Valerean

Since I griped yesterday about the holiday gifts I don't want, here are: Ten Things I Do Want for Christmas Coffee: I have all the tea I can possibly drink for the next year, but I actually don't have much coffee. I don't need a big package of it, as I drink only two cups per day. If you can find an interesting variety for cheap, I'd love to try it. DVD Movie or Show: I love historicals, mysteries and nonfiction documentaries about history. You don't have to buy this one, either, if you have a movie or show on DVD you're done watching, pass it along to me. Holiday Book Date: Here's the easiest gift ever. Go to a thrift or used book store, buy any book that you think I'd enjoy reading (the cheaper the better), wrap it in plain brown paper and write "Blind Christmas Date" on the outside. If you can't afford a used book, give me one you already own. One Yard of Fabric: This is a gift I often exchange with quilter friends ...

I'm going to try to make or thrift all of my Christmas gifts this year, but I know my family will go out shopping for new stuff. I am always grateful for any gift, but I think this year I will first give them a list of: Ten Things I Do Not Want for Christmas Anything Containing Sugar and/or Carbs: I will be immediately giving them to someone else because hello, you've forgotten than I'm a diabetic again. Exotic Teas: I do love trying new things, especially as hot beverages in winter are nice. However, I'm still working my way through 2023 Christmas's and 2024 birthday's teas. Let me finish those first. Fuzzy Holiday Throws: I actually like these cheap minky-like throws, which are super soft and definitely warm. Problem is I own about five right now and three are Christmas or winter prints. Jewelry: I wear a bracelet every day to remind me which hand is weaker at the moment. I have about a hundred of them, too. Occasionally I'll wear ...

Since the pandemic began putting food on the table has gotten a lot more expensive. Until this last year our usual market was charging almost double what we paid before Covid-19 struck, so we quit going there and explored other options. I'm now back to paying what I was before the pandemic, and here are ten ways that helped me do it: Budgeting: I know people hate to budget, but you have to set dollar limits or you will likely overspend. Right now we're managing to feed two people for about $400.00 per month, and we eat quite well. I give myself a budget of $150.00 when we do our bi-weekly shopping. Then I give myself $50.00 twice a month for incidental purchases, farmer's market visits, etc. I can calculate prices in my head, but it doesn't hurt to bring a calculator with you and add up what you're buying as you shop. My total for the month is almost always under my budget. Sourcing different foods at different markets: I stopped trying to get ever...

I haven't done one of these in a while, and some things have been getting on my nerves frequently of late, so here are Ten Things That Really Annoy Me AI Everything: Suddenly Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, doing everything, and just in case you're not worried about that, it's also going to kill us all (and is even actively threatening to do so.) What can I do about it? Nothing. I have no idea what AI is really doing or could really do, but if the people in charge of it allow it to do dangerous-to-us stuff then bad things will probably happen. And what can I do about that? Nothing. Censorship Online: I just had to kill a free story as promo plan for my day job because I now have to worry about the people involved in online censorship of anything that is contrary to their personal belief systems. Seriously, did someone accidentally erase part of the Constitution, or what? Doomsdayers: This is like the AI everything thing, in that there is nothing I...

It's that gift-giving whether you like it or not time of year again, so here are: Ten Things I Don't Want for Christmas Booze: We don't drink, and have not for the last thirty years. I do not provide alcohol for guests or allow them to bring it into my house. I don't regift unwanted booze. I have one half-bottle of white cooking wine that I use to make Bistec de Palomilla (Cuban steak with onions), by the way, and I'm not going to let you drink that, either. Candy: Did you know there is no cure for diabetes, and that I still have it? Yep. I'm also back on the meds to control my blood sugar. Please notice these things. Cookbooks: I own about fifty now, including all the really good ones for diabetics and vegans. I've also run out of space on the cooking bookcase, to which some of my sewing stuff has migrated. It's also not a very subtle hint. If you want me to feed you, just ask, but don't passively-aggressively whine about my av...

The other day I had to have a business e-mail conversation with someone who managed to stick references to God or Christmas in every other sentence they wrote. In that person's honor, here are: Ten Things I Don't Want to Hear About During the Holidays Advent Calendars: I'm not sure who started this but it wasn't my childhood religion. Also, I don't see how eating a piece of candy once a day for 25 days is going to make the holidays more palatable or do anything but raise my blood sugar. Charity Pressure: Sure, maybe I am a complete ass for not donating money to some worthy cause in someone's name versus my usual gifts. Only most of those worthy causes usually spend up to half of their donations advertising for more donations (by the way, I always do something genuinely charitable during the holidays, usually in cash to a cause that doesn't advertise. I also make food donations for the hungry.) Christmas Reads: I have to endure the holidays;...

