Plugged the comp on the other site again, just in case. I think at least one writer has mentioned entering who has not submitted yet so there's hope still. Also might drive some eyeballs to the stories.

Good (groan) morning! They plowed our sidewalks last night and the plow drifts were packed tight and frozen. Ugh. That's the kind of shovelling I can do without for sure. But, it is done.

I'm sipping Yorkshire tea right now to warm up, but there's also a pot of Raspberry Royale. For you coffee lovers, there's some Jamaican Blue Mountain brewed. And hot water is ready if you're craving another variety of tea or maybe some hot chocolate.

Hopefully it's a writing morning from here forward. Just need to decide what I feel like writing.

Okay, I am all caught up on reading entries. More stories! More stories!!

Quote by JustAnotherSapphic

No, I haven't died, but I do have a new poem out.

Welcome back. Nice to hear from you. Love the poem, too. Nice one for you to come back with. Hope all is well.

Quote by WriterGirl
I need to find a mate first, so he can do the shoveling, mow the grass, clean the gutters, etc. 🤣🤣🤣 I may as well put that on my dating profile.

LOL. I am sure there's guys out there looking to be the "man of the house" in that way. Not I. I am getting closer and closer to saying "eff it" and outsourcing that stuff. I'm already outsourcing some of the yard maintenance (fertilizing, weed control). Lawn mowing goes next. As Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) said in Lethal Weapon, "I'm too old for this shit".

Bagel. I have never really liked English muffins for some reason.

Burger or hot dog? (we are obsessed with food these days, eh)

(I was actually thinking of flavoured black teas. Should have specified.)

Sesame, raisin, etc. My current favourite is Cheddar Herb, from a local chain called Great Canadian Bagel.

Cream cheese on the bagel, or just butter?

New twist in the plot: After 26 films, the Broccoli family and the Eon Productions are stepping aside. For the history of the series, MGM has been the distributor (occasionally taking on other partners) with Eon producing. MGM was acquired by Amazon who have been itching to get the rights for themselves, thinking the series has franchise potential (TV spinoffs and that sort of thing). And the Broccolis and Amazon have finally come to a deal. Eon remains a partner, but Amazon MGM will now produce the movies (and other media properties) directly. Of course, the Fleming estate famously have had nothing to do with the movies or Eon in, well, eons so that none of the books written by other authors (Kingsley Amis, John Gardner, Raymond Benson, and more) after Fleming's death in 1964 have been available to the film producers. Whether Amazon might try to patch up relations with the estate remains to be seen.

Which is all to say that casting a new Bond might now have to wait until Amazon gets things moving on their version of Bond. The idea of a Marvel-style "universe" around Bond seems a bit ridiculous given the series is tightly focused on one specific character, but suggestions have been floated in the past for stories about side characters like Bond's CIA buddy Felix Leiter and the Bond comics currently being produced by Dynamite Comics have gone there.

The other thing hanging over it all, and some are suggesting this is why Eon did the deal now, is that there is only a decade left on Bond's copyright, at least on the Fleming novels, which means that in 2035, the door opens for rival Bonds.

My favourite singer is a year older today. Nothing heard from the lady herself yet, but fans have been posting greetings on her fan forum for a day or two already. The singer, in case you haven't realized from my past posting, is Floor Jansen, currently lead singer of the band Nightwish but also building her resume as a solo artist.

"Fire" is the song that, now nearly three years ago, was her first solo single after 20+ years in bands. This is a live performance from Dutch television from shortly after its initial release.

Neither, really. Not a fan. But maybe hot would be okay.

Fruity tea (like an Earl or a lemon) or spicy/savory tea (like a chai)?

Shovelled again but it wasn't much. Did the whole driveway solo in 15 or 20 minutes. Last couple rounds, it took me and the Mrs. 40-45 min. working together. No plows yet but given the amount, they might not plow my street. We shall see.

