Wordsmithery Space

Human At Work.

Tag: Relocation Update

  • Happenings

    A few things are new, some of which I will mention here.

    If you have never read a book by Peng Shepherd, run out and get “The Cartographers” today. What a fantastic, imaginative book! It never ceases to amaze me the talent of authors to come up with entirely different ideas for a book. When I try to come up with an idea to base a story/poem on, nothing much happens.

    I have become unhappy with my lack of writing expertise. I presume to write poetry, but I have no idea about many things related to the craft. I am currently using a phrase to show how much I enjoy writing poetry — “it is like pulling teeth.” The same could be said about writing fiction stories.

    I have signed up for a poetry class. It is online. I paid for it, so the quality of the curriculum is bound to be much better than trolling free writing sites. The instructor, or as she calls herself, “the Tutor,” is a learned writer of many years with multiple high-level degrees. The class is in seven modules and includes a 99-page workbook. I have high hopes for this. Tomorrow I am going to purchase printer paper so I can print the workbook out and get started.

    This past week, I attended a writing “Salon” for the first time. I could explain it in great detail (but why?), or a better idea is you can check it out at The Narrative Method. It is open to anyone on the planet. During a Zoom meeting, writing prompts are supplied. You write to the prompts (or not to the prompts), then writers meet in small groups to read their work — no praise, no criticism. You get to meet and interact with strangers for about an hour at a scheduled time (sign up via the website). It was fun, freeing in a way. I am going to make it a habit twice a week on Monday and Tuesday. They currently offer times on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. I may see you there!

    We are still stuck in limbo. Our home in Virginia has not sold since we moved here to Idaho over two months ago. We have issued a decree that if the house doesn’t sell with all funds disbursed by the 29th of this month, we will void the contract and hire someone else to finish the deal. We’re tired of sitting in lawn chairs and sleeping on the floor.

    My Mom’s cat died. Please say a prayer for her, she is having a bad time of it since her favorite son moved to Idaho — and now her cat died.

    Peace.

    Kevin

  • It Seems Like…

    …Everyone Is A Scammer

    Or a scammer in training. Or maybe I just haven’t been paying attention. I myself got scammed through Etsy one day a year or so ago. I was stupid and didn’t realize what was happening until I sent my credit card information to the perpetrators.

    I was pissed off — mostly at myself. I cancelled my card immediately and contested the charge. I was lucky. I got my money back in a week or two. But I guess it has had an effect as I pretty much look up EVERYTHING and EVERYONE before trusting anybody now.

    I want to exercise more, but just going to the gym and pretending I know what I am doing doesn’t work — doesn’t achieve any goals. I am going to hire a personal trainer to get me straight, but for the moment there is not a lot of discretionary money.

    So I am waiting.

    I was invited by Master Lee (several times) to do Tai Chi.

    Short digression — I can’t believe I had to look up the spelling for Tai Chi, after all the Matais I drank in my previous life. Tai…

    So it looked good. I filled out some forms, answered some questions, and they created an exercise plan just for me.

    Cool.

    But before offering up my financial information, I looked it up. Turns out it doesn’t matter if the training works. The biggest problem has to do with them charging money even when you 1) haven’t given them permission, and 2) even while you are trying to figure out how to cancel the service.

    I suppose I am singling out Master Lee, but there are others — all of whom suffer from the same financial indiscretions that will keep me away. I guess I will just wait until I can afford the trainer at the YMCA.

    It isn’t just exercise. I get ads for “free” books. I just need to pay for “shipping and handling.” Hello??? Then it isn’t free, is it?

    I like the places where calligraphers will create a custom signature for you. My signature is horrid. They advertised a “sale price” of $39. Okay, I can do $39. I went through all the forms and gave them my email address and other personal (non-financial) information. Looking pretty cool!

    But you have to pay in advance. I can understand that. It doesn’t make me happy, but I understand.

    On the “checkout” screen(s), I found out that there was a charge for $39, plus several other charges for whatever, I forget what for. Turns out the $39 sale comes to somewhere in the vicinity of $100.

    Sorry. Goodbye. Email blocked. I won’t be able to get my signature (yet). Once our house sells, I will probably do it, but not now.

    I will say that we have been buying a lot of things for our new house since we downsized, and our belongings are still in storage in South Carolina while we wait for the house to sell. We outfitted our office with two desks, two chairs, two file cabinets, and lamps. Plus, we needed other items while we wait to get our furniture out of storage.

    We found a lady an hour away that sells ceiling fans for half-price. Have purchased four of them, now we have ceiling fans everywhere!

    I guess I will stop now. I just wanted to write something here before too many more days pass. I am getting back into writing and I have been practicing my mandolin more, getting ready for (hopefully) lessons (not online).

    Peace.

    Kevin