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I have to work today, so I will miss the service this Sunday. But I find this very inspiring.

(crossposted from

monthlydiaryday)

7:45AM--Woke up. The DH was already up and awake. I got dressed, made breakfast (bacon, poached eggs and toast with homemade apple jam), and we watched GMA.

9AM--Cleaned up the kitchen, tidied up the house a little, and checked my email and my flist, and answered some. Checked the bank to make sure my paycheck came in, and updated the checkbook. Worked on a few projects to do with

b2mem, cleaned up the top of my desk, and made sure I have all the necessary paperwork for taxes.

10:30--The DH came in from working outside, and we stripped the bed and remade it (while the animals "helped". Apparently flipping sheets is a game. First the dog was having just too much fun, so I let her outside, only then the cat came in to help!) . Then started a load of laundry and folded up some that was already done from yesterday. The DH went back outside; he was painting a couple of old worn-out wicker chairs and table. I went out to check his progress, and look over the garden. Came back in and did a little knitting.

11:30--Went to check to see if the mail came, as we were expecting the paycheck from the DH's part-time job, but it hadn't. Took out the trash and pulled out stuff for lunch. Around noon, we had lunch: leftovers, meatloaf sandwich for me, soup for the DH. While we ate, we watched one of our favorite shows on DiY network: "Barnwood Builders".That show is totally fascinating. I love the expertise of the crew and the respect and care they show for the old barns and other buildings they work on--and always learn something new when I watch it.

1:00PM--Put chicken in the crock pot for tonight's supper. Checked the mail, but his check had not come in yet, so we went ahead to go do our errands in Stillwater (this is a larger town about 25 miles from here). We went to the library, and then to make a car payment. We went to Big Lots and we picked up a set of Valentine's Day lights to put around the front door. (I already have our wreaths up, but we thought some lights might be nice.)

4PM--Got home and rested for a little bit; I read some fic, and the DH watched Westerns. About a quarter to six, I went in and finished up supper, with some noodles, salad and veggies. We watched the evening news, and then cleaned up the kitchen. Settled in to watch some more TV, a couple of episodes of "Texas Flip and Move". I did some more knitting as we watched. Then I did some more stuff on the computer.

9:30--Got ready for bed, as I have to be at work 7AM Saturday.

Lent, Feb. 13

lent-2015 wordle bishopcampbellsblog

credit for the wordle to bishopcambellsblog

Today, a quotation:

Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.

Henri Nouwen

I missed going to the Ash Wednesday service last night; but I did not want today to go by without my first Lenten Post.

This song is just beautiful.

(Cross-posted from

monthlydiaryday)

8:04--Woke up, got dressed. The DH was already awake and watching the news in the living room. I went and made some breakfast for both of us (toast, bacon and eggs), and went to join him.

9AM--Showered and got dressed, tidied the house a bit, took down most of our inside Christmas decorations (except for the tree), and then did some research on the comp for a story I'm working on. The DH went out to work on cleaning the garage. Around noon, we had lunch and watched a couple of episodes of "Galavant" that we'd recorded. That show is hilarious; it reminds me of "Monty Python".

About 1PM we went out on errands; a grocery run and a stop at the pharmacy to pick up some prescription refills. Got home about 3:30 and put away the groceries. We talked about taking the tree down, but decided to wait, since we have to find something to put the tree in--its box kind of disintegrated this year. The DH watched some Westerns on TV, and I did some knitting and read some fanfic.

5:30 I made supper (steak, baked potatoes and salad) and then I knitted for a while as we watched watched an episode of "Fixer Upper" (I LOVE Chip and Joanna Gaines). I knitted for a while as we watched, until Miss Belladonna decided to get on my lap and try to grab my needles. At 8, the State of the Union Address came on, so we watched that. Honestly, I can't believe how rude and disrespectful certain members of Congress are; I mean you don't have to agree with someone to at least pretend to pay a little bit of attention.

After it was over, the DH flipped channels a bit, and I went to clean up the kitchen. Then we got ready for bed. I read a little more fanfic before I turned my light out.

Is this just me, or is AO3 down?

I got an email this morning that someone had posted me a gift-fic there. So I clicked on the link for the story on my iPad and it wouldn't load. After two or three tries I gave up on the iPad.

I came over to my desktop and tried it. I got a 404 not found. I googled AO3 and tried it from there and got a page saying there was something wrong with the site security. I tried clicking on the link to my own page and got a page saying that the page could not be loaded.

What's up with that? Anyone else having trouble?

Spoiler free review:

Saw it today, and was quite pleased with it! It was terrific--a nice blend of tribute to the original plus plenty of new to intrigue. It felt fresh, and yet was clearly the universe that George Lucas had created so long ago.

I was spoiled for one plot element, but I didn't mind, as it was something I was glad to be prepared for.

The only thing was where we were sitting--a bit closer than the DH and I usually sit, as we went with our son and two of his stepkids. We were awfully close to a speaker, so it was really loud.

Will probably write something longer and more spoilery tomorrow.

I have some other pics to post, probably tomorrow. But I had to post this one tonight.

Miss Belladonna Took would like to thank her humans for putting up a nice tree covered with lovely cat toys.

(We attached the tree to the beam in the ceiling above with cup hooks and bungee cords to avoid it being knocked over. During the day she just sits and stares and occasionally lightly bats at an ornament with her paw. But since we put it up a few days ago, we wake up to find several ornaments on the floor and the tree leaning at a precarious angle. But not, thank goodness, on the floor.)

Transcription behind the cut:

( Read more... )

Here's my Monday! (cross-posted from

monthlydiaryday

7AM--Got up and made breakfast and packed a couple of sandwiches for the DH, as he's heading out to Oklahoma City for a job interview. Watched Good Morning America.

9AM--called some Rx refills in to the local pharmacy, then took a shower and got dressed. Tidied the house and started some laundry. Then I went on the computer to work on some modly duties for the archive, trying to compile the winners of the Tree and Flower Awards for the Many Paths to Tread archive. Most of the compilations were already done by my co-mod

rhapsody11, but I had some run-off votes to add, and then I worked on formatting the announcement. OF COURSE the formatting gave me trouble.

10:30--The DH called. The interview was successful and he was on the way home. He was offered the job, but he wants to wait one more day, to see if the one he likes better (it's closer and pays a little more) comes through; but he will probably accept the OKC one. I went to Braums to drop off some of my polymer clay jewelry to a couple of my co-workers. One didn't have her money, so she said she'd pay me at the library in the evening. (I go to knitting circle at the library on Monday nights, and she takes her little girl to the chess club there.) Then I picked up our prescriptions and came home. The DH was already home. We had some lunch, watched a couple of episodes of "Love It or List It" on HGTV (mostly sleeping through them, to be perfectly honest).

1PM--I folded laundry, cleaned up the kitchen and prepared a meatloaf for supper. (I didn't put it in the oven yet, just made the loaf). Then I got back to the computer and wrestled with the announcement formatting again. About 4ish I popped the meatloaf in the oven; we'd have green peas and mashed potatoes with it.

5PM--Supper was ready, but we had to put it on hold. Our insurance agent called; the DH had put in a question: our floor furnace seems to be broken, and we wondered if maybe it might have been caused by recent earthquake activity (DARN FRACKING!! Those oil companies HAVE to know these earthquakes are their fault!) But apparently even if it is caused by earthquakes, with our deductible it's probably not worth putting in a claim. So we did not actually get to eat for nearly 20 minutes.

5:20--Ate supper and watched the ABC news. Then I got my knitting together and left the house about 6:15. (The circle starts at 6:30.) I also took my jewelry in case S. did show up.
For a while it was just me and the librarian (a good friend), and I showed her my sock loom and we talked about socks for a while. Then my co-worker and her daughter showed up. She paid for her earrings and bought another pair for her little girl. The librarian bought a small brooch. Just before the library closed, this couple came in to complain that she'd gotten a notice about parking in the library parking lot. Of course the librarian couldn't do anything about it--the city manager was trying to crack down on people parking at the library all day (for work) when they are not there as library patrons. I could tell the wife did not really want to complain, but her husband did. My poor friend had to both placate them and yet make it clear that the rule was the rule. Working with the public can be very frustrating at times, but LD. (the librarian) was cool as a cucumber.

7:50--Headed home before the library closed at eight. Watched the tail end of another "Love It or List It" episode that the DH had started, and then used the DVR to watch "Dancing with the Stars". Tonight was switch-up week (celebrities and pros switch partners for one week) and also Maxsim was a guest judge. I was really impressed with how well the contestants did with their new partners! Some terrific dancing going on; I have to say, I just love Bindi Irwin! She's just adorable, and she just wears all of her feelings out for everyone to see, and she's just radiates positivity. But I had to leave the room during her pre-dance package, because she had brought along a honking great snake to the training studio and I am dreadfully phobic about them.

