November 2018

November 2018

Thursday 01- I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie.
Finished Chapter 49 in the history book about- Imperialism.
I went to our community’s Thursday Family Game Night… not many folks showing up but still fun yapping with those there.
I wrote a short story for Linn Rudenauer title "While the Wind Sings" it came out to 2080 words.

Friday 02- I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie.

Finished Chapter 50 in the history book about- industrial society and the working class.

I wrote a short story for Kathleen Gault-Anderson here's your title "A Hard Road" 2183 words long.

Saturday 03- I did my stretches and took Cassie for a walk.

Kjtel came by for coffee and a chat.

Finished Chapter 51 in the history book about- science and the challenge to Christianity, and Chapter 52 about- culture in the age of nationalism and industrialism.

I’ve been having troubles with my main laptop I use for writing ever since the recent Mac OS 14.0 update called Mojave. It was so bad I was losing words I had typed into MS Word documents. I figured there must be an update to fix this problem and tried to update it last week, but there wasn’t an update until I tried tonight and OS 14.1 has been downloading for the past three hours putting a hindrance to my completing the 50,000 words I wanted to write this month. So while waiting for the update to end I read another chapter in the history book. If I don’t make the 50,000 words it ain’t no big deal because I’ve done it for several years now, once under 14 days. I have other things in my life now I feel more important, like getting out in the world and socializing with friends and making new ones... it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop writing, it just means I need to set a balance between the what I want and what I need.

I wrote a short story for Rich Soos title "Sand Ocean" 554 words long.

Sunday 04- I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, punched at the heavybag for a spell, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

Finished Chapter 53 in the history book about- World War One 1914 to 1918.

I worked in the yard for a while, did poop patrol.

I finally continued writing: Carolyn Keyes Shaffer here's your title "Remember the Future" 1291 words long...

Monday 05- I did my stretches, yoga, punched the heavybag, rode my bike, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

Finished Chapter 54 in the history book about- revolution and communism in Russia/ and Finished Chapter 55 in the history book about- the rise of fascism and authoritarianism/ and Finished Chapter 56 in the history book about- paralysis of the democratic West.

I went to our community’s Monday Night Football.

Tuesday 06- I did my stretches, exercised with the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, punched the heavybag, and jogged a mile and a half with Cassie.
Finished Chapter 57 in the history book about- World War 2, 1939-1945/ and Finished Chapter 58 in the history book about- The recovery of Europe and the superpowers, 1945 to present/ and Finished Chapter 59 in the history book about- decolonization and the non-western world, 1945 to present/ and Finished the last of the book Chapter 60 in the history book about- contemporary society and culture. 

Took Cassie for a evening mile jog.

Wednesday 07- I did my stretches, jogged a mile and a half with Cassie, and rode my bike.

I played with my old computers for a while, and watered the plants outside.

Took Cassie for a evening mile jog.

Thursday 08- I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, punched at the heavybag for a spell, rode my bike, and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I went to our Community Game Night. Kjtel brought her sister who is visiting from Montana. It’s the first time she played pool and ping pong! She didn’t want to try the darts, but we had her toss a few times.

I wrote a short story for Joan Fitzpatrick Freeman title "Behind the Wall of Flowers" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs editing 1172 words long... I might add a few more chapter sometime later in the future. I think it might turn out to be a kid's story...

Friday 09- I did my stretches.

I went to Yucca Valley for my physical and did some shopping for parts to fix my leaky kitchen drain.

Saturday 10- I did my stretches and jogged a mile and a half with Cassie.

I went to our community’s board meeting at noon to sit in and listen to them discuss for ten minutes about who is supposed to lead the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Then they got down to other business until 1:30 when the meeting was adjourned. We had lunch. There was plenty of cookies and sandwiches to eat; I snuck some of it home with me. When all were stuffed and sedated we assemble together for our general meeting where we elect our new board members. There wasn’t anyone new wanting to run and those board members up for re-election decided  to keep their seats, so there wasn’t a need for the membership to vote. The board members for 2019 are: President: Kip Fjeld, Vice President: Stephanie Smith, 2nd Vice President: Mack Dodd, Treasurer: Mary Helen Tuttle, Secretary:  Sara Lee, Director at Large: Stephen Tuttle, Director at Large: Michel Cicero, Director at Large: Crystal Wysong.

