Home Again and a Visit to Hades

 The sourdough starter has only gone 10 days between use/feeding, but this past week it went  12 days. I was afraid it wouldn't respond to feeding after such a long time, but it was happy to be fed and puffed up my little loaves without needing extra yeast. (It's hard to tell the scale, but these are small loaves from a pan that has four spaces for dough. That's my newly fed starter in the back, in the two jars.)

There was a lot of laundry after our trip to Florence. We had to unload the trailer and back it into its driveway. I still had vegetables in the fridge that needed to be used, so I made a stew, my Austrian cabbage and pasta casserole and some burritos (because I had Spanish rice in the freezer, so it was easy).

On Wednesday, I got the draft of the new book back from my son-in-law, who is one of my two proofreaders. He had wanted me to give the nameless characters names. I'm not a good judge of how my writing reads, and he has a literature degree more advanced than mine, so I complied, picking what I hope will be old-fashioned names for the nameless dolls. Now I was ready to make the few small corrections he had to my new revision when disaster struck! My Word document of the revision I had sent to him couldn't be opened. I still had the pdf of that version, but it wasn't in Word. I could find the document in the folder, but just got a message that it couldn't be opened. First I tried looking up how to open a document that showed up in the program but couldn't be opened, but with no luck.

Then I called Apple and the technical support person spent nearly an hour on the phone with access to my screen before deciding there was no way she could help and I would have to contact Microsoft.

On the Microsoft website, I dug around until I found a link to a chat function. I got in the queue for chat, and in a little while I was "chatting" with a technical support person. He decided he need to call me. (They don't just put their phone number out there, but it's ‭425/635-2970‬). We did the screen-sharing thing, too, and he was very patient. Three hours later, though, he asked me if I had an earlier version of the document. I was a little ashamed not to have told him this sooner, but I did, and I could open and edit it. I also admitted that I had the pdf I had sent to my son-in-law, along with the notes on the changes I'd made. He told me I would need to go back to that version and redo the corrections. I thanked him profusely and we hung up. I hate to think how long his queue was by then.

Here's what I think happened. I seemed to remember that there was an update to the software after I finished that revision. I don't know how these things work, but I suspect the update chucked out the latest version of the draft. (They want to update again, but I'm not falling for it.) 

Charlie is proofreading the new version and our daughter-in-law plans to compare the new version with the pdf.

At that point, I felt I could safely sign up for a month of InDesign, which is what I have to use for the cover. I needed to upload the template for the cover to InDesign, but I needed to know its size. Last time, I just used the template for the Mariah cover and replaced the front, back and spine sections. This time, though, the book is 10 pages longer. I needed a new template and had to find out the exact size. To do that, I needed to open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader. There is supposed to be a free version, but I couldn't find it. I did, however, find a free trial of the Pro version, so I went with that.

My next problem occurred immediately. The software wouldn't load. After a couple of hours of exasperation, I looked for a way to contact Adobe. (I'm afraid I will have a bad reputation with all the tech people if they talk to each other.) I was able to get someone to help me download the software, so I thought I was good. I put in the template, got the measurements and transferred those numbers to InDesign. However, my pdfs of the front, back and spine would only now open in Acrobat Reader, and I couldn't figure out how to move them to InDesign. I went back to my original Pages versions of the parts to the cover and tried to create new pdfs, but they would only open in Reader. The rest of what I did is sort of a blur, but I did manage to get the parts of the cover moved and placed in InDesign. I do remember a lot of writhing and gnashing of teeth. Here's what I ended up with. I hope it will be OK.

I have decided to look for someone who can do the cover for me next time. Perhaps it won't be too expensive to get someone who uses this program all the time and can just slap the parts on the template and be done. I'm hoping to have the book go to Book Baby this week.

I have decided that if there is a hell and I'm not judged to have been a good person, I will find myself with an editing job where the document won't open, software that won't download, a layout with sections that won't fit and will be doomed for all time to have that job to do. My little cubicle will be right next to Sisyphus, who will have been there much longer. Maybe he will be happy to trade places with me for a little while.

Meanwhile, in my spare moments, I took the loom waste off the loom and tied the pieces of Seabreeze together. Then I CO for a dish cloth. There will be little shaggy bits, but I've decided that's a design feature. I may trim them a bit.

