Happy Halloween

Day 358

Excited about tomorrow. All set up on the NaNoWriMo website to keep track of my progress and commune with others taking the challenge.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

My First Novel...Being Written Soon

Day 357

I have two days to prepare for my write a novel in one month challenge. I have been knocking several ideas around in my head and I have settled on one. I hope.

It will be the story of a young man who questions his career choice while working as an assistant at an animal hospital. There will be up's and down's and by the end, hopefully, he'll be wiser if not happier.

Someone suggested that writing the first novel is the hardest. So the best thing to do is write it and get it out of the way. Good or bad, just write it. Then put it away and start on your next one. Come back to the first one after several months, then start editing and rewrite as necessary.

It seems so easy now that I have settled on one idea. I must be careful though, I have been reading a Stephen King novel called Dumas Key and I don't want the supernatural creeping into my potential Hallmark movie.

There will be laughs, and there will be tears, for such is life.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Too Early for Christmas Movies...

Day 356

Let's take a moment to consider the over commercialization of Christmas.

Last year, Hallmark decided to start showing Christmas movies 24 hours a day, starting on Halloween. This year they've done one better by starting the Christmas onslaught 3 days BEFORE Halloween. Is this to instill the Christmas spirit of "peace on earth, goodwill toward men?" No. This is to sell more Christmas decorations, ornaments and over priced greeting cards.


But in a strange twist, as I was surfing cable for something Halloween to watch, I came across a Halloween movie starring Bailee Madison. She's the young actress who plays an elf from the north pole sent to save Christmas in several Hallmark Christmas movies.

Like the Verizon "Can you hear me now?" spokesman who recently went over to Sprint. The young Christmas elf can now be seen in a Halloween movie.

Now I can watch Bailee battling an evil spirit in The Night Before Halloween, and then switch the channel and watch her spreading Christmas cheer, the night before Christmas, in Hallmark's the Northpole.

Only in America!

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Over 5000 Views,Thank You...McDonalds, Not So Much

Day 355

I just topped 5,000 page views on this blog. Thank you to all my readers both here in the USA and abroad.

I just stopped at McDonalds and I couldn't believe the prices they charge. A Big Mac is $4.50. A McDouble is $1.65. Do you know the difference between a Bic Mac and a McDouble? One slice of bun and some lettuce. Both have two paper thin beef patties. Both have cheese and some condiment, but the Big Mac has three slices of bun and some lettuce, oh, and some sesame seeds on the top bun. for that you pay an extra $2.85.

And speaking of condiments, some years ago when you purchased a McDonalds cheeseburger it would be dripping with ketchup. Just a little mustard but loads of ketchup. I just bought two McDoubles (for $2.50) and there was no mustard and it looked like they used a paint roller to apply the ketchup. Has the cost of ketchup and mustard gotten so high? You would think a major fast food player like McDonalds would get a discount for the amount of condiments they must buy.

A McDonalds an Egg McMuffin costs $4. At the Burger King on M-55 by M-127, you can get two sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches for $4.

At Little Caesars I can buy a large pizza with cheese and pepperoni for $6 (only $5 in most areas).

And McDonalds can't figure out why they are losing market share?

Hey, McDonalds, maybe it's because your prices are higher than the market will bear. Maybe it's a lesson that your competition has figured out, but you haven't because your the almighty King of Fast Foods and you have forgotten how you got there.

Oh well, I should be eating healthier anyway. And for the cost of a salad at McDonalds, I can create a feast at home.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Lite the Candle...

Day 354

Another short day as I plan for my novel writing next month, which is only a few days away.

Sharpen the quill

And fill the inkwell.
Soon, I will be writing.
Casting a spell.

So trim the wick,
And lite the candle.
My new tale will be,
Quite the scandal.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Aron Baynes 'Doo...Now That's Scary

Day 353

It's the start of the Pistons basketball season. I hope they can get to the playoffs this year. From what I

Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes at the Olympics

have read the new owner Gores wants to move the Pistons downtown to the new "Little Caesars" arena.

