Evolutionary Plume

Stuff and nonsense and juggling

Immensely frustrating weekend where Bob and I find a home we'd like to buy, make an offer, have it accepted and then I spend two days checking for when the papers are going to be emailed to me for signature. This morning I wake up at four, go back to sleep, the alarm rings at 5:30, I shut it off after a half hour, then I wake at 8:30 am. I check my email, find the papers have finally been faxed and rush to get them signed and sent back for $28.00. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the owners, a church, have being working to get that house offered to someone else in their parishioners. Bob has had an inspection arranged for Tuesday, we think there's no problem, but the church suspends our offer because of their wheeling and dealing with church funds. So after all that imagining a new home, discussion plans for how we'll live there and what needs to be changed to make it liveable, the whole thing is called off and we're scrambling to find a new place. So Bob will have to extend his stay unless we find something tomorrow, make an offer and have it accepted, which means I'm going to have to pack his stuff up ... cascading changes from an incredibly tight schedule, costing us more and more money. I'm considering a "broken contract small claims suit" asking for damages as a result of these people's decision.

Meanwhile, I'm about 2/3 the way through restructuring the novel. I thought I could edit sections but until placed in context, it's not easy to do. Have two new short stories I'm laying out and researching and plotting -- I think I have them but ...

Tips for Parents Living with a Sexual Predator in Your Neighborhood

Tips for Parents Living with a Sexual Predator in Your Neighborhood
When you know a sexual predator is returning home to your neighborhood, what should you do to ensure your child's safety?
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1895380/tips_for_parents_living_with_a_sexual.html

Improved state but still a frustrating day

Had lunch with my mom, OJ, and Mary at the food court. That was good. Then tried to get to writing but I couldn't find certain files, not good. So I packed 7 more boxes, that was good. Found the story I was looking for hallelujah! Found the research on several others stories, that was good. But finally took on the disks--I still had 5 1/4 disks with data, threw a whole pile away after transferring them to my computer and only required one CD to store it all, awesome. But tiring. And no writing done. Still, sooner or later you have to pay for all your learning mistakes and put the stuff where it belongs. No reading and no swimming-frustrating. Still, Bob was upbeat about the neighborhoods he'd seen and I recieved pictures of several that looked really good, so now its about finding out about pools and seeing the actual homes in person. It's beginning to look possible.

Patriotic Fourth of July Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Recipes

Patriotic Fourth of July Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Recipes
Ice cream is a traditional taste treat especially in our family. This basic recipe comes from my mom who adjusted it for our less sweet tastes and I've added some colorful and patriotic variations sure to please.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1890080/patriotic_fourth_of_july_red_white.html

Best Practices for Recording Audio Articles

Best Practices for Recording Audio Articles
Need help recording written presentation, poems and articles. These best practice tips will give your performance the polish needed.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1890370/best_practices_for_recording_audio.html

Doing archaeology on my work

Problem with working on the road is I often use notebooks. If I don't have time to polish something, good materials sits waiting for my return. Then, there's the stuff that calls out to me, come do me, come clean me up. Sigh. Then I need find it. Oh, and I need to clean up my backup disks and see which are real. Purpose of all this is to clean up, of course, thank heaven Bob isn't watching my mess making in our pristine emptiness. Meanwhile I was up to nearly 4am finding it all. Progress, however unfinished is good. Need to do book reviews soon.

Had a good day yesterday, article reading, swimming late, promotion of articles (still backlog on these to do), forward progress on my Fortune Cookie book I'm reading. Plus laundry, packing 5 boxes full, feeding the hummingbirds, dishes.

So far uncovered quite a few articles to finish but still looking for my Peru writing.  Meanwhile, fell into storyland and finding Bob's favorite Kyung Wha Chang recording of the Mendelssohn / Bruch Violin Concerto impossible to resist and fine mood music.

Today I get to see OJ and Mom for lunch, should be fun.

