Notes - the last of the preliminaries for Pouch 2.2

         You are waiting for Carol, Mary Lou and Linda at the Key Bank for the Otterbein Cemetery plot notarizing at the south Kroger lot at Westerville. – That’s completed, now you are at 350 Parkview at the Westerville Service Building, which is built on top of the old sewage plant where you used to work during the summers of 1964-9166. You advised your sister-in-law upon her mentioning that you will all be together in the Flook family plot that only part of you would be, the rest will be secretly scattered by Kim and Paul (you hope, on the grounds in front of Westminster Cathedral in London and on the grounds next to Canterbury Cathedral and the grounds near the Washington Cathedral in Washington, D.C.). – Amorella

         1027 hours. I like all three cathedrals. Portion my cremains in fourths and scatter them near right side of the main public entrance so I might in metaphysical theory listen to the conversations people while they enter and leave the cathedrals. It is a comforting concept. Resting in the tree shade of the old north section of Otterbein Cemetery sounds good too. Most of my family is buried there, parents and grandparents, as well as favorite aunts and uncles and some old high school classmates. Besides the cemetery is one of my old childhood playgrounds, that’s comforting too. – rho

         You all had a good lunch at Olive Garden; everyone had salad with separate lunch items as well as dessert. You dropped the ladies off at Macy’s and you are sitting in Wendy’s next to Max and Erma’s and will pick them up in about an hour. – Amorella

         1326 hours. I need to go through Running Through looking for angel reference. I don’t remember any, but who knows.

         1349 hours. I now have about 2000 words or so for this Pouch segment. I assume this is enough to put it together – I found about a page on angels – it is in the first chapter segment of Pouch.

** **

         “Do you shave your legs?” asked Blake in a detached manner.

         “We marsupial women have no hair to shave. As I said, we alter our genetic structure so there is no body hair, that is, other than what you call pubic or belly-pouch hair. Our philosophers or clerics as you might call them, both female and male, have their genes altered so they have no hair at all, head to toe.”

         “Why do they do that, I mean, they wear clothes don’t they? People wouldn’t know,” continued Blake.

         “They do wear clothes, but without hair they feel closer to angels.”

         “Really?” replied Justin.

         “Angels may not be the right word in English. Angelic-like force is perhaps better. Clerics feel closer to Godofamily because animals have hair, so without hair some people feel they are less animal and more godly, or more spiritual. Godly is the wrong word here.” I know my English, thought Friendly, but these aliens are too precise. English has too many specific words which spreads the chance for error.

         “It makes sense, I guess,” voiced Justin as he sat at the chair student-like, “but I thought your culture would be easier to understand.”

         “Because we look like you?” responded Friendly bluntly.

         “Yes. I suppose so. I mean, naked and from the back you can’t tell a marsupial from a human, but in the front, the woman has no breasts because her nipples are in the belly pouch for feeding. Your men have their nipples on the belly too. The female pubic hair or wool is understandable for the crawlbaas, but your males have odd shaped penises. I don’t mean to joke about it, but the penis is curly and thin,” Justin paused, “and long. Why did the penis develop in such a way?”

         With half a smile on her face, Pyl half raised her hand, “Justin is right. The marsupial penis looks like a foot long Arby’s curly fry.”

         Friendly mimicked Pyl’s smile and shook her head sideways. “We have no idea.” She half laughed aloud, “Why are your earthling males penises shaped as they are, half as long, and many times thicker. What it the point?” Everyone laughed.

         More relaxed, Pyl straight out said, “Many earth men would like to have a foot long penis. They’ll hear of such male HomePlanet tales.”

         Blake grew disgusted, “Enough, sis.”

         Friendly interrupted and instantly relaxed and enjoyed the moment, “You know, we think sex is funny too. I have to tell you something here. Hartolite and I about fell over from laughter when we recently came to Earth and saw people at restaurants sucking on plastic straws.”

         Pyl asked innocently, “Why is that?”

         “Our men, as you have read, can keep an erection for only a few seconds, and then the semen ejects. In those stiff few seconds, that long, curly, thin, mangy-looking organ looks like a -- what do you call it -- a soda straw. Then, just like that, bang, it’s done, curled up and gone. Our men would rather do most anything than have sex, because it takes far too long. We are talking about hours and hours of working up to those last few seconds. It is exhausting for the men, and believe me, it is more exhausting for us women. You would have thought Godofamily would have had a simpler plan for reproduction.”

