Crafting, But Not With Words

Okay, with all this time while we #stayhome, I can get a lot of writing done. And I have. But sometimes, an author needs a break from word crafting. I used to do a lot of crafts when the kids were little, but I accumulated a lot of projects. I mean, how many wreaths and centerpieces are too much? I've since lost interest in cutesy décor. This past week though, I've been working not only in my meditation and food gardens, but also the décor around my pool. (I LOVE my pool.)

This is what I started with:

A neighbor was moving and put these chairs out for garbage pick-up. They were sturdy, although dirty and stained. Plus, I think someone tried to touch-up the paint because there were areas where paint was peeling. I have a pool, so I have parties and lots of people who need seats. Plus, every year at least one chair breaks. So I took these home. But I have high standards; I don't like anything that looks worn, and I strongly believe in recycle/reduce/reuse.

The first thing to do was scrub the chairs with a good detergent.

Then I sanded the chairs. Not only does it take off a lot of stains, but it makes the plastic a bit rougher and more porous, so paint adheres better. I already had a color scheme in mind (it tends to change every two or three years). Next, choose the right paint: one that is specifically designed for plastic. A spray can is better than a brush on paint, but you have to use the right technique. I've found to avoid runs and drips, you should not continuously spray, but do it by spraying a strip at a time. This also gives your finger a rest. And generally, you have to do two coats. Generally I choose a satin finish because experience has shown me that satin washes more easily than flat, and lasts longer, hides more imperfections than super glossy. Please use protective glasses, spray outside, not in enclosed spaces, and put a drop cloth (or cardboard) underneath.

This is the end result. I'm now ready for a party I can't have, but at least everything looks nice.

Stay safe, and treat yourself-and those working under these dangerous conditions- with love and patience. I hope we can meet in book festivals, libraries, restaurants, and other places soon.

Char 

Go! And DON'T Come Back!

Last post of the year, looking back and forward, blah, blah. You know the drill. Here's my list of things and people that should stay in 2019 and never 'grace' us with their presence:

Photo courtesy of cottonbro, Pexels

1. Anything Kardashian. Seriously, we've ALL had enough. If you're going to law school Kim, hit the books and stay off TV and out of the media. And find something for the rest of your family to do.

2. Every. Single. Politician. We're tired (I'm speaking for a lot of people) of your bickering, backstabbing, lying, self-serving non-representation. All of you, out the door! We want fresh, new, unsoiled, eager representation (who won't bring half their family in to make money off ties with US gov). Clear both sides of the aisle.

3. Antonio Brown. You can't keep your hands to yourself or your mouth shut. (Disclosure: I am a very dedicated Patriots fan and he would have been great, but... ethics apply.) And, take all those other dirty players (and coaches, managers, etc., and I don't care if they are future Hall of Famers) with you. It's time the NFL cleaned house. There should be absolutely no room for players with assault and other criminal records. If they're cleared in court, fine. Until then, out! You are seriously angering female fans.

4. Twitter trolls. You know who you are. A person makes an observation, and you want to be angry, and butt hurt, so you jump all over them because your opinion is different. It's narcissistic and what I've read but can't remember the term, darn it, is the abuser blaming the victim. Hey, I think there are some real whacko opinions out there, but they are opinions and protected under the Constitution. Ok, you don't agree, you may even be horrified (I've been) but make your point and move on (unless there is a clear danger, like someone making a threat- different story). If you have to smear them, and continually harangue them, you need therapy. And another hobby.

5. Amazon screwing authors. Indie authors receive pennies for their books. Jeff Bezos, you have your billions (or is it trillions now? oops, forgot about the divorce...back to billions). Either way, your stranglehold on authors and the monies they don't get from Kindle Unlimited is cruel and soooo not fair. There should be no 'returning' an ebook after people have read it. A few pages to peruse, but if they buy it, they pay for it- no give backs. And the same thing goes for you, Audible. No returning audio books and then making the author pay. Seriously, I have some very bad words on my tongue...

