I installed a corded phone yesterday

I had a cordless phone, but it wasn't working properly. I couldn't here it ring over the television and the battery kept going dead. Rather then buy a new phone, I used some points I had accumulated and order a corded ATT phone. The new phone is a white slim line with a choice of two dial tones and programmable memory. I haven't put number in the phone's memory yet, I plan to do that in February.

When I subscribed to the communications package from CenturyLink I got voice mail. Since I have voice mail, I don't need an answering machine. The only problem is that now I have to remember to check my voice mail every morning, as well as when I return home. I like voice mail better then an answering machine because I don't have to worry about changing tapes or the cats pushing the answering machine onto the floor.

I installed the phone last night because I to make two phone calls to customer service lines. The only time I ever call customer service lines is when I need to talk to a customer service representatives. I always call at the busiest times and get placed on hold for a few minutes. The old phone kept losing battery power, so I know there was a problem with the battery and the corded phone doesn't have that problem.

The first full moon of 2010

The moon tonight is
full and bright, the biggest
and first of the year.

The first full moon of the year is called the wolf moon. According to an article by Robert Roy Britt, Biggest and Brightest Full Moon of 2010 Tonight, the moon tonight is 14% wider and 30% brighter then "lesser" full moons. In addition, to the left of the full moon look for Mars, which appears to be a red star; however, Mars won't twinkle like most stars.

The wolf moon shines bright
on this January night
to its left red Mars

Spring is on the Way

I heard a bird sing
Its sweet melody echoed
Through my neighborhood

I went out to pick up today's edition of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and a bird was singing. Because its song was so sweet, I think the bird is a nightingale. I haven't heard a nightingale sing in a while, therefore, spring must be on its way.

I'm looking forward to spring. I like to write in spring, I write all year long, but spring seems to bring out my muse. It must be the beautiful flowers and the warmer weather. The desert blooms in the spring. Spring 2010 should be exceptionally beautiful because of all the rain we've had this year. Las Vegas has had more rain in January 2010 then in all of 2009.

A nightingale sings
Celebrates January's
Rain and spring flowers

My Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 28 January 2010


This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact nfdarbe@yahoo.com.


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A note on this disclosure policy. I regenerated this policy today, January 28, 2010. I also have a shorter version of it in the description, which has been there since late 2007 or early 2008.

I'm looking for a way to quickly search for information

I'm seeking a way to quickly search for information and group it into clusters. I'm tired of doing research and then having to look through dozen items the aren't clustered for the content I need. I would also like the search software to give me spelling suggestions, especially since I have a tendency to spell word phonetically. I'm looking for software that will let me find keywords without having to enter the keywords myself.

I want software that lets me do a content search of an unlimited number of documents and I want that software to index the documents. I'm looking for a piece of software that will let me easily search HTTP, RSS Feeds, Atom Web Feeds, etc. I want software that lets me query PDF documents, as well as HTML documents.

I'm looking for software with specific end user features that will assist me in indexing and clustering the information. I think I'm looking for something like SearchBlox. I'm looking for software that will give me a high-performance search and let me do a site search, search custom applications, and do a vertical search. I'm also looking for software lets me download a free edition to see if I want to purchase the software.

Midweek reflections on writing

It's Wednesday, hump day, time to reflect on the past week and my writing efforts. I'm doing good when it comes to meeting my word count goal. Rain or shine, I'm writing every morning. This morning it's raining, a cold winter rain that sends chills up my spine.

Spring two months away
Cold fingers on the keyboard
Raining all morning

The rain is supposed to stop sometime today, I don't know when. I doubt that it stops before I have to leave the house. I'll drive in rain today because I have no choice, I have business I must transact today. Procrastination isn't an option this Wednesday, therefore, I will say a prayer of protection before I back out of my driveway.

Cold rain fall gently
My driveway full of puddles
Still the rain comes down

I would prefer to stay home and write. Since I have to get out in the rain, I'll take a journal with me and do more writing. I don't want to miss achieving my word count goal this close to the end of January.

