When You Do The Right Thing...You Might Win A Raffle

 Funny story...when you do the right thing, you might be a raffle winner.

Let me explain.

A few weeks ago my wife and I were on our way to find a place to eat for Date Night when we drove by the local fairgrounds. Cars were parked in the parking lot and several people were outside at various food trucks. We thought we'd give the food trucks a try.

Since we're new to the area, we're not aware of the events taking place in the city. Turns out the food trucks were there for the people attending a craft fair. We decided to step inside and check it out.

We didn't know you had to pay $1 to enter.

We had no cash, so we were about to leave when the nice lady behind the table said we could go in. The place was full of adorable crafts and items, many we liked, none we bought. We were excited that events like this were taking place so close to our new home. We vowed to be more aware of happenings at the fairground.

This was Friday. The fair continued until Saturday at 5pm.

The next day we were picking up some groceries for the evening meal when we drove past the fairgrounds. It was close to 5pm, and everyone was packing up. I decided to stop and go pay the $2 we owed the craft fair. I grabbed eight quarters in change from the car and ran inside. I told them that since we didn't pay the day before, we owed them the money and wanted to make sure we paid it. I was asked if I wanted to enter a raffle because we paid, and I thought, "what the heck?"

Turns out, I won. 

A local vendor put together a package of honey, roasted walnuts, and a bath bomb as a raffle prize.

Score!

It was another of those pleasant serendipitous things that happen. Had we not won the raffle, I wouldn't have thought anything about it. I doubt the winnings were a reward for me paying what we owed, but...you never know.

Donations...Please

 I ordered our lunches and because we didn't order ahead, I sat in a booth and waited. It's a local eating establishment, animals from past hunts looked down from elevated positions, letterman jackets and posters signed by local sports stars from days past adorned the walls.

It's as small town as small town can get.

It's beautiful, wonderful, humble.

As I waited, I noticed a donation jar on the counter. Underneath the picture of a man who looks like he lived life on his own terms asked for help on funeral costs after his passing. You can't see from the picture, the jar was not jammed with dollars and/or cents. Hopefully, it was recently emptied and set back on the table, but I don't know. And asking how the donations were going would seem insensitive at best.

I hope the donation jar helps. Of course, no amount of money, big or small, can replace the man who's black-and-white picture adorns the printed page, even if they raise all that's needed and more. I know that whoever went to the trouble of creating the monument would rather it not be there.

Writing Retreat (From Home)...Day 3

 Thus ends Day 3 of my stay-at-home writing retreat, and I eclipsed the 50k mark. I know that for many, 50k does not even cover the beginning. I'm looking to wrap it up.

Amazing how some authors do it.

The past three days have been wonderful. On Sunday (I don't write on Sundays...), I considered following my regular routine, but instead of going to work, I'd get up at 6:30am to write. That did not last even one day. Day 1 I began writing at 7am, Day 2 at 8:30am, and this morning at 9am. And I'm okay with that.

Rule 1 of being a writer is: Don't beat yourself up when things don't go exactly as planned.

Technically, I have one day more of the retreat, even though it goes until the weekend. Tomorrow should be a mostly full day of writing and I hope to get some done on Friday as well. My plan was, if not finish my latest work in progress, at least know how it will end.

Goal achieved!

For me, that's been the biggest hurdle. Right now, I'm about to put together the final battle, four against ten. I've never written a scene like that before, so I'll have to dig deep and see what happens.

When you're a writer you dream of what life would be like to write full-time, to support yourself and your family just with the words you first imagine then create. I'd have to put in more hours, take it more seriously, but I think it's something I'd love to try. 

Maybe after retirement...I'll keep you posted.

It's A Cat's World...We're All Just Necessary Interruptions

 The other day I walked in on our cat, hanging out in our room and a thought came to me...it's really a cat's world. We're just necessary interruptions in that world.

I grew up with dogs, not cats. My mom didn't like cats, even though we got one and it disappeared shortly after we named it. We believe it migrated to our neighbor's house--she had so many cats, I'm not sure even she knew how many. We were always mad at that neighbor, but as I've grown older, I realize the cat was the one who made the decision to leave. The neighbor just took care of her, which is her being a good neighbor.

But the cat...it was that particular cat's world after all.

A few years ago we answered a classified ad for a kitty that had been abandoned by its mother. We drove south to see if we could help. There were two kittens. When we drove home, there was only one...the other came home with us. It's been an adventure ever sense.

The cat turned into a monster--almost 20 lbs, and he entertains us daily. 

What's amazing about having a pet is that, to them--obviously--it's their world. It's all they know. We, as their caretakers, know the world is much bigger than them. We know that without us they would need to find their own food, their own shelter. Animals have been doing this for as long as there have been animals. And yes, our pets in the wild would survive, at least for a little while. We know it's not entirely their world. But, we also know the world would not be the same without them.

When Your Work Station Becomes Your Vacation Destination...

 For the past several years around this time of year, I took a week off from work, traveled south, and joined several writers to write as much as possible.

This year...well, I guess some things have changed. 

And it's not due to covid.