Best Wheelchair Accessible Walking Trails South of Seattle

Best Wheelchair Accessible Walking Trails South of Seattle
Several of the best wheelchair accessible, flat or minimal elevation change walking trails in the South of Seattle available for fun and exercise.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1894914/best_wheelchair_accessible_walking.html

Best Short and Winter Friendly Hikes in the Puget Sound Area

Best Short and Winter Friendly Hikes in the Puget Sound Area
Want an easy, short and minimal elevation gain hiking trail in the Puget Sound area? Try one of these best short and winter friendly hikes.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1895160/best_short_and_winter_friendly_hikes.html

Free, Perfect Printable CrossStitch Patterns Guide for Every Skill Level

Free, Perfect Printable CrossStitch Patterns Guide for Every Skill Level
Cross-stitch pattern guide for the new-comer, kids, artisan and show cases the huge variety of projects that can be made using cross stitch and the many sites that provide patterns.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1867895/free_perfect_printable_crossstitch.html

Strange Case of the Flip-Flops

I don't like to wear them. They show up in my closet. I hide from them. They keep sneaking out and biting off the tips of my toes, but leave my toenails to grow long. Now why is that? Are they so certain I can't use them in self defense? Are toenails no longer survival equipment? Apparently, flip-flops are dangerous to your health--too many carcinogens and flukes. The flukes are definitely the worst. Don't do them, run, run for your life! The monk may be chasing behind you.

Okay, enough free flowing nonsense for the day, and just when I had a news item, too.

I guess it truly is story time.

Patriotic Fourth of July Candy Recipe Variations

Patriotic Fourth of July Candy Recipe Variations
Try these tasty variations on popular patriotic candy recipes for windowpanes, fudge and caramel fruit bites to make your Fourth of July candy dessert potluck contribution the empty dish of the bunch.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1890026/patriotic_fourth_of_july_candy_recipe.html

Best FREE Greater Seattle Fourth of July Celebrations

Best FREE Greater Seattle Fourth of July Celebrations
Live outside of Seattle? Here's a list of free events in the communities around Seattle, WA on the Fourth of July including fireworks. Don't be stuck at home.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1890124/best_free_greater_seattle_fourth_of.html

Women's Wimbledon Preview Predictions 2009

Women's Wimbledon Preview Predictions 2009
Here's an explanation about the competition in Women's tennis in 2009 and my prediction of a likely upset in results.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1867861/womens_wimbledon_preview_predictions.html

Favorite Mexican Restaurants in and Near Renton, WA

Favorite Mexican Restaurants in and Near Renton, WA
Want to have good Mexican food in the Renton area? Try one of these.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1849321/favorite_mexican_restaurants_in_and.html

Why Short Sales Make Real Estate Decisions More Difficult

Why Short Sales Make Real Estate Decisions More Difficult
If you're considering a real estate decision, either buying or selling property, it's important to understand how the mortgage meltdown has increased the number of short sales. Here's an explanation of short sales and how they affect you.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1837649/why_short_sales_make_real_estate_decisions.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1860119/green_moons_of_alki_beach.html?cat=10

Green Moons of Alki Beach
A futuristic story about a grandmother and mother's love set in Alki Beach, Seattle. Can Rusty keep up with her grandson Conan and find the meaning of life?
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1860119/green_moons_of_alki_beach.html

Alice Neel : Self Portrait 1980

Alice Neel : Self Portrait 1980
A poem about artist Alice Neel's self portrait showing mood and aging and imagination.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1841527/alice_neel_self_portrait_1980.html

Joesph Raffael Orange Fish

Joesph Raffael : Orange Fish
Poem about a painting by Joesph Raffael and evolution.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1841545/joesph_raffael_orange_fish.html

Chagall Literature

Chagall : Literature
A poem about writing literature, life and the painting by Marc Chagall.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1841569/chagall_literature.html

