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Baking question.
Dec. 29th, 2016 10:18 pmOh, learned British friends, answer a question for me. I have been watching the British Baking Show masterclass whereas Mary and Paul do some baking demonstration. They often ask for strong white flour. How does this differ from regular flour? Is it plain or self-rising?
Happy holiday
Dec. 23rd, 2016 01:07 pmI don't know whether you're anticipating a white Christmas in your little corner of the world; where I live, it's going to be 65 and rainy. Christmas is pretty quiet for me. Being single does make you a little out of kilter in this family-oriented time of year. But one of my sisters lives very close (she can be from her door to mine in about 2 minutes) and she will come for Christmas dinner.
We made an overly large turkey for Thanksgiving and since we both have some in the freezer, we decided to go a little less traditional for dinner. We will bake a ham and have scalloped potatoes, steamed broccoli, rolls, and a strawberry pretzel salad for desert.
Whether you celebrate all of them, some of them, or none of them, have a joyous holiday season
We made an overly large turkey for Thanksgiving and since we both have some in the freezer, we decided to go a little less traditional for dinner. We will bake a ham and have scalloped potatoes, steamed broccoli, rolls, and a strawberry pretzel salad for desert.
Whether you celebrate all of them, some of them, or none of them, have a joyous holiday season
Michael on Miami
Dec. 4th, 2016 09:31 pmJust ran across Shanks's CSI: Miami episode. Why did I not know that the actress who played the rape victim also plays Dawn on Saving Hope?
J is for Jack's in Trouble Again
Nov. 30th, 2016 09:52 amJ is for Jack's in Trouble Again
Author: sg_wonderland
Summary: exactly what the title implies
Word Count: 204
Matthew sighed heavily when he saw his wife pacing their front porch. He grabbed his lunch box and slowly got out of the truck, putting off the moment of reckoning.
“So, what's he done this time?” Matthew stepped in front of Margaret, forcing her to stop.
“I got called to school....again. Jack and some of his buddies decided to liberate the frogs from the lab that were supposed to be dissected.”
“The frogs were...?”
“Already dead and in formaldehyde. And then they decided to...set the frogs free.”
Matthew felt his lip twitch. “And so they....?”
“Went out to the main entrance, put cigarettes in the frogs mouths, lit the cigarettes and placed them all over the sidewalk.” Matthew snorted. “Don't you laugh! Don't you dare laugh!”
“Not laughing,” Matthew couldn't help the laugh.
“Get it over with now because you cannot go in there laughing.” She turned her face so that he couldn't see her expression.
Matthew pulled her close. “Five minutes. Then we go inside.”
It took them seven minutes to get all the laughing out of their systems.
Author: sg_wonderland
Summary: exactly what the title implies
Word Count: 204
Matthew sighed heavily when he saw his wife pacing their front porch. He grabbed his lunch box and slowly got out of the truck, putting off the moment of reckoning.
“So, what's he done this time?” Matthew stepped in front of Margaret, forcing her to stop.
“I got called to school....again. Jack and some of his buddies decided to liberate the frogs from the lab that were supposed to be dissected.”
“The frogs were...?”
“Already dead and in formaldehyde. And then they decided to...set the frogs free.”
Matthew felt his lip twitch. “And so they....?”
“Went out to the main entrance, put cigarettes in the frogs mouths, lit the cigarettes and placed them all over the sidewalk.” Matthew snorted. “Don't you laugh! Don't you dare laugh!”
“Not laughing,” Matthew couldn't help the laugh.
“Get it over with now because you cannot go in there laughing.” She turned her face so that he couldn't see her expression.
Matthew pulled her close. “Five minutes. Then we go inside.”
It took them seven minutes to get all the laughing out of their systems.
N is For No One Gets Left Behind
Nov. 28th, 2016 08:42 amN is No One Gets Left Behind by sg_wonderland
Summary: what makes Jack the man he is
Characters: Jack O'Neill, original character
word count: 953
Era: Pre series
Gus was busy stacking firewood when he heard his neighbor shouting his name. “Gus? You got any rope? We got a kid in the pond.”
Gus dropped his ax and ran to his shed where his grandson was puttering with an old lawn mower. “Jack, grab me that rope. Hurry.” Jack snatched it and followed him, running to keep up.
“What's going on?”
“Don says there's a kid fell through the ice.”
Jack felt a shudder run through him. If there was one thing his granddad had pounded into his head was that he was not to go out on the ice without someone with him and certainly not this late in the season.
They broke through the trees to find a dozen or so folks standing on the shore, gesturing across the ice. There was a hole, about twenty feet from shore and a dark head bobbing in the water.
“Crow,” Gus grabbed a tall, thin man. “What can we do?”
“We've called the fire department but I...I don't think we can wait. I tried going out there but the ice won't support my weight.”
“Damn,” Gus looked around. “And you're the lightest one out here.”
