Wednesday, March 26, 2014

return to the library

I'm back at the library for the evening. I'm feeling a bit sleepy (long day, lots of work, didn't eat for too long and then ate too much all at once), but I'm going to give it a go. Of the many, many projects that I have ideas for, or starts, or that need editing (*doesn't look at the pile of To Do* **doesn't look**), I also have a smidgen of an idea for a shifter story. I've never tried one of those before, so this could get very interesting! I love reading them, though. And--it is windy again tonight. I suspect the windows here in the library will rattle. All I need is a candle to gutter and flicker and throw grotesque shadows upon the walls.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

muffin tins

Pi(e) Day was last week, and I made little mini-pies (muffins!) to bring in to work to our Pi Day celebration. And since I had the muffin tins out, I also made a batch of oatmeal cakes to bring to a co-worker for her birthday, and then extra mini-pies for eating through-out the week as a snack. I am tired of washing those muffin tins. I realized as I was washing them (again, again, again) this morning that I really dislike muffin tins. Even when the little paper cups are used, there's always some crumbles that get on the tin, and you have to wash each and every cup. I'm going back to the one big pie plate for a while. So much easier to wash. ;)

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

surrounded!

Still at the library tonight! I've been catching up on old e-mails. I just took a break to stretch and see what time it was, and looked over at the shelf of books just next to me. The first few titles that caught my eye were very romantic-seeming! And then, my attention drifted to the others, and I remembered I was in the general fiction section. So many excellent titles! They grab for my attention, and if I weren't busy, I would start leafing through them, and gathering a stack to take home. But not tonight -- I have too many other duties to which I must attend. But, I will be back, soon.

creepy wind outside tonight

I'm sitting in the library for a few hours this evening, and it is one of those old-style libraries. The ceiling is very high, the windows are tall with the old-style panes that rattle in the wind, and it is growing dark outside. I can hear the wind blustering about outside, like a prowling animal, and it keeps rattling the window panes. But never all of them at once. I can hear the windows jutter in a row, as the wind sweeps down the side of the building. It is really giving me the creeps!

Monday, March 17, 2014

idle wondering: typing

I know school time is limited, and schools must gear learning to what will be the most useful for the students as they get out into the world, but I was wondering about typing. Handwriting has been dropped by most (if not all) schools, to be replaced by computer-time. Are there still actual typing classes? I took a year of touch-typing when back when (years and years and so many years), and when I was in the midst of it, I could get a good 30+ words/minute going. Is the touch-typing incidental, is it all done with computer programs? (I did some of those, too. Okay, maybe it wasn't really that long ago.) Or do the kids specifically have time that is devoted to learning to touch-type? It seems so retro!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

awesome things

I love when a story idea I've set aside because it is missing an element suddenly has that element turn up. I was listening to the radio today, and there was a program on discussing banjo playing with some musicians, and some absolutely stunning banjo music, and I realize, oh, yes, that could fix so many problems in that little idea I had a while back. So awesome! It just needs to hold a little while. I have to do some very serious editing on that lovely wedding story that I've got coming out in May/June. Edits have deadlines, and there's no fooling about with that! As usual, it is feast or famine!