George Luks The Miner

George Luks: The Miner
Poem about miners, fathers and the one painted by George Luks.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1845325/george_luks_the_miner.html

Moon Jellies

Moon Jellies
A poem about a type of jelly fish known as Moon Jellies.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1845413/moon_jellies.html

Fragility and the Endurance of Stone

Fragility and the Endurance of Stone
A poem I wrote about my fascination for rocks and remembering the labor of construction of river of stone.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1845469/fragility_and_the_endurance_of_stone.html

Peony Poems

Peony Poems
A poem about when my dad nearly died on the operating table; he died this year at the age of almost 80.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1845525/peony_poems.html

Plugging through Novel Edits

My novel edits are going pretty well, working through the minor changes and coming up with the solutions to the structural. I am pretty miserable with a cold. Slurpee time, I think, now.

My Stand on Abortion

I always choose life. What makes it strong.

Without a law allowing abortion, women end up trying to do surgery on themselves in the worst possible way. If our society doesn't help prevent the need for abortion, then the law needs to stand.

I wouldn't want to have an abortion, yet, physically, I ended up with one despite my choice. Endometriosis made it difficult to participate in society without using birth control pills as medication, and later to have surgery. I could have lived with endometriosis, bleeding all month long, month after month until someone tracked me down in my bed and fathered a child on me, but I saw I had no life this way. I chose life, but many religious organizations would condemn taking the birth control pills, having the surgery, not enduring the medical problem without treatment, and on and on. Our society is not sophisticated enough to provide women with endometriosis a solution.

Many women become pregnant without wanting to. It would be ideal if women could choose to get pregnant when they wanted and could raise the child. We have not reached this level of chemical sophistication. It would be ideal if every woman who became pregnant had a committed and loving father to help raise the child. We have not reached this level of societal sophistication.

When people try to change the abortion laws, they are working at the wrong problem, way too late. They are not working to end illness. They are not working to teach children morality. They are not working to improve the lives of unwed mothers. They are not making the fathers pay the same societal cost as a mother for unwed parenthood. In short, they are talking loudly about a law that aids life without providing adequate support for making the law go away.

People that work at solving the problems of society without judging the people who have to decide their best hopes for life with limited choice  whatever the case are the people that attract me.

I have written stories about women and men faced with some of these issues because they educate about the complexity of parenthood, about the emotional costs of bad relationships.

So where does that place me politically? I don't care. Label me as you will. I seek intelligent solutions to societies problems in my stories as my life now. Many may reject them. I don't care, I am well amused with my books.

I Always Choose the Same

All my life I have walked through society as if it were a cloud, occasionally finding someone who I want to get wet with because they don't constrain me to their rules and regulations. I can accept all points of view because I think some people need to tinsist on their point of view to get along in life. They believe if they yell loud enough they win. I don't care about winning. I care about humanity and the truths I discover along the way.

So when I went down the road and met someone that turned away but left a beacon, I thought cool, fine. I went on my way and ran into a complex piece of machinery, like a robot of sorts. At the top, the brain said "I don't like it, the beacon says this is right, so I'll take it and bury it". Not wanting to be buried before I lived my life, I stepped hundred steps back and said how do I avoid this. But the machine's parts kept dropping before my face and offering a hand, which I will always shake, even if it carries the dagger to my back. I never choose this machine, it is a permanent road block to me. Once someone has carried a knife to my back, they are unacceptable.

If you can't accept the part with the dagger,how can you accept the machine? I simply have to go around even if it takes me the rest of my life.

So my path needs to go within, taking my beacon along, pushing aside the restrictions that I was taught to believe.

