Our creativity is a wild and unexpected bonus from the universe. It’s as if all our gods and angels gathered together and said, “It’s tough down there as a human being, we know. Here—have some delights.
— Elizabeth Gilbert
* * *
Posts Tagged ‘#365Ways2021’
A Day of Delights
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, creativity, inspiration, quotes, Thoughts, Writers, writing on November 21, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Appliance Rodeo
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, fixing things, home, Thoughts on November 20, 2021| 4 Comments »
The microwave crapped out on us last night, again. Fortunately, it looks like it’s the same problem as last time, which means we still have extra spare parts from last time. So I’ll be assisting Mr. Man in another great Appliance Disassembly Rodeo!
Fun, right?
Brief aside: I really dislike throwing away mostly ok items and think the right-to-repair movement is a fine idea. Progress is being made on that front, but there’s still a gap between having the right to fix a thing and having the knowledge and equipment to fix a thing. Mr. Man is mechanically-minded and experienced, and also has pretty much all the tools a person could need (allll the tools!). A lot of people don’t. If you’re one of them, check out online sites for manuals or search for local tool lending libraries. Or make friends with a handy neighbor! (I recommend a smile, beer and/or brownies.)
* * *
(update)
I wrote this yesterday. Since then, we pulled the microwave off the wall and took it apart. It was not, in fact, the same problem as last time. Sadly.
(cut to two hours later)
We have procured what may very well be the last microwave of its kind in Eastern Canada. The floods out West have done absolutely nothing good for already challenged supply chains, so we’re counting ourselves very lucky. It should arrive Thursday.
Fingers crossed!
* * *
Love and Memory
Posted in Food and..., tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, cynarin, family, food, history, home, memory, Thoughts on November 19, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Here is a thing that I love, and the one item I requested from my grandmother’s estate: an artichoke plate.
Artichokes are thorny, tough and difficult to pair with wine. They were at the heart (hehe) of a racketeering scheme in New York in the 1920s and ’30s, which led to a temporary ban and a dramatic upswing in knowledge about, and orders for, the vegetable. They also taste great.
The back of the plate is marked “E & R 0136” but that’s the only information I have. Where was it made, when, and did it come from Ebeling & Reuss or another manufacturer? I don’t know, but I love it anyway.
Disassembling an artichoke flower bud is a messy job, and this plate is the perfect canvas on which to do it. I prefer to serve mine with lemon butter sauce, but there’s also mayonnaise. If you must.
I doubt the dish is valuable from anything other than an emotional standpoint but that’s fine, I won’t be selling it. I have a lot of great memories about artichokes and about my grandmother, and this plate helps me remember both.
* * *
Writer Goals
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, creativity, inspiration, quotes, Thoughts, Writers, writing on November 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »
“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
― John Steinbeck
* * *
Today’s Fun Link Roundup
Posted in Entertainment, Likes, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, creativity, fun, inspiration, interesting, internet, Thoughts, wackiness ensuing on November 17, 2021| Leave a Comment »
I accumulate a lot of links. Work links, sure, but on my way to the data mines I often come across fun, interesting, obscure or downright delightful corners of the web. They inform me when I need a bit of learning with lunch, cheer me up when the news is too newsy, and otherwise remind me that the internet, like the world, is not 100% terrible.
What sort of links? I’m so glad you asked:)
* * *
Look Up! An Introduction to Identifying Raptors in Flight
- Helpful, although I’ll probably continue to just say “hawk!” every time I see something predatory with wings. My bird enthusiast father’s reply is always (honestly, can he really be right all the time?*) “turkey vulture.” Just once I wish he’d say “dragon.”
* The answer is yes.
20 of the Best History Podcasts to Help Us Actually Learn From the Past
- History is cool.
Honest Government Ad | Carbon Capture & Storage – YouTube
- Is there swearing? There is. It’s warranted.
Introducing the Icelandverse – YouTube
- Look out, Zuckerberg, Iceland is coming for you.
Bohemian Catsody – A Rhapsody Parody Song for Every Cat Queen and King! – YouTube
- Since you’re already on YouTube. And like cat videos.
This man won a Guinness World Record for his tree that bears 10 types of fruit
- “Hussam Saraf says his record-breaking tree with 10 different types of fruit is a metaphor for how he sees the world. … ‘[It’s] mother nature that’s united us all together. Doesn’t really matter how different we are in colour or culture or tradition. We are one, and we can respect each other as one.’” If that’s not nice then I don’t know what is.
- Each time a user clicks on your generated link, there is a 50% chance that they will be rickrolled.
The True Story of the Blue People of Kentucky
- Genetics, man.
Photos of the world above and below the sea by David Doubilet
- Nature, man. These images are amazing.
Periodic Table of the Elements, in Pictures and Words
- How many of these have you used today?
How to Identify that Light in the Sky
- Brought to you by NASA and The League of Lost Causes, which is just about the most awesome name ever.
Scientists Create 3,000 TB Simulation of the Universe You Can Download
- I don’t have the space for this, but maybe you do?
And since I’m a baker, here’s one last link:
All You Could Ever Want to Know About a Pumpkin Slingshot
* * *
Baby Steps
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, creativity, Fiction, genre fiction, Thoughts, Writers, writing on November 16, 2021| 2 Comments »
I’m experimenting with reading/media deprivation. Gotta say I’m not loving it:)
I’m also terrible at it, especially where the reading is concerned. So let’s just say I’m trying to reduce, not eliminate. Baby steps!
It would be nice to have more time and get more done, though. I do love crossing things off my list.
Side note, my NaNoWriMo project wants to be a graphic novel. Surprise!
* * *
License to Chill
Posted in Likes, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, #LicenseToChill, funny, Thoughts, winter on November 15, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Woke to snow. Not much, more of a light dusting that’s already melting off darker surfaces, but rooftops and lawns are white and dog walkers are all wearing toques.
This brings up a critical question: Why don’t we name our snow plows? Scotland does it, and it is awesome.
Which is my favorite? Right now it’s a toss-up between William Wall-ice and License to Chill.
Welcome to winter!
* * *
Loss
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, family, Thoughts on November 14, 2021| Leave a Comment »
My nephew’s grandfather passed recently. He loved the land and the life he made on it with his wife of 49 years. He was a farmer, a dedicated family man, a gentleman and a pillar of strength for both his family and his community.
His shadow was long and his roots deep. He will be sorely missed.
* * *
Welcome, Fellow Weirdos!
Posted in Likes, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts on November 13, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Fixing What’s Broken
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, creativity, Fiction, free fiction, genre fiction, sff, Writers, writing on November 12, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Seems to me like it’s free fiction Friday. Here’s a story from Josh Bales via Future Tense Fiction. I particularly liked the ending.
The shop was a three-story brown brick building on the north end of downtown. The pawls on her bike clicked slower as she pulled up in front of it. Block letters in faded gold paint proclaimed REVERTE REPAIRS on the front window. Beneath that, in smaller letters: WE FIX YOUR BROKEN THINGS.
* * *
-
Recent Posts
She Said, He Said
-
-
Favorite Posts
Archives
Categories
It’s All So Random
What I’m Reading
J.R. Johnson 
You must be logged in to post a comment.