Life in progress

Category Archives: Life


by 29 Comments

#SoCS – Leave it alone

Why do we have such a hard time leaving some things alone?

In my case, a book. Used to be if I started one, I had to finish it, no matter how boring it was or how much I disliked it. I couldn’t stop until I’d read the painful last page. But the older I get and the more books I want to read, I’m getting better at it.

In Alex’s case (he’s my son), something that hurts. If he has a scab, he’s gotta pick it. No matter how much I tell him to stop (that actually makes him do it more), or try to explain to him that he’ll make it worse and possibly the body part will fall off, he can’t leave it alone. He’s covered in scars from tiny scratches that he turned into major wounds.

No, nothing has fallen off. Yet. And maybe the fact that I tell him it might and it never does is why he never believes me and, thus, never stops picking. Unfortunately, I can’t cut off any of his body parts while he’s asleep just to show him I’m right (he’ll wake up if I do and then the whole experiment will be ruined), so instead I’m stuck with a kid with scars. And I have to watch him make himself bleed, which might actually be more painful for me than it is for him … If it hurt him that much, he wouldn’t do it. Right?

I’m rambling.

I’m just going to leave this here.

Here are some leaves.

baby maple leaves

This post is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness Saturday! Click the following link to find all the other posts linked in the comment section and join in yourself. It’s fun!

SoCS badge by Pamela, at https://achronicalofhope.com/


by 38 Comments

#SoCS – Social Responsibilities

I think social media might be ruining me.

Okay, I’ve never really enjoyed the idea of going out and being sociable, unless it was with close friends. And even then, the path of least resistance–staying home in my pjs–often felt more comfortable than going out. Usually, I’m okay once I get there. It’s the idea of going.

But now, I’m getting so used to typing my sociability rather than being forced to speak, I’m getting lazy. You know, with having to come up with the first thing out of my brain and being stuck with it. Because when I’m speaking, it’s out there. When I type it, unless I hit send by accident, I can reword it until it’s right.

But you know the one thing I’ve always hated? Waiting for my turn to introduce myself to a group. You listen to people say their name and their position/relation/whatever, and it’s getting closer and closer to your turn and you start rehearsing what you’re going to say in your head because you don’t want to screw it up, and by the time the guy beside you is finished, you sputter and spit out your reply so badly that you wish your shoes could swallow you or that the power could suddenly go out, giving you a chance to escape when nobody’s looking.

Or maybe it’s just me.

I suppose there’s the odd person who actually revels in the opportunity to speak, but nah, that ain’t me.

I’m a lot better at it, though, now, than I used to be. When I was a kid, I HATED speaking in public. Now I still hate it, but at least I don’t really care what people think of me when I do. I hate it now in lower case.

There’s a difference.

SoCS badge by Pamela, at https://achronicalofhope.com/

This post is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness Saturday! Click the following link to find all the other awesome posts listed in the comment section, and join in! It’s fun! https://lindaghill.com/2019/06/14/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-15-19/


by 19 Comments

#SoCS – That Arrangement

The actual line, to put my post into context, is, “I wonder what Nina will think of that arrangement,” out of my own book, The Magician’s Blood. It was the closest book to me when I decided to write my SoCS post.

The line made me think about all the things we don’t have control of. Things that circumstances, or maybe even the universe, arranges for us. It’s scary to feel like we’re not in control of our lives, of our situation.

I find the control I have over the little things in life helps quell that fear. Even if it’s only an illusion, knowing that I can decide what to do with my time at least some of the time makes me feel like I’m in charge. What I do with that time isn’t always good or productive …

Is procrastination a lack of control? I suppose it is. It’s certainly a lack of discipline.

I need to take control of my procrastination.

Make it disappear.

Go away, procrastination! I’m sick of having no control over you!

There. We’ll see if that works.

(Note to self: read this post every day.)

SoCS badge by Pamela, at https://achronicalofhope.com/

This self-chastising post is brought to you (and me) by Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Click the link and join in. Do it now! https://lindaghill.com/2019/06/07/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-8-19/


by 49 Comments

One-Liner Wednesday – Coffee!

