Quote by gillianleeza

There is no snow here, and it has been weirdly warm and humid. I am not a fan; I am ready for cooler temperatures.

My life is a bit more settled now. We moved my Dad into memory care, and it is going about how I expected. There are good days and bad days. But I know he is safe and cared for. I almost have their apartment cleared out, but I'm still dealing with all the subsequent paperwork that comes with the death of one parent and the relocation of another parent. But I am relieved to be back full-time at my own house. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. All my kids will be here. They have all been incredibly supportive during everything. They are good sons.

I'll be around more now. I've missed everyone and catching up on everyone's news.

Have a good evening, and take care of yourselves. Cheers!

Gil, so psyched you are back in your own house, and that your boys are coming home and, most importantly, have been supportive. It'll be nice t have you around more.

Thanks for the cookies Molly! Good to have you back too! Thanks for the cookies.

Nothing new today. I'm up to Phase Three in the Beachhead Expedition (I know that means nothing to anyone here). It's hard work - I was playing for like three hours last night.

Time to drink some coffee and try to fix this dumb fairy story. Cookies to go with my coffee would be a dream come true.

I am looking forward to reading more in that B&G universe, James.

Escape-from-reality weekend. I must have played No Man’s Sky for 20 hours (there’s a beachhead expedition afoot). Talia said, not untruly, I was escaping certain political realities by playing in space all weekend. She’s not wrong.

Back to the salt mines though. Two new stories to polish and send out today. One is about fairies, and I am having a tough time finding the tone. I am really trying hard to write a hopeful story.

Snow is finally melting. Coffee would be wonderful.

Quote by JustAnotherSapphic

I'm staying over at my parents' again tonight per my boyfriend's previous suggestion so I won't be by myself while I wait for him to feel up to talking.

Hey Elyse! I didn’t know you had a boyfriend! Make sure he treats you right.

The snowstorm is not as bad as predicted. We got hit hard yesterday, but most of today’s snow outlook has been canceled. Shovel out and get back to life.

I hope everyone is well. I brought some Pez for everyone to chew on waiting for yummy baked goods. Want one?

Good morning everyone. Thank you for the yummy treats. We need them - a huge snowstorm is hitting, and it is is unlikely we’ll be able to leave the house. S’posed to quit around 5 a.m. Saturday. Yeesh!

I’m enjoying listening to everyone talking about their writing habits. I too have had a bad time of late. My bugaboo has been the worry about the election, but at least that is over with. The election, not the worry. Anyway, I’m trying to get in an anthology about fairies, and though I know almost nothing about fairies, I am giving it a shot. They are disguised as…moths! And even though real fairies (I know) are supposed to be kind of amoral and tricky, I am uncharacteristically going to write a nice story, where they save a child’s life.

James, I tried to market a series of stories called Serious Moonlight, based on some stories I wrote for another site, and had the same problem. The free giveaways were kind of exciting, because you really take off a little, but once the giveaway ends no one buys it. It was a disappointing experience for me. I hope you do better.

I am sorry your current project has stalled Ape. Maybe try finishing it, even if you feel it sucks, and then work on a second draft? Most first drafts of anything suck. It’s the second draft where the magic happens, in my experience.

Anyway I am rambling. Time to, well, drink some coffee and watch the snow come down with the woman I love. I’ll grab some of those cinnamon donut holes!

It's snowing again.

I'd be very interested in a thread where we just talk about what we're writing, on a daily basis. I've always been a bit reticent about discussing it in the coffee shop (though less lately), but I'd love to have a thread to open up and share.

A contest involving other sites--one in particular--would be a good solution, but I know not everyone agrees with that.

'Dorcus Titanus Platymelus' by Fernando Falcone

Normally I listen to the news in the morning, but I can’t bring myself to do that today. So here’s my favorite bluegrass girl, bringing us Appalachia by way of China.

Colorado is closed today folks. Snowed yesterday, snowing now, and will snow most of the day. Fits my mood. At least I enjoy shoveling the drive and sidewalk, for some odd reason.

Those apple muffins looks scrumptious. I’ll have two. And some coffee.

I’m trying to write, with mixed results. I played video games for like five hours yesterday. It was fun, though. I love No Man’s Sky.

Good morning all! A coffee and one of those lovely cookies please.

I agree, Molly is an excellent Mod of the site, and the team seems strong. I didn’t know Gill was a Mod, and I am happy she will be here a little more.

Made it to Election Day. Whew! I will be glad when all this is over. Hopefully that will be in a few days, not a few weeks.

Me, I am chilling today. Follow the news, do a little cooking, play a little No Man’s Sky, hope for democracy.

A coffee and a cinnamon roll please.

I am sure things will be fine here. Traffic comes and goes. A comp involving another site might be the way to go to get more traffic, but I know that can be problematic. Anyway, thanks for all your work on this Molly.

It’s snowing here! And windy! I suspect I am not leaving the house til after (gulp!) Election Day. As long as I don’t have to go out into it, it’s pretty to look at.

Thanks for all the excellent treats Cora and Molly! And for the setup Ape and Bear. I’ll have my usual.

Sorry about your disappointment, Ape. I’ve tried to be good about commenting on stories here but have probably been lax. I will strive to do better.

Halloween was fun - we got lots of kids. Watched a couple YA scary movies that were actually pretty good, despite being for kids. Trick R Treat, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Mild recommendation.

Election Day looms. No baseball to distract me. 5 days. Sigh. I’ll feel better when it is over, regardless of who wins.

Coffee and a handful of those delish cookies please.

Quote by gillianleeza

I'm hungry now. All the cookies look amazing.

We had my mother's funeral last Friday, and on Monday, we will move my Dad into the memory care unit at their retirement community. I feel guilty about it but know it is best for him. He needs 24-hour-a-day supervision. Hopefully, he'll adjust well, but I know it will be a process.

I look forward to returning home and not having to stay with my father anymore. It's been over two months, and it has taken its toll on my mental and physical health. I can finally make plans to see my son and daughter-in-law in Germany.

I hope everyone is doing well. I'll be around more after next week. Take care of yourselves.

I am so sorry for your loss Gill. It must be a bittersweet relief to see her no longer suffering. And I know from first hand experience you are doing what you need to do with your Dad. He is safer and in a place that can meet his advanced needs. No guilt needed. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Happy Halloween everyone! That’s a nice display of cookies and sweets.

My Western horror story drops today. It’s a good anthology - the group I am in, Denver Horror Collective, put it together. It looks nice, huh?

Today, a little publicity on social media, a little relaxing, and then it is candy and scary movie time. I am a big fan of both! And tomorrow: Hallo candy sales!

Coffee and Halloween candy please!

Quote by Molly

I saw these and thought they were adorable. Just in case some of you wanted a little fruit with all the sweets.

Oooh! I love the ghosty ones!

Good morning everyone! Day before Halloween! Spooky! We will start the horror marathon early. Talia has hidden all the Halloween candy. Sigh.

Thanks for the cookies Cora, and the sweets, Molly.

Nothing new here. That's not a complaint.

Coffee and a handful of cookies and a ghosty strawberry please.

Here it is

Here is my Weird Western story, dropping in an anthology on Halloween, appropriately. There a launch party on Sunday as well, that I will be reading at. Fun! I won’t drop a link here for the event here, but ask me for it and I will happily provide the link.

Darn, I can’t upload the photo. I will try again later.

Coffee and cookies (where are the cookies? Cora? Sara?) please.

Morning all. Thanks for the coffee and treats.

Glad the book is doing well, James.

World Series is starting up again today. It’s loo kinda over already - we’ll see if the Yankees can get a toehold the next three nights.

And the election is 8 days away. Quite the rally at Madison Square Garden last night. I won’t comment, other than Wow. It’s stark rhetoric, and a stark choice.

Coffee and a cookie please.

Quote by Molly

I hope everyone has been enjoying their Friday. Here's some cookies to help. 😊

Cookies!!!!!!

Plans for the weekend? Nary a one. I may buy some shoes before winter hits.

I am determined to be recklessly optimistic about the election. Everything will be fine (he said hopefully). I’ll quit discussing politics now.

Dodgers-Yankees tonight (sorry Red). A classic American matchup! Who are you rooting for?

I fear we may run out of cookies soon! Cora? Sara? I will forage for crumbs on the floor. Coffee please!

I downloaded the Bear/Girl book and will get you a review soon, James.

Same old thang here. Write and walk and worry about the election. I am doing my best to ready myself for all outcomes. The sure outcome is it is gonna take at least a week to figure out who won, maybe longer. And the amount of BS is going to increase to fill every available crack and crevice. Sigh.

Sorry that got a little roomy and gloomy. I’m done whining. It’s a beautiful day today. Any cookies left? And coffee!

Good morning all.

Nothing new here. Shutting down the sprinkler system today, just ahead of the first frost. Goodby summer. Hello autumn.

I was about done with my weird SE Oklahoma history lesson story, and I got sucked into a scary story about a horsefly tormenting an armed man during a domestic violence situation. Guess whose side the fly is on?

Hope everyone is well. 11 days until the election. Gulp!

Coffee and cookies please.

Cats rule, dogs drool.

Quote by JamesPBear

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I think I'd pay to see you fly Alito's wife upside down…

🤣

We have a neighbor who flies an upside down American flag. I find that SO disrespectful and unpatriotic. I really was gonna fly my Mets flag upside down after they lost, but Talia talked me out of it. Keep the neighborhood peace.

Speaking of the neighborhood, loud barky dogs woke us up this morning. Sigh.

Some old day here. Write and walk and No Man’s Sky.

Coffee and a cookie please!

I’d vote for crime, You don’t see it much in writing, though it’s all over television and movies as a genre. And I think 3000 words is a good sweet spot. Frankly, all these are pretty interesting. Humor is, I agree, pretty subjective, and hard to write.

Quote by Mendalla

Throwing on some dark roast coffee from some bag.

Coffee from some bag!? Okay, I will drink pretty much anything.

Stick a fork in the Mets. They’re done. It was a good run, and I am not complaining. Yankees-Dodgers World Series, just like everyone predicted. Sigh. I will watch I guess.

Not much else going on. Writing and walking are on the agenda.

Coffee and a cookie please.

Quote by JamesPBear

--------------

FREE COPY of "Bear and Girl" PROMOTION!

You can download a free Kindle copy of the complete book of Bear and Girl from October 23rd until October 27th, inclusive.

Please feel free to do so – and please take the time to leave an Amazon review!

And pass the word, please!

Thank you! ❤️

Remind us on the 23rd. I'll gladly download and leave a review.

Ooh, Molly brought treats!

Thinking of you and your family, Gill.

Another day, another crushing Mets loss. It ain’t easy being a Mets fan. I have even been flying our Mets flag from the porch. If the Mets lose, I am flying it upside down, like Alito’s wife.

Coffee and a cookie please. I should bring in treats sometime.

Quote by gillianleeza

I hope Sarah is okay too.

My Mom died on Sunday, which by then was a relief. But my father can't process anything because he can't remember if she is alive or dead. I'm drowning in paperwork related to dealing with death and trying to arrange a funeral and my father's upcoming move to memory care. At least things are moving towards some goals. But it's all so heartbreaking.

I feel guilty that all I can think about is returning home. I am currently only there on the weekends when my brother takes over. I miss my husband and my own space. I know moving my father is the right thing to do; he'll be safe with people who can be infinitely patient with him, but it's hard since the last thing my mother said was not to put him in a memory care unit. Once he's moved to that unit, we must deal with their two-bedroom apartment and its contents.

But the worst thing is not being able to grieve my mother because when I cry or act upset, my father does not respond rationally. I cry at night mostly.

Sorry for the ramble, but hopefully, I'll be home soon and can return to normalcy, whatever that is.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the fall weather. Take care of yourselves.

I’m so sorry Gill. Losing your mom is so crushing, and to be relieved about it is understandable, though I’m sure it will stir up some guilt. Don’t worry it get to you, dear. If you want to reach out, feel so free - Lord knows I’ve shared my troubles with you. Peace to your Mom, and to your Dad, and most of all to you. My heart goes out to you.

Nothing new here. Mets lost big. Therapy today.

I hope Cora is okay, haven’t seen her in a bit.

Coffee and a cookie, if there are any left.

Quote by Mendalla

An all New York World Series sounds kind of fun, though. But, yeah, facing the Yankees in a World Series will be rather nerve wracking, eh.

I experienced it in person in 2000. The only World Series game I will ever see, and we got shellacked by the Yankees.

How’s things you ask? Mets won! Day off today, big day tomorrow. My fear now is having to face the Yankees in the World Series. I don’t think my heart can handle it again.

Things are cool otherwise. Nice day, slept well. Writing is slow. Still working on the Oklahoma memoir thing.

A coffee and a cookie! Seize the carp!