Ten Things I Like About Fall Backyard Burns: We usually start up the fire pit in October. I can't eat s'mores any more, so toasting marshmallows is out, but those quiet, cold nights sitting and watching the flames are still wonderful. Baking: I always bake more in the fall because of holidays, birthdays and the general need for more substantial meals and snacks. I like baking. Keeps me out of trouble. Cooler Season: While summer will always be my favorite season, after a long, wet, hot one like we just had I really don't mind things getting drier and cooler. Walking the pups won't make my yard shoes damp and squishy, either. End of Hurricane Season: I'm able to relax a little once the storm season ends. A little. I kind of wonder if I ever really relax, though. I'm still checking our food and water supplies every month year-round. Oh, well. Halloween: I love handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, especially as it annoys some of the more ...

Ten Things That Make Me Stop Reading a Novel Author as Character: One of Stephen King's unforgivable narcissistic writing sins for me was when he added himself as a character to that gunslinger fantasy series. As in Stephen King the author shows up in the story. No. Just no. Detailed and Horrific Torture Scenes: Most torture scenes like this are too much for me, but I can usually skim the one-pagers. The twenty-pagers, not so much -- and they creep me out over the author, too. Grated: One popular vampire romance writer who shall remain nameless used this word as a dialogue tag for her hero so often in one book I developed a violent allergy to it and never read her stuff again. Grating is for cheese, lemon zest and whole nutmeg. If you want me to read your story just write said , please. Ignoring Punctuation: A fluctuating style trend that infects writers every couple of years; the literati especially love it. Me, not so much. I end up mentally editing inst...

Ten Things I Do Not Want for Christmas Anything Cute, Pink, Yellow or Sparkly: I can't be polite about this anymore. Also, I'm almost 60 and I should be exempted from cutesy stuff now. Please make a note of this. Christmas Decor: How much don't I love the holidays? Hint: I didn't unpack or put out anything that I already own this year. Clothing: I pretty much live in T-shirts and leggings now. Have plenty. Also? Everyone forgets that I'm 40 lbs. lighter now, and the XL stuff looks like I'm dressing in a garment bag. Covid-19: Duh. Exotic Teas: I love tea, and everyone knows it. Of course this means they go out and find the weirdest teas to gift me, like the one to improve my blood pressure (honestly, tasted like dirt) macha green (horribly bitter) and chocolate orange something (I can't even.) Let me buy my own teas, I beg you. Fabric: I still have enough to last me until I'm deceased. My only new year's resolution is ...

Ten Things I Hate About the Pandemic Anti-Masker Hate: I understand there are people who for whatever reason don't wish to wear face coverings. Alas, I'm not that brainless. I do respect your right to be an idiot, and while I avoid you, I don't glare at you in public. So why do most of you glare at me for wearing a mask? Burial Insurance SPAM: I get three or four of these every day now, and still not interested in being buried. After I'm brain dead and they harvest every part of my bod that can be reused, the rest is being donated to science. I really hope I get to be a practice cadaver for student surgeons, that would be so cool. Conspiracy Theorists: From my neighbors I've heard stories about testing agencies sending back positive test results for people who left before they were tested, how wearing a mask for hours can suffocate you, and that the pandemic is merely a massive plot to depose our current POTUS to keep our former POTUS from being ree...

Ten Things I'm Doing Differently to Survive the Holidays Adding Letters to Cards: We don't do a lot of visiting during the holidays, but the few people we usually go to see are all at high-risk for covid-19. So instead they'll be getting a card in the mail with a letter (hopefully handwritten) from me with something funny to boost their spirits. Altering Gift-Giving Strategies: This year I'm going to make at least one gift for the immediate family, which is my usual thing. However, I'm not going to do any shopping at all. Instead I'm opting to send E-gift cards to allow everyone on my list to enjoy a little shopping spree after the holidays. This way I avoid any in-store shopping and the forecasted delays for shipping online shopping purchases. Bake More: In line with my hand made gifts, I'm going to make cookies, cakes or pastries for our immediate neighbors and family friends, and add the recipe to the gift so they can make more if they enjoy...

This is what I wake up to every morning: Spiderman hand. To celebrate that, here are: Ten Positive Things About Having Arthritic Hands Arm-wrestling challenges are never made to me. For Halloween I really can dress up as Spiderman, and I'll look very authentic. I always get a pass for not having a proper manicure. I don't have to do anything that requires the wearing of gloves for the rest of my life. People who know me never try to shake my hand. People who don't try, stop when they actually see my hand, look horribly embarrassed, and then apologize profusely. Picking out what rings to wear is not a problem (can't slip any past the swollen joints.) Polite applause is never expected of me. The Asian guy in the mall who tries to wheedle passing people into his massage salon only grimaces at me. The impulse to give people who drive badly the finger remains just an impulse. When my guy and I are out he doesn't try to hold my hand. He keeps an arm aro...

I'm writing this on the night of August 15th, to post on September 14th, so I'm still almost a month ahead on the blog. I'm also still struggling a bit while coping with the new hand issues and other things. You know, life. To get my backside in gear I'm going to post a to-do list of ten things I would like to accomplish instead of angsting over my troubles before summer ends, and see if I can do them all before this post publishes. I'm also going to challenge myself to do things other than quilting so I can dust off and use some of my other creative skills. It's been forever since I painted anything, and I stopped handwriting a couple months back. I may be clumsy with the hand problems, but if I don't use it I know I'll lose it. A month will give me about three days for each project, so I think it's reasonable. It's fun to have a deadline because it will keep me motivated and I'm always competitive with myself. When I do them I...

