"_____ __ _____ is a continuum care community that sets on 40 acres in Kent County, Michigan. I was fortunate enough to move into the independent living building when it first opened in October of 2021. Those early days were very much like moving into a college dorm as we learned our way around, attended orientation classes and got to know our neighbors. The uniqueness of all of us moving in at once helped foster a close knit community that remains today and along the way I wrote poems…
There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt. ~ Erma Bombeck"
I'm at that antsy time when I want to pull the trigger to get the book published but I know myself well enough to know there is probably a dyslexic-driven mistake in there somewhere and I need to let the content set a few days before proofing it again. Just yesterday I was showing my youngest niece a hardcover book I wrote about my husband back in 2012 and I was shocked and horrified when she read the title of one of the stories within and asked: "What's a Barstood Ranger?" I can't tell you how many times over the years I've looked at that mistake and saw what I meant to type rather than what I did type---Barstood Rancher. Thankfully, there is only one copy of that book in print so I only embarrassed myself in from of one person---well, in front of all cyberspace now that I've confessed it here. ('Confessed' originally spelled 'confused' until Alex did an intervention.) So I'll take the time to let the poetry book set before I click 'place my order'. One of my reading/writing disability comes from a place where I memorized spelling words rather than coming from a place where I learned phonetics. Writing Hell comes in the form of Alex not working on Saturdays when I write my posts but I just learned that she does not answer to Alexis. So whose got egg on her face this time?
Side-note: the idiom 'to have egg on your face' as a creative way to say you are embarrassed came from the theatrical tradition of throwing eggs at performers that the audience didn't like. Obviously, this comes from a century when eggs didn't cost as much as they do now.
Speaking of the price of goods have you done any tariff shopping? I have. I ordered a new coffee pot. I've needed one for a couple of months when I tried to clean my old one with vinegar and it took the paint off on the heating pad and it turned to rust. The pot works but it looks horrible. And my Waterpik infusion electric toothbrush and flosser had the good graces to spring a leak the day the tariffs went on. I did shop for a replacement part and they have them for other models which would have saved a ton of money. The replacements parts are under $20 while the new Infusion Waterpik is $173. I really didn't want to pay that much but I don't have room for two separate units and my gums have improved since I got my Waterpik. Once they add the 50% tariff onto the $173 it will be out of reach. I also stocked up on Burt Bee's products because they import the bee wax from a third world country that made the tariff list.
A 45/47 supporter---just after I was bemoaning the outcome of the election---told me, "You'll see, the minute he takes office the prices will come down and the stock market will go up." I know it's petty of me but I recently sat across from her at the farm table and asked the group at large, "Did you see how far the stock market fell today?" She didn't say a word and I was enjoying the fact that she was probably biting her tongue while staring at her bellybutton as a conversation about tariffs broke out.
Other news on the home front: I saw my orthopedic doctor yesterday and he gave me a shot of lubricating gel in my wrist. Since it's given off label, there is no way of knowing if it will last 3 months or 3 years---no statistics are being compiled. And it's private pay because no insurance company will reimburse you for off label treatments. My doctor says the insurance companies don't care how much success is reported in the field because they don't want to start paying for joints other than the knees which the gel was first designed for. I've had great luck with the gel in both knees and in my shoulders so I had no hesitation getting it in my wrist. Private pay was $183 and if I only get a year out of the gel, it will be worth it as I couldn't do anything without pain or dropping things. I suspect I will get more than a year but with all typing I do, who knows. The gel shot adds a padding in where the arthritis has destroyed bone.
Until Next Wednesday!
I just went to Mega-Bev in Grand Rapids(formerly Russo's) to get a bunch of wines from Europe and New Zealand. Coffee, well I'm on a monthly subscription plan, so we'll see how long before the prices increase. Tells you my priorities.
ReplyDeleteI like your priorities. Russo's---I still call it that---is probably doing a lot of business this week, to get ahead of the tariffs. I had to sit on my hands to keep from stocking up on a lot of things that I think will be in short supply if the tariffs last too long. I'm glad I'm not building a house this summer. I feel so bad for those who are.
DeleteI hope that gel lasts at least a year! I'm not sure how we got to the point where insurance companies make our medical decisions instead of our doctors, but here we are.