I found a search engine for media files

I found a Media Search Engine. Rapidqueen.com is a rapidshare search engine for media files. When I accessed this search engine it showed a list of the "Last 50 Rapidshare Searches", without me having to put anything in the search window. I clicked on one of the "Last 50 Rapidshare Searches" topics and found a title that intrigued me, I checked the KB/s or MB/s that the files used, and then decided whether I had enough room on my hard drive to download the file.

After checking several of the topics on the "Last 50 Rapidshare Searches", I searched for the artists I am interested in hearing. Next, I checked for specific song titles I like. I am a writer and sometimes I find it difficult to write without music in the background. The same thing goes for reading; I need music in the background to concentrate on the page in front of me. At other times, I just want to relax and listen or do housework while I am listening to my favorite artist or to a new artists or music genre.

I can go to rapidqueen.com and find the media files I am looking for and download them without worry because I know how much room I need for the files. I added rapidqueen.com to my favorites list so that I can go back anytime I want.

The aroma of fresh ground coffee in the morning

Morning rich perfume
Ground bean by bean before dawn
Wakes the desert up

I run out of regular ground coffee on Sunday, so I had to open the 12 oz. bag of whole bean coffee. I ground enough to make two percolators of coffee again today. After Mom and I empty the first 12-cup percolator I'll make more coffee. I enjoy the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and the taste of the coffee.

Writing Form poems in January

So far in January I have written an Etheree, a Cinquain, two Burns Stanzas, and several Haiku. I enjoy writing form poems because I can focus on the subject of the poem. The form dictates the syllable count and rhyme scheme; sometimes it is difficult to get the rhyme to sound natural in form poem. Overcoming the difficulties of writing according to the form is good for a poets self-esteem.

An Etheree is a 10-line poem, which follows a specific syllable count for each line. The syllable count for each line of the Etheree is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10. Once the poete completes the poem then it is centered it on the page.

A Cinquain is a 5-line unrhymed poem with syllable counts of 2-4-6-8-2.

A Haiku is a 3-line unrhymed poem with a syllable count of 5-7-5.

A Burns Stanza is a 6-line poem with a rhyme scheme of a-a-a-b-a-b. The syllable count is 8 for the lines rhyming a and 4 for the lines rhyming b.

The rest of the poem I wrote this month were free verse, which means they had no specific rhyme scheme or syllable count. I like writing free verse poem, but they are not as challenging as form poems. I especially enjoy attempting new poetry form.

My computer froze this morning

The last few days the temperature in Las Vegas was chilly, but not below freezing. Despite that my computer froze this morning. It locked up, I couldn't do anything until I rebooted. This is the first time it's did that this year.

I'm not precisely sure what the problems is, I know it has something to do with the Adobe flash player. I probably need more memory, which means I'm going to have to take the computer apart and take it to a tech. Alternatively, I could call one of the techs who makes house calls. This last solution makes more sense, especially since I dislike the idea of disconnecting the tower and carrying it to the car.

I think before I call a tech or take to one, I'll do some housekeeping myself. I have several items that I need to move to CDs or delete. Once that's done then I'll see if I have any more problems. I realize I'm going to have to get more memory eventually or a new computer, I'm just attempting to put the inevitable off until closer to the middle of the year.

Prescription Costs: A Burns Stanza

Mom’s prescription costs have doubled
And this makes my thoughts more troubled
Because our budget is hobbled
We have to choose
Because prescription costs doubled
What do we loose

A Burns Stanza consists of six lines rhyming a-a-a-b-a-b, with the a rhyming lines written in iambic tetrameter and the b rhyming line iambic dimeter.

Life is full of choices

Life is full of choices. Some choices are easy and others are hard. Sometimes the choice is made for you because of priorities and other times it is because of costs. Today's choice concerns two of my mother's prescriptions, which are waiting for me to pay for and pick up.

The prescriptions in question are Galantamine and Spironolactone; the costs for both have doubled in 2010. Between her bank account and mine, we have enough to pay for one of the medications, but not both. We will go to the pharmacy and get the Galantamine because she needs that prescription today. She has two tablets of the Spironolactone left, which means we should get that prescription Sunday. However, my check does not arrive until Wednesday.

I am placing the situation in God's hands because I can do nothing else. I do have aluminum cans in my trunk to sell, but that will not bring enough for the medication. I have placed the situation in God's hands, therefore; I need to continue with today's plans instead of worrying.

