Oh dear, those are just too gorgeous! That shark is amazing. And I won't even make radish roses!

We've had company for the last few days--they have gone on to visit other friends, but will be coming back again for the weekend. Utterly delightful! We haven't much house room, so our front lawn is tent city for now--just hoping it doesn't rain heavily. Imagine tenting on stilts...

Unexpected extra time is such fun. But is it that hard? Go for the BOOK!. (What are you reading now, if I may ask?)

As I recall, I ended up not getting the extra time after all but I did go with the book. I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudice since Twigs and I are planning on watching the 1940's version next week; Heartless by Anne Elizabeth Stengle (it's a fantasy in the tradition of George McDonald and I'm appreciating it more the second time through); and I've got the journals of Lewis and Clark and a book about Granny D queued up. Granny D walked across the USA when she was 90; it should be a fascinating read.

I... sort of think I carved a watermelon once. Or was it a cucumber? I was in a cooking class and I remember we made crepes and fondue and iced a cake. So the carving would fit right in. It's amazing what sorts of things slip through the cracks in one's memory after awhile.

Tents on the front lawn, aileth? How fun (if the weather is good)! Is there much rain in the forecast?

*Comes to the Town Square carrying a mug of lemon-and-honey water, which has done wonders for her sore throat* Oooh, the carved watermelon looks really delicious, and creative! The shark one... more on the creative, less on the delicious.

Hello, all! Sorry for my disappearing for a week--I think I had some post-competition burnout. And this week, unfortunately, I seem to have caught some kind of bug or cold or something. I'm actually feeling better than I did last night, but considering last night I felt like I was going to pass out at work (and I did end up throwing up )--yeah, I'm staying home today, and my brother's working for me....

Even before that was an excuse, though, I admit I haven't been getting much done--not even in the way of writing. I recently got Age of Empires II on Steam, and... well, this was a beloved game during my childhood, and I'm remembering why. I've been spending a bit too much time playing it lately, though.

We've had company for the last few days--they have gone on to visit other friends, but will be coming back again for the weekend. Utterly delightful! We haven't much house room, so our front lawn is tent city for now--just hoping it doesn't rain heavily. Imagine tenting on stilts...

Well, that's a good solution to finding more room! I wish we could do that when we had house guests, but for one thing, the times our house is full tend to be around Thanksgiving or Christmas, when it's too cold for that. Besides that, our back yard has a lot of gardens and there might not really be enough room for tents. Are these friends that you haven't seen in a while, then?

so our front lawn is tent city for now

What fun! And how does the forecast look for this weekend? As for our area, heavy rain is expected here tomorrow afternoon and evening. No tenting for us.

Granny D walked across the USA when she was 90;

That would be an interesting read!

It's amazing what sorts of things slip through the cracks in one's memory after awhile.

Tell me about it.

Ugh, Ryadian, that bug sounds nasty. How are you feeling today?

So, 12 days until we make a major move to another county. There are lots of emotions floating around, as we have been so long in this one location. But we are very excited too, to move more to a country setting ('though within 10 minutes from town). Still, this is a huge step! <- that is indicating how huge it is, rather than a hug.

Wishing y'all a good weekend! 'K, this is a hug ->

Ugh, Ryadian, that bug sounds nasty. How are you feeling today?

Actually, I got over it surprisingly quickly. The worst of it was the day I described. Considering I'm used to colds lingering for at least a week, I'm not really complaining!

So, 12 days until we make a major move to another county. There are lots of emotions floating around, as we have been so long in this one location. But we are very excited too, to move more to a country setting ('though within 10 minutes from town). Still, this is a huge step! <- that is indicating how huge it is, rather than a hug.

The first time I read that, I read it as "major move to another country", so... I was a bit confused, and surprised. My inability to read aside, it's so exciting that it's coming up so quickly!! Exciting, but understandably fraught with other emotions. May you have as many cherished memories in this house as in the last!

Speaking of transitions... some of you may already know this, but I recently, finally, got a full-time job. I'll be working at a call center; the commute is going to be a bit "fun" (30 minutes without heavy traffic, and I have to drive through Minneapolis during rush hour ), but otherwise I'm really excited. I am, however, going to miss my old job at Culver's, since I've been there for nearly 7 1/2 years. Not quite so much the job as the people. There are a couple of customers that I'm really hoping come in today, because they've been asking about my job search and I really want to be able to tell them the good news.