I did get to open some mail, which is not my favorite thing to do. I received this nice letter from my credit union. They are reducing the APR by 4% on all grocery and gas purchases from August 1st to December 31st. I always pay off my credit card in full before it's due, but I'm sure many families are not able to do that, and it's nice to know they will get a little break.

On Sunday I cleaned up my workroom, sort of. I will be needing the space for the next story.

We took a walk on Saturday, because it wasn't too hot. I think the mileage was off a bit. I think I forgot to turn it off after I got home.

After I finished scheduling this blog post, we had a shooting in Bend. We were not involved, other than being close enough to hear the shots outdoors and to know what it was. Charlie was out working in the garden in the early evening and heard it. He came in an told me it sounded like a burst of AR-15 followed by several pistol shots. I won't lay out what happened in one of our local grocery stores, but you can read about it here.

If you have a few minutes and are willing, please go to Amazon and B&N and search for "Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook by Peggy Stuart" in Children's. Every click on the page for the book makes it more likely they will keep a good supply in their warehouse and stores. If you are outside the US, you may have a separate website for these retailers. If you have a copy of our first book, Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, it would help if you left an honest review on the websites, especially if you bought from them.

Where's my blog: If you want to follow my blog, go here and sign up to follow.

What's on my needles: Still the Hinterland Pullover (some progress made) and the EmPower People Kerchief (hibernating).

What's on my loom: Nothing. I folded it up as much as I could to make more room in the living room. The loom waste is on the floor. I'm still deciding how I want to warp it for placemats.

What's on my sewing machine: Ready for back of T-shirt quilt.

What's in my hoop: Whole Cloth quilt, still no progress..

What's in The Doll's Storybook: August 26, 2022, "Camping on Wheels."

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Still listening to Come a Little Closer by Rachel Abbott.  

What's in my wine glass: Gozar red, from Yolo County, California.

What's my tip of the week: Getting the seeds out of those little peppers isn't easy, but it's easier if you cut them lengthwise, then grab whatever is left of the stem and pull it down toward the inside of the pepper. Of course, if you want those cute little circles, this won't work for you. 

Where are my books: The stories in each book first appeared in the blog and they are reproduced with few changes. Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is now available for preorder from booksellers world wide. The link for Book Baby is here. The three stories are Best Buds, Getting What You Want, and The Boys Cook Dinner.

Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is also available. The three stories in the first book are Being Little, Besties, and Distraction.

If you don't get free shipping from Amazon or B&N, buy from the BookBabyBookshop, because 50% of the price goes to St. Jude. Other booksellers pay much less. 

Note: This blog post was produced on the iPad and the MacBook, using the iPhone for some photos and some photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for, cleaned or broken. No animals or dolls were harmed during the production of this blog post.

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Go West! Go East!

Well, the trailer rugs are done and on the floor. I finished the rugs with hemstitching on the first night and the next morning and trimmed the fringe to roughly the same length. I've decided that I like having all three of them in the trailer.

They're handy to have, because they collect any dirt or sand that gets tracked in, but they can be shaken out and even washed, if needed. It reduces the need for sweeping.

Our trip to Florence didn't take as long as the last time. It makes a difference when you know where you're going. We got hooked up at the Port of Siuslaw Campgrounds and Marina when we got there. During our stay, we spent the better part of two days at the beach with the dogs. First we went to the one north of town, Hecata Beach, where we went last time, then to one of the parks south of town, South Jetty, which is a fee area, but we were able to use one of our Golden Age Passports (we each have one). Parts of the route to get to the beach were difficult with the stroller because of the deep sand, but we pulled it rather than pushing when the going got difficult, and that worked better. I started the Walk for a Dog app at the first parking lot where we stopped for the rest room, then put it on pause and forgot to start it again until we were partway to the beach. Oops! We still recorded a pretty good walk, though. I think it would have been about a mile. 

Dusty loves the beach, because, with the Chuckit, a person can make the ball go a long way. There is nothing Dusty loves more than to chase a ball. It's fun to watch the ball disappear into nothing with Dusty running after it until he disappears, too, only to return with the ball in his mouth.

Rocky rode in the stroller for most of the "walk," but he got out to wander around on the beach after we got to it. He seemed to be enjoying himself. Interesting smells never lose their appeal, I guess.

He was ready for a snooze on the way back.

