Weekend Writing Warriors: Rescue Operation

Sunday again, and time for weekend Writing Warriors (click the logo above) and Snippet Sunday (click the logo below.) Join in one or both of these blog hops next week if you’re interested.

I am still posting from Rescue Operation, a WIP almost ready to publish. This conversation is continued from last week. Emeraude, Lelani and Keishala are Roi’s wives. (Roi is non-aging; his Human wives age normally.)

Source: Hubblesite.org
Emeraude, twenty years younger than Keishala, unwound her bitter-chocolate body from the exercise bars and pulled loose the scarf that had held her beige hair. “What happened?” she asked.

“Zhaim ‘solved’ the problem of Horizon’s not paying its dues by authorizing one of the big slaving companies to collect them—in people.” Roi still couldn’t quite believe it.

“Is it that serious?” Keishala asked, putting her music tablet down on Lelani’s table. “I mean, I know how you feel about slavery, but there are planets in the Confederation that sell their own citizens. Ginger says it’s a lottery on hers.”

“It’d be every bit that serious,” Emeraude shot back.

To be continued next week.

Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents: Both Sides Now

It’s Saturday and time for Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents, a blog hop where we share about 200 words from something we’ve written. For rules and links to other participants, click the logo above.

I am still posting from Both Sides Now, a WIP that blends science fiction, adventure, politics and a touch of romance. Doc is introducing Kevi to Coralie, who has been acting as his nurse. Her brother, Mik, was one of those who rescued Kevi.

“Kevi, this is Coralie. She’s acting as my nurse, but she’s Mikal’s sister.” He wasn’t sure how to warn Kevi, in front of Coralie, about her history, or how protective Mik was of her.

Kevi moved back to the table and sat down, favoring his feet considerably more than he had, and nodded his head to Coralie. “I am most pleased to meet you. Have you had a chance to examine Nonie physically? I didn’t dare try without deep anesthesia; she was too afraid of me. And I understand you have no anesthetics.”

Coralie had relaxed visibly, and it took Doc a minute to realize that Kevi, by limping, sitting down and making sure he was not between her and any exit, had deliberately made himself non-threatening. He wasn’t sure whether to be reassured or threatened by the R’il’noid’s ability to read and respond to body language. “Nothing stronger than your willow bark tea,” Doc said.

“Except the Confederation supplies,” Coralie responded.

“We don’t know what they are,” Doc said, exasperated. “Those tubes could be wound dressing or lubricant, we don’t know. Same with the other stuff. I don’t know why your brother ever traded for them.”

Jarn’s Journal Year 10 Day 298

Year 10 Day 298

Photo Source

I’ve wondered before how long wild dogs live, but now it has become a matter of some urgency. I think Patches is dying.

Her appetite has not been good the last couple of fivedays. It’s even hard to get her to drink water. I am not much of a healer, but when I try to feel what is going wrong with her, I think her blood cleaning system is shutting down. She’s lost interest in swimming, in chasing game, in all of the other things that used to be her consuming interest.

It’s strange to remember her as the orphan pup that came into my life even before I knew the People were here. She has become very much a part of my life. I remember how destructive she was, yet at the same time, how adorable.

She is an animal, I tell myself. So are the People, some part of me answers. They too will grow old and die. Is it my fate to live on, alone?

Jarn’s Journal is part of the remote back story of the universe in which my science fiction is set. For the entire Journal to date, check my author site.

More Quilts

One of the enjoyable aspects of the quilt show at the fair is hearing a name I know. This year I was surprised and delighted to see a couple of entries by the Department of Geological Survey, one for a baby quilt for one of the employees, and the other as a retirement gift for a volcanologist I knew. Chris Nye used to work at the Geophysical Institute when I was there. Volcanoes are pretty important to Alaskans. Not only do we have a lot of them (exactly how many depends on how recently one has erupted to be considered active) but they are extremely important to air travel. You don’t want to suck volcanic ash into a jet engine! Since the Aleutians, which are highly volcanic, are on the Great Circle route across the Pacific, keeping tabs on Alaskan volcanoes is extremely important business.

