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Eruvandi
Tol Eressea
Dec 7 2019, 5:14pm
Post #27 of 64
(362 views)
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Have I seriously not posted all this year???
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*eyes user posts with disbelief* I swear I checked in on the forums sometime earlier this year. Maybe I just logged in and read stuff but didn't post??? Well, okay then. Gotta be better about that next year.
Hi, my TORn sibs! It seems I haven't shown my face here in a while but I am, in fact, still alive and doing pretty well. I actually have some Really Good News, but first...
Altaira, I'm so sorry about what's going on with your sister. *Gigantic Hugs* You and your family have my prayers during this difficult time.
We have indeed decorated for the holidays and shopping has also happened. We don't get our tree until about mid-month, though, so that still has to be done, probably next week.
As for what kept me away from the forums all year, I will chalk it up to busy life stuff and extreme focus mode on my writing and Etsy shop. It's been an interesting year, that's for sure, with some good and some bad.
My parents and I had to switch dentists this year because of insurance stuff and we discovered upon our first visit with new dentist that old dentist wasn't as competent as we'd thought and had missed cavities in all our mouths that had been there longer than the 6-month-check-ups we'd always been faithful about keeping. As a result I had to have a root canal in March, along with multiple other cavities filled. My mom also had to have a root canal and both parents also had multiple cavities. Thankfully, our teeth are all ship-shape now and new dentist is more than competent enough to help us keep them that way, but it was a major unexpected expenditure of time and money. Our extended family was also having some struggles as my dad's brother broke multiple bones and had multiple hospital visits and an extended stay in two nursing homes, one of which stole his social security check.
In better news, uncle has been back in his home for several months now and the overall situation with our extended family, while not perfect, is getting better than it was. I have also been in super-focused mode with my writing and Etsy shop and not only have not only beaten my personal record for Etsy sales made in one year, but have made major progress on my portal fantasy work in progress. (This is the one I've been working on since 2014!) In fact, I FINALLY figure out how it ends, so it's just a matter of working out how to get it onto paper at this point. *excited squealing*
As for my Really Good News: I'M FINALLY GETTING A SHORT STORY PUBLISHED! I wrote a sci-fi flash fiction and it was picked up by a paying online magazine called "Havok Publishing". They post one flash fic a day every day. The daily story is free for the general public to read for 24-hours. If you want to read any older stories, you have to get a subscription (which is only $2-$4 depending on the plan you choose.)
My story, which is titled "Filter" will be featured on "Techno Tuesday" on December 10th. This week!!! I'm so excited and if any of you want to, I'd love if you'd stop by and give it a read this Tuesday. It's just under 1,000 words, so a very quick read. This is the link to the site: https://gohavok.com/ On Tuesday, my story will appear right there on the homepage where today's story is. (My author name is E. F. Buckles) Those who are not subscribers to Havok are free to comment on the daily story if you want, just be aware that when you click "submit comment" it will take you to the page that asks you to subscribe, but your comment goes through anyway. Just click the logo at the top of the page to get back to the homepage.
That said, I plan to be better about checking in and posting here in this coming year! Not going to go another full year without posting, nope! I miss you all too much when I do that.
Hoping everyone has a great weekend and holiday season!
They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy
They can say, they can say I've lost my mind
I don't care, I don't care, so call me crazy
We can live in a world that we design
'Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make
-"A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman
(This post was edited by Eruvandi on Dec 7 2019, 5:15pm)
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Eruvandi
Tol Eressea
Dec 7 2019, 6:07pm
Post #29 of 64
(338 views)
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Sorry you're still feeling icky
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I've seen a number of people mention having stomach issues after getting the flu this year. It's also possible you somehow got a totally separate stomach virus immediately after. Ginger in various forms can help with an acidic stomach and/or nausea. I keep some candied ginger around the house for such occasions and also give it to the dogs if they're having tummy troubles and it helps them, as well. I wonder if getting some form of probiotics in your system might help, too. After I've had any illnesses that mess with my stomach I eat Activia yogurt for a while and it helps things get balanced out a little faster.
Hope you start feeling better soon. *hugs*
They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy
They can say, they can say I've lost my mind
I don't care, I don't care, so call me crazy
We can live in a world that we design
'Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make
-"A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman
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Ataahua
Superuser
/ Moderator
Dec 7 2019, 6:56pm
Post #31 of 64
(333 views)
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Congratulations on your writing success!
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What a fantastic achievement. Make sure you celebrate in some way - you deserve it!
And urgh about your catch-up dental work. I've never had a root canal and I'm happy to forego the experience.
Welcome back! 
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
My original fantasy writing
My LOTR fan-fiction
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Eruvandi
Tol Eressea
Dec 7 2019, 7:18pm
Post #33 of 64
(331 views)
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I'm so excited about it and have been brainstorming what I can do to celebrate. It will probably involve chocolate in some form  and when I see Frozen II later in the week, I'll consider that part of the celebration.
