Yum, BBQ. About a week ago I celebrated the unseasonably cool (almost comfortable!) weather with my own version: bratwurst roasted on an open fire.

Today will be around 90F/32C and humid, so I won't be doing any such thing. But with July coming to an end, we're near the hottest time of year here so it won't be too long before the weather starts getting comfortable again (though the dog days of August can be mighty toasty).

I also can't wait for the humidity to go down so I get a better view of the night sky. City lights are one thing, but adding haze to the mix means even fewer stars visible.

Our June camping trip was shortened by rain, so we're talking about "getting the band back together" (to quote The Blues Brothers) for another shot in September.

Mortereve, all! How are you all doing?

My July has been going interestingly. I just finished my semesters at summer school, which were very rewarding but also exhausting. I also started work, selling corn and melons at a farmer's market. It's an interesting experience. I'm tired at the end of the day, but it is wonderful to have a job.

I've also been reading a lot this summer, but with school, work, and piano, there hasn't been a whole lot of time to devote to reading and writing. I just wanted to pop in here and say hello.

Kudos for your unofficial NaNo word count, Rya, wow! All the best with the rest!

Thanks, jo! I'm starting to really enjoy it because, even though this is the 4th time I've written this "first draft" ( ), this is the farthest I've ever gotten in the story. If I keep this up, I may actually get to those plot points that I'm excited about!

My July has been going interestingly. I just finished my semesters at summer school, which were very rewarding but also exhausting. I also started work, selling corn and melons at a farmer's market. It's an interesting experience. I'm tired at the end of the day, but it is wonderful to have a job.

I'm glad you survived the summer semesters, Bella! And that sounds like a fun job. Do you work all day, then, or do you have shorter shifts?

I'm tentatively rather excited today. I got an e-mail yesterday about a job opening, and the person who sent the e-mail thought that I might be a good fit for it. I'm making some adjustments to my resume today so that I can apply today, and I'm hoping for the best--hence the "tentatively" excited. *Fingers crossed*

Other than that, I think it's going to be a normal Tuesday for me. I'm hoping I start feeling a bit more productive, though, since there are some things I really ought to get done today.

I really enjoy hearing about your job, Bella. It sounds like you're having a blast. What sort of stuff are you doing on piano? I took piano lessons for years and didn't actually learn much. Or maybe I did. Sometimes it's easy to loose perspective when you're listening to concert pianists. And last month I started organ lessons which means I get to mess around on a pipe organ once a week. That's pretty neat...

Oooh, that is exciting Rya! I hope the application stuff goes well!

Our county fair starts today... it used to start on Wednesday but a few years ago they decided to move entry day back to Tuesday so that visitors get to see everything all set up instead of wandering around while the exhibits are being admitted. So there was a lot of running around this morning while everyone collected their projects. At the very last minute I decided I did have projects to enter so I'll find out tomorrow evening what color ribbons I add to my collection this year.

Whew, it's been a while since I've posted in here! May and June were both really busy months, and even though I've had a little more free time this July, it's been quickly nommed up by the NarniaWeb competition. I'm finding that participating has been really good for helping me climb out of my shell, though. I've always had a bad habit of taking the time to write up a post, and then read over it, decide it isn't any good and hit the delete button. I think I may finally be over that now.

Weather-wise, my July has been really nice. We usually have really hot and humid summers, but things have been pretty mild this year and I've really appreciated it! (Like Rya, though, I fear that I've spent too much time typing away on the computer in lieu of enjoying some of this nice weather! ) I'm just hoping that a mild summer doesn't translate into a harsh winter. Not terribly fond of the bitterly cold ones.

Conga-rats on getting your shiny new computer, Rya, and props for doing so well with Camp NaNo! That's awesome! Do you have a summary for your story? Btw, hope that job application goes well!

Mmmm @chicken thighs off the barbecue! Those sound great, Jo!

Hope the humidity has cleared up for you, gazer! It's interesting that the humidity can affect stargazing. I'm afraid I'm usually thinking about how it's going to affect my hair.

Glad to hear that you've been enjoying your new job, Bella! And sorry to hear that you've been so busy, but it sounds like you're busy with a lot of interesting stuff. Conga-rats on finishing your summer semesters!

That county fair sounds like a lot of fun, Mel! Let us know how it all goes! I can't say I've ever even been to a county fair. I think I'd enjoy it, though. We always went to the state fair when I was a kid, and it got so popular and turned into such a mob of people that we stopped enjoying it as much and haven't been in years. I'll have to look into county fairs; they seem like they might be more my speed.

Conga-rats on getting your shiny new computer, Rya, and props for doing so well with Camp NaNo! That's awesome! Do you have a summary for your story? Btw, hope that job application goes well!

