Day 41
The new Little Caesars pizza has finally opened and they are have raffle for several prizes including a 55" TV. Register at the new building between Arby's and Garretts restaurants on M-55.
The matriarch of the Riviera Resort Hotel M-55 & M-18 has recently passed away. Rumor has it the surviving children will be selling the resort.
Still no ice on the lake even though we've had below freezing temperatures over the last couple of days. The temps are going back up starting tomorrow and could top out on the 23rd at 50 degrees. If this keeps up we'll have a brown Tip Up Town next year. Might have to put the boat in for the fishing contest. Contestants could jump off a pontoon boat for the Polar Bear Dip. No worries as I'm sure the ice will get thick fast and in plenty of time for TUT.
Been sippin' on my Comfortable eggnog for awhile now and nothing is coming to me. So I'll call it a night.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Friday, December 18, 2015
My New Years Resolutions
Day 40
I expect to have a few days off to concentrate on my writing during this busy time of the year. Christmas is just around the corner and the beginning of a New Year. The start of the year, of course, begins with promises of self improvement.
I myself am making the New Years resolutions of: losing weight and keeping it off, and getting at least two books published. These two are linked because when I lose weight it's easier to concentrate without feeling weary. staying sharp and focused is the name of the game when writing.Plus when I publish I will be travelling from place to place around Michigan doing book signings and for that I'll need to be in much better shape and looking and feeling my best.
Here's the plan. I start by eating properly proportioned meals 3-4 times a day. Coupled with an exercise program designed for weight lose and muscle tone. This will take care of the weight problem. I've done it before I just couldn't get past the holidays. This time I'm starting after the holidays. It will still require will power to get past the Superbowl but I believe I can do it without snacking.
The second part will require discipline. I must set aside time each and every day to write and edit. My first project will be a book of poetry. I have a natural knack for poetry. I believe I can produce and edit this quickly and go through the publishing process while planning my first novel. This won't be as easy.
I have a number of ideas for novels, almost all of which I want to make into a series of novels. Recently someone suggested I pick the three strongest ideas I have and write the first ten pages of each. Then go with the one that feels the best. The plan is to finish and publish by the end of the year or sooner.
My muse for the poetry will be Michigan autumn. The poetry book is to get my name out there and I will follow it with another if it shows promise. The winter is the best time for me to write and create because I don't go ice fishing. So I'll be spending most of my time at home. Hopefully writing.
So that is to be my New Years resolutions. The time is now.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
I myself am making the New Years resolutions of: losing weight and keeping it off, and getting at least two books published. These two are linked because when I lose weight it's easier to concentrate without feeling weary. staying sharp and focused is the name of the game when writing.Plus when I publish I will be travelling from place to place around Michigan doing book signings and for that I'll need to be in much better shape and looking and feeling my best.
Here's the plan. I start by eating properly proportioned meals 3-4 times a day. Coupled with an exercise program designed for weight lose and muscle tone. This will take care of the weight problem. I've done it before I just couldn't get past the holidays. This time I'm starting after the holidays. It will still require will power to get past the Superbowl but I believe I can do it without snacking.
The second part will require discipline. I must set aside time each and every day to write and edit. My first project will be a book of poetry. I have a natural knack for poetry. I believe I can produce and edit this quickly and go through the publishing process while planning my first novel. This won't be as easy.
I have a number of ideas for novels, almost all of which I want to make into a series of novels. Recently someone suggested I pick the three strongest ideas I have and write the first ten pages of each. Then go with the one that feels the best. The plan is to finish and publish by the end of the year or sooner.
My muse for the poetry will be Michigan autumn. The poetry book is to get my name out there and I will follow it with another if it shows promise. The winter is the best time for me to write and create because I don't go ice fishing. So I'll be spending most of my time at home. Hopefully writing.
So that is to be my New Years resolutions. The time is now.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Thursday, December 17, 2015
New Joy of Painting Has Arrived
Day 39
The New Joy of Painting book has finally arrived. I can't wait to delve onto this book and read about painting without the numbers. Hopefully I can create a very good and expressive painting. Bob Ross makes it look so simple; his paintings come out so beautiful, I can hardly wait for summer. I don't have the ventilation to paint inside.
I ordered this book from Amazon and it came with tracking. The book arrived in within a week and in excellent condition. My only complaint is with the tracking. Basically it was just marked "item shipped" until it arrived. No tracking info. I thought it was never going to get here. It's Christmastime and I was a little anxious.
I ordered another book from Toledo, OH just south of Detroit. The tracking shows it was picked up in Toledo and went from there to Warrendale, PA several hundred miles to the east. Now it gets to come back to Detroit and then shipped north to Houghton Lake. Seems wasteful to me.
I guess I need to relax and paint a landscape scene on canvas, with a 2" paintbrush and a paint scraper. Miraculous.
Until tomorrow.
Ken
I ordered this book from Amazon and it came with tracking. The book arrived in within a week and in excellent condition. My only complaint is with the tracking. Basically it was just marked "item shipped" until it arrived. No tracking info. I thought it was never going to get here. It's Christmastime and I was a little anxious.
I ordered another book from Toledo, OH just south of Detroit. The tracking shows it was picked up in Toledo and went from there to Warrendale, PA several hundred miles to the east. Now it gets to come back to Detroit and then shipped north to Houghton Lake. Seems wasteful to me.
I guess I need to relax and paint a landscape scene on canvas, with a 2" paintbrush and a paint scraper. Miraculous.
