I better post this before I fall asleep

I woke up at 12:55 A.M. on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 ill. I spent Wednesday at home and consumed only beef broth and water. On Thursday, I felt a little bitter and was capable of driving, so I went out and picked up some stuff, but did not go to the supermarket because I did not feel like stopping at two different places. On Friday, I went to the I went to the supermarket because I had to pick up a few things for the weekend.  I believe I did post a couple of items on writing.com between bouts of sleep or the dry heaves. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I also got my mother up and ready for the C.N.A. to give her a bath.

On Friday and Saturday, I was capable of eating chicken noodle soup and drink milk. On Saturday, I did two loads of clothes and made more post on writing.com. I also spent a couple of hours dozing on the couch Saturday afternoon. Despite a bad cough, I am feeling better today; all though I would like to take a short nap this afternoon, which I may do after I post this. Since Monday is October 1, I need to balance the September books and pay some bills online; so I will remain home all day. I still do not have the energy I had before I got sick, but it is slowly returning.

Monday Writing: Free write about the wind

The wind has been blowing all day. This morning it was a slight breeze accompanied by scattered clouds. This afternoon it has picked up somewhat and is still accompanied by scattered clouds. The clouds are white and fluffy. The decorate the blue sky like diamonds on a blue silk ballgown. True I have never owned a silk gown of any type. I think I do have a piece of silk material somewhere in the house probably in a dresser drawer that I have to clean out.

Across the street an olive tree is waving in the wind. As the wind blows through the olive's limbs the leaves flicker in the sunlight. The flickering leaves remind me of emeralds flashing and sparkling; I am reminded of an emerald necklace sparkling as its wearer dances to a classic waltz. Emeralds are one of my favorite precious stones, I do not care for diamonds, but emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are different and much more beautiful then diamonds.

This afternoon the wind speed changes every three or four minutes. Sometimes it  is a gentle breeze caressing the limbs of trees. Then it picks up and is stronger for several minutes before slowing down for a few minutes. It is a nice day. It is not too hot or too cold. The wind and the clouds make it a beautiful autumn afternoon.

My new computer - Part 2

After I got my new computer sit up and running, I realized that I have files on my old computer that I need. I am now in the process of downloading my documents to a flash drive so that I can work with them on my new computer. In addition, I decided that I could not sell the old computer therefore I had the cable company install a wireless modem.

I can now go online with both computers, at least until I get a new printer to connect to my new computer. At first, I thought I could connect my old printer to my new computer, but have since realized otherwise. I still need to get online with the old computer when I pay certain bills so that I can have a hard copy receipt. My next step is to get a new printer, in the mean time I will work with what I have and enjoy watching videos on my computer when I have the time to relax.

FedEx Jingle with two guys in a car

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My new computer - Part 1

I love my new computer because I can watch videos without  dealing with buffering. I bought my old computer several years ago when I had a dial-up modem and before high definition television. When high definition television came in my old T.V. was not equipped to handle it, so I had the choice of buying a new T.V. or bundling my phone, internet, and television services. Since it was cheaper to bundle the services then to buy a new television, I bundled the services and chose a Direct Service Link plus Satellite service through the phone company.

That was all right for a while, but then I decided it would be more economical to go with the cable company. I now had a cable modem, which was truly high speed. The problem was that I still had my old computer. I had a high speed modem and a low speed computer, as a results, I encountered buffering when it came to watching videos. I now have a high speed computer with a high speed modem.

FedEx Jingle with a cowboy band

Relax and enjoy this FedEx jingle. Click on the video below to watch the jingle and see how you can create a jingle.

Haibun-Haiku: A cool morning in Las Vegas

a cool morning breeze
and a partly cloudy sky
a new week begins

It is a beautiful autumn Sunday morning. I went out to get the paper and the cool breeze caressed my bare arms. The limbs of oak, pine, and olive sway, waving at everyone who passes them. I did not see anyone else out this morning, so perhaps the neighbors are taking advantage of the weekend and sleeping late .