Thanks, Rosie! (Just waiting on an e-mail for my job application right now... I needed to ask my recruiter about something. ) As for the story summary, well... here's the short version. Essentially, it's about these five different character who are all, for various reasons, captured by mysterious enemies. The five meet up and manage to escape, but quickly realize that their enemies aren't going to give up on them so easily, so the rest of the story is about them fighting back. I don't dare go into more detail because I know that I won't shut up.

This is a story I've been working on since I was 16, though it's gone through a couple of dramatic re-writes since then. I really enjoy it, though... sometimes, I think it would work a lot better as a TV show/webcomic than a novel. (Too bad I can't draw. ) Right now, my main purpose in writing it out is really to figure out what happens next--I know some major plot points that I want to happen eventually, it's just all of those minor details (like, say, why the characters would ever get into that situation) in the middle that are bothering me.

Our county fair starts today... it used to start on Wednesday but a few years ago they decided to move entry day back to Tuesday so that visitors get to see everything all set up instead of wandering around while the exhibits are being admitted. So there was a lot of running around this morning while everyone collected their projects. At the very last minute I decided I did have projects to enter so I'll find out tomorrow evening what color ribbons I add to my collection this year.

Oooh, sounds like fun! What kinds of projects did you submit? And be sure to let us know what color ribbons you do get!

(I just crossed 2000 posts!! I never thought I'd get this far! I think my post count has jumped about seven hundred since July began. )

Wow, that story sounds really neat, Rya! Props to you for working on a plotline you thought of when you were sixteen; I have a bad habit of forgetting my story ideas. I really need to take more notes. I like the plot-line; it sounds really interesting and exciting!

Lol, I wish I could draw as well. I suppose I could learn, but I have such a long list of to-learns. I used to draw and paint and do all sorts of artsy projects when I was younger, but I've lost touch with that over the years and my doodles are pretty simplistic these days. I need to get back into it sometime. (And maybe enter some county fairs, too! )

Anyway, I see what you mean about it being a good fit for a TV show or a web comic! Perhaps when it's a famous novel, they'll turn it into an A:TLA/LoK-style television show. *crosses fingers* Keep us posted on how the rest of NaNo goes! You're alllmost there.

*dusts off the Unofficially Official Brown-and-Blue NaNoWriMo Pompoms™ and jumps around, cheering* (We need a cheerleader emote. )

I've always had a bad habit of taking the time to write up a post, and then read over it, decide it isn't any good and hit the delete button. I think I may finally be over that now.

I would never have guessed from the sheer volume of posts you've put up--and they're all so interesting to read that now I'm sad about all the ones we've missed out on. Congrats on your post count!

The llama show was tonight. It was a little nuts. I ended up being sent home for one brother's show clothes (you need a white shirt and black pants for the showmanship class) and helping bring obstacles for the obstacle/Public Relations class, which meant I missed seeing pirates, a basketball star, a...llama covered in boxes and luggage... and Glinda and her bubble in the costume class.

And I never did get down to the general exhibits building so I don't know what I got. But my little sister got a blue on her woven purse!

I can't really imagine a non-crowded state fair. Ours is huge! It's fun, but I wouldn't want to go and deal with the crowds for more than a day.

What sort of things did you enter, Melty? It sounds like a fun event, though I'd tend to agree with you about the crowds.

Awestruck, Betsy-Rose! You mean you post that much not including the deleted ones? Don't forget to post it up in Conga-rats thread (for another post )

I am reprieved today--I was slated to go into town to do the shopping, and didn't have to. It is definitely a tourist town in the summer, and loaded with people. There is a big event happening this weekend, and we're just hoping they don't tear the town to bits. Yes, it's one of those sorts of events *mutters dark indistiguishable things* The city vetoed it, so now a private venue just outside of town has taken it on.

Not only that, but I have undisputed access to the main computer, with its big screen--a big screen, I might add, that is not slowly dying a painful death, like my laptop screen. And I liked my laptop I have a tablet to replace it, and I'm still trying to figure out how to use it, and how to make it do all the things my computer does.

I would never have guessed from the sheer volume of posts you've put up--and they're all so interesting to read that now I'm sad about all the ones we've missed out on. Congrats on your post count!

Awww, thank you! I'm kind of burned out now. I was really ready to throw in the towel yesterday when I got up to twenty posts and couldn't think of any more threads to respond to, but I'd already put so much energy into it, I hated the idea of not making it to the thirty post goal. I really don't like doing things in halves. These past three days have been quite the grand finale for this competition!