“I'll go,” a young voice piped up.
Stunned, Gus whirled around. “Jack!”
“I'm the littlest one here, I don't weigh much.” He thumbed his chest.
“Jack, I am not letting you go out there. No damn way.”
“Gus, we could tie him off, let him crawl out there.”
Gus yelled, “Have you lost your mind? I'm not sending a child out there.”
Jack had grabbed the rope and starting knotting it. “Tie it around my waist.”
“Here,” Crow took the rope.
Gus grabbed Jack by the elbows. “Jack, slow down, think about this.” He stared into intense, suddenly adult brown eyes.
“Granddad, that kid's drowning, we can't just do nothing.”
Gus sighed, then took the rope. “Okay tie it around his waist and loop it though his belt loops. Jack, you holler when you've got hold of him and we'll pull you both in.” He took a deep breath. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“We can't just leave him out there to die.”
*
Jack inched his way across the ice, holding his breath as if that would make him weigh less. “Hey, hold on, I'm coming,” he shouted.
“Hurry, I can't hold on!” The voice was weak, frightened.
“Okay, grab hold.”
“I can't let go of Freddie!” The boy cried.
“Freddie?” Jack was shocked.
“My dog. If I let go, he's going under.”
“Man, I can't pull both of you out. Reach out, now!”
“No,” the boy was now sobbing.
“For crying...” Jack swore. “Can you pull him out of the water?” He hoped it was a small dog; if it was a big one, they were all three goners.
“I'll try.”
Jack saw a couple of paws scrabbling for purchase on the ice. He jolted forward, reaching as far as he could and finally got a grip on a sodden hairy leg. He yanked as hard as he could and the dog popped out of the water with a squeal. Without looking, Jack slung the dog behind him. “Come on, give me your hand.”
“Freddie!”
“I got your damned dog now give me your hands!” Jack got hold of mittens, then worked his way up until he had a good grip of the collar of the boy's coat. “Pull!” He shouted as loud as he could, feeling the boy's weight as he slid up on the ice, which was still slivering ominously. Slowly, they slid away from the hole and onto firmer ice. Jack could hear the continuous cries of “Pull!” behind him.
“Where's Freddie?”
Wildly, Jack looked around. Freddie was frantically skittering on the ice, his paws slipping and sliding, skidding back toward the center of the pond. Smothering an oath and breathing heavily, he took a better grip with his left hand and released his right hand momentarily, long enough to grasp whatever part of the dog he could get to. “Here,” Jack shoved the dog toward the boy, trapping him between the two of them. “Hang the hell on to him.”
It seemed like hours until Jack finally felt hands on his ankles, then his legs, firmly pulling them off the ice.
*
“Jack,” he looked up from his seat on the floor in front of the roaring fireplace. The rescued boy and his dog had been whisked away by the fire department and Gus had rushed Jack home for a hot shower, a change of clothes and a mug of chocolate. Gus fumbled, “That was an awful brave thing you did today, buddy.”
Jack ducked his head and blushed. “It was nothing. I knew you guys weren't going to let me fall in or anything.”
“It was still brave. I'm very proud of you.”
Jack hoped his flushed face was because of the fire but he suspected it was the warm feeling of praise from his normally taciturn grandfather. “Well, you and Dad always said that we should help people if we can. And you wouldn't have left him behind either, would you?”
Gus sighed at those earnest brown eyes. “No, I wouldn't. Still,” he looked down at his big strong hands that continued to tremble just a bit. “I...I just think we shouldn't mention this to your mother. At least for a while.”
Jack grinned. “She might be pretty mad, huh?”
Gus grinned back. “No 'might' to it, bud.”
Summary: what makes Jack the man he is
Characters: Jack O'Neill, original character
word count: 953
Era: Pre series
Gus was busy stacking firewood when he heard his neighbor shouting his name. “Gus? You got any rope? We got a kid in the pond.”
Gus dropped his ax and ran to his shed where his grandson was puttering with an old lawn mower. “Jack, grab me that rope. Hurry.” Jack snatched it and followed him, running to keep up.
“What's going on?”
“Don says there's a kid fell through the ice.”
Jack felt a shudder run through him. If there was one thing his granddad had pounded into his head was that he was not to go out on the ice without someone with him and certainly not this late in the season.
They broke through the trees to find a dozen or so folks standing on the shore, gesturing across the ice. There was a hole, about twenty feet from shore and a dark head bobbing in the water.
“Crow,” Gus grabbed a tall, thin man. “What can we do?”
“We've called the fire department but I...I don't think we can wait. I tried going out there but the ice won't support my weight.”
“Damn,” Gus looked around. “And you're the lightest one out here.”
“I'll go,” a young voice piped up.
Stunned, Gus whirled around. “Jack!”
“I'm the littlest one here, I don't weigh much.” He thumbed his chest.
