Guests
Gordon: Hey, come outside. Bring the phone.
Me: ?
They hung out in the front yard for hours. We were fifteen feet away.
Stress
Posted with permission from Kid 1.
We are all a bit stressed out right now for certain reasons, and I walked into the kitchen to find Kid 1 particularly freaked out looking.
Me: ?
Kid 1: I had coffee in my favorite Frenchie mug half an hour ago. I left it on the table with some coffee in it, came back, and it’s gone. So I started looking for it, opened the dishwasher, and found it in there. It was clean and dry. The dishwasher takes three hours. So I stood there and thought, “Well, I took my anxiety medication last night, and it can technically cause hallucinations.”
Me, chuckling.
Kid 1: And then I looked in the sink, and apparently we have two Frenchie mugs and I must’ve put mine in the sink and forgot. I was so relieved, I can’t even explain it.
Knitting
I have knitted two 1/2 scarves and froged both of them, because I hated them. Knitting is a stress relief for me, so I desperately need a simple but not too simple pattern that would use approximately one skein of yarn and could be finished in reasonable manner while watching TV.
I’ve tried this scarf shawl thing called Clapo-Ktus, and nothing against it, I thought it was pretty, but it’s mostly purling. Somehow I must’ve developed uncontrollable rage against purling. We are to this point now. Purling makes me hurl. At some point, I threw it down, said “Fuck this,” and walked away. The dogs were scandalized.
TV
Watched a really touching documentary on Netflix about Walter Mercado. If you get a chance, it’s poignant and a little sad, but mostly it will make you feel loved.
Poll
The latest episode of Ryder is a bit cliffhangery. Do you want it today, knowing that the next one won’t come out until Tuesday at the earliest, or do you want it on Monday?
Loading ...Speaking of Ryder
Me: cough-cough-cough.
Gordon: Are you okay?
Me: Ryder is #44 on Kindle.
Gordon: Like 44 hundred?
Me: No, 44.
Gordon: Great, not only do we have to finish now but it also has to not suck.
Here is to not sucking.
Thank you so much for Ryder, you are awesome! I also knit and did the Floatini shawl on Ravelry, mostly garter stitch, hope this helps in return.
I love you guys ????
Your stuff never sucks.
Yep. Preordered as soon as I saw we could!
And your books NEVER suck!!!
Rereading Kate now for the umpteenth time. So happy for Julie’s book!
Oh Hell, don’t sweat this one. You simply don’t suck. Yes, that does take (loads of) effort, but I stand with the basic statement. And you pretty obviously have clicked with what people want to read right now. Not horrible, not depressing. I started Jim Butcher’s new book and put it aside after a couple of chapters. Too much angst for me right now. I’ll go back to it when the earth stops moving under my feet. But Ryder is just right. Thank you. And I bet it’ll do better than 44.
It’s absolutely awesome so far! I always preorder your books, but I preordered this one a little sooner than I usually do because you’re being so kind to post it piece by piece and giving me joy during a really difficult time.
Thanks for Ryder, it’s keeping me distracted while the world is swirling stupidly around me.
I lived in Dripping Springs (not far from your homestead I think) for 13 years. We used to call it, “The Drip.” The crazy Texas deer were one of my favorite things. I grew up in Minnesota where deer are 3 times as big and are fairly solitary things. The deer in Texas are like antelopes on the plains or may be caribou but tiny. The run in gangs, are cheerfully friendly and fearless. They crack me up and kinda weird me out in comparison to the deer I grew up with. Our dogs were bigger than some of them.
I feel Kid 1’s angst about magically self cleaning dishes. Turns out a pandemic will bring out formerly hidden housekeeping gifts in family members…. so that’s what happened to my mug. That and my brain is slowly evaporating out my ears courtesy of motherhood, pandemic induced intermittent agoraphobia, and possibly inane politics all around. I’m not sure what’s the most to blame. Again, thanks for Ryder. It does not and shall not suck.
Be Well, Stay Healthy, Keep Writing! You’re doing a world of good.
I’m just curious — do you pick or throw when you knit? I’ve do one style when I purl and the other when I knit.
Ilona, You might want to view the YouTube on Portuguese Knitting (her name for a multi-national style)by Andrea Wong, about purling. I have taught this to many who hate purling, and/or find it painful. I invented a knit pin alternative because $5. is a lot for a safety pin with a hook on it, if you don’t know if you’ll like using it. Take a largish safety pin and attach a paper clip ( you can round the outer end with a pair of pliers if you want) bend out the outer edge a little (to make a slot for the yarn), attach the safety pin to upper left shirt front, just like her knit pin. If you carry your yarn in your left hand, then do so while doing Portuguese knitting. Follow along while watching the video. Most students have found it easier on the hands, even if they knit across the front and just do the purl rows the Portuguese way. After only a few minutes, it becomes easy, restful, fun!, and if you like to knit by touch, really easy. Questions, email me.
