Quote by Mendalla

Ape wanders in. Ape sees brownies. Ape starts swiping.😊

Good morning, all. Here's some nice hot java to go with those brownies. Tea, too, Assam and English Breakfast.

I've put both lemonade and iced tea in the fridge. Help yourselves.

Bright and sunny here and looking good for the whole weekend.

Morning, Ape! I'll forego the brownies, but will take a Bear-sized mug of English Breakfast tea and mosey on back to Sara's corner and see what develops.

Blue Jays are on a bit of a roll against KC, but let's see how they do against Mike Trout and especially Shohei Otani of the Angels! Who knows? Maybe this year they'll be good.

Then home against a weak Detroit team, followed by a much better test against Tampa Bay.

Fingers crossed!

Quote by Mendalla

LOL. Maybe it's not his cat. Maybe it's the cop's cat. 🤣

Good morning, fellow writers, readers, and literati. The coffee is hot and ready. There's a couple pots of tea, Russian Caravan and English Breakfast. Hot water is on for other teas and hot beverages. And there's a pitcher of iced tea chilling in the fridge.

Had a hellish day at work yesterday and other things are bothering me, too. Events at another site I am on are making me rather glad this place is quiet. Still, we need some more life and oomph around here, I think. Maybe I'll try posting here more to see if I can draw some folks out of the woodwork.

(winkles his way out of the woodwork)

MAN! That wood is tight! Especially for a Bear of my stature!

It's not just this site, Mendalla. I've noticed that activity at other sites is down. I suspect it's some combination of end-of-pandemic and beginning-of-Spring. It's not your deodorant, so, as my Scottish forebears said, "Dinna fash yoursel'"

Quote by redwriter

After the ear op I mentioned weeks ago (supposed to be a two week job) the stitches finally came out last week--seven traumatic weeks of much blood and worry. Including evidence of an internal bleed in the chest area (obviously not connected to the ear problem). But I was kept in hospital for two nights undergoing various scans and tests. In the end it was decided that the blood thinning tablets I took were the cause of the problem, and I was given the choice of remaining on that tablet or not. As one doctor jokingly (at least I hope he was joking) put it, "Do you want to bleed to death or die from a stroke?" I am off the tablet awaiting review of alternatives. Now I must pick up on my half finished 'Anschluss' story. Writing does not go well with blood loss and writing of a little girl's reaction to that terrible time was never easy in any case.

Sorry to hear, Jim. Not sure whether I'd clock the doc that asked if I'd rather bleed to death or stroke out.

Glad they at least figured out what the problem was! Now a solution…that might be a bit more difficult.

Regardless – glad you're back!

So, tomorrow's OPENING DAY!

The Jays are in tough against a good St. Louis team. I think this may be the first time the Jays have played against the Cards in St. Louis. I know it's the first time St. Louis has played their home opener against an American League team!

It's going to be an interesting season. All 30 teams will play each other, and the Jays will only play the other ALEast teams 13 times instead of 19, which is a bonus of the new schedule.

PLAY BALL!

Quote by verbal

I may be abandoning the novel I'm 35K into. I just don't like where it's going. It's dumb. Sigh. Of course, now I need an idea to replace it if I plan to get any writing done.

Struggling to wake up. Thanks for the basketball cookies Sara. A coffee and a cookie would be swell.

I've been there, Jeff, although not with a novel, rather with a non-fiction book.

Not sure if this will help, but what I did was to go back to where I last enjoyed what I had written, tore out everything from there on, and started again. Sometimes the best way to improve something is to scrap it and start again. Plus, that way, you have a much better idea of what works and what doesn't.

Hope that is useful in some way!

I'll take Bear-sized mug of Red Rose tea, and see if Sara's got some GF baseball cookies around somewhere!

Take care, all!

This is almost the definition of nasty weather! It's grey and threatening, with cold rain, just above freezing, and a piercing wind.
YUCK!

