Life of Pol

Today is going to be one of "those days," I think. I haven't been sleeping well the past few weeks. I wake up in the middle of the night and can't seem to fall asleep again. If I do, it's sporadic. So I end up getting possibly five, broken, hours of sleep. Then the next day is pretty much a blur, because I'm so tired. Last night was one of those nights. I'm pretty sure it's just that there's so much crap going on, my mind won't shut off enough for a deep sleep. This morning, I also woke up with a headache, that has only gotten worse in the last few hours. The headache could be caused by one of two things: Just plain old weather and pressure. I'm usually talking here about the snow we get, but today we may have record breaking warmth . The weather rollercoaster continues. But what I really feel is the cause of my lovely headache today, is the pain in my jaw ! You see, our lovely Baby Finn is growing like a weed, and he'...

What does the future hold for going to the movies? At least for the foreseeable future? Until a vaccine is created to battle Covid-19. I think it's pretty bleak. At least for me. For one, I will wear a mask whenever out in public, because it's the right thing to do, but I don't want to wear one while I'm trying to relax and watch a two hour movie. Plus, I'm sure there will be countless idiots not wearing masks in a movie theater, because they don't care, so I don't want to breathe in their funk. But we'll live with it. We have an enormous 4K television with surround sound. We'll support movies by purchasing the DVDs when they come out, and watch from the safety of our couch. Also, the gym is going to be a thing of the past--until that vaccine is available. You can't wear a mask while you're working out, or you'll pass out. And again, not wearing a mask isn't an option. Especially there , with everyone huffing...

I don't how much longer I'll be titling blog entries like that. The Stay at Home orders are slowly being lifted, today being day two. Now it's a " Stay Safe at Home" order. A few stores are opening, gyms and movie theaters by Friday. People are going out and about, but it is strongly suggested to remain diligent and keep a six foot distance between another person, and also to be sure and wear a mask. Sadly, there are many ignorant ones who refuse to wear masks, even as they tow their flock of young children around. Those are the people who are going to begin the second wave of this virus. Yes, I do believe there will be a second wave of this very soon. States like Georgia have not even seen a decrease in cases, yet they're opening up the cities. Stupid and careless. Unfortunately, as I've said from the start, those ignorant people are going to be the ones who cause this entire thing to drag on, and it will take even longer to get back to...

I thought I was going to start today being positive and shit. But apparently that wasn't meant to be. I made the mistake of posting something on FB regarding the calls to poison control following tRump's disinfectant comments, and someone, who I thought was a friend, showed their true colors in support of tRump.  It turned into a whole thing. My blood pressure went up, and I ended up unfriending him. Another one bites the dust. Steve and I want to stay off of social media because it's so frustrating, but since we are a couple of the smart ones and self-quarantining, there's not much else to do. Perhaps the day was going to be stressful anyway, because today the initial quarantine rules are being lifted. Hair salons and gyms and movie theaters are opening, even though many professionals say it's too early. Yeah, I want to go sit in a movie theater for two hours with a bunch of other people. No, thanks. we will probably refrain from going to t...

It's strange, this new world we are going to be living in. New way of living that we'll have to get used to. Social distancing will probably be with us throughout the summer. Grocery stores have directional markers for aisles to help prevent people crossing too closely to one another. All the smart people are wearing masks wherever they go . . . Strange new world. But it's something that we're all going to have to learn to live with. The virus isn't gong anywhere. It may slow down, but the threat will be here until a vaccine is created. And who the fuck knows when that will be. The Stay at Home orders will be lifted in a few days in our city, as in others. I'm not thrilled. I totally understand about getting the economy going again, but it doesn't hide the fact that it's scary. There are still too many people dying each day. I think it may be too soon. I know it's selfish of me, on some level. Steve and I have been locked up toge...

I had to make a Walmart run this morning. Steve stayed home with the boys. It sad how anxious we get when having to make a store run. "Okay, be careful. Don't touch anything . . ." Ugh, I hate it. But it will end one day. At the least, it'll get better. Anyway, I always check out the books when I'm at the store. I don't browse, just walk by to see what's new. And look what was new today! I've never even heard of it, but I can't wait to start a new Stephen King book! They say covers don't sell books, but this one sure caught my eye. Stay safe everyone. Stay inside. 