6. Reality shows. Hint: they are scripted and therefore, that's false advertising. I'm glad Snookie and crew are gone, but take the housewives, the sister wives, and everything else fake back to oblivion.

7. Excess and unrecyclable plastics. Some things need to be plastic, like medical devices and car parts. But we don't need plastic straws every time we get a drink (what, are you 2?). Manufacturers, please don't wrap instruction booklets in plastic. It's ridiculous the amount of plastics used for silly things. Maybe plastics should be constrained (as much as possible, I understand chemicals and situations may call for something different) to only those which can be recycled. Lego bricks- why can't they be made from recycled plastics? And other toys? How about bricks which could be used for building houses? All public benches? We might be able to save trees if we can substitute recycled plastic products. It would be great if a brilliant scientist somewhere created a microbe that eats the stuff (I've heard rumors, is it a reality? If so, let's get on this and clear out landfills and the oceans...).

8. 'Designer' animals. With so many animals in shelters, waiting to be euthanized, I can't look at those designer dogs, which cost hundreds, if not thousands, and not think less of its owners as a person.

9. Idiotic prison systems. What good does it do anyone when prisoners are locked up with nothing to do? Let prisons run animal shelters. Teach prisoners how to train service animals. Just think of all the therapy and service animals that could come from overcrowded shelters and go to people in need of them. Prisoners would be busy performing a desperately needed service, and we all know animals reduce stress levels. Training a single dog could save thousands of dollars for people who need one, plus giving prisoners a real chance at a form of restitution. Think about it!

10.  I'm looking at you, Big Pharma. There is no justifiable or ethical reason why these companies get to charge Americans hundreds of dollars for insulin and other medications when Europeans get the same drug for pennies on the dollar. We are funding research, but don't gouge us! Same price for everyone. And shame on you- you have blood on your hands.

11. Those stupid Progressive, Geico, and Liberty Mutual commercials (to name a few). You've done them to death. We're sick of them. Goodbye Flo, Jaime, gecko, emu, etc.

12. Any more remakes of Spiderman, Batman, Superman, etc. Hollywood, there are mega tons of books out there- and don't forget the Indies- when you search for a new project. Not another Star is Born, or Tarzan, or even Dracula. I'm not saying don't do any movies based on those characters, or any which include the characters, but STOP remaking the original plot over and over and over.... If you're hard up, check out some books from the library. Talk to people. See what's a new trend.


Well, that's my list for now. More will come to mind as we wind down the last dregs of 2019. May 2020 be kinder to all of us- people, animals, Earth, and Fate.

See ya on the flip side....

Char

No Plastic Is Possible...

A little break from all the writing stuff-

When I visited my son in California, I ordered takeout from the local restaurant. ALL the utensils, EVEN THE BAG THEY CAME IN, WERE BIODEGRADABLE. It's called PotatoWare.

I LOVE that it says, "We're the solution, not the pollution." There is NO REASON every restaurant can't use these. (Please make this happen, all you food industry big wigs....). Check out http://www.earth-to-go.com/. Let's STOP using plastic and thinking it's the only way.

I'm big into conservation and recycling and saving the planet- and everyone doing SOMETHING. I believe in it so much, it's been a sub-theme in my books- both the Sirenz series and the Evolution Revolution trilogy. I'm trying to use recyclable bags and avoid using plastic ones, I don't use straws, I support causes like 4Ocean. When you buy a 4Ocean bracelet, not only are you supporting an organization that HIRES local people, but they clean the ocean AND the plastic is recycled- into the bracelets! Each bracelet represents 1 pound of trash cleaned from the oceans and shores. It's a win-win-win situation.

And the bracelets look cool. They come in a variety of colors depending on what 4Ocean is highlighting- the ocean, its creatures, etc. Check them out at https://4ocean.com/.

It's organizations like these, and the people behind them, that give me hope we can stop the destruction to our earth. Now go buy a bracelet, volunteer to clean up trash, and spread the news!

Char