If anyone wonders why I like winged characters:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/116299515%40N07/14630831345/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/116299515%40N07/14631047165/

And then there are BIG wings:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/116299515%40N07/15167326237/

Dr. Big McLarge Huge tells it like it is (well, with some exaggeration):

https://www.empoweredcomic.com/comics/1670081235-EMP10%20p.4...

Yes, it's amazing so many supers (both heroes and villains) make it to retirement age at all, much less remain legally competent in their senior years. Remember that Energia has already had one (fortunately mild) concussion.

As usual with home improvement projects, installing a new shower, and adding a sink and commode in the basement is taking longer and costing more than anticipated. The contractor is currently in the basement with a concrete saw, cutting out the floor.

Clay pipe under the floor is a good choice (in this case made in 1940) if you assume never having to excavate. It doesn't corrode. However, it is fragile. Argh. Tying modern plumbing drains into it is also a problem. Oh, and none of this is vented, so they have to add that.

One thing masking for COVID has taught me is that a half mask - at least of the lower face - alone is not enough to conceal a person's identity, at least from from someone who knows them.

Or maybe I just have a very distinctive upper head. :-)

Masks book 18 is out, at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9C8WB9G

So far I have resisted trying to give the specific words which lead to the acronym T.O.W.E.R. but the organization features strongly in the next Masks story. So far I have: Theater Overwatch World Enforcement Regulator. That doesn't really... work, so I am looking for suggestions.

This is not a contest. The only reward will be the use of the name in the story.

The writing is going slowly, which I think is understandable. Besides completing the disposal of Mother's estate I am (Finally!) completing the income tax information needed to send off to the CPA. So, it will be a while before I post anything new.

I might post some of the early Gifted Saga stories, which are about Marian Holst. They have little or no TG material but plenty about transformations and their aftermath.

We buried my mother Wednesday, beside her parents in the family plot in Crab Orchard, Kentucky. That has a nice location on a hill. (Her father was on the cemetery board of directors.)

There were surprisingly many people at the service, here in Frankfort, including the music director and minister from her church. The former led us in singing Mother's favorite hymn. The latter gave a short sermon. Just as Mother wanted.

However, only her descendants and a few cousins made the hour and a half trip to Crab Orchard (where Mother was reared).

Mother is home, in her room, in a hospital-type bed, courtesy of Hospice/Care Navigators. She has two caregivers (arranged by my sister, with help from her youngest daughter) for round-the-clock care. Considering that she was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer over two months ago, she's doing quite well. How much longer she'll do well we don't know.

We still don't know what caused her stroke-like problem, a week and a half ago. In fact, we still don't know what is causing her gut upset, which she's been suffering from for nearly two years.

Update: https://stickmaker.dreamwidth.org/640143.html

Sorry folks; I'm still sick. Going to the doctor this afternoon.

I did a lot of writing on _Angel of Earth_ the past couple of days, but it was mostly rough stuff, just getting basic ideas down.

Update: I hope none of you ever have to change a flat tire before going to the doctor. :-(

I failed (Passed?) the flu test, so it's not that. (Unlikely, since I've had this year's shot, but possible.) They also tested me for Covid-19, just in case. That result won't be in for a couple of days.

I hope to start posting the chapters of Angel of Earth next week. In the meantime, here is some music I use for inspiration in writing the Malak stories:

Over 43k words written on _Angel of Earth_. Perhaps 10k to go.

I am (slowly) approaching 29k words on _The Angel of Earth_, out of an estimated 50k to 55k. I have made (tiny) progress on the next Masks and Freddy on the Loose stories.

Part of the problem is having to do Summer yard work. Part of it is cats (there's one being chased by a bluejay this morning). Part of it is distractions from other sources.

_Angel of Earth_ is about a quarter of the way written. I have the beginning and the end and a little of the material in between. Oog...

I have written some on the next Masks story and the next Freddy on the Loose.

Part of the problem is simply that there's a lot to do away from the computer. We've had so much alternating rain and Sun I have to cut the grass about every five days.