“Jack, I am not letting you go out there. No damn way.”
“Gus, we could tie him off, let him crawl out there.”
Gus yelled, “Have you lost your mind? I'm not sending a child out there.”
Jack had grabbed the rope and starting knotting it. “Tie it around my waist.”
“Here,” Crow took the rope.
Gus grabbed Jack by the elbows. “Jack, slow down, think about this.” He stared into intense, suddenly adult brown eyes.
“Granddad, that kid's drowning, we can't just do nothing.”
Gus sighed, then took the rope. “Okay tie it around his waist and loop it though his belt loops. Jack, you holler when you've got hold of him and we'll pull you both in.” He took a deep breath. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“We can't just leave him out there to die.”
*
Jack inched his way across the ice, holding his breath as if that would make him weigh less. “Hey, hold on, I'm coming,” he shouted.
“Hurry, I can't hold on!” The voice was weak, frightened.
“Okay, grab hold.”
“I can't let go of Freddie!” The boy cried.
“Freddie?” Jack was shocked.
“My dog. If I let go, he's going under.”
“Man, I can't pull both of you out. Reach out, now!”
“No,” the boy was now sobbing.
“For crying...” Jack swore. “Can you pull him out of the water?” He hoped it was a small dog; if it was a big one, they were all three goners.
“I'll try.”
Jack saw a couple of paws scrabbling for purchase on the ice. He jolted forward, reaching as far as he could and finally got a grip on a sodden hairy leg. He yanked as hard as he could and the dog popped out of the water with a squeal. Without looking, Jack slung the dog behind him. “Come on, give me your hand.”
“Freddie!”
“I got your damned dog now give me your hands!” Jack got hold of mittens, then worked his way up until he had a good grip of the collar of the boy's coat. “Pull!” He shouted as loud as he could, feeling the boy's weight as he slid up on the ice, which was still slivering ominously. Slowly, they slid away from the hole and onto firmer ice. Jack could hear the continuous cries of “Pull!” behind him.
“Where's Freddie?”
Wildly, Jack looked around. Freddie was frantically skittering on the ice, his paws slipping and sliding, skidding back toward the center of the pond. Smothering an oath and breathing heavily, he took a better grip with his left hand and released his right hand momentarily, long enough to grasp whatever part of the dog he could get to. “Here,” Jack shoved the dog toward the boy, trapping him between the two of them. “Hang the hell on to him.”
It seemed like hours until Jack finally felt hands on his ankles, then his legs, firmly pulling them off the ice.
*
“Jack,” he looked up from his seat on the floor in front of the roaring fireplace. The rescued boy and his dog had been whisked away by the fire department and Gus had rushed Jack home for a hot shower, a change of clothes and a mug of chocolate. Gus fumbled, “That was an awful brave thing you did today, buddy.”
Jack ducked his head and blushed. “It was nothing. I knew you guys weren't going to let me fall in or anything.”
“It was still brave. I'm very proud of you.”
Jack hoped his flushed face was because of the fire but he suspected it was the warm feeling of praise from his normally taciturn grandfather. “Well, you and Dad always said that we should help people if we can. And you wouldn't have left him behind either, would you?”
Gus sighed at those earnest brown eyes. “No, I wouldn't. Still,” he looked down at his big strong hands that continued to tremble just a bit. “I...I just think we shouldn't mention this to your mother. At least for a while.”
Jack grinned. “She might be pretty mad, huh?”
Gus grinned back. “No 'might' to it, bud.”
Very British problems, who knew?
Nov. 24th, 2016 02:36 pmMy sister pointed this Netflix show out to me and I have to say, it's hilarious. From conversation on public transport (evidently a big no-no), having guests in your home (also frowned upon), and folks who take over your sitting room, refrigerator or telly. If I ever happen to meet any of my online friends IRL, I feel obligated to warn you that we Americans are gregarious, are often huggers (oh, the horrors!), and will strike up conversations with people in line at the grocery store.
Happy thanksgiving! Have a hug and a turkey sandwich!
Happy thanksgiving! Have a hug and a turkey sandwich!
No more Stargate on Amazon Prime
Nov. 18th, 2016 09:09 am-And that was the main reason I kept Prime- the fact that I could watch Stargate any time I wanted without pawing through the discs. Now Prime has dropped Stargate and I may have to drop Prime.
-I may have reached terminal velocity on the election results and the ensuing doom and gloom. I just cannot watch any one else tell me that my country is headed for hell in a handbasket.
-Forest fires are all over the place in my little corner of the world. There was a 10 car pile-up on Tuesday (resulting in one fatality and several serious injuries) due to the smoke. And it's supposed to be 80 degrees and windy today.
-Raise your hand if you were shocked to find out that Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford got their force on during the filming of the original Star Wars. I mean, come on, who wouldn't shag Harrison if given the opportunity?