This year, I decided to participate in the writing retreat, but I'm going to be at home. I now live twice as far away from the hilltop abode. Still, the drive would not be a problem. This year, I wanted to see how effective I can be here.

Today was Day 1 of the retreat. I spent much of the morning re-reading the words I wrote years ago. This story is my first novel where there are more than one storyline. I'm dealing with three and weaving them together has been a challenge. I needed to know not only where one story left off, but the others as well. After reading several chapters--and thanks to Scrivener which allows me to have several chapters open at the same time--I caught up on the stories and dove in to further the adventure. I had hoped that by the end of my writing vacation my novel will be done. I don't think that will happen, but I do believe that I will know how the novel will end. 

In my experience, once I know how it will end, I can finish things up quickly, and by "quickly," I mean quicker than a couple of years.

This morning I entered my work office, parted the monitors, and set up my laptop. Thanks to a wireless keyboard I could sit and type just like I do for work. Only this time, the work is for a different boss...it's for me, and for anyone who will one day read this story. Day 1 is in the books. Bring on Day 2!

Give Thanks...Friends Who Can Disagree (And Still Like Each Other)

 You may be asking yourself--if you looked at the picture of a clown with a BYU logo over its face--why is there a BYU logo over the face of a clown?

That's a good question.

I have a good friend at work. He and I have known each other for over a decade and he's been my supervisor, off-and-on, since that time. He and I agree on many things. There is one thing, however, that he and I disagree on. It's a healthy disagreement...and it involves sports fandoms. I wear red hats/shirts/sweatshirts with the letter "U" found somewhere on the clothes. My friend chooses to wear a different color, in his case, blue with the letter "Y" found somewhere on his clothes.

My supervisor and I chat at least once a week. Our team has a weekly zoom meeting and not only do we get to chat, but we get to see where we all work...the miracle of modern technology. A few months ago, as we waited for the formal meeting to begin, we were just shooting the breeze. Somehow the topic of "things that scare you" came up. My friend said he's always had a thing for clowns. He does not like them, something he'd experienced since childhood.

As fate would have it, I had just hung up a picture of a clown in my office. It was something that for years hung in my father-in-law's CPA office. I thought it was a good choice to hang in our home office. Then, came the zoom meetings and the news that some disliked clowns. I decided to turn the scary clown into non-scary clown.

At the next zoom meeting I let my supervisor and everyone on the team know that I had made some adjustments. I know it's a small thing, taping a white Y on a clown's body, but it's how he and I get along, even though we disagree on some things. We live in a crazy time. People are disowning family members--some are killing each other over disagreements. I'm grateful for a friend with whom I can disagree and have some fun at each other's expense doing it.

My Pre-Covid Writing Life...I Didn't Realize Just How Spoiled I Was

 The first time I stepped inside the Tremonton Library, I noticed several flyers on the counter with pictures of authors I knew on them. These were notices that Utah authors would be visiting the Tremonton Library to chat about their books and/or do a reading of their works.

I was so stoked! 

I was going to have my friends come up to our local library--I'd get to see my friends again. We could chat, discuss books, and just hang out.

Turns out these incredible writers would be visiting our neck of the woods, but not in person...they'd be visiting virtually...digitally...not physically.

Bummer.

I was able to log into an author reading from Steve Heurmann on Friday. He's an amazing person with a wonderful story of how he became a full-time writer. You can access his information by visiting his website: HERE. He read from his book, Paper Heroes.

The meeting ended--I was able to say, "hello," I thought about how disappointed I was that the author chats are all virtual. I also thought about how spoiled I've been for the past eight years. Except for last year, I have been able to attend several writing conventions, writing symposiums, and comic cons every year. I was averaging one every three or four months. And I pretty much knew who would be attending these local events--many of my good writing friends.

How I miss those days.

If Steve had been able to attend his reading in person, or if we had been at a convention, we could have talked about writing, about how his latest project was coming along, any news on new books, new ideas. And I could have done the same things with a dozen or more friends. Attending these events to sell books is wonderful, but so is hanging out and chatting with friends.

Hopefully, we can return to normal soon. If so, I will try and go to as many as possible, so I can be spoiled again.

Some Things...I Just Don't Understand

 

Junk mail...it arrives almost everyday. Our dog seems to be the only one who actually enjoys junk mail, especially the single page, large ads. You know them...you probably received a ton of them during this past election. We sometimes give those glossy ads to our dog who then takes them to the killing floor and promptly rips them to shreds. 

But, the other day we received a piece of mail that I thought was a political ad, an ad for home improvement, or to change banks. Nope--it was none of those. It was something completely different...a flyer about time ark service modules.

Now, I survived public school, picked up a college degree or two, even attended several years of religious instruction and served a LDS mission. I know there's a lot of things I know nothing about, but I've never heard of time ark service modules, let alone, that they've returned.

Even though I had no idea what the card talked about, I decided to access the website. If I thought I was confused by just the card, the site made my head hurt. I browsed the site, but it made things worse. Usually, with a few clicks I can navigate a site and find some of the basics...what they believe, what is their mission, how to get more information. I tried, but there just seemed to be more and more...stuff, confusing, disjointed stuff.

