I should drop by more often, but life is doing its best to consume all available hours of the day.
Apologies for my long silence. I *am* healthy, and I haven't given up trying to write, but as noted - it's gonna be a while before anything new is posted.
My apologies, and best wishes in this new year for all. In particular my friends who are near and dear to my heart.
I've had a couple of folk inquiring about stories, and one kind soul asking if I'm okay.
Yes, I'm okay. Not as well as I'd like, but safely functioning.
Since the summer of 2012, I've been able to find work in the immediate vicinity of my house. I consider myself blessed for that, but the weeks have been well over the normal (for most full-time workers) 40 hours. It's challenging to cope with months of this heavy workload, though, even at my age, I'm enjoying learning more about my profession. (Electronic hardware, software, and systems engineering.)
I don't have NEARLY enough on my plate, if you listen to Maureen (my Muse).
With 'Amazon', 'Ma'at' (rewrite and new chapter), four new stories, and the odd editing efforts, Maureen has decided to delve back into my college days for more ideas.
"Wayyyy back in the old days" I was one of those who was into "Dungeons and Dragons." I was fortunate enough to know a couple of good DMs (Dungeon Masters) who had imagination and patience -- and evil; don't forget the evil.
Work is finally back to a (relatively) sane level, and I'm *finally* able to settle in and start pecking away at Maureen's 'to-do' list.
I'm finding that, for Amazon's Boot Camp chapter, there are too many things going on to keep everything on track without first writing each thread separately and then weaving everything together. Far more time consuming, but 'ya gotta do what ya gotta do.'
The black dog -- a *huge* Black Dog -- that took up residence a few years ago is shrinking a bit. The critter's not gone, but things are less overwhelming.
My writing time is limited, for now. I'm working ~12 hour days at a job involving flight safety ( a.k.a. BAD THINGS can happen if it isn't right.)
Many moons ago, Heather Rose was kind enough to apply her talent to rendering a heraldic coat-of-arms for the Amazons. (2008??!! Egads!)
I've held it back for a couple of reasons. The last couple of years because I dropped into my emotional pit, but all along because I wanted to have a motto to complete the device.
I've climbed out of the hole enough to start trying to write again, and I feel I owe Heather Rose an effort to complete my part.
I've considered what sort of motto is appropriate and looked for historical examples.
To say I'm doing well would be an overstatement, but life continues. I have managed to rouse myself to start editing for John in Wauwatosa, and that's going reasonably well.
(Think about it. How serious and depressed can you stay when John gets his manic muse going?)
Amazon? Ma'at? I hope they'll get fully untracked, but no promises on when that might occur.
My thanks to those who've offered encouragement.
Nicole (a.k.a. Itinerant, Nikki, ...)
PS: Thanks to Angharad for continuing my favorite soap opera. ;-)
I know I've been remiss in posting a new Amazon chapter, and nearly as bad on Ma'at.
All I can say is that Real-Life has been ridiculously busy for both immediate and extended family, and Changes (capital 'C' deliberate) seem to be under way for me, personally. (Not bad things, but the stress level is 25 on a scale of 1 to 10)
Most everyone is aware that Sapphire recently (12/16) updated her website, and I'd given her first dibs on posting new Amazon and Ma'at chapters for the general public.
She's yet to post Ma'at chapter 5, but I've sent her chapter 6. If she posts it by Jan 2, I'll give her a couple of weeks.
If not, I'll be posting Ma'at chapter 6 here and at Stardust next Friday.
Not so much a question for me as an answer for anyone asking the question themselves. I've had a few e-mails asking where the next part is and thought some explanation was in order.
John in Wauwatosa has alluded to what's happening, but my family has had a series of painful events this year.
A nephew passing away at 25, another with advanced cancer who's not even 45, and another family member with a (so far) not life threatening pulmonary embolism.
Being the sort who tries to be precise about such things, I was looking for information about just when a full moon occurred on Halloween to set the date for "Turning the Tables."
Needless to say, our friends at NASA come through in spades.
NASA's listing of dates for phases of the moon from 2000BCE to 4000CE. The times are UTC (Greenwich Mean Time), so you may need to convert to local time.
I've posted some additional information. For Ma'at - A pointer to some pictures of the Temple of Ma'at that is located in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, and a link to an article about the mummy of Hatshepsut being found.
For Amazon, there are pictures of Nicole's "Journey" earrings and pendant, a layout of the apartment she shares with Angela Ogle, and pictures of the Tanner's house.
I finally have a home for some of the supplementary data and images that I've used in the writing of my stories. Some of the pictures for Amazon will become available when they won't be spoilers. I've started with the pictures that set the stages for "Ma'at" at
Checks can be made out & sent to:
Joyce Melton
1001 Third St.
Space 80
Calimesa, CA 92320
USA
Note: $6000 is the operating, maintenance and upgrade budget. Amounts received in excess of the $6000 will be applied to long term debt accrued over the last 19 years.
