The Shed 24

a reply to: Night Star
It must have been "Big Sleepy Day" yesterday. I took a "nap" just past noon, woke up almost eight hours later and went to bed again after feeding and walking Sam.
A very sleepy day.

I am glad all went well with Mark although the financial burden puts a slight damper on it.

a reply to: DictionaryOfExcuses
I just avoid listening to it, completely, I can't do anything, so what comes will come.
I am curious though because I work in a care facility, how a "quarantine" will work, if fecal matter hits the fan.
Now how is baby? And your creative inclinations?

a reply to: Finspiracy
Hi Fin, I hope it becomes "A Better Time", this was all I could think of.

originally posted by: WalkInSilence
a reply to: Nyiah
I feel for you, I too had no clue when I brought in the stray last year who miraculously procured five, 5, kittens. how I handled it is for a thread of its own, but good Lord those things are on steroids.

My greatest concern was food. I wanted them to get a good start.
Stay strong girl, they will grow out of it and then into the terrible teens. The two I kept are at that stage now. Very independent and not cuddly at all as when they were kittens, but apparently they grow out of that too and become "friendly" again.

At least when they get bigger they can't get into "dangerous" places.

Lol, yep, "terrible teens" is about right, they still make trouble (just less energetic trouble) and want nothing to do with you until adulthood XD Right now, they're all about the smooches and cuddles, so we're going to enjoy it while it lasts even if they are giving the Energizer Bunny a run for it's money

I realized I didn't say what type of plecos we actually got when I posted, they're Bristlenose plecos, the kind that looks like they have octopus tentacles hanging off their faces when they're grown. The plecos you see in (reputable) pet/fish shops are usually juvenile Bristlenoses that haven't grown the tentacles/face fingers/whatever yet. We have the common spotted brown Bristlenose with white-tipped fins, and a semi-common albino Bristlenose.

They're also part of the catfish family, so now that we have them, we are definitely done with the catfish types. All bottom feeders tend to poop more and funk up a tank faster than other fish, so we have to keep that in mind to not make the tank a pain in the ass to manage. If I wanted that, I'd fill it with goldfish, lol, they're filthy poopers.

I figured I should make the distinction, since I said "common" before, but wanted to make sure knowledgeable folks know I didn't get a big-C Common Pleco, which can grow to two (two!!) feet in length

We did find a variety of guppies that hubby is in LOVE with the looks of, their tails have orange and red to contrast white-ish bodies, they look like they have flaming tails. BEAUTIFUL fish. I think we'll be going with those for the top-level swimmers, since the loaches, catfish and plecos are bottom swimmers, and the tetras are mid-level swimmers. We don't want to crowd the swim levels with too many fish that prefer that space, so now we just need some at the top of the tank. These guppies might end up being it, they're lookers. I think they were called Dragon Tail guppies? I'd have to ogle that tank's label again, but boy, they sure were pretty.

a reply to: Nyiah

Just popped in quickly to leave this video. I used to have fancy guppies and they were beautiful!



Okay, movie time now.

originally posted by: WalkInSilence
a reply to: DictionaryOfExcuses
I just avoid listening to it, completely, I can't do anything, so what comes will come.

I admire your stoicism. That's what I would call it, anyways. Have you always been like that, or would you say that your life experiences have tempered your expectations?

I am curious though because I work in a care facility, how a "quarantine" will work, if fecal matter hits the fan.

Working in such a place I'd think you've seen at least a little poo hit something.

Now how is baby?

Beautiful. She will be 6 months old in a little over a week. She's getting plenty of tummy time, during which she's gotten good at rolling over, turning around, and scooting backwards. From time to time I strum guitar for her: sometimes to calm her down and put her to sleep, sometimes to entertain or energize her. She seems to like E major the best. I have helped her "strum" some chords, which makes her smile. Her smile reminds me of my grandmother's.

And your creative inclinations?

I circling many projects, large and small. As soon as I can peel away from the doomthreads and get back to work, I have PLENTY to do. My most recent achievements are:

• Completing my short story by the deadline for the most recent writing "contest".
  
• (Sufficiently) completing my song in time to perform it at the community "talent show". (I am going to revise it before producing a recording of it.)
  
• Coming up with ideas for, and producing, SNL-style spoof commercials for an album project.
  

I cannot over-emphasize how big of an achievement it was to meet the two deadlines as I can be very distractable a lot of the time.

I don't fully understand creativity or the creative process yet. As to the former, I don't know what makes me utterly obsessed with telling stories. As to the latter, it sometimes seems that I will never understand the flow of it. Riding the ups and downs. There are times when ideas seem to simply come to me and it all seems so easy and "meant to be", as if I were made for writing and writing for me; and there are other times when I think I'm too horribly uneducated, unskilled, and inadequate. The emotions accompanying either state--euphoria, confidence, and certainy on the one hand; doubt, despair, and self-loathing on the other--while diametrically-opposing, feel totally real. I sometimes wish I could rise above it, to an objective view of what I'm actually good at, and skip the emotional roller coaster ride.

I see reflections of myself in my 8 year old daughter. Today, she was drawing while I was cooking dinner. She began sobbing, so I set down my spatula to check on her. Asking her what was bothering her, she said she was trying to draw a fairy, but that she "can't even do simple wings right". It broke my heart to see her crying like that because I know that type of suffering...I practically live there. It's the suffering of the hypersenstitive, artistic, temperamental, perfectionist...just as there's types of pain I will never understand, most folks don't understand this. I don't want my baby girl to hate herself and punish herself like me.

a reply to: DictionaryOfExcuses

For your 8 year old Daughter from her Elvin Auntie.

a reply to: DictionaryOfExcuses

I love how you strum the guitar for your baby girl.