The llama show was tonight. It was a little nuts. I ended up being sent home for one brother's show clothes (you need a white shirt and black pants for the showmanship class) and helping bring obstacles for the obstacle/Public Relations class, which meant I missed seeing pirates, a basketball star, a...llama covered in boxes and luggage... and Glinda and her bubble in the costume class.

They have cosplaying llamas at county fairs?

I. must. go.

(It occurs to me right now that LlamaCon really, really needs to be a thing. )

And I never did get down to the general exhibits building so I don't know what I got. But my little sister got a blue on her woven purse!

Conga-rats to her!!

Awestruck, Betsy-Rose! You mean you post that much not including the deleted ones? Don't forget to post it up in Conga-rats thread (for another post )

Lol, no; I meant I was forever deleting posts deemed "not good enough" before the competition started. I had to do away with that perfectionism in order to participate. It's been a very good thing for me.

Ooh, and thanks for the reminder on the Conga-rats thread!! I'll have to ask the Marshals if it still counts for points if you delete your post and then post it again with an edit tacked on, to avoid double-posting...

Not only that, but I have undisputed access to the main computer, with its big screen--a big screen, I might add, that is not slowly dying a painful death, like my laptop screen. And I liked my laptop I have a tablet to replace it, and I'm still trying to figure out how to use it, and how to make it do all the things my computer does.

Ooh, good luck with posting today! I'll have to be out running errands later, so I'm not sure how many posts I'll manage for the clock strikes proverbial midnight. Sorry to hear about your laptop. Personally, I'm having a hard time adjusting to the tablet craze; they're nice for a lot of things, but I love the sturdy keyboard on my laptop for all of my typing.

*waves to all ye SquareOnions*

stargazer, I hope your humidity has vamoosed. And hoping your next camping trip is precipitation-free, with clear night skies too. Ahh, bratwursts, I well remember trying them for the first time in MN last year. I would still love to introduce you all to Octoberfest sausages someday.

Bella, a Farmers' Market sounds like such a lovely place to have a job. All the fresh produce, mmmm! Glad your summer courses are over. Now you have a wee break before school starts up again.

I got an e-mail yesterday about a job opening, and the person who sent the e-mail thought that I might be a good fit for it.

Ahh, that sounds positive. Wishing you well in this!

You began organ lessons, Mel? Wow, very cool. I started taking them years ago, but ended up concentrating more on piano, so I didn't get too far with the organ.

How did your entries do at the fair? And what were they?

Hope the humidity has cleared up for you, gazer! It's interesting that the humidity can affect stargazing. I'm afraid I'm usually thinking about how it's going to affect my hair.

Ditto for the first part! And I gather the second part means you have thick and frizzy hair?

I just crossed 2000 posts!!

Awesome-sauce!

Wow, that llama show sounds fascinatingly bizarre, Mel. Did you enter any of yours? And congratulations to your sister for her purse prize!

They have cosplaying llamas at county fairs?

It is definitely a tourist town in the summer, and loaded with people.

Oh my, we lived near one of those years ago, and avoided the town as often as possible in the summer. I think the population quadrupled in July and August.

Ugh, sorry about your computer, aileth! All the best with learning the tablet. As for me, I'm so old-fashioned, all I have is a desktop. But, hey, it works for what I use it for.

So, it's a long weekend here in Ontario ... Civic holiday. It's not officially a statutory holiday, as some places are still open, but many are closed and it's exciting because it's the holiday weekend prior to the final summer holiday (Labour Day). Yes, I'm eager for autumn, although not as much as I usually am since this summer has not been nasty at all ... meaning, little humidity, and often glorious cool temperatures with a good amount of precipitation. But I am definitely still looking forward to those shorter days and crisp temperatures, along with many other treats of that glorious time of year.

Anyway, I see what you mean about it being a good fit for a TV show or a web comic! Perhaps when it's a famous novel, they'll turn it into an A:TLA/LoK-style television show. *crosses fingers* Keep us posted on how the rest of NaNo goes! You're alllmost there.

Ironic that you say that, since A:TLA was a huge influence on this story. In part because, as I said, I started it when I was 16, and I was obsessed with Avatar at that point. (It doesn't help that one of my characters has powers over the elements, and whenever she uses water, I inevitably imagine it like waterbending. )

Anyways, I actually hit my NaNo word count goal a couple of days ago. (In part because it was only about 37K instead of 50K. ) I'm still writing it, though, because I'm almost to a good break point. I think next month is going to be devoted to story outlining, so I don't keep running into, "Great, how are they getting out of THIS mess?" problems.

Not only that, but I have undisputed access to the main computer, with its big screen--a big screen, I might add, that is not slowly dying a painful death, like my laptop screen. And I liked my laptop I have a tablet to replace it, and I'm still trying to figure out how to use it, and how to make it do all the things my computer does.

