I leave all of that which I don’t understand to God! Superstitious? Bah!
Cookie?
I know you’re gonna start tapping your foot…
Author: Wiwohka
I am a work in progress, disclaimers out the wazoo, and few that I can truly call ones who love me for me. Don't know why and I am done trying to figure it out or care...I am flawed, loud, a force of nature, but underneath there is a soul...I hope you take the time to see her.
Wednesday Words…
While a friend can’t fix what’s broken, sometimes it’s more important for them to simply show up!
When I can’t stand on my own, Eustace is always there to carry me… even if it’s just to watch the waves as they pass by.
(2024) It’s a Menagerie…
Obviously, my first thought was of the tortoise, which I often write about when it comes to my steady forward march in life.
But then again, there is the Loud Mouth Frog…
or Chatty Cathy, but she is more of a doll than an animal…
In the past I was akin to a Wolverine, all growly and snarly, with an aggressive attitude…
Of late, however, I’ve begun to see myself surfacing in some creatures you may be familiar with… let’s see…
There’s a mouse I can sometimes relate to…
While at other times I feel a bit Squirrelly…
Anywhere in between, you may find me looking a bit more creative…
Last but not least, there are those days where I just feel more bossy and fussy…
How could I ever forget to remind you of my ability to fling commas, and the like, all, over, everything………,,,, ,,,,,””””: … Just saying! I know she is not an animal, but she is an imaginary creature of sorts… and this is my blog, so I get to put whatever I want in here!
As there are simply too many different animals for me to choose from, I am unable to pick just one. I have mentioned on multiple occasions that I am a maelstrom of emotions, so it stands to reason that I should be able to pick all of the above, just to cover all my bases. Wouldn’t you agree?
Here, have a Wookie cookie to go with my crazy answer…
I made the goggles out of Oreos, so I know it’ll taste delish!
Tuesday Tinkering…
Well, I think last weeks tinkering session was a total success!
Not that I’ll be winning any academy awards, or anything. I just mean that I challenged myself to do a thing (creating a new character on Tuesday, and then writing a story about it by Friday), and it worked out.
So, it got me to thinking (I know, dangerous pastime)… what if I sought to write a whole series of children’s character books, only employing my tinkering sessions and a two day rest before kicking out a little story, song, or poem to accompany the images. I don’t see why I couldn’t, what with todays insta book mentality flooding across the web.
While I get my jabs in at all the ai created mumbo jumbo being printed out there, currently, I’m not being snarky when I say that I believe it’s possible to actually write imaginative content without my computer telling me how… or worse, doing the writing for me. Not on my watch!
Anyway, getting back to the tinkering plans I’ve set for us, I plan on making a habit of mixing up writing styles, as well as, continuing to expand my illustration skills. My hands on learning is all that can be afforded, at this present moment, so if I wish to become a better writer, more brain stretching work is involved.
I know your probably saying, “Great, now she’s gonna start wearing even bigger hats on her noggin.” Maybe I will, maybe I won’t, but if I do then that means my cookies will need to be bigger, as well.
Go big or go home, right?!
For today’s next challenge, I went with another water baby, but on an entirely different patch of sand…
This isn’t the finished character, by the way, but it was the first image offered by the ai. All I typed in was “a photorealistic image of an adorable baby walrus”.
While the little guy seems awful cute and chubby, we’re nowhere near satisfied. He’s got no nostrils, for one thing. So, I used the auto-enhance on the prompt…
“a photorealistic image of an adorable baby walrus, trying to learn to swim along the shore of a beautiful sandy beach”
Getting a better shot of his nose, but now his eyebrows look like they were individually stuck into his little forehead. It made him look too much like a plushie toy.
Again, I returned to the auto-enhance feature, asking it to expand the prompt even more…
“Imagine a photorealistic scene at a picturesque sandy beach where gentle waves lap against the shore. The sun casts a warm, golden glow across the landscape, illuminating the fine grains of sand and sparkling blue waters. In the foreground, an adorable baby walrus, with soft, wrinkled gray skin and big, curious eyes, awkwardly paddles in the shallow surf. Its flippers splash playfully, sending droplets gleaming in the sunlight, while a few sea gulls circle overhead, drawn by the joyous scene. The sandy beach is dotted with tufts of sea grass swaying in the light breeze, enhancing the serene atmosphere of this tender moment.”