I posted a picture of the card for my Pic Of The Day because I found it interesting. A few people did what I did and looked up the site. Normally, I try to highlight interesting places to visit on the web. I'll even throw in the links to those sites. I'm not going to do that with this one. I mean, you can check it out if you want to, but getting greater clarification of what time ark services modules actually are, that they have returned, or any other questions you may have, if you like, but that's on you.

Maybe you know about all this stuff already. If so, good for you. I don't and that's probably my loss. But then again, there's a lot of things I know nothing about. This is just another one.

Just A Different Point Of View...

 

They're upgrading at work. It happens every once in a while. Since I work remotely, this time will be a little different. I won't have the IT crew stop by my desk with a new computer and/or monitors on their little IT cart and begin the transformation.

The new equipment is ordered. 

Most likely I'll have drive into the office and pick it up.

I'm no longer the exception at work. The telecommuters are now "normal." I know there's been a lot of changes the telecommuters have gone through. I hadn't really thought of what changes those who support us have had to go through. When I worked downtown, I worked on the third and fourth floors. The IT experts worked on Floor Six. They could just come down and troubleshoot or swap out broken equipment or install new programs. They'd leave successful and happy. We'd then get to do our jobs in a successful and happy manner.

Win-Win-Win.

In order to deal with our new realities, to prepare for the upgrades I was asked to take pictures of my equipment and e-mail them to the IT department. That way, I'm their eyes so they can assemble my new equipment on their carts, then ship them off to the closest office so I can pick it up. To get the picture, I had to turn my phone upside down and slide it under the monitor. Sure, I could have taken time to disconnect the cables and turn everything around...too much work. The camera took a shot from a vantage point I never see.

It made me think. I need to think more of others...those who support me, among others...a different point of view.

The Land Of Many Fires...

 We spotted the field fires last fall, not so many, but enough to notice that we are living in a different place now, a place of fires.

They've started back up this spring.

This place brings up so many memories.

I grew up in Farmington, named--I imagine--because there were numerous farms in the area. Even when we moved there in 1970 there were still numerous farms remaining. Now...not so much. In fact, almost all land in the city limits have been converted into living space, not for horses, cows, pigs, and chickens, or for orchards and vegetable gardens, but for people. There's a good reason for this--it's a fantastic place to live and raise children.

We lived up on the hill, not the highest house on the hill, but high enough to see much of the town. I remember seeing field fires all the time. I'm no farmer or chemist or specialist in why it's good to burn fields, but from what I understand burning fields replaces nutrients into the soil. I know forest fires are nature's way of cleansing the ecosystem. I assume the same can be said for the advantages of smaller versions.

We're again on a hill...not as high up as before, but we can see much more of the valley, and other valleys. I snapped a picture of a fire the other day. We expect to see more as we live in the land of many fires.

Ten Years Ago, There Was Bob...And Uncle Sam

 Tonight, I'm sitting in front of my computer and I wondered about the past--more specifically, what I was doing ten years ago. I think about this type of thing from time to time, so I pulled up the blog post I wrote April 20, 2011. I don't know why I decided to look back exactly one decade ago from today, and not five years, or last year. No, ten it was.

I remember the day--or part of the day--very well.

It was the day Bob and Uncle Sam came to town.

The event was an expo for the Davis County Chambers of Commerce. I still think the idea was genius. My friend Bob, who runs a financial planning institution, wanted to have a visual demonstration of what happens (or can happen...) to your money, your investments. We hired an actor to portray Uncle Sam to take a PayDay candy bar and divid the bar into two sections. We gave one portion to the expo attendee and the other portion went into a toilet. 

The expo was an all-day affair. I only attended near the end. As I recall, it went okay. In my opinion they just didn't have the people attending. 

That expo took place ten years ago. I blogged about this when it happened and you can access the blog post: HERE, if you're interested, that is. As far as the part-time job went, it ended shortly after--I can't remember exactly when it ended. I don't think the company ever attended the expo again, or even if the expo took place. Too bad...it was fun when Bob and Uncle Sam hung out.

"On Adventure With Dad"...A Fantastic Instagram Account

 Imagine, you're a new father and you're home with the baby. You get a text or a call from your spouse with a simple question, "How's the baby?"

If you're Kenny Deuss, you get creative.

And you make an incredible Instagram account.

The account is: OnAdventureWithDad, and you can access the almost one-hundred pictures by clicking: HERE. If curiosity hasn't taken hold yet, basically Kenny photoshops his child in dangerous situations and they're wonderful. Many have written about how the site came to be. To get some background, you can access one such story by clicking: HERE. 

It's amazing how some people's minds think. And because we have the miracle of the internet we have access to these people and we can see what the create, even if they live in Antwerp, Belgium, or they live in your own house.

If you're a new parent, or even if you're not, check out OnAdventureWithDad. It will/should make you smile.