Until tomorrow.
Ken
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Elwood P Dowd Said It Best
Day 38
Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" -- she always called me Elwood -- "In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. And you may quote me.
Elwood P. Dowd from Harvey
One of my favorite quotes from the movie Harvey starring the late Jimmy Stewart. A fantastic movie about a gentle soul and a 6 feet tall rabbit called Harvey. Harvey is a pooka (Irish folklore) capable of either good or evil depending on it's mood. I think I met one once.
We made an emergency stop in Holy Loch, Scotland. We needed a part for the ships water purifier and had to wait until one could be delivered. So we were given "Cinderella liberty" meaning we had to be back onboard the ship before midnight. Some friends and I set out at 10am in search of an open pub for a glass of suds. Town was just a brisk 5 mile walk. Later we learned that we could have called a cab.
We arrived in town at around noon to find nothing open, it was Sunday. After several hours of sightseeing, in a town it only took ten minutes to walk across, we found a pub owner willing to make money selling us beer. It was so nice of him.
About the time we learned that we could have taken a cab to town we also found out there was a bar on the base and the locals hung out there whenever a ship came in. Sailors are known for spending their money when in port. Who knew?
This is where I met the pooka named Lola.
She was about six feet tall, covered with hair and asked me to dance. When I politely declined she grabbed me and attempted to do unspeakable evil to me. She said, "Little boy I'm gonna make you a man". So I ran...I ran so far away.
When I returned to the ship at 11:59pm I found out liberty had been extended to 0700 or 7am. I also discovered beer in Scotland is a lot stronger than here in the good old US of A. So I retired for the evening. The next day I heard Lola the pooka had found another victim. He was later discharged for mental instability.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
One of my favorite quotes from the movie Harvey starring the late Jimmy Stewart. A fantastic movie about a gentle soul and a 6 feet tall rabbit called Harvey. Harvey is a pooka (Irish folklore) capable of either good or evil depending on it's mood. I think I met one once.
We made an emergency stop in Holy Loch, Scotland. We needed a part for the ships water purifier and had to wait until one could be delivered. So we were given "Cinderella liberty" meaning we had to be back onboard the ship before midnight. Some friends and I set out at 10am in search of an open pub for a glass of suds. Town was just a brisk 5 mile walk. Later we learned that we could have called a cab.
We arrived in town at around noon to find nothing open, it was Sunday. After several hours of sightseeing, in a town it only took ten minutes to walk across, we found a pub owner willing to make money selling us beer. It was so nice of him.
About the time we learned that we could have taken a cab to town we also found out there was a bar on the base and the locals hung out there whenever a ship came in. Sailors are known for spending their money when in port. Who knew?
This is where I met the pooka named Lola.
She was about six feet tall, covered with hair and asked me to dance. When I politely declined she grabbed me and attempted to do unspeakable evil to me. She said, "Little boy I'm gonna make you a man". So I ran...I ran so far away.
When I returned to the ship at 11:59pm I found out liberty had been extended to 0700 or 7am. I also discovered beer in Scotland is a lot stronger than here in the good old US of A. So I retired for the evening. The next day I heard Lola the pooka had found another victim. He was later discharged for mental instability.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Star Wars to Ice Fishing to Prime Rib
Day 37
Wow. December 15 and the lake has no signs of freezing. It's also looking like a brown Christmas here as the temperatures are too warm for snow, although we have had plenty of rain.
Three days to the December 18th release of the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie and it is scheduled for the local Pines Theater. Hurray! THe Pines has a showing scheduled for the 17th for more info Pines Theater info. I won't be fighting for a seat until after the first few days but I'm sure it will be a sell out every night of the three weeks it is scheduled to run (assuming it doesn't get extended).
On December 19th the Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts will be doing a live radio broadcast of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" at 5pm on 100.3 FM.
Finally because I'm hungry and need to finish this entry so I can eat.
Matt's Lake Street Grill and Pizzeria will be open on December 25th with a Christmas Dinner Prime Rib buffet from 11am to 5pm. Including Ham, chicken and shrimp and many other holiday favorites. So if your not invited to Christmas dinner or you don't celebrate Christmas you can still have a fabulous dinner. Mom and I aren't doing anything this year so I'll see you there.
The new Little Caesars pizza is still under construction although I've heard there will be a grand opening on January 8, 2016. The new Little Caesars is situated between Arbys and Garretts restaurants. Should be a better location than the current one at the west end of the lake. The current one will be closed when the new one is opened.
Three days to the December 18th release of the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie and it is scheduled for the local Pines Theater. Hurray! THe Pines has a showing scheduled for the 17th for more info Pines Theater info. I won't be fighting for a seat until after the first few days but I'm sure it will be a sell out every night of the three weeks it is scheduled to run (assuming it doesn't get extended).
On December 19th the Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts will be doing a live radio broadcast of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" at 5pm on 100.3 FM.
Finally because I'm hungry and need to finish this entry so I can eat.
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Monday, December 14, 2015
The Season of Hope
Day 36
I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.
Red-Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
Hope is the best thing.
Andy Dufresne-Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
Until tomorrow,
Ken
I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.
Red-Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
Hope is the best thing.
Andy Dufresne-Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
Until tomorrow,
Ken
Sunday, December 13, 2015
A Christmas Carol Scrooge and His Nephew Quote
Day 35
“Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.” “Come, then,” returned the nephew gaily. “What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.”
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Until tomorrow,
Ken
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Until tomorrow,
Ken
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