FedEx Jingle with singers

You can create your own FedEx jingle. Click on the video below, enjoy listening to the jingle, and then find out how you can create your own FedEx jingle.

Haibun-Haiku: White Oleanders on the first day of fall

white oleanders
glisten in the morning light
mostly cloudy day

Even with the clouds covering most of the sky enough sunlight gets through to cause the white oleander blooms outside my living room window to glisten. There is a slight wind, just a small breeze rustling the oleanders and the trees. In my yard are oleanders, a pine tree, and the remains of an olive tree. The neighbor next door  has an oak tree in his yard, while the neighbors across the street have pine, olive, and oak trees.

FedEx Jingle with a singer and band

Relax and listed this this FedEx jingle and then click to create your own jingle. Click on the video below to hear the jingle.

Haibun-Haiku: Autumnal Equinox

Clouds hide morning's sky
Birds singing in oak and pine
Sun cast pale shadows

The sun crossed the celestial equator at 7:49 A.M. Pacific Time. It is now officially fall. In Las Vegas, the cool morning is passing into a warm day. The temperature is supposed to be in the middle 90s, but it could as easily get into the triple digits. On the first day of fall, 100 degrees is not an unusual temperature in Las Vegas.

You are Invited to Great Britain

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Friday at last

After a long and stressful week it is Friday at last. I am looking forward to the change of pace and sitting up my writing goals for the coming week. I should also consider my goals for October, but that is a little over seven days away and right now I can only focus on a week at a time. Since next week is the last week in September it will be busy and stressful if I allow worry into my life.

I have too much to do to worry. If I worry then I will not accomplish any writing much less anything else. I think that is why I did not accomplish much this week because of worry; I can change my worry habit, but it takes work and focus. If I focus on the task at hand whether it is writing a blog entry or doing the laundry I worry less.

FedEx Jingle with a robot

Click on the video below, watch and listen to this intriguing FedEx Jingle. You may also create a jingle of your own.

Haibun-Haiku: Bananas and strawberries

My favorite fruits
Bananas and strawberries
A glass of cold milk

When I went to the grocery store yesterday I bought two packages of strawberries and some bananas. I love bananas and strawberries served with a glass of cold milk. I know some people eat them on cereals, but I prefer them without the cereal. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, Mom and I will have them for breakfast along with a glasses of milk and cups of coffee.

Launching The Crystal – Projection Mapping

Setting the benchmark for sustainable building technology, design, and operations, the Crystal is the most sustainable building in the world.  The Crystal is a Sustainable Cities Initiative by Siemens. Click on the video below to find out  more about this sustainable and beautiful building.

Midweek Reflections: Acheiving my word count goal

I have not achieved my word count goal in a week. The last time I achieved or exceeded my word count goal was last Tuesday. I received my new computer last Wednesday and my routine was disrupted. I have know for sometime that I needed to make changes to my daily routine, so this disruption does not surprise me; however, it upsets me. A change in routine always introduces stress into my life.

In the last seven days, I have made entries into my blogs and two or three writing.com journals. I have not made any entries into my Gratitude Journal or my Spiritual Journal. Normally, I make an entry in my Gratitude Journal once a week and my spiritual journal at least every other day. I have to get back to making these entries because those entries help me handle stress and depression.

Last week, when I sit up my new computer I had to move Mom's computer off the desk it sat on. I then moved the desk closer to my modem and put the new computer on the desk. Mom's computer I placed on the love seat, which was where I slept. I am now sleeping on the couch and in pain again, not as much pain as sleeping in my bed cause; however, any type of pain disrupts sleep. This could be the reason I am having difficulty getting up in the morning. This could also be one of the reasons my routine is disrupted and this may affect my ability to think and achieve my goals.

I went wireless through my cable company

The tech from the cable company just left, after installing the wireless internet connection. I am now living in the twenty-first century and it feels good. I believe I will like having a wireless connection. I suspect it may make my life easier; at least, that is what someone told me.