Eight hours of rain in Las Vegas

It rained non-stop for eight hours today. It was a gentle rain it was a cold rain. Every time I looked out my window, I saw rain coming down.Raindrops splashing in the street, in my driveway, rain falling onto the roof of my house and my car all day.

I carried trash to the garage and the cold rain sent shivers up my spine. I stayed home today because of the rain. Tomorrow I have to go to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription for my mother. I don't know if it will stop raining or if I'm going to have to drive in the rain.

Rain falling non-stop
striking cement and blacktop
no let up today.

I wrote a Burns Stanza this morning

A Burns Stanza is made up of six iambic lines rhyming a-a-a-b-a-b, The lines containing the a rhyme are iambic tetrameter, which is four meter feet of eight syllables. The b rhymed lines are iambic dimeter, which is two meter feet of four syllables.

I like the Burns Stanza because it focus my mind on the poem's subject. The form is like a recipe because it dictates how the poem is written and leaves the subject or theme up to the poet. I encountered this form while reviewing on writing.com.

Since this is my first Burns Stanza, I am posting the poem in my writing.com port Prosperous Snow. I want to get some reviews of this poem and perhaps enter it in a contest on writing.com.

Rain, Fog, and More Rain

It rained last night again. This morning I wake up to fog and now It's raining again. The rain began Monday, more rain Tuesday and Wednesday. I don't remember a January with this much rain in several years.

The fog this morning concealed the sharp edges of roofs. It made this section of Las Vegas look romantic or gothic depending on the person's point of view. I enjoyed the fog this morning and I'm hoping to wake up to it again in the morning.

Fog embraced the streets
Concealed sharp edges transformed
The Las Vegas dawn

Freezing raindrops fall
Drive the locals into warm
Dining rooms kitchens

Rain in Las Vegas

On a dreary day
when clouds conceal the blue sky
I shiver in doors

It's raining in Las Vegas. This morning the blue sky peeked through, but it didn't last long. It seems colder when it's damp and rainy. I'm thankful for the rain because we needed it; it's just that gray clouds and damp weather make my bones cold.

The damp weather chills
my bones and I long for heat
three months until spring

Writing goals for the next 19 days

Fidál (Grace), 1 Sultán (Sovereignty), 166 BE – Tuesday, January 19, 2010 about 10:23 AM Pacific Time

The idea is to write 2,000 words a day for the next nineteen days. I lowered my goal out of frustration and found out that the new goal pushes me. If I find myself reaching this goal easily then I will, otherwise it stays the same for at least the next couple of weeks.

Daily writing goals
Achieved word by word each day
Inspiration rains

A series of storms are forecast for Las Vegas

A series of storms, sounds like a good title for a group of short stories. However, that is the forecast for the Las Vegas area this week. Apparently, there are three storms in the Pacific Ocean expected to impact Las Vegas and the surrounding mountains. This means rain in the valley and snow in the mountains. I suppose, if it gets cold enough, it could mean snow in the valley.

Snow in the valley sounds like a good title for a story. Sometimes the weather in Las Vegas can inspire writer. True the late winter weather here is sometimes monotonous; however, this January is becoming interesting and colder. Perhaps the reason it is interesting is tht it is cold, cloudy, and wet.

February 12, 2010 the Winter Olympics Begins

It's approximately 26 days 4 hours and 39 minutes until the 2010 Winter Olympics begin in Vancouver, Canada. NBC, which is Channel 3 in Las Vegas, will be broadcasting the games. I, of course, will watch the games on TV and keep track of them online. My favorite event is figure skating; however, I always attempt to watch a little bit of all the events.

A lone figure skates
dancing on a frozen lake
the crowd is breathless

Saturday in Las Vegas

Another cloudy day
I don't expect it to rain
just late winter blues.

The clouds are getting a bit old. A little rain would be a nice change, but I doubt we receive rain, at least in my neighborhood or anywhere in Las Vegas today. I'm looking forward to spring when the weather gets warmer.

Dreams of warm weather
spring is still two months away
need a vacation.

I want to start a business

I want to start a business of my own, but I have no idea how to do it or where to begin the process. I have several questions about starting a business of my own. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I am living on a tight budget and I still want to start my own business.

