F.R.E.D.

#1073022

June 22, 2024 at 12:51pm

I am still home recovering from a total shoulder replacement. I will be off work for a while yet, for which I have mixed feelings. My wife decided to invest in a 3d printer and since we didn't have any good place to put it, it is working in my small writing room as I type this. It isn't too loud, but it can be distracting. Guess I will have to focus more, huh? We have been buying the items made from the printer and there seems to be a good enough interest in them that the next step was ... [Read more]

#1072321

June 7, 2024 at 9:10pm

I just had shoulder surgery and am typing this with my left hand, total shoulder replacement, finally done! it wasn't so bad. the doctor asked if I wanted a prayer. Of course I did and it was well worth it! Writing will be difficult but wish me luck...... [Read more]

#1070567

May 5, 2024 at 8:15pm

I went to a special olympics event in Grand Rapids. There were a lot of people there! Of course, I sit in the section of bleachers no one else is near. I was a bit lonely, but not too bad. I got to listen to my audio book while waiting. My son had three different events he was in and managed ribbons in two of them. I think they were giving ribbons to everybody. He had fun and that is what was important. He didn't try to run away, so that was good. It was a good sight seeing him run with h... [Read more]

#1066112

March 11, 2024 at 8:13pm

I am listening to an audio book called Aether's Blessing, by Daniel Schinhofen and narrated by Andrea Parsneau. It is good. Maybe better than good. I am enjoying it, though it isn't for everyone. In fact, I am listening to it now! Daylight savings time today. How dumb, I think. I think it wears on me too much. Actually, I am too tired to continue....Goodnight!... [Read more]

#1064846

February 25, 2024 at 9:11am

Smart clothing. This is one of the things I have speculated about years ago after reading, "The Terminal Man" by Michael Crichton. My imagination led me to eventually imagine our least invasive access to the brain would involve using the nerve endings already in place. Of course, I wasn't thinking much about computers or phones back then, but eventually, it all seems to be coming together, especially, after reading articles like this one: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/engi... [Read more]

#1064140

February 13, 2024 at 6:52pm

I asked Copilot to write me a poem. Fantastic. Reply: Certainly! Here's a whimsical and fantastical poem for you: ``` **The Enchanted Grove** In the heart of twilight's veil, Where moonbeams dance and secrets sail, Lies an ancient grove, veiled in mist, Where dreams take root and shadows twist. Beneath the boughs of silver-green, Fairies weave their silken sheen, Their laughter echoes through the night, Guiding lost souls toward the light. The trees, the... [Read more]

#1063578

February 5, 2024 at 5:58pm

This is truly amazing! It has also been a long time since we began experiments putting electrodes in brains somewhere around the 50's or so if I understand correctly. Perhaps the problem with acceptance lies with making the upgrade as allowing us to be 'more' human, rather than 'inhuman'. I do have a son with brain issues, including missing his corpus callosum. So, you can probably see how these advances would be important to someone like me. Of course, I am not jumping to... [Read more]

#1063090

January 28, 2024 at 9:25am

I learned something today. My lovely wife was again weighing herself and complained the scale wasn't right, when I, silly me, asked the dumb question: "You went through how many scales?" Okay, I didn't mean it to be mean, but I learned I should not always speak what comes to mind. Silly, me. I'm alive! Still alive. Yay! I made peanut butter cookies last night from a recipe from Pinterest. It was a good recipe! Who needs cookbooks? Okay, they still have their uses. I... [Read more]

#1062761

January 21, 2024 at 5:08pm

Lots of snow in my neck of the woods. Of course, I am having trouble with my snow plow which is also my ATV. It doesn't want to start and stalls out while I am plowing. I charged the battery and checked for loose connections but couldn't find any. I will have to take it in somewhere this summer, I think. Can't shovel as much snow as I get! I've done it 30 years ago, but not with my bum shoulder. No way! House cleaning because we are getting a visit from community Mental Health... [Read more]

#1061423

December 26, 2023 at 9:32am

The English language (American English for sure) is horrible to understand, even for a native speaker such as myself. I was just watching a video about the Shavian alphabet and the effort that was made to introduce an English alphabet to get rid of most of the issues with the English language. The video claimed to get rid of 1 in 6 letters used in the English Language! Very interesting video. My ability to learn a new alphabet would be a problem. I am barely functioning with my own, native alpha... [Read more]

#1057450

October 15, 2023 at 2:22pm

The news has been frightening of late. I don't have the answers, but as a writer (in my own mind, anyway) I can imagine a solution to shake history. Of course, if I told you, I would have to cry, apologize, and slink back into the curtain area where the spotlight isn't paid to shine. You are right! The news should focus more on chocolate. Well, chocolate and coffee, for sure. I know this would offend the tea lovers and I apologize profusely, but tea was early history, I think. (Joke?)... [Read more]