At least he has more expression with his eyes, even if he lost his eyebrows. His facial expression seems far more realistic, though his fat rolls look rather like sweatshirt material than skin. I kept at it for nearly a half hour before, coming up with numerous images that were similar to this one, but with differing poses and expressions.
Now that we’ve come this far, let’s give the ai our best 10 images. From there, we’ll generate some possibilities for a solid Avatar.
I’ll be right back! Give me about 10 minutes, or so….
Everyone, meet our newest character…
I’ve decided to name him Booker, though I’ve ne earthly idea why! The ai decided to give him tusks, even with him only being a baby, but I think it makes him super cute.
Norbert gave me several differing shots, but I think he looks most realistic in this one…
… minus the grown up tusks, mind you.
I don’t think Booker took nearly as long to create, as it took me last week, during pumpkin’s creation.
Now that he’s here, I’ve only til Friday to create his story, so I best get moving!
See you Friday… hugs
(2023 remix) Dear 100 year old self…
I’m not exactly sure where or how to start so I am just gonna roll with it, and yes, I said gonna.
Somehow, putting thoughts or memories down on paper, I always struggled with trying to write in a way that satisfied all the learned Scholars out there. Well, you never know, they might want to read something in the waiting room at the dentist or something. I am at a point in our journey that I can simply write from my heart and let God do the rest. It’s been a bumpy ride, to say the least.
Now, just because I keep mentioning the bumpy ride doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. It means you were wide awake as we zigged and zagged like some of the best cats out there.
God and God alone could ever manage us because we might have been small in stature, but within our vessel is a raging river of emotions, strengths, weaknesses and a love so powerful it’s a bit off putting at times. We spent way too many years of our life trying to satisfy every other person’s requirement of us to be what they wanted, and the enemy used that to nearly destroy us.
It is nearly the end of March 2023, and the last 4 years have brought us to what I refer to as our base line. God met us at our lowest and has begun building up a soul capable of seeing ourself and others in a loving and truthful way. We learned to see ourself and others through the Fathers eyes.
You exhausted yourself trying to be enough for everyone around you, while often feeling empty inside. God taught you to love You, with all your flaws and failures, and the truths of yourself that made you the way God intended. The Father used our truths to show us how beautiful we are.
The only way for this to make sense is to tell you what brought you to that place where you could finally get up and walk on. Just so that you know, you didn’t get there with any form of wisdom quickly, rather, it took you all of your 100 years to try to really let God hold you. That is the truth of it!
He brought you this far, for just his purpose… when you see it, I’ll be there waiting.
Love Me.
It’s cookie time…
Eyes before ease…
… except after seas?
No, that’s not right. I believe the English language rule states that it’s i before e, except after c’s. What I’d like to know is why? If they both sound the same, why on earth are we throwing in a complicated if and or but with these words. Didn’t anybody ever hear of the adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” ? I’ve heard of it!
Before I get myself in an unnecessary bother, maybe we should first ask Mr. McGoogle to try and work out the problem.
Question #1 should be to establish what the actual rule states. No one should go on here say about a thing, but should instead seek the facts. Let’s do this…
According to the AI Overview,
In the English language, a common mnemonic spelling rule is: “I before E, except after C“.
However, the full, more accurate rhyme often includes: “…or when sounded as ‘ay’ as in neighbor or weigh”.
Key Details Regarding the Rule: “Cie” Words: Sometimes ie follows a c anyway, such as in science, glacier, ancient, and sufficient.
The “C” Exception: When the i and e combination follows a c, the order is usually ei (e.g., receive, ceiling, deceive, conceit).
The “Ay” Exception: When the ei combination makes a long “a” sound (like “ay”), e comes before i (e.g., neighbor, weigh, vein, sleigh).
Other Exceptions: There are many words that break this rule, such as weird, seize, leisure, protein, and foreign.
So, ok, I can agree with this ruling as long as it can be clearly determined by the pronunciation of the word. That part makes sense, but what screws everything up is the fact that there are so many varying accents from differing nationalities. What then? Unless one is prepared to pull up a voice modulator every single time one of these words come up, the margin for error is incredibly wide… in my humble antsy opinion.
