Category Archives: Personal Musings

On this holiday weekend…

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Happy 4th of July! Yes, in spite of the fact that I work at a retail store, on that is open today, I somehow managed to get the day off! I’m not going to complain. I’m elated to have a day to relax at home, spend some time with family, and just be an all out bum.

Actually, I did do a little work today. I cooked the obligatory holiday meal. I braised some ribs in the oven, though I lit the grill to cook out some chicken breasts and sausages. That, with coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and some avocado rounded out our small feast. I’m stuffed. I really want a nap.

Instead I’m writing. My story for NaNoWriMo is taking shape, though it is slowly doing so. I should be more diligent in writing, but I can’t. That’s why the low word goal. I may have to up the goal to 25K words, but I’ll decide that later, and I may do that for myself and leave the set goal at 10K. I’m not even sure I can change it.

On a more serious note, I want to take some time and do a quick Public Service Announcement. Please take care this 4th of July weekend. Remember that traffic with be heavier than usual, so please, please, please keep an eye out for other drivers, and please don’t drink and drive.

The reason I bring this up, last night I went to Plainview to grab a few things from Walmart. As I drove home, I passed a horrifying scene on the access road to I-27. At the on ramp, I saw two vehicles that had been in a front-end collision. I could not count the number of first responders on the scene, but the flashing lights only hinted at the severity of the accident.

A hospital helicopter landed moments before I passed the scene, undoubtedly to fly the more severely injured to Lubbock. Helpless in the situation, all I could do was say a quick prayer for the victims of the crash, and selfishly hope that I didn’t know the victims of the car crash. My prayers were answered, sort of.

I found out later last night that one person had been pronounced dead at the scene. This morning I found out that the deceased was the older sister of a classmate of mine from high school. How do you process this? I’m glad I wasn’t affected but sorry you were? I felt my heart sink because someone I knew ages ago would be experiencing a terrible ordeal this holiday weekend.

So while I may have had a delicious meal this evening, and while I may have spent the time with family, I know of at least on family impacted by a devastating event. I’m sure scores of others with share in the misfortune before this weekend is over.

Please take care while having fun. Spend time with family and friends. Shoot off fireworks and illuminate the night sky. Most of all, just be safe.

Almost done

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My project is nearing completion, and I’m ready to be done. What I lack is to buy the interior carpet padding, then the interior can go in. I took the truck to have the windshield installed last Tuesday and I’ll admit that took a little bit of time to get used to.

My plan is to order what I need, get the truck insured so I can have it inspected as soon as it’s ready, then I’ll have a legal vehicle. Woot woot! I’ve come across a few other things that need to be replaced, such as the motor mounts, which are not that expensive, and the side mirrors which are a little bit on the pricey side, but that can wait later.

Now, I think I can focus a little more time on my blog. I hope to start writing on a more frequent basis. I plan to post twice a week, on Monday and Thursday. I’ll be back to my oddly bloggy self, writing on everything and anything that I feel inspired to write about, as it should be.

It would be easier had I a new computer, but I’ll find a way until such a time as I can have my own laptop replaced. I can’t allow myself to use having no computer as an excuse to get out of writing. So I’m back, if even on a limited basis.

That’s all I have for now. I hope you all have a great Monday and an even better week.

 

Water from the heavens

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And I thought we were in the middle of a severe drought. It’s been crazy wicked seeing the amount of rain that has fallen in recent weeks. The dry playa lake behind the house is filling up, creating a water hazard that will likely swallow up many golf balls once the backyard dries up enough to walk on. As I write this, I can hear the quite rumbling of thunder approaching, and with it more glorious rain.

A couple of weeks ago, the entire panhandle of Texas was a parched wasteland, giving credence to the name of Amarillo, which is Spanish for yellow. We had fire warnings everyday, with strong winds, abysmally low humidity levels, and endless tracks of dry tinder waiting for a spark to go up in flames.

Today everything is green and life has returned to the plains of Texas. I hope area lakes are recharging, and I know the area farmers are pleased with the rain. The Ogallala Aquifer is getting a temporary reprieve, though I wish there were a way for it to recharge as well.