-I can't bring myself to listen on Christmas music while my Thanksgiving turkey is gently thawing in the fridge.......
-I may have reached terminal velocity on the election results and the ensuing doom and gloom. I just cannot watch any one else tell me that my country is headed for hell in a handbasket.
-Forest fires are all over the place in my little corner of the world. There was a 10 car pile-up on Tuesday (resulting in one fatality and several serious injuries) due to the smoke. And it's supposed to be 80 degrees and windy today.
-Raise your hand if you were shocked to find out that Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford got their force on during the filming of the original Star Wars. I mean, come on, who wouldn't shag Harrison if given the opportunity?
-I can't bring myself to listen on Christmas music while my Thanksgiving turkey is gently thawing in the fridge.......
Little Daniel series
Oct. 2nd, 2016 09:03 amhttp://archiveofourown.org/series/556487
I have posted my 21-part Little Daniel series to AO3. This was originally posted several years ago to Cleo's Little Verse.
I have posted my 21-part Little Daniel series to AO3. This was originally posted several years ago to Cleo's Little Verse.
Question for the tech geeks
Sep. 4th, 2016 01:28 pmSo I usually try to buy myself something totally frivolous for my birthday and the shopping network nearly talked me into getting an Amazon Fire Stick. I got online and cruised around but couldn't find answers to two burning questions. So I'm hoping my peeps can help.
One, I cannot get the new digital channels on my TV. My cable company tells me that it is because my TV (four year old flat screen) does not recognize their upgrade to digital and that I would need to purchase either a newer TV or a converter box that will convert the signal. Wise to their ways and absolute lack of customer service, I called the local Radio Shack which sells TVs and asked them. Their tech told me that, yes, they had the boxes but he couldn't guarantee that it would work because their display TVs (all new and digital) are hooked to the same cable service and they cannot get the digital channels either. This would not bother me much except that I can no longer get PBS/BBC America which means no Sherlock or the new Victoria miniseries.
so, if I get the Fire Stick, will it get the digital channels?
Two, would I be able watch stuff from Amazon Prime on my TV instead of my Kindle? The problem with the Kindle is that watching Prime videos eats the battery up. As it is, I am charging my Kindle Fire every single night because I always run out of battery power since it is my main reading device.
The stick is less than 40 bucks so if it doesn't work, I'm not out alot of money. But I don't want to buy it if it doesn't solve at least one of my problems.
Help me, Obi Wan, you're my only hope!
One, I cannot get the new digital channels on my TV. My cable company tells me that it is because my TV (four year old flat screen) does not recognize their upgrade to digital and that I would need to purchase either a newer TV or a converter box that will convert the signal. Wise to their ways and absolute lack of customer service, I called the local Radio Shack which sells TVs and asked them. Their tech told me that, yes, they had the boxes but he couldn't guarantee that it would work because their display TVs (all new and digital) are hooked to the same cable service and they cannot get the digital channels either. This would not bother me much except that I can no longer get PBS/BBC America which means no Sherlock or the new Victoria miniseries.
so, if I get the Fire Stick, will it get the digital channels?
Two, would I be able watch stuff from Amazon Prime on my TV instead of my Kindle? The problem with the Kindle is that watching Prime videos eats the battery up. As it is, I am charging my Kindle Fire every single night because I always run out of battery power since it is my main reading device.
The stick is less than 40 bucks so if it doesn't work, I'm not out alot of money. But I don't want to buy it if it doesn't solve at least one of my problems.
Help me, Obi Wan, you're my only hope!
Lochte owes Rio an apology
Aug. 19th, 2016 09:55 amA big one. A huge one, to steal a phrase from he-who-must-not-be-President.
He lied. Repeatedly. To the media, to the cops and (gasp) to his own mother! Here's the thing: maybe those guys didn't vandalize that bathroom, maybe they did run afoul of an unscrupulous gas station owner who was trying to shake them down for cash. Maybe it happened just that way. Then that's the story they should have told. Gone back to the Olympic Village and said, 'man, this guy just shook us down for fifty bucks!' But Lochte lied to his mother, who told somebody, who told somebody and rather than admitting he lied, he lied. Yeah, that made a lot of sense.
I firmly believe he scampered out of Rio, leaving his younger teammates holding the bag. After enduring the humiliation of being removed from the plane home, two young men (who the police have said did not lie) were dragged through the media version of a perp-walk. They finally arrived back in the US last night, at best a couple of careless lads, at worst lying examples of the perceived American arrogance.
And as for the IOC official who chuckled over the 'boys' behaving badly. First, Lochte is 32 years old, a mite old for this frat-boy image he tries to project. It's shrug-worthy when you actually are a frat boy, when you're not it's pathetic. And second, why does Gabby Douglas have to put up with online bullying for her 'attitude' while these lads get to frolic away unscathed.
