IWSG Jan 2023 Ready, Set, Steadfast!

 Welcome readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!

We’re glad you’re here! It's the First Wednesday of the month; when we celebrate IWSG Day in the form of a blog hop featuring all of the members of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh (Thank you, Captain!) and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a comfortable place to share views and literary news from our perspective writing desks as we record our journeys. Check out the January newsletter here

Our awesome co-hosts this month are:   Jemima Pett, Debs Carey, Kim Lajevardi, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and T. Powell Coltrin!   Feel free to hop around and say hello to everyone!

The optional question for this month is: Do you have a word of the year? Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? For instance, in 2021 my word of the year was Finish. I was determined to finish my first draft by the end of the year. In 2022, my word of the year was Ease. I want to get my process, systems, finances, and routines where life flows with ease and less chaos. What is your word for 2023? 

What a great question! The first word that came to mind even as I read the question was “Finish.” But I’ve already used it. The term “Satori” has been on my mind for months on end. It roughly translates to “sudden enlightenment”. This time next year, I’d like to be able to tell you I had it this year;-) Therefore, my word for 2023 is Steadfast because that’s what I’ll need to be in order to achieve at least a couple of the goals I’ve set. Ready, Set, Go!

In honor of Trivia Day, here are a few literary fun facts:

Charles Dickens actively practiced hypnosis, most notably on his wife (mother of their ten children) whenever she got one of her frequent headaches. However, he himself refused to be put into a trance.

Regrettably, Stephen King doesn’t remember writing “Cujo”. Fortunately, Mr. King has since parted ways with the memory-thieving genie in a bottle ;-)

No one could have guessed that Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” would one day inspire the invention of the defibrillator. Much less that old Dick Tracy comics would inspire the future invention of the SmartWatch.

Early episodes of Star Trek introduced gadgets that most of us now find impossible to live without, like the cell phone -  with Facetime.

Can you imagine not only writing an epic, timeless novel but also being around to realize it also changed the world?

Happy writing!

 

2018 A - Z Challenge - X

X     Things We Appreciate

Xcaret (meaning small inlet), Mexico is located off the Caribbean coastline of the Yucatan peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. The above-ground area was home to the pre-Columbia Mayans, whose sudden disappearance remains steeped in supposition today.  And while archeologists continue digging and scientists keep researching, tourists arrive in droves each year to view the numerous archeological ruin sites by way of magnificent underground waterways called cenotes (sacred well). Dos Ojos (two eyes) is known as one of the most elaborate diving sites as well as (possibly) one of the most extensive underwater cave systems in the world.

The Xylophone is a percussion instrument made of wood (typically rosewood) bars which, when rapped with a rubber mallet create a rich melodic sound, deeper than the higher pitch sound of an instrument constructed of metal bars. The xylophone is a transposing instrument, meaning its written notes are one octave below the actual sounding notes. Xylophones are commonly used in music training classes for children, as they also learn to combine movement, singing, and speech. Fun fact: The sound of Fred Flintstone’s twinkling toes while bowling is that of a Xylophone.

As long as it doesn’t involve air travel, I appreciate X-Ray machines and techniques. After all, the concept revolutionized the treatment of Tuberculosis and is useful in a variety of professions, in addition to curative and homeopathic treatment. The introduction of the X-Ray by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895 was not only favorably and widely accepted, but it was also put to use by European surgeons within weeks of its inception. Then, it became a fad. No kidding. Smaller versions of the original were showing up in shoe stores and at carnivals and children’s birthday parties. It wasn’t until 1904 when Thomas Edison’s assistant Clarence Dally, died of skin cancer for having worked with the equipment extensively, that people began to consider the serious impact of the new technology. For instance, it can also cure cancer – with correct application ;-)

Have an X-tra Special Day!

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter X?

2018 A - Z Challenge - V

V    Things We Appreciate

The Velvet Hook

After an enjoyable walk in the woods with his dog, George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, found dozens of cockleburs firmly attached to his pants and in the fur of his dog. Curiosity led the engineer to his microscope where an idea began to form. Fourteen years of trial and error later, Mestral had perfected a way to replicate the sticky power of burrs and patented it (1956) under the name of Velcro, a combination of two French words: Velour (velvet) and Crochet (hook) nylon sewn under infrared light– Who knew?  

A Vignette:

It was right after Violet watched Gregory Peck ride off with Audrey Hepburn at the helm of a zippy little scooter through the cobblestone streets of Rome, that she, Violet, decided to dust off that Vintage Vespa she had in the garage and go somewhere. Anywhere would do, Anywhere besides her own Veranda with a View she’d somehow lost interest in.

She’d read in the Sunday paper of a singing Vaquero who entertained patrons at the Farmer’s Market. It seemed as good a destination as any. With a burst of renewed Vitality, Violet donned her finest Victorian blouse, swallowed a shot of Vermouth and sped down the hill toward the market.

Approaching a large display of Vegetables at a Velocity that sent patrons scrambling for safety, Violet recalled something of Vital importance: her brakes hadn’t worked in years. 

 

Happy V Day!

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter V?

2018 A - Z Challenge - H

H         Things We Appreciate

Daily temperatures are already high enough to cause Heatwaves on blacktop in late afternoons when the sweet scent of Honeysuckle wafts on a tepid breeze. The number of Hummingbirds has doubled this year and it might be the same for the Honey bees. 

At least, I hope they are Honey Bees. If not, in honor of Home Improvement Month, I’ll have them removed while I hide inside; replacing the kitchen faucet ;-)

Or, perhaps I’ll just go exploring…

The Hubbell Trading Post was established in 1876 at the foot of the Defiance Plateau in the small settlement of Ganado, Arizona. John Lorenzo Hubbell (later called “Don”, a term of respect) purchased the trading post after the Navajo returned home from the “Long Walk” and through his knowledge of the culture and demand for fine craftsmanship, became known as the foremost Navajo Trader of his time.  Don Lorenzo is said to be the only Caucasian buried on Navajo land. Property of the National Park System, the Hubbell Trading Post is still open for business and daily tours are offered of the original homestead, built by Hubbell himself.

In 1919, the mining equipment and industrial safety firm of E.D. Bullard patented a protective cap they called the “Hard-boiled Hat”. That same year, Bullard was commissioned by the US Navy to create one for Shipyard workers (sometime after which a name change occurred), and usage of the protective headgear became widespread. Hard hats were first mandated on a project in 1931, when construction began on Hoover Dam. In addition to head protection, and available in numerous colors, shapes, and sizes, many Hard Hats include interesting and useful upgrades such as curled brims that act as rain gutters that channel rainwater away from down the wearer’s back. Some hard hats are equipped with headlamps, visors, rear-view mirrors, and/or chin straps. While not approved for all applications, I’m kind of partial to this one:

Devil's Bridge - Sedona

If you’re into Hiking, as I am, the famed Arizona Trail is only 800 miles long, and as one hardy hiker describes it; you might never be the same ;-)

Havasu Falls is a gorgeous place to visit. The description "Paradise on Earth" might seem a tad misleading as you trudge along the dusty paths in 100 degree temperatures, but seeing is believing! You'll need LOTS of water (preferably cold), and a permit from the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

 

Havasu Falls

Homeward bound sounds nice when you’re hungry for some Homemade Soup or pie, doesn’t it?

Thanks for coming along!

Any thoughts? Can you add to the list of things we appreciate that begin with the letter H?