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 |   A terminal for all blogs coming in or going out. A view into my life. |
Started July 1st 2019 for contests, etc. as other blogs are filling up and have other purposes.  I'm starting a new blog because
I'll be linking to
I've started an appendix (I no longer have one personally) to keep track of my Space Cadet journals for Space Blog. It's a work constantly under construction. Mind the mess.
I needed to start a folder for contests as there are so many deadlines and details to remember.
  |
 16  May 16th. one crazy day to go. Cool in Lisbon. Covid test at 13:30... if negative I'm good to go. I feel fine at the moment. Matthew went with me to show me where the pharamcist was. 20 minutes and I have a spanky-new permission slip to return to my native land.  It was easy; but, it's frustrating to travel to a country that treats everyone visiting there like a diseased non-human. Especially when their own good-old-boys refuse to wear masks or get vaccinated. Diseased-my-ass. So... I've calmed down as I was very nervous. I need to arrange a pick up at 03:00.  And repack, pray that my underwear dries in time (it would be a cool cloudy day...  ). Write a post card or 5? Said good-bye to Marco and Daniel from Danmarka. Said hello to Jeremy from South Korea and Juan Pablo from Bogota, Colombia. 17  Good-bye, 🇵🇹 Long day. No sleep. Jeremy helped pass the time. He was ill (stomach). Taxi at 02:45. Cost 8,80 euros. No major problems with flights but what-a-pain. Avoid flying through SLC (Salt Lake City) until they get the new airport finished (2026?). One hour to get through Customs/Security. Major fail. One of the most miserable airports I've ever been in. The old one was okay. Paid extra for premium seat on 10 hour flight AMS-SLC. The seat was worth it. The food? Shitty. Worse ever, Delta! I watched "Love, Victor' and slept. Movie choice wasn't much better than typical White-America = piss-poor. Birgit picked me up. Saw Billie Jo, Dylan, Jay. Made my day.  18  Up at 06:00. Long sleep. I need to write the poem "Ice Cap" about the 'lift' as the weight-of-ice melts. Saw Laxmi, Kathy, Don, Dalton, Monte... others. Yes, I've lost weight. Meal was so-so. Price of gasoline is $4.39/gal; but, my values aren't dependent on price of a material product. I'm trying to process the slaughter in Buffalo. I lived in that neighborhood, a short walk from the store. I didn't recognize the names of the dead but the carnage affects thousands. Went off on someone blaming 'illegals'. Have little patience. Napped. Damp day. Room is bone dry. Put a pot of water on the radiator. Opened window. Need humidifier and/or air filter. Watered some plants. The neglect shows. But the geraniums bloom regardless. 19  Up at 06:30. Now a damp chilly 39 degrees. Breakfast = coffee and a fish sandwich. Wrote a response to the shooting in Buffalo. "Build a Bridge"  Sat with Billie Jo and Angie. They got my postcards. 20  Up at 06:45. 38 degrees. Snow on Mt. Dean Stone. Very cold May. Apples barely blooming. River rising, raging. Making mushroom rice for breakfast. Gasoline is $4.44/gal. We don't talk about butter or eggs. Chicken parmesan for lunch. Sat with Laxmi.  21  Sleeping too much. Up at 06:45. 39 degrees. Market Day. I made my rounds: market, bank, post office, cafe... saw folks. Froze. Now after 2 and time to head home. At least it has warmed up somewhat. I could do without the wind. Shannon ran into me! She lived below me 8 years ago. She's visiting with her partner Michele. Nice to chat with them both. We all froze. Can't stay awake. So... knocked on Birgit's door and we had a pleasant chat. Trying to stay up later and adjust to this time zone.  22  Snowmist shrouding the mountains to the north but 43 degrees at 7 a.m. and it will warm up today. Nice badge/awardicon for my old p-log. HM Quill. I was supposed to come home tomorrow. Just as well that I cut my trip short. Weather has been miserable. Too cold windy outside and too dry inside. My health isn't great but at least I'm not sick and a nervous wreck. 22 is my favorite number and May is my favorite month. 22 May 22. |
M9  Hmm... my cousin's birthday. She's now 1 year older than me.  Figuring out train/bus schedules... not as easy as it seems. Bad/old info on-line makes it a land-mine. I intend to go to Castro Verde today... if I make all my connections. It's only 1 hour from here. If all goes right it'll take me 5 hours. It doesn't help that I was up till 3 changing my plane ticket. 4 hours of snoozing. Not quite enough. I'm very tense. I had trouble getting into the bus. The driver put my roll-on underneath; then... my pants wouldn't stay up.  But I managed. I had hours to wait in Albufeira. Hard to stay awake. A boy, 5-ish, kept me amused. He had toy figures and then played kick-ball with a crumbled piece of paper. The bus to Castro Verde... didn't stop! Passed it by (new driver?). We turned around in Entradas, arriving late. When I got to the hostel, no one answered! Doorbell, pounding. Nada. Finally... In a room all by myself. One older couple (ignored me... British?) and later two youngish workmen (Portuguese?). 