I have to wonder what's happening to all my posts! This is the third time I've started this one. Most irritating!
Maybe the fact that I'm using this opportunity for my annual anti-Satan Claus rant, and Satan doesn't like it. Too bad. I'm going to try again.
As I was saying, before this stupid computer rudely dumped every previous attempt, I'm all in favour of Advent.
Dead against Satan Claus. (Not a typo)
The "jolly old elf" is NOT a Christian saint, Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. Nor is he "Old Saint Nick" because he is not a saint--doesn't even claim to be one. So, if he's not a saint, then he is "Old Nick" which is another name for the devil.
So, I'll try again to link these words for you to take a closer look.
I'm trying to link Advent
and Bishop of Myra
and Old Nick.
Pray that it works this time!
It looks like it might have worked this time.
Monday, December 10, 2018
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
a backward step
A backward step to say the least! On the 8th of this month, less than a week ago, I put my thumb-drive in place and called up the novel I've been working on for ...how many years?... And guess what. It's gone. Wiped out. Nothing but computer language, upside down question marks, etc.. Try to call it up based on most recent date--page doesn't exist. "Maybe moved or deleted," says the message. I have a lot of it printed out, but not all of it. A year ago I paid an editor $1600 for an evaluation--I still have that, at least. Now I'm so discouraged, I don't know what to do. At my age (80), I am not even sure I care to continue. Is it worth it after all?
While I ponder that question, I'll go back to writing my autobiography. I'll let you know my decision about the trilogy I'm halfway through--backward steps notwithstanding--or maybe I should just quit.
While I ponder that question, I'll go back to writing my autobiography. I'll let you know my decision about the trilogy I'm halfway through--backward steps notwithstanding--or maybe I should just quit.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Civic Duty
This morning, Frank and I went to City Hall and voted. Election Day isn't actually until the 20th, but as George Burns once said, at our age you don't go out and buy green bananas. Besides, it's nice to get it done. Today was the first Advance Polling Day, and we were there about noon. First, we had to register because we've been in Penticton for only two and a half years. Then, because Frank can't see well enough to read and mark a ballot, I had to be sworn in as his assistant. The two of us went into the polling booth together. We'd already gone over the list of all the candidates before leaving the house, and I had a written list of our choices.
It was mostly my input because, although he'd been to the School Board and Mayoral candidates' sessions put on at the Lakeside Resort by the Penticton Herald, he had not been able to attend the session for the city councillors. I went to all of the sessions, plus last night (4pm to 9pm), to chat one-on-one with the candidates before the mayoral debate. So I'm feeling pretty familiar with them all and their abilities, experience, and their interests. When Frank and I discussed it, we came to a consensus about our choices and that's how we both voted.
It'll be interesting to see if our choices get in.
It was mostly my input because, although he'd been to the School Board and Mayoral candidates' sessions put on at the Lakeside Resort by the Penticton Herald, he had not been able to attend the session for the city councillors. I went to all of the sessions, plus last night (4pm to 9pm), to chat one-on-one with the candidates before the mayoral debate. So I'm feeling pretty familiar with them all and their abilities, experience, and their interests. When Frank and I discussed it, we came to a consensus about our choices and that's how we both voted.
It'll be interesting to see if our choices get in.
Almost October
My own birthday kept me busy in September, but on top of that I had to prepare for a Franciscan Retreat.
My husband, Frank, and I are both third order Franciscans, and as such we are obliged to follow our Rule of Life. Chapter (i.e,. the governing body of the Order) have been working on a fresh way of looking at our Rule. So, Frank and I decided that we should put on a Franciscan Retreat with the focus on reviewing and refreshing our Rule. I called it "Living a Rule of Life" and invited our congregation of St. Saviour's Anglican Church and the Fellowship that we used to belong to in Vancouver, as well as our Brothers and Sisters in neighbouring fellowships in the state of Washington. I guess, not counting the local congregation, I invited by name about thirty people. Guess what? No one showed up. :(
Nevertheless, Frank and I feel that we had a successful retreat.
