filkferengi

I like chocolate. From this first principle, interesting adventures derive [themselves]. I used to favor Hershey's Kisses, but the logistics of fiddling with tiny wrappers during an arthritis flare were an obstacle. Then I hit upon the bag of milk chocolate chips as my delivery vector of choice; direct chocolate hit, chocolatier taste, no fiddly wrappers - what's not to like?

When they're not to be found, that's what. Over a couple of weeks, due to scarcity, my sweet spouse went to more than one store, for me. Then, last week, there were none to be found anywhere. He brought me a bag of Kroger's store brand and a bag of Ghirardelli. While not as chocolatey and with more beat-up looking chips, the Kroger was still an acceptable alternative. Ironically enough, the Ghirardelli bag combined being significantly more expensive with larger chips. My spouse called the chocolate taste "understated." I called it "nonexistent." Nothing like paying more for less flavor.

This week, relief was in sight, as he returned home victorious with the desired chocolate. Those first chips after a week of deprivation were intensely pleasurable. [I may have to do extra walks this week, weather permitting.]

As I went towards the fridge this afternoon, in anticipation of more chocolate chip goodness, I heard music in my head. I'm a filker; this isn't exactly a surprise. Bill & Gretchen Roper have an excellent song on the subject, "My Husband The Filker." As I let the tune play out to see which one it was, "Sha bop, sha bop" flowed into "I Only Have Eyes For You", a decidedly apt tune for chocolate on an overcast winter afternoon.

Current Mood: complacent
Current Music: The Flamingos--I Only Have Eyes For You

A member of the Bujold list requested a more detailed obituary. This'll do to start.

Leslie Fish was a deeply complex person, with so many talents and interests, Diderot and the Encyclopédistes could have followed her around for a lifetime and still not kept up. Nimble fingers and nimbler mind, a sheer, stubborn persistence in living her life on her own terms [smokes, booze, & all], let's just say, Leslie and Piotr would've understood each other all too well. Opinionated and cantankerous, yet none more encouraging and supportive in a song circle or more generous in mentorship. Whether the topic was breeding cats [with thumbs!] or politics, restoring heritage fruit trees or the latest in technology, space or fantasy, just keeping up was sheer fun. Leslie was always a challenge and a delight; knowing her was a privelege and an honor.

I urge you to seek out her music, on youtube, bandcamp.com, and elsewhere, and let her speak for herself.

P. S. Links: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=leslie+fish and https://lesliefish.bandcamp.com/

Current Mood: sad
Current Music: Leslie Fish--The Wheel

Who hath a book
Has friends at hand,
And gold and gear
At his command;

And rich estates,
If he but look,
Are held by him
Who hath a book.

Who hath a book
Has but to read
And he may be
A king indeed;

His Kingdom is
His inglenook;
All this is his
Who hath a book.

Wilbur D. Nesbit

Current Mood: pensive
Current Music: Brooke Abbey--The Last Page

In the home of my youth, the head of my bed was directly against the wall. This made excellent bracing against the back of the back-rest [as we called it then]. Upon the shelf several feet overhead was a lamp, which shed excellent light directly down. The cord therewith plugged into the outlet that was *right there*. So convenient! Add in the wonderful pillow for wallowing on, and I was guaranteed many nights of pleasurable late-night reading every summer.

Nowadays, I'm constrained to reading at the computer, but the pleasure remains. I especially enjoy frolicking in the Liaden universe, among many others. What's your favorite late-night reading?

https://pierscawley.bandcamp.com/track/child-of-the-library

Current Mood: nostalgic
Current Music: Piers Cawley--Child of the Library

Sometimes the smallest change can alter one's whole perspective, shift one's paradigm, or open up all kinds of options. Here are just three from over the years, all connected with our house.

After about a year of marriage, I got house fever. We were initially hunting for two bathrooms, looked all over various parts of the Atlanta metro area, and came up empty. Then I said, why not look for one bathroom? We soon had an all-brick ranch with 3 [tiny] bedrooms and one bathroom. My dad the contractor was eventually able to turn the water heater room into a small en suite. [note: it was on the south side of town, with lower taxes. Even with his student loans and them not counting my temp income, it was what we could afford.]