Today's topic: werewolves. More to the point: Blue Moon I saved this series for the last because it's got a strange and ongoing history. The first book, Blue Moon got published through an online publisher called Iuniverse in 2000. But of course, the initial idea came to me many years before. Like Inanimate Objects , this story also came to me while eating breakfast. For some reason, a thought passed through my head that made me think of a werewolf. I don't recall what it was, but as I sat there, just thinking about random stuff, I thought of what a guy who was a werewolf would say to the families of his victims. Would they sympathize? That thought led to another: if the guy was thinking about his victims' families, then he would have some sort of remorse for what he had done. What would he say to them? What would he say to everyone? And that led to the question: Why? I created Adam Keel, a man who had been changed into a werewolf, but absolutely hated ever...

Today is going to be a short entry because I forgot to do my blog, it's late in the day, and the wine has already begun to flow. Anyway, Steve and I are doing the best we can. Actually we're doing pretty well together considering the amount of time we've been cooped up. Unfortunately, there are a few states that are opening up businesses way too early and I fear that this pandemic will only be prolonged. The idiot mayor in Vegas even wants to open casinos. When asked how they plan on obeying the social distancing guidelines, she said she didn't know. It was up to the business owners to figure it out. Really?! Meanwhile, the pumpkin in the White House keeps firing anyone who disagrees with him in the slightest. Sadly, it's the professionals he keeps firing! Stay safe. Stay inside! 💓

"I'm a genie in a bottle, baby . . ."  Those were the words that really started this one. It was about four years ago when I was driving home from the store one morning. As I made my way through the winding roads that led to our mountain cabin, Christina Aguilera's song Genie in a Bottle came on. I was singing along, and then started thinking about what it would be like finding a genie. Then the idea hit. I would create a trilogy: Genie a Bottle . I would title the installments: The First Wish , T he Second Wish, and The Third Wish ! I was pumped. By the time I got home I had already thought out the storyline, the initial one, anyway. I started rambling to Steve about it, and he loved the idea. This series flowed so easily, it was crazy. The notes and storyline and actual writing seemed to come from someplace magical itself. I had never written a genie book before, and it was fun to research the history of them, and then put my personal sp...

It's day 29. I won't be talking about a book today because this will be a relatively short blog again. Just want to explain yesterday. We had a scare. I didn't sleep well the night before, and woke feeling way off . As the morning progressed, it got worse. My throat was scratchy, and I had a headache, and of course I had a fever, which was the last thing I wanted. Initially we just figured it was allergies. The weather here had been a rollercoaster from 70's and 60's one day to snowing the next. Yesterday we had rain all day and thunderstorms in the evening. As the day went on, the fear grew when I my fever reached 100.1! Thankfully, after a few naps, some Dayquil and Steve taking care of everything for the day, I was feeling better by bedtime. This morning I woke up feeling 90% better. It was just allergies. A severe attack of them, but allergies nonetheless. And it's a good thing, too. How pissed off do you think I would have been if we just sat ...

Sorry, but today isn't one of the good days.  Too much going on in my head to focus on writing. Stay safe. Stay inside.💓

Wow, day 27. Quick update on how things are going here . . . boring. It's okay, it's all a matter of not allowing the boredom to overtake the main purpose of the quarantine. It is sad to see Michigan and other states protesting about the stay-at-home orders. It will only prolong this for those of us who are listening to and obeying the rules like mature adults. Anyway, today's book is extremely near and dear to my heart. So dear that we named our first golden retriever after the main character: Luthor I believe I first began writing Luthor in 1991. Steve and I were in our first apartment. This was one of the books that changed from what it was initially intended. This one changed in a big way. You see, when I started the book, Luthor was supposed to be this horribly deformed, inbred monster that went around killing everyone. "Aaaahhhh! Run for your lives! Grab your children!" All of that. When I began writing I had to answer my main questi...