I'd like a big mug of Red Rose tea, a fistful of Sara's gluten-free cookies, and a blankie to hide under until the day decides it wants to get better!

OOhhh! So we've found the key to getting Rachel to write! Be provocative!

I've read her first MONSTER story – and found it unsettling, to say the least. Brilliantly done, but…scary, but not for the reasons you might believe.

The sun is attempting a wan break through the grey clouds overhead. But at least it's not snowing anymore!

A mug of Red Rose for me, then perhaps I'll sit with Kat and compare notes on who has the more miserable weather!

We have company for the next couple of days – our other granddaughter, the six-year-old, and her dad are coming for a visit – which means a loud, noisy time for da Bear! Well, at least they're happy sounds! (sigh)

Howdy, everybody! We were going to be having our 6-year-old granddaughter visit this weekend but just got a text from our SIL saying he's feeling ill. He's going to see how he feels tomorrow, then let us know whether the visit is on, or whether they'd like to postpone until next week. Here's hoping!

I'll take an Irish Breakfast tea, and wander back to try to catch up on some work.

So far, so good in Spring Training. The Jays are 6-4. If they can sustain that, they'll be a shoo-in for the playoffs, maybe even to win the division! Even better for this time of year, all five starters are looking sharp, and as everyone knows in baseball, if you don't have pitching, you don't have anything. We'll see!

I've put out pots of Red Rose and Darjeeling teas, and used Tanzanian Teaberry coffee in the percolator. That, plus hot water from the kettle for other drinks, should keep people happy – if accompanied by some of Sara's Splendid Cookies!

Quote by verbal

I'm plugging in the percolator, got the tea kettle whistling, the cookies I haven't eaten on a platter (there's not many).

Chill day, though lots of good writing news. Definitely sold one story, probably sold another, and a podcast coming out this week. When it rains it pours. So I'll have 3 events in the same week and nothing for the next six months. Oh well.

Tired today. One of those hunker down and write kinda day.

Coffee and a baseball cookie please.

Sounds amazing! I know how difficult it is to get published commercially, so congratulations, Jeff!

If there are any GF baseball cookies, I'll have one with a cuppa Darjeeling, then wander back and see what mischief Sara's getting into!

I'll snag a mug of English Breakfast tea, and mosey on back to Sara's Space. Who knows? I might actually get a little writing done today, along with the various chores and errands.

Oh, and I've put out pots of Red Rose and Celebration tea for everyone, plus used Bill's own N'Oleans Dark Roast beans for the coffee today!

And Happy March! We made it through February!

The competition results are in:

Prizes

• Winner $150 (USD)

• 1

  Daphne Pnin

• Second Place $75 (USD

• 2

  Memories of Mardi Gras (One Last Time) KatarinaTechgoddess

• Third Place $50 (USD)

• 3

  Earned My Beads On Downing Street OpheliaTusk

Runners Up

• And the Band Played On by  sprite

• Mardi Gris by  JamesPBear

• Sydney's Mardi Gras: We Shall Overcome by  CuriousAnnie

• Pancake Tuesday by  SeaJay

• The Stories Behind the Masks by  WriterGirl

• Mardi Gras: The Darker Side by  Brad_Naylor

• Mardi Gras Mink by  DenimAngel

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and especially to Daphne, Kat, and Ophelia!

It was a fun comp, and thanks to all the judges for their long-suffering tolerance of tepid prose!

Quote by AnnaMayZing

Thank you, James. Not a traditional publisher like Penguin, et al. They are a small publisher that designed the cover and formatted the text for print-to-order. They also do some advertising, but it will mainly be down to me to promote. When the setup is complete, books will be ordered online via Viking Bay which takes a very small commission.

Let us know when it's out, and where, OK?

Quote by elizabethblack

A wonderful event to celebrate. AnnaMayZing has had her manuscript approved for publication commercially. It's the one on The Nurses. A fantastic book indeed. So very happy for her. She will be putting out an announcement, but she said I could tell my friends and you are all my friends.

