Midweek Writer's Reflections on Writing with Acid Reflex

For the past few weeks I've deal with acid reflex and the dry heaves. This started after I had the umbilical hernia repair in February. I know the problem has something to do with the healing process or maybe it's just the after effect of the operation and having a tubes stuck down my nose and throat. Anyway it isn't a pleasant experience. The weird thing is that the acid reflex and dry heaves hit me when I sit down to write, which interfered with the writing. I did manage to get a few thing written, but not as much as I wanted to.

On Monday, March 14, I went for another followup with my regular doctor. I told her about the acid reflex, so she prescribed the generic oneprazole dr. I picked up the prescription on Tuesday, took one capsule (I take one capsule each day) and that capsule worked wonders. I can now write without having to stop to deal with acid reflex. I hope this problem clears itself up eventually, but in the mean time I will take the meds as directed by my doctor.

My next writing goal is to figure out how to use this experience in a short story or poem. I think every aspect of a writer's life experience can and should be used in her writing. In the meantime, I plan to attempt an entry to this blog every-other-day.

Thankful Thursday: A Writer's January Gratitude List

Today I am thankful...

01. ...for my past lovers because they have shown me that I am a survivor while giving me ideas and themes for short stories or poems.

02. ...for the new Gregorian year because it gives me a chance to review my goals and prepare myself for celebrating my New Year on March 20, 2016.

03. ...for Depends© because they do not show under my clothes which means I can wear them with any outfit I have when I leave the house.

04. ...for Auto Zone because the employees ore polite and helpful when I stop there to purchase fluids for my car.

05. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn today.

06. ...for they crisp January weather because it encourages me to write winter haiku.

07. ...that I was able to write a short story and poem this week.

08. ...for my compression stockings because my legs feel better when I wear them.

09. ...that I lost two pounds.

10. ...that I have an internet connection in my apartment because it allows me to easily research information for stories and poems.

Thankful Thursday: A Writer's Gratitude List

It is the last Thursday in 2015, instead of writing about Thursday's Writing Research Topic I decided to end the year with a Gratitude list. To often, when we look back over the year, we focus on our accomplishments rather then the things we were grateful for in the proceeding year.

Today I am grateful for...

01. ...hot black coffee because it wakes me up and helps me focus on writing.

02. ...the experiences I have had while standing in line at a food bank because they resulted in a poem.

03. ...the second hand and discount stores where I purchase my clothes because they give me ideas for stories.

04. ...the beauty of a scarlet winter morning dawn because it inspires me to write poetry.

05. ...the members of writing.com who review my stories or poems and give me suggestions on ways to improve my writing.

06. ...my friends dog because she (the dog) dances all over the floor when she sees either of us.

07. ...my internet connection because it gives me access to the world.

08. ...the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah, The Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha because they inspire me to write poetry.

09. ...Medicare and Medicaid because without them I would be unable to pay my doctor bills. The ability to pay my doctor bills helps me keep writing.

10. ...Christmas, the stuffed bear that a friend sent me, because every time I look at him I smile. Smiling helps keep me from becoming depressed and lets me keep writing.

Tuesday's Tip: A Writer Should Never Leave the House Without a Good Breakfast or Lunch

Yesterday my breakfast consisted of cereal with hot coffee poured over it. I know that milk is the traditional liquid to pour over cereal, but I have never been a fan of a traditional breakfast. Don't assume that I don't like a traditional breakfast, I do; it's just that I don't want it for breakfast. I prefer a nontraditional breakfast such as tossed salad and scrambled eggs, cereal with coffee poured over it, or whatever is leftover from last night's supper.

Anyway, on Monday I ate two bowls of cereal with coffee poured over them and then I left house (my studio apartment). I went to one of the food pantries to pick up some food. I had to stand in line to get the food. By the time I returned to the house with the food I was tired, but since, I received a check in the mail, I could only stay long enough to put the perishables away and eat a little more food. I fixed myself a small sandwich.

Because my energy was lagging I need more the just a small sandwich. I fixed the sandwich, ate it, and then went to the bank. By the time I returned home I was so tired I could not think. I could not focus on writing or reviewing. I took an afternoon nap; however that did not seem to help. I realized this morning the problem was caused by too little food for breakfast and lunch. A little more food would have helped my energy level.

