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?

Quote by Sherzahd
We’ve all been there- staring at the blinking cursor as it mocks us, whispering sweet nothings of nothing but deadlines and despair.

Oh man, stop describing me so accurately. 🙄🙁😊

Quote by JamesPBear
I wonder if our snow service found our house under all the snow?

LOL. Yeah, we got way too much snow in this province. My neighbour is selling and the For Sale sign is almost buried. Supposed to be just flurries for a few days now, though, so the worst seems to be over. Colder, though.

Thanks for getting the hot beverages set up. Family Day here so no work. I'm trying to get a comp entry going but, ironically given the theme, I seem to be blocked. I do have the bare bones of an idea, just not sure it can be done in 1000 words. Will start bashing something out and see what happens, I guess.

Later, alligators.

Sigh. Between housework, shovelling snow, and being exhausted from shovelling snow, I haven't even looked at my draft today. Looks like I'm going to be a last minute entry at this rate.

Ease and comfort. Fashion plate, I am not.

Cat or dog?

Quote by WriterGirl
Thunder and lightning at 5am and snow at 6am

Thundersnow or the temp dropped between 5 and 6?

Probably at about 6" total since yesterday morning. At least it stopped here for a while yesterday evening, then restarted overnight. Other parts didn't get the break I'm hearing. I shovelled this morning. Holiday tomorrow (Family Day we call it) so had to be able to get a care out to shop.

No sign of plows, road or sidewalk. If I find out that they were running at reduced capacity due to the long weekend or something, I'll be right pissed. This storm was in the forecast for days so they should have invoked whatever clauses in the contracts were needed to get people on standby. My nephew is a heavy machinery operator in another city and his employer does plowing for commercial clients in the off-season. he's often required to be up at 5 or 6 on snow days.

Did up a fresh batch of coffee and pots of Orange Pekoe and Earl Grey. Needed a hot bevvie myself after shovelling. -6C with a wind chill of -11C (21F and 12F for you Americans).

I have something going but not exactly sure where it ends up and I'm well past the halfway mark. Like the idea but not sure I can execute it in a thousand words.

I am contemplating a story about a city block where all the residents are writers of some form. Does that count? 😉

(Get it? Writers' block? 🤣)

(Yes, I'm cracking jokes to hide my frustration at not having an idea yet)