The llama show was tonight.

They have cosplaying llamas at county fairs?

That would be interesting to see. We have one old grumpy, grumpy, grumpy llama; she would probably try to savage the others, so I think I'd leave her peacefully at home.

but I love the sturdy keyboard on my laptop for all of my typing.

All the best with learning the tablet. As for me, I'm so old-fashioned, all I have is a desktop.

I prefer using an actual keyboard and wouldn't enjoy having to write on a tablet.

A bluetooth keyboard is first on the list. How can I be expected to write on one of those tablet things? Ugh! Aside from that it's fairly nice. I'm just not that tech-savvy, and it takes me a while to get used to things.

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?

What a mental picture, Rosie; but then be glad you have hair...

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. )

So a few years ago... this happened. And yes, y'all should totally come and visit our state fair. There's a large costume class for llamas. I don't know why more pictures don't show up online. You're on your own for fresh ideas from year to year...

I entered a baby afghan (There are two there, and I've given one away and I don't remember which one is left) and a pair of socks in the county fair... which I have yet to photograph. I still don't know what I got; I'm assuming nothing interesting because nobody has mentioned it to me yet.

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.

Ditto, ditto. I had to read it twice to make sure it wasn't some odd llama holiday I'd never encountered. For example there's a town in Wisconsin that runs llamas like they run bulls in Spain...

Yes, jo, I'm making an effort to learn how to play an organ. It's... definitely interesting. I think it might aid in my piano efforts, if only because I have to practice on one most of the time.

That would be interesting to see. We have one old grumpy, grumpy, grumpy llama; she would probably try to savage the others, so I think I'd leave her peacefully at home.

Awww. Does she have a name? If not, I suggest Mrs. Grump.

:)) So a few years ago... this happened.

That is fully awesome. I would follow him into battle anywhere. *is tempted to caption the picture with FOR NARNIA AND FOR ASLAN*

I entered a baby afghan (There are two there, and I've given one away and I don't remember which one is left) and a pair of socks in the county fair... which I have yet to photograph. I still don't know what I got; I'm assuming nothing interesting because nobody has mentioned it to me yet.

Awww! Well, if not, then you should have. That baby afghan is adorable!! I love the colors you chose for it; white and yellow always look wonderful together.

Ditto, ditto. I had to read it twice to make sure it wasn't some odd llama holiday I'd never encountered. For example there's a town in Wisconsin that runs llamas like they run bulls in Spain...

Really? I need to find video of that, pronto. Or go myself.

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!

Believe me, I'd love to introduce you. Hmm, maybe I'll have to dust off my Narnia Writer's Guild account and post it over there. AFTER re-writes, of course. As it stands, I'm not even sure I want to show it to my brother, who is usually my go-to guy for bouncing ideas off of.... That's probably just post-NaNo second-guessing, though.

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. )

Thanks! I admit, I don't think I would've been able to pull it off if I was either in school or working regularly. Even with the reduced NaNo goal. I think it helped that, on the third night, I managed to put in nearly 3,000 words, so... yeah. I started on a high note.

Admittedly, that's also why I wasn't posting for the competition at night as much as I really could have.

A bluetooth keyboard is first on the list. How can I be expected to write on one of those tablet things? Ugh! Aside from that it's fairly nice. I'm just not that tech-savvy, and it takes me a while to get used to things.

I imagine it's even worse on a smartphone, since the buttons are much smaller. (I've never tried a tablet, but I own a smartphone.) Occasionally, I'll force myself to use my smartphone instead of my computer, just to get a little faster at it, and it has the benefit of forcing me to use fewer words for the same message. Unfortunately, if I want to send a message quickly....

So a few years ago... this happened.

Oh, that is so awesome! I'm curious--you mentioned in the thread that it can be hard to get the costume pieces on the legs and ears. So, how much trouble was it to get the costume on?

Really? I need to find video of that, pronto.

