Loss and IWSG Late Again

 

IWSG

I missed yesterday's post, but at least I got here today. I won't have a long post today, just remember to thank our co-hosts this month, and support all the amazing writers on this blog hop. Blog Hop seems such an old fashioned word now. But it still serves those of us who have a need to be a part of something bigger than just ourselves.

Every month there is a question we can answer if we choose to. I won't this month because I've already answered it before, Charlotte's Web. But I will put in one of my favorite quotes from the story, because I need to here this today. 

from the Audible website

Here are our lovely and wonderful co-hosts for this month:

 PJ Colando, Pat Garcia, Kim Lajevardi, Melisa Maygrove, Jean Davis!

Please visit their sites and thank them!

Enjoy summer. It is now upon us! From my garden to you...

May Showers & IWSG

IWSG

 Okay today is what I will term a b***h session. I am officially done with Microsoft. I have used Word (Microsoft365) for over 20 years, subscribing after having bought it back when you still could. I love Word. I loved the whole package, and my husband uses excel all the time in his work. So, up until now this has been a win-win situation. Now I am locked out of my account AND there is no way to get back in. Before you ask if I’ve done this or that or whatever, yes, I have. I have tried changing passwords. I have filled out the recovery forms. I have gone on the community boards to no avail. I have called every single number for help that Microsoft has. I have gone to a computer store where they told me they don’t bother calling Microsoft because they can’t talk to a real person either. There is NO way to talk to a real person to get my account unlocked.  I won’t even go into my thoughts on their use if AI on the phone or chats. I can’t even get in to stop paying for my subscription. I will have to contact my credit card to have them refuse payment because I’m not paying for something I can’t use anymore. So, what is a writer to do when her favorite writing program is no longer available?

If any of you have suggestions, I am happy to hear them. The guy at the computer store said there are free use programs like Libreoffice. I am currently researching my options. In the meantime I am so very frustrated and angry with Microsoft. I feel let down and taken advantage of. They’ll take my $$ but not give me any help. Now my rant is over. Not my frustration, just the rant. 

On to honoring our IWSG co-hosts for May! Please visit their sites and thank them for their efforts today!

Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn, Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett,and Pat Garcia!

I'm not going to answer the question of the month this time, as I feel I've already spent enough time moaning on this post! I will say that I'm glad spring has finally arrived, and along with it the showers April didn't give us. I have also spent a lot of time in my garden which has given me moments of touching, feeling, smelling earth, and, as does happen sometimes, scenes. Scenes leading me back into my story. Happy May. 

From my springing garden...

 

April Is Upon Us IWSG

 

IWSG

Good Day to you all. Today this post will be very short. Hope you all have a wonderful spring-filled April with lots of flowers and good rain...

A little Madness in the Spring  

by Emily Dickinson

A little Madness in the Spring

Is wholesome even for the King,

But God be with the Clown -- 

Who ponders this tremendous scene --

This whole Experiment of Green --

As if it were his own!

Please go and visit our amazing co-hosts this month and thank them for their support...

Jennifer Lane, L Diane Wolfe, Jenni Enzor, Natalie Aguirre!

In Come The Ides of March IWSG

The Ides of March is the Roman calendar date of March 15, 

which is associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE

The term "Ides" comes from the Latin word iduare, which means "to divide

Interesting that Ides comes from Iduare, to divide. 

We are in such a state of flux right now, I find no surprise in this timing.

Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Kathryn Lasky

And now on to another subject! I've been "binge reading" a series called "The Guardians of Ga'Hoole. Have any of you read it? There are a few spin offs as well about wolves and such. Meant for children (published by Scholastic) it makes me think of Harry Potter in how it was written for children/youth, but adults loved it too. If you like owls, these are the books for you. The author Kathryn Laske, is a wonderful world builder. She creates such an interesting and full place that sometimes I feel I'm flying right along with the owls. I'm learning as well, from reading all of these novels together. I've only binged with a few other authors. Anne McCaffrey is one, Ray Bradbury another, C.S. Lewis and of course Tolkien. Also C.S. Harris and her St. Cyr Mysteries and our own Alex Cavanaugh's Cassa series. Well... I guess I have binged quite a few! I don't know if I could ever write a series, but maybe one day I'll give it a try.

Now, on to the IWSG portion of this post today! 

The question of the day is "If you could be anyone or anything in the world, what would it be?

There are so many things to be, so many people who inspire, yet, I think I would still choose to be me. "The grass is greener..." analogy works best for my reasoning. Too many unknowns to being something or someone else. I'll just be here and continue learning to love me, warts and all, lol.

Please go by our co-hosts this month and thank them for being who they are!

Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

Now for the necessary photos this month... Photos (large size for the details) in February and the COOOOLLLDDD! These are all in Hocking Hills, The Old Man's Cave section, southeast Ohio.

February 2025 Already IWSG

 

IWSG

Conflict. Every story must have this at some point or no one will read it. This is a truth we all know and have come to live with. This year however, for me, is about more than dealing with conflict in my stories. It is how to deal with conflict in my life, in my country, and in my future. I know some people are happy with where our country is and where it seems to be going. I will admit here and now I am not. I am afraid. I have never felt this way about my country before. I still have hope in humanity and the good in people, however I'm not sure right now that that is enough. I won't say anymore because I'm too emotional about this. All I can do is pray and send as much love and light as I can throughout this country that I love, and the world and hope for the best. I wish you all well...

Please go and visit our co-hosts this month and thank them for being there for all of us.

Joylene Nowell Butler, Louise Barbour,  and Tyrean Martinson!

February 5 question - Is there a story or book you've written you want to/wish you could go back and change?

Yes! The one I can't seem to finish right now! Maybe this year when I get home...?

Some photos of our current trip in France. I look at them a lot as they help me remember the good things, and people, in my life...

Co-grandparents! Geoffrey, Bob, Christine and Lisa!

New friends we met in Laguiole, Annie and Jean-Claude from Bozouls!

Looking for a special knife in Laguiole (No! You don't pronounce the g!)

A friend paragliding

Bozouls

Joan of Arc

"Le Trou de Bozouls" The Canyon of Bozouls, very worth visiting