Serpenteens- There are a few of my works that I am particularly proud of, one being Luthor and another being my first YA series called Serpenteens . The series follows five teenage siblings, who happen to be serpent demigods, who can control the weather. I know you're thinking, "Wait, what?" Again, all credit for this one goes to Steve. We've always been a great team, no matter if it's a home project we're working on or something for work, whatever, we've always worked well together. And that went for my writing, too. Steve has always been my greatest supporter (greatest fan sounds too Annie Wilkes). For years he has thrown ideas at me for a new book. I've used most of them. That includes Serpenteens . It was early one morning--however many years ago--when Steve was getting ready to run out the door to go to work. As he was rushing about, he told me of an idea he thought of while getting ready. He told me I should write ...

"Muddy waters, swampy lands, listen for the Squish-Squash running on its hands." "Listen to the swamp, listen to the land. Listen for sounds of the Squish-Squash man." Squish-Squash The story of a group of thrill-seekers pursued by a legendary creature in the swamps of the Louisiana bayou. Covered in hair and possessing no legs, the creature makes its way by use of its arms. The soft mud of the shores makes travel easier on its hands--thus the creation of its tell-tale sound. Again, I can't take credit for the creepy idea of this book. At least not the initial one. You see, the concept of Squish-Squash came from Steve. Many years ago he told me about a nightmare he had when he was a child. He couldn't recall much except for the fact that there was a terrifying creature covered in hair, and it was chasing him. It also wobbled as it did because it had no legs. He never figured out where the dreams originated from, but what I figured ...

Today, on this 24th day of quarantine, I would like to talk about the first book series I did. It was a children's series consisting of four books called: The Adventures of Johnny & Joey - 1-The Magic Elevator 2-Back to the Elevator 3-Return to Animal Land 4-The Button That Should Never, Ever, Ever be Pushed. The series follows two brothers as they travel to wonderous lands in a magic elevator they discovered buried in their backyard. The inside of the elevator is covered with hundreds of buttons, each one leading to a different land. There is Wooden Land, where everyone and everything is made of wood. I had fun naming the characters in that land after different types of wood. There is Imagination Land, where anything is possible. Monster Land, Aqua Land (all characters named after hurricanes). Anyway, there's a backstory to the magical tales that I can't take complete credit for. In honor of all things candid here, I don't have many pleasant childh...

It's day twenty-three of the quarantine, as you probably gathered by the title of this post. We are still safe and sound (knock wood), and by the way, all haircuts turned out fine. 😀 Yesterday I began telling everyone about my books. Today I'll talk about my newest title that was released: Reunion-the Children of Lauderdale Park This one is my first (but I doubt my last) ghost story. I've always loved ghost stories and all the creepy stuff that can happen in them. This tale is about a playground that sits in Lauderdale Park. The park itself is new, and built in commemoration on the site of where a tragedy occurred some seventy years earlier. A housefire claimed the lives of mother, father, and four children. But, when the park is built and the playground erected, the children--dead or not-want to play . . . When did inspiration for this book hit me? This book that was published roughly six months ago? It was 1995. Steve and I (yes, even back then there was ...

On this 22nd day of quarantine and writing in this blog about being quarantined, I've decided to start talking about something else . . . me. My books actually. I'm going to start telling you about each of my books and series, one a day. We'll start with one of my most twisted tales- Inanimate Objects Now, before I begin to tell you how I came up with this story and when, I must remind you that I had only started self-publishing about five or six years ago. Before that I had been consistently writing and trying to get published. I had been writing for years . So when did I first come up with the idea for a story where the devil makes inanimate objects come to life and attack people in horrible ways? I was fifteen years old (you can do the math and figure out the year, but rest-assured, it didn't have a 2 in it). It was early in the morning, and I was the only one up. It was still dark out (some things never change, I still wake up before the sun)...

It's Easter. Wow, who would have thought we'd ever have an Easter when there's a stay-at-home order in place? Steve and I would have probably spent the day inside, anyway, and just enjoyed the day. Wait, who am I kidding? If things were normal, Steve would be working today. But he's not working, and we are obviously staying home. He's making ribs! Mmmmmm. Then, this afternoon we're going to watch The Passion of the Christ . It's a very difficult movie to watch, but it's also a fantastic movie. Other than that, I think we're going to start reading Call of the Wild . We love the new movie with Harrison Ford, so we downloaded the eBook version last night, and we're gonna go on Buck's adventures all over again. Have a happy Easter, everyone. Stay in. Stay Safe. 💓🐰

Steve survived hair cut day, only because he did most of his own hair, with minimal help from me. We were going to cut my hair yesterday, too, but when it came around it, I wasn't in the mood. We'll do it today 🙏. It's funny how we have all the time in the world to do things around the apartment, but don't really get around to doing them. #Lazy. I'm not sure what today will bring. I think this blog will be the most productive thing I'll do. Although, I have already exercised and read a few chapters of a book. I need to start writing again, but it's been difficult. Why? I might as well tell you, since we're looking at two more weeks of quarantine, and I need to keep it interesting. So I'll be perfectly candid. You see, it's a self-confidence problem. It's something I've suffered from for years, but have been more or less successful at overcoming it. But over the last few months the battle became too much. The culp...

Okay, I'm a bit miffed. I had to make a quick Walmart run this morning. Only I went because they are saying it's better for just one person to go. It is also recommended that people wear masks when venturing out in public. This is why I am so miffed. I was angered and terrified by the number of people who weren't wearing masks. Just blatantly ignoring recommendations and putting other people's lives at risk with their disregard for anyone other than themselves. It's those people who will delay any real city and state reopenings and prolong this pandemic. Anyway, as we continue with self-quarantine and doing what we're supposed to be doing , today could be a good day or a bad day. Steve and I will be cutting each other's hair. Sadly, I fear mine will come out better than his, because he's better at it than I am. But if I fuck it up, we don't make another store run for a week so . . . 😜 Stay safe. Stay inside. Wear a mask. 💓

It's 5:12 in the evening, and I almost forgot to do my blog! Everything seems to be running together, I can't remember what I did one day from the next. What did I do today? I worked out, I play Odyssey , I walked Finn, cleaned the bathrooms, and watched a few episodes of West Wing with Steve and we just watched an episode of Game of Thrones . I have to say, I think I have the best quarantine partner around. I'm reminded again and again how lucky I am. On the positive side of quarantining, it seems to be working. But again, people need to not get complacent and loosen up. And people need to wear masks when they're asked to ! Enough of this, "Well, I don't feel sick, so I don't need a mask." People can carry it and not show symptoms and still pass it on. We have to stop this now so it doesn't just linger for months and months. That will be really scary when the economy begins to crumble. STAY INSIDE. WEAR YOUR MASKS IF YOU HAVE TO GO ...

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, ThursdayfridaySaturSunMo . . . Okay, even for someone who prefers to stay home rather than be out and about, this is getting a bit rough. I've never wanted to go to the gym so much before in my whole freaking life. It's like when you're told you can't eat chocolate cake anymore, and all you ever want is chocolate cake and a big glass of milk. That's the scary part of this moment. Everyone is getting cabin fever after being cooped up for so long. This is the time when people start getting fed up with it and begin breaking the rules and leaving the house. But as soon as that happens, all the work that's been done and the time spent quarantining will be for nothing. Everyone needs to just hold on for a few more weeks. Yes, weeks. Our stay-at-home order here in Colorado has been extended to the end of the month. But the end of the month will come. And the end of this quarantine will come. Just keep yourself busy, and try not ...

Yesterday was a bad day. It began with an overwhelming sense of dread and fear from the information given on the morning news. It set the tone for the day. 😔 This morning I didn't turn the TV on, because I didn't want a repeat. From 5-8 I kept myself busy with a video game and exercise, until Steve woke up. It's a battle between not wanting to be reminded constantly about all the sadness and terrible things that are going on and the need to be informed about what the hell is going on. When Steve got up, he turned on GMA and there was actually a bit of good news regarding New York and signs that they may have passed the peak of the virus. With Italy and China now healing, and signs that states here are showing signs of improvement (as bleak as they may be), it is proving that social-distancing and self-quarantine is working. BUT EVERYONE STILL NEEDS TO CONTINUE DOING IT! A 30-day self-quarantine is what is showing to be the essential tool in stopping the spread ...

"It's going to be a Pearl Harbor, 9/11 week for Americans." That's the current warning I just heard on the morning news. It hit me good. No matter how hard I try to stay positive, those moments of fear and panic just hit. I know this thing will end, it has to, but every day and every week that it continues and worsens, seals in those fears and moments of panic. Running out of ventilators, running out of medicine, running out of doctors and nurses . . . Stay safe, everyone. Stay inside ! All of the inconsiderate idiots that are ignoring the self-quarantine and social-distancing orders are endangering others who are obeying the orders. Those are the people who will cause this pandemic to last for months. Shameful.

Woke up this morning with a bout of allergies. Pretty unnerving when it happens during a pandemic. Scratchy throat and headache. But I know it's allergies. For one, Steve had a scratchy throat before he went to bed last night, but it's not now. Also, I feel better than I did when I first woke up, having taken my daily allergy pill. But the main reason we're certain that allergies are the culprit is because of the weather. Two days ago it was warm. Then the temperature dropped and overnight we got three inches of snow. Yesterday was colder but sunny enough to melt most of the snow. Today it's going to be in the 60's. Tomorrow and Tuesday we'll be in the 70's, before the temperature falls down to the 30's and we get more effin' snow! 😡 Anyway, the updated guidelines for the Covid-19 pandemic, or as tRump calls it: "C-O-V-I-D-19." It is now suggested that everyone wear face masks when venturing outside. Of course, the one who has to s...

Each morning I start by thinking of something to look forward to for that day. Even it was Steve having a day off or LivePD being on the night 😊, whatever it may be. This is something I've always done. And even lately, while we've been quarantined, oddly enough, I like it that we don't have anything to do and we can just hang out. So that has been my "look forward to" lately, the simple enjoyment of not having to do anything and just be with Steve. That was until this morning. For some reason, I woke and started thinking about the day, but instead of being okay with no timeline and an open schedule to sit around, I felt trapped and scared. When I began thinking of the day, I immediately remembered that there was a horrific pandemic going on, and we shouldn't leave the apartment. That it is all real and happening now. Then I started thinking again about what was really going on and the shear impact of it all with stores closed, schools closed, peo...

Woke up to three inches of snow on the ground this morning. Yeah! 😡 Now our only outside time of walking the dogs will be more challenging. Also, we have to wait for the apartment complex to clear all the walkways. The 5 a.m. outing was fun enough with two dogs. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am no longer a fan of snow. It only took five years, but it happened. Last year, our last year on the mountain, we got roughly nine feet of snow from October to June. It was a horrible winter. This winter, we're down in the Springs in the apartment, and snow had become more tiresome. At least at the cabin, once the shoveling was done, it was time to play outside. Brodee loved playing in the snow. We lived on a cul-de-sac with a great sledding street. But here in the Springs and the apartment, the snow just makes the staircase (three flights) treacherous and there's no playing in it. It's just there. Anyway, that's that. Snow bunny I am no longer. We're not su...

It's unreal. This whole situation is unreal, and only seems to become more so. The news gets worse and worse, more and more places are closed, famous people dying, the Grand Canyon park is closed (which is good for social-distancing, anyway), and kids haven't been in school for weeks. What's more unreal is that I've written in this blog for six straight days! That only happened when I had first started it years ago. So, we've been staying busy during our quarantine, at least trying to. We were lucky enough to grab two puzzles at Walmart on our last run. We only got two because that's all that was available. Once again we were faced with empty shelves. We had been slow on the draw for the mad rush on puzzles. We got two scenic pictures, only 300 pieces each. It was those or Dora the Explorer . I fear she may be in our future if we finish the ones we have too quickly. We're supposed to get some snow later today. On top of everything else, we'll ha...

Well, it's day ten! I have no real complaints. Yes, there are times when it would be nice to go and do something outside the apartment, but Steve and I are together and we're safe. And we're doing what we have been asked to do, and that is stay indoors . Hopefully people will heed that request and this thing will be over sooner rather than later. I watch the news to keep up with everything, but it's scary to do that. The numbers that are coming in are horrific. But, also, as I mentioned in a previous post, there are heartwarming stories that revives my faith in humanity. Something else that is uplifting with this ordeal, is the positive effect the quarantine is having on the planet. The Earth is healing. That's what some have said, and I feel it's true. Even if it's such a small percentage compared to the years of neglect and abuse the planet has suffered, it still makes a difference. There was a show on the Discovery Chanel a few years ago t...