Dusty, on the other hand, didn't want to leave. He was having too much fun. He ended up swallowing a lot of sand from carrying the ball, but he got rid of it the next day.

We did manage to wear him out enough for him to appreciate nap time, though.

On Wednesday we took Jim out for lunch to celebrate his birthday, which was in July. He was supposed to be in Bend over that time, but changed his plans because of the excessive heat. We ate at a place called International C-food Market Restaurant (say it out loud, and it makes sense). It was outdoors, of course, or we wouldn't have gone to it, but the weather was very pleasant, so it was especially nice to be outside. They allow dogs in the eating area. Every table has a water bowl, and the waitpersons keep them refilled. In the photo, you can see Dusty under the table and Rocky in his stroller behind Charlie.

I had New England Clam Chowder, which you can get with a salad and toast. Charlie had fish and chips, and Jim had fish tacos.

Our final night for this trip was spent at Three Rivers Casino Resort (still in Florence), where they let you park your RV in their big RV lot overnight for free, just for coming in and registering. To stay longer, you need "points" showing you had participated in the gambling. We stayed in and watched Missing Link, which I had stored on my iPad. I had brought the DVD player that attaches to my laptop, but it was Charlie's job to pick out the DVDs to take, and he forgot, but I had forgotten the pickles, so I think we're even. We hadn't seen "Missing Link" for a while, so it was nice to watch again, and we enjoyed it. (Earlier in the week we watched The Secret Life of Pets, which I also have stored in my iPad.)

We saw a lot of interesting wildlife on this trip, including seagulls, seals and this egret, who was always in this patch of grass. He/she seemed to imply ownership.

The meals were mostly very basic. We had homemade TV dinners for supper two nights, this pizza (a basic Costco frozen cheese pizza embellished with fresh vegetables by me) and some salmon burgers with potato salad I had made ahead of time. 

Breakfast was bagels, bran muffins or cereal. I had brought eggs to cook, but the timing didn't work out for that. Lunch was sandwiches and fruit.

Two of the dolls got to go along, so I could take photos and work it into a story for next week. I handed out a few cards to people with children and dropped off a couple of my books at the Books 'n' Bears in Florence, walking distance from where we were staying for most of the week.

On the way home on Saturday, I discovered this stowaway walking on my leg. I got him onto this piece of used paper towel and gently slipped him into a sandwich bag I had in my pocket for dog poopies. When we got to Sisters to visit the dump station, I released him onto a rock.

I have no idea what kind of bug this is. I hope it isn't a pest.

If you have a few minutes and are willing, please go to Amazon and B&N and search for "Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook by Peggy Stuart" in Children's. Every click on the page for the book makes it more likely they will keep a good supply in their warehouse and stores. If you are outside the US, you may have a separate website for these retailers. If you have a copy of our first book, Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, it would help if you left an honest review on the websites, especially if you bought from them.

Where's my blog: If you want to follow my blog, go here and sign up to follow.

What's on my needles: Still the Hinterland Pullover and the emPower People Kerchief. I took the pullover with me and now have a few inches on the first sleeve. The Kerchief is still in hibernation.

What's on my loom: Waiting for...placemats?

What's on my sewing machine: Its cover.

What's in my hoop: Same as always.

What's in The Doll's Storybook: Pippa and Pauly find a snake in the garden and ask Emil to come and talk to it for them in A Snake in the Garden.

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Still listening to Come a Little Closer by Rachel Abbott. Barely started and didn't get to listen during the trip.

What's in my wine glass: Monte Planus Breedekloof Pinotage 2020 from South Africa. Yum! At least fresh out of the bottle.

What's my tip of the week: I have a lot of trouble getting the tops off of cooking spray, so once I get them off I leave them off. However, whenever I take it with me when we go camping, I put the top back on, so I don't end up with cooking spray all over the inside of the cabinet in the trailer.

Where are my books: The stories in each book first appeared in the blog and they are reproduced with few changes. Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is now available for preorder from booksellers world wide. The link for Book Baby is here. The three stories are Best Buds, Getting What You Want, and The Boys Cook Dinner.

Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is also available. The three stories in the first book are Being Little, Besties, and Distraction.

If you don't get free shipping from Amazon or B&N, buy from the BookBabyBookshop, because 50% of the price goes to St. Jude. Other booksellers pay much less. 