Putting on some Fire Roasted Saint Drogo coffee. For the tea crowd, some Duke of Earl and English Breakfast await. Or, if you prefer some of our other selection of teas, the kettle is full and waiting. Hot chocolate (with mini marshmallows), too.

Later, alligators.

No Time To Die

Sausage. More variety and flavour than bacon, I find.

With waffles or pancakes?

stamps feet and brushes off snow

Good morning. Just flurries now. Might get a couple cm later. Still, it's more snow and we, frankly, have quite enough already.

Putting on some Tobermory Flowerpot Island coffee in the ole coffee machine. Teas? Hm. Yorkshire Gold and Black Currant. The kettle is ready for those needing other hot beverages.

No new comp entries. Hope that just means we'll get a wave over the next week. Deadline is a week yesterday, after all. Will start reading them tonight, maybe. Been focused on home stuff since getting mine in.

I like beef if it is done right. Not a steak or roast but thin sliced and either stir-fried or in Korean bulgogi. That said, I do eat a lot of chicken, too.

Chicken roasted or fried?

It's funny how music can affect you. When Nightwish's tenth album Yesterwynde came out last year, I would not have pegged Spider Silk as being one of my favourite tracks. Five months on, it's in my top five from the album, maybe even top three on a good day. And they nicely put out a lyric video for it the other day.

Trigger warning: There are spiders. Lots and lots of spiders. (hey, look at the song's title)

Coke, if I must, but not really fond of either. Ginger ales and lemon-limey drinks like Sprite are more my usual.

Watch sports live or on TV?

Okay, folks, eight now in the comp and ape is one of them. Who's next?

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/flash-fiction/dash

If you're needing some energy and inspiration, we've got Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee on. There's also Canadian Breakfast and Sunday Tea. Hot water is on for other teas or hot chocolate. And for those in sweatier climes, there's sodas in the fridge.

For yummies today, brownies.

I usually post about my writing and especially comps on other sites I am on. Probably gets a few readers over but I don't think it has ever resulted in anyone joining. Still, never hurts.😊

Quote by verbal
I found a rice krispie treat under my chair, I'll nibble on that!

Is that a hint? 😉

Yeah, we are a bit short on edibles anymore with the cookie ladies gone. So, I shall endeavour to get something going. Snack of the day, we'll call it. I have a bakery lined up. To kick off, pecan pie. I'll also keep the freezer stocked with ice cream.

I am close. Got a cover image. Got it setup in drafts. Just letting it "simmer" before a final read and maybe edit.

But seven already and all good writers. Cool. Keep'em coming, folks.

Love Story

Hmm. There's flavours of both that I like. But maybe sherbert. Had ice cream yesterday.

Cake or pie?

Good morning!! Sunny but cold here. At least there's no new snow. We've got enough to last us, thank you.

There is some Deathwish Dark Roast in the coffee pot. For teas, there's Russian Caravan and Irish Breakfast. Hot water is ready for other hot beverages. Soda stock is replenished for those seeking to cool down rather than warm up.

So my comp entry went like greased lightning this time through. Started from scratch with the basic idea, but left out one element that was proving problematic. I have it in drafts but, as usual, will give it a final read through after work. If I still like it, then I'll hit the Publish button.

So much publishing is online these days, there's still a certain thrill to have your work on paper, I think. And these journals, which cover a variety of genres and topic in Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry, do just that. Yep, real ink on real paper. And some might even pay you. 😋

https://authorspublish.com/35-literary-magazines-that-publish-in-print/

Don't have either around here. I think Treachers was in Canada at one time but haven't seen one recently. Anyhow, Treachers. Prefer fish & chips to roadhouse fare.

Ketchup or vinegar on fries? (or mayo if you're so inclined, I've only had that in Europe)

Shovelling is done, hopefully for a while. Crap this is turning out to be a nasty winter.

Will start bashing something out and see what happens, I guess.

And that worked. I have a draft. And it's only over by c. 300 words. Editing, here I come.😊

I haven't tried an RV yet so probably a motel, but maybe that will change someday.

"Camp" in a trailer or camp in a tent?