Give Thanks...Happy Coincidences

 Friday morning three different things happened to me. Had not one of those things happened exactly as it did, I would not have the following anecdote to relay. At each point, I made choices that, when combined, created the story. It began by me picking up trash and ended with someone buying me breakfast.

You see the above trash can. That's snow from the remnants of a storm. The wind was blowing south and the snow stuck to the can. What you don't see is the recycle can that had blown over. You also don't see various pieces of trash that blew out of the can and down the street. I left the house to go for a McDonald's breakfast run. I saw the trash and picked it up. It took some time, but I didn't want to have our trash in everyone else's yard.

When that was done, I climbed into the van and headed the mile south to our local McD's. It's a Drive-Thru only restaurant with two drive-thru lanes. Thus began the eternal question...which lane? I usually chose the outside lane because, if for whatever reason I want to leave, the outside lane gives me that option. On this morning, there were three cars in the inside lane, and two trucks in the outside lane--each truck had a long trailer behind it. I decided to follow the trucks. Sure, it might take longer...the shorter cars could sneak in before the longer trucks make the bend, but I thought...what the heck.

The first truck ordered and moved forward, then the second truck (with the longer trailer...) left. He wasn't in line at all.

Score!

I leap-frogged at least two cars. I ordered and snuck in behind the car ahead. Had I chose the inside lane, I'd be two cars behind, at least.

I pull up to Window #1 to pay and the attendant hands me the receipt. "You don't owe anything," he says. "The car ahead of you paid for yours."

Score, again!

You hear about cool things like that happening, and I should take more opportunities to do similar things for others. I thought it was such a nice gesture of the stranger ahead of me, I asked how much the bill was for the car behind me. He said, $2.14.

"I'll pay for him," I said.

As I drove away, I thought of all the things that had to happen exactly the way they did for me to have some nice person pay for my meal and for me to pay for someone else's. Had I not picked up trash, had I picked the other lane, had the truck before me left...it would have been some other person getting a free breakfast...

And I'd have a different blog post for today.

I'm grateful for little things like this--for happy coincidences that make life beautiful, or at least, more fun.

I Love Thrift Stores...But This One Not So Much

 You move to a new town...a town where you've never lived. You look around, check things out. You see where things are, stores, shops, parks, city offices, fairgrounds. Moving from a a major metropolitan center to a town of a few thousand people can be an adjustment. There's no sushi places, no movie theaters, no Costco.

But, there's a thrift store...

Sort of.

I mean, it's a real store, and yesterday--for the first time--after trying to enter the store for six months, I actually opened the doors and went inside. One of the first stores I visited when we moved was the thrift store on Main. It was locked, and when I returned and tried again, I was always locked. I even called the phone number and no one ever answered. I wondered if it was just a storage place for someone and they were selling things on-line.

The past couple of times I'd driven by, I thought things looked different so yesterday I parked in front of the store. I saw a couple actually enter the store. I got out of the car and followed them in.

Over the years I've been in a lot of thrift stores. We're lucky in our area to have some run by the LDS church. They're big and clean and, for the most part, organized. These are words I would not use to describe the thrift store I visited yesterday. In short, it didn't feel like the place had the walk-in customer's interests as its first priority. It had stuff, but a lot I couldn't even reach because of things on the floor. And, there was a sign at the register desk that said basically, "Cash Only."

Now, I only have my observations to go by. I have no idea of who owns the business, or what issues they are dealing with, so I don't want to judge too harshly. But, as a business concern, it's pretty rough.

Thrift stores pay an important part of a community. They're places people can go who can't afford new things. They're also a place for people to donate things they no longer need. In my opinion, they're win-win situations, something this--and all--communities need.

I Mean...They Keep Coming Anyway

 58 new e-mails...

58.

I didn't open my computer today until well after dinner. I had 58 e-mails waiting for me. Of those, I had maybe three that I wanted to read. I heard a podcast once that recommended getting rid of all spam e-mails...not just deleting them, but formatting your e-mail accounts so you stop spam from reaching you. The podcast centered on writing, but the advice is for anyone wanting to remove clutter and interruptions from their lives.

Great idea.

I'm sure I could do more serious research on how to stop these e-mails from arriving. Normally, I just delete them and get on with things. The other day, I thought about trying to lessen my interruptions. I blocked a few accounts thinking--incorrectly--that the e-mails would stop. You can see in the picture the e-mails continued, but now they have a nice red circle with a line through it (the universal sign of something being banned...) to differentiate between unblocked e-mails and blocked e-mails.

Maybe one day I'll figure out how to block them for good, and not only figure out how, but to go through with it. Until then, I'll keep deleting the e-mails, both the blocked and the unblocked ones.

Why In The World Would I Snap A Picture Of This...?

 I snapped this screenshot of my phone sometime between 5am and 6am this morning. By just looking, you see a conclusion of the last Solitaire game I played. It wasn't my best effort--I was almost four minutes off the best time (I have no idea how many games are considered in these numbers...). I was two moves off tying the fewest moves.

The reason I snapped the picture really, is because of the win streak...12,345 games in a row. Combine that with the % of games won and you reach the obvious conclusion...

I've played this stupid game too many times.

