A daily schedule is necessary for a writer

I have found that I need a daily schedule. I need a schedule tight enough to accomplish my writing, housework tasks, and phone calls, but still loose enough to respond to sudden and unexpected events. I know one thing about my schedule; I need to get up at 4:00 Am so that I can be dressed and ready when I wake Mom up at 5:00.

It does not take me long to shower and dress, at least most of the time. Sometimes I like to take a long shower and wash my head, but most of the time I do not need more then twenty or twenty-five minutes. Then I need sometime to say my prayers and make coffee. I like a hot cup of fresh brewed coffee in the morning.

It takes about thirty minutes to get Mom up in the morning. Used to Mom would get up without any prodding, but not any more. Mom would lie in the bed all day if I let her, but that is not an option. Mom has to get up so that she can get ready to go to the daycare center Monday through Friday. On the weekend, I let her sleep a little later because the daycare center is not open on weekends. I am setting up a daily schedule so that I can get something accomplished.

Afternoon Nap and Writing

I took a nap this afternoon, not because I wanted to but because I had to. I got so tired that I had to sit down. I turned off the electric skillet, opened me a cherry Dr. Pepper, and went into the living room and sit down on the couch. I turned on the T.V.

I am not sure what show was on because is went to sleep. I woke up about thirty minutes later, still having no idea what was on television. Rested, I went back into the kitchen to finish cooking the squash.

I do not know why I was so tired. I felt completely wore out, as if I had did a hard days work. Maybe it was stress or I did not get enough sleep last night. I have not been resting at night, I know because I cannot remember my dreams. If I remember a dream then I know that I rested well at night. Perhaps I need a new mattress. Perhaps I should go to bed earlier. Alternatively, I could set aside some time every afternoon for a nap. This is probably the best solution to the problem.

An afternoon nap
Keeps my mind sharp for writing
Dreams make good stories

I baked cookies in my microwave

Baking cookies in the microwave is not a difficult process. In this case, I used cookie dough that I broke apart. I broke the cookie along the lines and placed them in a microwave safe dish. Then I set the time at 1.25 and turned the oven on. I remained in the kitchen while the cookies were baking. After the cookies finished cooking, I let them cool for a bit and then took them out of the dish.

This is the first time I baked cookies in a microwave. I knew it was possible, but I never attempted it before. The only problem I encounter was the instructions with the cookies, which said how to bake them in a regular oven but not a microwave. I chose the time that works best for cooking small items and heating liquid. It worked with the cookies because they tasted like I had baked them in a regular oven.

I am using this experience in a poem, flash fiction, or short story. I could also use in an essay about my cooking adventures using a microwave. I think the next time I fix cookies I will use a mix. I have a package of cookie mix in the refrigerator waiting for me to mix and bake them.

The Last Friday in June 2011

It is the last Friday in June. The temperatures in Las Vegas have reached the triple digits. The four forty-five air conditioning in my car does not keep me cool. Unfortunately, the other air conditioner does not work because it loses the liquid. I fill it up or rather have it filled up and one to two weeks later it stops cooling because the liquid is gone.

I gave up putting the liquid in last year because it was costing too much and I could not afford to have the air conditioning fixed. It has been several years since I owned a car with a working air conditioner. Used to it did not bother me, but lately the heat bothers me more and more.

I try to avoid the hottest part of the day, but that causes be to do errands on different days instead of just one day. Sometimes, if the places I go are in the same area of town, I can combine two or three. However, if I have business in different areas of town then I have to accomplish them on different days of the week. This makes for a long and tiring week.

I need a car with a working air conditioner or the money to pay for a cab everywhere I go. Taking a bus does not help because I usually have to wait at hot and unshaded bus stops. The heat tires me out. I enjoy spring and fall much better then summer.

Las Vegas Summer Day

Another hot day
The wind blows through weeds and trees
Birds in my driveway

The morning heat wore me out; however, I had to buy a monitor for my computer, so I had to get out. This evening the wind is blowing through the weeds in my yard. No matter how hot it gets, the birds do not seem to mind the heat.

Another Windy day in Las Vegas

The wind is blowing
Triple digit temperatures
No wind chill factor

The wind is blowing, but it does feel cooler outside. Today the high is about 102 degrees. Every time I go outside, I can feel the heat even with the wind blowing. I am thankful that my air conditioning is working.

Thoughts on the first triple digit day of 2011

Birds stay in their nest
One hundred and three degrees
Tuesday afternoon

Tuesday, June 14, was the first triple digit day in Las Vegas. No birds flew past my living room window all afternoon. The air conditioner ran all afternoon. I completed my business on Tuesday morning and spent the rest of the day indoors. The next time I go to the store, I need to get tea bags so that I can make ice tea.