Selected from Running Through, Chapter One, “Pouch Text”

** **

         I remember I had a good time putting this together; I just didn’t remember about the angels, but I did the clerics.

         Make a copy of the help doc 2.2 and I will bold what needs to be in 2.2. – Amorella

         1410 hours. I have it down to 1700 words total so I am going to have to do some crunching to get it to under 800 words.

         We just need the main points in those 1700. We can have this done sometime today. Post when convenient. - Amorella

Notes - branches and hairlessness / silliness

         Earlier daylight. You have the house mostly straightened up but for both couches cushions, both from your sitting. Potted plants were watered and the TV stand taken down behind the house until trash collection tomorrow night. Jadah had you up early for foods, clean water and opened window shades. Spooky was content with a tummy and lower back rub. Late last night you finished the new issue of Automobile and are done with car magazines until next month’s issues. Strangely, when viewing the comic “Zits” this morning you were reminded of the odd nature of the human form. Form is ‘function’ is the old adage, thus The Naked Ape comes to mind. - Amorella

** **

The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal is a 1967 book by zoologist and ethologist Desmond Morriss that looks at humans as a species and compares them to other animals. The Human Zoo, a follow-up book by Morris that examined the behaviour of people in cities, was published in 1969.

Summary

The Naked Ape, which was serialized in the Daily Mirror newspaper and has been translated into 23 languages, depicts human behavior as largely evolved to meet the challenges of prehistoric life as a hunter-gatherer (see nature versus nurture). The book was so named because out of 193 species of monkeys and apes only humans (Homo sapiens) are not covered in hair. Desmond Morris, the author, who formerly was the Curator of mammal at London Zoo, said his book was intended to popularise and demystify science.

Morris made a number of claims in the book, including that not only does Homo sapiens have the largest brain of all primates but also the largest penis, and is therefore "the sexiest primate alive". He further claimed that our fleshy ear-lobes, which are unique to humans, are erogenous zones, the stimulation of which can cause orgasm in both males and females. Morris further stated that the more rounded shape of human female breasts means they are mainly a sexual signalling device rather than simply for providing milk for infants. Although the book's subject was the many behavioural consequences of the evolutionary transformation from forest-dwelling, mainly vegetarian creatures to carnivorous hunter-gatherers, reviewers predictably focused on the sexual aspects.

Morris attempted to frame many features of human behavior in the context of evolution at a time when cultural explanations were more orthodox. His explanations failed to convince many academics for that reason, and also partly because critics charged that they were based on a teleological (goal-oriented) understanding of evolution. For example, Morris wrote that the intense human pair bond evolved so that men who were out hunting could trust that their mates back home were not having sex with other men, and suggested the possibility that sparse body hair evolved because the "nakedness" helped intensify pair bonding by increasing tactile pleasure. Like many other writers in the late 1960s and 1970s, Morris warned against the "population explosion" (a term that originated in the 1940s) in terms that seem exaggerated and apocalyptic with the hindsight of almost half a century. Overcrowding, he thought, might cause terminal damage to heretofore relatively stable social structures that humans had evolved in the long course of their development.

Selected and edited from Wikipedia – The Naked Ape

** **

         0728 hours. This was a very interesting read back when it was first published as a book. I remember using this hairlessness as an allusion to my description of an angel in one of my early ‘workings’ for a novel that never took hold. Although, come to think of it, I did mention this in one of the Merlyn books – that priests and priestesses of certain ancient marsupial humanoid cultures held that nakedness is next to godliness. I have not thought about this in years. I don’t see the relevance here other than a reminder of something to speak of in terms of marsupial behaviors.

         Yes, we want to speak of these two aspects – a tree as a governmental type body and of angels being hairless. The marsupial humanoids were surprised that humans had ‘branches’ of government and that some depicted angels as hairless. This is one of the early observations that helped make the marsupial humanoids feel that the Homo sapiens is a close match with marsupial humanoid in terms of consciousness levels social and esoteric thinking. It is difficult for many marsupial humanoids to accept the fact that some mammals can be so similar to themselves in terms of hairlessness and higher spiritual consciousness. – Amorella

         0746 hours. This sounds like a plan. I like it. Here’s a question though. If an angel is always seen naked is it an hermaphrodite or female or male?