ReplyDeleteI stock up plenty. I just happened to be coloring my hair at home when he was tossing the T word and looked at the box - made in Mexico. Ordered 6 boxes. The next day I read my aluminum foil box, - ordered six rolls. People are going to be very surprised.
Can't wait to see your book!
I'm thinking the same thing. Things like toilet paper may be made here but the raw pulp comes from Canada. Thanks for the tip on aluminum foil. I think I will be a label reader the next time I go to the store.
DeleteDo you want someone to proof your book for you? I would be willing to do it for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for offering but I already sent the content off. They will send me a PDF copy to proof but I don't know if that is sharable at this stage. My husband always proofed everything I wrote and I sure do miss him at times like this. Some of the poems have been shared in my Writing Group so sort of confident I caught everything. Twenty poems is a quick read so I might ask someone in my group to proof it. Thank you!
DeleteCongratulations on finishing your poetry collection. That's a wonderful accomplishment and if the other poems are as delightful as the ones you shared in an earlier post, it will be a treat. I laughed at the typo. In my early days as a proofreader and editor I made a couple of big mistakes that made it to final print -- including the bugaboo of all public television people -- writing "pubic television" instead of "public." Now I will never do anything that has to be printed without having at least one (or more) back-up proofreaders and/or editors. (I did edit my family history tome but did have outside proofreading.) Before you hit print find someone (or I'll be happy to -- only for spelling, with poetry. Poets are very picky about how they choose to punctuate!)
ReplyDeleteI tried to pre-tariff shop for a new camera but the one I ordered arrived and was so much bigger than one it was replacing I sent it back. I should have done a new printer or phone. I have been stockpiling some food items I know we will eat but the freezer is only so big. And yes, there's a fellow in our neighborhood who covered the entire front of his garage with a DT banner pre-election. I keep wanting to ask "how's that working for you." But I'll probably pass as I don't know if he's a nice guy or a loony! And I don't think I want to find out.
Good luck with your shot! I hope it's effective. $180 for a year of easing discomfort sounds like a good deal to me.
Your 'pubic' for 'public' tops my 'ranger' for 'rancher.' Thanks for sharing that story. Boy, you are right about punctuating poetry! I know I break all the rules when it comes to commas as opposed to periods in my poems.
DeleteThere's going to be a lot of hurt in our country if the young people can't get their iPhones. Heck, one night at dinner they were taking inventory of our cells phones and I was the only one with an android. It felt good that I only paid $150 while they paid over $1,000 and mine has the same features. But I am going to need a new computer when Windows 11 comes out later this year. But maybe they will postpone dropping support for 10 if people can't buy new computers because of a shortage or high cost.
I once posted a notice for a Pubic Meeting when I worked for the city. Yes, made copies and posted it in public spaces. Thanks for bringing that memory back, LOL
DeleteThings like that keep us humble, don't they.
DeleteJean, I've had Windows 11 for at least three or four years -- can't remember when I got my no-longer-new computer. Is 12 coming out?
DeleteMicrosoft is no longer supporting Windows 10 after October 25th and my computer can't expand to Windows 11. They don't have a firm date on Windows 12 ---between Oct. 2025 and spring 2026'
DeleteCongratulations on getting this close to publishing your book! I am intruded by the contents. No stocking up here beyond what we usually have for emergencies and I may well regret that. I am glad we replaced both computers recently but nervous about owning a 2011 car although it is low miles.
ReplyDeleteKnowing you and how you long range planning and keeping up on maintenance, etc. you will be fine if the tariffs don't last longer than a year.
DeleteAs for your low mileage car. I'm driving a 2015 with under 30,000 miles and I feel confident that if it should need new parts they'd be able to find them in a junk yard but newer cars if they need new parts during tariff and shortages you'd have to wait a long time and pay dearly. Everything in the car industry has been 'just in time' delivery' for some time now. No one stocks parts anymore.
It's not petty to point out the truth, facts, reality to a 45/47 supporter. It's important to remind these people that they made a costly mistake by voting for The Donald. We're all suffering now when we could be thriving.
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying that. She and her husband are heavily invested in the stock market and bragged about how much money they made when 45/47 was president last time.
DeleteGood idea to have someone else proof read your book for you and I see that others have already suggested it. I used to proof read for my professors when I worked as their assistant at the local college. Everyone makes mistakes!