Angelina Jolie World Refugee Day Video

June 20 is World Refugee Day. Click on the video below and listen to what Angelina Jolie has to say on refugees. Then follow the link to see what you can do to assist refugees.

Afternoon and evening writing in Las Vegas

The weather person predicted triple digit temperatures for Las Vegas beginning on Tuesday. Therefore, I have to schedule any business between 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM, which means I have to write and work online in the afternoon and evening. I have to be back to the house by 1:00 PM because I do not have a working air conditioner and the thermostat in my car is not working properly.

I can get the thermostat fixed, but not until next week. I have to be careful about the car overheating and losing fluid from the overflow. I check the overflow and add water to the overflow before backing out of my driveway. I also check the radiator to make sure it has liquid in it. Unfortunately, I cannot take the car to the mechanic until after the third Wednesday in June, when I have the money to pay for the repair.

For the next week or so, I am scheduling writing, online work, and housework between 1:00 and 4:00 PM, as well as after 6:00 or 7:00 PM. Mom returns from the daycare center about 4:30 PM, she usually eats something, takes her medication and goes to bed.

My schedule is tight. I expect my schedule to remain tight until I catch up. I am behind, but then I am always behind on something. Eventually, I will catch up.

Fresh Cherries in Las Vegas

Scarlet delicious
With pale pits in the center wait
Juice stains my fingers

I bought a container of cherries at the Farmer’s Market last Wednesday. Today I pitted the cherries, put them in an orange container and sealed it. Tomorrow afternoon, when Mom returns from the daycare center, we will have cherries covered in condensed milk.

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19

The third Sunday in June is Father’s Day. This year the holiday falls on June 19. This gives me some time to find a picture of my father to accompany a post and a Father’s Day poem. I have written several poems on this subject, but this year I want to write a new poem. My father is no longer living; he died several years ago.

I have many memories of my father. All of these memories are from my childhood in Blackwell, Oklahoma. My parents divorced when I was a child, so the memories I have are scattered and sometimes faded. I still miss my father; I will always miss him because I did not get to say good-bye. Missing Dad has nothing to do with saying good-bye, but I think it would have brought closure.

I have several pictures of my father. I am not sure which I want to include with the Father’s Day post. This post I have to consider carefully because I want to include some of the memories, even though they are faded. Faded memories sounds like a good title for a poem.

Maybe I will write a Father’s Day poem about my grandfather. Grandpa Newland, my mother’s father, was a father figure to me. I miss Grandpa, as well; I did get to say good-bye to Grandpa before he died.

Late spring in Las Vegas

Birds in my driveway
The nightingale’s song echoes
June in Las Vegas

For the past several weeks, birds have landed in my driveway. Birds have flown past my window and over my house. Sparrows and nightingales sing, the temperature is in the mid eighties or nineties. I think the birds are happy because the May and early June weather has been so cool.

AR. Drone – Round 1: Toxic Factory Race

I enjoyed watching this video. Click on the link below and enjoy watching the AR. Drone Round 1: Toxic Factory Race. This is an exciting video that any one can enjoy watching.

Weather in Las Vegas

Temperatures rising
Will we reach triple digits
Before the weekend

Triple digit temperatures are not expected, but you never know. The weather has been weird lately. A few days ago, there was still snow on the higher mountains around Las Vegas. The triple digit temperatures usually arrive in late May or early June. Since my air conditioner has been out, I am happy about cooler then normal temperatures; however, this is Las Vegas and the temperatures will soon break 100.

Looking forward to a working air conditioner in Las Vegas

No triple digit
Temperatures in the nineties
Wind blows through the trees

It is warm in the house; my air conditioner is not working. Monday is the day the tech returns with another part of fix the problem. I am looking forward to having a working air conditioner before the temperatures reaches triple digits.

Chromeo meet ASOS

Chromeo discusses make a bold style choice. Click on the video and enjoy music and the conversation as Chromeo talks about the bold styles of bands.

Bird Watching in Las Vegas

Outside birds fly past
I sit in my living room
Look out my window

The cool temperatures that encourage to birds to fly overhead, everyday for several weeks I watch birds fly past my window, land in the trees or in my driveway, and then take to the sky again.

The Drums meet ASOS

Enjoy The Drums, a New York City band, as they talk about the sound and the look of bands. In addition, get 20% off jeans. Click on the video and enjoy the conversation and the music.

Las Vegas without triple digit temperatures

No triple digits
The wind blowing through the trees
Keeps Las Vegas cool

We have not encountered triple digit temperatures yet and it is four days into June. I am extremely happy about this because my air conditioner is not working properly. Inside temperatures have reached the min 90s; this is warm but not hot. I would prefer the mid 80s, but I am not complaining because it could be worse.