There are times when ideas seem to simply come to me and it all seems so easy and "meant to be", as if I were made for writing and writing for me; and there are other times when I think I'm too horribly uneducated, unskilled, and inadequate. The emotions accompanying either state--euphoria, confidence, and certainy on the one hand; doubt, despair, and self-loathing on the other--while diametrically-opposing, feel totally real. I sometimes wish I could rise above it, to an objective view of what I'm actually good at, and skip the emotional roller coaster ride.

Stop being so hard on yourself. There is no need to be. You sound like a wonderful man to me, why hate yourself?

a reply to: WalkInSilence

Hi Hun!
Sorry I missed you last night.

Today poor Mark was waiting out in the cold for his ride to arrive and the driver was late. Then he goes to get his dialysis and the nurse #ed up, his arm swelled right up and they had to send him home. He waited a long time for his ride again.

He was up before 5 AM and resting now.

I think I'll just stay in the Shed to avoid the adventures for a while.

a reply to: Night Star
Sorry I missed you too.
That is harsh for Mark and you must be worried sick. WIS Hugs.

I have been crying like a baby the past hour or so listening to various pieces from these marvelous singers I just "ran over" their voices, the lyrics...
www.ucdchoralscholars.ie...

And then I found this
This one is a sort of lullaby.
I do prefer this version, enchanted but hard to understand
Sleep well one and all, you are much loved.

originally posted by: DictionaryOfExcuses

First I will say thank you for asking.

I admire your stoicism. That's what I would call it, anyways. Have you always been like that, or would you say that your life experiences have tempered your expectations?

Stoic, hmmm, I wish I could make that claim. Driving in a blizzard, in imminent danger from a tornado, thinking of a future I can't control, my animals or friends suffering or among hostile people I am quivering rabbit
But in a raging storm at sea I would be stoic and facing the possibility of this "thing" I am indifferent.

Working in such a place I'd think you've seen at least a little poo hit something.

Ha Ha very funny, I am the head cook so the worst poo I see are other peoples fecal attitudes. And there is plenty of that. People always bring their "dirty laundry" to work.

What a wonderful account of how you are faring. Baby Doe sounds like a darling six month old. Teach her all you can, they are sponges at that age.
You and your 8 year old. I don't think we value vulnerability and creativity properly. Yes she is frustrated but you are there with your unique experience to guide her. You can help her grow into this chaos we call life. Because you have walked the walk.

Creative process. Perhaps what ever our obsession is a path where we can be fulfilled. I prefer terms such as yearning, longing, compelled, to obsession.
Cherish it nourish it and for Gods sake don't "Cast pearls to swine".
An obsession steels away our autonomy.

I can't say I "understand" your pain, but I do comprehend an unyielding passion, that carves out my heart. Cherish that too, it is you.
Thank you for sharing so vividly.
WIS hugs

a reply to: Nyiah
I love how enthusiastic you are about what ever you put your mind to. You don't just have fish you have a science project, I find that admirable. And educational for me.

Pics please, There Will Be Dragon Tails

Sorry to poo poo every ones mood, but I am in a crappy place.
Work tomorrow. But I am still exhausted after last weekend.

We have enforced payment for food for employees and I get the brunt of their discontent. They put me on silent treatment, for three days. And once told me to stop talking. That weekend crew was bad before, but now. I started crying twice.
My morning aide never says a word to me, barely Good morning, never asks how I am. She is an entitled little princess, who rather hangs on her phone and just sits down instead of asking if I need help.
My after noon aide isn't much better. I turned him down once for a date, told him loud and clear so every one could hear it that I don't date married men. He refused to talk to me after that.
They both are openly insubordinate. He verbally threw me out of the kitchen in front of every one, after I twice told him to do dishes, instead of standing with his hands in his pockets. It's their job.

I am nauseous. I have to curb my animosity.

Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór (big faery mound, little faery mound) performed by the late, great Pete Huttlinger. Miss you man.



Greetings Sheddites!! Hope everyone is well ;o)

a reply to: WalkInSilence

I have to curb my animosity.

Please never do that. You seem to apply it fairly and evenly, so what is the worry? You are safe here. We all are. All of us. ;o)

a reply to: argentus

That was beautiful Argentus just what I needed.

Please never do that. You seem to apply it fairly and evenly, so what is the worry? You are safe here. We all are. All of us. ;o)

Thank you Sir, yes I am safe here that is why I trust you with my worries. But RL brings out the fierce protector in me when I am treated unfairly or others are. Thanks again for your kind words.
Must slumber now, but how is life treating you?
ZZZZzzzzz

a reply to: WalkInSilence

RL brings out the warrior poet in me as well. We have to save those that deserve it, and hope it comes around when it is our time. When we are put upon by others, we have to trust that karma and the muses of life affect the balance. Sometimes for me, karma takes too [religious expletive] long. Still I wait, unless mine are threatened; that is a different animal entirely.

Be safe and well friend WIS

a reply to: WalkInSilence

I have no right to complain. Life is a great unknown for me, same as you. We will survive whatever happens and emerge on the other side wiser, with a few more scars to show off.

a reply to: WalkInSilence

Thank you so much for an enchanting, magical song! It's perfectly beautiful.
I got to hear a harp player sing this song at a festival once.

I needed something magical and beautiful today. Thank you once again! Hugs!