First of all, we began on Wednesday, October 3rd at 5pm with a beautiful eucharist in Ellis Chapel, adjacent to the church. Father Nick Pang, our new priest, set it up. Candlelight. A little Lady Chapel in the corner. Full vestments. All in white. We sang and prayed. It was lovely. The congregation had been invited, but no one was there except the priest and my husband and me. We were so grateful to Nick for this. His selections of readings and the service itself was 99% from our own Franciscan Devotional Companion. The little bit that was not, came from For All the Saints, a companion book to usual prayer book used in Anglican churches in Canada, known as the BAS.
Thursday morning, Frank and I were admitted into the church for our Quiet Day, to which I'd invited everyone plus the thirty Franciscans. No one came. We weren't surprised. Several had responded saying that if we do the same thing next year, they'll try to come. So of course, I hope we can do that. But, on our own, and because Frank can't see to read and make notes, the two of us worked on revising our Rules. His and mine are based on the same template, of course, but in the past we had not known exactly what the other's Rule required. This time, we have our individuality but I typed his up in large print so he can use his magnifier to amplify it enough to be able to read it for himself. Even though he participated in discussing each aspect of the 9 parts of the Rule, he needs to discuss it with his own spiritual director before we approach our regional chaplain to have it sanctified.
Friday morning, Nick came again for the Eucharist that we'd asked for to conclude our Retreat. This time, we were joined by another couple, so it was not just us. We ended with Centering Prayer in the church with others who usually attend on Friday mornings.
We were not disappointed with the no-shows, in fact we really would have been surprised if anyone had come. After all, Wednesday and Thursday and Friday, the days just before Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, were not the best time for the Retreat. However, we didn't choose the date of St. Francis' Transitus and St. Francis Day. October 3rd is Transitus, and October 4th is St. Francis Day.
My husband, Frank, and I are both third order Franciscans, and as such we are obliged to follow our Rule of Life. Chapter (i.e,. the governing body of the Order) have been working on a fresh way of looking at our Rule. So, Frank and I decided that we should put on a Franciscan Retreat with the focus on reviewing and refreshing our Rule. I called it "Living a Rule of Life" and invited our congregation of St. Saviour's Anglican Church and the Fellowship that we used to belong to in Vancouver, as well as our Brothers and Sisters in neighbouring fellowships in the state of Washington. I guess, not counting the local congregation, I invited by name about thirty people. Guess what? No one showed up. :(
Nevertheless, Frank and I feel that we had a successful retreat.
First of all, we began on Wednesday, October 3rd at 5pm with a beautiful eucharist in Ellis Chapel, adjacent to the church. Father Nick Pang, our new priest, set it up. Candlelight. A little Lady Chapel in the corner. Full vestments. All in white. We sang and prayed. It was lovely. The congregation had been invited, but no one was there except the priest and my husband and me. We were so grateful to Nick for this. His selections of readings and the service itself was 99% from our own Franciscan Devotional Companion. The little bit that was not, came from For All the Saints, a companion book to usual prayer book used in Anglican churches in Canada, known as the BAS.
Thursday morning, Frank and I were admitted into the church for our Quiet Day, to which I'd invited everyone plus the thirty Franciscans. No one came. We weren't surprised. Several had responded saying that if we do the same thing next year, they'll try to come. So of course, I hope we can do that. But, on our own, and because Frank can't see to read and make notes, the two of us worked on revising our Rules. His and mine are based on the same template, of course, but in the past we had not known exactly what the other's Rule required. This time, we have our individuality but I typed his up in large print so he can use his magnifier to amplify it enough to be able to read it for himself. Even though he participated in discussing each aspect of the 9 parts of the Rule, he needs to discuss it with his own spiritual director before we approach our regional chaplain to have it sanctified.
Friday morning, Nick came again for the Eucharist that we'd asked for to conclude our Retreat. This time, we were joined by another couple, so it was not just us. We ended with Centering Prayer in the church with others who usually attend on Friday mornings.