I have very routinized food choices. There was one Michaelina's entree I ate several times a week for over two decades [until they quit making it]. Most of that time, I stored them in the freezer door, front to back. After a decade or two, I finally figured out, I could store half again as many in the door, if I stacked them side-to-side, like books on a shelf. [Ironic that it took me so long to figure out, given the hundreds of feet of mostly double-rowed books in the house.]

The main bedroom, kitchen, and living room of our house all came with ceiling fans. The computer room, in the corner that catches full afternoon sun and is thus the warmest room in the house, has no ceiling fan. [My dad said there wasn't enough structure in the ceiling to support one.]

My spouse went to his first SABR [baseball] convention last week - right during the big heat wave. I run hot anyway [like Granny] and spend most of my time reading on the computer. Even with the lovely insulation [airport and bookshelves], not a fun time. I'm short, & the ceiling fans are nearly a foot overhead. Nevertheless, it was warm enough, I lunged, and turned on the living room fan. Leaving it on all the week kept the whole house amazingly cool [nearly 20 degrees cooler than outside].

How did it take me 3+ decades to discover this delightful fact? Normally, I'd feel all kinds of doofy, but am too busy being rather chill about the whole thing.

;)

Current Mood: cool
Current Music: Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz

You know those books where one day takes hundreds of pages? I'm in a bestseller titled _From 101.3 to 97.8 in 24 Hours_. Side effects were bonus scenes nobody wanted.

Now I hear the siren call, "Hi ho, hi ho! It's back to bed I go."

Current Mood: calm

I keep falling into various binge readings and rereadings, & falling behind on things, both online and off-.

Most Aprils, ze spouse & I take 4 days & make a trip to a town within driving distance. The last few years we've gone to Charleston, Asheville, Nashville, Beaufort [SC]; this year was Chattanooga. We didn't make it to the Towing Museum, but did make it to the art museum, several parks, & the botanical garden [which was mostly wild woods, not all curated like ours in Atlanta]. It was lots of fun, although my feet didn't quit whimpering for several days.

A couple of years ago, when I was discovering Alice Coldbreath? I reread her so obsessively, I was afraid I'd be like Jo Walton, who laments she's read her favorites so often, she's memorized them, and can't read them anymore. It's been over a year and a half now, & I'm launched onto what may well be a dozen book binge. Part of the reason I waited so long, I was panting for the next Karadok book. Instead, she published a spinoff of the Prizefighter series. I'll probably read & enjoy it, but am still eagerly awaiting more Karadok.

What all are y'all reading these days?

Current Mood: giddy
Current Music: SJ Tucker--Roses In The Rocks

I still watch a fair amount of tv, but it has definitely evolved over time. Sometimes it depends on the people in my life. When my dad the contractor was alive, I watched lots of real estate and makeover shows. It gave us something to talk about [Property Brothers: eye-candy + banter = win!].

It seems like I'll enjoy a genre for a while and then go off it. My bridesmaid recommended "NCIS" many years ago, and I've enjoyed all of them for years. During Covid, I binge-watched "Shark Tank". It was a fun game to play along with, guessing who would get a deal and how it might be structured. Once caught up, however, I have no desire to watch the new season. Sit-coms feel so artificial and no longer amuse. I used to enjoy crime shows, but the women-led ensemble shows I loved went away. Now I'm going off shows and genres faster and faster. I actively seek out new shows and try them out, but 5-10 minutes in, I'm saying, "Blargh" and bailing.

Ironically, while I claim to not read much non-fiction, that's far and away what I'm watching most these days: history, science, nature, travel, "mysteries". I get most news from political comedy shows.