Sunday 11- I did my stretches, exercised with the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, and ran a mile with Cassie.

Monday 12- I did my stretches, yoga,  core trainer, weight bench, punched at the heavybag for a spell, rode my bike, and jogged a mile and a half with Cassie.

I worked on the short stories some more; there’s something like 40 of them that folks submitted?

Tuesday 13- I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I wrote a short story for Charles Lange title "Swan diving in Quicksand" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs editing 1247 words long.

Wednesday 14- I did my stretches.

I went to Twentynine Palms to get some plumbers putty and did some shopping.

I mailed off my property taxes.

I installed the sink which took about an hour once I found all the parts I misplaced.

I worked on the short stories.

Thursday 15- I did my stretches and jogged a mile and a half with Cassie.

Sink still drips but not as before. I tried to fix it and believe I cut one part too short and will pick up a new one next time I go to town.

Worked on a few things and replied to some emails that needed replying to.
I jogged a mile with Cassie, core trainer, weight bench, punched the heavybag for a short spell, and rode my bike two miles.

I went to Game Night at the community center.

Friday 16- I did my stretches, yoga, and jogged a mile and a half with my favorite jogging partner Cassie.

Me and Cassie walked over to Kjtel’s and Bodie’s house for dinner and a movie, “Outlaw King” I felt was an excellent movie.

I wrote a short story for Theresa Irene Salmon-Butler's title "A Banquet for the Dead" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs editing 1177 words long... Maybe another Copper Mountain Mesa book? :)
I have 36 titles to go

Saturday 17- I did my stretches, exercised with the dumbbells, and jogged a mile and a half with Cassie.

I wrote a short story for Marguerite Brunel's title "The Monopolist's Quandary" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs lots of editing 1604 words long.

I took Cassie for a mile evening jog.

Kjtel test me asking if me and Cassie wanna go for a walk with her and Bodie; I said yes.

Sunday 18- I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, punched at the heavybag for a spell, and jogged a mile and a half with Cassie.

I wrote a short story for Gale Obler here's your title "Solar flare on a Dog Day Afternoon" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs lots of editing 1030 words long :)

I took Cassie for a mile evening jog.

Monday 19- I did my stretches, yoga, and took Cassie with me on a mile and a half.

Messed around the house some tossing away junk.

I took Cassie on a mile jog before I went off to Yucca Valley.

I went to Home Depot and Staters Bros to get some supplies., and then the CERT Meeting at 6pm to 8pm at the Sizzler where I received my County of San Bernardino fire badge for CERT.

Tuesday 20- I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie.

Mack came by for a short spell.

I did my laundry.

I took Cassie for an evening jog of mile and a half.

I wrote a short story for Jill Albrecht here's your title "Starburst" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs lots of editing 1134 words long.

Wednesday 21- I did my stretches, exercised with the dumbbells, and went for a mile and a half jog with my Cassie.

I wrote a short story for Kevin Foreman’s title "Truthful lies" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs lots of editing 1227 words long.

I went for an evening jog of a mile with Cassie.

Thursday 22- I did my stretches, yoga, and jogged a mile and a half with Cassie.

I finished Robin Close Hazelton's title "A whisper out at sea " While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write: a short poem that took my mind to other places.

I went to Bodie and Kjtel’s house with Cassie for Thanksgiving dinner and a movie... it was a mighty nice time.

Friday 23- I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit at the heavybag for a short spell, and jogged a 1.5 miles with Cassie.

I finished Shanna Dyott's title "Lost love" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs lots of editing 691 words long.
I took Cassie for and evening jog of a mile.