10 Breakfast... typical Portuguese... ham, cheese, croissant, jam (blackberry, strawberry, pumpkin), coffee and orange juice. Walked around town. Both churches and the windmill were closed. Found post office. Nice chat at tourist info place. Ate a bifana at the bus station. It was very good! A pleasant surprise. Got back and couldn't get into my room. I had left the window open so I climbed in... finally got door open with help of a spoon. I told the owner when she got back late. I told her to laugh. What more can we do? I think I've successfully booked the next six nights... Evora then Lisboa... then I leave. 11 Stupidity? I should've gone to the Multibank last night... but reasons... Anyhoo... got money. Got to bus station on time but bus was late; then I realized I needed to buy a ticket? Anyhoo... rush to Tangarina gas station across the street. 14 euros. An old woman from Brasil was a godsend.  Arrived very tired. Mafalda got me to my bed though. Nice and comfy. Ate a mil folhos and a strawberry juice. Bought cheap orange juice and pomegranate-chamomile. Last night "Saudade, saudade" advanced in Eurovision. Portugal seldom does well but this is a strong contender. 12 Working men got up early. Gone long before 8. Adelina in the kitchen setting out ham/cheese/bread. Yes, I'm still in Portugal. Wordle wasn't hard for me. 4/6. 53 tries. I've never lost. Key today was my choice of third word: dumps. That gave me 4 of the 5 letters. My friends have a different approach, trying to guess from correct letters... they get mired with too many choices and sometimes lose. I never lose. Went to the temple. Wandered around. Ended up in the garden with the peacocks. Tired. Very tired. 13 Odd. No one in my room until midnight. Entered very quiet and left early. Nice chat with Neno. He's amused by my brazilian accent. Not feeling well... a bad sign. Almost 3. Still a mild case of diarrhea. Ate gelado: lemon-basil and pumpkin-cheesecake with nuts. Much worse. Drank orange juice, vomited. I think the oj went bad. 14 Some coughing in the early morning, but much better. Did get to hear fado.  Said goodbye to Mafalda and gave her tea. 15 Sick again! But... only a bit. I can take the bus at 1 p.m. No rush. Ate breakfast slowly and carefully. Nice chat with Victor from Sao Paulo, Brasil. Caught bus. Senior rate again. 11,30. Decided to take metro. No prob. But... no money? I kept thinking I should have an extra 50 euros... finally found it in a back pocket. Time to eat? I'm feeling weak. Met Alec Good from Edmonton. What a bright shiny northern star.  Nice chat with Matthew from Ireland. 5778 |
| M2 Restless sleep. Very dry mouth and coughing. Uncomfortable all night and then I got up late. At least room was quiet and dark. Must make decisions today. Met 77 year old woman from Wales. She's been to over 200 countries. Decided to stay in Faro 2 extra nights. Too tired and worn out for a trip. Found out I can change my flight back. Should do that a.s.a.p. Tried to work out an itinerary for Norway, but that's a nightmare that I can't figure out. Ate a great bifana. Bought chocolate soy milk and chicken. M3  Didn't sleep well as I was coughing all night. Phlegm and snot. Finally opened the window a crack. The strong fragrance coming from a deodorizer was overwhelming so I unplugged it. If I could've slept on the terrace... Now drinking tea. It's 10 a.m. 11:04 ... check-in at Tilia isn't until 3 but I'll go early and leave my luggage. Success. Thunder and lightning in the evening. However, sick all night. I rested on the couch in the common area between coughing up phlegm and blowing my nose. The night person, Raquel, looked after me. Kindness matters. M4 Feeling a tad better but doing nothing to upset my body. Did take a shower. Wordle in 2 tries. Got lucky. Finished watching Thai TV rom-com: "Siew Sum Noi". A bit silly but much of it took place in Isaan which is the area I want to visit. I now have a better idea what the musical genre "mo lam": ໝໍ ລຳ (Lao), หมอลำ (Thai) is all about. Got money, walked a bit, took some photos, exhausted. Trying to not cough. M5 Off to Silves, an old city with a castle and a Roman bridge. $70/4 nights in a 6 bed room I may have to myself... It's not high season yet. 7 a.m. and the demolition crew is outside the main door banging away. Although I did better last night I could've used a peaceful morning. Got to Silves. Train left late; they don't announce stops. Tiresome 1.6 km walk to hostel. They have a Lidl here so I'll drown my sorrows with German cheesecake. I have entire room to myself. M6 Dark and quiet. Now light and quiet. Up by 7? I slept okay. I'm still struggling with snot and greenish phlegm. Breakfast: banana, flan, cold