I'm a Morning Writer

I'm a morning writer! That is I can write better in the morning then I can in the afternoon or evening, the problem is that mornings are when most of my doctors' appointments occur. This morning's appointment was at 9:45 am, so I got up at 6:00 and proceeded to do my morning routine. I ate breakfast before I left, anyway all that prevented me from writing this morning.

When I returned home from the appointment, I checked my mail and found two checks that I was expecting. I took them to the bank and deposited them at the ATM. I then came home and proceeded to pay part of the bill to my Internet provider (I still owe them some money, but that isn't due until February 22). This afternoon, UPS delivered the 12-piece cookware set I ordered last week. I haven't unpacked it yet because I had writing to do, which unpacking the cookware would have interrupted.

I'll unpack the cookware tomorrow between writing sessions. In fact, I may use that as a blog entry in another blog or perhaps write a story or poem about it. I still don't know where I'm going to store the items when I'm not cooking, but I'll figure something out . I ordered the set because I needed something to cook in besides an electric skillet. I don't have very much counter space and the skillet takes up a lot of room on the counter. Perhaps I'll set the cookware on the stove when I'm not using them.

Since I can't afford to go out and eat, I'll be doing a lot of cooking at home. I'll also be cooking from scratch again or at least as close to scratch as I can get. My budget is almost as cramped as my studio apartment, I'll miss going out  to eat, but that's life. Perhaps that would be a good start to a story or poem.

A Writer's Thankful Thursday: A Poem

I am thankful for
a summer haiku blowing
through the olive trees.

I am thankful for
the ode the olive tree sings
to the afternoon sun.

I am thankful for
the aromatic sonnet
of a blooming rose.

An Afternoon Nap Refreshes a Writer

An afternoon nap
a refreshing retreat
rest both mind and muse.

I took a short nap this afternoon. I sit down on the couch and I fell asleep sitting up. Normally this is not the best way to take a nap, but today it was refreshing. I do not know how long I slept. I do not remember dreaming. The doorbell woke me up.

The doorbell ring once. It was a long single ring and it woke me up. There was no one on the front porch and no notes stuck in the screen door. I suppose the doorbell could have been a dream, but it sounded so real that it woke me up. This happens every once in a while, but usually at night.

I think I have gotten used to the doorbell ringing at weird hours, so it does not bother me anymore. I used to worry about it; however, now I just take it as another odd or weird occurrence in my otherwise mundane life. I think I should use the doorbell ringing as part of a story. Perhaps my muse is attempting to send me a message for a plot, which I have ignored.

Saturday's Quote of the Day - A free write exercise

 Performance is your job, regardless of your position. - Daniel Rose  Quotes and sayings

 The performance of a writer is in words written each day. The idea is to write even when interruptions occur. When necessary, deal with the interruptions and then get back to writing. Decide on the amount of words to write each day and then write. All you have to do is place your fingers on the keys and begin writing.

When a writer sits down to write there are always distractions and interruptions. Today the distraction I am encountering is a partly cloudy sky. White clouds cover most of the beautiful blue sky and when I look out my living room window I want to stare into the white clouds that are covering the blue sky. I cannot stare at the clouds too long because they are so bright and so white. The clouds are exquisite and the sky is beautiful.

It is a nice Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas. It is not too hot or too cold. There is a slight wind blowing through the trees. When I go outside I want to stand and look up at the sky. When I go out I want to stay out for a little while and feel the wind in my hair. When I go out I want to take a picnic basket full of food, spread a blanket on the ground, and have lunch. Then I want to write about my short break. It is a nice day to write.

The multitasking writer

It is easy for me to multitask because I have a slow computer. It takes two or three minutes to save a document. Then an additional two or three minutes close and to retrieve another document. This gives me time to put clothes in the washer or fold clothes in a basket.

The speed of my computer is driving me nuts. The computer seems to slow down for no apparent reason and I know there is a reason for it slowing down. The technology issues I have dealt with this week are frustrating and irritating. It wears me out just thinking about everything.

I am tired. I want to give up. However, instead of giving up, I get up from the computer and do something else for a little while. I do something physical like carrying the trash and recyclables to the garage. I also do laundry, wash dishes, sweep and mop floors. The problem is there are just so many floors I can sweep or mop. I do not get an entire floor swept or mopped before going back to the computer to work and become frustrated.

I think I will try to clean the hard drive off this coming week. Most of the stuff on my hard drive I can either move to another disk, print, or discard. Doing those things might help speed up the computer. Of course, there is no guarantee of that, but it is worth a try. I will still be a multitasking writer, but at least I will be doing something that might help increase my computer’s speed.