So, why take a screenshot? Why "remember" the moment? It's a pretty unremarkable moment. I'll most likely never return to the picture. There's no real meaning behind it. It's one of over 30k in my digital library.

And that's probably why I snapped the picture.

It wasn't because I was waiting for the time when I could get up and go to work, but more because modern photography is digital...a picture is almost nothing. Adding almost nothing times 30k, it becomes something. I have so many pictures just like this, pictures I'll probably never see again, and if I I don't see them, there's no way others will, either.

This picture will mostly likely sit in a cloud somewhere (and now on this blog post, for as long as it exists...). These were some of the things I thought about as I couldn't fall back to sleep and waited for the work day to begin...a silly little picture is now the subject of a silly little post.

Congratulations To Weber State University Women's Volleyball Team!

 I haven't watched too much of women's college volleyball games this year, nor have I watched much of women's college volleyball games in my life. It's not the most accessible sport to watch, and the days of me actually attending sporting events in person are years and years in the past.

Tonight, one of my Alma Maters, the Wildcats (not actual wildcats...) of Weber State University, fielded a team in the NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament (my other alma mater plays tomorrow...). They battled the Falcons (not actual falcons...) of Bowling Green Sate University in Round One of the Tournament. I watched the end of the game. The Wildcats were victorious, three sets to one.

Good for them!

Go Cats!

And to make things even sweeter, it was the school's first-ever win. I know it's only the first round, but you have to win the first round if you expect to win the whole thing. The first step has been taken. Unfortunately for the Lady Cats, they next team they face is the Number 1 team in the nation, the Badgers (not real badgers...) of Wisconsin on Thursday at 5pm. Of course, if WSU beats the #1 team in the country, by some standards, Weber State would be the team to beat.

No, I haven't watched a lot of women's college volleyball games...my loss.

A Fun New Game...Well, Fun For Me, At Least

Millions of people now work from home, including me. Over the last year the way we work has possibly forever changed. I was fortunate enough to be sent home two years before covid hit...I had a two-year head start. I had time to learn about about how things are different when you work at home.

Take for example...pets.

When we leave for work, we forget about pets, for the most part. We remember them when they come running as we walk through the door. But, if you're home all the time, the pets are with you, and if the cat didn't want to sit on my desk--specifically, the keyboard--while I worked, I could possibly have the huge, 18-lb rescued rag doll cat in my office with me.

With the door closed, the cat will sometimes stick his paws under the door. Today, I thought I'd have a little fun. I took a golf ball and he and I batted it around for a few minutes. I think he had fun, but I'm sure it's frustrating for him not to be able to somehow fit that golf ball under the door. I'm sure it's frustrating that he can't come in and play, for reals.

 Maybe one day, when I'm no longer working, I can have the door open and we can bat the golf ball around full-time. Then again, I plan on doing more writing when I retire. But if we can, we'll both have a lot of fun.

Creative Book Folding...A Very Cool Thing

 Last Friday, my wife and I happened up on an event in our neighborhood...a craft fair...a wonderful craft fair.

Oh, how we've missed it.

Since 2013 I've attended dozens and dozens of events like this, large hundreds of thousands-attended events, and small intimate events. They all have several things in common...one of them bing talented people selling their goods. We met one last Friday where paper was her medium.

She's an artist.

Her craft? Book folding.

I've seen this type of art before, but never this close and never this much. We took the opportunity to speak with the artist. We asked her about how much time it took her to create one of her works of art. We obviously knew how much she charged. She related a story with us. At an earlier show a person saw what she did and told her, "I can do that." The woman started folding a book on her own. The artist had the opportunity to speak with that woman at a later date. What took the artist hours required weeks from the novice. Good artists make great art look easy.

I respect people who create art, especially since they don't have to. Sure, she's getting paid, but when she's done, there's a product that changes people in some way. We're glad we stopped by the craft fair. We got to see a very cool talent.

Give Thanks...For Neighbors

 We thought when we moved from Farmington, that we'd be leaving behind a yard full of rocks just underneath the grass and plants.

Turns out Farmington's got nothing on Tremonton.

This land has rocks everywhere. As we prepare to put in our yard, we've got a lot of work to do. We have several rock piles at various locations around the yard and we'll have to deal with them. Yesterday, we decided to tackle some of those piles. 

Problem--one of the rocks was huge.

Another problem--I am not huge...well, huge enough to move the rock.

Our next-door-neighbor saw us working and he came over to offer help. And help he did. He pulled up his Jeep, wrapped a chain around the rock and attached it to bumper. A few tugs from the gas-burning beast and the rock was moved several feet to the north.

We're still getting to know our neighbors. On our old street, I knew everyone. I knew everyone on several streets and all over the town. It's reassuring to know others by whom you live. You know there's people you can count on for help. It's impossible to really know how others think about you. Are we good neighbors? I'd like to think so. I'm sure we could do more...we can always do more.

Leaving our good friends was the toughest part of the move for us. We've only been here a few months, but we're hoping to get to know those around us in the months and years to come. I'm grateful for our neighbors. I'm grateful that people choose to help out each other...even if it's just to move a rock a few feet.