coffee. Lunch: fish sticks and cheesecake (German-style). A very warm 27°C at noon. Mailed a letter to Angie in Missoula. Walked up to the castle and the church. Too lateso I'll go tomorrow. Nice chat with Andreas from Zurich, Schweiz. Wish I could say I'm feeling good. I'm not. M7 Warm. Pressure and pain in my chest. Green phlegm. Too much snot. I'm calm at the moment. It's 10:22. It was a difficult night. My mother's 100 birthday. She died March 15th. Very little response to my fb/wdc posts yesterday. I should've expected that. High drama sells. Anything less is a yawn. I went into the old church. I did sit in the entry to the castle but didn't go in. Ate a fried dough at the market. M8 Clothes dry while I lie in bed. I feel okay. The medication I took last night at sunset calmed down the symptons and I slept better. A bit of a shock on-line today. It derailed my change-of-flight plans. That said... I made a list and must decide because where I go tomorrow may be affected. A bit better today. Also a bit cooler. I went to the Silves castle and took pictures. High walls without rails unnerve me though. Red sandstone built by the Moors on an ancient site. I think there are only two of us here tonight. Changed my flight. I return from Lisbon on the 17th instead of Oslo on the 23rd. I also will fly Delta Premium Select. I'll report on how that goes. 5757 |
 25 I survived my first week in Portugal. The day dawns sunny and chilly. Today is the commemoration of the Carnation Revolution, April 25, 1974. Big celebrations in Lisboa and Porto but here? This is a tourist town. It's Eight-O-Eight and the denizens of the dorm slowly wake. Carmen's in her kitchen opening up the day; breakfast starts at half past the sunny hour. Soon. Talked to Yannick (Holland) about 'governance'. Lay down for awhile. Never a great idea. Now late. Cooling. Saw Andrea who I met in Lisboa. She's staying here.  26 Some rain, some sun. Went to Praia Batata close-by. Sat on the beach, took notes. Good-bye to Raphaela, now Andrea. Lunch with Evelyn. We split a pastel. Bought a bifana downstairs. 2,50 euros. More energy today but now I want to nap.  27 Beautiful morning. Evelen is going to Cabo Sagres. I don't have the energy. Olga leaves for Faro. People come and go. I'm sitting at the round white table looking out at ships. The pink plastic tulips are waving in the breeze. Walked to Praia Meia. No sunscreen but I didn't burn. Long sunny walk to a wide sandy swimming beach.  28 My nerves are going. Computer is acting up. Must makes plans and/or change flights back. I'm glad I booked the first 12 days so I didn't have to think. To all the Dutch: Shimmer of water, white wake of a passing boat, white wings of gulls, white canopies shining in the sun's glare. The palms offer spare shadows at noon, their fronds caressing the breeze and me ... seated behind the window all day, reluctant to leave. Oh where, oh where are the red geraniums hidden, begging me to stay? Lagos, Portugal. Finally got my salada de polvo.  Impossible to chat with Evelyn this evening due to very loud South American men. Portuguese men can be very loud as well. It's as if they only know how to shout.  29 Day of Beauty... tomorrow. Sunny. Sat with Real (Netherlands). We sorted things out. Booked 3 nights in Faro in Faroway. Still taking it slooow. Why I worry about the US: "The result was an ethnic nationalism sanctified by religion as it established a new "holy trinity" of "freedom, order and violence," meted out variously to in-groups and out." Exhausted by walk to/fro to get groceries at Pingo Doce. Lay down. Skipped dinner. Folks drank... a lot.  30 Off to Faro. Staying at Faroway. Caught the train in time at Evelyn's urging. We had pulled pork (dry imho) when we arrived. No problem walking directly to hostel. No upper beds here. We shall see about noise. It's after 3 p.m. so I should take a walk. Ran into Evelyn. Bought fresh squeezed orange juice and ham. Ran into Joao, the owner, too. Watched a bit of a detective movie subtitled in Portuguese. Now I need coffee. M1 Room was very dark and quiet. A surprise. Ate my pasteis de feijao... and coffee. Always coffee. Met a group of Italians that live in Lisboa, two Danes. Watched the swallows swooping. Room tonight: Portuguese, Italian (Brescia), German (East), Norwegian (Oslo). 5 of us. Some folks only stay in Faro for a night to catch the plane back home. Found Hostel Madalena. Nice chat with Adrian. Evelyn invited me out to dinner. She had robalo. I ate cod and shrimp. She leaves tomorrow. 5737 |
 18 Awarm wind. I'm sleepy since i've had almost no sleep in over two days. Safely in Lisbon, Portugal. I'll need to blog over what transpired this past week and what my plans now are. Great talk with Andrea from Sighisoara, Romania. Exhausted. Too a nap at 6-ish, up at 11, back in bed after midnight. Slept okay. 19 Nice surprise call from Brian in Costa Rica. Sharon finished her youtube of my poem.