Top Ten Low Cost Home Improvements to Aid the Sale of Your House

Top Ten Low Cost Home Improvements to Aid the Sale of Your House
For those trying to sell their home, consider these low cost improvements including actual cost estimates that improve the curb appeal of your home.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1792806/top_ten_low_cost_home_improvements.html

Stop Insects from Biting Your Children

Stop Insects from Biting Your Children
Insect repellents and other strategies can improve your outdoor experience and keep you from itching, swelling and catching diseases. Here's how.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1787108/stop_insects_from_biting_your_children.html

Free Best Summer Festivals and Events for the Greater Seattle Area

Free Best Summer Festivals and Events for the Greater Seattle Area
The economy may be rough but we can still have fun. Here's a guide to the free, most fun and festive events around Seattle for the summer of 2009.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1771990/free_best_summer_festivals_and_events.html

Last of the Front Garden

Got so tired trying to complete the last of the front garden I yelled at Bob about it than sat down and finished Man with the Iron Heart. Hopefully, I'll finish the last three feet, wash the floors upstairs and down, box up the last stuff, before the real estate agent arrives. I hurt in every part of my body and spent too much time eating dirt. My work is piling up and no way to catch up. Can't wait for a week off from house. Let it sell quickly, please!

Springtime Flowerpot and Deck Planter Reuse Ideas

Springtime Flowerpot and Deck Planter Reuse Ideas
Get economy and ecology sensitive with these first rate hanging planter, plant and deck planter reuse ideas.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1746454/springtime_flowerpot_and_deck_planter.html

Best Folding Hunting Knives

Best Folding Hunting Knives
Folding hunting knives come in a variety of styles and weights suited for a given hunting purpose, here's the best finds and what they offer.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1757464/best_folding_hunting_knives.html

Recovering Good Humor

Came home from lunch and crashed for four hours and woke up hungry at 7:30pm. I guess I pushed too hard yesterday when I steam cleaned the carpets including vacuuming a section, washed windows, took a break, then weeded half of the tough garden. I really like 12 hours of sleep at night, it maintains a clear mind, so when Bob woke me at 8:30 this morning he got chewed out, but that didn't solve the problem that I didn't get enough sleep. Tylenol does wonders to relieve achy hands and muscles. Now, at 9:00pm, I start work, laundry, packing, article due.

Home and Field Care for Your Hunting Knives

Home and Field Care for Your Hunting Knives
You bought the hunting knife, but to keep it sharp and usable, you need to sharpen it, here's the best options on the market.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1757490/home_and_field_care_for_your_hunting.html

Progress on the House

I managed to polish both bathrooms and get the stuff in them packed, what was left after Bob had done a stint at the same task. Then completed spreading the second yard of cedar chips, I need another load to finish. Afterwards, painted the kitchen cabinets with Bob's help. The neighbor young men are coming to help with the heavy windows and digging tomorrow. I'm on to clean the carpets and maybe finish up the inside windows. That will leave a few odd jobs and mowing and the yard for Monday. I need to move my files so the cabinets can be sold, which means I need to dig through them and clear them out.

Now, if I could just bend my knees at all...

The Nothing To It Tasks of Moving

So, we've managed to paint seven rooms and touch up the edging in all. Bob replaced two sinks and all the toilet seats. We've sold several big items that aren't dear, in fact, few are dear, just needed. I have one garden bed cleaned up and two more up front to finish, the carpets to clean, the bathroom floors to clean, the kitchen cabinets to touch up. The back porch and siding is cleaned except for two areas. My office is cleared except for one stack and a bunch of books boxed. Donations have gone to the good will and library. We both paid bills. Hmm, what else?

We decided to take a tour of gas stations today, with two flat tires. Mind numb, its hard to remember everything. Had my mother over to share interests, she learned a bit about what I am doing.

