1) The sacks I use for garbage are now scented “To help retard unpleasant odors”. Okay, I can understand the thinking behind the product development department’s choice. Garbage is not a pleasant fragrance. But the scent chosen is strange and I can’t decided whether it’s an improvement over garbage or not.

2) There are lots of pluses to living alone, but it has forced me to notice my own slobby habits. If there are fingerprints on the fridge it had to have been me. I forget to change my shoes and track in dirt. And sometimes I don’t hang things up neatly. Frankly, I’m horrified at the evidence of my slovenly ways–I thought I was a tidy person.

3) I always have a list of things I want to do, but haven’t gotten to.

4) I admire most people whose talents are completely different from mine.

5) Understanding something is simply the first step, putting it into practice is a whole ‘nother matter.

6) The problem with those super cool, ultra low-rider jeans is when they get even slightly loose they’re constantly in danger of sliding off. Stopping to hitch up my pants every few steps bothers me, but not enough to do without the cute jeans.

1) Bills– I’m never glad to see them. I know I wouldn’t miss them. But, I can’t envision how I can eliminate them entirely. Clearly, it’s a government job.

2) Moles–yes I’m sure they are doing worthy things for the garden’s ecological health. But, the dog is convinced those mounds need to be investigated–you can imagine the ensuing results. There’s lots of garden chores without mole repair.

3) Changing clocks–what’s the point? Days are still twenty-four hours long. The amount of sunshine in each day is the same no matter where we set our clocks. So why do we have to disrupt our schedules twice a year? Just pick a time and stick with it.

4) Rainy periods–at least those that last more than a week, Rain is good. I actually like puddles. But, I need to mow and it’s not good to mow when the grass is wet.

5) Gravity–some gravity is beneficial. I understand that concept. But, as time takes its toll on the body I think slightly less gravity would be a very good idea. Is NASA working on this?

6) Aging– what I really need is am effective age retardant. Good genes, good health, and smart life style choices are all well and good but clearly there’s more vital work to be done in this area.

So what issues would you like to your government to address?

1) Need rain? Wash and wax your car.

2) Need sun? Fix all those lawn spots that need to be kept moist for the first few weeks.

3) Too hot? Plant the tender new annuals that wither if the temperature drops.

4) Too cold? Leave the shorts in storage and dress in flannel and fleece

5) Need more rain? Put off cleaning the clogged gutters

6) Need more sun? Continue to drive your car even thought some clever wit wrote “wash me” on the rear window

Weather control sure things, absolutely free.

1) The Elements of Style

2) Self-Editing For Fiction Writers

3) The Writer’s Journey or Story or Plot and Structure

4) Goal, Motivation, and Conflict

5) On Writing or Bird by Bird

6) Eats, Shoots & Leaves a grammar book that is both useful and entertaining

There are many more that worthwhile, but this short list will take you a long way…

1) Change is inevitable and never comfortable

2) Time is the most precious commodity

3) Loving is better, even when it hurts, than staying safe

4) There are few certainties and none that rev my enthusiasm

5) Perception trumps reality

6) Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an assignment

Share the love, what have you learned lately?

1) I love historical romances, especially regency period

2) I love LOLcats, which is strange because I’m a dog person

3) I love musicals and action adventure movies

4) I love flowers, some kinds more than others.

5) I love reading and readers–all the best people are readers

6) I love music, like flowers–some kinds more than others.

Tell me about your favorites…

As with lots of things Shelia says, I think about them. There’s still things I have to learn. People surprise the hell out of me on regular basis. Sometimes, I need to hear or see something more than once to get it. With all that in mind, here’s six things related to sex that I’ve learned or been reminded about recently.

1) Everyone defines normal to include their preferences and views. This definitely applies to sex.

2) Most people are not entirely comfortable with their sexuality. I keep thinking that we live in the information age and that this is going to improve, but I’m still waiting.

3) Sex is more mental than physical. Really.

4) There are old people, ugly people, and fat people having great sex–like love–sex happens for its own reasons and doesn’t conform to any understandable rules.

5) Sex is better with an emotional connection.

6) Sex starts romantic relationships. Sex includes, but is not limited to) attraction, anticipation, lusting, yearning, and longing.

In case it’s not clear, I’m all for women finding, embracing, and celebrating their sexuality and I’m not picky about how they make that happen.

1) I don’t know what I don’t know. Even when I realize I’m missing parts of the puzzle–it’s still impossible to figure out what they are. This particular conundrum applies to everything. At the moment, it’s a replace or repair decision on the fence.

2) People are both unique and similar. Their outsides are real different. Yet, I know their insides are all much the same. And their insides are what count. As a writer, I need a firm grip on this subject–what a shame it’s so slippery.

3) The more I study anything, the more complex the subject becomes. This translates to one of life’s basic frustrations–the more I learn the less I know. People fascinate me and baffle me. Real life people are inconsistent. Whereas, fictional people need strong motivation to behave out of character. Fiction needs to make more sense than real life to be believable.

4) Writing for publication has lots of levels to it. I don’t know everything about this business (see number one above). But, I have learned a few things. Success has many factors but there are baseline requirements. Clean manuscripts, correctly spelled, punctuated, and formatted are job one. By the time a writer gets to the level where professional editors are cheerfully catching her mundane errors, she won’t need them nearly as much.

5) To break out of the mass of titles issued each month, requires great writing, fresh ideas, and a whole lot of luck. Where is the clueless writer supposed to find luck?

6) Time and money are trade off commodities. Money isn’t easy to make, but time can’t be made at all. Everyone gets the same twenty-four hours each day.

Feel free to share your own frustrations.

1) Television show: Red Dwarf

2) Color: a toss up between dark blood red and soft gray blue

3) Time of day: late morning and early evening

4) Flower: the ones in bloom at the moment

5) Activity: reading, but writing is a close second!

6) Number: eight

Maybe we have something in common, tell me about your favorites…

1) Personal transport–strap-on blasters, transporter, or hovercraft–I really don’t care. I’m adaptable. But let’s end the whole highway, fossil fuel mess

2) Renewable power sources, sunlight, wind, and tides–there has to be ways to harness all that wasted energy

3) Replicators–I’m definitely ready for the next stage in food prep and shopping

4) On line voting–how hard could that be?

5) Universal health care

6) Universal human rights

Too far fetched? Too idealistic? What changes would you like to see in the near future?