Blogging: How it all came full circle

Well, isn’t this a fine kettle of fish? Blogging is coming back because social media “networks” aren’t for humans anymore. Yeah, it doesn’t make sense to me, either. I mean, the whole definition of “social media” is to connect with other humans. Right? Apparently not. Between the Muskrat destroying Twitter and Zuckersucks filling FB with bots and genAI profiles, there’s not much social to social media. Years ago, a commentator said that social media networks were the equivalent to social media sharecropping – the networks can take what you have and either hide or share it indiscriminately, and you can’t say boo. Of course, the commentator was making a case for newsletters (which I didn’t like to write), not blogging, but I think the sentiment about FB and Twitter applies. I own the blog. I can put whatever I like on it and I can share it. With subscribers, they see everything I post. Newsletters are the same, but everyone has been getting a buttload of emails and don’t want more. So I’m bringing back my blog. It’ll be like Facebook in that I’m posting what’s going on in my life, in my worlds, and asking for interaction. There’s a comment section for you to tell me your thoughts, and since it’s a WordPress blog, you’ll be able to see when you get responses. Plus, on Thursdays there will be #ThursThreads and you can try your hand at writing a 250 word tale. You can also find me on Bluesky where I interact and promote #ThursThreads. It’s a lot like Twitter-that-was and it’s a good way to connect to people of like-mind and interest. Plus if you need to block anyone for any reason, it’s a done deal and they won’t find you. Want more in depth information with special perks? Join my patreon for $3 a month and get the best of what I post there, including cooking videos, cover reveals, alternate covers, WIP writing, and more. I often post my miniatures and cross stitch projects, too. Join today! All in all, I’m not going away, but the age of “everything in one place” is becoming a thing of the past. Too easily manipulated by literal bad actors and those who are using us as the products they offer. I choose not to feed the billionaires any more than I have to. So welcome to the House of Muir blog, and I hope you’ll stick around and stay awhile.

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Raw Talent: a #ThursThreads Tribute to Mary Decker

For those of us who’ve been writing flash fiction for a while, there are quite a few people we’ve known for a long time. I’ve been posting every Thursday since December 15th 2011, and we’re closing in on our twelfth year writing quick 250-word tales each week. I’d already been posting for 3 solid years when Mary Decker appeared on the blog. She had her first win within 18 weeks, on July 2 2015, and her quirky, smart voice captured many a judge from then on. Unfortunately, I lost years 4-7 to a change in website host so I don’t have the first five winning tales she gave us, but I’ve gathered the rest below. For the record, she won my challenge a whopping THIRTY-TWO TIMES, and deservedly so. This is a very long post, so feel free to take your time. They are arranged by year, and the dates and prompts are ahead of each tale. I hope you enjoy her writing as much as we did. Date: January 2, 2020Prompt: “Do I look like I’m twelve?” Mistaken Identity I did my best to keep to the shadows. Being seen these days was rarely a good thing. People were roving in gangs if they were roving at all. More and more people were being divided into the shamblers and those who would be shambling soon enough. I opened my senses as I tried to get a feel for the over sized mall. Even before the dead stopped dying, this place had been abandoned. It was built in the ‘70s to serve the shopping needs of folks on the west side of town. Time, competition and a series of murders kind of took the charm out of the place. That made it the perfect place to set up camp, mainly because there was nothing left to scavenge here. I staked my claim to one of the storerooms on the second floor.and was on my way out when I met Oscar, or more the point, I met his Louisville Slugger. The introduction ended in a lot of sparks and pain, and then blackness. When I came to, I was sprawled out on the floor, with Oscar standing watch. I guess he realized things weren’t quite what they seemed. “Hello?” I asked experimentally. “Hey, sorry— thought you were a shambler.” I blinked. “Do I look like…” “I’m twelve?” he half asked, half stated. “Everyone looks like they’re big, shambling and dangerous.” He had a point. 243 words (not including title) ~~~~~~~~~~~~Date: January 9, 2020Prompt: “He had a point.” Nice doggy “Is that all you’re going to say?” The man’s tone was sharp, nasal and almost as annoying as he was. “What else do you want me to say?” “I want to know you’re going to stand up for me: Most of the time I would, but since I didn’t know which way he was going to jump these days, I couldn’t guarantee how I’d react. “If you say something I could get behind, I’m there— but I’m not going to follow you blind. You know where I stand and you know which side of my bread is buttered, the rest is up to you.” “So, you’re going to dictate the terms of our friendship?” I rolled my eyes. “The terms of our friendship are the same as they always been – be honest, be true, don’t take BS.” “I’m not asking you to violate that.” “Yeah, but you aren’t telling me which part is going to apply.” “Be honest, be true…” “No B.S.?” He smiled, taking a sword from its wall hanging. He inspected it for a moment and then lunged at me, backing me up to the wall, the tip of his blade against my breast bone. I smiled. He had a point, and as long as it was one thrust away from my heart, he had my support… at least until I could draw my Sig-Sauer. 228 words, not including title ~~~~~~~~~~~~Date: January 30, 2020Prompt: “I didn’t sign up for this.” Destination Unknown. Mac spat on the ground as he swore. Looking at the wreckage I could see why— the ship had been scythed in half. Acid had eaten through the cowling and at least half the electronics. “What the hell did Dancer do to this thing?” “She landed on 0213-78,” I answered as I pulled out the bucket and mopped up after Mac. I’d learned a long time ago that his spit tended to leave stains on the deck plating, and it was easier to clean up before it had a chance to set. “What was it?” “Class 2 planet, low atmo – possibly good for raw materials. He didn’t want to be used.” “It didn’t want?” “Yeah, sentient planet – said it didn’t want to be cut up for parts then did a number on the ship. Kept Dancer safe, out of respect and because he didn’t want to start a war.” “He? Goddamned planet ‘an y’re calling it ‘He’” “That was what the planet said,” I pointed out. I tend not to argue with large inanimate objects— Call it superstition – don’t provoke the place where you’re landing, especially when they can split a fuselage in half without blinking. “Shit,” he growled spitting on the floor again, his smile daring me to say anything. “I didn’t sign up for this.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him he had— or maybe it was just common sense finally kicking in. I mopped up and made myself scarce. It was safer that way. 250 words (not including title) ~~~~~~~~~~~~Date: April 2, 2020Prompt: “Things are going south.” Before Its Prime “South-paw, this is Papa Three, do you copy?” There was a long pause, and I was about to repeat when South-paw answered in his slow drawl. “Hey Papa Three, how are things?” Several answers came to mind, ‘Hell in a handbasket’ would have been my first choice if they’d been getting better. As it was, hell was a…