Lochte stands to lose millions in potential endorsements. Realistically, what company (except maybe a brewery) is going to want to put his face on a cereal box, behind the wheel of their car, spooning up their yogurt or timing himself with their watch?
And here, for me, is the difference in Lochte and Michael Phelps. When Phelps got caught DUI, he didn't lie, he didn't try to justify. He admitted he screwed up, paid the fine, did the time.
He lied. Repeatedly. To the media, to the cops and (gasp) to his own mother! Here's the thing: maybe those guys didn't vandalize that bathroom, maybe they did run afoul of an unscrupulous gas station owner who was trying to shake them down for cash. Maybe it happened just that way. Then that's the story they should have told. Gone back to the Olympic Village and said, 'man, this guy just shook us down for fifty bucks!' But Lochte lied to his mother, who told somebody, who told somebody and rather than admitting he lied, he lied. Yeah, that made a lot of sense.
I firmly believe he scampered out of Rio, leaving his younger teammates holding the bag. After enduring the humiliation of being removed from the plane home, two young men (who the police have said did not lie) were dragged through the media version of a perp-walk. They finally arrived back in the US last night, at best a couple of careless lads, at worst lying examples of the perceived American arrogance.
And as for the IOC official who chuckled over the 'boys' behaving badly. First, Lochte is 32 years old, a mite old for this frat-boy image he tries to project. It's shrug-worthy when you actually are a frat boy, when you're not it's pathetic. And second, why does Gabby Douglas have to put up with online bullying for her 'attitude' while these lads get to frolic away unscathed.
Lochte stands to lose millions in potential endorsements. Realistically, what company (except maybe a brewery) is going to want to put his face on a cereal box, behind the wheel of their car, spooning up their yogurt or timing himself with their watch?
And here, for me, is the difference in Lochte and Michael Phelps. When Phelps got caught DUI, he didn't lie, he didn't try to justify. He admitted he screwed up, paid the fine, did the time.
Random thoughts
Jul. 29th, 2016 09:26 amSo, NCIS-New Orleans is booting one of it's few female characters. Brody, who is an original cast member, will not be returning for the next season. The justification was that she was compromised by sleeping with the Homeland Security guy who turned out to be a traitor (Honestly, did anyone not see that one coming?). I call a foul on that. If that were the case, Ziva should have been fired from NCIS; not only did she sleep with a guy who killed an ICE agent, she hid him in her apartment, knowing multiple federal agencies were hunting for him.
I fear it's just another case of let's cull some of these extra chicks from the show. Criminal Minds tried this one several years ago, with disastrous effects. They fired Paget Brewster and AJ Cook (replacing Cook with an actress who could easily have passed for Cook's younger sister was a despicable slap in the face.) The fan indignation caused them to re-hire Cook and, when they couldn't lure Brewster hack, exercised a clause in her contract and claimed she owed them another year. She came back, hated it and left as soon as she could clear the door. (she has since made several guest appearances and will make several more this upcoming season.)
This genre is seriously devoid of female agents. We need MORE women on these shows, dammit, not less! In a year when America has finally caught up with most of the rest of the world (Britain is working on its second female PM), should we really be getting rid of women who kick ass?
*
I always get mighty suspicious when a network floods my airwaves with promos for upcoming series. Therefore, I have serious doubts about both Michael Weatherly's Dr. Bull and the MacGyver reboot. CBS has promos running constantly all hours of the day and night- daytime, primetime, local programming- you name it, there's a promo there. I don't know if they are trying to convince me or themselves.
I fear it's just another case of let's cull some of these extra chicks from the show. Criminal Minds tried this one several years ago, with disastrous effects. They fired Paget Brewster and AJ Cook (replacing Cook with an actress who could easily have passed for Cook's younger sister was a despicable slap in the face.) The fan indignation caused them to re-hire Cook and, when they couldn't lure Brewster hack, exercised a clause in her contract and claimed she owed them another year. She came back, hated it and left as soon as she could clear the door. (she has since made several guest appearances and will make several more this upcoming season.)
This genre is seriously devoid of female agents. We need MORE women on these shows, dammit, not less! In a year when America has finally caught up with most of the rest of the world (Britain is working on its second female PM), should we really be getting rid of women who kick ass?
*
I always get mighty suspicious when a network floods my airwaves with promos for upcoming series. Therefore, I have serious doubts about both Michael Weatherly's Dr. Bull and the MacGyver reboot. CBS has promos running constantly all hours of the day and night- daytime, primetime, local programming- you name it, there's a promo there. I don't know if they are trying to convince me or themselves.
A Little Housecleaning
Jun. 16th, 2016 08:22 amSo I've been doing some clearing out, both literally and figuratively.
After Orlando, I've been deleting folks from my facebook account - some to whom I am related. I don't need that kind of crap in my life and I'm just not putting up with it appearing in my life. My new mantra is: I still love you but at this moment, I don't like you very much.