Some of my questions are probably frequently ask questions. What is the difference between a limited liability company and a corporation? How do I get a business credit line? How do I file an income tax return for a business? Can I incorporate a business I run from my own home? Moreover, do I incorporate only in Nevada or do I incorporate in all fifty states?

Since I live in Nevada, I need someone familiar with the Nevada business climate. I should contact a professional like nevada inc, because all though I took business courses in college, I remember only two things from those courses. First, they put emphasis on the bottom line. Second, one of the homework assignments concerned an Annual Report of some type.

I want to start my business out properly because a good beginning helps achieve success. There are other factors important to a successful business; however, everything else becomes much more difficult if you don't start off properly.

Writing on a gray day in Las Vegas

The entire day hasn't been gray, this morning I saw blue sky. This afternoon, I saw the sun shining through the cloud cover. The clouds are grayish white, the color of dirty cotton, very depressing. I did get a lot of writing accomplished, so I'm not depressed even though all I see when I look out my living room window is gray clouds.

I don't think it will rain, at least in my part of town. We haven't had rain in this neighborhood in quite a while; I miss the rain. I enjoy sitting at the window watching the rain come down and listening to it strike my cement driveway. I don't like driving in the rain because driving in Las Vegas when is rains is stressful.

Gray clouds no rain
the sun is a yellow ball
shining through the clouds.

I am looking for a Valentine's Day Gift

I am looking for a Valentine's Gift something special for 2010. I want a gift that says I love you; I appreciate you, and thank you for being in my life. I also would like it to be one of the Top Valentine's Gifts for 2010. I want to give a memorable gift, not unusual, but unforgettable and associated with our special relationship.

I prefer chocolates myself, however, I realize that not everyone wants chocolate, can eat chocolate, or considers chocolate a special gift. My idea of a perfect gift is a combination of chocolate, flowers, and jewelry or clothing. The person I am giving the gift to like all of those items. The issue now is to figure out the perfect gift for Valentine's Day 2010.

The year 2010 is special because it is the end of a decade. The last year in the first decade of the twenty-first century and that makes Valentine's Day 2010 special. I believe a special gift is necessary to celebrate a special year and a special day. Therefore, the gift I give on that day needs to be special as well. That is the reason I think a combination gift would be a good idea.

Midweek clouds in Las Vegas

Gray cloud frame the day
Rain in some sections of town
No rain where I live

I woke up this morning to see a cloudy sky. The weather report arrived in my e-mail box and said some sections of Las Vegas received rain, but it didn't rain where I live. The sky clear a little bit around noon and I saw a beautiful blue sky. Now I look out my window and see clouds again. I haven't checked the evening weather report, so I have no idea whether there is rain predicted for tonight. I do know the wind is blowing because across the street the neighbor's trashcan is lying down with the lid open.

This morning I took rolled my new trashcan to the curb. After the garbage trucks came by I went out and took the can back to the garage, which is a good thing because otherwise I would have to chase it down the street.

New plastic trashcan
sets in my garage waiting
for me to fill it.

On the first day of the week

On the first day of the week,
with morning temperatures in the mid 40s
a high pressure area rule Vegas.

On the first day of the week,
tourist and locals alike
look forward to afternoons in the 60s
and give thanks for blue skies
on a lazy Sunday.

On the first day of the week,
no one wants to thinks
about Monday morning traffic
or the predictions of hump day clouds.

On the first day of the week,
locals relax over coffee and the morning paper
or attend spiritual services
at the church down the street
while tourist
still sleepy from last nights show
make their way to hotel-casino coffee shops
for breakfast and coffee.

The 7-day blogging challenge begins today

This is Day 1 of the Frontliners 7-Day Blogging Challenge on
writing.com. I am posting my responses to the daily prompts in More Snow Melt. The title of today's entry is FL 7-Day Blogging Challenge Day 1, with the subtitle of Here There Be Dragons.

Happy Birthday Elvis Presley

Today, January 8, 2010, Elvis Aaron Presley would be 75 years old. When I was growing up, Elvis Presley was one of my favorite singers. I say one of my favorite singers because he was one of about four or five male singers I could listen to all day.