Congratulations, Anna! May we ask where and how it's being published? And by whom, if it's by a conventional publisher? Getting a book published by a conventional publisher is quite a feat at any time, but since the advent of the Internet, it's an astonishing one!

Quote by Susie_de_Vil

It’s a beautiful sunny frosty day here in Ireland. Just been for a walk with the dogs and I’d love a cup of coffee to warm me up. I recognise a few faces from other places but hi, I’m Susie. New to here and hoping to publish a story or two soon

Welcome, Susie. You remind me of someone I knew. We're pleased to have you join us!

Try one of Sara's cookies – or biscuits, in your case. Sara is our resident Cookie Fairy!

Well, busy morning today! Took our granddaughter and her dad (our son – funny how that works) out skating and sledding this morning at the local park. Grandad did most of the pulling-of-the-wagon, so Grandad is plum tuckered out!

I think I shall grab a big mug of English Breakfast tea and retire to Sara's Space and collapse for a while!

February's getting close to being over – and the Blue Jays have a perfect record so far this Spring training! 1-0!

Start planning the parade!

Quote by Brad_Naylor

I've just seen a Polar Bear driving a car. I need a drink...

Hey! That's me! Where did you get the photo? I wonder if that's my 1960 Pontiac SkyChief?

As the sun rose, I kissed her hair, loving her…

Annie can count on a comment from me, too! She always creates superior stories. I'll look forward to reading it.

Meanwhile, I've just submitted another "Bear & Girl" story, so hopefully, it will be out in a couple of days.

I think I'll take a Bear-sized mug of Red Rose back to Sara's Seat and see if Annie's story's out yet.

Sometimes it seems that life is just a sigh…

I was sorry to hear of Larry's passing. I didn't know him well, but he always had a kind, encouraging word, and wrote stories that were a cut above anything I can produce.

I sense that StoriesSpace will miss him more than I'm aware.

As Jeff said, Hug those whom you love.

Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess

I’ve had carcinomas removed. My most recent diagnosis has me doing a few rounds of a topical chemo to avoid having part of my lips removed. Interestingly enough, docs are convinced that my issues stem from sunburns I got as a child years ago. Seems unfair. Back in the day, we ran around outside all summer long. We didn’t know about sunscreen.

Good luck with that ear. Sending positive vibes.

Ditto!

I remember in the summers, I would throw on some undies, a pair of shorts, sometimes a t-shirt, and go outside and play all day. No shoes, no sunscreen, no telling Mom where I was going…just go.

And yes, I've had much the same thing happen to me. Basal cells on my forehead, which I've had treated, and some sun-damaged skin. Not because of what I do now – very careful in the sun now – but because of what I did when I was too young, dumb, and happy!

So, busy day, winding down. I've got a new Bear & Girl story out – and Kat has a lovely poem, you know – one of those thingies with rhymes and meter and stuff?

Her poem is Body Language

And Jeff has a love poem that starts, improbably enough, in a dentist's chair! Dentistry

Ah, but MY story has an even shorter title: Less

(yawns) Oh, and some smart alec stuck a Valentine's heart on my back! Humans!

Quote by verbal

Spring Training starts tomorrow!!!

…and every team is undefeated! YEA!

Not sure about the off-season moves by the Jays. I like the guys coming in, but we gave up two heart-of-the-order hitters to improve the defense, and the players we have now tend to be injury-prone. If everything goes well (and when does it?), they'll do great. Otherwise…"wait until next year"!

But, as Howard Cosell used to say, "That's why they play the games!"

Thanks, Mendalla.

The story has been posted!

It's called: Mardi Gris, and it's…well, you'll have to see for yourself.

I'll join you in a Red Rose – if'n we can find a mug big enough – plus a couple of Sara's GF cookies, please.