When it was done, I went to the computer to work on that announcement, but still was having some trouble getting it just right, so I worked on a different thing for a different community, and then started typing up my notes.

So, the DH has headed on to bed, and I'm fixing to follow as soon as I get all of these notes typed up. Maybe I'll have time to post before I go to work in the morning.

The other day the DH and I were at the OK State Fair, and were looking at some of the exhibits by the FFA (Future Farmers of America): along with vegetables and livestock, there were more creative exhibits in woodworking, floral design, needlework, and...pumpkin decorating.

Most of my pictures did not come out, sadly, but one that did just begged to have a bit of commentary added. Behind a cut, in case anyone on my flist is a fan of the current Republican front-runner (at least the last time I looked he still was). ( Read more... )

VoicePost

This book is largely concerned with Hobbits, and
from its pages a reader may discover much of their character and a
little of their history. Further information will also be found in
the selection from the Red Book of Westmarch that has already been
published, under the title of _The Hobbit_. That story was derived
from the earlier chapters of the Red Book, composed by Bilbo himself,
the first Hobbit to become famous in the world at large, and called
by him _There and Back Again,_ since they told of his journey into
the East and his return: an adventure which later involved all the
Hobbits in the great events of that Age that are here related.

     Many, however, may wish to know more about
this remarkable people from the outset, while some may not possess
the earlier book. For such readers a few notes on the more important
points are here collected from Hobbit-lore, and the first adventure
is briefly recalled.

     Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient
people, more numerous formerly than they are today; for they love
peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well-ordered and well-farmed
countryside was their favourite haunt. They do not and did not
understand or like machines more complicated than a forge-bellows, a
water-mill, or a hand-loom, though they were skilful with tools. Even
in ancient days they were, as a rule, shy of 'the Big Folk', as they
call us, and now they avoid us with dismay and are becoming hard to
find. They are quick of hearing and sharp-eyed, and though they are
inclined to be fat and do not hurry unnecessarily, they are
nonetheless nimble and deft in their movements. They possessed from
the first the art of disappearing swiftly and silently, when large
folk whom they do not wish to meet come blundering by; and this an
they have developed until to Men it may seem magical. But Hobbits
have never, in fact, studied magic of any kind, and their elusiveness
is due solely to a professional skill that heredity and practice, and
a close friendship with the earth, have rendered inimitable by bigger
and clumsier races.

     For they are a little people, smaller than
Dwarves: less tout and stocky, that is, even when they are not
actually much shorter. Their height is variable, ranging between two
and four feet of our measure. They seldom now reach three feet; but
they hive dwindled, they say, and in ancient days they were taller.
According to the Red Book, Bandobras Took (Bullroarer), son of
Isengrim the Second, was four foot five and able to ride a horse. He
was surpassed in all Hobbit records only by two famous characters of
old; but that curious matter is dealt with in this book.

     As for the Hobbits of the Shire, with whom
these tales are concerned, in the days of their peace and prosperity
they were a merry folk. They dressed in bright colours, being notably
fond of yellow and green; but they seldom wore shoes, since their
feet had tough leathery soles and were clad in a thick curling hair,
much like the hair of their heads, which was commonly brown. Thus,
the only craft little practised among them was shoe-making; but they
had long and skilful fingers and could make many other useful and
comely things. Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than
beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to
laughter, and to eating and drinking. And laugh they did, and eat,
and drink, often and heartily, being fond of simple jests at all
times, and of six meals a day (when they could get them). They were
hospitable and delighted in parties, and in presents, which they gave
away freely and eagerly accepted.

I'd like to thank several friends for encouraging me to post this on LJ. I also have it posted at ffn and AO3.

This is my first (and likely my only) Harry Potter story. It has been percolating for quite a few years, and since no one was interested in taking on my persistent plot bunny, I finally gave in and wrote it myself. There is no Harry Potter in this Harry Potter story. It is very much about Arthur Weasley, his worries, his job, and his ability to cope.

Summary: The summer before Ron's first term at Hogwarts, Arthur Weasley finds himself at the center of a criminal plot.
Word Count: Slightly over 8,700 words, including Author's Notes.
Beta: Dale, of the snorkack Yahoo group. I'd also like to thank the group for research help,

lindahoyland for Brit-picking, and my husband for being a sounding board.
Rating: mild PG, for spells used in kidnapping

The Temptation of Arthur Weasley ( Read more... )

Hmm...that's my only HP icon.

Today I posted my very first Harry Potter story. It's a little bunny I've been resisting for a long time, and finally I realized the only way out was to write it.