ReplyDeleteI really do miss having my husband proof read. I make so many mistakes in my early drafts that I'd be embarrassed to ask anyone but my niece and she lives too far away and has too busy a life to ask. I am going to ask someone in my writing group to proof this book though, since I think it will get read a lot around here...we're taking about doing a Poetry Slam some afternoon.
DeleteMaybe I'm dim, but what's a "Barstood"? I thought it was a typo for barstool. As for Trump and his tariffs, this morning he's telling everyone to be "cool" it will all work out. I read where he has bragged that he gets richer when the markets drop and he can buy stock cheaper. Of course.
ReplyDeleteBarstood or bar stood. Same thing.
DeleteYup, 45/47 was telling people they can get rich when the market drops. Sure, if you have the cash to buy up the stock that's dropped but the average man on the street can't play the market that way.
I have the same question as TTPT--I don't understand what Barstood means. I thought it was a typo for Barstool/bar stool, too. Please explain.
DeleteIf you google barstood you'll see lots of them for sale. I think it's one of those words that can be written either way.
DeleteCongrats on your publication, Jean! I agree with Ally - it's not petty to talk about the truth of what is going on. Everything that man touches has and continues to turn to shit. Why do the MAGA people gloss over all of his business failures?!?!? Let alone all of his crimes... Rhetorical question - there is no logical answer as to why he can get otherwise sane people to believe all of his lies.
ReplyDeleteDeb
It blows my mind that MAGA fans are still believers after the lies he told about prices going down after the election was over. And the lies he tells now.
DeleteA gel I tried for my knee did NOT work - I think it slid, in fact. It was insured, though, this being Ontario. I hear you on the tariffs; I grew up in Windsor and know from experience how hard the auto problems are going to hit it. Has happened before, but not at this level. Stare that woman down and maybe she will think before she votes next time. I also hear you on the typos. I once labelled a display "Back Bear" and it got put out that way. The worst, though, was a story my aunt told. She was the Board Secretary for a school board. They held a committee meeting that she labelled "Committee of the Whore". My aunt told a story well and there was a lot of laughter. You have to laugh. I CAN spell, but my typing leaves a lot to be desired.
ReplyDelete'Committee of Whores' gave me a laughing/coughing fit. I needed that.
DeleteMy cousin the author, who knew when we were growing up, one-of us would be famous? So glad you are so close to sending it in and can’t wait to see the end result. Will you be having a book signing? Shopping now days is scary as I think maybe I should buy more in case there is a shortage but, thus far, I have restrained myself. Thank goodness I am not planning to make any large purchases in the near future. I love the stories of your CCC and how, sometimes, you have to remind some people that the new administration has not brought prices down, gotten the price of eggs lowered, and the stock market is out of control and so much more. It’s scary out there and every day tRUMP is going after another country. I fear what lies ahead for us.JJ
DeleteI book signing? Don't make me laugh. This isn't the first book I've written. Next summer if we can get together remind me to show you the book I wrote about our mother's side of the family.
DeleteJob well done! Another book completed. How many do you have to date?
ReplyDeleteI continue to be dumbfounded by how few stand up to 💩. He's beyond belief. While I did not march with my 5 million friends, I am happy to tell my grandkids that I did not stay silent. I'm on an email campaign. Our food banks are really suffering. Just 1,383 more days ....
Oh my gosh...I've written 3 family history books; plus one about my parents, my brother and my husband; 2 dog books; this poetry book; and my obituary book---as spoof book about my life---and 3 about being a widow. 13 in all, if I'm not leaving any out. Mind you none of them have a print run of more than 6 copies. I love making books and holding them in my hands.
DeleteDid you see what he said about George Soro paying the people who protested last weekend a million dollars each? That's such a laughable lie.
Glad you are doing your part.
By way of grammar--your first sentence has "sets" where it should be "sits". There are a few commas missing in there, too, but you mentioned to others that you're getting some editing help from friends there.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with Ally, above--it's absolutely appropriate and NECESSARY to remind these MAGA voters that they're getting exactly what they voted for. He made no secret of what he intended to do. It's on them if they were too damned stupid not to understand it.
I went around and around about sets/sits. I guess I chose wrong. I thought sits always involved a person and sets involve objects and I though a building would be an object. Guess I need to do more research so I'll understand what I'm doing.
DeleteP.S. Nance: I just sent that sentence through the online grammar check and it agrees with you. I wish I had thought of that before, but that's what proofing copies are for so no harm done. Thanks for your help!