Then I moved over to Live Journal and had a good go over there also. If I deleted you it was because I can't remember why I added you or I have you on Dreamwidth already.
Recycling got a couple of boxes of stuff yesterday, leaving me with several corners I can now actually see! I have a second bedroom that needs a good sorting but that's going to have to wait until I actually can coerce someone into helping as it is more, physically, than I'm able to do.
My old computer finally gave it up and I finally gave in and bought a new one. Hence my ongoing hate-hate relationship with windows 10. I still don't feel as comfy with it as XP but I am kind of learning my way around. I did take some advice and got open office and that works well with my writing.
I lost some stuff in the exchange. I had everything (or so I thought) on a jump drive but I lost a few things, mostly changes, so it isn't as bad as I feared. At first I couldn't find any of my documents and I seriously panicked.
Because not only do I have all my stargate fics (I swear I'm gonna finish something soon), I am working on writing a real-life something. I don't ever expect to get it published but it is a compilation of all those funny little family stories we tell on each other. I am trying to remember stories about my great-grandparents, grandparents, parents. My intention is to hand them out as Christmas presents.
One of my nephews has been begging for this for years and I thought I should just finally get it together, really edit it and hopefully it will make those folks come alive. Several of my nieces and nephews and all of the great-nieces and -nephews have no memories of my parents and I want to try to lodge something in those young minds.
If I could give folks a piece of advice, it is this: write these stories down when your parents, grandparents, whoever tells them. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.
As for stargate, I have two stories that I am working on steadily. One is Jack and Daniel as rivals in the world of professional billiard players. I am a sucker for pool of any kind and will always stop if I see a match on TV. No sport loves nicknames like pool so we have Dr. J and the Colonel facing off on a televised celebrity fund raiser with a personal bet on the side.
The other is kind of a cabinfic. What happens when one of the world's wealthiest but loneliest guys is forced to team up with a charming FBI agent? Dr. Daniel Jackson is skittish but Special Agent Jack O'Neill desperately needs access to the good doctor's lakefront cabin for a covert surveillance operation.
The one thing that I cannot throw out is my unfinished stargate fics. I just move them over to a junked file, occasionally visit, sigh over them and move on.
After Orlando, I've been deleting folks from my facebook account - some to whom I am related. I don't need that kind of crap in my life and I'm just not putting up with it appearing in my life. My new mantra is: I still love you but at this moment, I don't like you very much.
Then I moved over to Live Journal and had a good go over there also. If I deleted you it was because I can't remember why I added you or I have you on Dreamwidth already.
Recycling got a couple of boxes of stuff yesterday, leaving me with several corners I can now actually see! I have a second bedroom that needs a good sorting but that's going to have to wait until I actually can coerce someone into helping as it is more, physically, than I'm able to do.
My old computer finally gave it up and I finally gave in and bought a new one. Hence my ongoing hate-hate relationship with windows 10. I still don't feel as comfy with it as XP but I am kind of learning my way around. I did take some advice and got open office and that works well with my writing.
I lost some stuff in the exchange. I had everything (or so I thought) on a jump drive but I lost a few things, mostly changes, so it isn't as bad as I feared. At first I couldn't find any of my documents and I seriously panicked.
Because not only do I have all my stargate fics (I swear I'm gonna finish something soon), I am working on writing a real-life something. I don't ever expect to get it published but it is a compilation of all those funny little family stories we tell on each other. I am trying to remember stories about my great-grandparents, grandparents, parents. My intention is to hand them out as Christmas presents.
One of my nephews has been begging for this for years and I thought I should just finally get it together, really edit it and hopefully it will make those folks come alive. Several of my nieces and nephews and all of the great-nieces and -nephews have no memories of my parents and I want to try to lodge something in those young minds.
If I could give folks a piece of advice, it is this: write these stories down when your parents, grandparents, whoever tells them. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.
As for stargate, I have two stories that I am working on steadily. One is Jack and Daniel as rivals in the world of professional billiard players. I am a sucker for pool of any kind and will always stop if I see a match on TV. No sport loves nicknames like pool so we have Dr. J and the Colonel facing off on a televised celebrity fund raiser with a personal bet on the side.
The other is kind of a cabinfic. What happens when one of the world's wealthiest but loneliest guys is forced to team up with a charming FBI agent? Dr. Daniel Jackson is skittish but Special Agent Jack O'Neill desperately needs access to the good doctor's lakefront cabin for a covert surveillance operation.
The one thing that I cannot throw out is my unfinished stargate fics. I just move them over to a junked file, occasionally visit, sigh over them and move on.