Until then, I'm going to try to see if I can't convince myself that this is all really happening.

Congrats on your job, Rya!

Until then, I'm going to try to see if I can't convince myself that this is all really happening.

I know exactly what you mean since I finally got a job. It doesn't seem real. I suppose it will tomorrow since it is my first day of work.

*has apparently been moved to emeritus status*

And oddly, I'm okay with it! It's a little weird, but I think it's been a role I've been moving towards for awhile. Fighting it for a time, but it's just the right thing for this point in my life. Anyway, I can still help when needed, and all that junk... not like I'm completely retired!

Sorry I've been gone so long! Between things in RL, and then my laptop's hard-drive starting to slowly die (leaving me computerless for a month or two), things have been pretty nuts for me!

Hmm... not sure what was in my last update to you. But things have been busy this summer! Birthday parties for family members, two weeks of VBS, one week at Camp, and tons of softball games later, I can say I've had a full and fun time of it! (granted I'm still not over the fact that I missed the entire awesome season at the Muny. grrr! And granted, there have been lots of deaths lately... friends of friends, celebrities, and now a friend of mine. but overall, things have been ok)

Umm... the annual Softball Classic was on August 17th, and it was in a different location this time. (their property, rather than the park per usual) There was intermittent rain, but it was still a blast! The really cool and crazy thing, is that that isn't the only change! They're having an encore one on September 14th, and possibly one in October?! I'm SO excited!! I wish you all could be there...

Oh, another change... my sister and the puppy moved out in June. It's been odd, but the apartment they share with her best friend is really cool. (and still fairly close by!) Dad recently took to painting my sister's old room, as we'll be using it for other things now. (I think my keyboard is being brought up from the basement once he's done painting!! I'll be able to play again, away from creepy spiders and all that!)

I think that's all on my end, but I guess we'll find out! Hope you all are well, happy, and that we can talk soon!

Nice to see some familiar Square Onions visiting!

The past few days have had perfect weather: crisp cool mornings, highs around 65F/18C, with few bugs and low humidity. So I enjoyed a cookout at a nearby county park today.

That frost we had Saturday morning (we were camping; glad I have a good sleeping bag!) and the rapidly-shortening days have triggered the onset of the fall colors. Many trees are still dark green but others are changing to yellow. The maples have begun exploding into vibrant orange and red hues. I love this time of year!

And the sun finally is setting early enough to allow stargazing before midnight. Before long it'll be time to plan those visits to orchards and the season's final camping trips and bonfires before winter sets in.

Hi all.

Stargazer, I'm glad to read about your fall colors, as I am heading that direction for some foliage gazing next Friday. I'm planning to camp in Michigan's UP. I will probably be passing through the Minneapolis area, if you and/or Rya would like to meet up... if we can make the timing work!

I have actually had a rather turbulent but exciting time since I last posted on here. I quit my job and (with a partner) started a consulting company helping nonprofits write grants and implement/ improve programs.

So I get to set my own schedule and go on (at least a few!) crazy road trips.

Sounds awesome, Willow! I've camped in the UP and seen some great fall colors. Are you headed toward the Porcupines by chance? Lake of the Clouds is very pretty with fall colors.

I'm actually planning a camping trip this weekend but maybe we could get together. I'll message you.

Starting your own company sounds exciting indeed! Hope all is going well in this venture. And all the better if it allows the occasional road trip.

It was unseasonably hot this weekend but just came in from some stargazing. The Moon hung just above Mars, which in turn was just above its red 'rival,' Antares. Very pretty! And comfortable...about 53F/11C. Ahhhh....

*dusts off the Square and sneezes*

My, it sure is quiet in these parts! Perhaps people are busy with school, or work, or whatnot...or maybe getting ready for NaNoWriMo, which is just 2 days away in my time zone.

I've decided to deviate from my usual plan of writing tales about my Ditto Story characters and try something with a little less backstory or complexity - a fresh start, as it were. I'm planning a more light-hearted swords-and-sorcery tale instead. Sure, that's clichéd and full of tropes, but it's something a bit different for me while still maintaining a connection to the fantasy I tend to lean toward.

So, anyone else up to NaNo? Check out our thread over in the Spare Oom.

In other news, the last half of October has given us one of the more pleasant autumn seasons I can recall, with lots of spectacular colors and temperatures trending above normal (it's easier enjoying those last campfires of the season when not dodging snowflakes. ). But cold Canadian air blew in yesterday and we're below average now; they've even talked about wind chills around freezing (32F/0C). In winter we'd be glad for warmth such as this, but it's still October after all. I'm glad I was able to get out and enjoy some of the nice weather.