The round of storms have been a bit treacherous. On Friday, as I drove home from work, I passed a horrible accident on I-27, which closed the northbound lane. An 18-wheeler was on its side, taking up the whole lane closing up the northbound lane and reducing the southbound side down to one lane. I’m not sure if straight-line winds got it, or if the sleek roads caused the driver to lose control, but all I know is that I’ve never seen so many first responders on the interstate so close to home.

Saturday night, I didn’t even make it home. I ended up staying the night at a friends house. I had to buy an emergency supply of toiletries and a new shirt so I could make it to work looking somewhat put together. As soon as I got home, my jeans came off and a clean pair of shorts went on. My jeans went straight into the washer.

But I’m not complaining. I’m enjoying the sound of rain. Beats the sound of wind, and the dust pelting everything in sight. I don’t know if you’ve ever been in the middle of a dirt devil, but the dirt actually hurts. It’s very much like being in a sandblaster in the middle of the yard.

All we have to worry about is the flash flooding, hail, lightning, and the possibility of tornados. Oh, also with all the rain, we are suffering the dreaded return of the mosquito. Death by a million vampiric pests.

But really, I’m not complaining. I’m enjoying the sound of the rain as it beats relentlessly against the windows even as I write this. The thunder is booming, but at least the power is on. The radar shows an awesome storm overhead, but there are no severe storm warnings, at least not yet.

All I’m hoping for is that it dries up a bit on Tuesday. I have an appointment scheduled with the auto glass company, and I’m taking my truck in to have a windshield installed. Once it’s in, I don’t care if it starts up again. Just a few hours, please!

For now, I think I will get off and enjoy the light show through the windows. I’m getting back in bed and drift off to the symphony of music mother nature is gifting us right now. I just hope it doesn’t gift me a tree limb though the window, then I really will start to complain.

In the meantime…

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I hate having ideas with no way to do anything about them. I miss having a computer where I can type until I’ve run out of things to say, to create on a page a world that exist solely in the depths of my mind. Plus, keeping up my blog has been difficult.

I have no timetable as to when I will be able buy myself a new laptop, but I fear it will be quite a long time. I’m nearing the completion of my project, cleaning up a 93 Chevy pickup. When I’m done, I should have the money to begin saving up to buy my new toy, but one thing at a time.

In the meantime, I’ve resorted to using pen and paper to get my ideas downs. It’s not as quick, and many times more illegible than using a keyboard. As bad as it is, it’s better than nothing. At least it affords me the luxury of moving ideas out of my head and onto a more permanent format. It’s just so freaking slow!

I’m also glad that I have access to the important files of my now deceased computation machine. Thank you DropBox! All my works in progress are safe, ready for me to get busy on them all over again. I’m raring to go.

Patience is required of me. I will get things lined up all over again, and I will get back on track, though I’ve bitching about if for three years and it hasn’t happened yet. Just smile and it’ll get better.

Or maybe people have been lying to me about that…

Just checking in

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I miss my laptop. It’s been more than a week since it died and it hasn’t been easy, though I’m not really having that hard a time. Does that even make sense? I hope it does in spite of the obvious contradiction in the statement.

Not much has happened lately. Since I have no computer, I have no way to write. Some may wonder why I don’t try to write with a pen and paper, but it’s not my process. I could try but I know I would not get far. Besides, I can’t read my own handwriting. Sad, isn’t it?

I have a couple of books that need to be read. The first is Susan Cain’s book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. The second is by James Rollins, The Blood Gospel. I’ve started on  Quiet, I just haven’t gotten too far. I need to sit and read.

What I have been doing during my writing break is work on my truck. I hope to start putting it back together on Friday, my next day off. So much to do, and so little money, but it’s coming together. I’m thinking that once I’m done, I’ll start looking for a job.

I know I’ve said this before, but being without a vehicle of my own limits my freedoms to such a degree that I’ve been limited to this small area. I hope to be able to become a little more aggressive once my truck is complete. Then will come my own place to live, and later a new car.

But one step at a time. Seriously though, I need to get a computer soon. I’m borrowing my father’s tablet, and though it comes with a snap on keyboard, I hate it, not least because it isn’t mine. Also, I keep making typing mistakes that I would not do on a real keyboard. It’s better than nothing, so I need to breath and get on with it.

I know I haven’t said anything profound, but I just want to check in. I’m still alive and planning world domina…er…finishing one of my books. As soon as I can get a new laptop, I’ll be back and better than ever.