Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents: Both Sides Now

It’s Saturday, and time for Science Fiction Romance Brigade Presents: click on the logo above to find links to other participants. I’m continuing with a work in progress, Both Sides Now. Roi’s badly damaged feet have just been swabbed with a medication Doc has brought, and Doc is worried that Roi held his feet still during the doctoring. Roi speaks first.

“Of course I felt it. It stings more than a little. But you said hold still.”

The vet grinned. “First time I ever had a patient who obeyed orders that well. I was afraid the nerves were damaged. Here, better put these on if you’re going to keep running around.” He handed Roi a pair of high slippers, almost soft boots.

They fit, cradling Roi’s abused feet in fleecy warmth. The R’il’noid bent to examine them. “Silkie hide?” he asked in surprise.

Doc nodded. “Tanned with the fleece on. Not good enough for export, but they’ll protect your feet while they finish healing. Not that you’re ready for too much running around. Finished that soup? Come on, then; I’ve got some solid food up front.”

Roi followed him, almost comfortable walking. “I did warn you I’m a terrible patient, didn’t I? Ever know a doctor who wasn’t? Don’t be fooled by the fact that I can hold still. I did most of my healing while I slept. Now I’m ready to get back in shape.” He had no intention of staying an invalid a moment longer than he had to.

Jarn’s Journal Year 10 Day 126

Year 10 Day 126

There are times when I wonder if I’m even as smart as some of the People.

Photo Source

When they are not here, I swim for exercise. Mostly I go to the salt lake, though it’s a little warm this time of year. Certainly not the lake by my home; it’s far too good a habitat for crocodiles. Yes, a warnoff would protect me, I think, though they don’t have much brain to affect! But I do not want to set a bad example for the children of the People, and I have implanted in Patches’ mind that she should never swim in or even drink from the lake.

So I’ve been taking Patches for long walks, and while I am keeping in as good condition as I can expect, my feet are killing me. I don’t think I have the genes to grow the kind of tough soles on my feet that they seem to take for granted.

This morning it finally occurred to me. Patches can swim; all mammals can. The crocodiles in the local lake make it unwise, but there is no reason at all I cannot take her with me to the salt lake and let her exercise by swimming with me. There are no predators in the salt lake, and as long as I implant in her mind that she should not drink the water she is swimming in, she should get plenty of exercise.

This morning I tried it.

I wore her out pretty quickly, and had to cut my own swim short. But there is a little fresh-water pool, too small for crocodiles even if the bottom weren’t visible, fairly near the shore of the lake and draining into it. We took a brief dip in that to wash the salt off both of us before teleporting home in time for lunch – a very small lunch, in Patches’ case. This schedule leaves my afternoons free for exploring. I think I may fly all the way north, and determine if the drift ice extends to the pole.

Quotations from J.R.R. Tolkien

Here are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling between June 26 and July 2, 2014. All but the last are from The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“In doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom.” Hama the doorward of Edoras, when he decides not to take Gandalf’s staff.

“Alas, that these evil days should be mine.” Theoden, once he has returned to himself and understands Saruman’s treachery.

“Faithful heart may have forward tongue.” Theoden realizing that Eomer has been loyal to him.

“To crooked eyes truth may wear a wry face.” Gandalf to Theoden, same scene.

“Men need many words before deeds.” Gimili to Legolas as they set out for the Hornburg.

“The gift seems already to be given.” Theoden, as he gives Shadowfax to Gandalf, and realizes that the horse has already given himself.

“Since he had to get some sleep, in class was the place to do it.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. This refers to Roi, having to prepare for a judicial challenge while spending his days in school, but I don’t think it’s that uncommon an attitude among students.

First Daylily of the Year

Surprise! My first daylily of the year opened Monday.

P.S. 7:40 am: we had .01 ” precipitation early last night, which may well give us a new wettest June, and it’s still raining.

North Pole Weather 6/30/14

The sun will rise this morning at 3:09, and set 21 hours 39 minutes later at 12:38 tomorrow morning. It’s gotten a good deal warmer and drier this weekend; it hit 80 yesterday. There is a chance of showers or thundershowers today, but compared with the past week it’s really nice out, if a little warm.

At least the rain is easing off. Our unofficial total for June so far is 3.55 inches, which would tie the record for the month. One good shower today, which is a distinct possibility, would give us a new record for June. As of midmorning, the forecasts are calling for thunderstorms this afternoon and rain likely after midnight.

The garden is growing well. The delphiniums range from shoulder high to tip-my-head-back-and-look-up, though they are only starting to bud. The white iris are blooming, and the daylilies will be open in a few days. The photo, by the way, was taken in available light at 10:30 yesterday evening.

Weekend Writing Warriors: Rescue Operation

Sunday again, and that means time for 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 opening scene of Rescue Operation, a novel almost ready for publication. We are in Zhaim’s POV.

Photo Source

If Roi could be induced to handle the problem in person, leaving Zhaim as the holder of the second highest Çeren index in charge ….