I think I was in love with Elvis for a while, but then every girl I knew was in love with Elvis. I dreamed of going to one of his concerts. I dreamed of going to see him perform. I saw most of his movies, either at the theater or on T.V. I remember seeing watching T.V. the night he was on the Ed Sullivan show.

I stared at the screen
couldn't take my eyes off him
and I fell in love.

Midweek reflections on writing

I have a minimum word count goal of 105 words per entry. My last entry did not achieve that count. The reason was simple, I could not think of anything else to write. I sit down to make the entry, wrote a few words, drew a blank and then ended the entry.

I encountered this issue several times in 2009. In 2010, I have to change my approach concerning this issue. I have to make the minimum word count goal in the day's first entry because I may not be able to make a second entry. The obvious solution is just to keep writing when I hit wall, however, it is difficult to write when the words are not there.

Wednesday Poem

Half way through the week
the New Year passes quickly
time's laughter echoes

The first Wednesday in 2010, passes into memory. Time moves at the speed of light, so there is no time to waste in achieving resolutions.

An author should have her logo

I think an author should have her own professional logo. Some type of symbol that she can put on business cards, t-shirts, caps, and any other item she wants to give away or sell at book signings or on her website. A logo establishes the author's unique identity, so that people thank of her when they see the logo. I am an author and not an artist, so I cannot create my own logo. I am researching places like Photography Logo to create the professional logo I want.

I want a logo that stands for my writing genres. I write science fiction, fantasy and spiritual poetry. Even if I could draw a straight line with a ruler, I have no idea how to create a logo that covers all three of those genres. I know that I want a winged unicorn on the logo. Since this is the only creature I am sure about, I need to consult an artist. A professional logo artist must exist somewhere that can create a professional logo incorporating those specific genres and include a winged unicorn.

I can use software programs to edit photos, but I cannot create anything that looks professional. This is another reason I am researching companies that create professional logos.

I order a corded phone

I have a cordless phone, but the battery goes dead if I take it out of its cradle for more then five minutes. In addition, I cannot hear it ring if I am not in the same room with the phone. I had enough points in one of my survey accounts to get a corded phone, so I ordered one. Since I have voice mail with my CenturyLink communications package, an answering machine is unnecessary.

I expect delivery of the new phone within ten to fifteen business days. I still have to go into the breakfast room to answer the phone, however, I can turn the ringer up loud enough so I hear it from my bedroom or the bathroom. I am not going to get out of the bathtub to answer the telephone because I have voice mail and the caller can leave a message.

On January 4, 2010

All right, not the most creative blog title I ever written; however, it will have to do. Today, at 12:30 PM I have an appointment with a breast specialist. When I went in for my regular exam last year, my doctor found a lump in my breast.

I had a mammogram and ultrasound, both appear normal. My doctor wants me to see the breast specialist, so I am going to see her today. I am worried or perhaps I should say concerned about the lump. I have written one poem about the lump, which I am posting in my writing.com port later today or early tomorrow.

Sunday evening writing

On Sunday evening
Oklahoma memories
Grandma and Grandpa

For some reason, memories of Grandma and Grandpa Newland are foremost in my mind. I remember watching Grandpa setting at the kitchen table rolling his cigarettes. He would sit at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee and rolling cigarettes. While Grandpa was rolling the cigarettes, Grandma was washing dishes.

Just Say No

Daily Writing Practice Prompt for January 2, 2010: “Write about a time someone said no.”

Sometimes a writer has to say no,
to the time stealer's
that slip into one's daily life
the little things
that take time away from writing
or family.

Sometime a woman has to learn to say no,
without feeling guilty
because saying yes
would mean needless sacrifice
in her relationships
with family or friends.

Sometime no
is the kindest word one can say
because saying yes
will prevent the other person
from dealing with a difficult situation.

A New Year is an Open Gate

A New Year is an open gate
inviting the weary into a garden
of potential joy.

Standing at the gate
watching unopened buds
the wanderer contemplates the beauty
waiting for discovery.

The path that enters the garden
splits into three ways,
which path will the seeker chose
on her journey into time.

There can be no turning back
only forward movement
or standing still waiting
for a sign.

Inhaling the new perfume
of a new unlived decade
the wanderer steps forward
and chooses the path
of her desire.