To add to the enjoyment of recognition, another quilt was made by Sheila Dailey, who planted most of my garden for the last couple of years, for another old friend, Shirley Weiss.

A baby quilt, each block made by a different person, but all followed the rule of bright colors.

Retirement quild for Chris Nye. Most of the blocks have something to do with volcanoes, though a couple such as his portrait are more personal.

Not as fancy as the other two, but made with love for an old friend.

Quotes from Jane Austen

Here are the contexts for the quotations tweeted from @sueannbowling between August 7 and August 13, 2014. All but the last are from Mansfield Park, 200 years old this year, by Jane Austen.

“If the part is trifling she will have more credit in making something of it.” Tom Bertram, trying to make Julia contented to play Cottager’s Wife.

“She was safe, but peace and safety were unconnected here.” Fanny has been saved from acting, but by Miss Crawford to whom she does not wish to be obligated.

“There is very little sense in a play without a curtain.” Mrs. Norris, as usual overpraising her own part. (She has been making the curtain.)

“Selfishness was lost in the common cause.” Sir Thomas has come home unexpectedly early, and though for a moment Julia is one with the players, this feeling is quickly lost as she sees Maria and Henry Crawford.

“I come home to be happy and indulgent.” Sir Thomas, while pointing out that his indulgence will not include any more rehearsals.

“He was more willing to believe they felt their error, than to run the risk of investigation.” Sir Thomas’s attitude toward his children.

“Dressing well and feeling beautiful will make you feel more confident.” Homecoming, by Sue Ann Bowling. Cinda, encouraging Marna to dress up for her first meeting with Lai.

Mansfield Park Revisited by Joan Aiken (Review)

Jane Austin’s Mansfield Park is 200 years old this year, and I’m celebrating by reading and watching a number of re-tellings, re-imaginings, and sequels. For this book, possibly the least popular of Jane Austin’s novels, the main problem is simply finding enough books and DVDs for one review a month!

I happen to like Fanny Price, and think in many ways she is among the strongest of Jane Austin’s heroines. Many people, however, consider her far too insipid to be interesting. As a result, the stories based on Mansfield Park almost without exception try to “improve” her, or (as in the current story) leave her out entirely.

Yes, leave her out. Mansfield Park Revisited starts with the death of Sir Thomas Bertram in Antigua, followed almost immediately by the departure of Edmond, Fanny, and their infant son to straighten out the Antiguan property. From that point on it is essentially a retelling of Mansfield Park with the somewhat more forward Susan replacing Fanny. There are bits brought in from other Austin novels; Mrs. Osborne seems taken from Mrs. Croft in Persuasion, for instance. But on the whole it is a retelling of Mansfield Park with the names changed.

The book was originally published in 1985. It was reissued in 2008, 4 years after the author’s death. At some time at or after the reissue, it was also released on Kindle, and this is the version I have. Unfortunately it was never formatted for Kindle, and my major criticism of the book is just that: the e-book formatting is a mess. Words and sentences have odd breaks, and from having formatted a book for Kindle myself, I suspect that the PDF of the print book was simply transferred over to Kindle. It doesn’t work.

North Pole Weather 8/11/14

The sun will rise at 5:25 this morning, and set 17 hours later at 10:25 this evening. I’m glad to say it has finally quit raining and warmed up, though there are a few showers forecast this week.

The last few days of the fair were quite nice, with temperatures in the 70’s. I managed a brief visit most days, though I concentrated on the horse shows. The giant vegetables weren’t all that gigantic this year, due no soubt to the relatively cool, wet, summer. The lilies are finally blooming in my garden – one of the few plants that are perennial up here. I’m also getting a few late strawberries.