At 65 going on 66, I do want somethings to make my life easier. Of course, I do not want things to get so easy that I become complacent and forget that to survive in this world I have to be tough. I do not think a wireless internet connection will make me complacent.

I believe the wireless connection and my new computer will make blog entries easier and less irritating then using my old computer. I still have the old computer and it is now connected to the wireless equipment, so I can still use it to go online when I need to. Since I cannot connect my old printer to my new computer, I need to use the old computer to pay bills online. When I use online bill paying, I have to print proof I paid the bill for my records.

Every girl has the right to an education

October 11 is the first International Day of the Girl. If, like Fredia Pinto, believe that girls all over the work have the right to an education then check out raiseyourhandnow.com and click on a button to let the United Nations know this needs to be a priority. Click on the video below to learn more about this subject and listen to Freida Pinto and Because I am a Girl.

Haibun-Haiku: Wind in the Elm trees

a beautiful day
wind blowing through the Elm trees
a cloudless blue sky

It is a beautiful Monday in Las Vegas. I took a bag of trash to the garage, the temperature was warm and not hot. I stood in the yard for a few minutes and watched the limbs of the neighbor's elm wave in the wind.

International Day of the Girl

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Monday Memories: I remember

I remember when you blew a fuse instead of tripping a breaker.

I remember my Grandpa Newland griping when gas prices raised from $0.50 a gallon to $0.75 cents a gallon. My mother once told me she remembered Grandpa griping when gas raised from $ 0.05 a gallon to  $0.10 a gallon.

I remember when you dialed a telephone to make a call instead of pushing buttons.

I remember when you could eat snow ice cream without worry about the snow being contaminated with pollution and other poisons.

I remember when you needed a telephone operator to connect a long distance call.

I remember watching a black and white television set.

I remember when there was no such term as "direct deposit".

I remember when you had to go into a bank to withdraw cash from your account instead of using an A.T.M.

I remember when you had to go to a full service gas station to have an attendant fill your tank with gas because there were no self-service gas stations.
  

The Circle of the Week Begins

It is Sunday, the first day of a new week. The beginning of the circle of the week, which may explain why sometimes I feel like I am running in circles. As I look back over last week's circle I contemplate what I can do differently to make this week better and more productive.

Last week I did not consistently make my writing word count goal. I did not write much on Thursday, in fact, I am not sure I wrote anything except a few reviews on writing.com. Therefore, this week I have to attempt to do better; I have to look for every writing opportunity and take it. I also have to made an entry in my Gratitude Journal this week, I missed this entry last week as well.

The wonderful thing about the beginning of a new week is a new chance to achieve my goals. I have a new opportunity to achieve my writing goals and the other goals I have set. It is a new chance to organize my life. It is a chance to begin something new and try foods or activities I have not experienced. I am not sure what new activities or foods I will experience this week, but I do know I will enjoy them.

Weekly Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful

It has been a long and tiring week. The weather is cooler, which made for a beautiful couple of days this week. My new computer arrived and I got it set up. I had to call the some firefighters to the house twice this week. Once to lift her into bed and once into the wheelchair.

On the bright side, Mom did not fall out of  bed. I think what happened is she tried to get up and just slipped to the floor. The C.N.A. that gives Mom her bath moved her bed so that the side she usually gets up on is against the wall. She has not tried to get out of bed since. In fact, she has slept through the night for two days. I also have a device to attach to her socks; this device makes a horrid noise when she tries to get out of bed.

As for my writing, I am getting back in the routine after writing nothing on Thursday. I did not do any writing that day. Thursday was a lost writing day, but it was not a lost day. I did buy a new surge protector and two cases of soup. I also took a long nap in the afternoon, which is probably why I did not get my new computer system going until Friday. Oh well, tomorrow starts a new week and a fresh beginning.
 