We don’t have anyone out there who can anchor a teleport, and there was considerable reluctance in Roi’s mind-touch. I’d have to take a courier out.

We don’t have anyone else who has a prayer of unraveling it, came Tethya’s reply.

Oh, give Zhaim a chance to show what he can do. Amusement spilled into Kaia’s mind-touch.

Didn’t say I wouldn’t do it. But I’ll want to take Mark as backup, and there’s going to be a lot of travel time involved.

(Italics within the snippet represent mental communication.)

Annual Flowers in Alaska

Shade lovers: Non-stop begonia, lobelia, and impatiens

As you’ve probably noticed by now, my raised beds are built of cement blocks with the holes oriented up and down and filled with topsoil. Very few plants actually survive our 50 below winters, so I buy annuals each summer, mostly in 6-packs, and plant them in the holes of the cement blocks.

Annuals bordering the lavenders and other herbs

Some are truly annuals, growing from seed, flowering, seeding and dying in a single season, regardless of climate. Some are in truth biennials or perennials in more clement climates, but are grown as annuals in Alaska.

Lantana. This is actually a perennial shrub, but I treat it as an annual.

In general the flowers I choose will keep blooming throughout the summer if they are deadheaded—the flowers cut off after they bloom but before they can form seeds. This keeps the plant thinking it has to keep on blooming to produce seed. (I must admit that this is something I frequently forget to do.)

Calibrachoa, Pansy and Petunia edging the squash bed.

A few plants are sterile hybrids, and these never need to be deadheaded—they just exist in a constant state of frustration.

Pansies. I love the colors these are available in today, and the way the colors change as the flowers age..

Pansies are very popular in Alaska, and they will self-seed.

Portulaca (moss rose.) They like more sun than we’ve had this year, but they do like our long days.

A sunshine favorite is portulaca, or moss rose. The last week or two have not been kind to these.

Jarn’s Journal Year 10 Day 118

Photo Source

I should have looked at Patches when I felt how heavy she was on my feet.

She is only marginally self-aware, but she is most definitely capable of learning. And she has learned that if she looks at someone eating or preparing food, while drooling slightly and pretending to be starved, she will often be fed.

Especially by the children.

Especially if there is a surplus of food, as there was this year thanks to the ice.

I managed to get across to Rainbow–I think– that too much food would make her sick, but the rest of the People—well, I am not sure who has been feeding her (probably everyone) but she looks like a stuffed hide for target practice.

I caught on when I tried to teleport her to one of our favorite walks, near the waterfall. I had to balance her mass for the teleport, and there was close to twice as much as normal. I poked her sides, and found no ribs. Further, as a general rule I have trouble keeping up with her. Today she was panting and lagging before I was tired, and compared with the People I’m still a pretty sorry specimen.

“You,” I told her, “are going on a diet. And an exercise program.”

Which means I will have to do a good deal more walking than usual myself. I wonder how the foot-bags would work, of if I could find a cooler place to walk?

Lavenders

Lavenders are usually grown for the essential oil which for highest quality, as used in perfumery and cosmetics, is extracted from the buds and flowers. The leaf hairs also have some of these essential oils and may be used for sachets (often with flowers) or as a slightly sweet, floral flavor in cooking.

I’m afraid I grow them primarily for the shape, texture and color of the leaves, as in this climate I am lucky to see more than a few buds by first frost. As of late June ‘Goodwin’ is the only cultivar with a trace of buds.

I buy them in 3” pots and transplant them into a raised bed—they like it hot and dry, which does not exactly describe Interior Alaska in summer, even in Fairbanks. But they have a nice variety of appearances.

‘Munstead’ Lavender

‘Hidcote’ Lavender

‘Arctic Snow’ Lavender

‘Boodwin Creek’ Lavender

French Lavender

‘Goodwin Creek Grey’ Lavender

‘Platinum Blond’ Lavender

‘Edelweiss’ Lavender

‘Silver Edge’ Lavender

Quotations from Andre Norton

These are the contexts of the quotations which were tweeted from @sueannbowling between June 19 and June 25, 2014. All but the last are from The Warding of Witch World, by Andre Norton.

“No one knows what one is until the last lesson is learned.” Liara to Keris, when he is considering himself relatively worthless.

“It seems that nothing these days is designed to bring us comfort.” Duratan at Lormt, after throwing the stones.

“Each age has its proper lives—and then those fade.” Elysha, facing a very old trap.

“No one can be given without his will.” This seems to be a truism of Norton’s work—the Dark can only take those who accept it. In this case, the speaker is Aylinn, speaking to young Hardin of Hul.

“Power unleashed does not halt until all that threatens it is gone.” Inquit speaking to the Trade Master of the northernmost Sulcar port.

“There are many talents, each having its own force.” Frost, speaking to Svan as the Watcher tries to read their future path.

“A self-trained esper was always cause for concern.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. Derik said this to Kaia, but he has just had a demonstration of how true it really is.