Photo depicts a steaming glass mug of coffee and coffee beans strewn over a wooden table. Text reads: “It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity.” ~ Dave Barry

Note: It’s our last week for this badge! See the previous post for contest rules to design our new #1linerWeds badge.

Bye, little monkey. We’ll miss you!

#1linerWeds badge by Cheryl, at dreamingreality646941880.wordpress.com/

If you would like to participate in this prompt, feel free to use the “One-Liner Wednesday” title in your post, and if you do, you can ping back here to help your blog get more exposure. To execute a pingback, just copy the URL in the address bar on this post, and paste it somewhere in the body of your post. Your link will show up in the comments below. Please ensure that the One-Liner Wednesday you’re pinging back to is this week’s! Otherwise, no one will likely see it but me.

NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, like Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

As with Stream of Consciousness Saturday (SoCS), if you see a pingback from someone else in my comment section, click and have a read. It’s bound to be short and sweet.

Unlike SoCS, this is not a prompt so there’s no need to stick to the same “theme.”

The rules that I’ve made for myself (but don’t always follow) for “One-Liner Wednesday” are:

1. Make it one sentence.

2. Try to make it either funny or inspirational.

3. Use our unique tag #1linerWeds.

4. Add our lovely badge to your post for extra exposure!

5. Have fun!


by 25 Comments

#SoCS – Silence

That silence you encounter when the power goes out

The kind that makes you realize all of a sudden that you’ve been listening to the fridge

To the light bulbs burning

To countless currents flowing through wires

And then it begins–

The tinnitus.

The silence is deafening.

I think my favourite sound in the world, other than the laughter of my children, is the wind blowing through leaves out in the country where the occurrence of traffic is rare.

Or the sound of snow falling on a breezeless night, again, out in the middle of nowhere. On horseback.

In one of those moments when you think to yourself I’ll never forget this, and sure enough, thirty years later you still haven’t forgotten. And you still believe you never will.

If I had to choose, I think I’d pick silence over noise, pretty much any day.

SoCS badge by Pamela, at https://achronicalofhope.com/

This post is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Click the following link to find all the other awesome posts in the comment section, and join in the fun! https://lindaghill.com/2019/05/31/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-1-19/


by 41 Comments

One-Liner Wednesday – Reason #27 Why Sign Language is Our Friend

When you’re walking down the sidewalk with your son and a somewhat scary man singing repetitively at the top of his lungs approaches you from behind and passes you, you can continue your conversation and pretend you didn’t even hear him.

If you would like to participate in this prompt, feel free to use the “One-Liner Wednesday” title in your post, and if you do, you can ping back here to help your blog get more exposure. To execute a pingback, just copy the URL in the address bar on this post, and paste it somewhere in the body of your post. Your link will show up in the comments below. Please ensure that the One-Liner Wednesday you’re pinging back to is this week’s! Otherwise, no one will likely see it but me.

NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, like Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

As with Stream of Consciousness Saturday (SoCS), if you see a pingback from someone else in my comment section, click and have a read. It’s bound to be short and sweet.

Unlike SoCS, this is not a prompt so there’s no need to stick to the same “theme.”

The rules that I’ve made for myself (but don’t always follow) for “One-Liner Wednesday” are:

1. Make it one sentence.

2. Try to make it either funny or inspirational.

3. Use our unique tag #1linerWeds.

4. Add our lovely badge to your post for extra exposure!

5. Have fun!

#1linerWeds badge by Cheryl, at dreamingreality646941880.wordpress.com/


by 18 Comments

#SoCS – Cozy Mosey

I’m just gonna mosey on over to my laptop like I didn’t promise last week to hit it early, and write an ol’ blog post. You know, I could just change the prompt to Stream of Consciousness Sunday. Would anyone notice?

Nah.

I went to great lengths to get some writing done today. I sat in the back seat of my car with my computer–no Internet access–all cozy-like while a thunderstorm raged outside, and I still managed to procrastinate a bit as I tried to type. I managed a little under 800 words, bringing my third book of my series up to 72,600 words so far. I figure I’ve got about 18K left to go to get to the end of the story.