Just finished “Magic Stars” again, this time the first book I’ve been able to read on my phone (had to switch internet companies because Cricket said my phone was too old to add data. Consumer Cellular gave me a Much lower price, better reception, and hooked me up to data PDQ.) I’m having sooo much fun reading your blog on my phone too. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks! Love how you can rate a book right at the end on the phone Kindle(so I did)
Love you guys, Stay safe❣️
“At some point, I threw it down, said “Fuck this,” and walked away. The dogs were scandalized.” Honestly, do you just HAVE TO make me laugh so hard that my entire stomach and abdomen hurt? All knitting makes me feel this way, but my animals are never scandalized because this is my normal reaction to crap. Fortunately, I have cats, and they do not get scandalized easily. I grow catnip, and mostly, they just get high and ignore me.
I fully understand Kid1’s situation. This is why none of my mugs match.
As to Ryder, it doesn’t suck so far, so I seriously doubt it will suck later. I have never read anything you ever wrote, including this blog, that sucked. You’re working from home, as you have always done, you are together and both of you are considering where to take this tale, so you are safe and secure and discussing things together. What more could you need? And if you take a wrong turn, you can edit it all later and change anything you want to change, despite posting it as you go. Until it is released as final copy, you can always change anything you don’t like.
I remember reading a while back that because people are no longer out and about bothering them, wildlife is coming closer and closer to people. I was irked when the deer ate my day lilies, but there’s no stopping them without going out and spraying stench on everything, so a few flowers lost is the cost of not having to smell that stench. I do get annoyed when the baby squirrels climb onto my bird feeder and throw the food all over the ground, but the skunks, raccoons, groundhogs, and rabbits eat off the ground, not to mention the ducks that drop by, so it’s all good. I have trained the squirrels to run like hell when I open the door and shout, “SQUIRREL!” so it’s all good. My neighbors sometimes hear me yell at them, but they know better than to even ask. Everybody knows I’m a little bit nutso. I’ve trained them well, too.
Keep staying safe. We all rely on you for a good time.
Officially jealous of your lawn deer herd, on behalf of my son. One of bonding/destressing things we do is go look at the deer.
Amen.
This scarf/shawl has been my tv watching project for the last month or so and is 100% knit stitches. It takes two skeins and takes a while to complete b/c it’s lace weight, but it’s a great mindless project. I’m about 90% done and really looking forward to having it for a summer evening & fall wrap: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bateaux-mouches-scarf
Ha, you guys should look at Amazon.de for the ranking, too ????! And for the record: although I‘m reading the story here (I just couldn’t not… it’s Julie and she‘s way cool and I love Kate Daniels and the world to bits!), I also pre-ordered it. How could I not!? ????
WOW those deer are really tame. The ones near my house run, when they realize you are near.
I am just starting knitting with portuguese knitting stitches. Learned from you tube. I am finding it a tight stitch BUT is easier on my hand. Purling is especially easy. I had switched to continental because I figure it is easier on my hands (carpal tunnel issues) but I find portuguese knitting even easier on my hands.
Lisa, While doing Portuguese knitting, try carrying the yarn in your left hand, if you are already used to doing so, and your knitting will loosen up . It’s also easier that way to switch back and forth from continental ( left hand carry ) to Portuguese Left hand carry. I knit mostly lace stitches, so I find it faster to knit across continental and purl back Portuguese. Several students do this too.
Hope this helps.
P.S. I had a sweater almost finished except for neckline and sleeves resting in a yarn storage bin for about 10 years. 1. I had outgrown it, 2. I neither liked the stitches nor the color. But it was great (not to mention expensive) yarn, so I put it away and forgot it.
When we isolated in March, I was reorganizing a couple of yarn bins and decided to try it on again. It fit well, and I suddenly loved the color, but I neither liked the stitch choice nor the style. So, I ripped it out and rewound the yarn right then.
Then after I finished the 2 sweaters that I had in progress, I designed 2 new stitch patterns and a new silhouette and used that copper yarn. Now it’s one of my favorite sweaters ever.
Tastes, wardrobe needs, styles, skills, and body shapes change. You’re allowed to change your mind about things too. So never be ashamed if something doesn’t turn out as you had hoped. you didn’t fail, you certainly learned something. If it’s in good enough shape you might donate it, or if not, save it to be remade again.
P.P.S. Sorry Lisa, The Last comment landed in the wrong place and wasn’t aimed at you or anyone specifically.
Aw, the deer are adorable 🙂
I can relate to Kid 1. I’m having that kind of morning myself today.
When I bought the book, you were #14 Paid in Kindle Store — congrats!!
PS Spoiler alert: The book is NOT going to suck. We’re already nine chapters in, and I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve posted so far and can’t wait to read more. (I voted to bring on the cliffhanger, ha ha.)
It’s gonna be #1 soon!! Xoxo
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/staggered-rib-scarf
This is a freebee on Ravelry. I’ve made several. It’s easy works up nice and it’s easy enough you can do it and watch TV or whatever.
You two are funny,you always fret the book is gonna suck and it always is great. Some authors claim that they write and never worry about it not being good, but I suspect a) they are lying or b)they are such a bad writer it doesn’t matter bc no one reads it. Mozart used to claim he didn’t really write music, never edited it, that it just flowed from his mind ‘hearing’ it and he wrote it down. Course he died long before they discovered a cachw if original scores that had things scratched out and added. On the other hand Handel was like you,he fretted, the London museum has his original scores for the Messiah online, all kinds of things changed,scribbled over,you name it lol.
For relaxation, given what you write,have you ever thought of taking up metal forging? Given your interest in swords, you might find it relaxing to heat up a piece of metal and bang it/shape it into a sword or knife. Friend of mine made his own forge and claimed it was the ultimate in relaxation.
I can promise you that Ryder doesn’t suck and I’m pretty sure that you two could write out a grocery list and we’d all be entertained. Yes, you’re that good but also we’re all going stir crazy from the pandemic. Thanks for any and all distractions and entertainment you can provide.
You guys never suck! ????
There’s no option for :whatever the authors want, it’s their baby not mine, so I don’t mind. Jyst grateful for what I get.
Though to be fair that is wordy and somewhat incoherent..
Can I be a fly on your wall? Love y’all’s sense of humor. So glad you have one.
I was listening to narration of “One Fell Sweep” with my 16 yr old. He enjoys your sense of humor also, although being 16 and male, must complain the whole time. The point…Sean had just delivered his ultimatum, listen to me or I’m leaving; Maud is trying to pry info out of Dina about what is upsetting her….
Que Maud: Dina, I never thought you would end up with a werewolf.
Dina: What do you mean?
Maud: I’d thought you would end up with someone normal, named Phil, who was an accountant.
I forgot this scene was in there. My kid has this stunned look on his face. My husband, his dad, is Phil and has a degree in accounting and works as a bookkeeper. ???????????? However, he races mini sprint cars on the weekend and married me. He is not normal. ????
#44 already: WOW
Expectations are great, expectations are awesome … expect maybe for the authors.
We all love your writings sooooooooo much. <3<3<3
Is ‘frogged’ ripping it up in knitting, too? I’ve been doing textiles forever – sewing, knitting, cross stitch, crochet, weaving – but never heard of the frog stitch until I started needlepoint a couple of years ago. ‘ Rip-it, rip-it.’ I do it a lot.
So you folks know, if you read at the bottom of the comments, your writing has given me so much pleasure over the years. I look forward to Ryder and to help the numbers, just pre-ordered Blood Heir. And, now, when I need comfort the most (pandemic, sick Frenchies, feeling sooooo low), I’m re-reading Kate’s books. Not the first time, by any stretch, but never so much appreciated. Thank you.
I am always surprised when you post the the corrections from readers, because this is your fantasy world, words mean whatever you want them to mean despite the root language meaning. In the words of my favorite philosopher “There is nothing new under the sun”. Thank you for this , I look forward to continuing this journey and learning more about New Shinar.
It’s not gonna suck. You guys worry about it, but you’re just that good. Remember, the BDH enjoys your grocery lists. LOL
Love you guys!
I’m writing this very late in the thread,and am very sceptical in that you’d ever read it.. but anyway here is my two cents..”You are writing it..how can it suck???????????
(.. for I’m sure your pen and mind were blessed by the Almighty!:)
Love your writing.No cause to worry…we the BDH r proof that ur writing is awesome????????
Felt your knitting comment TO MY SOUL – I looked forever for a pattern that was simple…but not so simple that I stopped paying attention.
This hat from brooklyn tweed has been my go-to. It takes 1 skein of yarn, is pretty darn easy, and I have this hat in every color now! Promise it looks better on than the pictures, especially if you make it a little slouchy!
https://brooklyntweed.com/collections/patterns/products/fjord
🙂
ahhh…frogging. the bane of any crocheter/knitter existence.
I’ve been crocheting for 5 years and I didn’t learn the term “frogging” until a year ago….oh but I’ve been doing it for the past 5 years! lol
?how to I buy Ryder on kindle
Thought u guys were going to wait till done.
If your done .can I have isbn to download please. Waiting till Aug. Is hard.???? prepurchased that already.Great cover. Books are grrrreat!!
You two could write a shopping list and it would be entertaining. Loving Ryder is a given; we get to see our old friends and face new adventures.
#15 in US Fantasy/Romance on Amazon
Lol!
I vote for knitting footies for winter. Then dressing them up as animals for a quirky surprise. Big Google eyes. Stockpile them for friends’ and daughters’ Christmas presents. One set of whatever hubby’s craziest favorite mythological animal is.
Cheers
I love reading Ryder. Can’t wait for it to be done. I’ll enjoy your other books while waiting.
My favorite thing about your writing is that you create character voices that are as distinctive as your own. (Hence Gordon’s comment about not sucking.)
So, yes, we would prefer it Ryder not suck, but, like my children, I love all of your works equally.
(I do have a soft spot for Audrey & Kaldar because my now teenage son discovered them about 5 years ago and we bonded over them. Witty repartee – it gets us every time!”)
“If it helps, Audrey checked your a** out before she took off.”
“She did?”
“I did what?”
“Nothing!”
Fate’s Edge