The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room 09

I think, crossed fingers, that I'm getting better each day. I've gotten lazy, though, and my work has backed up on me. Knowing that I'm behind feels like a truck parked on my back.
 
Speaking of quill pens, I visited the Jane Austen house near Farnham, today. They had several of her quill pens on display, and a modern reproduction they encourage visitors to try out.
I miss writing with quill pens! I used to do calligraphy and would spend the day perfecting the alphabet in a new pen. Very interesting way to write, it forces you to get your story in order in your head before it hits paper.
 
I miss writing with quill pens! I used to do calligraphy and would spend the day perfecting the alphabet in a new pen. Very interesting way to write, it forces you to get your story in order in your head before it hits paper.
The quill pen I tried felt great in my hand, much more natural than a steel-nibbed fountain pen. I'd have to work on getting the curve of the quill to match my style of hand motion, though. That was a bit tricky. Imagine getting close to see what you are writing and having the feather tickling your nose.
 
The quill pen I tried felt great in my hand, much more natural than a steel-nibbed fountain pen. I'd have to work on getting the curve of the quill to match my style of hand motion, though. That was a bit tricky. Imagine getting close to see what you are writing and having the feather tickling your nose.
There are right and left handed quills. Be sure you get the correct one.
 
How to pick up a Chinese lady or two.

These past few days I have been interstate and Monday found me in Sydney for a couple of days. I went shopping for a couple of things in a suburb called Eastwood which is mainly Asian, about 50,000 Chinese and 20,000 Koreans. It was Monday which is when all the retired old Asian ladies go shopping having avoided the weekend crowds. At about 10.30 all the radio stations and mobile services issued a weather warning of an imminent storm cell bringing torrential rain. I decided as did many others to have a coffee in a sheltered but open fronted location, which looked out over a pedestrian precinct about 30 metres wide. Then it started to rain, it teemed down with lots of thunder and lightning, 60 mm+ in half an hour. An attractive young lady appeared on our side of the precinct, she was worried "My gran's over there, she can't cross in this." There she was a little old lady, eightyish, she would be soaked to the skin in a second. Then two young men appeared - tall for Asians so I guessed they were Korean because there was some obvious language issues, but assisted by other passers by it was evidently sorted, because one young man produced an umbrella while his companion picked the old lady up like a small child and carried her carefully through the pouring rain to her grand-daughter on our side of the precinct.

"Oh thank you thank you" cried the pretty grand daughter and the crowd applauded. "And you can put Gran down now," added the young woman. "Well I could" replied our hero, "but I was thinking of holding her hostage - for your phone number," he grinned. "Not a chance," she replied but an instant later, changed "The escalators are out and water is pouring down the elevator shaft - Granny won't be able to walk up the stairs to the car park. Could you carry her up to the car."

"No problem" he replied, and added to his umbrella sidekick, "Get me a coffee I'l be back in 10." The young lady had the last word, with a grin, "It's 8 flights of stairs to the car."

For the next ten minutes Umbrella man was subjected to a detailed examination by a dozen or more elderly Chinese ladies about their friends captor. What's his name? how old? his job? is he qualified? what Uni? Salary? Apartment owned or rented - a house! they were impressed; the general consensus was "Pity he's not Chinese, but she cant be too choosy, almost 28,"
 
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I don't have a supply of quill pens to hand out but I'll look around in the back room ... @TxRad had squirreled a lot of stuff away. I do have a fresh pot of coffee brewing and the teapot is hot. I've been trying Irish Breakfast lately and I love the mulled taste of it. There are assorted donuts on the counter.

I'll be over in the corner wrestling with my Muse again. I just hope she doesn't put me in a headlock again today. That was a little uncomfortable ...
 
Your cardiologist sends Darla over, doesn't he? Drumming up new business -- it's the American way.

We have a sunny morning, so this:
duo_scaled.jpg

It's "Stardust" upper and "Amigo" lower. The "Amigo" will probably never get a big as the "Stardust," but the "Stardust" is seven inches across.

I still have "Apple Blossom" and "Sweet Star" that haven't opened yet. "Emerald" and "Nagano" are still flowering on the window sill and there will be second acts by "Bogota" and "Stardust."

Oh, and the hyacinths are up.

It's been a challenging year so far. At least the flowers are working out. Now back to my story.
 
Your cardiologist sends Darla over, doesn't he? Drumming up new business -- it's the American way.
Doctor Goldfarb? I don't know, he's always too busy to take my calls.
"Talk to my receptionist or call 911" he always says.
I think I should look for a new cardiologist, one that's not so busy.
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There are right and left handed quills. Be sure you get the correct one.
That makes a lot of sense. Thinking back to yesterday at the JA house, the quill twists and curls. Left and right wings, left and right twists and curls.

They had one of Jane Austen's quills on display. I was displayed in the type of protective housing I remember seeing the US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights in when I visited the National Archives in 1964. Well, maybe not quite that.

There was one quill on a table in front of the display that you were encouraged to try.
 
Evening already... I slept most of the day asleep after having a restless night. I did write something today, something very personal. Sad, but I think it's good writing. I went ahead and uploaded it to essays and letters, but I'm not sure what kind of reactions it's going to get. There's eroticism in it, but no actual sex. I still have possessions at my wife's home and this is sort of based around the idea of collecting the last of them and leaving. We are separated and I know it's over, but I'm not happy about it, so that's the space this emerged from. I was a little hesitant to post something so personal, but I want the feedback on the writing.
 
I have a fresh pot of coffee going and the teapot is hot. There are danish and donuts on the counter and a pile of bacon fresh from the grill.

I'll be over in the corner trying to put words to paper so if you hear some load shouting and swear words, it's just me and my Muse discussing story plots.

@Belegon - I have many regrets in my life and they keep me awake at night. I've wronged people and people have wronged me but I feel worse about the people I've wronged. I use that angst to help me write my stories and there's nothing wrong with you doing it either.
 
Thank you for the kind words, Candy. They are as or more appreciated than the coffee, and that's saying something since I am truly addicted to my coffee.
 
It seems like I've finally shaken the cough that came along with my flu. That was in January, so it hung around for three weeks.
 
My Muse has been pretty chatty today, whispering all forms of plot lines. Unfortunately most of the require backtracking through the story and updating information here and there. If it wasn't for ctrl+f I would never get anything done around here.
 
Another Polar Vortex and more snow. This has been the winteriest winter we've had here in some time. I started getting used to the 60 - 70 degree February days and we've only had 2 days above 50 degrees since the start of the year.

So, the coffee is hot as well as the teapot and there are goodies on the counter. Stay warm and write like your Muse's life depends on it.
 
hello all, got appointments today so it won't be as productive as yesterday was... but yesterday was very productive indeed, so that's a good thing. Hit the 3K daily word goal that was once upon a time my standard demand of myself, and if we actually start "yesterday" at midnight, probably closer to 4K. Glad you're cough is fading, NotWise, I hate coughs and flu and all the above. HATE being sick. Kinda ironic right now, all things considered.

So, gonna drink some coffee before I call for an uber to get me to the first stop on today's directory. License situation is fixed, but the truck sat so long that the battery is dead. *groan*


CK, our winter has been colder than the last couple as well. But I've been a little insulated. Since they won't let me drive my bus, it means I don't have to do the 4:30 am brake and undercarriage check either, so that's been sorta a blessing.
 
Cold? You wanna talk cold? I went to put the garbage out this morning and foolishly took my morning coffee with me. It froze so quickly that the ice was hot.
 
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