I suppose if we only had a handful of words that utilized this particular linguistic merry-go-round, it wouldn’t cause me such aggravation. But guess what? The English language is smothered in the ie, ei, except after c, or ay rule. Not just that but we get to also separate words like weird, seize, leisure, protein, and foreign, as these words break all the rules. What’s an ant to do, here?
Well, figure things out is what I need to do, if I’m to make a top-notch journalist! If children can learn it, then so too can an ant… this ant, to be exact!
I’m a sucker for a furry face…
I know it’s rather childish, but what do I care… if it sells furry babies, I’m in!
Seriously, if there was an opportunity for a shopping spree of any kind, I’d pick a farm and garden store. Something like Farm and Tractor Supply, or one of those feed stores that often have kitten’s running around in the warehouse. I wouldn’t care!
But, just for the sake of being thoroughly responsible, I’d probably settle for a store that also offered vet and grooming services. This way, I’m not being too hasty in my decision to fill our home with hungry, furry creatures. I already care for a hungry, hairy husband, so I’m well prepared for feeding, snuggling, and cleaning up messes around the house. It’s a win win!
If I picked the right store for said shopping spree, I’d make short work of all their departments, from the pet food and supply section, to lawn and garden, and a full walk through of the clothing and camping section. Before taking my bounty home, there would be full memberships in a lifetime supply of pet care and grooming services. Now my fur babies would be set for life!
You know, if it was a decent size store, maybe they’d have those prebuilt little garden sheds, too… I need room for my other hobbies, as well as, my Easy-Bake Oven.
You need love too!
Cookies?
Pumpkin is her name…
My name is Pumpkin, but don’t wear it out!
This is the story of how my name came about…
I think I was born in the water
but I’m not really sure
I simply recall waking up in a puddle
and the rest was all just a blur…
My family was gone
There was no one to be found
Just me and my little puddle
so I played and splashed around…
But the fun didn’t last very long
as the sun dried up my puddle
I’d nowhere safe to go
and no family there to cuddle…
I went to the river
and I tried to make friends
But the crocodiles only wanted to eat me
No water were they willing to lend…
So off I went to find another puddle
My tummy was growling so loud
But once I found a good resting place
All the other hungry animals crowded around…
Just as I thought I’d be somethings dinner
They all suddenly ran away
Along had come a bus filled with tourists
their noisy chatter had saved the day…
Sadly, they continued on their way
And the sun began getting hotter
But when I arrived at another puddle
The elephants stole all the water…
No water, no food, and no safe place to be
what was a hippo to do?
I waited and waited, lost and afraid
Til this man came and offered me food…
He put me in a box
and we went for a ride
They gave me my own special puddle
with yummy pumpkins on every side…
What’s smooth and round on the outside
but squishy and sweet in the middle?
If you didn’t already know my name
I think this would have made a great riddle!
Depends on whose asking the question…
If a fellow shooter, like myself, were the one asking, I’d say that it really gets on my nerves if they keep asking whether I brought enough bullets. Duh! I’ve three different weapons, all taking a different gauge ammunition, plus a compression bow. For the bow, I make my own poison tipped arrows. I keep a full quiver of those, at all times!
If it’s a child doing the talking, the last thing I wish to hear from the back seat is “are we there yet?” It feels somewhat like Chinese water torture, if I’m to give an actual descriptor.
If the questioner is your boss, most likely it’d be something akin to that child’s question. The adult version would be, “are you finished with that paperwork I gave you?” The difference between the two questions is that one annoys, while the other causes anxiety, or possibly visa versa. Maybe both, depending on the boss, or on which child was tormenting you from the back seat!
But, what if you’re the fellow, the child, or the boss? What about them?
I suppose if I were the fellow shooter, it’d be really aggravating to be asked why I forgot all my ammo? Trader Rect’s prices feel like Zombie highway robbery!
Gaining the perspective of a child, I’d guess that the most hated question might be, “have you finished cleaning your room?” Don’t blame the child because grown ups buy too much stuff. There’s never enough room in that bottom drawer for cramming things. While that question seems right on point, for today’s prompt, I can’t help but think on a couple good runner ups. There’s “Have you finished your homework?, Did you take out the trash yet?, or Is the dishwasher emptied?”