I know that pain all too well. My own laptop went belly-up about a month ago, though in my case it was the hard drive. I have a new computer now (a desktop), though I may eventually get around to replacing the hard drive in the laptop, too. Anyways, I hope you like your new tablet! It seems like there are a lot of things it would be useful for, though admittedly I prefer using an actual keyboard and wouldn't enjoy having to write on a tablet.

Yes, I'm eager for autumn, although not as much as I usually am since this summer has not been nasty at all ... meaning, little humidity, and often glorious cool temperatures with a good amount of precipitation. But I am definitely still looking forward to those shorter days and crisp temperatures.

As much as I love autumn myself, that's such a weird thought! I mean, we still have a month of summer left, but... still, what happened to it? I'm just grateful not to have to worry about getting back to school. Still, it went by so fast, and I didn't get nearly as much done this summer as I would've liked. Hmm, maybe I should get some of those things set up for August, so I can at least say I got them done....

Nice to see the Town Square buzzing with activity!

I chuckled aloud to read of pirates and cosplaying llamas. I'd go to LlamaCon.

I can echo Mel's comments on our state fair ('it's a great state fair, don't miss it, don't even be late' - wait, that song is for someone else's state fair). I've been going for a mighty long time, and it's almost always crowded (the exception being on really hot or rainy days). The last couple decades I've been going with some friends...and it's hard to believe that their kids, who once required strollers to get around, are both teenagers now.

Enjoy your long weekend jo! The weather here has been comfortable for high summer, though the skies remain kind of a milky white due to wild fire smoke high in the air. More heat and humidity are on tap for this weekend. I'm finally going to break down and get my car's air conditioning fixed next week. (That should ensure a cool August! )

I'm always looking forward to autumn...its cool crisp days, blue skies, lack of bugs and humidity, longer stargazing evenings, bountiful harvest and trips to the orchard, campfires and fall color tours - so much to do! The only fly in the ointment, so to speak, is the days are getting short really fast, which means winter is coming. Some of us like winter (though those -40 wind chills are a bit much for this old polar bear), but I know a lot of people really don't like navigating blizzards and shoveling out the car. Maybe this winter will be a little milder in the big storm category.

But there's still lots of summer left. August 1 is Lammas Day, traditionally the harvest festival which marks the halfway point between the summer solstice and fall equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere. (The actual halfway point comes August 7).

Anyways, I actually hit my NaNo word count goal a couple of days ago.

Woohooo!

I'm just grateful not to have to worry about getting back to school.

I can imagine! Such a sense of freedom, eh?

The last couple decades I've been going with some friends...and it's hard to believe that their kids, who once required strollers to get around, are both teenagers now.

That's a really cool tradition!

I'm finally going to break down and get my car's air conditioning fixed next week.

As long as it's not your A/C that "breaks down" again.

I'm always looking forward to autumn...its cool crisp days, blue skies, lack of bugs and humidity, longer stargazing evenings, bountiful harvest and trips to the orchard, campfires and fall color tours - so much to do!

Hear-hear! Amen. And Ditto!

August 1 is Lammas Day

I totally read that as "Llamas Day", given the topic at hand.

Ditto for the first part! And I gather the second part means you have thick and frizzy hair?

It behaves itself most of the time, but if there's a lot of humidity in the air... well... have you ever seen those toys that shrink when they're dry and grow about ten times larger when you put them in a container of water? When it's in the process of drying after I've washed it, I have a veritable lion's mane before it fully dries out and calms down.

Ironic that you say that, since A:TLA was a huge influence on this story. In part because, as I said, I started it when I was 16, and I was obsessed with Avatar at that point. (It doesn't help that one of my characters has powers over the elements, and whenever she uses water, I inevitably imagine it like waterbending. )

*squee* Now I wanna meet all of your characters. If you ever posts excerpts or anything online, let me know!

And congrats on hitting your NaNo goal, especially in the midst of doing the NWeb competition, too! That's awesome! *waves pompoms* (Being someone who is chronically terrible at NaNoWriMo, I am very impressed. )

August 1 is Lammas Day, traditionally the harvest festival which marks the halfway point between the summer solstice and fall equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere. (The actual halfway point comes August 7).

Like Jo, I thought of llamas as well. I think that is the perfect date for LlamaCon.

Being someone who does most of the cooking in my household, all of this talk of autumn is making me think about all of my cool-weather recipes... soups and stews and pies, oh my. Methinks I ought to stock up on some pumpkin and sweet potato puree in preparation for quick and convenient autumn treat making.