Hi Everyone! No real post today. I'm still down with a cold/flu that refuses to quit. Likewise Terry. We both tired of paying the piper for all the fun we had in Vegas!
So I pulled a few funnies from the internet to cheer myself up and to share with you. May you NOT catch the crud going around, and I hope you have a chuckle or two.
Some of the best fun Terry and I had during our trip to Las Vegas last week was to surprise my brother Roy and sister-in-law Susan with a visit the Pinball Hall of Fame. Our best bud Jon helped us pull it off. We had them guessing about where we were going for a good twenty-four hours. Never in a million years would they have guessed this awesome destination.
The Pinball Hall of Fame, a non-profit museum, is run by Tim Arnold with the support of members of the Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club. Any "profits" (excess revenues) are donated to nondenominational charities. This fun-filled, 10,000 square foot venue contains the world's largest pinball collection. Here you will find many vintage games from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s when pinball was in its heyday. Everyone except Susan had played pinball before, and we all quickly scattered to find the perfect machines to try our luck.
What makes this museum exceptional is that all the pinball machines work! People who love pinball restore the classic machines so they function like new, and they keep them in good repair. As a visitor, you can watch them at work, and they are ready to help if you have a problem with a machine.
It's not hard to tell how much fun people are having! People are laughing and cheering and jumping up and down, filled with the joy of being a kid again. And, of course, there is plenty of popcorn and soda pop to snack on.
It's the first Wednesday of the month, the day that members of the Insecure Writer's Support Group share their writing struggles and writing successes and offer their encouragement and support to fellow writers.
I hope you have a chance to visit today's hosts and thank them for co-hosting. I'm sure they would appreciate a visit and an encouraging comment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every month the IWSG announces a question that members can answer with advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story in their IWSG posts. Or, the question can inspire members if they aren't sure what to write about on IWSG Day. Remember the question is optional. This month's featured question is:
If It's been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don't enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi, Everyone! I hope that you will have a fun IWSG Day!
I'll be flying back to Colorado tomorrow (IWSG Day), but I'll get to as many of you as I can tomorrow and more on Thursday.
What an interesting question this month! I absolutely believe that to be a good writer, you must read! Reading is what develops your knowledge of language: The more you read, the richer your reservoir of knowledge. Forget worrying about your writing being a mixture of yourself and another author. If you write, write, write and listen to your heart (or mind if you're less feeling oriented than I) as you write, your unique voice will emerge. You are unique, and you have to trust and believe that your voice will emerge. Also, forget worrying about creating an original story. It is also said that there are only seven basic story plots. They have already been told countless times and from long ago until now. You can only write your original twist on a old story. Focus on writing what speaks to you and compels you. Write, write, write, and an authentic, fresh you will emerge as an author. I read every single day, I listen to my heart as I write, and I trust that I am becoming the unique author I aspire to be.
Reading and Writing
French or German; Frieze ornament; Metalwork-Gilt Bronze
This is the perfect post to catch you up on some of the IWSG authors I've been reading lately. Let's see if you can guess who these three IWSG authors are based on their books which I am sharing! You get three clues. IWSG Author #1: 1. Unbounded imagination ~ The reader is guaranteed to have a wild, wild ride! 2. The author tends to write in an Everyman, Everysetting style. The setting could be anywhere with anyone, except for a few developed main characters. How about an FBI agent with claustrophobia as a main character? 3. Only this author could come up with a time machine shaped like a giant cat!!!!! So much fun!!!!! IWSG Author #2: 1. Currently this author greatest passion is to write for young readers. 2. This writer weaves fantasy with history in a way that appeals to middle school kiddos. 3. An alligator as a wizard's familiar? No black cat here! Again, such a fun writer!!!!! IWSG Author #3: 1. This author has been invaluable in promoting other IWSG authors. 2. This author writes with a positive, inspiring voice. 3. This author has SPUNK!!!!! If you can't guess the identity of these IWSG authors, here's a little mix and match to help.
