What went before: So, back home and groceries put away. I saw the doctor, who is not accepting new patients, but was very helpful on the topic for which I had been referred.
Got the car washed, hit the grocery store, which was notable for the things that weren't on the shelves -- rice is decimated again, also cottage cheese and yogurt. Some shelves were empty, most were full, but the variety was down -- six rows of salt and vinegar chips by the same company is kind of excessive? I bought some pork chops to make for the freezer, but gave up on trying to figure out chicken between the sizes and the prices. I had a bet with myself that I'd hit three large, and was only two bucks off.
I haven't been to the post office, so I'll do that!
After lunch.
How's Wednesday at your place?
What went before: For someone who isn't an artist, I have a bunch of crafty things around here. Today, I am grateful for my light box, which I guess nowadays is called a "copy board" on account of it isn't a box anymore, but a flat sheet of acrylic. And I remain astounded that I should even know what a light box is, but doing layout opens many strange doors.
I finished off the day by going to the post office, 5 Below, and Reny's. I thought I had managed to purchase three solutions, but only two work. Given the one that didn't work cost less than $2, I don't feel too bad about that.
Chatted with Trooper's doctor on the phone, and as a result, Trooper will be visiting tomorrow morning. Then I have phone calls and? Maybe I can finish up the chapter-by-chapter and even get a spot of writing done. That would be nice.
I think I'll be going out to the Designing Women craft fair at Longfellow's in Manchester on Saturday. It's been all summer and I haven't been to a craft fair. ...Unless you count going to Corning.
It is just coon cat happy hour, so I guess I'd better get with the program.
Everybody stay safe; I'll see you tomorrow.
Thursday. Sunny and cool; a really lovely morning. Heading for the high 70sF, the start of a climb to the mid-80sF, which we'll see on Saturday.
Up at 6. Fed Trooper his morning gravy, but declined to feed him anything more, because I'd really rather he didn't throw up in the car.
Breakfast was a cheddar cheese on toasted raisin bread sandwich. Second cup of tea to hand. I need to make a pot of rice today, and I have no idea what lunch will be.
I've read the first half of the book club book and started Atonement Sky by Nalini Singh.
Trooper's due at the vet's in about an hour, and the rest of the day kind of waits on what we find out there.
Because a couple of people have asked this now, and because I'm puzzled about why this is suddenly a Confusion, let me say this!
I Dare by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller was first published by Meisha Merlin Publishing in February 2002 (which doesn't seem possible, but let's not go there right now), in hard cover and trade paper. It was republished as a mass market paperback by Ace Books, in 2003. It was republished by Baen as part of the omnibus trade paper Korval's Game in 2011. It is being republished by Baen as an "anniversary" trade paper, with a new Author's Afterword, in December 2025. It's also been published in two or three ebook iterations.
So, to answer the question as it's been put -- Yes, I Dare was published "a long time ago." In fact, it was first published 23 years ago. It's also being reissued this year. Publishers do this. Authors like it, because it means the book is out there for new readers to find.
Baen has previously issued anniversary editions of! Local Custom, Scout's Progress, Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors, Carpe Diem, Plan B. So this isn't new territory for them.
Bonus Question: Why did I have to read the page proofs for I DARE, which has, after all, Already Been Published?
Bonus Answer: To find errors/typos. We/I read proofs from Meisha Merlin, Ace, Baen, and this pass I still found typos.
Lesson Learned: Just because a book has been published does not mean it is error-free. Or, as we say in the biz: There's no such thing as a typo-free book.
And, while we're doing the Time Warp: Agent of Change was first published in February 1988, when Steve was 37 and I was 35. I will very soon be 73, so -- been doing this thing for half my life.
So, that. I should get the car out of the garage so it can warm up in the sun. Trooper has his Standards, after all.
What's everybody doing today?
Have a picture of Perkin's Cove this morning, courtesy of Barnacle Billy's:
