tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19268037171156326422024-03-13T14:04:40.450-07:00Life of PolPol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.comBlogger571125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-39395298355903415022023-07-02T05:43:00.001-07:002023-07-02T05:43:10.222-07:00Freedom of Speech?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCnpk72-IsS982sb7-j7qEYrt4qrd5nhpL0hjJZhqVwNDYnhq6qbPIMRZ0UCDnqqGsRDl12cRB6I_QsyLUkkO5Lm1_O6nJvuPUKV0UHCfKCAWD7IcT2KeuOYKZG1OTlU6DfRIW7yxpIQe4d83CaprNClt7f9WTYOR-ysgjtQeMnaqIa6XqTl4Djk2xNAM/s705/IMG_6015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="705" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCnpk72-IsS982sb7-j7qEYrt4qrd5nhpL0hjJZhqVwNDYnhq6qbPIMRZ0UCDnqqGsRDl12cRB6I_QsyLUkkO5Lm1_O6nJvuPUKV0UHCfKCAWD7IcT2KeuOYKZG1OTlU6DfRIW7yxpIQe4d83CaprNClt7f9WTYOR-ysgjtQeMnaqIa6XqTl4Djk2xNAM/s320/IMG_6015.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>It’s been a while since I’ve posted here. It’s been a while since I’ve done any type of writing. I don’t even have a website anymore. I wasn’t planning on writing anything, probably eve again, but lately, things have been changing. <p></p><p>The “Supreme” Court has been making very dangerous changes to the laws in our country. Particularly six of the judges. Six CONSERVATIVE judges, who are forcing us to go back to the 1950’s!</p><p>Their latest stunt is allowing businesses to discriminate against LGBT+ people if they don’t want to serve them, because it’s against their religion. They’re claiming it falls under the First Amendment: freedom of speech. </p><p>Oh, yeah, we’ll, here’s some freedom of speech for you:</p><p>Fuck them!!! Fuck all Republicans!!! Fuck Donald tRump and his illiterate cult. Fuck all the ignorant morons who claim being “woke” is bad. </p><p>Here’s, some freedom of speech: I wish I was able to tell the cunt that walks in wearing a MAGA terrorist hat that their not welcome in our place of business. </p><p>This country is sinking beneath a wave of ignorance and hatred. </p><p>They say that human civilization will collapse by 2050, but I wish it would happen sooner (probably will), and we could put a stop to this madness! What the world needs is one good size meteor just to take a direct hit! Wipe the planet clean and start over. </p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-55735050358526570242022-07-05T07:23:00.002-07:002022-07-05T07:23:14.686-07:00Sad country<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L0p3HZNJXzj-dnQfDa8vOEQztwuQ-mJx9m5S3909bybbguGrGfba47MaUFhGImm6_HLfYIQj1HKIiYudfcUwBjydE1QBR3WJr9fA-zvoMnka6_Q1zgtmr5XbHKm8TCpsraeIpDp06vY_IiZRxxZloyDQyEOyZGWI33v6aWqCj7p-ozOIc1HSs5D0gA/s300/th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="300" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L0p3HZNJXzj-dnQfDa8vOEQztwuQ-mJx9m5S3909bybbguGrGfba47MaUFhGImm6_HLfYIQj1HKIiYudfcUwBjydE1QBR3WJr9fA-zvoMnka6_Q1zgtmr5XbHKm8TCpsraeIpDp06vY_IiZRxxZloyDQyEOyZGWI33v6aWqCj7p-ozOIc1HSs5D0gA/s1600/th.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Yesterday was the Fourth of July, a day of celebration. Yet, this current America has nothing to celebrate as yet ANOTHER mass shooting happened. A 22-year-old on top of a building shot people in a crowd who were attending a parade!</p><p>I already felt discouraged yesterday as I saw no pride in celebrating America since it has become such a cesspool of violence and hate. After the news broke of the shooting, I only felt worse about where I live.</p><p>There have been more than 300 mass shootings this year alone! It's only July! Yet the Republicans and all the back woods morons are still fighting to have their AR-15s at the ready, no matter how many people die.</p><p>I'm ashamed of this country. Truely disgusted.</p><p><br /></p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-9419083057337050742022-06-25T08:01:00.001-07:002022-06-25T08:01:31.352-07:00Burning again<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwD2TrQY_bCqotoo6PPDElhbLPPv7jCLM3D7dB1kZaJ7YU4jHACrBMG3vwd7YCqr85FfSN-yNU7LIhFnxqgKDYuUQpGkfbllNvRoko6YI9DVRMMzbOC-6FNnINi9fLcY8ySrndZ4VDC5KjkCPWug6WhMuPSILuHQSwhBJPb-UAJL16v2OF8C4agyc_A/s4032/IMG_7226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwD2TrQY_bCqotoo6PPDElhbLPPv7jCLM3D7dB1kZaJ7YU4jHACrBMG3vwd7YCqr85FfSN-yNU7LIhFnxqgKDYuUQpGkfbllNvRoko6YI9DVRMMzbOC-6FNnINi9fLcY8ySrndZ4VDC5KjkCPWug6WhMuPSILuHQSwhBJPb-UAJL16v2OF8C4agyc_A/s320/IMG_7226.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Well, I finally started wood burning again. I had stopped for a while, but after watching several videos on YouTube, I realized how much I missed it.</p><p>I wanted to challenge myself and do something different than an animal, which is my go-to subject, and try a portrait. </p><p>This is Arthur Morgan, the main character from the game Red Dead Redemption 2, and the most lovable bad guy you'll ever meet.</p><p>After a couple more tries, I realized that portraits just aren't for me. Trying to get the skin to appear smooth takes a lot of very light layers repeated time and time again. </p><p>Pyrography takes patience, and I have only a limited amount to spare. In the end, trying to create realistic portraits just took too much time, with too many failures. It zapped the fun out of burning.</p><p>But I have a brand-new burner, so I am definitely doing more. I have my eye on a really cute baby raccoon. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-88626722340225346662021-01-31T06:57:00.000-08:002021-01-31T06:57:14.313-08:00Coming soon!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fNEAB-aGw0/YBbFC6Uo4sI/AAAAAAAAD1s/RSG9rOKBBEAcncjnHrqj2xpOr7TQAT7CgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/1611328749.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fNEAB-aGw0/YBbFC6Uo4sI/AAAAAAAAD1s/RSG9rOKBBEAcncjnHrqj2xpOr7TQAT7CgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1611328749.png" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a name="Prologue"><span style="font-family: AcclamationItal; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: Prologue;"></span>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Well, it looks like it’s my turn. My father told his story.
My mother told her story . . . I guess it was inevitable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’m nineteen years old now. I didn’t
think I would make it that far. I feel so much older. Perhaps I do age in dog
years. That would make me 133. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That</i> pretty
much matches up to the way I feel right now. Worn and broken, that’s me. I am
dictating this portion of my family’s strange tale into a recorder, because I no
longer have the use of my right arm. Dane or my mother will write it down later
for all to see.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So much has happened. I don’t know
where to begin. It’s been eight years since <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Rise of the Son</i> came out, and my mother, Sephina, tried to explain what
happened to us. Tried to explain what happened to the detective. What happened
to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It seems like a lifetime ago. Twelve
years. Oh, my God, it’s been twelve fucking years. That’s too much time. Too
many lives wasted. Lost. Taken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I look up at the moon and smile.
Ironically, I live by the moon, but rarely get to enjoy the beauty of it. But I
can tonight. Tonight is the night of a full moon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Of a blue moon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Should I start this like my
four-legged father did?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">My name is Payat Keel, I’m a
werewolf, and this is my story . . .<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-72893712519904719342021-01-24T06:54:00.004-08:002021-01-24T06:54:54.170-08:00Hopefully a time to heal<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnhWtafTZjo/YA2HhMYNqMI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/a_Unwqag5-sDR_bVWSEMhmQxmq71czfOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/EsQvkW8XYAI88Rv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnhWtafTZjo/YA2HhMYNqMI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/a_Unwqag5-sDR_bVWSEMhmQxmq71czfOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/EsQvkW8XYAI88Rv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>2021 didn't start out very well after terrorists stormed out nation's capital. But after the inauguration, and now that we have a great new President and Vice President in office, I'm feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time.<p></p><p>I'm sure there are going to be more trying times ahead. God knows we haven't yet seen the worst part of the pandemic. But even with that threat looming overhead, I still have the warm feeling of hope inside me that has been missing for so long.</p><p>I don't know what the future will hold, but I do know that Steve and I will go through it together. I know we'll get back up on our mountain soon, and finally begin to feel settled again (the boys will be happy about that, too).</p><p>There is a positive energy in the air that hasn't been felt in a while. I pray that energy only grows.</p><p>Feeling hopeful today. I hope you are, too.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-74743612081702281402021-01-15T10:09:00.000-08:002021-01-15T10:09:46.682-08:00Twenty years in the making<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sJ8whOabs0/YAHSrxBtMfI/AAAAAAAAD0s/xQwlx1SWuj4Kcie_raUNjOxq7GfOpdabQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/shutterstock_1441710017%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sJ8whOabs0/YAHSrxBtMfI/AAAAAAAAD0s/xQwlx1SWuj4Kcie_raUNjOxq7GfOpdabQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/shutterstock_1441710017%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" /></a></div>The werewolves are coming.<p></p><p>Well, I guess they've been here for a while. Since 2000, actually. That was when I first got my book <i>Blue Moon</i> published. It is a story of a man who is a werewolf, and is able to take his life on the night of a blue moon. The book is a suicide note and a confession. It was accepted and published through an online print on demand publisher, which at the time was very exciting for me. But after a few years, the book pretty much sat there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Rj2DTcmgTY/YAHVLWE0UDI/AAAAAAAAD04/dCLQe2AiBVwjPEY2IlS6YXr6WidhoZO2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/1608323216.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Rj2DTcmgTY/YAHVLWE0UDI/AAAAAAAAD04/dCLQe2AiBVwjPEY2IlS6YXr6WidhoZO2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1608323216.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Fast-forward five years. I wrote the screenplay for <i>Blue Moon</i> and shopped it around. I've spoken about this experience in a previous post. I had a production company love the book and option the screenplay. Long story short, they dragged me along for a couple of years, and eventually everything fell through.</p><p>On the plus side, during the time they had me under contract, they suggested they would want to make the stand-alone story of <i>Blue Moon</i> into a series of movies. They asked if I had ideas of furthering the story. At the time, I didn't have any ideas, but I knew I could figure it out.</p><p>So I wrote a sequel, <i>The Rise of the Son</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdGZNUnrLoU/YAHVZTzt0EI/AAAAAAAAD08/m7hXGJHTzBgMc4Iz9zZpkpCMCkcdNzHxACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/1610731898.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdGZNUnrLoU/YAHVZTzt0EI/AAAAAAAAD08/m7hXGJHTzBgMc4Iz9zZpkpCMCkcdNzHxACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1610731898.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>The production company never got to see the completed book, because they ended the option contract (it was live and learn experience).</p><p>But I still had a new trilogy forming from my initial book. I had every intention of writing the final book, even had notes written down for years . . . and years . . . and years.</p><p>Fast-forward again to 2020. I had regained my rights for <i>Blue Moon</i> and self-published it. I had the cover redone, also had the cover to <i>The Rise of the Son</i> redone because, finally, the trilogy was going to be completed.</p><p>I had finally finished the third installment, <i>The Son and the Moon</i>. (No cover yet, being made at this very moment.)</p><p>It would seem weird to have a trilogy that took twenty years to complete, but oddly enough, the timeline of the main character in book 2 and 3 worked out perfectly, because he had turned 19 in the story. When you read the books, you'll understand more. I'm trying not to give away anything.</p><p>The <i>Son and the Moon</i> is currently being edited and will be released in February! I am very excited about this book, especially since the two other people who have read it said it's their favorite of the series.</p><p>So, if you haven't yet met the werewolves in my life, below is a link to books one and two. </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Moon-2-Book-Series/dp/B08QTZ73VT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=pol+mcshane+blue+moon+series&qid=1610733735&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br /></p><p>Please do me the favor of posting a short review after you've read them. It sure does help, and it sure is difficult getting reviews.</p><p>Thank you for your support.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect other. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-30871750772683917082020-12-21T06:05:00.001-08:002020-12-21T06:05:15.427-08:00Blue Moon<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2T-pMB6uRU/X-CnX5ykfJI/AAAAAAAAD0U/VpB447iViPwA9Sb0PCi3LbZoKeM9XrSewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/1608323216.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2T-pMB6uRU/X-CnX5ykfJI/AAAAAAAAD0U/VpB447iViPwA9Sb0PCi3LbZoKeM9XrSewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1608323216.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Blue Moon</i> is the first book I ever had published.</p><p>It was originally published through a POD publisher, iUniverse, back in 2000. It was the only one of my books that I hadn't self-published. Because of that, over the last few years, it has become somewhat forgotten.</p><p>But not anymore.</p><p>I have gotten my rights back, and have self-published this title finally! With a whole new rewrite and new cover design.</p><p><i>Blue Moon</i> is the book I had mentioned in an earlier post, that almost got made into a movie. It is the story of a doctor at a mental institution who is turned into a werewolf. </p><p>This story is actually a suicide note written on the night of a blue moon; the only night a werewolf can take its own life.</p><p>I came up with this story roughly thirty years ago. I wanted to write something through the eyes of a person that was a werewolf, who could just describe the agony of it, and the sorrow he felt for the lives he had taken.</p><p>When I originally wrote the book, it was a stand-alone title. Now, it's a trilogy, with the third and final installment coming out early 2021. The sequel to <i>Blue Moon</i> is called <i>The Rise of the Son</i>, and is also available now.</p><p>Werewolves have always been my favorite monster, and it was fun putting my own spin on the legend. I am very excited for this story to be completed, at long last. Oddly enough, although the span is twenty years from first book to last, the timeline within the stories is correct.</p><p>Swing over to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QGNHD1K?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Amazon</a> to check out these books. Both are available in paperback and eBook. Also, please, do me the huge favor of returning and posting a brief review on Amazon. It helps so much.</p><p>Thank you! Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-25730292964441668392020-11-25T04:58:00.003-08:002020-11-25T04:58:42.843-08:00Still here<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCIZmKnWgqw/X75QzWksSaI/AAAAAAAADz8/00ptuicNx-MAjd_t2u4rO1Iil--LEdvZACLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCIZmKnWgqw/X75QzWksSaI/AAAAAAAADz8/00ptuicNx-MAjd_t2u4rO1Iil--LEdvZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>It's been almost a month since my last post. I guess old habits are returning. Old habits born of nothing to say.</p><p>Steve and I are doing the same thing we've done for the last five months. We find ourselves battling boredom quite often. The dogs are making us crazy. And our backs are aggravated by sitting around so much.</p><p>But what else can we do? </p><p>At least things are looking up on the political front. Joe Biden will soon be our President! Even though the idiot in the White House now still hasn't conceded. He will never admit that he lost, and he's making his lunatic followers believe the election was rigged. Those are the same dangerous idiots that don't believe Covid is real.</p><p>Anyway, there have been good days and bad days. Depression shows up whenever it damn well pleases, and then leaves just as quickly. I see more of the middle of the night than I would like. I can't remember when I last had a full night's sleep.</p><p>Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, which is usually our favorite holiday, because Steve and I usually spend the day cooking a great meal just for the two of us, and then see a movie or something. We've always made Thanksgiving special.</p><p>But I don't feel very holidayish this year. We actually finished our Christmas shopping early. We were trying to stay safe and both had a spending allowance, so we each just shopped at Kohl's. That way we wouldn't have to go store hopping.</p><p>Still, I just don't feel it.</p><p>Maybe tomorrow. </p><p>Mask up. Stay safe. 💓</p><p><br /></p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-86399797275721181852020-10-31T05:30:00.001-07:002020-10-31T05:30:47.961-07:00Difficult times<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRmsS-D_ld0/X51O2nmLBjI/AAAAAAAADzs/hu9HBailPWgbfy1YkwTKG_XA7yv3CYMuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRmsS-D_ld0/X51O2nmLBjI/AAAAAAAADzs/hu9HBailPWgbfy1YkwTKG_XA7yv3CYMuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Up, down, happy, sad, awake, exhausted, excited . . . lately it seems I'm all over the place. <p></p><p>I haven't posted in almost a month. When I started posting regularly again it was back when this whole pandemic began, and I thought it would be fun to post every day of quarantine. I did a daily post for about fifty days, then I would do either daily or every other day. I simply ran of things to say that I thought would be interesting to anyone.</p><p>Steve and I were quarantining when he was furloughed from Chuy's restaurant back in March. It was early on in the pandemic stage, so we enjoyed each day with minimal stress. Then he got called <i>back</i> to work when restaurants reopened and began relaxing precaution measures.</p><p><i>Three weeks</i> after he returned to work, Steve got Covid. It was a horrible ten days, but we got through it, and thankfully without me catching it.</p><p>But there was no way Steve was going back to work after that, so he resigned.</p><p>For the past seven months, we have been home together. We're lucky because we enjoy one another's company. We've been staying home and trying to get through every day without seeing anyone else or talking to them. We try to go out only to the store when needed (we did sneak in a road trip last month, because we could stay away from people), and simply trying to be as safe as possible, because we don't want to go through the illness again.</p><p>But as we stayed at home, fearful of stepping outside, being around people, and possibly catching the disease, we watch television and see how many people were having parties or gathering in large crowds, not wearing masks, some even believing the virus is a hoax (I don't understand how that is possible, but it's true). We sit at home, week after week, month after month doing what we're supposed to be doing, and watch idiots blatantly ignore restrictions.</p><p>And now what's happening? The colder months are here and the pandemic is worse than it's ever been. It's worse than it's ever been, and it didn't have to be. It's gotten to this point because tRump is acting like it's not a big deal, and he is feeding the lack of compliance as acceptable.</p><p>That brings up the other thing that plagues our heads lately: the election. </p><p>We are now three days away, and I have never felt so much anxiety toward an election before in my life.</p><p>If (God forbid) tRump cheats his way into another four years as president, we won't survive. </p><p>But <i>when</i> Joe Biden wins (please, God, please, God) I am fearful of the aftermath. I am afraid that after tRump loses, his terrorist followers are going to start a war. Steve and I are both afraid of what will happen. We went to the grocery store yesterday and stocked up on weeks of food, just in case there is civil unrest and it is dangerous to go outside.</p><p>Crazy, difficult times. All we can do is pray, I guess. </p><p>Please stay safe. Mask up. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-84209225771405436272020-09-26T06:45:00.003-07:002020-09-26T06:45:53.028-07:00Nothing new to report<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JmyYu20kG0/X29BVHBDPPI/AAAAAAAADzI/7n6tra2ukWklCYN2lcRFSRxVjpY4ozvzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1682" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JmyYu20kG0/X29BVHBDPPI/AAAAAAAADzI/7n6tra2ukWklCYN2lcRFSRxVjpY4ozvzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6075.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I haven't done a blog entry since we returned from vacation. There are probably several reasons for this, but the main one being, not much has happened in our lives. We go through each day much the same as the one before. </p><p>We've run out of most television to watch, and games between two people can only be fun for so long. </p><p>I am waiting for edits to return for <i>My Leprechaun</i>. I've decided to try a publisher with this one, instead of doing on my own. I'm on the fence about how I feel with that, but a change has to be made, and possibly this is it. So, that means, for those who were looking forward to the book, it will be a while before release. Sorry.</p><p>I can't help but feel as if I'm constantly fighting the feeling of dread that seems to have overtaken my body. I'm sure it's the same feeling that has invaded thousands of others during this pandemic. But aside from the virus, and the fact that it's going to get worse in a few months, I'm scared about the upcoming election. That's lovely, isn't it? To be scared of an election. </p><p>That's what that orange Klan leader in the White House has done. </p><p>I'm scared about what happens <i>WHEN</i> Joe Biden wins (knock wood). What will tRump's cult followers do? I have said for months that I feel they will start rioting, and that's that others are now saying. Especially when the liar in chief blatantly claims he won't accept the results, because the only way he could possibly lose is for the election to be rigged.</p><p>But what I'm most scared about is the off-chance that tRump wins. The country is barely hanging on after the first four years. What will happen to us? Will we even be able to handle it emotionally? Every single day there is something he's done or said that makes us so angry. How can we handle 1,460 more of those?</p><p><b>Stay positive</b>. That's what we keep telling ourselves. <b>Stay positive</b>.</p><p>Guess I'll keep on trying.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-84453600559605427122020-09-13T05:59:00.003-07:002020-09-13T05:59:57.603-07:00A fun adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko5XKax1ivA/X14NJvdvFgI/AAAAAAAADxI/G5qwuXf2YzAoZVeGM-0bYcRYgD-3iR84QCLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko5XKax1ivA/X14NJvdvFgI/AAAAAAAADxI/G5qwuXf2YzAoZVeGM-0bYcRYgD-3iR84QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Steve and I decided we needed to get away. And a nine-hour road trip seemed like a good decision, because it would keep us away from people during these dangerous times, but also get us out of the apartment. So we went to Wyoming!</p><p>Yellowstone was our main destination. We stayed in Jackson Hole, which is a really cute ski town. The slopes right behind our motel showed us that, even if it had been winter, skiing would <i>not</i> have been on the agenda.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5pY7UR6bPo/X14OCD3aRvI/AAAAAAAADxQ/xPcOYz3hCkgAJn0R2wAhW-7CpLq6zE6ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5pY7UR6bPo/X14OCD3aRvI/AAAAAAAADxQ/xPcOYz3hCkgAJn0R2wAhW-7CpLq6zE6ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The first day we drove to Yellowstone. Our initial stop when we got there was, of course, Old Faithful. We didn't get out of the truck much during the trip, because we had the dogs with us, but we did leave them alone for a bit when we walked to see the show. It was amazing to see the geyser in person, but even through masks, the smell of Sulphur was intense. It was a slightly humbling to think of the power that was just beneath our feet. And the super volcano under the entire park that could explode at any time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kUxdO2PsCo/X14QazCmRII/AAAAAAAADxc/z4TTDXOtjMwThK7keqYhjQo1nLivbFoXACLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kUxdO2PsCo/X14QazCmRII/AAAAAAAADxc/z4TTDXOtjMwThK7keqYhjQo1nLivbFoXACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WL4GYzWO8zg/X14QiPbSx0I/AAAAAAAADxg/FtaT9wSrf0QdsWth1uHBYwBX3gVwXjmbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WL4GYzWO8zg/X14QiPbSx0I/AAAAAAAADxg/FtaT9wSrf0QdsWth1uHBYwBX3gVwXjmbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p>We spent the rest of the day exploring the park. It's a beautiful place. As we saw one spectacular sight after another, Steve and I wondered what the early Indians would have thought of this place, not understanding the science of how it's occurring. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfElbGi6TJo/X14Q9Qez_fI/AAAAAAAADxs/Y_X1VoQ6VjUZyZM-ThMLs_V7SxkTWBC_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfElbGi6TJo/X14Q9Qez_fI/AAAAAAAADxs/Y_X1VoQ6VjUZyZM-ThMLs_V7SxkTWBC_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvblpx0qu4k/X14RNv0kWnI/AAAAAAAADx0/6zVcctmj9Bs2VwBQa9nxdbo1jhSr-RP6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvblpx0qu4k/X14RNv0kWnI/AAAAAAAADx0/6zVcctmj9Bs2VwBQa9nxdbo1jhSr-RP6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v468UYrRrS4/X14RUjD5IGI/AAAAAAAADx4/dizckAriI2g7O1Z5bCQiW7wAgEf1YeO8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v468UYrRrS4/X14RUjD5IGI/AAAAAAAADx4/dizckAriI2g7O1Z5bCQiW7wAgEf1YeO8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Unfortunately, no matter how hard we searched, the only wildlife we saw were some elk that were lying down around a restroom and visitors' center, with park rangers standing by them to keep people from getting too close. It took the "wild" out of it on some level. But they were still amazing to see.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnQTSQUm6lM/X14SZ8ZasZI/AAAAAAAADyI/u541wR316xoaLEWChP46v6zDg2nVwun9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1792/IMG_6044%2B%25281%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnQTSQUm6lM/X14SZ8ZasZI/AAAAAAAADyI/u541wR316xoaLEWChP46v6zDg2nVwun9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6044%2B%25281%2529.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The second day we spent in the Grand Teton Nation Park, which was breathtaking. I think as a whole, Colorado is prettier than Wyoming (sorry Wyoming), but the Grand Tetons are <i>amazing</i>. There were glaciers on them, that were obviously much larger hundreds of years ago, but you could still tell where the ice had been at one time. I kept saying that I expected Godzilla to suddenly stand up and reveal himself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QURRQsVvfW0/X14Tp_oiZ9I/AAAAAAAADyU/np-jDybRunMOK1ZjnLDS9gtSCyRQMT6ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QURRQsVvfW0/X14Tp_oiZ9I/AAAAAAAADyU/np-jDybRunMOK1ZjnLDS9gtSCyRQMT6ZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETCA9U_17hA/X14TzI5h1oI/AAAAAAAADyY/HdDyKhsYYsE5e3rsugJLQ9Q-xjSYMJceQCLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETCA9U_17hA/X14TzI5h1oI/AAAAAAAADyY/HdDyKhsYYsE5e3rsugJLQ9Q-xjSYMJceQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVrWb12xxLo/X14UFEoBjKI/AAAAAAAADyk/7YmIafn3FBs9OhLaySC3qFI4KKJTT_E5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVrWb12xxLo/X14UFEoBjKI/AAAAAAAADyk/7YmIafn3FBs9OhLaySC3qFI4KKJTT_E5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We closed that second day by watching a herd of buffalo! From a distance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHvYupSveNQ/X14UjEE2-lI/AAAAAAAADys/B2q5P4ognocT2kA9zkQLf15Gst5Gez9fgCLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHvYupSveNQ/X14UjEE2-lI/AAAAAAAADys/B2q5P4ognocT2kA9zkQLf15Gst5Gez9fgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We drove home yesterday, and with God watching over our little family, we made it with no traffic or incidents. I think the boys were glad to be headed home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bm8BORgh3YU/X14VSf6kf5I/AAAAAAAADy4/R3zthYlGVl0N2hkOWjrBiOq_86xKhYqhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6048%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bm8BORgh3YU/X14VSf6kf5I/AAAAAAAADy4/R3zthYlGVl0N2hkOWjrBiOq_86xKhYqhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6048%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>So there you have it, our little "battery recharge" to take on the rest of this year. Now we'll go back to trying to remain indoors and safe as much as possible. But it sure is nice to have a trip to Yellowstone in our memory bank.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-73593454587967935972020-09-08T07:52:00.003-07:002020-09-08T07:52:35.355-07:00Oh, no, there's no global warming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AauknUnsfoo/X1eZ1eYfVGI/AAAAAAAADw8/noE7RqtpbpwJciUqPEiXziv5qE3xprxnACLcBGAsYHQ/s344/OIP%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="344" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AauknUnsfoo/X1eZ1eYfVGI/AAAAAAAADw8/noE7RqtpbpwJciUqPEiXziv5qE3xprxnACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/OIP%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Yesterday it was just about 90 degrees. Today, it's snowing! In a few days we'll be back to temperatures in the 80s.</p><p>But there's no such thing as global warming, right? Whatever! </p><p>Hopefully the snow will help put out the fires that are burning around the state. Sadly, there's no relief in sight for California. Their fires are so catastrophic, it's heartbreaking. The El Dorado fire has burned more land than any other single fire in history.</p><p>Wow, will 2020 never stop issuing out bad news and horrible chaos? </p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-61051093052317530982020-09-03T06:35:00.002-07:002020-09-03T06:35:25.038-07:00Road trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUERPgMKd-k/X1DtoheAB6I/AAAAAAAADws/sUwei9qcmkMZXzdsIZQHNPeKAU7sszynACLcBGAsYHQ/s474/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUERPgMKd-k/X1DtoheAB6I/AAAAAAAADws/sUwei9qcmkMZXzdsIZQHNPeKAU7sszynACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/OIP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Steve and I decided to take a road trip to Yellowstone in a week or so. I'll admit that I'm a bit nervous to be out in the world so much during these scary times, but we'll be in the truck the majority of the time, so we won't be around many people. Even in the park, we'll have the dogs with us, so we won't be able to go out and walk around that much, so interaction will be limited.</p><p>But no matter how anxious it makes me feel to be out, Steve and I <i>need</i> this trip. We haven't been able to do anything like this before because he was always working. We've lived in Colorado for almost six years now, and we've never been camping! Even when we lived on the mountain and could have camped in our backyard, we didn't. Now we have the opportunity while he's not working to take a vacation. Also, once we move out of Colorado (yeah, we're leaving), we'd never make it back to Wyoming again, so we'll do it now.</p><p>There's also another reason I want to go, other that to see the amazing park, God forbid that tRump wins the election, I don't think we'll make it through another four years. Life would be forever altered, and not for the better. Think of the chaos and anarchy that he has created in just four years. What will happen after <i>eight</i>?</p><p>So, Steve and I will be super careful, but we're going to take a wonderful road trip now, and get something knocked off our bucket lists at the same time.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-39749358013613109212020-08-30T05:36:00.001-07:002020-08-30T05:36:32.118-07:00Not sure what to do<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9aM3kS2XGuo/X0uaaCLCeGI/AAAAAAAADwg/juihQ6KS4jswBQiXBSEUskuNdOf2-mGmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1010837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9aM3kS2XGuo/X0uaaCLCeGI/AAAAAAAADwg/juihQ6KS4jswBQiXBSEUskuNdOf2-mGmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/P1010837.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Well, I see that each of my blog posts gets fewer and fewer views. This is exactly why I didn't keep up with my blog for all these years: lack of interest.</p><p>It's very difficult to deal with feelings of insecurity over and over again. To be made to feel that your boring and not worth the time. But I'm supposed to push through and keep on going. But for what? So I can waste time, only to see some teenager make millions on YouTube because they post dumb videos?</p><p>Everything is backwards. People who bust their ass get nothing, while those who sit around get rewarded.</p><p>I don't know what I can do to make my blog posts more appealing. I've tried not to focus too much on all the negativity that is going on in the world, but it's difficult when that's all I see. I didn't wake up in a bad mood this morning. It was a pretty nice morning, even had a great workout. But I can't avoid seeing bit and pieces of news on TV and social media that just keep pounding it into my head that we're all in a shit load of trouble.</p><p>This virus isn't going anywhere because there are too many ignorant people acting as if it's not real. Too many idiots in college throwing huge parties. Too many anti-mask protesters. Too many schools are opening. On top of it all the orange Klan leader in the White House encourages it all. Of course he won't catch the virus because Satan is immune. </p><p>Blogs are supposed to be a person's thoughts and feelings and insights. But when darkness surrounds so many of those, everything becomes more difficult.</p><p>Oh, well. Guess we'll see what tomorrow brings.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-27092035729885713192020-08-29T04:47:00.004-07:002020-08-29T04:47:23.261-07:00Another sad loss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SOZtzNFjHE/X0o_2lLPAMI/AAAAAAAADwU/30Vm22ybO3UcvQCGC2Ehr4HmWnCzW7RhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/OIP%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SOZtzNFjHE/X0o_2lLPAMI/AAAAAAAADwU/30Vm22ybO3UcvQCGC2Ehr4HmWnCzW7RhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/OIP%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>We were shocked yesterday when we learned of the passing of Chadwick Boseman. At 43, he was so very young. RIP 😢<div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-71167603498063672722020-08-26T05:52:00.002-07:002020-08-26T05:52:56.897-07:00Night and day<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQroe-TjoqM/X0ZWDc839QI/AAAAAAAADwE/dExpeUAmBy4dgq1C9odWHB_atU859FMHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s474/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQroe-TjoqM/X0ZWDc839QI/AAAAAAAADwE/dExpeUAmBy4dgq1C9odWHB_atU859FMHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/OIP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Yesterday I woke with a horrible headache that lasted on and off throughout the day and into the evening.</p><p>This morning, however, I woke up feeling as if nothing had happened. That being said, I can feel a slight pressure beginning to build, because of the lingering smoke, but if yesterday was at a level 10 on the pain scale, right now it's at a 1. We're expecting a cold front in a few days that will lower temps and blow the smoke away, so hopefully that number will be a 0 before long.</p><p>We did manage to go and get our flu shots yesterday, and the wait wasn't that stressful. There were only a few people who showed up after us, and we were in and out in about half an hour. It's nice to have peace of mind that we got the shot. I can't wait for the day when we can go get the shot for Covid-19.</p><p>Other than tending to my head the past few days, not much has been going on around the apartment (I feel weird calling it "home" because it's not. It's an apartment. We'll get a home again soon enough). Steve and I have been trying to keep ourselves entertained. Steve is going to start painting again, which is so cool. Being off work, he has started doing the things he never had the time or energy to do before. We just have to make sure he can <i>continue</i> to not work. </p><p>That means I have to sell a lot more books!</p><p>Goal for 2021: Keep Steve from having to go back to work.</p><p>You know I can't do that without help from all of you. So, anyone who is reading this right now, please take a moment to click the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pol-McShane/e/B009HW7WSU?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1598446226&sr=8-2" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> link to get to my author page. Please check out all of my books and see if there is one you haven't read. </p><p>Also, if those of you are interested in something a little more erotic (well, <i>a lot</i> more), click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/DAngelo-Harris-Chronicles-Book/dp/B016QAENFU/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rick+pearson+the+d+%27angelo+harris+chronicles&qid=1598446276&s=digital-text&sr=1-1" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see my erotica series, the <i>D' Angelo Harris Chronicles</i>, published under my pseudonym, Rick Pearson. (Note: these books are extremely sexually explicit.)</p><p>And don't forget to mention me or my books to at least one person today.</p><p>Thank you so much! </p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-12756949023356226012020-08-25T06:13:00.004-07:002020-08-25T06:13:45.511-07:00Not a great start<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6yJbDzHUqU/X0UM_k1MC6I/AAAAAAAADv0/rIRgFpTKfrYbsxKvoUyc3mN8dUO7I3aogCLcBGAsYHQ/s612/istockphoto-638740046-612x612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6yJbDzHUqU/X0UM_k1MC6I/AAAAAAAADv0/rIRgFpTKfrYbsxKvoUyc3mN8dUO7I3aogCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/istockphoto-638740046-612x612.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p>My day started at 3:45 this morning when I woke up with yet another excruciating headache. Of course, no matter how much I don't want it to, this will set the tone for the rest of the day.</p><p>I had intended to work out this morning, but couldn't do that. I was going to work on notes and edits for my books, but I couldn't do that, either. It's taking all can to type correctly here. I don't want to watch TV because it's all the morning news, and that will only bring me down further.</p><p>There's no much I can do about the situation, with all the fires around us, the smoke isn't going anywhere any time soon. So, in this 95 degree heat, we'll try to run the AC as little as possible as to not suck in any of the smoke from outside.</p><p>Good times.</p><p>We're also going to Walgreens today to get a flu shot. They say be prepared to wait about 45 minutes. Great. My anxiety level should be wonderful by the time we get done.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-36927071716546474152020-08-24T07:02:00.002-07:002020-08-24T07:02:34.793-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij16KvhVDfY/X0PIcPN9RkI/AAAAAAAADvc/SDZhDGif2hg1akhDJnbgtnJUBAFBwBupwCLcBGAsYHQ/s282/OIP%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij16KvhVDfY/X0PIcPN9RkI/AAAAAAAADvc/SDZhDGif2hg1akhDJnbgtnJUBAFBwBupwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/OIP%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div> <p></p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-451497878546889322020-08-23T06:18:00.000-07:002020-08-23T06:18:05.063-07:00Everything happens for a reason<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XmSPCCcj7g/X0JorObnTFI/AAAAAAAADvQ/UYTaoqc8StYjqYUeFYlWA1s6Th4r2Ze7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s316/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XmSPCCcj7g/X0JorObnTFI/AAAAAAAADvQ/UYTaoqc8StYjqYUeFYlWA1s6Th4r2Ze7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/OIP.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p> I may have used that title on a previous post, but it's a phrase that I'm reminded of consistently.<p></p><p>If 2020 hasn't brought with it enough heartache, California and Colorado are on fire. Multiple forest fires are scorching the states. One of the fires in Colorado is the largest in its history. </p><p>We can't go outside much, because the smoke is so bad. I had a pretty bad night last night because I started getting a bad headache around three in the afternoon, and it only grew worse throughout the evening. It was borderline migraine by the time I crawled into bed.</p><p>My head is better this morning, but I'm still feeling a bit off. And of course the smoke is just as bad today, so I have to stay in as much as possible.</p><p>It makes me think again about the Cabin Above the Clouds. While it was amazing living up there, and I still miss it very much, I am reminded that, even though it was painful to leave, it's a good thing we sold the house when we did.</p><p>There is no AC in the cabin, but it wasn't really needed. It's 9,800 feet up, so opening the doors and getting across breeze usually did the trick, for the few days when the temperature rose about 80.</p><p>But the temps this summer have been hotter than they ever were while we lived up there. And the layer of smoke is even thicker up in the mountains, so opening windows and doors would only fill the house with smoke. Thankfully, we're spared at least that much.</p><p>Also, another good thing that came from selling the cabin is that it provided us with the opportunity for Steve to quit his job and stay safe at home for the rest of the year.</p><p>Not many positive things have happened to us since we've moved to Colorado. To be perfectly honest, it's been kind of a letdown. There have been moments when I regretted suggesting that we move here after I retired. But on the flipside, if we hadn't moved, Steve would have had to work during the pandemic, or would been laid off, and we wouldn't have had the financial parachute to sustain us.</p><p>So, everything happens for a reason. We just have to keep reminding ourselves of that.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-23340698523373354942020-08-21T06:39:00.003-07:002020-08-21T06:39:50.613-07:00A reason for hope<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZKBeGNJyS8/Xz_KfHB1NsI/AAAAAAAADvE/oA5uoYJq2uAdIAgSG6FBJTH_3RgufnnPACLcBGAsYHQ/s279/OIP%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="279" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZKBeGNJyS8/Xz_KfHB1NsI/AAAAAAAADvE/oA5uoYJq2uAdIAgSG6FBJTH_3RgufnnPACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/OIP%2B%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>This year hasn't brought with it much hope for a bright future. But it has brought one thing that gives way to a light at the end of the tunnel. </p><p>Joe Biden and Kamal Harris. </p><p>With God's blessing, they will be our next President and Vice President. And when that happens, I won't be ashamed to say the word "president" out loud. I won't be afraid to turn on the television in the morning. I won't be afraid to get on Twitter in case it's covered with idiotic tweets and insults. </p><p>America will finally begin to heal. Literally and figuratively. </p><p>We just have to pray that <i>everyone</i> votes, and also that tRump doesn't mess with the elections. He has already attempted defunding the post offices to slow down the mail, because of mail-in votes. He's a cheater and crook, and the one thing I still fear is that he will cheat his way to another term.</p><p>If that happens, America <i>will</i> fall. </p><p>But I have to have faith that there will be such an overwhelming amount of votes for Joe Biden that there will be no way to alter the results. Even with Russia's help.</p><p>So, please, everyone who is reading this and is able to, make sure to vote. If Joe Biden wasn't the candidate you wanted, don't just not vote for him. That's what happened in 2016. People didn't like Hillary, so they just stayed home. Every time someone just <i>doesn't</i> vote, that gives tRump that much more on his side.</p><p>Please vote. This election is the most important election in our lifetime. And that's not meant to sound melodramatic. It's the absolute truth. We will not make it another four years under the tRump reign.</p><p>Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will save us from that. 🙏</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-40279101325496382742020-08-18T06:10:00.001-07:002020-08-18T06:10:38.662-07:00A 2nd place I never expected<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMkm1Cx5fgU/XzvPfeB02jI/AAAAAAAADu4/pacqOeGyaCYPO7dRk5vHX7W84wCjblbHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1548/IMG_5178%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1548" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMkm1Cx5fgU/XzvPfeB02jI/AAAAAAAADu4/pacqOeGyaCYPO7dRk5vHX7W84wCjblbHACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_5178%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>At least one bit of good news in 2020, <i>Luthor</i> came in 2nd place in the Legaia Books contest!</p><p>I found out yesterday, and to be perfectly honest, no amount of positive thinking could squash that little voice in the back of my mind that was whispering, "You didn't win." Even when I saw the email, as I opened it I had that feeling of, <i>Okay, let's see who</i> did <i>win</i>. And when I saw Luthor in the 2nd place slot, there was a moment of holy shit! I had to look it over again to be sure I wasn't missing anything, and that I was seeing what I was seeing.</p><p>Nope, it was really true.</p><p>I have to say, it's an ego booster. One I really needed. It's that little bit of gas in a tank that was almost empty.</p><p>Thank you to anyone who voted for <i>Luthor</i>, or even to those who have simply read it. You know how dear this book is to me, and I owe any and all future success to you and your support.</p><p>If you haven't yet read Luthor's heart-wrenching tale, Check it out <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Luthor-Pol-McShane-ebook/dp/B00XCVBINM/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=pol+mcshane&qid=1597756192&sr=8-2" target="_blank">HERE</a> on Amazon.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓 </p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-88701515943216539672020-08-17T05:50:00.000-07:002020-08-17T05:50:01.006-07:00Another Monday<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkrATC7godA/Xzp5Upvw2HI/AAAAAAAADuo/7zVjn3R29HE9j7Mv08VOiW_2yVowZp6MACLcBGAsYHQ/s315/OIP%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkrATC7godA/Xzp5Upvw2HI/AAAAAAAADuo/7zVjn3R29HE9j7Mv08VOiW_2yVowZp6MACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/OIP%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p> Here it is, another Monday. For me, Mondays aren't a bad thing. It's the start of a new week, and better television is on. Weekend TV sucks.</p><p>But seriously, there are times when I do dread the beginning of a new week. It only means more of the same. Try as we may, the repetitive days and boredom have been taking their toll, as is only natural. And another week beginning with nothing new is in sight. Just more of the same. </p><p>But we know there's nothing we can do about it, and remaining at home as much as possible is the smartest, safest, and most responsible thing to do at this time. Because as boring and frustrating as it may be at times, we still remember that there is a horrific pandemic going on, and there is no end in sight until next year.</p><p>It seems, lately, I can't watch the evening news without crying at least once. I battle with needing to know what is going on in the world and not <i>wanting</i> to know. I don't want to see the amount of people who have died, while other idiots are throwing parties, only to be added to the overloaded list of patients for medical staff weeks later. I don't want to see the protests by people who don't want to wear a fucking mask. I don't want to see how tRump is blatantly messing with the post office to cheat at the election.</p><p>But we have to know this stuff, don't we. Because the more educated and informed people are the ones who will survive this pandemic.</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p><p> </p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-16236743030928927172020-08-16T08:46:00.001-07:002020-08-16T08:46:56.605-07:00New Luthor Trailer<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dO9HiZGKkLg" width="480"></iframe>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-22526399747034927332020-08-15T06:30:00.005-07:002020-08-15T06:30:52.585-07:00Twilight-like success<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_7Q6ZDhLZw/Xzfcny3FRTI/AAAAAAAADuM/Lw4Lhbf2fKk6wbEXNDLrTWtZ26CccOZyACLcBGAsYHQ/s185/OIP%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="183" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_7Q6ZDhLZw/Xzfcny3FRTI/AAAAAAAADuM/Lw4Lhbf2fKk6wbEXNDLrTWtZ26CccOZyACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/OIP%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>It's no secret to anyone who knows me knows what a fan I am of the <i>Twilight</i> books. I had recently did a post about the newest installment, <i>Midnight Sun</i>. That book sold a million copies in the <i>first week</i>! What it must feel like to have the kind of success. Stephanie Meyer and JK Rowling have created amazing franchises with their books.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoeoinOLZw8/XzffjyfxNJI/AAAAAAAADuY/78RX-vITogAIxvfpk4tnzld5ah8UR3T0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/46820764_1542958079172678_7655051672019795968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoeoinOLZw8/XzffjyfxNJI/AAAAAAAADuY/78RX-vITogAIxvfpk4tnzld5ah8UR3T0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/46820764_1542958079172678_7655051672019795968_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I dream one day of having <i>Twilight</i>-like success. I dream of it happening with my <i>Serpenteens</i> series. The <i>Twilight</i> series was actually a huge inspiration when I was creating <i>Serpenteens</i>. The teenage siblings with superhuman powers. The bond between them. I mentioned in an earlier post that Brodee, the muscle-bound homeless member of the family, was influenced by Emmett in <i>Twilight</i>.</p><p>I can't imagine a more perfect time for people to discover the group of teenagers who are trying to save the planet one horrific storm after another. At a time when our planet needs help more than ever, and more focus needs to be drawn to it.</p><p>Kody, Talan, Lana, Kurt, and Brodee--one day those names will be as familiar to people as Edward, Alice, Rosalie, Jasper, and Emmett. </p><p>One day, with your help. Have you met the Serpenteens? If not, now's your chance. Which one will be your favorite? Lana, the tough girl with a secret who can control flood waters, or perhaps Kurt, the adorable country kid who loves to wrestle tornadoes.</p><p>Meet the Serpenteens on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pol+mcshane+serpenteens&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss" target="_blank">Amazon</a>! And don't forget to mention the series to at least one person today. </p><p>Thank you!</p><p>Stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1926803717115632642.post-23284295728703589552020-08-14T07:00:00.003-07:002020-08-14T07:00:37.514-07:00What's to come?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahHH9kouIj0/XzaU5rU8zGI/AAAAAAAADuA/YlS91yHTuGEB7PIFJLy0iPeYc9iQNEDyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s181/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="181" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahHH9kouIj0/XzaU5rU8zGI/AAAAAAAADuA/YlS91yHTuGEB7PIFJLy0iPeYc9iQNEDyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/OIP.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> I try every morning to be positive, but every morning seems more and more difficult to do that. </p><p>Yesterday Steve and I had to run a few errands, which meant going into two or three different stores. Normally that would have been fun. But by the time we were almost done with the last errand, my nerves were frayed. </p><p>As we shopped at our last errand in the grocery store for a few things, including chicken fajita meat for dinner, I tried to be as calm as possible. Even when I asked one of the clerks were chicken fajita meat is and he replied, "Refrigerated?" I was nice enough to simply pause a moment and say, "It's chicken," instead of what I <i>wanted</i> to say which was, "No, dumbass, give me the room temperature meat, instead!"</p><p>We never found the meat and ended up grabbing a pizza. 😡</p><p>Finally, we got back home where we were safe and sound. But the day set the mood for the remainder of the evening.</p><p>I try not to worry about what's to come, but reports of the upcoming fall and winter are bleak. And they don't have to be so bleak. The reason is the all the people who are refusing to help battle this virus and wear a mask. They all claim it violates their rights as Americans to be forced to wear one. I've never been more ashamed to be an American than I am right now. I've never felt less patriotic. </p><p>Having rights doesn't give you the right to endanger others.</p><p>For those of you how have a brain, stay safe. Mask up. Protect others. 💓</p>Pol McShanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14399687745564131748noreply@blogger.com0