Only one Piston left from the Joe Dumars regime. The center Andre Drummond is the only irreplaceable player on the team. I don't see that Stan Van Gundy has done anything special as president of basketball operations. He is a good coach but has never won a championship. We'll have to wait and see.

I guess I'm still smarting over the Joe Dumars firing.

What's with Aron Baynes hairdo? Is that for Halloween because that's SCARY! Nope that's his everyday 'do. Those fashion conscious, trend setting Australians. Can you say "intimidation"? Sure. I knew you could.

Good luck Pistons.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Who Is David Pumpkins?

Day 352

I don't know why I like this but I've watched it a half a dozen times now. I love the ending.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 351

Day 351

We had a great meeting tonight especially for a business meeting. I was reelected as moderator for another year and some interesting ideas were brought up for fund raising.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Can't Wait to Start...My Novel

Day 350

The Detroit Lions won another thriller today against the Washington Redskins. This puts the Lions one game above .500 so far with the Houston Texans next then the Vikings before the break. So the Lions are still in the playoff picture. It would really be nice to see the Lions win in the playoffs.

I have a big meeting tomorrow night with my writing group. Elections and the Christmas dinner plans. A new member to vote on (a formality) and schedule the readers for the next quarter.

I still haven't settles on a story for my novel. I should just write about my past experiences. It's what I know best and seems to be popular on my blog. But I also want to write some detective stories set in 1920's Detroit.

Well, the idea of doing this challenge is to get the first novel written and out of the way. The first is the hardest. Unless, of course, it's a best seller, then the second book is the hardest because the bar has been set so high by the first.

Either way neither is going to get written until I just do it. So November 1st begins my first novel and I finish it by November 30th. It may be total crap, but at least it will be done and I can learn from writing it.

That's enough rambling for one night.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Dear Great Pumpkin...

Day 349

Dear Great Pumpkin,

I have been especially good this year. I have avoided the Halloween candy that the local Walmart has had on the shelves since the day after Labor Day. Each year I vow to resist the allure of the Milky Way, Nestle Crunch, Kit Kat and especially Butterfingers. I know this year I will succeed. I have steeled my resolve. I still have more than a week to go but I am confident I can do it.

Now, as for the most sincere pumpkin patch. The only one here in Houghton Lake is at Barts Fruit Market. I don't question their sincerity but it does look a little contrived to me. I tried to grow my own pumpkins but the deer smashed them. I didn't want the pumpkins to go to waste, so I made pies out of them. I hope this is not a deal breaker.

Oh well, I guess I'll try again next year.

Sincerely (until tomorrow),
Ken

See A Penny...

Day 348

When I went into work that morning I was on a mission.

This was going to be the day, no more procrastinating. I was going to ask, no, I was going to march straight into the boss' office and demand a raise in pay. I had been with the company for seven years and I was the best in my division. I was making money for the company and I deserved monetary compensation. I deserved higher pay.

The lunch break came and I had built up such a head of steam that I was shaking. I took several calming breaths and started walking to the boss' office. It was now or never. I looked down as I rehearsed my demands.

Just past the locker rooms, I spied a penny on the floor.

The old adage, "See a penny, pick it up...all day long, you'll have good luck" popped into my head. A little extra luck never hurt. I reached down and try several times to get the penny off the polished floor. With the lucky talisman clutched tightly in my hand, I quickly straighten up and my back went into an horrendous spasm. Pain shot down my legs and up my spine. Slowly, I tried to straighten up, gasping with pain.

I saw Johnson the shop foreman coming toward me. I couldn't show any weakness around this guy, or I'd be his bitch for as long as we both worked here. I made my way into the locker room and out of sight.

I was sitting on the crapper in the last stall, trying to rest my back. The main office is on the other side of the wall and I can hear yelling. Someone is getting reamed.

I try stretching. Slowly one way, then the other, to loosen my back before the lunch break is over. I wouldn't be making any demands today. With my back tightened up, I would be lucky to keep my job.