Essential Wall Repair Kit and How to Use It

Essential Wall Repair Kit and How to Use It
Hole or nick in your wall? Here's the essential kit that will repair it to get your wall back to its most beautiful in a hurry.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1757532/essential_wall_repair_kit_and_how_to.html

Blue C Sushi in Seattle, Washington

Blue C Sushi in Seattle, Washington
Try Blue C Sushi at Westfield Southcenter Mall for a tasty tidbit before a movie or shopping trip, you'll like it.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1757550/blue_c_sushi_in_seattle_washington.html

Organic Ways to Get Rid of Silverfish in Your House

Organic Ways to Get Rid of Silverfish in Your House
My experience with silverfish and organic methods to rid yourself of these pests.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1648386/organic_ways_to_get_rid_of_silverfish.html

Best Fixed Blade Hunting Knives

Best Fixed Blade Hunting Knives
A fixed blade hunting knife is the best hunting knife for those who hunt large animals and field dress. Here's why and which brands and features to consider.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1757066/best_fixed_blade_hunting_knives.html

Farrah Fawcett's Life, Cancer and Hair

Farrah Fawcett's Life, Cancer and Hair
Poem about Farrah Fawcett and her situation with cancer.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1757526/farrah_fawcetts_life_cancer_and_hair.html

Star Trek and Paint

Well, managed to finish off the kitchen wall, dining room, hallway and bathroom by rolling the walls, still need to touch up some. My bathroom is almost ready to be closed up for non-use showing. That was yesterday. Today, painted the edges of three of the livingroom walls and the entry and did laundry and packed up eight boxes of books and took them downstairs. Only dumped 1/4 can of paint once and took a tumble off the step ladder so I expect bruises. Tomorrow I hope to finish up the edges in the bedroom and the back bathroom and get it cleaned up. Then I'll be ready for the cedar chips and taking on all of the gardens. Bob has the weed and feed going, the holes in the walls filled and so many miscellaneous tasks like putting the closet doors back on its hard to keep track of them all. He's got the ads in on a bunch of big items we need sold via Craigslist so that's progress. We think we may list the house next week, we'll discuss it with the real estate agent. The cute lady that bought Bob's old PC said, you're painting all the bright colors aren't you? And we said, no, we were told neutral and boy are we boringly neutral -- ballerina white walls with devonshire cream trim -- white with a hint of brown, with white with a hint of hmm, blue maybe? A good match. When Bob removed the medicine cabinet the old wall color matched the new one. I guess we did a good job finding contractor white.

So exhausted, we played hooky and saw the new Star Trek movie. I wish they didn't always make them play like nostalgic homecoming dances. Still, it had great action and the new cast looked and sounded remarkably like the old cast. And Leonard Nimoy is sure looking old and wise. Fun. The sushi place was good, Bob was pleased and I had a meal and a snack with something out of the ordinary.

Plus, had a nice chat with my mom who came by for a visit and with my sister who I managed to connect with since she was  painting my mom's house as a Mother's Day present.

The Amazing Changing or Unchanging Face of the Summer Equinox

The Amazing Changing or Unchanging Face of the Summer Equinox
Depending on your perspective, the summer equinox can spell out a time of light, fun and heat, too few hours of solar radiation, old rocks or a party. Where do you choose to be on the summer equinox?
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1746148/the_amazing_changing_or_unchanging.html

America's Most Dangerous Jobs Carry Risk of Death and Injury

America's Most Dangerous Jobs Carry Risk of Death and Injury
Consider these jobs carefully before applying, you might end up dead or injured.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1741658/americas_most_dangerous_jobs_carry.html

Learn to Speak Chinese Online for Free

Learn to Speak Chinese Online for Free
Learning Chinese can be such a valuable skill. Most people only bother to learn their native tongue...and even that barely...
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1543099/learn_to_speak_chinese_online_for_free.html

Wonderful Feedback on my Review of Christopher Meeks Book

I just recieved the nicest letter from a writer whose book I reviewed:

 

My most recent short story collection Months and Seasons is up for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award. It's a prize from Ireland, the most lucrative short story award around, which Jumpra Lahiri won last year for Unaccustomed Earth.