This writer needs a Knee Brace or a Walker

It is Saturday morning and my right knee is excruciating especially when I sit down or walk for more then five or six minutes at a time. As long, I get up every five minutes or walk for no more then five minutes I am relatively pain free. Since Mom is home today, I cannot sit down for long periods because Mom needs my attention every six or seven minutes.

 Walking is the issue because Mom needs help when she goes to the bathroom or walks down the hall. It takes longer then five minutes for her to do either of these things, which means I am on my feet for at least ten minutes if not longer. As a result, my right knee hurts and I am not talking about a little bit of pain here. I hate to repeat myself by using the same word over, but it is excruciating.

I am a writer; you would think that I could find a more accurate description of the pain. I will have to work on the description, in the mean time I just have to be careful about how long I stand up or sit down. If I am careful to watch the intervals between sitting, standing, and walking the prescription pain medication works find. However, I do need to get a knee brace and/or a walker. Neither of which I can purchase until sometime next week.

It is a holiday weekend and Mom does not go back to the daycare center until Tuesday, which means I am not leaving the house until Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, I will go to the medical supply store to price the knee braces and walkers. At that time, I will get which ever cost less then $100.00 because I can spare that amount from my saving account.

Weekly Writer’s Quote: The role of a writer

“The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but to say what we are unable to say.” ~ Anaïs Nin

The roll of a writer
is to speak for the voiceless and downtrodden multitude,
the disenfranchised components
of humanity.

This is the beginning of a new poem, with the working title “The Roll of a Writer”. I know there must be a better word then “components” and I will find that word when I finish the poem and begin the rewrite, but for now I am keeping the work in the first stanza.

The roll of a writer
is to wage peace,
while the armies of nations
stand ready to
wage war.

I am not sure how many stanzas this poem will have when completed. I think I want more then two because I have more to say on this subject. However, I am composing this entry while fixing breakfast for my Mother and me. The microwave just sounded, so I have to see if our breakfast is hot and ready to eat.

A writer’s senior moment

Everyone has senior moments or brain hiccups i.e. momentary lapses of memory. You know what I am talking about those times when you cannot find your glasses, your car keys or you go into a room to get an item and then forget what you went after. These are the time you scare yourself because you think you are losing your short-term memory.

I encounter one of those today about the subject for this entry. I cannot remember if today’s entry was supposed to be a Writer’s Perceptive or something else. I will review last week’s entries to see which day I composed the first entry on that subject.

When I realized I could not remember the entry I wanted to make, I was frightened. I knew that it meant my short-term memory was walking out the door. However, after I calmed down I realized the problem was not short-term memory loss, but stress. I know the problem is stress because I can remember my login names and passwords. This brain hiccup encouraged me to write down my subjects on my to do list. In addition, just to be safe, I am writing down my logins and passwords in a notebook.

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.

Vicarious Vacation Defined

I need a vacation; however, I am unable to get out of town at this time. Therefore, I am taking a vicarious vacation, which sounds like a good title for a short story or flash fiction. My vicarious vacation consists of reading travel blogs, looking at the pictures taken by other people, and imagining myself in those locations.

I am a writer with a good imagination, so a vicarious vacation is somewhat relaxing. I may not be as relaxing as a real vacation, by this, I mean a vacation in which I physically go to the mountains, the ocean, or a national park, but it helps me get away mentally and my muse enjoys the adventure.

I would like to take a real vacation, but because I am my mother’s caregiver a real, leave Las Vegas, vacation is difficult. I can take periodic stay-cations when I can find someone to stay with Mom. A stay-cation is difficult because it cost to have someone come in and stay with Mom. In addition, Mom gets angry if I leave her with someone else, so I have to be extremely careful about picking the times I get away from the house.

Sometimes it’s difficult to write 200 words

A writer's life is not easy. Writing word after word becomes a test of endurance. Sometimes I am in the middle of a sentence and my mind goes blank. Sometimes I am in the middle of a paragraph and the doorbell, the telephone, or my mother interrupts me. Since my word count goal for each blog entry is 200 words, these interruptions make writing that many words difficult.

The landline I can ignore unless my mother answers and then I have to go into the breakfast room to talk to whoever is on the other end. The doorbell is a little more difficult to ignore and Mom will not answer the door unless she gets my permission (I suspect the "permission" issue has something to do with Alzheimer's disease, but that is different blog entry).