We were not disappointed with the no-shows, in fact we really would have been surprised if anyone had come. After all, Wednesday and Thursday and Friday, the days just before Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, were not the best time for the Retreat. However, we didn't choose the date of St. Francis' Transitus and St. Francis Day. October 3rd is Transitus, and October 4th is St. Francis Day.
missed posting in September
I like to post at least once a month. I realized that to keep followers following, I should be more consistent. So, I apologize for not doing that.
So, what happened in September? For one thing, my birthday came up. My 80th, so that meant that we had to have a big celebration--Who knew I'd last so long? Not so old nowadays as it once was. But, because my dear husband is legally blind, partially deaf, and not too good with walking, etc., (although he claims that he is a good doorstop), I had to arrange my birthday bash. Just dinner in a very nice restaurant in Summerland. Zia's Stonehouse Restaurant. I recommend it. And, because my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are asking questions about ancient history--i.e., my childhood and when I was young, I've been working on my autobiography. Instead of chapters, it's in decades. So, when everyone was gathered for the dinner, I was able to hand out five copies of Decade 1, the first ten years of my life. It came with the promise that Decade 2 would be ready soon. Of course, there will be a total of eight decades, so I'd better get busy.
That was most of what occupied me for September: putting together all the notes I'd been scribbling down on bits of paper all over the place. Rather than have it as a straight narrative, the really boring bits are interrupted with Vignettes--random memories that sort of fit in. I don't promise to have it strictly chronological, and I warned the family that there might be some overlaps. But I've tried to keep it as close to the truth as I remember it and believe it to be. It's not a tell-all, just as much as I care to divulge to my family. It isn't for publication.
My novel (novels?) must take a back seat for a while, because I do want to finish the eight decades while I can. If I don't get to publish a novel, it will certainly be one of my regrets, but I think family history being passed on to the next generation or two or three is more important than my satisfying an ambition.
So, what happened in September? For one thing, my birthday came up. My 80th, so that meant that we had to have a big celebration--Who knew I'd last so long? Not so old nowadays as it once was. But, because my dear husband is legally blind, partially deaf, and not too good with walking, etc., (although he claims that he is a good doorstop), I had to arrange my birthday bash. Just dinner in a very nice restaurant in Summerland. Zia's Stonehouse Restaurant. I recommend it. And, because my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are asking questions about ancient history--i.e., my childhood and when I was young, I've been working on my autobiography. Instead of chapters, it's in decades. So, when everyone was gathered for the dinner, I was able to hand out five copies of Decade 1, the first ten years of my life. It came with the promise that Decade 2 would be ready soon. Of course, there will be a total of eight decades, so I'd better get busy.
That was most of what occupied me for September: putting together all the notes I'd been scribbling down on bits of paper all over the place. Rather than have it as a straight narrative, the really boring bits are interrupted with Vignettes--random memories that sort of fit in. I don't promise to have it strictly chronological, and I warned the family that there might be some overlaps. But I've tried to keep it as close to the truth as I remember it and believe it to be. It's not a tell-all, just as much as I care to divulge to my family. It isn't for publication.
My novel (novels?) must take a back seat for a while, because I do want to finish the eight decades while I can. If I don't get to publish a novel, it will certainly be one of my regrets, but I think family history being passed on to the next generation or two or three is more important than my satisfying an ambition.
Friday, August 17, 2018
never before!
I've never done this before. A couple of nights ago, I took the book I was reading aloud to my husband (he's legally blind) and walked over to the garbage can and tossed it in. I threw out a book in perfectly good physical condition. I can't believe I did that. But I just couldn't bring myself to read another word. The book is called The Bishop and the Three Kings, (Blackie Ryan #10) by Andrew M. Greeley. on goodreads it is rated 4 out of 5, so there's obviously something wrong with me. I just could not tolerate the writing. First, there are pages and pages of info-dump--stuff about the history of Cologne, and about the Three Magi (3 kings in the Nativity story in the Gospel of Matthew). That was bad enough, then there was that 1st person chapter told by Peter, Blackie's "nefoo"--more about that in a moment. That chapter, a young man/boy/whatever who has to finish writing his term paper, but is ogling a girl, wondering what she's like without her shirt on. Did we really need that? It's supposed to be a story about a Roman Catholic bishop visiting Germany to solve a mystery. It's written by Andrew M. Greeley, Father Andrew, a Roman Catholic priest.