I finished Steve Gardner's title "Wolf Meadow" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs lots of editing 679 words long

Saturday 24- I did my stretches, yoga, and went for a 1.5 mile jog with my Cassie.

I went for a mile evening jog with Cassie.

I went to potluck with a pot of rice. Just two days after eating Thanksgiving dinners the denizens of the desert gathered yet again to stuff themselves full at our community potluck; yes we do some serious eating out here where the pavement ends and life begins. Chris VanNortrick brought cookies and sliced ham. Jeff Dongvillo whipped up an apple-bean crockpot. Mack Dodd presented us with a sausage pasta. Dyan Carroll worked her butt off cooking up stir-fry, a banana split trifle, sweet potatoes, and them yummy scalloped potatoes I like so much. Elizabeth West set the table with chicken cheese enchiladas and an apple dump cake. And Yvonne Francis scooted in at the last moment with her vegetarian bean casserole and fruit salad. These folks are like family to me, some coming to our potluck for 20 years now. We will be having our potluck on the last Saturday of December at 4pm and everyone is welcome to participate. 

Sunday 25- I did my stretches and went for a 1.5 mile jog with my Cassie.

I was assembling the 80-Gallon Lifetime 60058 Compost Tumbler when I noticed that an important part was missing. Will call company up tomorrow to have them send me one out.

Monday 26- I did my stretches, exercised with the 10 and 20 pound dumbbells, and jogged 1.5 miles with Cassie.

Called the composter company to send me out the missing part. No problem said Darlene we’ll send you the part and you’ll have it in three days.

I took Cassie for an evening jog of one mile.

Went to Monday Night Football at the community center.

Tuesday 27- I did my stretches, core trainer, weight bench, hit at the heavybag for a short spell, and jogged a 1.5 miles with Cassie.

Worked around the house fixing this and that which was broken and needed fixing.

Took Cassie for a mile evening jog.

Cassie and I walked over to Kjtel and Bodie’s home to have dinner and a movie... a science fiction movie called “Titan” which had so many holes in it you could drain spaghetti in.

Wednesday 28- I did my stretches.... My body told me I needed a break from all the exercising.

At around 10:35 my dog Cassie (a Dalmatian) was barking loudly and I came outside to see this fire! By the time the fire department got there is was mostly burnt down. I rode my scooter over there an hour later and took some pics... it looks like it's a total loss. I knew the family well. Juanita Young and her daughter Sharon both passed away and Juanita’s grandsons, Sharon’s sons, inherited the property I believe.

I sent the photos to the Hi-Desert Star newspaper and they wrote up a story using my photo! Link: http://www.hidesertstar.com/news/article_85797934-f370-11e8-8c9a-ef1ebe3062c2.html?fbclid=IwAR0ocbjr25tqnFErCRXnV1xlAidLRXrCeo4A-mZ4-LwPwb12cBAZO8q1yoc

Thursday 29- I did my stretches. Too windy and cold to do my exercises and jog outside.

FEDEX came with the the missing part to the composter.

I finished Nancy Schow's title "The Desert’s Whisper" While it might not be what you may have thought I'd write... it also needs lots of editing 709 words long.

Friday 30- I did my stretches and jogged a mile with Cassie.

I messed around with computers today... loaded Win XP on an old Dell Mini 9.

Kjtel and Bodie came over for some tea and then a walk.

******************** November 2018 Poems *****************

It's the mice who like to linger and guest who overstay, when you want your peace and quiet you wish they’d go away...
~RD

So deep the sea, so lost was he, drowned out among humanity’s bellowing banter. Be done with the land, he sets sail, to find the peace he seeks so far from shore. With foods and water to continue his quest, a journey to put a thousand souls to rest. The allure of land shall be no more, forever roaming, forever searching, to set his spirit free, he has now become what he always wanted, a whisper out at sea.
~RD

Sometimes I forget how blessed I really am until someone reminds me...
~RD

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