Yes, definitely forego needing a root canal if you can! But if you should ever need one, it's actually not as big a deal as hearsay would have you believe. The anxiety leading up to it was the worst part for me. I actually didn't have any pain in that tooth yet since new dentist caught it before that set in (I would have been in pain later if we'd left it alone), but mom's tooth was hurting so badly they had to squeeze her in with an emergency appointment. They numbed me up so well I couldn't feel that side of my mouth all the way up to my ear and I didn't feel a thing. Neither did mom. The worst side-effect I had was some emotional fatigue and the tooth itself being sore to pressure until I was able to get the crown put on it. Mom said that any soreness she had was far less than the pain she was having beforehand so it was well worth it.
They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy
They can say, they can say I've lost my mind
I don't care, I don't care, so call me crazy
We can live in a world that we design
'Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make
-"A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman
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Kimi
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 7 2019, 9:51pm
Post #34 of 64
(325 views)
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That's a fine achievement, and definitely worth celebrating.
I'm very glad for you and your family that you now have those dental issues under control.
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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Kimi
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 7 2019, 10:00pm
Post #35 of 64
(326 views)
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The summer humidity has struck.
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When I went out running on Friday morning there was such a heavy mist that I wore my running light, which I haven't needed to for a while now sunrise is so early, and I came back with the outside of my clothes damp all over from the mist. We'd planned a Saturday night barbecue earlier in the week when the forecast was for fine weather, and ended up having an indoor version, as it *poured* down.
But the rain is very welcome, as it's been quite dry. Our water tank is now full, the ponds have been topped up, and the plants are looking lush.
We've harvested our new potatoes - we don't grow many, as we only really have them in salads over the summer. Growing spuds in containers works so well for us that this year we're trying a container of kumara (sweet potatoes). The plants are growing really well, but it'll be a few months before we see how the crop turns out.
The strawberries are coming on nicely, with enough to pick a good-sized bowl every other day. We had the first of the raspberries, which while we don't get a whole lot are always a special treat. I have bean, pea, eggplant and tomato plants coming along. The main issue now is that the humidity encourages pests and diseases.
Your sister will continue to be in my prayers, Altaira. It's good that she's being so well looked after.
Wishing everyone a pleasant (what's left of the) weekend.
The Passing of Mistress Rose
My historical novels
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
(This post was edited by Kimi on Dec 7 2019, 10:05pm)
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Eruvandi
Tol Eressea
Dec 7 2019, 11:04pm
Post #36 of 64
(310 views)
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They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy
They can say, they can say I've lost my mind
I don't care, I don't care, so call me crazy
We can live in a world that we design
'Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make
-"A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 8 2019, 2:47pm
Post #37 of 64
(235 views)
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Anything with the Muppets is so much fun! Their version of A Christmas Carol is also one of my favourites :D Can you believe they turned 50 yo on November 8th?
I'm glad you didn't have to dig out of a massive snowfall. You did a lot of that last year! Maybe this year will be merciful ;)
I missed the snow in my area while I was out of town, but I did enjoy the ice storm that came the day before I hit the road. Always so purdy how everything glistens, but seen the younger trees nearly bent in half from the weight is scary! The evidence that there was more than just that are the snowpiles lining the roads and broken (large!) trees all around my house and down the road.
I hope your kitchen is coming along quickly! Do you think you'll be able to cook your Christmas dinner there? I know it most likely won't be "done", but having it useable would be so nice. There's nothing like the smell of a holiday meal to lift your spirits :D
Have a GREAT weekend, m'dear!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 8 2019, 2:52pm
Post #38 of 64
(233 views)
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It was this time of the year when my eldest sister finally lost her cancer battle. She was in the hospital for months. I know it's hard to already see the outcome of the good fight; but the sadness is inescapable *more hugs*. She knows you're there, and I hope she can feel the prayers holding her every hour.
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 8 2019, 3:12pm
Post #39 of 64
(235 views)
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That mighty beast of an auto had me shaking my head with an incredible performance! *pats hood* Never a pause or complaint! :D
Pickle is not impressed with bells or any toys with bells in them. *scratches head* He's definitely a squeaky pacifier dog toy guy! The quicker and longer the squeaking sessions, the more doggie joy-joy that's going on!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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Annael
Immortal
Dec 8 2019, 4:02pm
Post #40 of 64
(232 views)
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I hope that all of you, your sister and your entire family, find peace and solace during this time. My own experiences of walking with someone on those last steps of the journey have included some wonderful "transcendent" moments - may you be likewise blessed.
I wasn't around yesterday because I went to visit friends and have a macaron-making party. None of us had ever done this before, so we read up, watched videos, etc. And they came out pretty well! Not as perfectly round & smooth as the people on the baking shows seem to achieve every time, but they tasted just fine! To make up for all the sugar, we got up at the crack of dawn (7:30 am in these parts, this time of year) and did a vigorous 5-mile hike before breakfast.
This week is full of holiday craziness. I have concerts today and next Saturday. We're singing holiday music interspersed with a reading of "A Child's Christmas in Wales" by a locally well-known actor. Two of the songs we're singing are by young composers, both women, and they are my favorite pieces of the entire concert. You can hear my most favorite one here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvHg5NIbzQY
We've got an awesome new young baritone who is singing the solo. The concert opens with the men in the choir loft singing a version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" that gives me goosebumps every time. It's my favorite carol, and I love it best when it's only male voices.
Lessee: then Tuesday I have the annual luncheon for the local women's club, which raises a lot of money for various charities; I'm baking my famous cranberry bread as my contribution to the bake sale, we have lots of local vendors selling crafts, and then there's the auction. I'm also staffing the bake sale table. Wednesday I am caroling at a corporate Christmas party with some of the choir (we get paid nicely for these gigs, did one last week too) and from there, going to a gingerbread house-making party where we will roll out & bake the "parts." I'm using Mary Berry's recipe! Then Thursday we will assemble the houses & decorate them, and in the evening I'm going to be my dad's date for the annual Christmas dinner of his men's debating group, "the Wranglers." Only time women are allowed, although they are now debating that . . .
in between events I will be doing more holiday baking, finishing up decorating the house, working on a book I am "ghosting," putting the finishing touches on my own book which will be going out for final edit in a couple of weeks, and starting to plan the Christmas meal, as I am the hostess this year. And keeping up with my exercise class!
I am a dreamer of words, of written words. I think I am reading; a word stops me. I leave the page. The syllables of the words begin to move around … The words take on other meanings as if they had the right to be young.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
my blog: https://jodybower.com/myths-archetypes-in-film/
(This post was edited by Annael on Dec 8 2019, 4:04pm)
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 8 2019, 10:22pm
Post #41 of 64
(197 views)
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LOL!
(I wonder what the favorite dorm room pet must be...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 8 2019, 10:24pm
Post #42 of 64
(199 views)
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Oh gosh, that must drive the cats nuts! But at least you always know where he is!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 8 2019, 10:36pm
Post #43 of 64
(198 views)
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Where the tree-tops glisten...
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I love when the trees have just a bit of ice or snow on them, not enough to make them bend. It's a magical feel.
Oh, Michael Caine as Scrooge! We have that on VHS tape, it is a delight. I loved the original Muppet show. And now I see (Kelly of Water's Edge posted above) that we've lost another beloved Muppet-master...
There's just an inspection of electric and plumbing (this week), and trim and baseboard covers, and it can be declared done! They did install the vent hood over the oven just before Thanksgiving, so I cooked a turkey (and a zillion other things). I'm slowly getting things hung back up on the walls! My eldest is coming for 10 days at Christmas, she'll have fun in it.
Your critters must be happy to have you back home! Will you be visiting Dex again to make sure he's getting along okay?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 8 2019, 10:41pm
Post #44 of 64
(198 views)
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Triple congrats: getting a story published, having great Etsy sales, and getting a new dentist (that insurance switch was certainly fortuitous).
A year since you've been here? That doesn't seem possible! Do stop by more often!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 8 2019, 10:50pm
Post #45 of 64
(195 views)
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I'm fascinated by this way of growing potatoes. Can anything be done with the potato "greens"? I hope the sweet potatoes also take to that kind of environment.
I'm trying to not be jealous that you've got luscious fresh strawberries in abundance!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Dec 8 2019, 11:04pm
Post #46 of 64
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just reading about all the things you've been/will be doing!
I hope you have good-sized audiences for the concerts, is this the first time there's been a story told in parts during one? That carol is lovely, thank you for the link!
So - your dad's debate team is having a debate (about allowing women debaters), that seems appropriate! How is your dad doing these days?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Eruvandi
Tol Eressea
Dec 8 2019, 11:06pm
Post #47 of 64
(197 views)
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Thanks on all points, dernwyn! (It was, wasn't it? I admit to crying when I found out I needed a root canal, but I'm also grateful it was caught before I ended up in pain.)
I knoooooow. I thought so many times during the year that I needed to check in, but apparently never acted on those thoughts. Time needs to stop sneaking past me like that!
They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy
They can say, they can say I've lost my mind
I don't care, I don't care, so call me crazy
We can live in a world that we design
'Cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it's gonna take
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make
-"A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 8 2019, 11:24pm
Post #48 of 64
(195 views)
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It's hard to have time together
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When they get all grown up and scatter. It happens so fast! I'm happy that you'll have one of them home for the Holiday :D
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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Ataahua
Superuser
/ Moderator
Dec 8 2019, 11:25pm
Post #49 of 64
(194 views)
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I hope the sweet potatoes also take to that kind of environment.
Pre-European Maori used to grow them in mounds - more for good drainage, I think, but it shows they can grow in a compact-ish space.
https://teara.govt.nz/en/kumara/page-2
I've never tried growing pototoes in a pot but I've heard of good results, including planting them in a tyre mound: put say three tyres on top of each other, fill in with soil and plant your seed potatoes, then when the leaves sprout, add another tyre and soil to bury them. Keep going until you have a good stack, and you'll grow a very long string of potatoes!
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
My original fantasy writing
My LOTR fan-fiction
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Dec 8 2019, 11:35pm
Post #50 of 64
(194 views)
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*applause* So close to being done!
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I hope you're happy with the work they've done :) They've stuck with their schedule pretty well, eh? Having a youngster home for a spell is so great!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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My spouse & I have made use of them at the annual gaming convention that is hosted there. 