The Scene...That Made Me Sad

 I've been watching--and enjoying--Marvel's latest television project, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier when a scene came on between a terrorist (sorry about the mild spoil...) and the Falcon's sister, Sarah Wilson. Sarah was asked about the new Captain America (sorry about the other mild spoil...) and she responded.

What she said made me sad.

There are many things that make me sad, some of the current conditions in our country, for example. The previous episodes subtilely and not so subtilely alluded to some of those conditions. The question was asked to Sarah about the new captain and she responded that in her country, she doesn't matter. 

Personally, I cannot think of many things worse than that.

Also, I don't think I can fully understand feeling that way. Sure, in my life, there were times when I felt I didn't matter very much--I think everyone feels that way at times, but deep down, I always knew I mattered to someone, even if it was just my immediate family. I always knew, on some level, I mattered.

The comment was meant to represent a larger group, but all things are perceived individually. Does Sarah matter to America? She doesn't think so. Is she wrong? Not to Sarah. Just as an entire group of people cannot--and should not--be labeled the same, America is not the same thing for all people. But what makes America different is that it has always been a place where people define themselves. It also is what people think it is. Their perception is their reality.

What made me sad is that for this person in this story, she felt her country didn't care about her. Those who see America one way say she's wrong. Others think she's right. The sad part is, the country isn't the one making the choice...it's the one giving the option.

Who Knew It Would Be So Tough...To Buy Pet Food?

 We have three pets, two cats and a dog. We buy three different kinds of food for the three pets. I know we ought to only buy one type of dog food for the dog (which we do...) and one type of cat food for the cats (which we don't do...). Somehow, we bought the cats different food as a holdover from when we used to have another cat, a cat with a sensitive digestive system. She had to have only special food. Unfortunately, the digestive issues were too much for her and we lost her. When we got the new kitten, we fed him something different from the adult cat we had.

Pet owners are as strange as the pets themselves. You may be reading this and thinking that we're nuts to give each cat different food--and maybe we are. But, I don't consider us extreme. No, I consider extreme pet owners as those who dress their pets up in costumes and/or put the pets in their wills when they pass on.

That's not us.

But, we want to do right by our animals so we try.

Today we tried to remember exactly which food Cat #2 needed. We thought we knew, but we were wrong. We've been trying to get them all on food that contains salmon--to make it easier. That only confused us more. Switching foods is not that big a deal...we just mix the old with the new, then add more new than old until it's all new and no old.

We'll most likely get around to doing it one day, but for now, we'll just try and remember. Of course, I can always pull up this picture...just to be sure.

The End...Two Simple Words That When Put Together Are Huge

 Last week I typed "the words." Those two simple words that when put together, are huge. 

And two words that don't necessarily mean what you think they mean.

This makes three novels under my belt. The first one will most likely never see the light of day, the second was published, and this is number three. Each ending was different, and by that I mean, my reaction to each ending was different.

Novel #1

Years ago two filmmakers and I worked on a screenplay project. We finished the project and I asked if I could write the novel to the story we created. Since they were filmmakers, they didn't care so I wrote it. If the screenplay ever becomes a film, I promise to dust off the story, or even re-write the whole thing. I'll keep you posted, but as of now, I don't believe it's going to get made. Too bad...I liked those characters. The novel, however, was a mess. Thin structure and massive P.O.V. issues. I can't remember the feeling I had when it was finished. Maybe I never typed "The End." Maybe it's not even finished.

Novel #2

If you've followed this blog for any length of time, you are probably sick of hearing about novel #2, Chaser. I wrote it to see if I could complete the NaNoWriMo writing competition that takes place each November. 50k words in one month. Turns out, I could complete the challenge. The book was accepted and published by Immortal Works on January 16th, 2018. I remember finished the first draft of that book. It had problems, yes, but knowing I had completed NaNoWriMo was a great feeling.

Novel #3

Of the three, this one took the longest to write. I began it in 2013 and because of several severe cases of writer's block it took years to finish. I wonder if closing a manuscript and not opening it for almost a decade counts as writer's block. I could not for the life of me figure out the ending, or how I would get to the ending. Once I figured that out, the end came rather quickly and I finished the last 20k words in a few weeks. Because of my previous experience with short stories and novels, I know there's so much more to do. 

I don't have a publisher in mind--it's a unique story. It will most likely be self-published, and I'm okay with that. Another reason I'm excited for this one is it's the first of a trilogy. Now, I just need to begin thinking about structuring the second story, which has its own challenges.

"The End" never really means the end. Just as the characters in a story continue even though we don't know the continuation, the story continues. The script evolves, hopefully it improves, the point-of-view tightens and the story packs more of a punch. Writing "The End" ushers in an exciting time...a tough time, but an exciting one, none the less.

I Should Have Known...I'd Get This Reaction

 When you post a picture on social media every day...for over a decade, you see certain trends. I've posted some of the best photographs I've ever taken as my daily picture. I've posted funny pictures (or ones I thought were funny...), ironic pictures, pictures of my kids, of cats, of dogs. You get a sense for what people think of the photos based on the reactions of those who see them.