Oh my, I hadn't realized how neglected the poor Square has been! I admit that I've been very busy with my new job. I hadn't realized just how much of a transition it was going from a job where you tend to work 4-5 hours a couple of days a week, to a full-time job. I mean, I knew, I just didn't... know. (I just got home. Sue me. )

I'll have to stop by the NaNo thread; I'm thinking of doing one this year, though I may have to reconsider doing the full 50,000 words with my current schedule. I'd basically spend all of my time home writing, and as much as that would be fun, I have other things to do. But, this is a story that I really want to get a draft of--I started the basic concept when I was 14, and recently revamped it into something I really like, but I really need to hammer some things down. Ah well; I'll decide what to do before November, at least.

Work has been really interesting thus far.... Today's my equivalent of Monday, since I'm on a Wed-Sun schedule. So yes, I look forward to Mondays. That should change in a couple of weeks--I only have a couple more weeks of training (provided I graduate on time), and after that I, for sure, will not have Sundays anymore. I have no idea what the rest of my schedule looks like, but I'll find out shortly. I do love my coworkers, though the work (call center, customer service) itself can be very draining. And I'm OFF work, so that is the last I'm saying on the subject for now.

Wow, am I LOVING this fall weather. Not only are the leaves as gorgeous as ever, but the weather stayed a nice level of warm until about last week. Not hot, but warm enough that I didn't even really need a jacket until recently (and even then, mostly because I get off after 11 PM--during the day I barely need one). As some of you know, autumn is undoubtedly my favorite season. So pretty, temperatures right in my comfort zone, and best of all... we're approaching my favorite holiday, (American) Thanksgiving! I may not be able to get all the days off this year, sadly, but I still love having my family over for that time. (Even if my brother will still be at Basic for the National Guard, and we won't see him until Christmas. I miss my brother.)

So, what has everyone else been up to lately? I imagine a lot of you are busy with school. Stay strong, you guys--you can get through this semester!

*pokes head in*

Not much going on in Ditto Town these days?

...SHAWNA!!!! *Tackle-hugs* Err, I mean, *coughcough**pretends to be an adult* Hi, welcome back!!!!! It has been far too long since you graced us with your presence.

As for Ditto Town these days... I think all of our denizens have succumbed to school, NaNo, the holidays, or some combination of the above. For me, it's mainly been work and a wee bit too much Netflix, though I'm hoping to get more of the writing done in the meanwhile. Right now I'm working on my version of Frozen - basically, the movie I was expecting to see based off what few trailers I saw, what little I knew of the source material, and what I'd heard before I saw the movie. It's kind of a fun project, even though I've mostly sworn off fanfiction since I was a teenager. But hey, if I finish this, it'll be something to turn to for future reference when I just need to get through the end of a project.

Ohhh, I can't wait for Christmas this year. It is, after all, my second favorite holiday (immediately after Thanksgiving), but as an additional plus, my brother should be home from Basic Training by that point!!! He joined the National Guard earlier this year, so he's been at Basic since the beginning of October. So.. yeah, I'm a tiny bit excited about him coming home. We've gotten letters and he called home once, but I was working at the time and missed him.

So, what does everyone else have planned for Christmas? Other than my brother coming home and usual Christmas get-togethers (my family, plus my sister and her husband and son, as well as getting together with my dad's side of the family), we really don't have much thus far. And, now that I've SAID it....

*Rya runs out in the Square to build a snowman. ...No, she is NOT singing that song.*

Shawna!! Great to see you, however briefly. Glad you stopped by. How have you been? Have you been able to keep up the writing? It was fun working with you in the Ditto Story.

Rya's right; it is a bit slow in DT due to NaNo, holidays, school etc.

...I've mostly sworn off fanfiction since I was a teenager.

I admit it; I'm lazy in the sense that I've been writing fanfiction for my Ditto Story characters. But my NaNo this year was something different, so I actually got to do some minor world building for it. It's a fun change of pace.

I'm also looking forward to your brother's visit, Rya. It's been a little quiet around here without him.

Building a snowman, eh? Here it is, December in Minnesota, and they're talking about a big heat wave that may melt the rest of the snow we have. Our usual white Christmas might even be in jeopardy (and no, I'm not humming that show's theme song...okay, maybe I am. )