Here's an official page with a rundown which sounds a wee bit different than what I remember being told at the wool festival last time we went, but, eh. It is what it is.

Oh, that is so awesome! I'm curious--you mentioned in the thread that it can be hard to get the costume pieces on the legs and ears. So, how much trouble was it to get the costume on?

As the years go by, it seems to have become much easier to put the socks and stuff on the llamas. Practice and familiarity and all that... I think that year he kept stepping away while we tried to pull the socks up. And balancing the helmet was interesting too.

If you ever post snippets or anything of your story, I'd enjoy reading it too.

*Wanders in*

Not really sure how to go about this, but.. hello? I used to frequent the Square, around 2010/11, and have somehow found myself back here for the first time in nearly 3 years(!) which I find hard to believe. I've been lurking on the forums more and more since there have been smidgens of news regarding Silver Chair, and it is incredibly cool to see some of the same people still around. (And makes me feel a tad ashamed. ) I'd forgotten how high the quality of forum-ing around here was, and it's really refreshing.

Anyway, I will be astounded if anyone remembers me, but I just wanted to pop in anyway. I was reading some of my posts from way back when - at the time I'd just moved across the world and was having trouble adjusting, and reading people's words of comfort and sympathy is very heart-warming, even now. It's quite a fun experience to read your own take on a situation from 3 years ago - I wasn't half melodramatic. But I also kind of want to go give myself a hug, and promise that time does change things.

Anyway, lest this post become even more excessively introspective than it already is, I'll stop now. I feel very out of it all, but I kind of want to jump back into things. I remember it being a lot of fun. We'll see.

(Man, I've missed emoticons. )

I'd like to respond to more, but just a quickie to say a massive WELCOME BACK, Aslans Country! Of course I remember you. And I recall discussing with you in this very Square, I believe, your huge move. I'm so glad to see you're doing quite well. Yes, looking back at one's own life situations can be rather odd and interesting, to be sure. I really hope you can stick around!

Emoticons, eh? Go crazy!

More later ...

Believe me, I'd love to introduce you. Hmm, maybe I'll have to dust off my Narnia Writer's Guild account and post it over there. AFTER re-writes, of course.

Ooh, I remember the Narnia Writer's Guild... I'm pretty sure I set up an account over there, but I have no idea what my password was. That would be awesome, though! It would be nice to see some activity over there, too, lol.

Thanks! I admit, I don't think I would've been able to pull it off if I was either in school or working regularly. Even with the reduced NaNo goal. I think it helped that, on the third night, I managed to put in nearly 3,000 words, so... yeah. I started on a high note.

Admittedly, that's also why I wasn't posting for the competition at night as much as I really could have.

I'm just super impressed that you were able to manage participating in the competition AND doing a 37k NaNo novel. I can't imagine a universe in which I could attempt that without my brain exploding. Amen to starting off really strong, though; that suggestion about putting high numbers up at the very beginning so you have to write less and less as time goes on is pretty brilliant. If I ever attempt NaNo again, I am definitely going to give that a try.

Here's an official page with a rundown which sounds a wee bit different than what I remember being told at the wool festival last time we went, but, eh. It is what it is.

Oh my goodness. Not quite what I expected either, but still awesome. I was thinking something very similar to the Running of the Bulls in Spain... I mean, how epic would it be to have a scar and be able to say, "Oh, I got that in the Running of the Llamas. It was pretty brutal. " I may just use that as an explanation for the scar on my knee, instead of the lame-o story about tripping over a parking concrete block thingy many, many moons ago.

Anyway, I will be astounded if anyone remembers me, but I just wanted to pop in anyway.

I do remember you!! If my elephantine memory is serving me correctly, I nicknamed you Lana and you had just moved to Japan! I've thought about you from time to time and hoped you were doing well. So good to see you on the forum again!! It's great to hear that things are going better now for you, too. (I know exactly what you mean about wishing you could go back in time and give your anxious, younger self a hug! ) Are you still living in Japan?