Last week, in our local Tremonton paper, a front-page story highlighted news of a wonderful memorial for a wonderful man, a man who meant so much to this community. There are discussions to build a community theater in town and name it after this man.

And I think the idea is wonderful and I hope it happens.

I took a picture of the front-page story and posted my picture online.

I received more positive response from that picture than any other picture I've posted in over ten years.

I should have known.

That story taught me much of Dee Pace. Years ago Dee and I shared the stage. I loved hearing his stories about when he attended college in Cedar City. I loved getting know him. Two summers ago I shared the stage with Dee's daughter. She was the star of the show and Dee attended one of our performances. It was great to see him after and share that amazing smile.

Less than a year later I heard the devastating news that covid claimed another victim. Dee was the first person I knew personally that passed away from the disease. The news story reported he was the Box Elder County's first fatality.

I did't know that.

I also didn't know Dee taught theater at Box Elder High School for fifteen years. I can understand why he was so beloved in the community. And I understand why so many people responded to my post. We moved from a place where a dozen or more community theaters were within a half-hour drive of our house. Now, that number has been reduced to two. I would love to see a community theater built in this little town, but the fact that it would be named after such an incredible person as Dee Pace, would make it perfect. Oh...I pray it happens.

Anniversary Of A Literary Memory...

 A friend's novel drops today. She's worked years and years on it and it's finally something you can buy in a store and hold in your hand.

What a feeling!

As I meandered through social media this morning, I was tagged on a post, a memory from this date in 2013. It brought back so many memories for me. It was the first time I saw the cover of a book that contained a story I wrote. It was the first time something I wrote was published...in a real book you could hold and read and smell and enjoy and just look at and realize it is a physical manifestation of a dream brought to life.

What a feeling!

That spring and summer everything was new as far as my infant literary career was concerned. Signing my first contract, working with an editor to make my little story as good as it could possibly be, opening the box and grabbing the book and seeing my name on the front cover. It was wonderful. It was something an unpublished writer dreams of happening.

The book, Mechanized Masterpieces: A Steampunk Anthology, went on sale April 19, 2013, but the first time I saw the cover was on the 6th. I thought--and still think--the cover is beautiful and of all the anthologies I've been fortunate enough to be included, this is one of my absolute favorites. Yes, in part because it was my first anthology, but also because each story is a home run. The book is still for sale...if you're interested, you can order it by clicking: HERE.

The experiences from that book taught me a lot. It also opened so many doors, and those doors have opened other doors. In a way, it changed my life.

I had forgotten all about that memory until this morning when I saw the post. I'm glad my fellow author Megan Billings shared her memory that became my memory, too.

Visiting A One-Hundred And Six Year Old Library

 I spotted the building the first time I saw the church...they're across the street from each other. The first time I was able to go inside was last week. It is, in a word, important. 

The Garland Branch of the library is the second building in their system. The other is in Tremonton. We visited the Tremonton Branch first...it's the bigger of the two libraries. I think the Tremonton building is the younger of the two. 

What I love about about these two buildings is that they still exist. In a digital world many things that once were have disappeared...Sony Walkmans, wrist watches, Blockbuster Video stores, but libraries are still here. It's a testament to their importance. 

The top floor had books and media for adults and young adults. The basement was for kids and middle-grade. The basement also has an activity center, but I imagine since covid it, the building hasn't been utilized as much as it was before.

When I worked in a library for a few months years ago, I think they needed at least six employees at any give time, more during the busy shifts. This library had a staff of one...that's all that was needed.

I ended up buying a couple of books that were for sale, a Jim Butcher novel and a collection of the best 1980s short stories. I asked the librarian if the building had always been a library. It had, which I thought was the coolest part of the building. There's even a framed photo of when the building was dedicated on December 12th, 1914, ten years (almost to the day...) from when my father was born. She also said the library was built using a grant from the Carnegie Foundation.

A quick internet search for old libraries brings up many many incredible libraries all over the world where floor after floor of shelves hold thousands of books in buildings that better resemble palaces than a place where books are stored. Societies have built monuments to our collective knowledge. But a building does not need to be spectacular or opulent to be important. The Garland Library is the mind of the community and it has stood for one-hundred and six years.

Give Thanks...People Who Take Chances - "The Chosen"

 I'd heard of the series and I suppose I'd get around to watching it one of these day. Looks like Holy Week before Easter was the perfect "one of these days." Many things have been said and written about this series, but what impressed me the most about the show is how it came to be.

Someone took a chance.

The Chosen set a record for the most successful crowd funded entertainment project in history. And they're no where near being done. They have planned seven seasons. Season Two begins tonight. I found an interesting article about the show and how it began. You can access the article by clicking: HERE.

I enjoyed the series more than I thought I would. Based on previous projects depicting Christ and the early days of the church, they've been a little dry and heavy-handed. The Chosen depicts the men and women that first followed Christ as real, and relatable, and flawed. There's also humor in the stories--there must be humor any time you try and present a retelling of historical events. Humans are funny, even when nothing else is. It's a coping mechanism. And it's important.