Gingerly, I walk back to my work station, still clutching the unlucky penny in my hand. With a curse, I start to throw it in the trash, when a co-worker says, "I can't believe Johnson was canned."

"What happened?" I ask.

"He marched into the front office on the lunch break and demanded a raise. He was fired on the spot."

I can hardly contain my elation. I hated that guy and I wasn't alone. The rest of us had to work twice as hard to make up for his laziness.

"Hey, aren't you next in line to be foreman?"

"Yeah, I guess I am."

"I hear that comes with a sweet raise in pay. Congrats."

My mouth drops open as I look at the penny in my hand. Then, I place it lovingly in my watch pocket. For safe keeping.

I wrote this during a writing exercise at the retreat.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Next Challenge

Day 347

Just keepin' it goin' again. I'm almost there. Just 18 days to go and the 365 day blog challenge is done. I have posted everyday for 347 straight days.

Next challenge the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I'll try to write a 200 plus page novel in November. This is gonna be fun (insert maniacal laughter here).

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Peak Fall Colors

Day 346

It has been unseasonably warm here in Houghton Lake for the past few weeks. Maybe we will have a warm winter. I wouldn't mind at all except warm temps means wet and heavy snow. My snowblower doesn't handle heavy snow very well.

The leaves are in peak color. If your coming north for the fall colors you should come up soon. It's beautiful. At least until I have to rake them up.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 345

Day 345

Finally caught up with all of the various appointments and events I had scheduled for the past 6 weeks. I have a business meeting on Monday and then I can start planning for the last couple of months of 2016. WOW! What a year.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 344

Day 344

Tonight it's B&W horror movies and some cheese nachos. Tomorrow is a book release for two members of my writers group. Then I can relax for awhile, until Thanksgiving and the feasting. Oh my.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Weekend Retreat

Day 343

It's a balmy autumn Sunday. Spent the weekend at a writers retreat. Fortunately it was in Houghton

Lake so I was able to sleep in my own bed. It may be somewhere else next year since the Riviera Resort has been sold and is renting the large suites out by the month.

It was a fun weekend spent with other writers talking about writing and other things.

The Lions won again today, at the last minute as usual. But at least they won.

Going to relax with a glass of wine.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

It's 5 AM...I Must Be Cooking

Day 342

I'm sitting here at 5:20 AM, writing my blog post for the day while boiling potatoes for a Pirogi Lasagna. The Temptations mini series is on the TV, a great mini series if you are a fan of the Temptations, lots of music.

Sitting here at this hour cooking reminds me of my grandma. On Thanksgiving, she would come over to the house at 5 AM, and start preparing the feast that would forever shine in my memory as one of the happiest times of my life.

She would wash the turkey and get it ready for the oven that would be going strong all morning and into the afternoon. Several days before she would buy bread and set it out to dry for the handmade stuffing. Most everything was handmade from scratch. The yams were buttered and brown sugared. The squash was baked and the flesh scooped out, mixed with butter, salt and pepper and mashed by hand, as were the potatoes.

The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the air as the pies were baking in the oven. Apple and pumpkin, and mince meat for grandpa. Then the yeast rolls just before we sat down and gave thanks for the bounty we were about to receive. Grandma always said the prayer, and asked for the blessings that I could see were already bestowed on us. Family and food, a warm home with a cozy fire in the fireplace.

Later, with my belly filled, I would curl up on the couch and dream of the toys I would get for Christmas.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Triglycerides?

Day 341

It's been a hectic day. I had to go get an ultrasound this morning. The twins are doing fine. Actually I have been abusing my liver, or at least that's a possibility.

My triglycerides(?) are too high. Doc wants to check my liver, says I may be diabetic or I drink too much. I confess I did drink several glasses of wine the night before. They did a second blood test a week ago and called to say all is well. So why the ultrasound? I had one done a couple of years ago and all was well.