Ten of My Favorite Bird Pics (All taken by yours truly)

I need to motivate myself creatively, and nothing does that like a to-do list. So here are: Ten Projects I'd Like to Tackle in June Bread Making: I've been wanting to try some new homemade bread recipes, and start making my own hot dog and hamburger rolls. Donations: Now that Goodwill has reopened here, I need to get together all the stuff I've been holding aside and clean out a few more fabric bins so I can make some donations. Journaling: I stopped writing in my Sojourn journal because it was getting depressing. Need to finish it and start a new one that isn't about the pandemic. Masks: I want to continue making a few cloth masks every week. It's really the only way I can help out, and it feels good to make them. Mom's Birthday Gift: I have until November to make it, but I need to at least decide what I'm going to make her this year. Office Closet Reorganization: During my massive spring cleaning I did get the office closet unloaded and...

Ten Book Worlds in Which I'd Like to Live Joren: Twenty-three years ago the homeworld of the Jorenians in my StarDoc series was my ideal world. Still is, sort of. I'd like to live there as a member of HouseClan Giran from A Diversity of Houses . London: There are many different versions of London in Fictionland, but my favorite is the London from The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carringer. Lots of interesting supernatural beings. Lost Lake: I actually do live near the real-world version of Lost Lake from my Youngbloods YA novels, so I don't have to wish for this one. I'd probably hang out with Kari and Connor from Dark of Heart . Pemberley: I think being able to hang out with Darcy and Elizabeth from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice -- after they got married and left Longbourn behind -- would probably be a dream come true. Pern: Not crazy about the dragons, but otherwise this Anne MacCaffrey world is very cool. Petaybee: An Anne MacCaff...

Ten Things I Have Learned During the State-Wide Quarantine Diplomacy: I'm taking my time before I e-mail or post to double-check myself and make sure I'm not being too blunt or potentially (and inadvertently) triggering someone else. Also making an effort to include happy thoughts and pics whenever possible in case the person on the other end needs a boost. When I'm in a very bad mood I don't answer e-mails until I get myself out of it. Fan Fic: I've never read much fan fiction, as I can't in good conscience condone it (although I understand why people write it, which is why I'm on the fence about it.) Recently I found myself on a FF site where I read some. A lot of it is clumsy, but there are also some professional-level works out there. The passion of FF writers is what mostly impressed me. I wish they'd try to write in their own worlds. Food: I discovered that cooking with limited supplies calls for a lot of creativity and flexibility, ...

I am not a television watcher, or a movie buff, but I do have a pretty large DVD collection. I like mostly SF and mysteries, and a lot of BBC productions of historical novels (I think I have every version of Jane Eyre ever made.) I put the DVDs on a personal player and listen to them with head phones. There are a few series I never tire of watching, so here are: Ten TV Series That I Watch Over and Over on DVD, and Why Battlestar Galactica (the 2004 remake) -- Very realistic, terribly gritty and always melancholy, the modern remake of this old tv classic SF series has amazing actors, awesome special effects and some of the best world-building I've ever seen. I hate the ending, though. Blindspot -- I'm watching Season Four this week, as it happens, and there's one more to go. The storyline is supremely convoluted, but Jaimie Alexander is superb in her role as a woman who wakes up covered in tattoos and has no idea who she is, or why she was dumped naked in Ti...

Ten Things I Wish for Constantly A Device That Remotely Switches Off Smart Phones : I promise, I would only use it when I see someone texting and driving, or in the checkout line so I don't have to listen to what have to be the stupidest conversations I've never wanted to hear. Books That Surprise Me : Occupational hazard, I suppose, but I hardly ever find anything with a plot I can't completely predict by chapter two anymore. Bras That Fit Me : Bali wireless has come the closest, but I still have issues with the way the cups are constructed and the too-chunky straps. My girls are tired of being squashed or unsupported. Eye Drops that Last All Day : One fallout from cataract surgery X 2 is that I have dry eyes all the time, and have to use hydrating drops. Systan Ultra are about the best, but after eight hours they wear off. Food Product Seals that I Can Remove Without Asking for Help : Another byproduct of old age, I guess. It's getting harder and har...

The other day my friend Jill and I were talking about how weird we're getting as older women. She gave me permission to post one thing she does: carry around a little coin purse to give exact change, just like her mother did. I am not quite turning into my mom, but I see myself doing a lot of things that are a little strange now. So here are: Ten Things I've Developed as Strange Habits Every night I have a cup of hot herbal tea after dinner. I am convinced this helps with my digestion. This one here is my favorite. When a server brings us extra napkins or packaged crackers at a restaurant, and we don't use them during our meal, I put them in my purse and bring them home. This is because I know they'll be thrown away (ex-waitress here) and I hate the waste. My family laughs at me for this habit, but hey, we never run out of crackers or napkins. Not once have I ever tasted red velvet cake or cookies or anything red velvet-inspired. I see it and instantly t...