Note: This blog post was produced on the iPad and the MacBook, using the iPhone for some photos and some photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for, cleaned or broken. No animals or dolls were harmed during the production of this blog post.

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Short and Sweet

This week's blog post will have to be short and sweet, or short at least. We expect to be on the road later today, and I'm in the throes of preparations to get the trailer stocked with everything needed for our trip. At least the weaving is done on the Trailer Rugs. Here it is, off the loom. 

There's some finishing to do and they need to be cut apart. I used cardboard between the rugs to keep a little bit of fringe. There will be three rugs. Two of them should fit in the trailer. The other one will have to find a place in the house.

I'll have to figure out what to do with all the loom waste.

The trailer is hooked up and pulled out of its spot in the back yard.

Because we're going to be gone all week, I had to finish two stories. You will see the story for last week below. This week's story will be out on Friday. I also received the notes from my proofreaders/editors. They gave me a lot of work to do, so I did it. As I write this, I have finished the corrections/rewrite, and my manuscript has gone back for a final proof. I plan on doing the layout for the cover when we get back from our trip, although I could work on it there, if there is enough down time.

I had the usual cooking, laundry, etc., besides two stories to write, the corrections for my new book and getting ready for the trip, so I didn't get much else done. However, next week's blog post should be interesting.

As always, If you have a few minutes and are willing, please go to Amazon and B&N and search for "Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook by Peggy Stuart" in Children's. Every click on the page for the book makes it more likely they will keep a good supply in their warehouse and stores. If you are outside the US, you may have a separate website for these retailers. If you have a copy of our first book, Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, it would help if you left an honest review on the websites, especially if you bought from them.

Where's my blog: If you want to follow my blog, go here and sign up to follow.

What's on my needles: Still working on the first sleeve of the Hinterland Pullover. No progress on the EmPower People Kerchief.

What's on my loom: Only loom waste.

What's on my sewing machine: Its cover.

What's in my hoop: Still the Whole Cloth Quilt, no progress.

What's in The Doll's Storybook: In Back from Down Under, Jolena has just returned from a ski trip to Australia and has photos to show the boys. She saw some interesting animals there, which you can see in this week's story from "The Doll's Storybook."

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Finished listening to The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone on the Audible app. It was great! Now listening to Come a Little Closer by Rachel Abbott. 

What's in my wine glass: El Tinto Lot 41El Dorado Red Wine from Madroña Vineyards. This wine varies from year to year, but always a favorite.

What's my tip of the week: Don't wait until the last minute to get ready for a trip!

Where are my books: The stories in each book first appeared in the blog and they are reproduced with few changes. Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is now available for preorder from booksellers world wide. The link for Book Baby is here. The three stories are Best Buds, Getting What You Want, and The Boys Cook Dinner.

Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is also available. The three stories in the first book are Being Little, Besties, and Distraction.

If you don't get free shipping from Amazon or B&N, buy from the BookBabyBookshop, because 50% of the price goes to St. Jude. Other booksellers pay much less. 

Note: This blog post was produced on the iPad and the MacBook, using the iPhone for some photos and some photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for, cleaned or broken. No animals or dolls were harmed during the production of this blog post.

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Ta-Da!

Well, almost. Since we plan to use the trailer again soon, I thought it would be a good time to finish the trailer rugs. I'm now working on the border, but I have to put another bobbin of yarn into the shuttle.

There's still a lot to do on the new book, but the front cover design is done (tentatively). I still have to go through the agonizing process of getting it into the form needed by the publisher. To do that, I have to use software called InDesign. Its logo is a big "Id," which to me means the part of one's psyche reflecting only the basest of instincts, like that of a newborn. It's very difficult to use (the software, not the Id, which I assume is happy to do its own thing), although probably not if you use it more often than I do, which is once a year (again, the software).

If you're wondering what Veronika is reading, it's the first volume in my Goethes Werke (Goethe's Works). Veronika is fluent in German, so she will have no trouble telling us what it says, although the book is meant to be a depiction of a book of old classic stories for children. The stories are fiction, after all. It is what I say it is. Meanwhile, the inside pages are still with my two talented proofreaders.

I managed to make a little progress on the first sleeve of my Hinterland Pullover, although it was a busy week, and I really needed good light to pick up the stitches using this very dark yarn.