Mom enjoys sitting in the room with me while I work online or write. Mom is impossible to ignore because she is talking to me all the time I am working. I have to half-way listen to what Mom is saying and respond periodically because otherwise Mom thinks I do not want to talk to her. If I leave the computer and sit down by Mom to talk to her, she gets angry because she believes she is interrupting me. Fortunately, Mom repeats herself a lot so I usually pick up what she is talking about.

Sometimes it is difficult to write 200 words. Sometimes I can only write 100 or 50 words. Sometimes I have to write more then one blog entry to accomplish the 200-word goal.

I have a working printer I am a happy writer

I finally fixed my printer. I put two new cartridges in and it works. This experience has taught me that when I buying printer cartridges to buy both colored and black ink. No matter what the message tells me, from this day forward I will replace both cartridges. I am a writer and I cannot afford to have a printer that does not work.

I am a happy writer because my printer works. I still cannot print more then one page at a time, but that is a minor inconvenience. I can deal with this little irritation. True it takes several hours to print a large document, but I will deal with that when the time come. As long as I can print, the time it takes does not matter. Eventually, I will have to figure out how to solve that problem, but for now, I can print and I am happy.

A writer's recipe for Chicken Soup

1 roasting hen cut into sections
1 small or medium onion diced
Garlic cloves to taste and cut up
Basil leaves crumbled or use the dry
Thyme leaves crumbled or use the dry
1 large package frozen green beans
1 large package frozen corn
1 large package frozen sweet potatoes

In slow cooker put two cups water, then add the garlic, onion, basil leaves and bay leaves. Next, cut the chicken into sections, put in the slow cooker and cover with water. When the chicken is completely cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker, so that you can take the chicken off the bones. Now add green beans, corn, and sweet potatoes and let them cook while you are removing the meat of the chicken from the bone. When you have removed all the meat from the bone, then add the chicken to the veggies.

I have no idea how many people this will server. I make this for my mother and me with the intention of having leftovers for two or three days.

No morning writing today

Why do I feel my mornings are wasted if I don't write? This morning Mom and I went to pick up some food at one place and order food at another. I didn't get any writing accomplished this morning, however, that doesn't mean my morning was a waste of time. I still feel my morning was wasted because I didn't get any writing accomplished.

This morning, besides going after food, I made coffee and I returned a phone call before leaving the house. I still feel my morning was wasted because I didn't write anything. Mom and I returned home about 11:00 AM, I put groceries away, made another pot of coffee, read the paper, and ate lunch. After I finished lunch I began writing and working online, but I still feel my morning was wasted because I didn't write a single word, not even a poem. It must be the writer in me, if I don't write in the morning I feel my morning was wasted.

About once a month, I have to get out of the house before 10:00 AM. About once a month, I don't write in the morning because I have to leave the house between 8:00 and 9:30 AM. About once a month, I feel my morning is wasted because I didn't write. There isn't anything I can do about it because I have to pick food up before noon and I want a parking place close to the door where I get the food.

Doctors’ examination rooms are cold

I have experienced the temperature in two different doctors' examination room over the past two days. On Tuesday, November 3, I went to my doctor because of a problem with my stomach. On Wednesday, November 4, I took my mother to an urgent care facility because her ankle hurt and swollen.

It was so cold in both examination rooms we need coats or blankets to keep warm while waiting to see the doctor. When I went to see my doctor on Tuesday morning, I took a ski jacket with me and it kept me warm. We went to the urgent care Wednesday afternoon. I did not take coat in because it was about 82 degrees in Las Vegas. Fortunately, the urgent care facility had blankets to keep their clients warm.

A writer has to remember little things like temperature, if the character is waiting in an examination room, whether it is at an urgent care facility or doctors offices mention the temperature. Find a unique comparison between the temperature in the examination room and a weather or climate phenomenon.

A Writer’s Tool

Daily Writing Practice Prompt for Saturday, August 1, 2009: “Write about a tool.”

A writer's tools are the words she uses;
the words placed in sentences and paragraphs;
the words inscribed into lines and stanzas;
the words that describe a lake at sunset;
the words that express similes and metaphors.

A writer uses computers and pens
to put these words into documents,
into blogs,
into journals,
into books,
but the tool itself are the words used by the writer.