#1050169

May 27, 2023 at 7:47pm

I spent most of the day putting a swing set together for my son. Yes, I put a fence up in my backyard so he couldn't take off, which he is prone to do. This has been an expensive, expensive year, but worth it to keep him safe. In case you didn't know, he is sixteen and autistic. Anything to keep him safe, but whatever I do never seems enough because I worry about the next bit of trouble he will get himself into. Worrying is not writing and writing is something I plan on doing more of. I ... [Read more]

#1047343

April 2, 2023 at 9:17am

Here is a thought: AI or MI (Machine Learning) will take a dominant role in writing stories someday. I have experienced characters coming alive in stories all the time and that is what keeps me reading and writing stories. Imagine reading cheap books well written in any genre the reader likes. Now, imagine if the reader had control of the story. For example, give me a book a bit more steamy. Or, how about aliens show up? Or, I want to read the book the president is reading right now. Computers w... [Read more]

#1046225

March 11, 2023 at 8:48am

The fencing is supposed to be delivered this Sunday. Yay! Better than July. I have plans with the family to put up the fence on the 22nd of April. Hopefully, that will work out. I have to look into renting an auger for post-hole digging. That is just too many holes to do by hand. My shoulder won't do good with that many holes to dig by hand! I know, I am weak. I still have snow on the ground. Must be Michigan. The weather is getting warmer and the snow should be melting soon. I know ther... [Read more]

#1046064

March 7, 2023 at 9:00pm

I am getting the fencing to fence in my front yard and boy this is expensive. But, not near as expensive as damage or worse to my boy who is an escape artist. Don't want a repeat of what happened last year. So, I will have to call Miss Dig to get the lines marked. Shouldn't take too long, I don't think. Family is going to help. Bless family!... [Read more]

#1043225

January 16, 2023 at 7:34pm

https://youtu.be/3tz4EWnLOwg {embed:https://youtu.be/3tz4EWnLOwg} https://youtu.be/3E354n6-7PA ... [Read more]

#1042773

January 7, 2023 at 9:37am

So I said to the wife the audiobook I was listening to was getting heated. Well, she thought I was talking about violence. Nope. Not that. I tried explaining to her and she didn't agree at all. Maybe I am wrong but violence was not on my mind at all. Hmmmm. I am reminded somewhat of Olaf's puddles...... [Read more]

#1042371

December 30, 2022 at 8:37pm

I wrote a short dialogue just the other day. Yay, me! I looked to my shelf and mentioned the author and book I saw there in the writing. I also managed a couple of reviews recently. Maybe not my best reviews but I don't think they were too bad. Good for me, anyway. A new year is nearly upon us. I hope to do better with writing then. Anyway, here is a link to my most recent writing: Hope you enjoy. ... [Read more]

#1041647

December 10, 2022 at 12:47pm

My workplace put on a Santa's Workshop for special needs kids and my boy loved it. The school took him on a school trip and he couldn't stop bouncing around and looking at everything. On another note, I just had an argument with my wife about ownership of certain chocolaty foods in the cupboard. It even got a bit heated, so to speak. I ended it with a never mind, I was just practicing for my sex change. Good thing she loves me and didn't end me! LOL... [Read more]

#1041281

December 3, 2022 at 8:48am

Would you think it good for the workers within a company to choose who leads the same company? I don't believe this is usually how this works or a good thing necessarily. It could work if we supply the workers with the tools needed to make educated decisions. Even so, the possibility of sabotage is overwhelming, thus, we create the overwatch committee. Since cloning and brainwashing are still a great expense, we resort to media control to influence the masses(Workers). Things get messy there... [Read more]

#1040341

November 6, 2022 at 6:27pm

Working on putting flooring in my bedroom. I just finished the last piece in there and boy was that a project. Wish robots could do that job! Someday. LOL I am going to have a great end of the year, but only because I choose to make it so. It will be great! Next year will be spilled into with that idea in mind, I promise! Come on, everybody! Let's make the world, our world, a better place a tiny step at a time. We can do it!... [Read more]

#1038389

September 30, 2022 at 7:24pm

I am not ready for snow. Okay, it hasn't snowed yet but we have freeze warnings going on in the morning time. That means snow is coming on soon. I am not ready! Wish I had more time. Well, actually, I wish I could manage my time better. That is it. I have things to do.... [Read more]

#1038124

September 25, 2022 at 11:43am

We took Jonah to church this morning. Lots of people were happy to see him. What a miracle! Course, he had some bad gas throughout the service that left some gagging. LOL It was one of those money sermons that let people know we are in need of money, but people come first, of course. After, Jonah wanted to swing on the swing but it was raining and he was still healing from his ordeal. It is one of those dreary days today. Blackish clouds overhead threatening to storm. Gas prices went up 17 c... [Read more]