A Long Two Days in Las Vegas

It is Friday, September 14, about 4:09 Pacific Time and I have not written entries for any of my blogs since Wednesday, September 12. I got a new computer and it has taken me that long to get everything going properly. I set the computer up on Wednesday evening, but I had to buy a surge protector for it. I bought the surge  protector Thursday and finished setting the computer up Thursday evening. I finally got the Ethernet connected this morning.

I bought a MyGait computer and it connects to my modem through the Ethernet cable. I can also connect it through a wireless network, which I am going to have my cable provider install next week. It has been a long two days. I am tired, but I doubt I get much sleep tonight because I have more post to write tonight.

I am changing the way I make my blog entries. Instead of composing them in a word processor, I am writing them directly into the blog. I am not sure how well this will work; however, I am looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish. I will post more about the new computer at another time, right now I need to take a short break so that I can make an entry in another blog.

Haibun-Haiku: After Tuesday’s Rain

“When it rains, it pours” (Old Saying). This was true yesterday afternoon in Las Vegas. It rained all over the city and not just a gentle rain. It rained long enough and hard enough to flood Charleston Underpass. It has not did that in several years.

thunder and lightning

Las Vegas streets run curb deep

September rainstorm

Haibun-Haiku: A rumble echoes in Las Vegas

a rumble echoes

charcoal clouds conceal the sun

an afternoon storm

I heard a rumbling and looked out my living room window to see charcoal gray clouds covering the sun. I think it is going to rain. I listen to the noon news, the meteorologist said it might rain, but I do not remember if he said a 30% chance of rain or a 40% chance. It is days like this that make me happy I do not hang my wet clothes outside any more. I do not see or hear rain yet, but I expect it to start raining any time.

Looking for a 5-slyllable line with an end rhyme

I am stuck on a line.

I am looking for a rhyme.

I need a 5-syllable line with an end rhyme.

I need an end word that rhymes with sky,

such as fry,

why,

my,

lie...

I can think of rhyming word, but I cannot come up with a 5-syllable line. Perhaps I should just let the poem lay. Perhaps I should meditate and pray. I think I will get something to eat and then try again to find the line and the rhyme.

Waking up my muse

Sunday morning and I am still sleepy. I made an entry in my offline journal Writing My Spiritual Journey and I checked some website for opportunities. Now I sit staring at the screen and yawning. I am sleepy and my muse appears to be asleep. So far this morning, I have had one cup of coffee and ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

I need more food and more coffee. I am fixing the rest of the potatoes, with the leftover chicken. Perhaps once I eat something and take my pain pill, my muse may wake up or reactivate. Sometimes my osteoarthritis affects my concentration and this has an effect on my muse.

Haibun-Haiku: Scattered Clouds

clouds scattered across

the blue desert sky turn pink

at the break of dawn

This morning dawn turned the scattered clouds pink. It is another beautiful desert warm (possibly hot) day in Las Vegas. When I took the trash to the curb this morning, it was nice and not too hot. The humidity makes it seem hotter then what it is, but humidity always does that. It would be nice if it rained, but the clouds do not look like rain clouds.

Samsung Series 9 Monitor for Tech Geeks

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Haibun-Haiku: A New Cat in My Neighborhood

charcoal gray tomcat

in the new neighbor’s driveway

well fed beautiful

We have new neighbors across the street. This morning I noticed a charcoal gray cat in their driveway. The cat was walking away from me and as I watched its swagger, I realized it was a tomcat. He was beautiful and well fed a good addition to the various cats in my neighborhood. Some of the neighbors have dogs, but they usually remain behind fences and sometimes bark.

Samsung Series 9 Monitor for Photographers

The Samsung Series 9 Monitor is the monitor for photographers because its picture quality is better the HD. In addition, the built-in calibration engine allows the photographer to produce extremely accurate color presentation. The Samsung Series 9 Monitor is color-calibrated with in-factory tools. All these attributes make the Samsung Series 9 Monitor ideal for photographers. Click on the video below to learn more about the Samsung Series 9 Monitor.

Haibun-Haiku: Did the meteorologist predicted rain in Las Vegas

is rain predicted

newspaper in plastic bag

no clouds in the sky

When I went out for the newspaper this morning the delivery person had wrapped it in a plastic bag, but there were no clouds in the sky. I wonder if the meteorologist predicted rain for today. I did not watch the morning news because my mother thinks the anchors are in the house rather then on television. It is much easier to focus on giving Mom her meds and getting her ready for the day instead of discussions about people she thinks are visiting us.

Samsung Series 9 Monitor for Movie Fanatics

The Samsung Series 9 Monitor is the monitor for movie fanatics because it has a built-in color calibration engine and produces accurate color presentation. It has multiple color sittings, a height-adjustable stand with a 178” viewing angle, and multimedia display capabilities. These attributes let a person create his or her own cinema set up so that he or she can enjoy hours of movies. Click on the video below to find out more about the Samsung Series 9 Monitor.

Midweek reflections: When is the best time to write?

When is the best time to write? This is a decision all writers have to make or no writing is accomplished. I have found that this is an on going dilemma. This issue comes up almost every day, week, month, or year. The best time to write changes with the events and responsibilities in a writer’s life.

At one time, I found morning writing best. I could get up, get ready for my day, and then begin to write. That changed, so I had to change my writing time. I changed from morning to afternoon writing and then from afternoon to evening. I am facing this dilemma again. Only now the decision is not as easy or straight forward as it once was.

I have no set schedule. The only event in my life that I can put a schedule on is my mother’s departure to the daycare center in the morning and her return in the afternoon. The bus picks Mom up between 8:00 and 8:30 AM and brings her home between 3:00 and 3:30 PM give or take thirty minutes in either case.

The rest of the time, my schedule is usually up in the air. Part of the problem is my virus detection program. I do not like to work on the computer when the program is running. It takes this program between forty-five minutes to six hours to complete its check of my computer. Then there is housekeeping, grocery shopping and doctor’s appointments. As a results of all this, I have to fit my writing time in between the other responsibilities.

Haibun-Haiku: Clouds drifting by

white clouds drifting by

not enough to hide blue sky

temperatures rising

I look out my window and see white clouds drifting across the blue sky. The clouds move in flocks rather then one at a time. It was warm when I went out after the paper about 6:00 AM. Unless we have some rain, it will only get warmer.

There is a slight wind or perhaps I should say a random breeze, just enough to move the limbs on the trees periodically. The wind will not affect the temperatures much. This is late summer and there is no wind chill factor. We could still experience the blow dryer effect, but I do not think there is much chance of that because with the clouds there is some humidity.

A sleepy Monday evening

Labor Day and Mom did not go to the daycare center because of the holiday. The banks were not open, so even if I had someone to stay with Mom there would be no use in going anywhere. The bank is the only place I needed to go today. The only thing I really wanted to do was cash a check.

Labor Day and a sleepy Monday evening, I am tired. Besides taking care of Mom, the only think I accomplished was doing a load of laundry. I am not sure why I am tired. Perhaps I did not sleep well last night or perhaps I overslept this morning.

A sleepy Monday

Is it time to go to bed?

Maybe ... maybe not.

Poetry Form: Limerick – A Poet Named Fred

There once was a poet named Fred,

Who wrote English sonnets in bed,

One nap at a time,

He dreamed up each rhyme,

Then wrote down two lines on his head.

A limerick is a 5-line poem with a rhyme scheme of AABBA.

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Happy Birthday writing.com

In September, writing.com is twelve years old. In 2000, writing.com went online offering an encouraging creative environment for writers and authors of all skill levels. If you are looking for something to read or want to offer feedback, you can find something to read on writing.com. I am a member of writing.com. I login, at least once a day to review other writers, participate in a contest, or place a something in my portfolio.