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RE: Keep a Word Change a Word, Part II.
mouth harp
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Wanderlost
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04/26/23 12:49pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy
Getting a bit calmer around here. Just a couple more Mom medical appts, then nothing for a whole month. The salt cell for our pool is supposed to be installed today, and then I can finally get the pool ready for use. Our barrier free shower is finally, finally finished and functional. And most important, our insurance paid for the solar panel microinverters to be replaced; just need to get that scheduled.
What's that about, you ask? Back in Feb, a 300 watt power surge shot down the electric line and fried 26 of our 50 solar panels' microinverters before the system shut itself off. At least nothing inside the house got fried. But it's taken until now to get the solar panel company to sort out what was broken and what it would cost to fix. We will also be asking them to install a surge protector between the power line and the solar array, since we've definitely learned that lesson...
A few weeks ago, and again last Thursday, we had severe weather that snapped a lot of tree branches; Thursday included a tornado one mile west of us that we couldn't even hear for the hail pounding sideways under our porch roof and into the windows (nothing broke). So we've got an arborist coming in regularly, working on all our trees. The ones he's done so far look magnificent - we didn't know we had that many speciman oaks.
Now we're both recovering from a 72-hour nose runs like a faucet virus, followed by several days of coughing up phlegm. We never felt sick, just went through boxes and boxes of tissues.
My beloved F-150 is in the shop for two failing O2 sensors and a wiring issue in one window. Should get him back first thing tomorrow.
Czarny's enjoying the lovely weather, although he'd still prefer I was outside with him...
The wildflowers are profuse, in spite of us still being in extreme drought. The barn swallows are back and nesting, the hummingbirds nag me for refills regularly, and the fox family is around (we hear, just haven't seen). One doe is very pregnant and thoroughly exploring the meadow.
Life's pretty good, all things considered. And now it's time to go work at the library. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
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04/26/23 12:31pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy
This whole month has been non-stop, either medical appointments to drive someone to, household stuff needing repairs, and an upcoming writers' conference. I'm rather looking forward to the single appointment in May...
Spousal Unit learned that he will be taking an expensive medication the rest of his life to keep the cancer at bay. That necessitated a rearrangement of the household budget, as the co-pay is $600 a month. He's also finally getting physical therapy, and can even drive himself to/from that appointment.
Czarny, meanwhile, is having an interesting time... He loves a minced beef and salmon canned food, but every single time he eats it, he throws it up not five minutes later. When we get back from the writers' convention, I'll examine that food in detail to find out why he can't eat that one, but can eat other beef and salmon foods.
I gave the Czarny-can't-eat-that cans to Short Friend. Her cat, Millie, loves it and keeps it down just fine. Didn't want to have any cans here for the house/cat sitter to accidentally give to Czarny...
Time to get busy packing again. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
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04/11/23 06:45pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy
Freakin' Cardassians. They annoy me nonstop. Grrrr....
No kyphoplasty today. Doc looked at the pictures and said the targeted areas are already full of bone cement; nothing to do there. I believe he was a mite ticked at whomever wrote the report that led to this scheduling...
So now we'll concentrate on alleviating SU's herniated disks.
Spent the evening on the deck, enjoying the weather, until the front arrived with high winds. Czarny stayed out there, relaxing on the deck furniture until after dark.
Pool pump repairman supposed to be here Saturday. The chlorine generator seems to have quit. The joys of home ownership -- just one danged thang after another...
This week was so busy that I'm exhausted. Good thing there's nothing going on tomorrow -- except another 50-word short story challenge from our publisher. Hope one of mine makes it into one of these books.
Think I'll have an early night. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
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03/23/23 08:15pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Keep a Word Change a Word, Part II.
landing strip
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Wanderlost
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03/21/23 08:06pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Song Post - Part Three
Don't LET Our Love Start Slippin' Away - Vince Gill
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Wanderlost
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03/21/23 08:06pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy
We finally have the proper shower glass installed, but they just can't seem to get here to finally finish the darn thing. Will be talking to the finance company about requiring copies of the signed completion before paying this particular company in future, and never taking the company's word, given its history of bald-faced lies...
Spousal Unit has another kyphoplasty on Thursday, in three places. That should take care of the spine fractures. Then they can work on the herniated disks. Meanwhile, he's off all heavy meds. Decided it wasn't doing anything better than just taking ibuprofen. He is standing more erect, although his walking stamina is still not that great. He says he feels better, and that's what counts.
Czarny's had to spend a few days staying inside, while I hauled SU to various medical appts. Thought he'd be happy to go outside after his supper today, but he noticed it was wet out there and decided to just stay on his tower.
Nice slow rain all day long, to the tune of .21". While that doesn't sound like much, it's a lot around here. Does little to end the drought, though, but every teeny bit helps.
Submitted another short story. This one is really short -- an entire story in 50 words, based upon a picture. Each author got a different picture. Publisher will create an illustrated book, just like their last one. Postcards From Mars. The one I submitted to is called Steam-Powered Postcards.
Writing entire stories in 500, 100, or 50 words is a huge challenge, yet I find I have a talent for it. At any rate, it's enormous fun.
Meanwhile, SU has seven manuscripts he intends to publish over the next few months, including one his late brother wrote -- an excellent and historically accurate western. We promised him we'd get it published for his family, and it's nearly ready -- just a couple more tweaks and a cover design.