Three IWSG Authors
Golden Gate, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
October 1, 2019
(Sorry about my toes ~ I'm writing this very much on the fly in my hotel room,
worrying about if the internet or my computer will crash before I'm finished)
#1: The funny, unique, prolific, and wildly imaginative Pat Hatt I've just finished reading his A Not So New World. Yes, I know that Pat has just published book nine in this series, and this is book one; but I just learned of the series, and I want to read it from the beginning. I think it will be great fun to follow Pat's development of the series and his development as a writer. Blame it on the teacher in me ~ LOL! Jack, the protagonist, wants to leave his mark on the world. He's not doing too well in life thanks to his nemesis Professor Jones. Professor Jones and his nasty cohorts have hatched a despicable plan to rid the world of Jack and steal his invention that would ensure his standing among the scientific giants of all time. But Jack outwits them initially and escapes somewhere in time, along with FBI agent Emily Milano who has Jack in her custody. But where and when? And more importantly, can Jack and Emily find their way back to their time? Are Professor Jones and his nasty cohorts following Jack and Emily in time? You'll have to read the book to find out! Here's a link to Pat's blog Pat Hatt Time. And a link to his books on Amazon. And my question as I read more of the series: Will Jack and Emily fall in love. I give it a 99.999% probability of happening. For a breathtaking, action-packed adventure, I definitely recommend Pat's book!
#2: A second imaginative and fun author who gets kids: C. Lee McKenzie!
I recently finished reading her Some Very Messy Medieval Magic. This is the first book by Lee that I have read, and it was great fun. I taught young readers for twenty-five years, and I would read this aloud to my students in a heartbeat were I still teaching. They would love it! Pete and his friend Weasel have seriously threatened the stream of time by failing to close the Time Lock which protects history. If they cannot find Peter of Bramwell, who has gone missing in 1173 England, before he must be present during a critical event, time and history will be forever altered. If they do not find Peter of Bramwell in time, Pete and Weasel may cease to exist! And how on Earth does Pete handle his familiar, alligator Fanon, in medieval England? Not to mention a curious girl, a talking horse, Druids, and a Circle of Stones. You are never too old to read a great middle school book, especially if you have a good imagination, a sense of fun, and enjoy adventures. By all means read Lee's book! Here's a link to Lee's blog C. Lee McKenzie. And a link to her books on Dancing Lemur Press. (Scroll down, her book is Item 7 in the DLP list.) #3: The wise and inspiring L. Diane Wolfe!
I recently finished reading her Overcoming obstacles with SPUNK: The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting! Ostensibly this is a book about overcoming barriers to reach your goals and to become a successful leader. It is exactly that; but I think it is, more importantly, a book about developing critical life skills that can help you at any stage in your life. Diane identifies five keys to helping you succeed: 1. Develop a Positive Attitude 2. People Skills 3. Raising Self-Esteem 4. Overcoming Fears 5. Setting Goals Her writing is clear, cogent, and easy to read, and her book is full of practical information thoroughly grounded in the real world. Diane's book is full of how to develop important skills that are necessary in the business and personal world. I struggle with shyness, and just yesterday I drew on Diane's advice to help me in a situation where my shyness almost had me fleeing the scene. Instead of hiding I had a great time. What I like best about Diane's book, aside from the great information, is how positive Diane's writing is. She speaks with authority, but also with honesty and integrity in an inspiring way. I highly recommend reading Diane's inspiring book. Guaranteed you will find something helpful for you! Here's a link to Diane's blog SPUNK on a Stick. And a link to her books on Dancing Lemur Press. Actually not only is Diane a writer, she is the owner of Dancing Lemur Press and a senior editor. She is a speaker and conducts seminars on book publishing, promoting, leadership, and goal-setting, and she offers book formatting and author consultation. I'm not linking you to her book, but rather to her publishing house, so you can explore her inspiring site! I have no time to go back and proofread this post. If I don't go now, I won't have my room serviced, and I so hate wet, used towels. Asking for your forgiveness of errors in advance. Happy writing in October!