As always I believe my weight is the root problem for any ailments I currently endure. I hate looking in the mirror. It depresses me. Then I want to eat some comfort food. Which makes me even bigger. It's the cycle. I need to get off of this cycle and get on the exercise cycle.

I'm suppose to be at a writers retreat tonight, but it's getting late and I can't find the motivation to go. I love the group. They give me so much motivation and support to write. Several of them having been published, they give me the courage to try.

I need to get off my butt and take a shower. Fortunately, the retreat is at a resort just down the street from me. I can be there in just a few minutes.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 340

Day 340

I went for a ride tonight but I still can't motivate to write anything. So I'll go back to watching my Halloween movies. Tomorrow starts my retreat so I'll write early.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Ghostbusters...Ghostbusted

Day 339

So I have a copy of the latest Ghostbusters video. I have heard all of the bad press. Mostly being blamed on the fact that they went with four women instead of men. So I decided to watch it and see for myself. I mean as long as it's a good remake I'm fine with the cast gender reversal.

I have to say this is just plain. It has nothing to do with the cast. It's the script and possibly the directing. Also the special effects lag behind the original, which is near impossible considering the difference in special effects between 1984 and 2016.

I had hopes for the remake. But I just don't think it lives up to the original.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

What's That Smell...Can You Smell That Smell?

Day 338

This morning I woke up at 3:30 AM and I had an epiphany.

The temperatures have dropped over the past couple of weeks and I decided to turn on my furnace. The furnace did what it was supposed to do, the heater came on followed by the fan (I have forced air heat). The warm air was welcome with one little caveat. There was a bad smell that soon permeated the whole house.

It was like my cats had missed the letter box and dumped in the furnace. Indeed, at first, I blamed them and thought I must change the food I give them. I thought I would just ride it out but the odor never went away. I searched for a misplaced cat turd but I could not find even one.

Finally came the epiphany. I must have a gas leak. The odor is very similar. Hurray! I finally figured out the problem. I would call the Heating and Cooling repairman in the morning. I went back to bed but couldn't sleep, I was so filled with joy at the thought of solving this mystery. I got out of bed to watch some TV.

Then I decided to check online to find out the cause and cost of repair. My elation quickly died a tragic and horrible death when I read, consistently, that it was a crack in the heat exchanger. This meant replacing the furnace...at a cost of $4000. I searched more and found that mobile homes are cheaper, only $1500 to replace a furnace in a mobile home. Still...$1500!

My back went into spasms, as it does when I am under extreme stress. There was no chance of returning to sleep this morning. I thought I might not ever sleep again. Yet, I did dozed off for a few hours and when I got up I had to make the call to the repairman.

It was only a couple of hours until the repairman arrived. I explained the problem and he went to work. After about fifteen minutes he told me he couldn't find anything wrong and that there was no carbon monoxide present. If I had any feeling of nausea or sickness, to give them a call again and they would check in the crawlspace though that was a long shot. I thought about how "nauseated" I was when I thought I might have to replace the furnace.

So, $25 for fifteen minutes and some sweet release. I guess that's the going rate.

It is a relief to know I don't have to replace the furnace and the tension in my back is lessening, but I still have the odor problem. I guess I'll go in search of cat turds again and be thankful if that's all I find.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Defeated...Without a Shot Fired

Day 337

I am a man so naturally I hate shopping. It's deeply embedded in my DNA.  Women love shopping, or at least they're practical about it.

When I shop I go straight for what I need and with the exception of a stop at sporting goods, or the snack and wine area, I get in and get out as quickly as possible. Unless I meet a friend and talk about sports or other male bonding rituals.

So when Irene asks me to go shopping with her to get "a few" things. I'm as leery as a rabbit staring at a wolf. And just as frightened.

"What do you mean by," (insert finger quotes), "A few things?"

'I just need a few things; two, maybe three. I'll just grab what I need and we'll leave. I promise."

"The last time you told me that we were in the store for half an hour. I was tired and wanted to go home."

"I know but, when we were in the store I thought of some other things I needed. I didn't want to come back, when I was already there."