#1037964

September 21, 2022 at 4:03pm

Ya, I just got back from the hospital after having gone by helicopter with my son in the bed. (We flew out from the local hospital to a larger hospital, which was about a thirty minute flight) You see, he got hit by a truck, thankfully a glancing blow as it swerved to miss him. It is believed the mirror clipped him. That road is a 55-mile-per-hour speed limit, so breaking and quick thinking saved his life. What was he doing on the road? I don't know what he was thinking. He happens to be aut... [Read more]

#1036627

August 18, 2022 at 5:26am

This is the blog I never want to write. In this blog, I tell of the passing of my Mother, my dear, sweet Mother. A week ago, she fell down some stairs at my sister's house and hit her head, cracked her neck, and bruised her arm and hip quite severely. She was taken to the hospital and stayed there until 8/16/2022 when she passed. The Doctor (after a week) discussed putting in a breathing tube and feeding tube and re-visiting her in a year. She wouldn't want that and had said as much i... [Read more]

#1035599

July 23, 2022 at 6:03pm

Just finished the two day yard sale to get rid of some stuff. We ended it by sending a bunch of stuff to Yada Yada, but they were full up, we we headed out to good will. None of it trash, just not stuff we want to deal with any longer. Downsizing is good. I live in a small house in the woods and it is time to get rid of stuff. So, we had the yard sale in town and someone had a utv (electric! awesome!) and took my boy for a ride. Well, he jumps off during the ride and runs into a construction ... [Read more]

#1034724

July 5, 2022 at 11:25am

Plot Gage: exPLOiTable lanGuAGE Ok. This is me making a note of something I wrote that made me wonder what possessed me to write this. At the same time, go my possessor! I have been terrible at writing. Period. I think about it all the time. I write novels in my imagination even, but it doesn't really count. I get that. I think the point I need to act on is 'come up with a plan and write'. Write, write, write. Hello, world! So, I lost my streak in Microsoft Rewards like thre... [Read more]

#1033006

May 29, 2022 at 6:39am

Memorial Day tomorrow. Not a happy day, truly. Today, though, my oldest son is getting his graduation party. He isn't actually getting his diploma because is opted into a five-year High School program where he goes to college in his senior year and one year after and gets his associate's degree along with his diploma. Yay! Well, I have to keep cleaning and getting ready for church before the party. We rented a local restaurant for our party. It happens to be owned by my Wife's cou... [Read more]

#1032088

May 7, 2022 at 9:01am

Yesterday, my 15-year-old had a track and field day at his school. It was a special needs event and there were probably 20 -30 police officers and close to the same fire department volunteers there to help with the event. That was awesome! So, my boy takes the hand of one of the officers and leads him all around the place. He also won a couple of first-place medals! He didn't want to get out of the fire truck when they let him inside it. I was worried I was going to have to crawl inside and ... [Read more]

#1031433

April 26, 2022 at 7:05pm

I laugh when it is not appropriate to cry. Those were my thoughts. Things compound, sometimes. I was taking food garbage to the compost pit and my pants were falling down and my greasy hands from the food couldn't pull them back up properly. I set something down and gravity pulled it to a lower position...laughable circumstances all, but I wanted to cry. The wife asked me why I was laughing and I told her. Of course, that was how her morning was also...... [Read more]

#1031195

April 22, 2022 at 7:36pm

Today is Friday and my workday is over. Today, I wrote a plan for writing a Novel with several steps from Planning and writing to the final step- Forgetting. WHat? Where did that come from?... [Read more]

#1030901

April 17, 2022 at 4:36pm

Easter! I am currently listening to a book called the Forge of Destiny. It was a free book. Enjoyable, though, even though filled with unfamiliar names that make it confusing at times. We did a small Easter Egg hunt after church today. It was fun. We made sure to count all the eggs so we wouldn't find them a year from now. All accounted for. Yay! I did talk to my Mother today on the phone for like an hour. She had something of a cold. Yuck. It was still good to talk to her. Mothers are... [Read more]

#1030729

April 14, 2022 at 7:57pm

Watched the end of season 4 of Doctor Who and the doctor is dying and I am crying and my wife is like, "Die already!" My how the world has changed...... [Read more]

#1030692

April 14, 2022 at 4:36am

Blustery, windy day today. I think it would be a great day to take off work! But no, I will be off to work soon. Course, if it was a nice day it would be a great day to take off work. I keep telling myself to make it fun at work and I do a fair job doing so, but sometimes I need reminding. Smile and remember the better times to come! Now, I am off. Have a great day!... [Read more]

#1030614

April 12, 2022 at 8:56pm

There is a certain drug the mind produces in the body when someone hits the like button. I miss that natural drug. Who feels the same? But it is not the same when I hit my own like button. Not the same at all, I've tried...... [Read more]