Quote by DenimAngel

sniffs I smell BASEBALL in the air ..spring training games start the 24th

Superbowl is on Sunday

Hi peeps!

A large hot chocolate with mini marshmallows would be fantastic.

It's been a day .

My friend Jolene's funeral is Saturday morning I'm not looking forward to it I know I'm bawl like a baby .

peeks in the cookie jars yay in good shape.

giving the adorable critters fresh water and treats

But atleast my today list for the day is DONE

grabbing a couple of cookies and a mug of hot chocolate and climbing up in my favorite overstuffed chair

Sorry to hear about your friend, Sara.

Maybe the fact that pitchers and catchers report on Monday will cheer you a bit.

Hi everyone. It's been a busy period of time for me – for most of us, I'd guess.

I've just submitted my entry for the comp, which means I will be able to start reading the other entries – when I can find the time! My story is a very different take on Mardi Gras, so…

I've got Red Rose black tea and Typhoo Green Tea in pots on the side, and some fine Kona coffee in the pot.

I'm going to mosey on back to Sara's Space with a Bear-sized mug o' Red Rose and some GF cookies, and see if I can't at least get a start on reading the entries.

Quote by DenimAngel

Hi peeps

A chilly day here and I'm the first in here in a couple of days

Emptying out the coffee pot and tea kettle and washing them out then filling the tea kettle with fresh water and today's coffee is Cafe du Monde . Today's teas are lemon zinger and Earl Grey .. and there Is a tea chest filled with other teas and a wooden box filled with a variety of hot chocolate.. and there is baskets filled with creams, sugar ,artificial sweeteners, lemons and marshmallows.

*emptying out the cookie jar crumbs and washing them out and drying them .. while they dry we will use Mickey and Minnie mouse cookie jars for today's Disney themed cookies....

filling the cookie jars.. mickey gets theme cookies and Minnie gets cinnamon and honey graham Scooby snacks

giving the adorable critters fresh water and treats

Pouring a large hot chocolate with a splash of coffee and a mountain of mini marshmallows and climbing up in my favorite overstuffed chair

My friend that i wrote the story A Survivor Tail about died Saturday afternoon I spent Sunday being whiney . But she's no longer in pain so that's a blessing.

Hug your people tight .

Great cookies Sara! Gonna see if there are any GF cookies like that, then grab me some and retreat.

Sorry to hear about your friend, kiddo!

Favourite Disney movies, eh? Hmmm…Mary Poppins, perhaps? The original Parent Trap, with a young and luscious Hayley Mills? Or the remake with Lindsey Lohan, before she blew up her career?

And Robin Hood, of course, with Brian Bedford as Robin!

Jungle Book, absolutely! I was Bagheera in our Cub pack when I first started as a Scout leader, so definitely Jungle Book!

Lemme get things started here …

I've rinsed out the kettle as well as the coffee pot. We've got Red Rose and Twinings' Lemon Ginger teas in pots on the side. We're running Sir William's Lousiana Creole dark roast coffee today, in honour of the Mardi Gras competition.

I have an idea for the comp, but have to find time to actually write it. Not sure it will amount to anything, but I gotta try. However, Real Life is intruding, and I'm doing a detailed analysis of whether to install solar panels on our new (to us) house or not - and if so, to overbuild with the intention of disconnecting the natural gas heat and water heater and going all electric.

Decisions, decisions!

Nice to see Lady Sharon here! Good morning!

And good morning to everyone else! Gonna take me a mug of Red Rose back to Sara's Spot and set a while, perhaps read some.

Quote by Mendalla

A to-do list is like a room full of rabbits. Turn your back and the to-dos start breeding. 😕

Nice simile, Mendalla! I may just steal that, file the serial numbers off, and claim it as my own!

With a fresh paint job, of course.

I have a new "Bear & Girl" story out: Fires in the Field, if anyone cares.

Actually, it's out whether anyone cares or not! Blame the management!