Annnd... emoticon party time!

Hey, Aslan's Country! I remember you! I don't think we interacted much, but it's nice to see your username and avvy again.

Rose, do tell what sort of a reaction you get if you tell people you got your scar "running with the llamas." My siblings and I are pretty good at making up silly responses to questions, but then we never actually use any of them.

County Fair update: I got a blue on the socks and a red on the afghan. I wish open class were more like the 4-H competition where you get some sort of feedback from the judge because I'd love to know the reasoning behind the placings... I can never tell if there are multiple reds and blues in a category or if they're judged on skill or what. Because that's not how I would have awarded ribbons to my work.

Oh, that is so awesome! I'm curious--you mentioned in the thread that it can be hard to get the costume pieces on the legs and ears. So, how much trouble was it to get the costume on?

As the years go by, it seems to have become much easier to put the socks and stuff on the llamas. Practice and familiarity and all that... I think that year he kept stepping away while we tried to pull the socks up. And balancing the helmet was interesting too.

I can imagine. I can see why he wouldn't find this as fun as you would.

If you ever post snippets or anything of your story, I'd enjoy reading it too.

Maybe eventually. Sometime after I've assured myself that the rest of my plot post-NaNo actually works.

Not really sure how to go about this, but.. hello? I used to frequent the Square, around 2010/11, and have somehow found myself back here for the first time in nearly 3 years(!) which I find hard to believe. I've been lurking on the forums more and more since there have been smidgens of news regarding Silver Chair, and it is incredibly cool to see some of the same people still around. (And makes me feel a tad ashamed. ) I'd forgotten how high the quality of forum-ing around here was, and it's really refreshing.

Welcome back, Aslans Country! If it makes you feel any better--I spent the majority of about 2007-2013 away from NarniaWeb (in large part because of school); real life happens sometimes. Actually, I think we might have met one of the times I came back for a little while between semesters, though I'm afraid my return was short-lived and I didn't get to know you very well. Well, if we're both back, hopefully that will change!

Emoticons, eh? Go crazy!

Hey, that's my line! Just kidding! (And here everyone goes or . )

...I may be having a bit too much fun.

County Fair update: I got a blue on the socks and a red on the afghan. I wish open class were more like the 4-H competition where you get some sort of feedback from the judge because I'd love to know the reasoning behind the placings... I can never tell if there are multiple reds and blues in a category or if they're judged on skill or what. Because that's not how I would have awarded ribbons to my work.

Conga Rats on your ribbons! Too bad about the lack of feedback, though. I can see how that would be a little unwieldy for the judges, but at the same time, wouldn't it encourage getting even better submissions in the future? Ah well; I don't know much about these kinds of competitions, so I'm not sure I should be talking.

It's a little interesting adjusting to August now, now that both the competition and NaNo are over. I'm kind of enjoying the time to relax, though, at the same time... now I'm remembering all the things that I put off all last month because I was so distracted. For example, I was going to get together with some friends, some of whom only got back to the area this past month, but there are five of us, and... well, you really have to stay on top of scheduling if you want that to happen. But, we finally set a date, so I get to actually see them! ...Sometime after I finish all the chores I've been abandoning.

And now I'm getting post-NaNo doldrums. I'm starting to realize just how little of the plot I know beyond what I've written--mainly, I have a couple of things that I want to happen... in some order... via some motivation.... Ah well; that's what my brother is for--bouncing ideas off of! Don't worry; he does the same to me. Believe it or not, being used as an idea backboard doesn't hurt as much as you'd think!

Thanks everyone, it's wonderful to be welcomed back. And be remembered! You all have better memories than me.

I really hope you can stick around!

I definitely think I will, after such a nice reception. I've just been getting back into Narnia over the past few days, really, and with that comes Narniaweb, of course. And of course, it's summer for the moment, which for uni students everywhere means time.