Great time with Tyla and Zak from New Zealand. Great morning chat with Guido from Groningen. Ate sushi for supper. 20 Did nothing yesterday. May do something today. Slept okay but after breakfast I'm a bit fatigued. We shall see. I'm not really here to DO anything. Breakfast is typical: ham, cheese, croissant or bread, coffee with hot milk, sumo de laranja. But I added cocoa flakes with honey and hot milk. Lay down for 3 hours. Still fuzzy-headed with no energy. Bought postcards. Short walk. 21  Hot milk to warm the honey drippled on cocoa corn flakes, a banana from Costa Rica, a pear (from who knows where), the smile of Lourdes greeting everyone, her soft Brazilian voice sweetly singing "Killing me softly". I've met many young people from around the world. Today: Zoia from Russia, Hermione from Yorkshire. Guido from Groningen, Tyla and Zak from Hawkes Bay (NewZealand), Felix, a happy Swede from Goteborg, Andrea from Sighisoara; her friend from Sofia, Bulgaria. This is my element. I told Rosemary re open the gasline, close the borders: "Nope. I'm a globalist. I'm in Portugal in a hostel with folks from Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Sweden, NewZealand... I am not afraid of refugees nor migrants. My ancesters lived elsewhere 200 years ago. Solar, wind, water, thermal power is the future. At 70 years old I do not live in the past. (I visit the Past, but I don't live there.)" Met a Manx man from Isle of Man.  22  Met interesting young people from Turku, Finland. I asked them about NATO and Ukraine. Morning thunder. Heavy rain. Storm warnings due to waves on the coast and snow in the mountains. I have NO energy. Ate a bifana and a pastel de bacalhau e queijo. Walk back was long and arduous. Have a bus ticket. Eva-mundial. 15 euros Lisboa-Lagos. I leave noonish so I don't have to stress in the morning.  23 Goodbye breakfast. Spoke briefly with Felix Lissaker. A bit hectic getting to the bus station as information was incorrect. Woman helped me. Half empty, seat by widows and toilet. Pleasant ride. One stop to eat-n-pee. Bought a 500ml coke for 3 euros. Expensive. Timo (Dortmund) was working reception. And Ana (Toronto) whose roots are Serbian. They were forewarned that I was coming.  Bed... same as previous trip (the first one I believe). No octopus or squid salad; so, I got grilled sardines (7), potato, salad. 10 euros. Didn't feel well so I lay down. Disturbed by people with flashlights... in my eyes. Up 3, 4 times during 'rest'.  24 No shutting me up. Wonderful chats with Evelyn(a) from Germany/Poland and Shefali from New Delhi. Talked w/ Evelyn about strict families and how bosses can kill (she quit hers); she worked in cosmetics. Shefali is multilingual and works with cultural issues; we chatted about Thai movies, Bollywood. Went to Pingo Doce and bought bread, pork 'ravioli', chocolate-cream roll. Worn out just walking there. Set down on way back. It's not far. Family dinner tonight. I'm not up for it. Saw Ourso. He's 14 years old. He's abig black bear-rug. Bearnese? I lay down in the evening but got up at 9:30 or so to jion them. Evelyn put a blanket aroud me like a red cape. She also gave me chocolate as a birthday present. Bed after midnight. 5727 |
 11  I finally got new glasses. Wire-rim. One's brown, the other gunmetal. See better without them up close though. My eyes in general are in good health. Cataracts forming but not an issue. Was given eyelid wipes for eye-gunk. Only complaint was having to be up so early to catch the #8. Very cold morning. Blustery, snowy day. Caught the #6 back and visited with friends. Phil gifted me a chocolate cherry desert. ![Merit Badge in Micro Fiction Challenge
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Congratulations on successfully completing at 10 weeks of [Link To Item #2265907] ! You stuck to it and rocked it! *^*Heartv*^* Kindest Regards, Lilli](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Micro_Fiction_Challenge-2149524_14.gif) Micro Fiction Challenge "Micro 100 #20 "Howl and Yowl" [20]" "Micro 100 #19 "Drama Class" [179.14]" "Micro 100 #18 Boostered [179.3] 100 words" "Micro 100 #17 Chance encounter [178.379]" "Dere wuz a ring in 'er coffee cup, dere wuz, dere wuz! [378]" "Micro 100 #16 My Familiar [376]" Totally listless.  List: - ties for glasses  - wash before leaving - finalization of first week - ride - phone set up - pre pack (tends to make clear what's 'missing') - clean out fridges - butter to Julian  - haircut  - enga@ymail.com email restored - mothballs and plastic bags 12 Pale pall. Weak sun. 29 degrees. May not get above freezing. Not too windy at the moment. Lingering cold = not good. Found ties for my glasses. Suede, cost me $5 each but at this point I don't care. Nursing a sourdough baguette. Skype issues, phone issues, email issues... all intertwined... it never ends.  Stress wears me out. Submitted "By the heat of a radiator" to Shadows&Light. No way I can remember where/when I've submitted it n the past.Waiting, waiting, waiting... absolutely stressed by waiting when I need answers a.s.a.p. Yes, I realize other people actually have a life. ? 13 ? I don't remember much. Cold. Very cold. Did speak with Hunter at Butterfly. He's moving to Nashville! I managed to speak to my cousin Carol before I lost wifi. No wifi connection at home after 8 p.m. Not as if I have anything to do... I took a nap to de-stress and then go up 12 a.m. till 4 a.m. and went through items for pre-packing.  14 Have PCR appointment at Walgreens. 11:45 a.m. Hope it goes well. I have so little time for drama. Sam and Jean both suggested Walgreens. Ate lunch: Swedish meatballs. Saw Angie and got a hug. Cold walk to Rockin' Rudy's. They didna have what I needed .I seem to have internet back. Lay down again for an evening nap. I felt chill. Now up... what should I do? Half-packed. Birgit has offered to take me to Walgreens in the morning.  1 a.m. blowing and snowing.  15 Birgit got me to Walgreens. We figured it out. Now... to wait. Fried fish at Senior Center.  Clam chower, fries, banana pudding. Sat with Phil, Laxmi, Monte, Wally and Kathi.Blood pressure: 160/90 = not good. Couldn't straighten out sim card. Bad info. Butter to Julian. Dylan offered to take me to the airport.  16 Don't ask.  17 Extremely tired after no sleep. Dylan got me to the airport by 03:45 but no problems. Ate a roast beast sandwich. Chatted with the coach of a junior high basketball team. They were on their way to Phoenix to watch an NBA playoff game. Talked to Christina on the plane. She grew up in Boston near Nakeeta who I know. Small world indeed. Nice chat about seafood and growing up in a Catholic town. In MSP too tired to care. Great chat with Isaiah from Sacramento. We talked about language and culture. He's Hmong. |
| A4 It will be blustery later today. I'd like to work in a cafe on my trip as internet is iffy at best at home, especially in the evenings. Lots to be done at home for the trip. 1. Packing. (repacking) 2. Cleaning. 3. Watering. Did laundry yesterday but will do another load come Sunday or next week. It's time to do bedspreads, sweaters, jackets...  ![Merit Badge in Taboo Words
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Hi K,
Congratulations! You won 1st Place in [Link To Item #2139468] with your fantastic poem, [Link to Book Entry #1029704].