It's about Arthur Weasley, and is sort of an adventure story and sort of a character study. It takes place before Ron, Harry and the others go to Hogwarts.

The Temptation of Arthur Weasley
The summer before Ron's first term at Hogwarts, Arthur Weasley finds himself at the center of a criminal plot.

I also wanted to post it at AO3, but for some strange reason, no matter which way I tried to paste it, it stripped out all the line breaks. I tried both Rich Text and HTML. I tried to copy it directly from my file; I tried to copy it from the doc file at FFN; I even made a private post here at LJ, and copied that, both trying the HTML version and the Visual Editor. The only thing I did NOT try was typing it in directly! No matter what I did, I just ended up with a giant text wall of doom. Any other AO3-ers have any idea of what's up?

And speaking of LJ posts, would anyone rather read it here? I'd definitely put it behind a cut, as it's rather a lengthy one-shot.

All the other places I post are Tolkien-only.

We've been hearing about it all week: the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I usually make this post in the morning, but had to go to work early. All evening there have been images of the disaster on TV.

People react differently. The DH can't bear to be reminded, but I seek out reminders actively--I simply cannot allow myself to forget. I remember those days, holed up without power with

marigoldg's mother and our dogs, my husband only sporadically able to come home.

The following images are not the ones that you will see on TV. These are my personal images, taken at what was our home at the time. Fortunately the vast majority of our damage was outside our home. We had friends and family, however, who were not so lucky.

( Read more... )

Those are just a few of the pictures. You can see more of them on this post if you want to.

I kept a diary during those long days with no power and no communication. For those of you who are new to my flist, you may not have seen it:
My Hurricane Katrina Diary.

The three fics in my Buckland Flood series are all connected to my memories of Katrina, especially "Hobbit Aid", which was written immediately after the storm and "Lesson Learned", which was written before the storm, and felt almost prophetic at the time.

Ten years ago tonight, I was just miserably trying to cope, and found inspiration in these words:

Beyond all shadows rides the Sun,
And stars forever dwell.
I will not say the day is done,
Nor bid the stars farewell.

And I will never ever forget all the thoughts, prayers, friendship and yes, even material help, that I received from my LJ friends!

The DH found this on YouTube. I thought it was pretty cool.

OK, I am probably the last person on my flist to do this one.

1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now.
Suave Ocean Breeze bath gel for the DH. I tend to use my shampoo.

More TMI meme-ish blathering behind the cut: ( Read more... )

I wanted to do some writing and posting this week, but right now I'm only able to use my iPad for anything much, and for some reason it's logged me out of some sites and won't let me log back in. Luckily LJ is not one of them.

For days my desktop has been alternatively freezing up to the point of me having to shut down, telling me a page is not responding due to "long-running script" or simply telling me that a page is not loading for no particular reason. It took me nearly two hours just to look at my lovely Silm B'day cards a while ago. I am SO frustrated.

Tried twice to get into Norton for help, but the page freezes up on me while I'm trying; does anyone know their help phone number??

This is my third attempt to post this. Hopefully it will "take" this time. *crosses fingers*

As promised, here's a pic of the unicorn and lady that the DH got for me last Saturday at a local second-hand store. The figurine is a music box and plays "Some Enchanted Evening":

For some time I've thought about making a post of my unicorn collection (my second obsession after hobbits). The post is pic-heavy, so I've put the rest behind a cut:( Read more... )

My very first unicorn was a gorgeous psychedelic black light poster I purchased in 1970. There was a huge white unicorn surrounded by neon colored flowers and butterflies. It finally became too brittle and fell apart when I tried to reframe it. Many of my other items are not on display. I have a nice unicorn throw, and two scented soaps with a unicorn theme that I use in my lingerie drawer.

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Dreamflower's Mathom-house

"And laugh they did, and eat, and drink, often and heartily..."

Recent Entries

Lent, Feb. 14--First Sunday in Lent

Yesterday

Lent, Feb. 13

Lent, Feb. 12, 2016

Lent, Feb. 11, 2016

January 12, 2016

AO3?

Star Wars (no spoilers)

Caturday

Read LotR Aloud: Book IV, Chapter VI, "The Forbidden Pool"

Yesterday

Political

Hobbit Day Special Reading: Concerning Hobbits

The Temptation of Arthur Weasley (A Harry Potter fanfic)

My very first Harry Potter fic!

Ten Years Ago Today

Misty Mountains Cold

Baaaa-baaa! That household meme...

Arrgghh...

Unicorns