I do remember you!! If my elephantine memory is serving me correctly, I nicknamed you Lana and you had just moved to Japan! I've thought about you from time to time and hoped you were doing well. So good to see you on the forum again!! It's great to hear that things are going better now for you, too. (I know exactly what you mean about wishing you could go back in time and give your anxious, younger self a hug! ) Are you still living in Japan?

The fact that you remember what you nicknamed me is seriously impressive! I'd actually moved from Japan to Northern Ireland, but I give you points for correctly identifying Japan at all - I'm under the impression a good number of my real life acquaintances are convinced I grew up in China. I go to uni in England now, but for all practical purposes I still live in N.Ireland.

On a random note, I heard your voice on one of the book commentary podcasts today. I was like, ooh! I recognise that name! Interesting question too, might I add. I'm just going to pretend that none of that sounded the least bit strange...

Okay, so I just realised my location still says Japan. That would be confusing. (Probably because my past self was very obstinate about where home was. )

Welcome back, Aslans Country! If it makes you feel any better--I spent the majority of about 2007-2013 away from NarniaWeb (in large part because of school); real life happens sometimes. Actually, I think we might have met one of the times I came back for a little while between semesters, though I'm afraid my return was short-lived and I didn't get to know you very well. Well, if we're both back, hopefully that will change!

Wow, that is a long time! Although I just realised that it's been nearly 5 years since I joined Narniaweb. The fact that I'm between semesters now is probably the main reason I'm here, not going to lie.

And now I'm getting post-NaNo doldrums.

This has just reminded me that NaNo is at thing... that happens. In a few months, in fact. Oh, I would absolutely love to give it a go this year - it was sad when I had to break my winning streak because I was too busy with uni last year. (My brain is telling me that second year is busier than first. Stupid brain. )

Anyway, I'm off to Holland with family from tomorrow, so that's exciting. Will hopefully peak in after I get back from travels.

County Fair update: I got a blue on the socks and a red on the afghan. I wish open class were more like the 4-H competition where you get some sort of feedback from the judge because I'd love to know the reasoning behind the placings... I can never tell if there are multiple reds and blues in a category or if they're judged on skill or what. Because that's not how I would have awarded ribbons to my work.

Huh! I think they should've given the afghan a blue; it was so pretty! Even so, congrats on the ribbons! Maybe next year you can attach a note asking how the judging system works?

And now I'm getting post-NaNo doldrums.

The nice thing about doing Camp NaNo is that you only have three months until November! And if you're a plotter, that time is very useful indeed. Maybe by the time that NaNoWriMo rolls around, you'll have bounced enough ideas around that you're ready to do a rewrite and fill out all of the areas that you were fuzzy on during July!

The fact that you remember what you nicknamed me is seriously impressive! I'd actually moved from Japan to Northern Ireland, but I give you points for correctly identifying Japan at all - I'm under the impression a good number of my real life acquaintances are convinced I grew up in China. I go to uni in England now, but for all practical purposes I still live in N.Ireland.

Ohh, so it was Japan to Ireland! Well, I knew Japan was in there somewhere. Wow, what a move! No wonder the move was quite an adjustment for you! I hope Northern Ireland is starting to feel a lot more like home now.

On a random note, I heard your voice on one of the book commentary podcasts today. I was like, ooh! I recognise that name! Interesting question too, might I add. I'm just going to pretend that none of that sounded the least bit strange...

Lol! Yep, that's my voice. Hopefully the nerves don't show too much... I can't remember how many times I attempted to record that; either I couldn't fit it into the sixty second limit, or I kept fumbling over my words. I think I could use some practice with public speaking... even if the "public" is only my laptop microphone.