Just to keep things exciting, a 300 volt power surge went through the power company line and destroyed 27 of our 50 solar panels, and maybe all three batteries. We've been working with the solar installation guys to get us replacement cost estimates, etc., so our insurance can pay out. We'll also install a full system surge protector, since the solar monitor folks spotted previous surges in the logs. Not gonna trust the local power co-op anymore, nope nope nope.
Nothing like a little excitement to keep the blood flowing, eh?
Time to help SU hook up his sleep apnea test. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
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03/21/23 07:59pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: The [Star] Trek Thread
:B :B :B :B
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Wanderlost
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03/09/23 10:29am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Song Post - Part Three
Snow in Vermont - Andy Williams
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Wanderlost
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03/09/23 10:27am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Keep a Word Change a Word, Part II.
national flags
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Wanderlost
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03/09/23 10:26am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Favorite Cooking Quotes
What's your favorite seasoning?
Paula Deen: Butter
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Wanderlost
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03/09/23 10:19am |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy
Concerts were wonderful. A couple of times, Czarny joined me, but mostly he was outside. He doesn't seem to have a music preference, unlike Spotacus, who most definitely preferred men singing country music, baritones in particular. Well, he was okay with Vince Gill...
That February cold front was an ice storm. Damaged a lot of trees and hopefully killed a whitethorn acacia right next to the driveway, where it scratches vehicles as they drive by. We lucked out and got an actual arborist to come and start what will be a long process of cleaning out the damage first, then trimming all our trees that need it. He'll also remove all the junk trees growing under the live oak canopies. When we walked the property, he could see many speciman live oaks that we didn't know where there for all the junk trees in their way.
Today is day two of what will be a long process, but already trees are looking wonderful everywhere he's been. This place is gonna be gorgeous when he's done. And we'll have a couple years of firewood, too.
His chainsaw is very quiet, but it's enough to convince Czarny he wants to stay inside today. He's zonked on one of his towers.
Got an email from the finance company that the bath company declared our shower complete. Not even! I told finance company that was a bald-faced lie, that we never signed off on completion. Then I called bath company and unloaded on them. Nearly two weeks later, after getting the distinct impression the bath company was trying to ghost us, we walked into their showroom and told the manager there we were seriously not happy. When I mentioned forgery and contract fraud, she immediately called the project manager. Told us he would phone back the next day or we should call her. The installer called yesterday and scheduled installation for tomorrow. We'll see... They will still get the rating they deserve for unprofessional conduct.
Got another short story submitted to an anthology. No idea when it will be published, but considering how many anthologies this publisher is doing (putting one out almost every Friday), might be a while. Writing short stories based upon a vague writing prompt is so much fun...
Time to start the pool pump. All the oak pollen and live oak leaves are falling, guaranteeing the pool is filthy. But the odds of another ice storm or hard freeze are slim, so I think I can safely get started on the pool cleanup.
Spousal Unit walked by himself down to the garden and back (I didn't know it). He did okay. Another kyphoplasty comes up in a couple weeks, then they'll treat the bulging disks. He says he feels better, although he still can't stand or walk for very long. Little steps to improvement...
Time to get some laundry done. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
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03/09/23 10:12am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: The [Star] Trek Thread
The in-laws want to go with us but I had to inform them that there were no Klingons present at First Contact.
:B:B:B
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Wanderlost
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02/16/23 06:47pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Song Post - Part Three
HOLD Tight (Want Some Seafood) - The Andrews Sisters
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Wanderlost
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02/16/23 06:46pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Keep a Word Change a Word, Part II.
tunnel rat
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Wanderlost
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02/16/23 06:44pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy
Congrats on Molly's addition. May you have many happy conversations with her.
After a couple days of 80-degrees, a cold front rolled in. High winds, clouds but no rain, and ever dropping temps. You'd think it was February or something...
According to a local wag, the armadillo saw his shadow, so Texas is in for another six weeks of "what the sam hill is going on now?!" weather.
Czarny is eternally frustrated. He wants out, the wind hits his ears, he wants back in. It's hard on a kitty...
The College Band Directors National Association is having its annual convention, and they are livestreaming the symphonic band concerts. I'm currently listening to the University of Georgia's performance. Like Florida A&M this afternoon, there are some truly inventive symphonic band composers out there.
My alma mater will perform Friday night at 1:30pm EST.
If you're interested, the link and schedules are here CBDNA Live Link & Performance Schedule
I'm heading back to watch as well as listen. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
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02/16/23 06:38pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Keep a Word Change a Word, Part II.
sign maker
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Wanderlost
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02/02/23 11:44am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Song Post - Part Three
MOON River - Andy Williams
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Wanderlost
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02/02/23 11:43am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy
Glad Herself is improving. Hope she feels much better very soon.
The melt is on. Might have more rain this afternoon, which we desperately need, but the lows tonight are above freezing, so no more ice accumulation. The ice did break off some tree limbs in the meadow, but what I can see from the porch doesn't look too terrible. Looks like more firewood in the offing. Good, we're running low and will need to stock up for next winter.
Czarny went out this morning, found it much too wet for his tastes, and is on his kitty tree now.
The shower glass installation hit a hiccup. The glass was over a foot shorter than the shower head, which means the very second a mineral buildup gets into that shower head, it will spray water all over the bathroom. So they had to order a new glass. With the storm, they are now backed up on installations; I expect the new glass next week. Just another homeowner adventure...
Need to pull out a chicken to roast for dinner, then back to crocheting the afghan.
Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
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02/02/23 11:35am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Song Post - Part Three
Blue Moon of KENTUCKY -- Bill Monroe
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Wanderlost
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02/01/23 09:36am |
Around the Campfire
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