"Yes, but you told me 'in and out' and I would be on my way home in a few minutes. And I wasn't. You went up and down every isle."

"That's how I remember, what I forget that I need to pick up."

"Do you remember everything you need this time?"

"You know we could have been in and out by now and you could be on your way home."

"If you just need a few things why do you need me to go with you?"

"It's late and I don't want to go by myself."

"Then why didn't you go earlier?"

"It's too crowded. I just need a few things and it would take too long standing in line. Please. I'll be quick. Just in and out."

"Just a few things, in and out?"

"I promise."

Forty five minutes later.

"You said, you just needed a few things. There are twenty bags here."

"I don't know why your complaining. We would have had to shop again in a couple of days if I didn't shop tonight."

"Yeah. That's what you said two days ago."

"Well, if I didn't tell you I only need a couple of things, you wouldn't come shopping with me."

"I don't understand why I believe you."

"You just need an excuse to take me shopping. You believe me because you want to believe me."

"I believe you because I love you. Defeated without a shot fired."

"I know."


Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 336

Day 336

Spent Sunday watching football. The Lions won. Hurray!!! Now, if they can just keep it up.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Fear of Failure

Day 335

Saturday night and I look a fright,
I haven't been out at all today.
I tell myself tomorrow I'll get the job done,
but tomorrow will just be another one,
another day, just like today.


Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 334

Day 334

Nothing to say tonight. Just trying to stay awake until bed time. If I go to sleep too early I'm up in a few hours and can't get back to sleep.

Just over a month left in the 365 day challenge. Next challenge is writing a novel in one month. Starts November 1st, finishes November 30th. The object is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Yahoo!

Until tomorrow,

Ken

AHS: Roanoke...Cricket Is In The House

Day 333

In case you haven't been following me, I love the American Horror Story series. The sixth installment is called My Roanoke Nightmare or just Roanoke, part of the story being about what happened to the settlers of Roanoke who disappeared without a trace. Nothing was left but an inscription on a tree saying "croatoin".

The series involves a haunted house and now a witch (played by Lady Gaga).

My favorite character is Cricket. He is a psychic who has arrived just after a young girl has

disappeared. After holding a seance, Cricket boldly states that he knows where the girl is and can take the others to her. Wait for it...for twenty five thousand dollars,

As he is about to be physically thrown out of the house he explains he doesn't use his psychic abilities for free. He even likens himself to a pharmaceutical company when he states, "If you have a miracle cure and one child can't afford it, you don't just give it away." That's not exact but you get the picture. Reminds me of the EpiPen company, except, they'll give you a slight discount.

I like the character from a writers standpoint. He's about 5' tall, bleach blond hair with a bowl cut (early Beatles), sixties style clothes and in his late forties. Plus I love the name Cricket. He is the kind of character that can really make a story interesting. A character I love to hate...so far. He may still find redemption in the end. That's just a guess, no spoiler.

A.H.S. Roanoke can be seen at 10 PM on Wednesday nights on FX.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

A True Magic Castle...

Day 332

Earlier today, as I was doing nothing that I was suppose to do, while channel surfing YouTube, my favorite internet destination, I came a across a video taken at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.

I love a good magic show. Ever since I was a young boy and saw a magician at the Michigan State Fair, I have marveled at the seemingly impossible. I dove into books and even had a junior magicians magic set (actually I had several) attempting to learn the secrets of prestidigitation (thank goodness for spell checker). The one thing I learned...it takes a lot of both practice and patience, in equal parts.

I can still do a couple of small tricks but I never learned any of the big illusions. Then along came the Masked Magician, telling the secrets that have been known to only a privileged few. He would perform the big illusions and then show how it was done. I found this rather anti-climactic. After so many years of watching master illusionists perform impossible feats in front of live audiences, I was disillusioned.

I stayed away from magic for many years and only recently have I become enamored with it again. The real secret to magic is the show. How well does the magician engage the audience? How close is the audience? Can he pull off the illusion even when you know what to watch for?