#1030341

April 9, 2022 at 5:06am

I had a dream last night that I was writing a poem and I remember finishing it and it was a really good poem. I wish I could have remembered it! That is how it goes. It isn't the end result that matters so much as being able to put in the effort... A note for me to look up a character in: Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise... [Read more]

#1029074

March 17, 2022 at 10:58am

Note to self: imagine robots collecting minerals on the ocean floor and building habitats to thrive in. Replicate in privacy, also. Just a note...... [Read more]

#1024077

January 3, 2022 at 8:19am

Re-posting a question I responded to because I thought I had a funny answer. Bragging rights! Which year did it? This year did it. This year brings the Storm Troopers who are not only masked against the viruses raging across the planet but also are protected from zombie bite marks, though not, perhaps, proof against zombie pile-ups. ... [Read more]

#1023895

December 31, 2021 at 10:11am

It is 2021 yet and I reserve the right to laugh, cry, or be happy or sad as I see fit. Whatever I may feel at any moment, I will get over it and not get stuck in it. I choose not to drag anyone down if I can help it. Most importantly to me and my family, I will go into the New Year Writing! Happy New Year all!... [Read more]

#1019916

October 22, 2021 at 9:24pm

Camp Sauble haunted prison tonight. Clowns! Why did it have to be clowns?... [Read more]

#1019915

October 22, 2021 at 9:24pm

Camp Sauble haunted prison tonight. Clowns! Why did it have to be clowns?... [Read more]

#1018605

October 3, 2021 at 1:22pm

I told my wife she didn't have any patience when I repeat myself. She said, "Uh, huh." Then I said, "Then how is it you keep repeating yourself when yelling at me?" Oops. wrong thing to say. Good thing she wasn't really mad. So, this is one more example of a time where I made it out alive when I should have kept my mouth shut. The end.... [Read more]

#1016818

September 5, 2021 at 11:18am

I wanted to make note today that at church where we practice communion by dipping the wafer into the wine, my son exclaimed he wanted to 'dip the chip' which was very humorous to us. Still laughing. So the body and blood becomes chip and dip. LOL... [Read more]

#1015297

August 8, 2021 at 10:42am

"That which imbibes must leak," he told the girls once he got out of the ocean. Sally twisted her face and turned to Candy. "Do you think he..." "Yep. I'm not going back in there!"... [Read more]

#1011386

June 6, 2021 at 10:20am

A Moth was found trapped in a cup and left on the stove this morning. There was writing on the cup, "RIP Benny". There was also a note saying he (my sixteen-year-old boy) found it in his room, and he was unable to kill it, and could not let it go because it would just come back into the house. Of course, his mother sees the cup and immediately lifts the cup up to look at it, which releases the moth. Obviously, she did not read the note. Though, yelling at me to rescue her, I g... [Read more]

#1010556

May 22, 2021 at 8:06am

And it is morning time. I spent the night hot, then cold, going back and forth. Too hot under the blankets, too cold without. I go to make my cereal and the milk is frozen solid, so I make eggs. Every egg breaks as I cook them, then they all taste terrible. My morning will get better, I hope. Still, I laugh at my seemingly misfortunate day. But, I think it may have spread a bit, because my wife just informed me she just made a cup of coffee without putting her cup in and what a mess. I can laugh... [Read more]

#1006949

March 23, 2021 at 8:36pm

Well, I got my first covid shot and I am only half zombie. Yes, I am back to work after a weekend of rest. Covid shots may not be for everyone, but I did claim mine. Got a one-handed chain saw yesterday. I put it to work today cutting bunches of scrub trees and small branches and such. I wasn't sure, but now I am: it was worth it! Cleaning up the yard some, yay! Getting my oldest his license tomorrow. Not completely ecstatic about it, but it has to be done.... [Read more]

#1005495

February 28, 2021 at 6:01pm

A conversation I texted to my Mother last night: Mother: I killed a fly Me: Murderer! Mother: Murderess, please. ... [Read more]

#985880

June 17, 2020 at 8:56pm

Read with a sense of humor, please. What if, there were no such things as books except maybe a sort of footnote in some museum? Maybe, in the future, there might be the occasional eccentric individual who will stil read books, but there may be many who might never read a book; they won't need to read books. Sight can be converted to images and those become stories. No matter how it happens, novel writing may soon be a thing of the past. How is that for a kick in the pants? A small... [Read more]

#985300

June 8, 2020 at 8:44pm

The news is very dark of late, I don't like it. Enough said of that. However, not all the news is dark. Think about Elon Musk and his accomplishments for a bit. He is launching up to 40,000 satellites to create a more structured internet across the globe. More importantly, he is in the process of putting in a neural link which will be hard wired directly to the brain! How cool is that? Lots of conditions will be able to be fixed with that. Of course, this is not a new idea. Actually, we have... [Read more]