I can't imagine the obstacles the people who created the series had to overcome to bring their vision to fruition. But, they persevered, the endured, they did what they had to do and now it's a reality. I'm thankful for people who sacrifice for others...just like the people portrayed in The Chosen.

I Guess I'm One Of Those People Who Watch Movies...Again

 You can count on both hands how many times I have watched a first-run film in a theater over the past ten years. I might be off by a film or two, but I've probably seen less than ten films in the theater in the past decade.

It just wasn't something we did, for several reasons...price, time, kind of a pain to go to a theater, even though (before covid...), it was the best time to go see a show. You didn't have to wait in line...just order the tickets online. And modern theaters almost guarantee there's not a bad seat in the place.

Still...

It just wan't my thing. I would wait until it would come out on Redbox or cable, then watch it at home. Sure, I missed out on that "theater experience," but I was okay with that.

Enter covid.

That changed things.

There have been several films I have watched now that they're available both in the theater and at home. The latest being Godzilla vs Kong. I watched it last night. I agree with an associate, Kevin J. Anderson--the story was mheh, but the effects were outstanding. I didn't realize it until after I watched it that I was part of a group that I had not been a part of in a long, long time--the never saw films in the theater group. Getting a nice big TV after we moved has helped, too.

Years ago, before marriage and kids and other things, I went to movies all the time. My friends and I would pile in a car and see what latest movie was out that weekend. I didn't go every weekend, but enough that I considered myself a regular movie goer. This was, of course, before the internet and videos-on-demand. Then, the whole world was ordered inside and things changed even more.

I think I'll stay in this "watching movies before they hit cable" club as long as they allow me to do so. Many have wondered what the future of film entertainment will look like in the coming months and years. Who know...maybe all the theaters and more will re-open and people will flood back into the stadium reclining seats and they'll remove the "watch from home" option. If that happens, I guess I'll go back to just waiting around.

It's Crazy Now, But When It's Done...It's Going To Be A Nice Road

 

In the summer of 2019 my daughter and I were cast in a show in a theater in Ogden, Utah. The distance between where we lived and the theater in Ogden Utah was roughly twenty miles.

That's usually a twenty to twenty-five minute commute.

There's two efficient ways to get to Ogden form where we lived, take Interstate-15, or Route 89, a.k.a. the James V. Hansen Parkway. Without traffic both routes can deliver a commuter to the destination in the same amount of time. But, we knew taking I-15 at rush hour was an unwise decision. It becomes a parking lot. We decided to take the upper road.

Guess what...another parking lot. 

I was blown away the first time my daughter and I tried taking 89 to Ogden. When I got my graduate degree from Weber State, I took that road all the time, got to campus in a half hour. But that was back in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In a decade an entire fleet of vehicles moved in and decided taking the upper road was superior to taking the interstate.

Last week I had a meeting in Davis County and took 89 home. It was around 3pm so the parking lot had not yet materialized. But what has materialized is roadwork on the upper route. It's going to amazing when it's done. I don't know the completion date and we no longer live in the area where we'll use the road, but all those cars will, and so will their families when the drivers in those cars get home faster and hopefully safer.

I just hope that when it's done, the population hasn't grown so much, they'll need another road just to keep up...

A Field Of Future Memories...

 This is the view from my office window. It's actually a bedroom, but we use it as an office. It looks directly east, toward mountains that separate Box Elder County from Cache County. I can see Interstate-15, Garland, Deweyville, but what I see the most is an empty field.

A field of future memories.

It's Spring Break here. Kids have played outside when the weather's been good. We live in a new neighborhood...there's lot of kids. It's tough to see in the picture, but there's a little electronic truck parked in the dirt, left by its proud owner because something else caught the youngster's attention and he had to leave the truck to go eat or go to the bathroom. Whatever it was, the truck stayed for a little while. Eventually, it was moved back into the garage with his parents's cars.

I suppose if we lived in a world without video games or movies on demand or the internet, the field might get used more. Still, the kids seem to have fun running in the field, playing in the dirt...basically, being kids. It reminded me of the mountain that served as our backyard. We lived on that hill, both summer and winter...spring and fall. We had adventures, built forts, rode our bikes up and down and all around. Our world was endless and our lives were better because of it.

I think of the kids playing in the field today. Twenty years comes pretty fast. Those kids will grow, graduate from school...many will leave on church missions, some won't. They'll enroll in college, or the military or get a job and begin their careers. 

The master plan of the subdivision is to extend the road east and line it with homes, both on the north and south sides of the street. More parents, more kids will call this patch of the gently rising hill home. They will play in their yards and maybe play in a field farther away.

But those kids I see playing now. In twenty years they'll return from school, from missions (both religious and military...) and look at the street. Maybe the owner of the little truck will recall the beautiful spring days when he piloted his vehicle up and down the dirt road and around the field. Will he wonder how things changed so much so fast? My guess is he will...because that's what happens when fields become streets and homes and there's nothing left but the memories.