I was always a heavy reader, but since Covid, it's become more obsessive. I'm typically reading several hours a day. Since the eyes and hands went goofy, reading physical books is inconvenient, so it's all e-books these days. That means no library book sales, which formed a good bit of my socialization pre-Covid. Hence, even more reading. The big change is, instead of rereading every few years or decades, I'm rereading whole series every year or so.

It's an odd turnaround. I bitterly fought e-books for years, since there was no universal format. It's a good thing I gave in when I did, given how things turned out. I got carpal tunnel during Covid, and don't like to drive long distances any more. These days, I mostly keep in touch with friends via phone or email or text, with occasional in-person outings. Ze spouse & I do our walks in the nature preserve several days a week, collecting litter from the most *improbable* places. When one is the spouse of a superhero, one has certain obligations.

So, there've been personality--not changes so much as shifts, reinforcing some tendencies and letting others go. I'm not distressed or depressed, but it's interesting to step back and analyze. I'm still enjoying life every day, especially, it must be admitted, those times when I put on my aspect as the filkferengi and match folks up with books or music.

Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: Lawrence Dean--Labyrinth of Shadows

It's almost time for the annual sacred ritual of Spring: baseball! Chaucer has nothing on my husband for going "on pilgrimagen" to spring training. Each year, for over a week, he does hiking and baseball. Each year, I do binge-reading and occasional walks. One year he called, exclaiming in glee, "I've been to 7 games!" I replied, with equal glee, "I've read 7 books!"

I think it was the Liaden re-read that year. Then there was the Peltedverse year, the Ice Planet Barbarians year, the Shelly Laurenston year, the Pratchett year, the Tamora Pierce year...so many delightful memories.

What started as the usual inch or so of snow we get every few years turned into a flickerthon of power, followed by a 17-hour outage [including no heat or internet]. It got down below 50, which feels *amazingly* cold over time, even under multiple layers. We're very relieved and grateful to a) have so many blankets and clothes to layer and b) to have the power back on.

Current Mood: warm
Current Music: Tabernacle Choir--Hallelujah Chorus

Outside my window there is a forsythia bush, about 4-5 feet in diameter. Last week, its leaves glowed with autumn color: reds, golds, oranges, along with the odd green. It's raining today. When I looked outside to see the rain, I saw the leaves were all gone, leaving what looks like a pile of dead sticks. And my crazy, unseasonal forsythia bush? Right before Christmas, it is *blooming*, of all absurd things, golden stars scattered among dead sticks. Because sometimes, life is just like that.

Current Mood: pensive
Current Music: Cheshire Moon--Persephone

My cat is weird. The far-off thunder frightened her into hiding under my computer chair, so I couldn't move it for a long time. Yet, the fireworks in the street [the across-the-street neighbor & co. put on an impressive show with lots of colors and very loud booms] didn't faze her at all. She was in my lap, so I couldn't see the full show, just reflections in the window. Other good news: they stopped by 9 or 10, nothing to keep anyone awake. The heat advisory made me even gladder I'd stayed home from the baseball game.

Current Mood: content
Current Music: Vixy & Tony--Burn It Down

The year has been mostly mild and lovely up to now, but now the hot days are upon us. I'm very grateful for the a.c., even if my thermostat got reset in a scary way last week. Ze spouse was up in TN on his hiking trip with his brother. After weeks of being very comfortable at 65 degrees, I suddenly couldn't get to sleep for hours, because, even under the covers, my feet never warmed up. I was so cold, it finally occurred to me to get up & put on some clothes. My temperature wasn't even 96. I'm usually 98.4. Scary! I had hot cider, made a wrap, put on full sweats, and went to bed. Now you know I'm as hot-natured as Granny ever was, so sleeping in sweats under 2 layers of covers isn't like me at all. I did finally get warm, though, and was able to sleep. By the next day, my temperature was back to normal. Lately, instead of feeling stifled at 70, it feels comfortable. What an odd experience! We think it might've been borderline hypothermia.