Rachel](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Taboo_Words-2139481_13.gif) Nice to see birds delivering messages to my mailbox. At least the rent for April and May is paid (one check). So many details to take care of before a trip. I can fold my wash (I hang it everywhere to dry) and look around for needs to be done before I leave. And I can open my luggage which is still partially packed from February 2020 when I cancelled a trip to Spain/Morocco/Portugal. Ironic, isn't it? I need to update my address book as well as I'd like to send postcards. Yes, snail-mail is as old fashioned as I am; but, wouldn't it be nice to get a letter in the mail? Apparently not these days. Still, I did get a postcard last week from Cecilie mailed from Paris. KU 25-47 72 NC 40-29 69 Ouch. Kansas, my alma mater, comes roaring back but it was touch-and-go at the end. They're going nuts in Lawrence right now. I remember 2008 when they won. I was in Allen Field House. Snowing. A5 Quite white out there. Inside, I'm coughing and woozy. Not super bad but may be better to stay in. Realizing that although I really love the train I may just jet around between Portugal and Norway. Can't afford Turin for Eurovision apparently. I was mostly happy in Kansas (the first time). Years later in 2007:  A6 39 degrees, sunny and warming, while I'm sitting here coughing. Thinking of comma...s Getting better... all the time... well, almost. Throat's sore from coughing. I'm nursing another coffee. Apparently... not so restrictive getting into Portugal. We'll see. Still sunny outside. A7 I've had a head cold for two days so I was thrilled to get out and see folks. I asked Nikola: 'Curious: what flowers are blooming. We have some (brave) daffodils, tulips, hyacinths. Tomorrow could rise to 70 but twenties and possible snow next week." Wordle was easy for me today. Almost got it in two! 0-0-10-11-7-0 = 28 wins versus no losses. Dordle was difficult for me. Got it in 6/7 ... barely. Walked to the grocery store. Bought ice cream and donuts as a treat. Shouldn't have eaten so much though. The answer to my problem may be WalMart... I'll get back to you on that. I wonder where I hid my euros... Brian in CR starts a new job May 1st.  Ate up the last of the fish. I have plenty of time to finish off food or give it away. A8 ⛅48 degrees and warming this morning. Still not feeling well and have too much to do. Did go through packed clothes last night. Need to add and subtract. A9 Flakes in the air. Caught the #8 bus, got off at Mount. Got to the eye clinic as early as I could. No appointment possible. Checked frames. Back on bus. Took #6 downtown. Drowned my sorrows in a mocha rose milkshake (with dry rose petals on top of the whipped cream). Angie-of-the-green-hair suggested it. It was a pale green itself. Spoke to some people but basically accomplished nothing. No mail. Cold walk home. Arrived chilled. 10 Cold. Not feeling well. I'm withdrawn... dangerously so. Snow on and off. Sat with Birgit. Highlight of the day. Tried to revive my yahoo email. Sent code here. Got it late. Wouldn't work. |
 28 ⛅The crocuses have been out for awhile. Trees are beginning to bud. Which flowers will burst forth next? I'll be eating smothered pork today... unless I leave it in the fridge and eat bologna instead. I'm having difficulty keeping track of the date and day of the week. Lack of routines will do that. There is scene at the end of 55:15 that haunts me. Jarunee's father has Alzheimers. She asks Bomb to look after him when she dies. She dies. He does. We see the old man lying on the bed uncovered. Bomb comes in and puts a blanket over him. That small act of kindness says a lot. Last week I was deathly ill. Tonight I'm fine; but, living alone has its complications. Who will look in on me? 42°F at 9 a.m. (or 3 in the morning in Thai as 6-12 is morning; the hours are divided into four parts). Coffee. And toast. In Thailand it may be 'donuts'. In Costa Rica, gallo pinto (a mix of rice and beans). In Norway, fish and cheese. 100 Micro: "A double date goes slightly awry when two girls begin to fall for each other’s boyfriends." Easy-peasy. While Porn (blessing) and Noinae (a fruit) are arguing/concerned/dreaming, their boyfriends are caught stealing a kiss in the restroom... or some such silliness! "Are they..." "kissing?" "..." "Yep." Eight: I want to continue the 8/6/7/5/6/4/5/3 with 4/2/3/1/2/_. The last couplet would read 'slashed to' ______. 63 degrees at 3 p.m. (or 3 in the afternoon in Thai). Mild, pleasant, did not wear a coat. Cottage cheese with gifted pears. Making rigatoni... for tomorrow. I'll be using red sauce and that's better after it sets for a day. I'm thinking of adding tuna and/or cheese before I eat it. I'm in a do-nothing mood. My experience with this is that I pay later.  