Considering what it’d be like as the boss, one would assume the dreaded questions would be along the lines of, “Can I take the day off?, or Can I leave early?” I imagine other questions and requests floating through the office, but as the boss, I’d be very grateful to have a decent HR department, for forwarding all those annoying questions to someone else to answer. That’s what I pay them for, right?!
Why did I write out this lengthy answer to the prompt, you may be asking yourselves?
Well, as I mostly write, study scripture, and play computer games with fictional characters, I don’t have any real questions that bother me. So I tried to assume what it’d feel like if I were in the shoes of those who do spend more time around others.
There you have it folks! A long winded answer to a question you never asked me in the first place. It’s sort of funny how we all read each others answers to a computer generated prompt. I will admit, though, sometimes creating random answers to the more ridiculous questions is fun. At least I make myself laugh, so there’s that!
Plus, you get a cookie out of the deal, so it’s not a total loss…
Thursday Thoughts…
My thoughts are all over the page this morning, what with all the miracles flying around my little office! Well, maybe not miracles to most, but they are ticking all the boxes on my list.
God has been ever faithful in slowing my weight loss, but let’s face it, I can’t keep this up forever. I didn’t want to ever seek medical care again, but God has other purposes. He desires that I participate in my own care, however he decides… not how I think it should go.
If this week hasn’t been a confirmation of that, I don’t know what is!
It began with a message to my new primary doctor, seeking an appointment for bloodwork and a weight check. I was dreading it! Honestly, I haven’t wanted to go back for medical care. My faith and trust in doctors has been flatlined, of late. But, if I don’t want to starve to death, it needs doing.
Not only did she message me back rather quickly, but before I could even ask anything she suggested we make a video apt for this Thursday, to discuss disability paperwork. What? Where did that come from?
That was Monday. Tuesday morning rolls around and I receive a phone call from the DSHS appeals administrator assigned to my case. She called to say that she’d gone through all our records and found a partial error, in regards to my benefits. While I still would be required to get a form from my doctor, stating I am unable to work, the denial of benefits was being immediately reversed and all benefits restored… as well as, removing all overpayment penalty charges… Hallelujah!
As of yesterday, which was Wednesday, three months of back benefits had been restored to my Snap card… I cried! For over six years we have fallen through every crack, in every system, one might call a helpful service to the public. Never in all that time have I ever had somebody call ME and say they’d made an error, nor have I ever seen such a complete and rapid response to a problem that might fall in my favor! That is, unless you count that time I was nearly crushed by that car, or that night on the highway in the Colorado mountains. Oh, yeah… there was that security guard just inside the building where I was being assaulted, or that night I nearly bled to death in that emergency room.
Oh, heavenly father, how many times have You been the hand that saves me… there are so many memories to recall, it would be far too long a list for just this day!
Now I’m crying again, doggone it!
Ok… let’s finish this out!
It’s now Thursday, and apparently, God’s not done!
We now come to this mornings doctor visit… remember that message?
My new doctor is a lovely young woman, with a wonderful bedside manner, as they say. She spent the time to ask pointed questions, making notes and referring to a number of notes in my medical chart, so I knew she’d previously read them. Long story short… I do indeed have Gastroparesis, on top of my IBS and hernia.
The good part in all this is that she’s attempting to restore my Pantaprazole with the insurance company, based on this new diagnosis. She also thoroughly discussed the new medication that will be needed to improve the delayed digestive issue, which also counters as an anti-nausea reliever… thank you Lord!
Not only did she fill out the disability form, which should reach DSHS by the end of the day, I’m being put into a program that will offer transportation to my visits… and, home delivery for my medications, if I need it. They also have a really good therapist, apparently, and she recommends I meet with them to discuss possible PTSD symptoms that are causing my IBS to rocket off the charts so often.
When all I ever do under pressure is buckle, God steps in every single time! And, he doesn’t just stop by, or pass through. I believe that He stays to complete his own work within my life.
I leave you with a beautiful passage from scripture, found in the book of Philippians chapter 1:5-6…
“because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
God is so good!
Hugs
Journey With Me! 