For most of the summer, the local chapter of the Alaska Writers’ Guild has been selling (or at least trying to sell) books at the Farmers’ Market. That’s over for the season, as two of the three authors are though for the season, and I’m having problems with cancer again.

Not too bad, I hope, but my CA125 is rising and I just went through a CT scan. The radiation oncologist says no immediate problem, and I’m seeing the doctor in Anchorage the second week in September which he seemed to think was fine. I do hope I don’t need chemotherapy again.

Weekend Writing Warriors: Rescue Operation

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors (click the logo above for links to other participants) and Snippet Sunday (click the logo below.) I am still posting from the beginning of Rescue Operation, and this is a direct follow-on from last week. Roi is the first speaker.

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Source: Hubblesite.org
“Oh, no,” he gasped aloud. “He can’t be that stupid. The Council can’t be. Is he trying to start a revolution?”

Lelani, the oldest of his three wives, hardly lifted her wrinkled face from the wire and beads that would become a new hair ornament, but Keishala turned toward him, lowering the musical score she had been studying. “Roi,” she said, “it can’t be that bad. You’ve only been gone for a month. And Zhaim’s competent enough, even if you don’t like him.”

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But none of them except Roi know yet what Zhaim has done.

Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents: Both Sides Now

It’s Saturday and time for Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents, a blog hop where we share about 200 words from something we’ve written. For rules and links to other participants, click the logo above.

I am still posting from Both Sides Now, a WIP that blends science fiction, adventure, politics and a touch of romance. Kevi is checking out Doc’s limited selection of drugs. While Coralie has been nursing Kevi while he was unconscious, the only time she has seen him awake was while he was helping Doc treat the injured child, Nonie.

Kevi took a closer look, and then shook his head. “I’ve seen home first aid kits with a better selection of drugs. Not your fault, Doc, but I think I’d better check out what grows in the area. Even willow-bark tea is better than nothing.”

“Not until your feet are recovered enough for shoes.” Kevi raised his eyebrows and Doc had a sudden feeling that he was going to learn just how bad a patient the R’il’noid could be, but they were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from the hay maze.

“Willow bark tea?” Coralie said as she entered the room. “What are you talking about? Doc, that casserole was supposed to be supper!”

“My fault,” Kevi said meekly. “I was awfully hungry. Is the little girl doing all right?”

Doc had known Coralie since she was a child herself, and it hurt to see her flinch back at the sight of another man in the room. “Coralie, you know Kevi,” he said. “Sorry I didn’t introduce you earlier, but I was afraid Kevi was going to collapse. He has some medical training—more than I do, actually—and I was showing him what drugs I have.”

Jarn’s Journal Year 10 Day 213

Year 10 day 213

Photo Source

I couldn’t get the taste of that pig out of my memory.

My people do eat meat, though they make sure the animals live a happy life first, and are killed quickly and without fear. The People follow an animal to its exhaustion – hardly a death without fear, but I do eat the meat they bring in. Still, I cannot bring myself to hunt a healthy animal.

If one is attacking me, or injured so badly that I know it will die soon, I feel justified in using my abilities to give it a swift, painless death and then eat it. But hunting? My skills as a hunter are not up to giving a clean death, and I cannot help but feel it would be a misuse of my mental talents to kill a healthy animal that means me no harm.

That leaves scavenging, usually a sick, old, or very young animal, as these are what most wild predators target.

Perhaps a very young pig?

I teleported to one of the areas where I knew the wild pigs were common, on the northern continent. The acorns and pistachios are ripe and abundant, and the pigs are eating them greedily. I opened my mind to pig, alert also for any feeling of pain or fear. There – for an instant I was paralyzed, feeling the leopard’s fangs at my neck. The years must have hardened me, for I came out of the paralysis almost at once, to end the young pig’s life and teleport it to me. It would not have lived long, I saw, the leopard’s fangs had almost pierced its spinal cord.

I teleported the carcass to Rainbow, together with dates, nuts, and honey. We will eat well tonight, and for days to come if I freeze most of the meat.