And Now, for Something Completely Different

My mind wanders now and then. Lately, it's been hanging out where mome raths outgrabe:


(From John Tenniel (1871), via Wikimedia Commons, used w/o permission.)
(John Tenniel's illustration for Carroll's "Jabberwocky.")

"Jabberwocky"
Lewis Carroll

" 'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

" 'Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!'...
(From Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org/files/12/12-h/12-h.htm))

Break Time

It's still cold outside. My wife told me to stay put today, instead of going to church. I think that was a good idea, considering the shape my left shin is in.

On a happier note, I've been enjoying a Christmas present. Several, actually, but the one I had in mind was a book on one of my favorite topics: useless information.



A little more seriously, I've been writing posts for A Catholic Citizen in America and Apathetic Lemming of the North, and making progress on a few of my old 'back burner' projects.



It's after supper as I write this. I've got a little more 'break time' left, and then it's back to work.

Related posts:

• "Just Touching Base"
  (January 4, 2014)
• "Spilled Coffee, Reality, and a Wind Chill Advisory"
  (December 9, 2013)
• " 'Creative:' I Like That"
  (May 21, 2013)
• "My Desk: It Works for Me"
  (May 18, 2012)

"Creative:" I Like That

This is one of the nicest things I've been told:

"[I'm a] Catholic convert too, [a] retired teacher following you on Twitter. You have [an] interesting, positive, creative lifestyle. God bless you."

The original was in 'Tweeteese' - or 'Textlish?' I omitted out the person's name, out of privacy concerns. But - thanks!

My Desk: It Works for Me

Some folks do their writing at an uncluttered desk, with a view of a lawn or garden. This is where I spend most of the day. And quite a few evenings.


My desk on a Friday afternoon. May 18, 2012.

The latest addition is that little gray box by the toy cars. It's a kitchen timer, set to go off every 30 minutes. When it beeps, I get up, stretch, and sometimes walk around a bit. Without that, I'd stay in place for hours.

A garden view would be nice, but there's a window to the right of my desk, looking out on a hummingbird feeder, some lawn, and (almost) the corner of Ash and South 9th in Sauk Centre. My webcam looks out that window, too, and that's another topic.

Not-entirely-unrelated posts:

• "Lemming Tracks: A Change in Schedule"
  Apathetic Lemming of the North (May 14, 2012)
• " 'Sleep on It:' Separating Inspiration From Indigestion"
  Drifting at the Edge of Time and Space (January 24, 2012)
• "Making a Work Space that Works For a Writer"
  Apathetic Lemming of the North (July 28, 2010)
• "Monday: Small Town Tranquility and Road Work"
  (June 15, 2009)
• "Medical Meets Creative"
  (January 29, 2009)

Thursday: One More Day and It's the Weekend

Another day's done.

My wife, #3 daughter and son went to Soo Bahk Do class tonight and got a thorough workout. Someday I ought to get involved in that again.

My day was mostly writing posts - including one for Narcissus-X that's more the result of desperation than inspiration on my part: "Narcissus-X Contemplates the Viscous Chartreuse Torrent." My schedule says that there's a Narcissus-X post due today - and there's some small virtue to sticking to a schedule.

If nothing else, I figure it's keeping my creative muscles limber. Although, judging from today's results, a re-evaluation of that assumption may be called for.

It's getting late, I'm tired.

Goodnight, and may God bless.

Ego Adjustments: Another Benefit of Having Kids

I was very pleased with myself this evening, as a 3d art project I've been working on came closer to completion. I'd solved a thorny problem with atmospheric perspective, and learned a technique for carving shapes and applying textures.

Hearing one of my daughters walking behind me, I drew her attention to what was on the screen, expecting some sort of affirming response.

In a mildly surprised tone she said, "so you actually managed something!"

And then, after some consideration, "well, it's a lot better than the polka dots."

It's wonderful, having a family whose members see to it that my feet stay firmly planted on the ground.