Now about that "nefoo". Greeley goes on and on in his preface or foreword or whatever it is he felt the need to write before actually starting the story, about Appalachian English. I won't say it isn't a viable study for linguistics students (my B.A. is in linguistics, but I wouldn't waste my time on Appalachian English--for one thing, I didn't see much that was actually original. Many of the expressions are in common usage.) My complaint is the need to call decent people "no-count varmints"--no, it isn't funny, imho). But one of the characters is a "hill-billy" (is that PC?) and she talks like that most of the time. Okay. If that's her way of speaking, but Greeley has the other characters--Blackie and Peter (the nefoo) dropping into it. Everyone is a no-count varmint and all questions are answered "shonuff". I absolutely could not read the book.
Into the garbage it went, and I picked up a much superior book to read, also rated 4 out of 5 on goodreads, Monday the Rabbi Took Off (The Rabbi Small Mysteries #4) by Harry Kemelman, swapping a bishop for a rabbi. (I'm Christian, by the way, but love Jewish culture.)
Now about that "nefoo". Greeley goes on and on in his preface or foreword or whatever it is he felt the need to write before actually starting the story, about Appalachian English. I won't say it isn't a viable study for linguistics students (my B.A. is in linguistics, but I wouldn't waste my time on Appalachian English--for one thing, I didn't see much that was actually original. Many of the expressions are in common usage.) My complaint is the need to call decent people "no-count varmints"--no, it isn't funny, imho). But one of the characters is a "hill-billy" (is that PC?) and she talks like that most of the time. Okay. If that's her way of speaking, but Greeley has the other characters--Blackie and Peter (the nefoo) dropping into it. Everyone is a no-count varmint and all questions are answered "shonuff". I absolutely could not read the book.
Into the garbage it went, and I picked up a much superior book to read, also rated 4 out of 5 on goodreads, Monday the Rabbi Took Off (The Rabbi Small Mysteries #4) by Harry Kemelman, swapping a bishop for a rabbi. (I'm Christian, by the way, but love Jewish culture.)
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
I'm so disappointed!
I just found out that the Surrey International Writers' Conference 2018 is sold out. All except the Sunday Only package. Well, I'm not going to travel all the way to the Coast for a solitary day. Especially since Greyhound is cancelling all but one Western Canadian routes. (The exception, unfortunately, is not the route I need.)
Serves me right, I guess. I should have known. This conference is probably the best in the world (so I've been told by some internationally famous authors who are presenters on a regular basis). There are people like Anne Perry, Diana Gabaldon, Elizabeth George, and so on. (Men too, but these are the ones I always like to see when they're here.) These aren't here every time, but this is the calibre of speaker we are used to at the Surrey Conference. I've been to several, and volunteered at a few. Never a waste of time or money, even though it is rather expensive. Especially if you stay in the hotel, but there are several other hotels to choose from.
So, for 2019, I have to start watching for early registrations and get my name in quickly. No procrastinating.
No bus next year, of course. I'll have to fly. I hate airports but absolutely will not drive. I wish that a train was a possibility, but no such luck.
I'm just plain disappointed.
Serves me right, I guess. I should have known. This conference is probably the best in the world (so I've been told by some internationally famous authors who are presenters on a regular basis). There are people like Anne Perry, Diana Gabaldon, Elizabeth George, and so on. (Men too, but these are the ones I always like to see when they're here.) These aren't here every time, but this is the calibre of speaker we are used to at the Surrey Conference. I've been to several, and volunteered at a few. Never a waste of time or money, even though it is rather expensive. Especially if you stay in the hotel, but there are several other hotels to choose from.
So, for 2019, I have to start watching for early registrations and get my name in quickly. No procrastinating.
No bus next year, of course. I'll have to fly. I hate airports but absolutely will not drive. I wish that a train was a possibility, but no such luck.
I'm just plain disappointed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)