekend.

Check out  my full-length novels (affiliate links): 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#ThursdayThoughts ten word photo prompt: Break

Standard
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

My thoughts and spirits are with Ukraine. I debated whether to post a ten word prompt today, but a few moments of levity in all this uncertainty could be a good thing.

But in no way is this intended to trivialize putin is doing to an independent nation right now.

All that said, you know the drill. Using the image above as a prompt, write a ten word story.

Exactly ten words.

Ready? Here’s mine:

Born of smoke, his time had come. He was ready.

#WednesdayWisdom: Let’s shine a light on that creep.

Standard

We all have one. You know what I mean, that task that weighs on you, either with a deadline or without, and no matter what you are doing, it’s staring at you creepily from the corner.

Obviously it’s creepy. It stalks you.

Sometimes I figure I should add it after I’ve taken care of the routine day-to-day. Get the usual things out of the way first.

But.

Today I decided let’s shine a light on that creep.

Do it first.

Before everything else, let’s get rid of that thing that’s going to call my brain and hang up, that’s going to tap its foot impatiently and make threatening gestures. Just get it out of the way so I can go on my merry way and it can leave me alone.

And I’ve got to say.

It’s liberating. No reminding myself to do it, it’s done.

No trying to calculate how long it’s going to take, it’s done.

So that is my wisdom for you today. Whatever it is, do it first.

And have a fantastic Wednesday.

Check out  my full-length novels (affiliate links): 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#TuesdayThoughts: Not long.

Standard

It’s Tuesday, so here is my Mom Update. And now on to Tuesday.

And a special Tuesday it is, given it’s 2/22/22. For those of use who enjoy such numbers, let us enjoy them.

It’s a dreary day in Chicago, actual soggy rain, and I think the temperature is just high enough to keep it that way. Which means the roads should be extra-slidey.

Fun.

The worst of people seem to be having a Good Time lately, and we can only hope that that will end sometime soon. It’s enough of that, I think. Bad people should only have bad times but it doesn’t seem like it goes that way.

Otherwise, I don’t have much for you today beyond hoping that you have a great Tuesday, whatever your weather and that today’s intriguing date will bring you luck.

Check out  my full-length novels (affiliate links): 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#MondayThoughts: And some quiet.

Standard

Well, I’m tired. Worn-down tired.

I know I’m not alone.

The last six months are taking their toll and the future promises more of the same. I’m trying to do the best I can with it all. I’m exercising, I’m eating decently.

I’m trying to get enough sleep.

We all have problems, that I know. So very many problems.

Meanwhile the weather is weird today, I think it’s a fog, and it might be lifting. It’s warmer than it’s been at least. That’s something.

It’s tough to start the week stalled out, but it’s technically a holiday so that’s a plus. Besides, maybe all my engine needs is another cup of coffee.

And some quiet.

That’s it for me today, have a great Monday.

Check out  my full-length novels (affiliate links): 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#FridayThoughts: Perhaps our closest metaphor for life.

Standard

Yesterday, when I picked up my dad to visit my mom, a few lone snowflakes swirled against the windshield. As we drove, they multiplied until it was snowing in earnest.

When we got there it had started to accumulate, covering the just-uncovered grass, coating the road. We had no idea it was going to happen.

When we left the hospital, the roads were slippery mush, the snow coming down like old fashioned special effects thrown bucket by bucket. The drive wasn’t fun.

Had we known it would happen, we may not have made the trip.

That was one advantage to video visits.

Today the sky is clear, like yesterday never happened.

Weather is like that. Changeable, unexpected.

Perhaps our closest tangible metaphor for life.

And with that, I wish you a happy Friday and a treat of a weekend.

Check out  my full-length novels (affiliate links): 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#ThursdayThoughts ten word photo prompt: Hmm.

Standard
Photo by Gustavo Almeida on Pexels.com

It’s Thursday! That means it’s time for our #ThursdayTen.

Using the above image as a prompt, write a ten word story.

EXACTLY ten words.

Super easy, right?

Maybe.

Ready? Here’s mine:

Anna wasn’t thrilled with the new spytech from Apple’s competitor.

#WednesdayWisdom: We wanted community.

Standard

I think it’s cloudy but it’s one of those days when I can’t tell for sure. It’s warmer today, much warmer, and it’s supposed to hit 50.

I’m sure the warm weather won’t stick around for now, but it also means the cold weather is on its way out.

Sitting here, thinking about the rise and fall of Wordle, it came to me what really sparked about that game. It wasn’t the gameplay, or the letters that flipped in a satisfying, dramatic turn.

We wanted the community it created.

There we were, bonding over six guesses. Some days you did well and someone else did poorly; some days you did poorly and someone else did well.

But it was something we had in common, something that wasn’t life or death, something we could cheer or empathize.

Somehow its move to the NYT changed that. The atmosphere around the game morphed. The feeling that the game belonged to all of us was replaced with the very clear message that it belongs to the NYT and only the NYT.

The lesson remains. We wanted community.

So how do we find it next?

And while you contemplate that, have a great Wednesday.

Check out  my full-length novels (affiliate links): 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#TuesdayThoughts: Puzzling.

Standard

Since it’s Tuesday, here’s my Mom Update, if you’re interested. And now on with Tuesday.

I think it’s sunny at the top and cloudy around the sides of the sky today. It’s like I’m running in place and not getting anywhere but that’s certainly not unique to me, there’s a lot of that going around lately.

This morning’s workout was long and relatively intense, and I’m feeling it. I was enthusiastic at the time.

I suspect that’s not unique to me either.

I had my first Wordle failure and I think it cemented for me I’m done with the game. Something feels different now, I can’t explain it.

It just doesn’t have its fun flavor anymore. Now there are articles about how to be “the best” at Wordle. That’s not what it was for. It was about cheering others on when they do well, about knowing you can’t always get it right.

Oh well.

I’ve got Quordle and Absurdle to keep me warm.

Anyway, that’s it for me today. Have a great puzzling Tuesday, but only in the best way and if you enjoy puzzles.

Check out  my full-length novels (affiliate links): 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.