So I've been trying to get our walks in earlier in the morning, before it's hot. The cat's gotten "helpful" with that, jumping up on the bed by 6:30 most days. The temperature's not that bad, especially in the woods, but it's that still, dead air, with not even a hint of a breeze. But I do need to get back into the walks; they do help keep the a1c from going so high. I suspect avoiding ice cream might help with that, too. ;)

Current Mood: amused
Current Music: Peter, Paul & Mary--Weave Me The Sunshine

We went for a walk this afternoon. It was breezy, but gorgeous. A couple of narcissus flowers are blooming, and jonquil grass is starting to poke out. The forsythia bush by our house looks like a pile of sticks, with yellow stars on top. What's up with these crazy flowers?

Current Mood: amused
Current Music: Pete's Dragon--Brazzle Dazzle Day

Hey, y'all, check this out - I sponsored an e-book kickstarter for $10 Australian [$7 US]. It funded; yay! I got an email, claiming my card was declined, & I should contact the bank. I called Bank of America and was on hold for under 10 minutes: yay! The minion alleges that we're late on a payment he claims was due on the 24th, when the statement just arrived in the mail today. When I asked him how I was supposed to have already paid a bill which just arrived today, the (gormless, helpless, and many words ending in -less] minion asseverated that payment was always due the 24th of the month.

Now, I have many gifts, but a Tardis is not among them. The irony is, we allegedly have all this credit available, yet they're blocking me on a $7 charge. It's almost as funny as the times (plural!) when my card that had paid my fare to Seattle for 10 consecutive years of the filkcon Conflikt, got blocked at the Denny's across the street (that I've been going to the same time of year for several years) on a $6 charge. That was far easier for ze spouse to fix; the kickstarter nonsense will take longer. Unfortunately, Kickstarter doesn't take Discover, so I can't just add another card.

These days, take your laughs where you find them. Also, I think the credit card company's miffed, because we pay in full every month, so they make no interest on us.

Sometimes, Uncle Murphy loves on us harder than other times.

:)

Current Mood: amused

Check out this over-flowing cornucopia of outspoken authors!

https://storybundle.com/blog/outspokenauthorsbundle/

Current Mood: bouncy
Current Music: TheFifthSister--Higher Further Faster

A Bujold list buddy kindly commented,

"Happy birthday. Hope it was fun."

A spit-rainy Tuesday with the kind of doctor's appointment where you pay lots of money and wait an hour for a prescription refill. Still, the blood work was good [great opening sentence for a certain kind of novel ;)], & I got a good start on the next M.C.A. Hogarth novel [_Either Side Of The Strand_]. I also hit two thrift stores and the library on the way home [25% senior discount at Goodwill on Tuesdays!], & we went out for dinner [after the be-sprinkled stroll]. Then there was the box of books.

So, yeah, all in all - fun.

:)

Current Mood: happy
Current Music: Mikey Mason--A Hat Full Of Sky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f37i168aL2Y

Current Mood: jubilant
Current Music: Julia Ecklar--Ladyhawke

Humble Bundle has a whole bundle of box sets, in all kinds of genres, here:

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/bundle-bundles-open-road-media-books

The charity is Doctors Without Borders. Share the love!

Current Mood: bouncy
Current Music: Mikey Mason--A Hat Full Of Sky

_Reaper Man_ by Terry Pratchett is 1.99 on amazon and bn.com: https://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Man-Discworld-Terry-Pratchett-ebook/dp/B000UVBT4A and https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reaper-man-terry-pratchett/1100615878?ean=9780061807053#/

Squee!

Let the wild rumpus start! [https://thepdxbroadsides.bandcamp.com/track/let-the-wild-rumpus-start ]

Current Mood: jubilant
Current Music: PDX Broadsides--Let The Wild Rumpus Start

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Recent Entries

Chocolate

R.I.P. Leslie Fish

Who Hath a Book

Late-night reading

Paradigm Shift

Around The World In 24 Hours

catching up

Genres and time

Rites of Spring

Snow

Stars

fireworks

reset

Happy New Year!

Too funny

Outspoken Authors

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Julia Ecklar concert

bundle of box sets

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