         Let’s go with this Wikipedia public domain image of ‘Hermaphroditus’ by Unknown at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Liverpool. Can you deal with this, boy? - Amorella

 ‘Hermaphroditus’ 

         9757 hours. It certainly is easy to describe in words – fine with me but I am surprised the physical is important at all in terms of metaphysical angels.

         It is important to show an example of similar art among the marsupial humanoids. The marsupial humanoid work of stone art has a more romantic flourish than Greek but the intent is the same a spiritual being with a penis and a pouch. The hairless pouch caused controversy at the time because the thick pubic hair (not fur) is essential for the joey to survive.

** **

Description

Early Development

An early birth removes a developing marsupial from its mother's body much sooner than in placental mammals, thus marsupials have not developed a complex placenta to protect the embryo from its mother's immune system. Though early birth puts the tiny newborn marsupial at a greater environmental risk, it significantly reduces the dangers associated with long pregnancies, as there is no need to carry a large fetus to full-term in bad seasons. Marsupials are extremely altricial animals, needing to be intensely cared for immediately following birth.

Because newborn marsupials must climb up to their mother's nipples, their front limbs are much more developed than the rest of their bodies at the time of birth. This requirement possibly has resulted in the limited range of locomotor adaptations in marsupials compared to placentals. Marsupials must develop grasping forepaws during their early youth, making the transition from these limbs into hooves, wings, or flippers as some groups of placental mammals have done, far more difficult.

An infant marsupial is known as a joey. Marsupials have a very short gestation period (about four to five weeks), and the joey is born in an essentially fetal state. The blind, furless, miniature newborn, the size of a jelly bean, crawls across its mother's fur to make its way into the pouch, where it latches onto a teat for food. It will not re-emerge for several months, during which time it develops fully. After this period, the joey begins to spend increasing lengths of time out of the pouch, feeding and learning survival skills. However, it returns to the pouch to sleep, and if danger threatens, it will seek refuge in its mother's pouch for safety.

Joeys stay in the pouch for up to a year in some species, or until the next joey is born. A marsupial joey is unable to regulate its own body temperature and relies upon an external heat source. Until the joey is well-furred and old enough to leave the pouch, a pouch temperature of 30–32 °C (86–90 °F) must be constantly maintained.

Selected and edited from Wikipedia – marsupial

** **

         Mid-afternoon. You had lunch at Panera/Chipotle and are presently at Kroger’s on Tylersville for essentials where you have been setting up a parallel doc for adding to Pouch 2.2. Now, go to Running Through and search for joey. – Amorella

         You are home. Carol just gave you a letter to be typed so that three sisters and their husbands will be buried (ashes only) on Westerville/Otterbein Cemetery Lots four, five and six originally bought by James Flook in 1885. Flook is the maiden name of Jean Cook Hammond’s (Carol’s mother) Grandmother Flook. Carol’s parents, Grandville and Jean are buried in the West 3 lot. Mary Lou has the West 4 lot. Carol and you have the East 3 lot and Linda and Bill have the East 4 lot in an older area of the cemetery. Type their letter, which will need signed and notarized before Linda returns to Florida next Wednesday. You and Carol are both considering on buying small granite gravestones similar to the ones her mom and dad have. - Amorella

         2204 hours. Carol had crackers and cheese and I had left over heated baked beans and wieners; and later, carrots. We watched “Major Crimes”, “24”, and “Rizzoli and Isles” as well as ABC News. We are both about ready for bed.

         You did get the cemetery letter completed and made four copies. Tomorrow will be time for chores more than errands, lunch and then back to Columbus for a night with Kim, Paul and the boys. There will be time for errands/chores on Monday and time with Linda. We’ll work through Pouch 2.2 as we may. Post. – Amorella

         2211 hours. I am out of my routine.

         How do you think Blake feels? At least Pyl and Justin have one another. Blake feels like an unneeded third wheel. Do you remember how long it is going to take to get across the galaxy – three months. We will use an episode for each month –- so, about thirty days have gone by and they are about two weeks from the center of the galaxy. You need to note the day they left so we have a human count of the days. Post. – Amorella

         2220 hours. Does this mean we are going to do the same in book three, three months to come home?

         It would seem reasonable. – Amorella

         But wouldn’t it be better if they are in a ‘situation’ of some kind? I promised Uncle Ernie I would not leave the marsupial humanoids somewhere out in space. I assume they are coming back to Earth to meet with officials of various governments in secret. Readers expect some kind of climax at the conclusion of book three. I am hoping for a wonderings – who, when and where is something going to happen.

         It’s a little early to speculate how the trilogy will conclude, but wonder would be a good ‘what if’ theme. Something on the order of who’s coming – angels or aliens? – Amorella

         I don’t like that because of that new Sci Fi show, “Dominion”. I watched the second episode and it was a bit better than the first, but I see parallels with other older science fiction stories every so often. Watching is showing me the film process of story development. I don’t see angels projected into human bodies though. In some ways I cannot imagine an angel even realizing a human being exists. Once it has an ‘image’ of some sort of G---D the universe(s) would be blind to those angels who can ‘see’. If an angel found/realized itself within a physical human body, then it would have lost its angelic nature both in experience and in theory. It would be somewhat similar if a human mind could survive in the physical body of a fish. To do this the mind would have to lose its humanity. It would not understand its humanity because it is than a fish mind not a human one. (2244) I have entered into silliness here. Time for bed.

         Sleep well my little friend. – Amorella

        

Notes - leaf structure / lively discussion set for Pouch 2.2

         Jadah woke you up and you went through the chores – take the paper to the neighbor next door, fresh water and food (canned and dry) for the cats, clean their cat litter, sweep the kitchen floor, breakfast, clean up, make the bed and give Jadah a belly rub (currently Spooky is downstairs in a south window and Jadah is sitting in her box next to the east window. Carol called as they were on the way to Logan and on down to the Hocking County hills and other natural wonders. – Amorella

         0940 hours. Jadah is sitting in full sun with eyes shut and a hint of purring. I am taking a short nap then I’ll be ready to meet the day.

         Mid-afternoon. Two car magazines arrived today and the first one you picked up to read over a lunch of half a peanut butter and raisin sandwich on wheat and a cup of wheat cereal with skim milk was this August issue of Motor Trend. The article that brings pure delight down deep is titled, “Real MPG” which begins on page ninety-four. The definition standards are set out for measuring the mileage in one hundred cars. This is followed by ten sets of statistics in graph format. The eight are: 1, City Mileage; 2, Highway Mileage; 3, Fuel Consumption by Car Brand; 4, Propulsion Type [Electric, Hybrid, Gas, Diesel]; 5, Road Mix [Highway/City]; 6, Effect of AC; 7, Engine Size; 8, Aggression Effect [Behavior]; 9, Congestion Effect; and 10, Driving Circumstances. These are compared in the graphs with the EPA MPG Ratings. To you this article is scientifically valid if the statistics are printed correctly. – Amorella

         1515 hours. I love the article in that it sets out to show some validity in miles per gallon statistics and it doing so, one can see that measuring a car’s miles per gallon is rather complicated rather than following a simple formula. Lots of variables have to be considered and even then the car’s miles per gallon are always an estimate (some closer than others).

         Why then, I wonder, why we feel we can accurately measure the amount of knowledge a human being absorbs and adapts for use throughout her or his public and/or private education from the ages 5 through 18. If one sets ten variables for miles per gallon what are the variables to be set in the life and growth of a human life for fourteen years? What about the setting of life and growth before the age of 5 – from day 1 through the fifth birthday?

         This was not where you were expecting to go, is it boy? – Amorella

         1531 hours. No. The focus was on measuring automobile miles per gallon. I moved this to measuring human beings educational growth. And in the process I think about the variables of heart, soul, and mind. How do we Homo sapiens measure these? If we want a report card, then we should be more accurate. Our report cards are not so accurate at all. Next I suppose, we should measure individual human worth. I have little doubt that as the centuries move on, people will work on this. What will be the ‘standard’ – freedom and dignity? What would be the standard definitions of freedom and dignity to begin with? Hmm. Life is complicated enough, life lived in full consciousness is even more so. Now, from this, I jump to our marsupial humanoids who have lived 20,000 more years of social, cultural and scientific advancement.

         You are curious about these fictional marsupial humanoids and want to have taken into account a growth human beings have not had. From your perspective human beings still live in ‘city states’ as did the Greeks – large groups and smaller groups. We cover this. Small groups are private family settings; large groups are run by models of efficiency that allow for branches of freedom and dignity from a trunk of health and safety, legal and social rules of norm, theoretical and practical education, social and scientific technology and ever creative adaptive procedures to allow for further branching in the fields of freedom and dignity of the human individual and the group. The model is based on roots, a tree trunk, branches and leaves. Freedom and dignity is in the leaf structure. How’s that? – Amorella

         Health and safety; legal and social; education; technology; and creative adaptation are the five aspects of the trunk. The branching would be production and labor and the leaf would be the semi-structural family unit. (1606)

         This is the basic structure that these Merlyn books will follow. The idea is that the ‘tree’ as it will, can grow as well as trimmed. It is as a living dynamic, a plant living in an existential circumstance. That’s how the marsupial humanoids understand and use this – as a living plant, not a hypothetical model of how a government should be run. – Amorella

         1612 hours. How I got to this place is interesting. I am happy it is written down as it ‘happened’ its way out of my head.

         Post. - Amorella

         You had baked beans and wieners for supper and an apple presently. You watched ABC and NBC News and figured out how to re-establish yourself on the Internet via the TV but now you forget how to turn the sound off as well as the TV other than from the set. It is a ‘remotes’ problem – too many of them. - Amorella

         2219 hours. I stayed away from the TV today until news time. I watched a couple of new programs we had copied but have not seen. I don’t think Carol will like either one. I know I don’t. I tried watching a free film on an Internet channel but there were commercials and the wireless transmission is too slow. I thought it would be; now I know it to be a fact. This will make life simpler – no Netflix or other such Internet film resources on the TV. I’ll read more about running the remotes. I have four with the cable remote. I’m ready for bed.

         Carol will be heading home in the morning. Post. – Amorella

         2227 hours. I really want to finish up this chapter two so I can get back to completing the first book.

         Let’s work on it. – Amorella

         2235 hours. That was quick. It has been cut down to some 570 words but most of it is from Soki – this will have to be really modified.

         We can use the material from today’s blog – the focus can be on a discussion between Hartolite and Friendly focusing on Blake in a discussion on how they govern. First, Blake listens and the reader sees his thoughts as the women speak. How will that be? – Amorella

         It is something to consider. The topic sounds pretty dry though. It would be better as a lively discussion.

         That can be done instead. You’re the human. Tomorrow then. Post. - Amorella    

Notes - been busy / sci fi /

         Mid-afternoon. You four had lunch at the Brazenhead (watching the first half of USA versus Germany) then Paul left for his trip home. They are car shopping later this afternoon since he is having problems with his ‘06 Accord (he drove down in Kim’s CRV). Supposedly the TV and accessories are now in working order. You are reading the manual. Carol and Linda just left for Westerville – you are happy that she is finally driving the Avalon. Carol, Linda and Mary Lou are going down to the Hocking Hills tomorrow. Carol is coming home Saturday morning. On Sunday evening you will be back at Kim and Paul’s until Linda’s flight to Tampa next Wednesday.

         My suggestion is you take some time to play with the new Sony and relax – take a nap. Post. Later. – Amorella

         1427 hours. I am already enjoying the library quiet. I don’t think I can work this television yet. My concern is hitting the wrong button/buttons and having to call Paul because of it. I would just as soon not play around. Paul also set up the WiFi and Internet as well as the blue tooth for iPad music. The sound bar is not overwhelming which is good; nice mellow sound; the sub-woofer works fine also – pleasant rumble; just enough to suit my tastes. I am not cranking the music any time soon. I guess I’ll go try to turn on the TV and see what happens.

         Late afternoon. You watched a Sci Fi channel show titled “Dominion” about angels and humans. It leaves you unsettled. – Amorella

         1628 hours. I am surprised and a little unnerved. I think of you, Amorella, as angel-like in character and you are dissimilar to any of the characters in the “Dominion” story.

         I play a few fictional characters in your stories, boy. Post. - Amorella

Notes - busy morning /

         Very apropos that your TV is coming this afternoon, six months to the day a head of schedule. You ran several errands this morning and also bought a TV stand for about fifty more than you allowed for but you did get fifty-five dollars credit on your TV accessories bill so that evens out. Ironically, you weren’t going to go to H. H. Gregg’s for reasons unknown but that is where you found the best stand to your liking. You have thirty days to take it back put together or in the box. So, you will have to see if Carol likes it. – Carol just called, you are meeting for lunch at twelve-thirty. Later, my man. – Amorella

         You have read over the directions for constructing the TV stand and after the third to fourth time it seems that it will be fairly simple if the steps are followed and all the pieces are included. – Amorella

         1132 hours. I should leave for the restaurant in about fifteen minutes. The house is straightened up and the three major empty boxes and protective pieces are ready to be shipped out when they take the old TV and stand. Carol called and initially appears okay with buying the stand. I don’t think she wanted to deal with it. This is exciting – a new TV, the first in eleven years.

         Post, orndorff. - Amorella

Notes - the AM / afternoon and PM /

        Early mid-morning. You both had breakfast; you read the paper. Logistics are set for tomorrow. Last night after watching a PBS show on Underground London which you both enjoyed, you spent two hours taking down the Bose system and unscrambling the wires into the back of the television – lots of wires seemingly untouched since 2003. Everything is either in the basement or Carol’s study to be taken to the trash Sunday night. - Amorella

         0844 hours. I cannot believe how long it took to cut plastic wire bindings and sort out the fairly neat bundles of wires in the back of that set – plus three and two wires systems to the subwoofer and on to wiring for the iPad and Bose system to the chair in the back of the room as well as to the two Bose speakers and their stands (I’m keeping the speakers for the time being). It is no wonder people want sound bars with wireless subwoofer. Simulated surround sound is fine with me. Time to put stuff in the car. No time for writing but perhaps later in the afternoon.

         Post. - Amorella

         Evening. You have been home for a while. Tomorrow you meet Carol, Kim, Linda and Mary Lou at Max and Erma’s at Exit 50 on I-71 around noon. The television will arrive between 3:30 and 5:30. When you arrived home before dusk the Sony sound bar package was waiting on the front porch. Checking out the price you paid and the price on Amazon; Amazon was two hundred and ninety-eight dollars some fifty dollars less than Best Buy but according to their low price guarantee they will give you the lower price, so you should save fifty dollars in the transaction. – Amorella

         2137 hours. This may sound stupid but honestly it doesn’t seem fair. I don’t want Best Buy to go out of business. I already have some discounts that Paul haggled for me. That’s my feeling, but my inclination is to, as they say, take the money and run. This is a moral issue as much as anything else. This is an example of what I don’t like about living on this planet. I don’t have to go so far as to feel guilty about taking the discount because I don’t. However, it seems to me there should be a better way to live, to fair deal for all parties involved. Many businesses have to resort to cutthroat deal to survive. What a rat race. How does this make people feel better? Getting a deal? Everyone pays one way or another in the long run.

         Earlier this afternoon, after a great lunch buffet with Uncle John, Carol, Kim, Linda and Mary Lou at La Scala’s in Dublin (Paul used to wait tables at the restaurant in high school) I drove to Westerville to see Aunt Patsy and Uncle Ernie. We talked for about an hour and a half about lots of things. One, I found out that Churchill’s bunker was not where Uncle Ernie went to deliver messages – he didn’t know where it was during the war. He did deliver intelligence messages to Churchill via Churchill’s office (somewhere in London) but Churchill was never there as far as he knew. The other interesting fact I discovered as that he, as an officer, and ten enlisted men were allowed to attend the opening ceremonies of the Nuremburg Trials. He said he would wish no one today would have to witness such an event. He also arrived at Dachau three months after Dad was there at its liberation and there were people who were attempting to walk back to their homes, some more than 150 miles away. He said he and his men were ‘insignificants’ at the time. Most of the liberating forces were chasing Nazi’s across Austria and relied on others to help the former prisoners. He also said that when Dad was there (on leave he drove to meet my dad) Dad could not eat seeing so many hungry children on the other side of military fences, that many took their food to give to the children instead. I never saw that side of my father. He was always a rather stern man. Uncle Ernie said that in reality Dad was very kind-hearted but he would never show it to family; Ernie did not know why, neither did Aunt Patsy, Dad’s sister. It is interesting to hear these things about people you thought you knew. Mostly growing up Dad wanted to take me hunting and fishing and I didn’t like either one. Eventually I stopped going and he took my sister Cathy instead. I can’t think of anything more to say. But this is what I remember about today. (2202)

         Post. - Amorella

Notes - mostly muse /

         Earlier morning. You are sitting in the shade in the car at Pine Hill Lakes Park facing east near northeast of the earth dam. Not as many birds singing but a pleasant time of day nevertheless. – Slow down, orndorff. You are trying to remember what this chapter two is about; you don’t need to because that is what you are working about. “Family” is the subtitle so that’s all that’s needed. I’ll help plow through the extra. – Amorella

         0804 hours. I haven’t really thought about the books this last weekend. We had a good time – tomorrow I am going to stop by Aunt Pasty and Uncle Ernie’s before coming home tomorrow night. Mary Lou gave me the local paper – I love the photo of Uncle Ernie, maybe I can scan it for a copy. And, I want to take the old VHS tape from my 2003 retirement tribute that Laney Bender-Slack had made for me and have Jack Cook create a DVD from it. That was one of the kindest things Laney has ever done for me. I remember when she was new to the high school (coming from the junior high) in the mid 1990’s. I liked her immediately. She has the most friendly smile. For Christmas she gave me the Complete Works of Shakespeare. I made a promise to myself that it would be possible to become ‘special’ friends even though we are both contentedly married. We still are. The year after I retired she also left to work on her doctorate in education. She now has tenure at Xavier. I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. She and her husband Jay have two accomplishing and endearing children. He has his doctorate in science. What a wonderful family. Laney is my muse, first and foremost because when I started the Merlyn books in earnest in 2004 (the first trilogy) I asked her if I should lean neo-classic or romantic. My inclination was neo-classic because I wanted to write subtle satire like one of my favorite writers, Jonathan Swift. Laney said I should write what she knew me to secretly be, romantic. This is (deep down) very difficult because though it is what I am – I find it too honest – I’d rather sing, “I am a rock, I am an island” (as I used to do, strumming on my old four string guitar) a fortress, if you will. ‘Be a writer, but be as you are to me’, is how I interpreted Laney’s – “Be a romantic”. This is a part of what makes Laney’s and my friendship special and why she is my muse in these Merlyn books. It is not easy for a naturally shy man like myself to be naked where it counts most – in heart and soul and mind.

         You are home. To you, being honest is being naked. Many may not agree, but for you there is a truth to it. You want to be honest with what you would take with you if when you physically die your consciousness continues in one form or another. – Amorella

         Yes, this is the context of “where it counts most”. I am glad you clarified this. Thank you, Amorella. (0922)

         You had a late lunch at Smashburgers and ran a couple errands. It has been a rather busy catch-up day. You did do some exercises yesterday and a full forty minutes worth today. Tomorrow up to Dublin and lunch with Uncle John. Carol is staying with Mary Lou tomorrow night and you all meet again sometime on Wednesday. Post. Later, dude. - Amorella

Notes - tomorrow to write

         Before dusk. You are waiting for Carol at Kroger’s on Mason-Montgomery Road to buy a couple of essentials. You had a good time at the Cook reunion as always. Tomorrow you are staying home for errands and chores but are returning Tuesday to have lunch with Uncle John, Linda, Mary Lou, Gayle, Carol and Kim (and maybe Paul) in Dublin. All the ‘girls’ may hit an afternoon film. Tuesday night you have to return to be home for the delivery of the television on Wednesday. After you may pick up Linda and Carol at the Outlet Stores up on I-71 or Mary Lou may bring them down Wednesday afternoon. Friday you will drive back to Westerville, drop Linda off at Mary Lou’s then spend the night at Kim and Paul’s. That’s the tentative plan.

         2112 hours. I just gave Carol the 580 dollars out of my fund for electronic ‘gadgets’ (not really necessities) to go with our new TV. Money well spent and I have a new hundred coming the first of the month. So I can add it to the rest of my stash. I love the fact I have money put away for whatever I want (which is not often) for e-gadgets. Carol puts all this money in the ‘retirement road trips to wherever’ funds. When these funds get up to a certain amount I put the majority in the bank safe deposit box, Carol too. No sense leaving money lying around where it can be spent too freely – a lifetime of budget consciousness – what else can I say.

         Tomorrow when time allows we can return to complete the present chapter two of book two. Post. - Amorella