I’ve been procrastinating a lot this week. I meant to post the mid-month reminder for the Escapist Coloring Club but I didn’t get around to it. May is also the month I should have posted the contest for the new One-Liner Wednesday badge. I’m seriously, honestly going to miss our monkey friend. But I suppose it’s only fair to give the picture back to Cheryl and let someone else have a chance. I won’t complain AT ALL if she decides to enter the same badge back into the contest, though. (hint, hint)

I shall do that this week. As for the Coloring Club thing, may as well wait for June 1st, eh?

I don’t mind putting it off. In fact that’s what I’m best at these days.

But only when it’s my own stuff I’m working at.

I need to start treating myself as if I was my own client. Then I’d get everything done. On time.

SoCS badge by Pamela, at https://achronicalofhope.com/

This post is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness SATURDAY. If you’d like to join in, just click the following link. You’ll find all the other posts in the comment section! https://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-25-19/


by 63 Comments

One-Liner Wednesday – Books

There’s nothing better and nothing worse than finding a really great book to get lost in. While you’re reading it, it’s pure escapism. When you finish it, it’s a mad scramble to find something as good. Problem is, really great books are rare.

 

If you would like to participate in this prompt, feel free to use the “One-Liner Wednesday” title in your post, and if you do, you can ping back here to help your blog get more exposure. To execute a pingback, just copy the URL in the address bar on this post, and paste it somewhere in the body of your post. Your link will show up in the comments below. Please ensure that the One-Liner Wednesday you’re pinging back to is this week’s! Otherwise, no one will likely see it but me.

NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, like Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

As with Stream of Consciousness Saturday (SoCS), if you see a pingback from someone else in my comment section, click and have a read. It’s bound to be short and sweet.

Unlike SoCS, this is not a prompt so there’s no need to stick to the same “theme.”

The rules that I’ve made for myself (but don’t always follow) for “One-Liner Wednesday” are:

1. Make it one sentence.

2. Try to make it either funny or inspirational.

3. Use our unique tag #1linerWeds.

4. Add our lovely badge to your post for extra exposure!

5. Have fun!


by 14 Comments

#SoCS – A new word

Procrastinatingly. That’s how I’ve been doing everything today. What’s that? It’s tomorrow already? Case in point.

I really need to start writing for my own prompts on the day they’re supposed to be written. I promise to make a concerted effort next week. There. Now I’ve said it, I have to do it.

When I haven’t been actually doing something I was supposed to be doing today yesterday, I’ve been contemplating existentialism in narration. And wondering if all narration in stories isn’t just that–a character self-realizing existence. Am I explaining myself very well? Probably not.

And no, I’m not stoned, but I kinda feel like the “Dude”s in my Second Seat series.

Dude, do you think that character knows he’s in a book?

Woah! Dude!

Yeah, kinda like that.

So, um, that’s a glimpse into my brain. Now aren’t you sorry you asked? Wait, you didn’t ask?

Oops.

SoCS badge by Pamela, at https://achronicalofhope.com/

This crisis post is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness Saturday, the later version. Click the following link to find all the earlier-version posts in the comments and join in! It’s fun! https://lindaghill.com/2019/05/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-18-19/


by 54 Comments

One-Liner Wednesday – Can I borrow that?

When I see other authors thanking their significant others for helping out with the housework and looking after the kids, it crosses my mind to ask if I can borrow their partners so I can finish my book.

Then I realize that’s not a good way to make friends.

 

If you would like to participate in this prompt, feel free to use the “One-Liner Wednesday” title in your post, and if you do, you can ping back here to help your blog get more exposure. To execute a pingback, just copy the URL in the address bar on this post, and paste it somewhere in the body of your post. Your link will show up in the comments below. Please ensure that the One-Liner Wednesday you’re pinging back to is this week’s! Otherwise, no one will likely see it but me.

NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, like Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

As with Stream of Consciousness Saturday (SoCS), if you see a pingback from someone else in my comment section, click and have a read. It’s bound to be short and sweet.

Unlike SoCS, this is not a prompt so there’s no need to stick to the same “theme.”

The rules that I’ve made for myself (but don’t always follow) for “One-Liner Wednesday” are:

1. Make it one sentence.

2. Try to make it either funny or inspirational.

3. Use our unique tag #1linerWeds.

4. Add our lovely badge to your post for extra exposure!

5. Have fun!