The Friday report
Jan. 9th, 2026 05:19 pmSo, I woke up at 5:45, and my neck was swollen and sore again and I addressed the universe in a disrespectful manner. Then I took the Command Decision to FTS, got up, got dressed, made a cup and a thermos of tea, took that and a KIND breakfast bar back to Steve's office, woke up his computer and got to work.
I broke for lunch around noon, having written about 800 words -- lunch being a chef's salad from the deli. I ate a little more than half with a serving of soup I'd had in the freezer. Tomorrow, I'll put what's left -- some meat, cheese, tomato and onions -- into scrambled eggs for breakfast, so that's ONE meal figured out for tomorrow.
Returned to Steve's office after lunch and wrote some more. Got tired eventually and quit for the day. Did my duty to the cats. Waiting for the mail to arrive so I can bring in the package that's supposed to be included before the ink freezes, then take a shower and probably collapse.
I should report that I feel somewhat better than I did when I woke up. I did take the combined Motrin, and if the kind of pain I woke up with this morning is what it's keeping at bay -- all honor to it. Also used hot compresses on my neck.
The cats have been hanging in all day, which was! Cloudy and warm. Snow is melting, or at least compacting. I'm really glad I asked the Magnificent Plowguy to sand the driveway. HUGE improvement.
Finished watching The Apothecary Diaries last night. My *goodness*, that was some tight storytelling! Well done, writers.
I can now cancel Crunchyroll. I do, yes, realize, that there's a ton of anime offered there, but the chances of my stumbling upon anything actually worth watching are, um, low. If anybody had a rec that's worth keeping Crunchyroll around for -- by all means speak. My taste, apparently, runs to stuff like AD. Back in the day I liked Fruit Baskets and ... the one with the duck -- ah. Princess Tutu. Writing Anime. If that's not a subgenre, it ought to be.
And the mail's in! And Rook is chasing Tali around my office because it's all her fault. I'm pretty sure I don't want to know what "it" is.
Writing stats: New words written (I think not all of these today, but honestly, what do I know?): +/-2,190. Total words in WIP: +/-124,117.
And that's the beans.
How's everybody holding up?
Earlier today. Firefly had ennui.
Out Sick Part II
Jan. 6th, 2026 01:10 pmStill sick. Still resentful. Not really interested in eating but I have to so I can take the magic drugs. Been reading a Gentleman in Possession of Secrets.
Tali helped me sit in the sun earlier. Now I'm on the couch and Firefly is sitting on the back, flirting and purring. Last seen, Rookie was asleep in the bed.
And that's what I've got. Hope everybody's having a good day.
This dictated to my phone.
Liaden Read Along
Jan. 4th, 2026 02:40 pmLiaden Read-Along folks! New post, in which the author answers some questions/commentary.
Or maybe not.
Some are born to greatness
Jan. 3rd, 2026 05:06 pmThe Long Back Yard:
Saturday. Late getting up. Sunny and cold.
Firefly joined me on the couch last night and went to sleep really hard so I stayed with her and finished my book. Then I got up and wandered out to my office which was so bright that I thought I must have left the light on.
But no, it was the Moon. What a beautiful, beautiful moon, and the world turned black and white.
Shadows black and magical across the snow filled yard.
I sat on the cats observation table for a while and communed with the moon, which meant I didn't get to bed until after midnight.
And here we are.
This was dictated via my phone
#
So, today I'm taking down the decorations; have a couple of errands in the afternoon. Any writing will likely be of the Sitting with the Manuscript variety. Also need to swap out the cat fountains, in anticipation of which the dishwasher is doing its thing.
How's everybody doing this morning?
#
Decorations down -- I nearly forgot the window star, but remembered it when there was a box with nothing in it.
Errands run. I have a grinder on loan, thanks to the generosity of Carmela Patriotti. Ordered in dunch while I was putting the taken-down decorations away. Dishwasher emptied and now it's time to swap out the cat fountains, after which I do believe I may collapse on the couch and avoid the news.
All that said, I'll just say my goodnights now.
Everybody stay safe, be careful, hug the people you love.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Today's blog post title brought to you from the man who wrote Shakespeare's plays, from Twelfth Night: "Some are born to greatness, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
Firefly helped me take the tree down:


