Then and now

15 Jul 2021

29 Sep 2020

This year in July 2022 my hair is past my shoulders.  Long enough to braid a tiny braid at any rate. I had a growth showing on my MRI 17 Dec 2019, had an Ultra sound on 30 December 2019 and diagnosed with Cancer 02 Jan 2020. I spent the entire Pandemic doing cancer treatment.  I am grateful for all the medical personnel who walked with me on this part of my journey. 

Yeah, hair was long enough to see after a year or so.  Thought I had one where all my hair was gone.  My niece did a short video of when she cut my waist length hair so it wouldn't look so strange as it fell out.  I'd had straight hair all my life.  Now, it's grown out in curls.  

22 July 2022

In July 2022, I accomplished a lifelong dream that was rescheduled from Aug 2020.  Yay, ChiiMigwitch to my niece, sister and friend for making it possible for me to see Stonehenge in person. 

I have pictures of that day, though not many.  My phone would not let me take pictures.  I left my camera at the Air BNB we stayed at.  Back at the Center, my phone started working.  Fortunately, Sis took several pictures.  

This is sort of a review of the past few years for those who only read this blog.  My Author blog will have most of my writerly doings which shall include the business side of things as those are an inescapable part of business life.  

Chii-Miigwitch for reading this post.  Future posts will be back to musings on life, perhaps 500-1000 words at most.  Flash fiction?  Flash non-fiction?  Whatever. Perhaps more along the lines of my news articles back in the day. Ahhh, decisions, decisions, and such choices I have. 

Things happen for a reason

A little more about the activities is in order in the event some of things may help you if you get the chance to travel. I've posted before about my dream of traveling to England, Ireland, Scotland and possibly Wales.

I've always read ever since I learned to read back in first grade. Books were a constant companion. What really impressed me was when one of my teachers read "Charlotte's Web"-E.B. White to the class. I looked forward each day to class time. And in high school, I came across a book about Tzu Hsi. I read another book about Stonehenge. By the time I entered 10th grade, I had made up my mind that I'd like to visit England. Thus, was born a determination to go. Up until about 5 years ago, I'd always felt this was out of my reach.

For some reason, I thought it cost about $20,000 to take a trip. To a rez girl, that's a whole year's wages before taxes and whatnot. When I revived my dream of writing a book, my dream about travel to England was also given more thought. I started researching. When I found out the trip was doable in terms of money, like about two to three thousand, I started thinking about taking my mom with me. My sons had already said they wouldn't go.

Well, then she got double pneumonia and ended up needing oxygen at home. Still, I started saving money and thinking about things we'd need. Special considerations would have to be planned for. The concentrator she used was bulky, heavy and hard to transport. The portables only lasted for a few hours and wouldn't be allowed on the plane anyway. She started to give up on that also.

One of the items listed on the Trip Memo was for those who need oxygen. $400 was needed to rent a Portable Oxygen Container. We'd seen people carrying these at the various casinos. Still thought they'd cost lots and they do. About $3000 for one of those babies.

Mom called the oxygen supply company to find out about the POC. Well, they have one already approved for airline travel, it was already paid for and we got extra batteries. The airline's webpage had a Special Needs page and the last thing we needed was the letter from the doctor for her to be able to use the POC on the plane. When we got that part of the plan in motion, it dawned on me. "We can go to England." Her eyes lit up.

I thought computer programs made life easier

I've been working on a blog that turned into a book. Trying to format it for the self publisher. Hah. The only problem with that is the amount of revising I have to do. Something about turning off the auto correct on the word processing program. I wondered how come I didn't have that many spelling errors. And it explains the revision of sentences though. Heeheehee. They'll be coming to take me away hahahohoheehee.

Some of the other errors involve correcting the links within the book. I had it working when I first set it up. Now, it says the file can't be found. Drats. The link is within the same doggone file. How do you throttle a program's neck?

I went to look at the print preview and the chart I used sometimes spread across two pages. Why is it doing that, I asked myself. Then clomped my head in disgust when I remembered it was supposed to do that.

I've been keeping up with my Camp Nano novel. Switched to the non-fiction book I started. Didn't realize that there were a great many things I wanted to say about being Indian. 42,000 words since my last post is a lot of writing that came fairly easily. I think it's safe to say I will make the 50,000 word count. That's the goal for the month. While visiting my cabin for the day, I had to revise the photo I am currently using for my profile. Took about 9 tries to get it to the correct size while keeping the part of the original I wanted. Didn't help that there are now 3 photo editing programs on my computer.

And fonts keep changing on me. Standard font is Times New Roman, which I find hard to read. I prefer Tahoma. This keeps changing back to Times and it's a chore to have to keep changing it back. Makes me think that gremlins are about again. They must have won their tournament and are now looking for something else to have fun with.

Camp Nanowrimo and Birthday

I've discovered Camp Nanowrimo. Actually, I had donated to the cause earlier in the year. What one does at this camp is write a novel in 31 days. There was one held in July and now in August. Hadn't been keeping up with the latest in the Nanowrimo world. For some reason, my second favorite haunt isn't showing the post from this organization, the Office of Letters and Light. It shows my gaming posts though. Must be the ones with the most activity.

So, the idea is to write a completely new novel from scratch. Since I already have a few that need revising, I'm going to be editing those for publishing. The word count one sees will be the number of words in my finished novel. Good enough? I think there's an editing one somewhere. I did that one one time, or rather started it. I haven't come across it lately. I will check it. {there is a forum on the Nanowrimo site with info on editing and publishing. More help if one needs it}

On another note, I decided to put all my genealogy posts in a separate blog. Easier to keep track of. There will be links to sites of interest. I will give hints for the roadblocks I had and talk about finding ways through or around the ones I still have. For the most part, I won't be posting there as often, twice a month at the most.

May I be excused for not posting as much this day? It is my birthday. I'm gonna celebrate in the manner which I've become accustomed to. Teehee.

On becoming an Elder

Things have been rather hectic the last couple days. Sunday was search day, not for my USB cord, for a family history file. I'd hoped to find the cord because one of Murphy's laws {at least for me} is I'll find everything but what I'm looking for. The black hole was not in evidence this day, as I didn't find the file, the cord or anything else I had been looking for. I may have chased the brownies away the last time. Yet, I will persevere.

Monday I filled out various applications in anticipation of my official entry into the ranks of the Elders. Reaching this status is a hallmark, an honor that feels unreal. Intellectually, I know that I've earned this status. Emotionally, I'm still learning, therefore, I can't be an Elder. Elders are wise. Elders understand and teach those who are younger the ways of the Tribe.

I have much to learn myself. There are many things I plan on making time for. One shows respect for those who have earned that respect. One honors those who have earned honor. One trusts those who have earned trust. Each year on my birthday, I ask myself if I've earned respect, honor, and trust. Each year, I decide that I have progressed a little further down the path I have chosen. Each year, I tell myself that I will do better in the coming year. I ask for guidance, patience and understanding, for myself and for others.

I've heard it said "You don't have to listen to them. They're just old ladies who need to gossip." This year I've decided that I will look into this thing called "gossip." What, exactly, is gossip? Why are young people being given that advice? I take into consideration; who is telling me what, and why? I have been told, "Ask. Don't be afraid to ask, if you don't know." Yet, it feels like I don't have the knack for asking the right questions the right way. So, does this mean I have nothing of importance to contribute?

No. It means that the experiences I learned from have made me who I am. The contributions I make are based on those experiences and I trust, honor and respect those who have helped me get to where I am today.

I enter a new phase of my life, one where I will continue to learn. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest. For me, there will always be something new to learn, something new to see, something new to do. I enter this new phase with faith, hope and courage. I will continue to earn trust, respect, and honor as I continue to give those to others. Life is a circle.

That family history file I was looking for is important to all of us in my family. I am in contact with family members who are asking for what I can contribute, and who I will learn from. Yes, it is good to know I have earned the right to be called "Elder" and will pass on what I have learned to those who want to know. {which brings up another subject I've often wondered about. Don't worry, I am done philosophizing for this day.}

Musings from the writer within

Getting up this morning was a bit hard. I've got some more of my stories ready. Thinking about doing an anthology with 4 short stories. Managing time to blog is getting better for me, along with editing, revising those drafts. I'm gad I had that many drafts. Those novels were written during Nanowrimo, 7 of them, 4 were started at various times and never saw the light of revising and one is the one I started as the challenge with my son.

I giggle at some of the paragraphs. Thought I'd have a hard time with revising. The actual story is not a problem. It's the notes I stuck here and there. One or two words just doesn't make sense with this much time gone. So much for the advice of writing everything down. I still have the pictures in my head for each one of them. Yay.

At this stage, all the characters are patiently waiting their turn. It's like a family reunion, the way they're crowding around. I used to read some of the other writer's posts about this very thing. I didn't see how that could happen. Now, I do know. It's fun now because each one of them are their own person and I'm getting advice from some of them on how to rework a scene.

Such scenes in my head means that I'd better get those short stories out there or it's gonna be reunion gone haywire. Hah. I'm sure some are picturing a clash/bash or two that they'd really rather not have attended.

There was this short in a folder with no title on it. I thought it was more notes, web addresses. Not. I'm glad I found this one. It might be the first one I'll publish. It's based on an idea that my mom gave me a few years ago. It's taken on a life of its own and I got the willies just reading it. I thought, 'I wrote this?"

Enough of my musings for this day. Happens to be one of the days I have little time between shifts. That story? It's supposed to be fantasy. I think it's more horror. Maybe dark fantasy?

Transitions [or check your emails.]

Once again the day is filled with sunshine.  Today is much more relaxed from yesterday.  I was in the middle of checking out blogs to follow again.  Lo and behold.  A screen telling me a company had taken over my blog.  


What?  


Tried to get into my website.  Nothing doing.  Password wasn't working.  Tried to get into my email.  Then went to my domain host.  Yep.  My domains are still mine.  Then, spent a frantic few minutes trying to find my sign in page again.  Password reset or not?  Maybe I just read the screen wrong.


Now, I couldn't  get into the password reset email because I wasn't able to get into that either.  Time to ponder the situation.  Not much time for this though.  Sometimes It's a race against time to regain control of your accounts.  


After a couple minutes thought, I checked my domain's settings.  I had kept a copy of the mumbo jumbo that sets up the records.  Yay, those checked.  Went back to the signin page.  Couldn't sign in.  What the heck is going on?  


Had to do some searching to try find my sign in page again. {it's bookmarked now.}  More frantic moments.  "This domain for sale" sent me back to my domain registrar.  Upon signing in, I find out that if you have your heart set on a certain domain, the registrar will broker for you and try to get the domain.  For a price of course.  Well.  Now what?


A few minutes calm deliberation provided success.  Remembered I had bookmarked the page. Sigh of relief, then a deep breath again.  I got into the website.  It is somewhat different.  


Checked my email for the latest news.  A warning at 10 ((or thereabouts) that site was being transitioned in a few hours time.  Then, just a few seconds before my account went nutty, an email "Site is being transitioned now.  Please advise your users...."  


A search of the site's help center showed me everything that I had been warned to do a month ago.  I  didn't understand what they meant at the time.  Now, of course, I do know.  From frantic, breathholding, click, click what? click click drats.  


Spent the next couple hours resetting everything, going about fulfilling the instructions that are now helpfully provided.  So, now I have a blog set apart from my website because my own company had taken over my own website's blog.

Getting a library or Kindle figured out

Figured out the Kindle app on my computer.  It's great.  Now, I'll have the problem of not enough time again because of my love of books.  Dragons feature prominently.  I looked at the available titles on Amazon.  I haven't figured out yet if I can download from other sites.  There are some free sites listed under the free collections.  Went to one and the system was slow.

The best thing is I can get a lot books that I don't have the physical room for.  The house is currently full to the point of walking around the boxes.  Getting to ones I want to read again is tough.  Books are moved because there are eight of us who read.  Oh.  I remember when I used to want to live in a library.  "Be careful what you wish for" seems to fit right now.  

Being able to get the books I'd like may mean getting a second job to pay for them.  Many of the ebooks are under $5.  It'll be hard to resist the temptation of overbuying.   I looked at a few on the Smashwords site.  Luckily there is variety of formats to choose from.  If you have the time, you can use the web page view and read without downloading. 