DeleteYeah the orange twat keeps saying he knows what he is doing and it will all work out but many ordinary people, as in the not delusional people are wondering does he really know what he is doing, making enemies and causing stock market drops and prices to rise was that his plan to make the country great again. I guess only time will tell if that works or not.
ReplyDeleteI hate what he's doing to our country's reputation in the world. Time will do him no favors.
DeleteCongrats on finishing your Book! I'm so glad you brought up the Stock Market Crash in the Group, a lot of MAGA are eating Crow and tho' they seemed fine with so many atrocities he's done that impacted other people, they're not okay when it hits them, are they? His Economic Vandalism is mind blowing, reckless and chaotic. It has made us a World Pariah and we will lose Trust for a long time with the rest of the World. Broken Trust is hard earned back. A part of me does think the only possible 'strategy' is so the obscenely Rich could crash Stock so it could be bought up Cheaply, and do Insider Trading before the Crash... Martha Stewart Style but on a more epic scale. His inference that there was a lot of Money to be made was a Clue there is insidious Agenda behind all of it that will line his Pockets and those of his Billionaire Boys who keep in his good graces.
ReplyDeleteHe's already bragged about how rich people can get when the market crashes like it's been doing. Most people, however, don't the funds to do insider trading. It's all about him and making money for his friends and family. Screw the little people like us.
DeleteI hope the gel works. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteMe too and I can actually cross my fingers now without them getting stuck.
DeleteJean : hope that gel works, I personally I don't like 45/47 for his bullish nature & arrogance about beauty & money so find him very disrespectful & shallow person, but I feel this tariff thing might be good for America it will bring back manufacturing to US, & stock market will rebound in few years, so if someone does not need money right away then it will be good time to invest in good companies according to Asha the newly interested economist lol
ReplyDeleteAsha
The tariffs wouldn't hurt upper middle class people and those who can afford to invest in the stock market and pay the higher prices on trade goods. But it will hurt the elderly, disabled and a lot of poor people and organizations the help marginalized people. What he's doing to the world economy and our reputation in the world isn't worth the trade off we can gain in terms of being more manufacturing back to the U.S.A. That's my opinion and I can't wait until he is out of office. In my entire life we've never had a more unpresidientical-like person in office.
DeleteI was unaware there was a gel to help arthritic joints. Only thing I've ever been offered is cortisone. Does the gel injection hurt as much as the cortisone?
ReplyDeleteI've run a few things I've written through ChatGBT to see what it does and been dissapointed. Takes all the personality out.
It might be fun to run it through to see how business-like, bland and efficient poetry can sound.
It's only approved for knee joints which is why you haven't heard of it. My bone doctor gives the injections off label. It's called Synvisc-One® if you want to research it. I've never had a steroid shot in my joints that hurt. My doctor uses a freezing spray followed by a local numbness shot before he gives the steroid and I don't feel much of anything.
DeleteCan't wait to try the ChatGBT. I'm pretty sure it would turn poetry into a mess. LOL
Good for you on your poetry book. I wish I had done that with some of my writing before I lost them all in my many moves. I'm a terrible proof reader. When I read over my/work writing, I would always read what the word was meant to be. LOL.
ReplyDeleteYup, that's my problem. I have whatever I write memorized very easily and only see the words I meant to write.
DeleteI laughed at the exchange about sits/sets. I have a few of those pairings I always have to think about, if only briefly. Farther/further is another one. Farther is used for actual distance, but further for extension through time. Anyway. I do know what it's like to read and re-read something and completely miss an error. My specialty is double consonants: putting two where it should be one, or one where two belong. I have one reader who sends me an email when I've done it again. It's been a while now, so maybe his tutoring has taken hold.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the money to stock up on anything, but my purchases usually are such that I don't think I'll be much affected, unless the car or computer gives up the ghost. I did find my favorite coffee on sale for $5 per 12 ounce package, so I did stock up on that, and put a bunch in the freezer.
Coffee would be the last thing I'd give up if the price goes super high. I feel badly for all the coffee shops around who have such an uncertain future if people start giving up their fancy drinks. I gave up going to Starbucks when I moved here but only because there isn't a place close by that is easy to drive to and I STILL miss the ritual.
DeleteSome of those grammar rules are confusing and I don't trust myself not to look them up but now I'm finding some bad/conflicting information on line which really throw me.