Windows 10
Jun. 7th, 2016 07:37 pmI've only had it a few hours but I'm pretty certain I hate it. I knew where everything was in XP. I have to figure out how to load, download, buy something to write with because, evidently, no office on 10. You have to buy it separately. What a rip-off. It may be a while before new fic flies but I'm fairly sure (Hopeful, more accurately) that all my stuff is still safe on the jump drive.
One Last Trip to Downton
Mar. 7th, 2016 12:52 pmSo the finale of Downton Abbey aired last night. And, for reasons known only to them, my cable provider chose last week to rearrange channels. Vanished into the ether was the local PBS channel, the Food Network, TV Land.
I finally figured out I could watch the finale.....at midnight. So, yes, I was up until 2 AM watching TV.
Would I have done anything differently for the ending? I don't think so, it hit all the right notes for me. One scene that I wish I'd seen would have been in the previous episode where Edith tells her parents why she is leaving Downton, that Mary has deliberately sabotaged her sister's happiness and that she feels Cora and Robert are complicit. They allowed Mary to badger and bully Edith for years, as if it were part of her birthright and never called her on it, made no attempt to stop it. I think Edith should have called them on it so they would finally realize they (especially Robert) are at least partly responsible for Mary's selfish willfulness. I might have to fanfic that one.
And now, it's another phone call to the cable company since I realize one of the channels that has disappeared is ION TV. Yes, the only channel that airs Saving Hope in the US. Sighs heavily.....
I finally figured out I could watch the finale.....at midnight. So, yes, I was up until 2 AM watching TV.
Would I have done anything differently for the ending? I don't think so, it hit all the right notes for me. One scene that I wish I'd seen would have been in the previous episode where Edith tells her parents why she is leaving Downton, that Mary has deliberately sabotaged her sister's happiness and that she feels Cora and Robert are complicit. They allowed Mary to badger and bully Edith for years, as if it were part of her birthright and never called her on it, made no attempt to stop it. I think Edith should have called them on it so they would finally realize they (especially Robert) are at least partly responsible for Mary's selfish willfulness. I might have to fanfic that one.
And now, it's another phone call to the cable company since I realize one of the channels that has disappeared is ION TV. Yes, the only channel that airs Saving Hope in the US. Sighs heavily.....
J is for Journal
Feb. 29th, 2016 03:40 pmTitle: J is for Journal
Summary: Teal’c, on the advice of Daniel Jackson, had begun to record his thoughts. In this entry, he ponders on those odd Tau’ri women.
Word Count: 527
Characters: Teal’c. Peripherally, Jack, Daniel, Sam, Janet.
Era: Classic team
Category: General musings, no dialogue
Author’s Notes: Although I would love to do so, I don’t have the energy to do one of these for every single episode: some of Teal’c’s impressions, as years progress. For Alphabet Soup.
The Tau’ri have many strange habits. This, I should have realized from my first encounters with them, as they brought a woman into battle. I at first took her for a concubine but O’Neill and Daniel Jackson both spoke to her, looking directly in her unveiled face, without benefit of the protection of either husband or male relative. At least, she had shame enough to cover her head, although, to be precisely honest, O’Neill and Daniel Jackson do so also, even though both have taken a First Wife.
Then, I believed her to be a slave guard, her life belonging to Daniel Jackson, for it was immediately apparent that he was not battle trained. He speaks before being spoken to, does not solicit O’Neill’s permission and readily divulges information best kept secret. He is either a foolish man or a brave one. Possibly both.
However, when Captain Carter asked me to relinquish my weapon upon reaching their world, I did so. Their weapons were strange to me but I found myself at a disadvantage. I gave her my weapon but kept silent so that I may observe.
*
I labor to understand the inclusion of Daniel Jackson and Captain Carter on O’Neill’s team. Daniel Jackson’s strengths would be better utilized by his remaining within the safe confines of the base; I have encountered no other Tau’ri with his capacity to learn and understand about unknown enemies.
Captain Carter remains even more of an enigma. Through conversation with her and Daniel Jackson, I have learned that she is unmarried, yet is allowed to own property and reside in such property without the required protection. And has no restrictions placed upon how she may purchase necessities for this home. Although I am loath to query, it becomes apparent that this is not an anomaly on this world. The healer, Dr. Fraiser, appears to be allowed the same latitudes.
I have never encountered a situation where mere women are allowed to place themselves in such vulnerable situations. And yet, neither seems to seek a mate within this base, which would seem to offer an unlimited selection of potential husbands.
Perhaps this lack of male companionship can be attributed to the costumes both women choose. Captain Carter covers her body with the same apparel that the men wear while Dr. Fraiser’s attire cannot have been selected to elicit interest.
Although apparently healthy, neither woman has become either a Second Wife nor have borne children from a husband. I do not understand fathers who allow their daughters to squander their child-bearing years.
When Captain Carter and I are more acquainted, perhaps I will query if she wishes me to assist her in obtaining a husband.