 

Leading names on this year’s list include Booker winner Kazuo Ishiguro, Orange Prize winner Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, winner of the (British) National Short Story Award and former judge for the Frank O’Connor Award James Lasdun, multiple prize-winning poet Sean O’Brien and previously short-listed authors Philip O Ceallaigh and Charlotte Grimshaw. And there I am.

 

You can see the list here: http://www.munsterlit.ie/FOC%20Award%20page.html.

 

At €35,000 the award is the largest in the world for the short story form and monetarily is greater than the Costa Book of the Year Award and the Orange Prize.

The shortlist of six will be decided in late June with the winner announced on September 20th at the close of the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Festival in Cork.

The judges are Lloren A. Foster, an Assistant Professor of English at Hampton University; Milka Jankowska who co-ordinates the International Short Story Festival in Wroclaw, Poland; and award-winning Irish author Vincent McDonnell.

 

Months and Seasons contains a dozen stories. With a combination of main characters from young to old and with drama and humor, the tales pursue such people as a supermodel who awakens after open-heart surgery, a famous playwright who faces a firestorm consuming the landscape, a reluctant man who attends a Halloween party as Dracula, and a New Yorker who thinks she's a chicken. You can get a taste of one story here: http://www.redroom.com/publishedwork/months-and-seasons

 

Perhaps this will even lead people to buy my other books, the short story collection The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea and my very recent and well-reviewed first novel, The Brightest Moon of the Century.

 

This shows, too, that your review helped push things forward. I thank you for your support.

 

Best,

  Chris

This is pure flattery for me since the contents of the book matter most. I just hope he makes it all the way to winning this wonderful prize.

Wacky Great Outdoors Month Fun Activities to Do with Children

Wacky Great Outdoors Month Fun Activities to Do with Children
This article describes some wacky and fun things to do with children while you celebrate the great outdoors this month and anytime else.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1723554/wacky_great_outdoors_month_fun_activities.html

Ways to Show Teacher Appreciation During Teacher Appreciation Week

Ways to Show Teacher Appreciation During Teacher Appreciation Week
Throughout life you have many teachers who help you out; here are some thoughts about how to show appreciation to your teachers and maybe pay them back.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1730164/ways_to_show_teacher_appreciation_during.html

The Moving Tasks -- Endless Trivia

Well, the real estate agent gave us the orders to go neutral, so we're painting. That means all of the pictures need to be removed from the walls, the holes patched. I'll do all the edging first which is the slow part. I now have flower baskets and the raised beds are weeded and planted. I need cedar chips to complete the work on this first bed finished, but Bob says he needs to take a trip to the mulch recycle center with all the prunings so that is also on the top of the list, if the days dries out. My lilac is now blooming so I'll be able to weed the trauma center bed soon, last time I dug around the roots of the lilac I didn't get flowers.

Meanwhile, we need to dump furniture to make the house less cluttered and more expansive. So the king sized bed goes with all the frame, end tables and dressers. This means the closet must be emptied and all the rejects sent to charity and the dresser emptied with the rejects piled for painting or sent to charity. And dressing must become a downstairs task because once I clean the bathrooms into sparkly selling mode I don't intend to do it again. And I'm beginning to take the first whack at the cosmetics -- ick, a week of lotus shampoo, dump the curlers which I haven't used in years, etc.

It terms of writing, I've got this two-foot+ tall pile of books I'm reading through and reviewing. The true readaholic shows her colors. Meanwhile, we have boxes, small ones for books which I expect to sort what I have by topic and maybe actually be able to turn out content quicker, who knows, maybe even the brownies will show up and make it allllll go away.

Movie Theatres Near Renton, WA and Where to See One for Only Three Dollars

Movie Theatres Near Renton, WA and Where to See One for Only Three Dollars
A guide to the best movie theatres in Renton, WA and the surrounding area and what they have to offer including ticket prices.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1705479/movie_theatres_near_renton_wa_and_where.html