Hi Everyone! Well, I'm in Vegas. I have internet, at least at the D where we're staying. However I can't access any of my new photos. I think my computer is balking at the 112,000+ photos and 600 videos I have on it. So I shall choose an old photo.
Why this one? Because it is a photo of the crown jewel of Capital Reef National Park in Utah. I flew over it flying to Vegas on July 23, 2019. That would be west. My eyes just about bugged out of my head at the sight. This is the defining geological feature of an incredible national park: The Waterpocket Fold! We flew over it again yesterday on our way to Vegas, but I can't share a new photo. It was every bit as magnificent! It's a warp in the Earth's crust that extends for nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) and running north south in direction. The terrain is rugged, and roads only cross it in a few places. The one and only paved road crossing it leads into the park. And OMG, it's drop dead gorgeous for anyone who loves rocks like I do!!! People in the area for a couple of hundred years have called any rugged rocks that impede travel (by wagon or car) a "reef." I will do a later post on the Waterpocket Fold when I get home ~ after I get a new computer, and likely after I have cataract surgery in October. Meanwhile I am having a blast in Vegas! Why do I love Vegas so much? Because I have time for me with nothing I must do! Time ~ my favorite thing!!!!! Terry, my brother Roy, my s-i-l Sue, our friends Dave and Little Lar had an epic five hour session of black jack last night. I laughed and cheered so much with everyone that I have a croaky voice today. Three hours of sleep don't help either! So I was out on Fremont Street this morning photographing the construction of the new canopy for better light shows. I got great photos, but of course I can't load them. So I'll leave you with an old photo I took in July.
Construction
Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
Hi Everyone! Just wanted to let you know that I might experience technical difficulties in the next little while. My computer won't have its usual hookups to the internet, because I'm off and running ~ well flying!
Late Saturday morning I fell down a rabbit hole. I was answering emails at my usual spot at the kitchen counter, when the sound of a hovering helicopter caught my attention. I ran out on our deck to find it, but it took a minute or two because the helicopter wasn't moving. I finally spotted it among the rooftops at the top of one of the monopoles in the new power transmission line running through our area.
I watched for a bit, but the helicopter was too far away and I couldn't see what was happening. I was surprised because I thought all the power line work was finished, but also because I didn't know helicopters could hover motionless for so long. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore. I scribbled a note to Terry who was off playing pickleball and stuck it on the tv. Then I made a mad dash for my car, forgetting to turn off the tv and lights, let alone shut the front door completely on my way out. I was afraid the helicopter would leave before I could reach it.
Six or seven minutes later when I spotted it at the end of an unfamiliar street, it was still hovering in the same spot, looking for all the world like a fish feeding on a strand of giant kelp.
and was amazed to see a lineman standing on the landing skid
of the helicopter and working on the power line.
Perhaps even more amazing was to see the pilot monitoring everything and holding the helicopter in a position with little room for error for, what seemed to me, a very long time.
As I was snapping pictures, out of the corner of my eye,
I saw a man in a hard hat headed across the field straight for me.
Oh !@#$%^! I thought. I'm in trouble now!
I couldn't have been more wrong! He was the Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado) representative on the site,
and we had a long and fascinating conversation
(well, him educating me)
about electrical power transmission in Colorado.
We covered a lot of territory: from our electrical grid and how it works, to rapid population growth and meeting future power needs, to developing renewable energy sources such as wind power, to the public and economic issues surrounding major power projects. It was just the coolest thing ever!
Thus the rabbit hole.
I have spent many, many hours this week researching electrical power transmission
and learning as much as I could to help me understand it all.
I still can't wrap my mind around the concept of a volt,
but as Curt, the Xcel representative reassured me,
I didn't need to grasp that to understand power transmission in Colorado.
Meanwhile the helicopter had hopscotched over the linemen in the bucket and moved to another monopole farther south. Curt gave me his business card and offered to answer any future questions I might have, and I was off in my car to catch up with the helicopter.