I have just a few more edits on my short story.  Will be publishing it.  Haven't decided which self publisher to use yet.  There are a couple that I'm thinking about.  Soon as that is figured out, I will be back to posting various items I call random thoughts or whatever catches my attention.  Most likely something to do with the latest black hole on my favorite haunt.  Or... something to do with the latest misadventure with the black hole located in my bedroom that sucks up all my important items such as my USB cord for my camera which also happens to be the charger for it.  


I swear, I think the little people are out having fun these days.  Forgot about them.  Pays to remember such things and keep stuff put away.  Haaahn now that leads to organizing the area around the black hole which leads to getting storage things to put my items in.  Then leads to putting those things in a spot inaccessible to gremlins who may be the ones responsible for items being put near the black hole.  


Hmmm.  They may be experimenting with such things as: How close can they set an item such as my USB cord to the edge of the hole before it gets sucked in.  Or maybe there is another being such as the one that eats socks in the washer.  Hmmmm.  Must ponder on this for awhile.

Another day surfing

Still trying to find out why some of my posts are not publishing.  I wonder if it has something to do with clearing my cache.  I have to do that in order to play my games on my usual haunt.  Otherwise, I wait for 2 or 3 minutes for games to load..


Isn't it amazing how long 2 minutes can be?  In football, those 2 minutes can take up to one and a half hours.  On cafeworld, it can be long enough to spoil your dishes right before your eyes.  On FV, it's long enough to wish you hadn't bought so much stuff.  The game site developers now want me to give up more space on my computer to store some of the stuff so it doesn't take so long to load. No can do.  


I need that valuable space for the updated versions of programs needed to be able to play the games.  The number of programs now on my computer take up 40% of available memory. Good thing I have external drives to store pictures and such.  


I need space to store all the necessary items for my chosen craft of writing.  Those novels can take up a lot of space when revising.  Have to save a copy in case I delete something I might need.  Did that once.  Changed something in a scene, then decided the original was better.  Lo and behold, it wasn't to be found.  Tried to write it from memory.  Nothing doing.


The other valuable space is taken up by antivirus, security type programs to keep my computer running.  I reset the automated tasks in order to be able to play.  Ho, that can be frustrating when I only have a few minutes to get something done.  A lot of the tasks take place in the background and this causes moments of intense emotions resulting in shouted words that remind me of my father.  He was quite vocal at certain times of the year, particularly In January, when the Pack was playing.  


The last week has been full of such moments for me.  Most irksome and what has caused a few calls to the tech support for DSL is the inexplicable down times for the internet connection.  It was hard to be courteous when I was right in the middle of serving dishes that had only a few seconds before they spoiled.  Now, we need to get a new filter or add another phone jack just for the DSL line.  It's always one thing or another with this fascination of mine.  


Then, today, I was checking out some background info for one of my books.  That was at 0700 or thereabouts.  Next thing I know, it's 1700 and time to eat.  I had seven tabs open on one browser.  Tried to use another browser and realized that I was trying to do too many things once again.  Time for a break.  Good thing supper was ready.


Some time during the day, I had come across many books that I had read many years ago.  Bookmarked them and then remembered I have a Kindle app.  Now, I'm learning how to use that.  I need to learn cause now my mother and sister want to get one.  Joy of joys.  Now, we need to figure out what to do with some of the books that we have.   Which brings me back full circle to the burning questions of why posts aren't publishing and links aren't working.  Think I'm ready to deal with that now.  

Only take what you can eat

Being at home during the day is nice.  There seems to be more hours in which to get things done. So...What have I done?  Added even more things to my plate.  I need to remember "Only take what you can eat."  Good advice.  

Whenever we have a feast for ceremonies, one mandate is to finish everything on your plate. You mustn't drop any food, mustn't give anything to someone else to finish for you and  wait til everyone has been served before getting seconds, if there is any more food.  99.5% of the time, there is more.  Everyone watches how much is left because there shouldn't be anything left when the ceremony is done.  I've noticed that most times, just the right amount of food is contributed by community members.  Rarely does someone leave hungry.  

I need to remember this when I am planning my day.  I finally figured out what was missing the day before.  I paid for it yesterday.  Trying to catch up with things I had neglected to leave enough time for caused that incomplete feeling.   Monday's unfinished business was the direct result of taking too much.  I couldn't finish my plate, couldn't pass it to someone else and tried to take seconds when my plate was already full.