29 Spending most of the day inside although I did get out. Dalton and Laxmi fattened me up with chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Met Michael, the new chef, who is working on including vegetarian items on the Sr. Ctr. menu. Willie saw a man die this afternoon when she was shopping. She came back to the center to vent and de-stress. Apparent heart-attack. My supper: rice with garam marsala, mushrooms and pork. I am both properly hydrated and caffeinated today. Finished. Verdent: "Until the rains come" Taboo: "Emerald treasure " Personify: "Ghost of tissues past" 1st Chapter: "A map to Hellenbach" 4 Children: "A Big Flashy Fun Rainbow Ball " Limerick: "Honeybuns" and "Ah... David (blush) [2 Limericks]" Panda: "Naw Ruz 179 [179.1]" Think about it: "McCarthy Forever!" Julia McCarthy was my mother's father's mother's mother from Ireland. The Irish rootlet shows up in our DNA. What is touching about what I wrote is that when I first sketched it at the beginning of March my mother, age 99, was still alive. She died March 15th, two months short of 100. I could only add the picture of McCarthy's Pub, but I have other photos of Dingle: sailboats, sheep, fish and mushy peas at Harrington's, graveyard, church... did I mention hillsides of sheep? White on green. Way too stressed out. 30 *cold*30°F at 8. Cold but clear and will warm up. Never went out and now poor internet connection.  Have one day more to finish up. I spent over 3 hours trying to buy airplane tickets. I may be gone April 17th - May 23rd. How I tolerate traveling will determine what I do the next two years. Details to come.  31 45°F 7°C in Missoula at 2 p.m. Windy, threat of rain. Dull, dreary. Great conversation with Angie, Jay and Billie Jo though. I told them my news. Now to finish those limericks... Done.  Pacing it... No bread in the house so I ate tortillas and now heating up beefy mushroom soup with pasta stars. I barely finished my contests. Missed one, but I ran out of time as usual and internet connection has been truly crappy. I have two immediate issues: phone and glasses. Also must figure out how to get covid test if I need one for Portugal. I'll need a ride, but the shuttle should be running. If not, a taxi. Flight is at 6:45 a.m. so I need to be there by 5:30. Small airport.  32 ⛅Bad internet again. Went to see friends after 'watching' the World Cup draw. Costa Rica will face Germany and Spain if they get past New Zealand. They're surging, but November is a long ways away. And although they took out Italy 8 years ago, don't expect another upset of that caliber. I need to do research and booking for my upcoming trip. I need reliable internet because my nerves get shot otherwise. As far as recording thoughts in this blog... they are useful to me but totally ignored by WdC. 5694-5644 = 50 views in March. Comments? Katya, Lyn and Sarah = 3. Great chat with Laxmi today about her upcoming Santiago walk, and three cruises (Sept-Nov) and about my trip to Portugal. John's plant died after 16 years. He said I could have the pot. I wonder how my plants will deal with the upcoming neglect. I haven't told them yet. It's Saturday morning in Maha Sarakham. 66/62 and rain. Odd for April. It's supposed to be 90/70, humid, dusty, dry. Strong North-east winds too. I'm considering June/July for Thailand and/or November. I did remember to buy food today. (Fish!) I didn't overbuy and I might give in and eat at the Senior Center for $5/meal the 11th-15th in preparation for cleaning out my fridge before my trip.  A2 Daily Dordle #0067 5&4/7 ⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜ 🟨🟨⬜🟩⬜ 🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ 🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ zaratustra.itch.io/dordle hapax/prank Not as hard as you may think. (rainy/hotel/dumps) The 'p' was critical. 35 degrees at 10:10 and dark. And I have to work on the computer today so I want to go to Butterfly Herbs; but, it's cold and later it will be blustery. I seem to have lost my touch when it comes to writing. Not that that should ever stop a person. I'll write about my trip if nothing else. Writings fall into three categories: Won: 3rd  "Until the rains come" Verdent March 1st  "Emerald treasure " Taboo March3rd "A Big Flashy Fun Rainbow Ball " 4 Children MarchKinda... "Green ink" Bearbit April (5-way 2nd place)HM "A map to Hellenbach" 1st ChapterPending: Panda: "Naw Ruz 179 [179.1]" Think about it: "McCarthy Forever!" Did not place: "Mad Fashion Designer [year162.ff]" Senior March"Smoke" Shadows&Light March"Ghost of tissues past" Personify March"Honeybuns" and "Ah... David (blush) [2 Limericks]" LimerickI responded to Hooves re "The Gilded Age": "I looked it up. I don't have cable so I may never get to see it. I'm not fascinated by upper-class melodramas so I may skip it. It's interesting how little I have in common with folks here at WdC or in general. I watch Thai TV series but don't follow K-Pop. And... don't ask about music. I'm still stuck in the 70s and 80s , even though I do watch some talent shows.Glad you have found a show you enjoy. " KU vs NC on Monday night. I'm a Jayhawk. Found a Jayhawk to download.I'm still looking for an emoji. Trip is coming together. Stressed over getting back as I have a 6 a.m. flight on a Monday. One place has a bus at 4:13 that will get me there in time. But details... A3  Fog... lifting. No morning wisdom before coffee. No wisdom after coffee either. Look elsewhere for the answer. Internet is so unreliable that it's 'dangerous' to use. I can't depend on it to save or reload. Singapore is expensive but not so bad if I only stay there for 4 days like I did once in Paris. It would be a good option if flights to/from Bangkok have a long layover. |