This has just reminded me that NaNo is at thing... that happens. In a few months, in fact. Oh, I would absolutely love to give it a go this year - it was sad when I had to break my winning streak because I was too busy with uni last year. (My brain is telling me that second year is busier than first. Stupid brain. )

I've skipped NaNo for the past two years because I'm kind of terrible at it (and never know if I'll be able to manage the demands on my time), but every time it rolls around, I'm always tempted to give it a go again.... I think I made it to 50k both times, one way or another, but I was so dissatisfied with the work I was putting out, I couldn't really enjoy it. I'll have to analyze what went wrong in my previous attempts over the next few months and see if I can figure out a game plan. And keep my fingers crossed that I'll be able to squeeze it into my November schedule.

Anyway, I'm off to Holland with family from tomorrow, so that's exciting. Will hopefully peak in after I get back from travels.

Ooh, that sounds lovely! I've always wanted to visit Holland ever since I read Hans Brinker when I was a kid. Have fun tiptoeing through the tulips, lol.

Welp, I believe that I need to do something with dinner, so I'll be on my way for now, folks. *leaves some summery-looking sugar cookies by the fountain for the next passerby*

What lovely cookies! *takes a kiwi and a grapefruit*

I think I made it to 50k both times, one way or another, but I was so dissatisfied with the work I was putting out, I couldn't really enjoy it. I'll have to analyze what went wrong in my previous attempts over the next few months and see if I can figure out a game plan.

Have you read what you wrote since? I know there are times when I've written stuff for NaNo and I thought, "I'm just going to cut this later..." and when I go back it's not nearly as awful as I remembered. My biggest problem is always with writing a 'complete' story with a satisfying ending.

Huh! I think they should've given the afghan a blue; it was so pretty! Even so, congrats on the ribbons!

Conga Rats on your ribbons!

Thanks! Now I just have to work up the gumption and figure out the logistics of entering something in the State Fair one of these years.

I can see how [feedback] would be a little unwieldy for the judges, but at the same time, wouldn't it encourage getting even better submissions in the future?

I certainly would think so; but maybe this way is less intimidating for new people? I don't know either.

Holland, Aslan's Country? That sounds like a fun trip. *wonders about the cuisine and landscape*

I'll have some 'extra' time this afternoon so now I have to decide if I want to use it to make a trip into town for some errands (or if they can wait until next week) or if I should sit down and read a book... ah, decisions.

Fantastic about your Fair ribbons, Mel.

Rya, you're such a writer-at-heart, that is awesome. Writing must actually run through your blood.

Ahh, now I remember, Aslans Country, Ireland, yes. Very cool, indeed. And ... have a lovely holiday in Holland! (Do you speak any Dutch?)

Mmm, Rose, those cookies look so yummy ... and even a bit healthy too. Kind of, sort of.

I'll have some 'extra' time this afternoon so now I have to decide if I want to use it to make a trip into town for some errands (or if they can wait until next week) or if I should sit down and read a book... ah, decisions.

Unexpected extra time is such fun. But is it that hard? Go for the

So, thus ended our 2nd last long weekend of the summer ... the 1st Monday of August. Labour Day's the next one and then ... AUTUMN! ♥

Yesterday we had quite the torrential rain. Never seen anything like it here before. Major highways closed; basements flooded. We got off pretty easy, and even still it is going to take about a week to get everything in order again, methinks.

P.S. It's the birthday of one of our sons today ... he's 1/4 of a century!

The busy Square has sunk into a somber quietness. Helloooooooo out there!

I just got in from mowing the back lawn. It's so cool out—very pleasant for August. Since we have had a fair bit of rain this summer, the lawns have needed mowing far more often than is usual, especially for last month. I forget if I said this here or in the Weather topic, but two years ago when the summer was obnoxiously hot and humid, we did not mow the yard for 9 weeks!!! It became utterly brown and almost crisp. Everyone was in the same, erm, boat. We never water our lawns if it doesn't rain for weeks because the grass never fails to come back beautifully when the climate moderates again.

So, dear SquareOnions, I think it's time for some more food here ...

I used to make these ('though not with the hearts). Such creative fun! And a lot of work!

/edit LOL, here's a variation on the theme: