Porthole

Venez m'aider?

I have softly shouted "mayday" this past month. Softly, because I don't want to upset people and do-gooders can get overbearing at times. Yes, I need lots of help. And I've carefully asked for it from certain people.

I'm using the s l o w approach. See something = do it. Focus on one area... yeah, yeah, but I forget. Do something every day. Don't go down the stairs without something in hand for the dumpster. That last bit really helps. My back was sore, probably from disuse. When I feel weak I can sit and go through papers, boxes, etc.

I didn't enter many contests in April. Wrote 3 things yesterday out of desperation. Even if I don't place it has helped at times to encourage others to write and can encourage contest owners to not give up on their efforts. Some contests give out more awards with more entries, so my entry may help someone get a 3rd place or HM. It's worth it; but, my inspiration was spotty.

I'm not a part of 30dbc this round; but, I have every blog marked as a favorite and will read and comment, time and energy permitting. I can be a 'cheerleader' without the frustration and traumas triggered by some of the prompts. I might answer respond to some here if inspired. Few of the participants blog in the off months and fewer comment. So it's not like I 'owe' anyone.

I try to make contest lists on the 1st of the month. That way I can actually find the list! One works within one's limitations...

MAY CONTESTS:

DNP Shadow and Light free verse by 14th for "Shadows and Light Poetry Contest" :
DNP Stormy by 15th "Stormy's poetry newsletter & contest" : in "Under a pink umbrella [65]" 
2nd Children for "Writing 4 Kids" : in "Goats 4 sale"  & "Goats 4 sale" 
DNP Senior for "Senior Center Forum"  in "Response to a prayer"  & "Response to a Prayer for America" 
DNP Taboo poem "The Taboo Words Contest ~ On Hiatus" : in "Between cardboard covers" 
Taboo story "The Taboo Words Contest ~ On Hiatus" :
DNP Traditional "Poetic Traditions Poetry Contest " : old or new in "Brenpoet Trad"  "Hidden " 
Sharmelle "Poetry Topic of the Month Contest" 
DNP Dialog only "The Dialogue 500" : in "Early Spring in Okmulgee [89]"  "Early Spring in Sapulpa" 
DNP Oriental Round 85 for "Invalid Item" : in "Rubaiyat for May [86]" 
WDC
3rd Fantasy poem Jack & the beanstalk for "Invalid Item"  in "Jacking off the beanstalk" 
1st Letter for "Invalid Item"  in "Dear Mrs. Shelley [88]" 
2nd Nature "Invalid Item" : "Be happy with what you have! And who you are." 
Bard's Hall "The Bard's Hall Contest" 
Whatever "The Whatever Contest -- Closed for Now" 
MAY - JUNE
Second time poetry May 15 - 6/14 "Second Time Around ~ Birthday Special" 
Second time prose May 15 - 6/14 "Second Time Around ~ Birthday Special" 
Cross timber by June 19 "Cross Timbers Contest"  in "Ragnvadrs River by June 20. "  < 3000
Parenting May 9 - June 20 "Parenting Short Story Contest CLOSED" 

Onward and upward to the stars through difficulties.

56 degrees at 10:01 a.m.

It won't get as warm as yesterday but 50s 60s is quite acceptable. I live on the 3rd floor facing south so it can get toasty in my place.

Doing the contest list took some time. I already started on a couple. Maybe I'll do better this month?

I also need to write a couple silkpunk stories and flesh out my main characters. Maybe this years NaNoWriMo?

Blog comments left at:

1. normajeantrent
2. hawaiifoeva
3. biddle.connie
4. soledad_moon
5. nfdarbe
6. cathartes02
7. pandapaws214

I should try to leave 5 every day.

Vaxx rates in Montana per 1,000: Missoula County WMT 1,007; McCone County EMT 388. Of course, that doesn't quite correspond with fully vaccinated. But Missoula is over 50%. The outbreaks in Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls and Kalispell go unabated. Possibly due to "I'm young; I don't care", anti-vaxxers and anti-everything. The USA is just playing whack-a-mole.

I'm parking this here because any writer (like Gene/Wizard) can empathize with these opening scenes of a writer going places s/he doesn't want to go and then getting blocked. Most of us understand the frustration. Even the books scattered on the floor looks familiar.



Best Day / Worst Day at Work: "The Angel Lounge" 

One gets old and life tends to blur. I remember having a machete in hand going down the rows of milo cutting velvet weed and shattercane. I remember Laura.

I remember helping a secretary find her glasses and getting yelled at by a boss who thought I should be 'working'.

What about that day my coworkers helped me prepare breakfast for everyone. It was Ayyam-i-Ha, a Baha'i season of giving. We did our best.

I remember being kept after work to explain why I wouldn't donate to the United Way. They had to pay me overtime just to hear me repeat, "No."

But in Nebraska I worked for a year in a nursinghome/hospital. I wasn't good at being an orderly. One night though we had an emergency. A diabetic came in drunk. Head Nurse Welch stationed one nurse in his room. Two other nurses were also kept busy. I got to stay with the old man down the hall who was dying of heart failure. Nurse Welch called Doctor Trávníček and told him what was needed. As head nurse at night she was the ultimate boss. I'm sure she asked nicely... but I'm also sure that doctors knew better than to question her judgment. She was the most competent nurse in the county.

After running around all night she thanked everyone in the morning and smiled. I think that was the only time I saw her smile. But over 40 years later... I still remember.

63 mild degrees at 7 to 7.

One thing noticed today: it looks like the concrete is finished for the pedestrian pathway along the bridge connecting me to downtown. Maybe this means it'll open soon? They need to pour the concrete for the 'off ramp' and intersection at the south end and put the railings up.

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