Charlie and I have a joint project, which is now more than half done: Putting up netting around the back deck. As you can see, this screening material will not keep out flies or mosquitos. Its purpose is to keep Rocky from squeezing through the vertical slats in the rail and getting stuck. We think he does it because he can't see, but he can smell the grass and wants to go there. It isn't safe for him to be down there for long unsupervised, because there are too many places for him to fall and be unable to get up again, like the sandbox and other play equipment, or under bushes. Obviously, it isn't good for him to get stuck between the slats, either.

It also isn't safe for him to go down the steps to get to the yard. Although he has (even recently) gone down them safely many times, he has hurt himself, and then there's the issue of being out in the yard without supervision. We addressed this problem by getting a baby gate, which works fine. He can still go through the dog door and sit on the back deck or get a drink from the outside water, which, for some reason, tastes better than the water inside. (The little package attached to the gate contains something you can attach to your structure, maybe in case the distance isn't right. I'm not sure. We didn't need them.) 

We lock the dog door when the sun is too hot in the back. He can still get stuck under furniture on the deck, but otherwise, he's fairly safe there. Dusty's old collapsible play yard fencing blocks off the other side of the deck until we can get to putting up netting there. It's a two-person job, because one person has to hold the netting and the other has to put the zip ties in and fasten them.

I need good light to remove the stitching from these T-shirt pieces, which will make up part of the back of the T-shirt quilt. The design along the bottom of this back and sleeve were interesting, and Charlie wanted to include them. I still need to steam-press them to remove the creases from the hems, then attach the stabilizer/interfacing to the pieces. I have a few more pieces to prepare. Then we have to figure out how to arrange them and fill in with fabric.

Appointments messed with my schedule this week. I had a dental appointment on Tuesday and an eye appointment on Thursday. After the eye appointment, I had to sit for a while for my eyes to go back to normal. It was hard to knit, but I listened to my audiobook. I also made a run to Bend Animal Emergency to drop off the rest of Dusty's medication, which we are donating for use by a dog whose owners can't afford it. We feel so fortunate we don't need it at this time. The weather has cooled off for a few days, and Dusty can chase the ball repeatedly without panting or with less panting than when it was over 100ºF.

I've also been doing some online work, promoting my preferred candidate for our new Congressional district, which we will be in after January 1st. She is a good person and has devoted a lot of her life to helping others. We're fortunate to get an opportunity to vote for her.

As always, if you have a few minutes and are willing, please go to Amazon and B&N and search for "Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook by Peggy Stuart" in Children's Books. Every click on the page for the book makes it more likely they will keep a good supply in their warehouse and stores. If you are outside the US, you may have a separate website for these retailers. If you have a copy of our books, Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook,or Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, it would help if you left an honest review on the websites, especially if you bought from them.

Where's my blog: If you want to follow my blog, go here and sign up to follow.

What's on my needles: Still the Hinterland Pullover, some progress made, and the EmPower People Kerchief.

What's on my loom: Trailer Rugs, close to being done.

What's on my sewing machine: Working on back for T-shirt quilt.

What's in my hoop: No progress on the Whole Cloth Quilt.

What's in The Doll's Storybook: In Pauly's Trial, Pauly learns that his friends will support him when he needs to do something very difficult.

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Finished listening to The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone on the Audible app. It was great! Now listening to Come a Little Closer by Rachel Abbott.  

What's in my wine glass: Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2020 from Villa Cerrina. Montepulciano is the name of the grape variety, and Abruzzo is the location in central Italy where it is grown.

What's my tip of the week: My bread machine was moving around as it worked. It even knocked off the box of tissues that were on the counter next to it. I was afraid it would fall off the counter one day, so I put a piece of shelf liner under it. Problem solved!

Where are my books: The stories in each book first appeared in the blog and they are reproduced with few changes. Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is available from booksellers world wide. The link for Book Baby is here. The three stories are Best Buds, Getting What You Want, and The Boys Cook Dinner.

Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is also available. The three stories in the first book are Being Little, Besties, and Distraction.

If you don't get free shipping from Amazon or B&N, buy from the BookBabyBookshop, because 50% of the price goes to St. Jude. Other booksellers pay much less. If you want an autographed copy, I still have copies at my home. 

Note: This blog post was produced on the iPad and the MacBook, using the iPhone for some photos and some photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for, cleaned or broken. No animals or dolls were harmed during the production of this blog post.

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