Summary: Teal’c, on the advice of Daniel Jackson, had begun to record his thoughts. In this entry, he ponders on those odd Tau’ri women.
Word Count: 527
Characters: Teal’c. Peripherally, Jack, Daniel, Sam, Janet.
Era: Classic team
Category: General musings, no dialogue
Author’s Notes: Although I would love to do so, I don’t have the energy to do one of these for every single episode: some of Teal’c’s impressions, as years progress. For Alphabet Soup.
The Tau’ri have many strange habits. This, I should have realized from my first encounters with them, as they brought a woman into battle. I at first took her for a concubine but O’Neill and Daniel Jackson both spoke to her, looking directly in her unveiled face, without benefit of the protection of either husband or male relative. At least, she had shame enough to cover her head, although, to be precisely honest, O’Neill and Daniel Jackson do so also, even though both have taken a First Wife.
Then, I believed her to be a slave guard, her life belonging to Daniel Jackson, for it was immediately apparent that he was not battle trained. He speaks before being spoken to, does not solicit O’Neill’s permission and readily divulges information best kept secret. He is either a foolish man or a brave one. Possibly both.
However, when Captain Carter asked me to relinquish my weapon upon reaching their world, I did so. Their weapons were strange to me but I found myself at a disadvantage. I gave her my weapon but kept silent so that I may observe.
*
I labor to understand the inclusion of Daniel Jackson and Captain Carter on O’Neill’s team. Daniel Jackson’s strengths would be better utilized by his remaining within the safe confines of the base; I have encountered no other Tau’ri with his capacity to learn and understand about unknown enemies.
Captain Carter remains even more of an enigma. Through conversation with her and Daniel Jackson, I have learned that she is unmarried, yet is allowed to own property and reside in such property without the required protection. And has no restrictions placed upon how she may purchase necessities for this home. Although I am loath to query, it becomes apparent that this is not an anomaly on this world. The healer, Dr. Fraiser, appears to be allowed the same latitudes.
I have never encountered a situation where mere women are allowed to place themselves in such vulnerable situations. And yet, neither seems to seek a mate within this base, which would seem to offer an unlimited selection of potential husbands.
Perhaps this lack of male companionship can be attributed to the costumes both women choose. Captain Carter covers her body with the same apparel that the men wear while Dr. Fraiser’s attire cannot have been selected to elicit interest.
Although apparently healthy, neither woman has become either a Second Wife nor have borne children from a husband. I do not understand fathers who allow their daughters to squander their child-bearing years.
When Captain Carter and I are more acquainted, perhaps I will query if she wishes me to assist her in obtaining a husband.
MacGyver reboot
Feb. 3rd, 2016 08:35 pmSo CBS is picking up the pilot for the MacGyver reboot. (Also, oddly enough, one about Dr. Phil's younger days.....).
MacGyver will be about how he came to the Phoenix Foundation and maybe some of the backstory. I'm reserving judgement, all I ask is they not screw it up.
MacGyver will be about how he came to the Phoenix Foundation and maybe some of the backstory. I'm reserving judgement, all I ask is they not screw it up.
Storm update
Jan. 24th, 2016 06:37 amEnded up with 16 inches of snow. Pretty much what they predicted.
Didn't lose power or cable or internet so I can still entertain myself.
Currently 9F at 6:41AM so I ain't opening the door any time soon.
Supposed to be near 50F by end of the week and if this all melts quickly.....
I took a few pics (through the window) but I don't know how to post them here. They're on my Facebook but that's in my real life name so I won't link to that. If you're interested enough to look at some pics, WKYT is the tv station I usually watch and they have lots of pics and videos.
Didn't lose power or cable or internet so I can still entertain myself.
Currently 9F at 6:41AM so I ain't opening the door any time soon.
Supposed to be near 50F by end of the week and if this all melts quickly.....
I took a few pics (through the window) but I don't know how to post them here. They're on my Facebook but that's in my real life name so I won't link to that. If you're interested enough to look at some pics, WKYT is the tv station I usually watch and they have lots of pics and videos.
Jonas comes calling
Jan. 21st, 2016 02:31 pmThe weather folks have decided to start naming all major storms and not just hurricanes. And so they've named this one Jonas. Yeah, that's what I said, Jonas. Two of what could be argued are the least favorite characters from stargate.
Anyway, if you check the snow forecast, I'm somewhere buried beneath the 8-14 inches prediction. The snow I can handle; I just hope we don't get the ice, the sleet, the freezing rain. That the power stays on, the water pipes don't freeze.
I'm just gonna grab the books, the flashlight, the blanket and hope for the best.
Anyway, if you check the snow forecast, I'm somewhere buried beneath the 8-14 inches prediction. The snow I can handle; I just hope we don't get the ice, the sleet, the freezing rain. That the power stays on, the water pipes don't freeze.
I'm just gonna grab the books, the flashlight, the blanket and hope for the best.