It's the New Year. Get use to seeing [179.xxx] on what I write this year.  That said, I need to make sure everything I wrote this past year is posted. I wrote over 380 pieces in 178. My goal this year will be the usual: 365, hopefully 400. My new pretty (doesn't stay that way) black notebook (Book 67) starts on page 5237. The last two years were dismal with unacceptable gaps and only 62 pages [178] and 64 pages [177]. It should be 60 pages/season or 240+/year. My journal-letter to a friend started in 2003. My first meal today was mac & tuna. As good a way to start the day as any. Naw Ruz started last evening, but don't ask me what I ate. I mentioned a couple sad events last blog, and a few more over the past year; but, I have no reason to mention them again. What is sad is that nobody read nor commented. I don't want to post my blah blah life on Newsfeed. I have blogs for that and facebook (if I so choose; I haven't). I do not believe spring is here until the daffodils bloom. We wait.  22 Saw Willie and Phil and shared my sad news. Laxmi was glad that I did. Lay in wait for the wild sourdough baguette. I caught one. Nabbed a pat of butter as well. Wrote my micro 100: "Micro 100 #18 Boostered [179.3] 100 words" It was sunny earlier. Still a mild 56 degrees. It may not get below freezing this week. Can you say daffodils? Crocuses in full bloom. I felt a bit chilled earlier so I'm conflicted as to whether I should crack open the window. It's warm enough outside. The question is me... 23 Messaged Gervic. Hope his situation resolves itself soon. I saw the pics of his family house destroyed by the typhoon (Odette) that hit north of Dumaguete. All gone. His family is scrounging money to pay his hospital bill. Otherwise, calm night. Saint Regis remembered I have never stayed in Lake Placid, a misnomer encased in snow and ice, a place to drive though on the way to better vistas, calm cool nights. Spitfire, placid, hoped-for breeze, summer ease, bluegills caught, Sunfish sailing, a dingy's ride through golden lilies, a lake remembered for 50 years. © Copyright 2022 Kåre Enga [179.4] (23.mars.2022) 70 degrees! Nice music, sunshine. Saw Hunter and others. No glasses... well... at least not mine! To Waltz re tigers and cats: "If calico provides camouflage than it's of use. Leaf litter, dappled shade? Marble countertops are a baker's wet dream. For most anything else a chop-block and a crock-pot will do. Cats will be cats. No need to stoop so low as being canine, or even worse, assinine like humans. "Gasoline: $4.09/gallon.  24 Up early but lazy. Saw my mother's obit posted by my sister. Did Wordle (easy) and Dordle (very difficult). Messages from friends. Took shower. Should put on clothes. Sat with Angie and Billie Jo. Sat with Kathy C, Willie and Laxmi. At home again, sat with Birgit. Late lunch: ate a bologna sandwich and cottage cheese with pears. Now rice with spice. Still no oomph. 59 degrees outside at 5 p.m. The last minute frenzy to finish contests begins... tomorrow. Sorry. Still no oomph.  25 40 degrees this morning. Should climb into the spring-like 60s. I can keep my windows open for the next week. Got the good news that Gervic is out of hospital but Grace will soon go in. Living among the dying or Living among the dead? So many folks my age seem to be dead. Oh... they still walk around like zombies... I'm amazed at the Circus of White Men seeking to surround Ketanji Brown Jackson like the Land Sharks they are. 250 years... and they still afraid of an intelligent woman. Maybe there's a story there somewhere. Espagueti con albondigas... Lxami me lo regalo. Dreary weak sun but mild. Went to clinic. Still no glasses. Every place I've checked had glasses in their lost & found. Just not mine. So... I'm at Butterfly Herbs drowning my sorrows with a chocolate malt. Took a 4 hour evening nap. I'm fuzzy headed.  26 ⛅Got Wordle in 3. May be difficult word for some but my mind was working this morning. Will I clean today? (Very little...) Baked chocolate cake, substituting mayo for an egg and oil, adding cinnamon, spices, and a dash of lemon. Very ... out-of-it? A week ago I became very ill. Nothing like that, solo una pereza (ennui). Decided to not go out. I told Stik re work-relationships: "Where were you 20 years ago when I needed this advice? I won't say which rule I broke but it was a mess. Coworkers interfered because they did not approve. This also happened in a non-work situation. There are reasons why I refuse to go back and why I cut most of my ties to people from that time. I grew up among very prejudiced and bigoted people who also believed in one-and-done=you're-shunned." 27 ⛅Supposed to be warm today. Already 58 degrees at noon. Breakfast is chocolate cake  and coffee  I must 1. token clean and 2. token work on contests. I say token as neither will be finished. I'm on edge today and when my nerves are fragile I'm easily overwhelmed. To Gemini re Sundays: The conservative attitude of Americans becomes evident when one travels. Portugal doesn't close on Sundays; the churches are open and are seldom empty during the week. Americans like to work hard, party hard and pray hard. American tourists, missionaries and partiers were the scourge around the globe until wealthy Russians and Chinese replaced them. Ah... Sundays. My father sitting in sunshine reading the Sunday paper. Kansas Jayhawks won 76-50. I remember 2008. Working on contests... Crunch time. Remember: "Poetry Contest and Inspiration" ... done. Chose an old poem: "Green ink" . Wordle: 'nymph' (in 5) makes me 22/22 with an average just under 4. Thai notes: Soi (Thai: ซอย [sɔ̄ːj]) is the term used in Thailand for a side-street branching off a major street (thanon, Thai: ถนน). An alley is called a trok (Thai: ตรอก). Breakfast donuts: (ปาท่องโก๋) pa thong ko. "Thai people like to eat these crullers with sweetened condensed milk, coffee, or dipping custard, Sangkhaya (สังขยา). They are also served with Chinese congee, jok (โจ๊ก)." |
