FRIDAY STIR FRY - Writing and Other Stuff

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Winter still has a stranglehold on us. Barely above zero today and this weekend - snow, freezing rain, sleet, regular rain. They keep saying Spring is just around the corner. I think it wasn't looking when it tried to cross the street and got ran over by a bus.

So my big plans for Saturday and Sunday - writing and editing.
(and let's be honest - probably some Netflix)

That's my plan, but as we all know, the best laid plans and such. I need to finish a 750 word story for Sleuths' Ink quarterly contest. It would help if I could figure out who dun it. I'm also putting together and editing some of my short stories for a secret project. More on that later. And, of course, I'm still struggling to finish my second novel. That sucker is killing me. 

And speaking of killing, 9 people, including the shooter, dead this morning in a small town about 90 miles from here. What the hell is going on? That's close to 20 people killed in and around this area in the last two weeks. Many of them are being blamed on domestic violence. It is a well known fact this part of the country is a hot bed for abuse. But, I've never seen anything like this. Yesterday our state auditor shot himself. So disturbing and sad. 

My book, Beyond The Horizon, deals with an abusive relationship but at least there is a happy ending. Not for these poor people and their families. 

Perhaps cabin fever is playing a role in all this. Another reason for Spring to hurry up, please. 

   

  

FRIDAY STIR FRY - What The Heck?

"What the heck was I thinking?'
"What the heck are you thinking?"
"What the heck is up with this weather?"

Sometimes 'heck' gets substituted with 'hell'. Same meaning, just a little stronger statement. (I bet most people in the eastern United States are saying it a lot).

I utter this statement after a night of too much partying and I'm paying for it with a queasy stomach and headache. Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is.

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Other times it's just because I should have spent my time more wisely, like writing instead of watching another re-run of Murder She Wrote. It's not like I don't know how it's going to end. Jessica always gets her man.

Lately I've said "What the heck is going on?" because our usually non violent city has gone nuts. In the last few weeks a police officer was shot in the head (he survived but is facing extensive rehab), a mother and son were shot and killed, a couple were found shot in their home, a police officer shot and killed an unarmed man, and just yesterday three people were found in a burning home, apparently all shot. Also, there have been some stabbings and such. What the heck??? I blame it mainly on drugs, gangs and too many guns. But, that's just my opinion. 

So, while we are all waiting on Spring, let's calm down, take a breath and repeat after me "This Too Shall Pass." (I hope)

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Here's to Friday the 13th

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Are you superstitious? Do you fear black cats, avoid walking under ladders or throw spilled salt over your shoulder? 

My ex mother-n-law was the most superstitious person I ever knew. I've seen her turn the car around in the middle of the street when a black cat crossed in front of her. Seems to me, making a u-turn in the middle of traffic was a bit more dangerous than crossing that felines path. 

She broke a mirror one time supposedly giving her seven years bad luck. She actually put the seven year date on the back of the frame. I have no clue if those seven years were unlucky for her or not. More than likely they were pretty normal years, with normal ups and downs. But you can bet when anything bad happened during that time it was because of that damn mirror. 

She knocked on wood so much, she should have had callouses on her knuckles. And don't even think of opening that umbrella until you get outside mister. 

There are rational explanations for most of these superstitions. Like somebody at some point walked under a ladder and a bucket of paint fell on them. Or they tripped over a crack in the sidewalk and actually broke their back. 

But that wonderful woman would have none of that rational thinking. Better safe than sorry was her motto.
And I loved her even more for it. 

Good luck today and let me know if you suffer from the fear of Friday the 13th. 

(Paraskevidekatriaphobia)

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FRIDAY STIR FRY - Bad Knees - Not Bee's Knees

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Some of you may remember or heard the saying "That's the bee's knees." Basically it means, something is great or fantastic.


But, I'm not talking about anything like that today. I'm talking about my bad knees. I try not to dwell on the pain I experience every day because of bone on bone arthritis. I can remember my elders talking about the "Big A" and thinking they were just crazy. Now I know what they were talking about and boy I wish I'd been more compassionate back then.

I've dealt with this for about 10 years now. My doctor didn't want to replace my knees because of my weight, thinking recovery would just be too hard. I've had cortisone shots and other stuff done. All temporary fixes. And even with my best efforts in the past, including exercising, eating really healthy, Weight Watchers and other programs - I haven't been able to lose the weight. I think it's a hormonal imbalance, but what do I know. I don't have a fancy degree on the wall.

Today has brought a whole new level of pain. Don't know what happened last night, but my right knee popped as I walked to the kitchen and now it's swollen, sore and won't bend. And my really bad left knee isn't fairing much better. I needed help getting into the office today and except for one excruciating trip to the restroom, I've stayed at my desk. Of course everybody wants me to go to urgent care. I am holding on to the hope that it will be better tomorrow. (that song from Annie just popped into my head)

I hate to talk about this. Partly pride, partly the fact that it really makes me feel old and vulnerable.
I don't want people to feel sorry for me either. That's not why I'm posting this.
What I hope is maybe I can serve as a warning to others. Keep your weight under control and exercise. You may feel young and invincible now, but believe me, if you don't take care of yourself, you will pay for it.

Don't wait for tomorrow to do something you want to do. You may end up like me, unable to do much of anything. Okay, pity party over. I promise next week, I'll be my usual funny and snarky self.

One good thing - since I can't walk, maybe I'll get some writing done this weekend unless, that is, I binge watch Newsroom.