Weird split

I was talking to our son today about current conditions in our country — specifically, the west is on fire, whereas the southernmost regions are reeling from Harvey or braced for Irma. Further north, we’re getting all the rain the west could use. So, yeah, weird split between fire and water. I’m concerned about all those in Irma’s path, those already hit and those bracing for impact.

The roughest thing for me about seeing these sorts of disasters is there’s nothing I can do. I can’t prevent them. I can’t lessen them. I can’t keep people from getting hurt. I can donate to those who can help, and that’s about it.

So I go about my day with only occasional checks of the news, as well as watching social media to see if my friends are safe. And I did manage words again.

Words written today: 1,032
Words written this month: 3,073
Words written 2017: 158,384
Average words/day 2017: 636
Books completed 2017: 2 (plus 1 novella)

Progress continues!

All of you out there — stay safe.

December snow

Last night, we got our first bit of wintry mix — mostly rain, trace of snow that stuck around on the grass for a little bit after the sun came up. The kids were incredibly happy to see the snow. (Me, I told them to make sure they caught their buses this morning because I wasn’t driving anywhere!)

Anyway, it was nice to see a winter trying to be winter, and it’s always good to see happy children. (Also on my gratitude list right now: the smell of the bread that’s about to come out of the oven.) What are you grateful for this week?

front yard with snow Continue reading

Fall . . .

fall leaves
It’s been windy and cool the past few days. Makes a nice break from that almost-80 it was trying last week! I just wish the weather would settle down.

Little things are pleasing me today: the girl’s first soccer win yesterday, getting my e-mail cleaned out, looking forward to some D&D after a few months of primarily board games.

Oh, for reference, I took screenshots of my actual avatar for Habitica and the pet page with the name showing. Fine, you can still think it looks like a cat. But it’s a fox.
avatar

ghost fox

So what are you grateful for today?

Cooler weather at last!

It’s a small thing, I know, but I was getting rather tired of it being 90 degrees in September. This week, the highest it’s supposed to reach is 75. Not only that, but the humidity has dropped as well.

trees with fall colorLeaves are turning. Stores have apple cider for sale. Kids are thinking about Halloween costumes.

So weird — it’s like PA saw the calendar and flipped the switch when the autumnal equinox hit. Yes, I am grateful.

What are you grateful for this week?

Looking on the bright side

One of the main reasons I do these gratitude posts on Mondays is to remind me that I have so much that is good in my life. This can be an especially valuable reminder on Mondays — our culture has built up a sense of dread about starting the week, so this is my attempt to counteract that. Not always easy, especially when I’m having a rough day. Or a rough week.
all out and all in

So here are a few bright spots in this day:

  • The temperature is under 80°, and it’s breezy. Yes, it’ll be back above 90° later this week, but right now, it’s lovely.
  • The part to fix our broken toilet was about $2.75 with tax, and the toilet is working now.
  • Verizon Wireless support on Twitter is trying to help me get my data plan sorted out after much frustration on my part. (Fruitlessly, it turns out, but they tried.)
  • My friends encourage me on rough days.
  • I got lovely new art supplies last week and took some time to play a bit this weekend!

What are you grateful for this week?

Air conditioning

air conditioning unit

Our air conditioning unit is old and battered (a bit over 40 years old, just like the house, although the house is far less battered and rusty), but it still mostly limps along. Carrier builds good products.

Every now and then, however, there is a hiccup in life. In this case, the proximal cause was probably the belt in the furnace that needed to be replaced. However, the service technician also cleaned the condenser coils out as well as the clogged air filters. (For the record, I do clean the filters twice a year.)

Now the house is cooling down again, and my brain is starting to feel capable of thought once more, as it is no longer stewing in its own juices.

What are you grateful for today?

No, no, it really is April!

You just can’t see the flowers today because of the snow.

  
No, really, the ridiculous part is that you can see the flowers because although it’s been snowing for hours, not a speck has stuck. Anywhere.

What’s new in your neck of the world?