At the Magic Castle the Up Close Gallery has only twenty-six seats. Magic up close and personal. These are slight-of-hand tricks. Usually the first tricks learned and they are performed flawlessly by master magicians.

The Parlour of Prestidigitation is considered a medium sized theater with seating for 58 guests.

The Palace of Mystery is the largest show for the grand illusionists.

The fellow in the video is Pop Hadyn  performs in the Up Close Gallery. He is funny as well as polished. Most of us have seen card tricks before but the magic he does is nothing short of amazing. A great show. Give the video a look. I think you'll be amazed.

Click here for Magic Castle website.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Procrastination Station

Day 331

I am suppose to be doing two things this week. One, I am suppose to give mt home a real cleaning. I mean everything. Go through the whole house and make a pile of everything I don't use and will not use in the near future. Then it either goes out to the street for trash pick up or donated to the thrift store. I have way to much clutter and I can't do a good cleaning with so much junk in the way.

The other thing I am suppose do is turn off the TV and do some serious writing. Just cut loose and see what comes out. Don't worry about grammar or punctuation or spelling. Just write whatever comes to mind. If it's a few pages or a few hundred pages.

Tonight is Tuesday. I have done nothing so far, except take out the trash and write my blog. I write on this blog each night because I'm meeting a challenge..

Not good enough. I have to do better. I need to set aside several hours each day for writing.

And I will...starting tomorrow.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 330

Day 330

Drove mom to Walmart to get her nails done and buy some groceries.

Started promoted listings on my Etsy to try to stimulate some sales. So far most of my sales have been to one customer. I set a limit of one dollar per day. That's $30 per month in addition to what I pay in listing fees. I had better get some return on investment. I'm not asking to make a fortune, just some extra spending money.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Heartburn...Outta Here

Day 329

In keeping with yesterday's post, I frequently have heartburn, accompanied by a bloated stomach. Especially at night when I am trying to sleep. This is also known as acid reflux. Tums doesn't work

for me, so I found an home remedy alternative to modern antacids.

As I was listening to an old radio show, one character suggested a bicarbonate of soda for the others upset stomach. This was a common powder taken with water to relieve stomach ailments such as heartburn and bloating. Simply put bicarbonate of soda is...baking soda.

I remembered my high school chemistry class had a box of baking soda in case someone spilled acid on themselves. They would immediately pour the baking soda on the affected area to neutralize the acid.

At less than $1 a box, it beats the hell out of Prilosec at $12 for 14 tablets. I have been using about a tablespoon of baking soda in water, almost every night for 2 months and still have half a box left. And it works great.

I take a tablespoon of baking soda in a small glass of water about 45 minutes before bed or when the heartburn hits me. Within minutes of drinking the solution, I have a good belch or two and I instantly feel better. The bloating is relieved and the stomach acid is counteracted. All for a penny.

I can't say this will work for everyone. But if you have a heartburn and some baking soda, give it a try, you may be surprised.

There is one caveat. It tastes bad. Like drinking salt water. But it is well worth it for the relief it brings.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

I Am Nachos...Hear Me Roar

Day 328

They say you are what you eat and tonight I had a plate full of turkey (I use ground turkey instead of beef) and beans nachos. With cheddar cheese, medium hot picante sauce and sour cream.

Yes. I will pay for it tomorrow when I step on the scale. Hell, I'm going to pay for it tonight once

those beans punch the clock and go to work. Not only will I be bloated, but the noxious fumes emanating from under my blanket, will chase my butt sniffing cat fleeing from the room. Probably burying his head in the litter box hoping the clay deodorizer will filter the air.

You may think me mean to my kitties, but the truth is, they often go outside just to come back in and filling the house with their aroma by using the litter box. They could have squeezed the cheese outside, but no, they had to hold it until they came back inside so they could share. The wall paper is peeling next to the litter box.

Now if you will excuse me, the refried beans have just gone onto overtime.

Until tomorrow,

Ken