| 44 degrees at 12:44 a.m. Tuesday the Ides of March. I posted 3 pieces. Two poems; one micro. I worked on others. It's time for bed. Don mentioned that he sleeps well. One piece of advice was to drink water before going to bed. Not milk, water. I drank tea but I should drink more water. One grumpy observation. It matters little what I've done over the past 2 years. Not on-line nor IRL. I am prone to think that folks are avoiding ME. That may be true... but I suspect that people are just plain avoiding people. At least poetry month is coming up. Maybe I'll travel? Still rainy, 46 degrees, gloomy. I did the daily Wordle in 3. Daily Dordle was not so easy, but I got it in 7&5. I used rainy/hotel as my first two words... which is amusing considering I live in an old hotel. These two words have all the vowels except u. Plus h,r,t,l,n are common consonants. I've used heist/bayou but h,s,t,b isn't as strong. Arakun the Twisted Raccoon gave me good advice a while back. My 'free' Dordle is at 87% after 150 tries. That's as good as it gets. Dordle is much harder than Wordle. Double letters are problematic. Like, I couldn't 'see' floss or fifty. I'm proud of pooch/viola in 3/4. I guess our janitor was in hospital for his gall-bladder, but I just saw him. Van has lived here 44 years. Birgit comes from Lubeck and Dan-dan from Fuzhou. I really miss Bri and Travis. And Nick... miss him so much. I did knock on the doorand say hello to Billie Jo this morning. This place is not as lively nor friendly like it once was. 13 of 30 rooms are Airbnb and that doesn't help. I do talk to Tristan, Jay, Mica, Alishka, Peter, Dirk, Julian, Dylan, Angela when I see them.  I told Katya the Poet in "Dew Drop Inn" :I'm starched; it's the Ides of March! I'm stoked to see this smiling post. Such a thrill come every April. I'm already ready to roast. So much for non-sensical rhyme... It was time to remind everyone. I used a couple poems I wrote in April 2017 as contest entries this week. So... I'm bitem-bound and need to unclutter and house-clean if I want to bitemize my poems this year. 36 degrees and snow-mist at 11:06. The sky was white a while back. 16th... I wanted to wear green and orange today and tomorrow but I may settle for bundling up. Wednesday is my shopping day but I may wait. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice. I don't feel well. I look worse. First place for "Unrestrained" I know it needs stengthening, but Darleen likes dark. I suspect there were slim pickings this round.  Sunset is ordered and will deliver. I'm defrosting my refrigerator cube. One is guaranteed... the other isn't promised. Bought cinnamon bread. Remembered to pick up mayo... barely. Hot dogs were much cheaper than bologna. Why? The 17th. I think of Cindy Wright. Which brings up memories of Kevin. I'm grateful they were part of my life. I wish they still were. A cold sunny 30°F out 'there' at 09:44. It will warm up. I had my toasted cinnamon bread and coffee. One more coffee and I'll cut myself off.   I'm drinking Ethiopian.Time for a shower and dressing myself in orange and green. Wordle... I can do it. 12 in a row; average 4.0. Took me 4 yesterday for 'cater' and 4 today. Dordle is doubly hard; but, 6&3 yesterday for 'pecan' and 'adore'. How I saw 'adore' so quickly I don't know. I fell up the stairs (at the top). No harm done but it's a bit troubling. Found a pan for meatloaf/banana-bread/cake. It fits nicely into my toaster oven. I showed off my green and gold today, so that's making me happy. Over 50 degrees. I can go to the post office, bank and cafe tomorrow. It's supposed to stay mostly nice for a week. The 18th. Cold, raw It's 51 degrees but it feels much colder.1. Got to post office. Picked up check my sister sent. 2. Went to bank to deposit said check. Saw Val. 3. Went to Health Dept. Tomorrow is walk vaxx. 10-14. So, I did accomplish something. Sunny Saturday. Up early because I HAD to get my covid booster shot. I had lots of concerns but Cathy walked me through it. Got Moderna after my initial J&J. She said I need to drink lots of water and eat. I quiped whether a milkshake would count. I just finished off my pastel green shake at Butterfly Herbs. Folks here made my day. I chatted with a mother and daughter about Salish, Thai, Ukraine/Russia (they also have that ethnicity!). Messes up my fast a bit. Since fasting isn't really about not eating (it's NOT about losing weight) I will continue with other aspects of it and drink lots of water. The New Year cometh. Monday. Donna Freedman: "My own frugal mantra is this: I save where I can so I can spend where I want. Along with my frugal brethren, I make informed choices about my money and my life." I called my sister. Everyone is fine but my mother died March 15th. (1922-2022)  40 degrees, a bit of sun. I was very sick overnight. Haven't been that sick in ages. Up every half hour to pee and drink water; was wobbly, could barely walk, fainting; chills and fevers; body ached. Why? I had gotten the booster (Moderna). I even left the door unlocked so I could be checked on if necessary. 5661 |
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. That's good, right? Or did you just list those checked? 