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Monday Motivation: The Magic of No

Great Horned Owl taking flight from Prickly Pear cactus pads. Text: Monday Motivation: Jumpstart your week! https://siobhanmuir.com

Good morning and Happy Monday! It’s April 1st and y’all know what that means. Folks are going to be doing pranks because they think it’s funny. But we have a magic word that is not only strong, decisive, and full, it’s also a complete sentence. You may use it liberally today, tomorrow, and all week long, to anything that doesn’t serve you or your happiness. Here’s your Motivation for this Monday: Draw that chalk circle, turn down the unwanted emotion or invasion into your personal space, both mental and physical. Put a limit on your output for others, and when you reach it, refuse to go farther. Then release yourself from any guilt of turning someone down. It’s not necessary to give everything you have to others. Take care of you, because without you, there is no taking care of others. No joke. Happy Monday!

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Monday Motivation: Be Too Powerful

Great Horned Owl taking flight from Prickly Pear cactus pads. Text: Monday Motivation: Jumpstart your week! https://siobhanmuir.com

Good morning and Happy Monday! There are plenty of people and media influencers telling you how and what to be. As if their knowledge would somehow make you a better person if you lived by their rules. I’m not saying you can’t learn things from media sights (I mean, you’re here reading this and I’m offering advice, lol), but I think we get caught up trying to live by other people’s rules and expectations, and we forget to make our own, that suit us best. Today’s motivation is a good reminder that you don’t have to change yourself for others. If they’re telling you you’re too much for them, do what my daughter does. She says, “that sounds like a you problem.” LOL So here’s your Motivation for this Monday: Like wearing rhinestone shoes? Do it. Like speaking your mind and writing editorials to the paper or blog? Do it. Love D&D and cosplaying the characters? You go, girl. Settled in yourself and know what you want, and what you won’t put up with? Cool beans, stick with it because you don’t deserve less. Today is the day for you to be magical and sparkly. Carry that energy all week. Happy Monday!

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Monday Motivation: Start Small

Great Horned Owl taking flight from Prickly Pear cactus pads. Text: Monday Motivation: Jumpstart your week! https://siobhanmuir.com

Good morning and Happy Monday! Boy, things are pretty crazy these days, aren’t they? The US government thinks it’s a good idea to force China to give up TikTok just so the wealthy can own your data. Several states (including my own) are doubling down on taking away women’s rights to bodily autonomy. And there’s an election coming while genAI deep fakes are already taking off. Whew! Let me out. I wanna get off the ride. Okay. Take a deep breath. There is plenty out there to be worried about, but rarely is running away either possible or going to help. So, if moving into a hidden cabin the woods won’t work for your budget or your schedule, let’s start small. Here’s your Motivation for this Monday: Start noticing the small things in your life that you LOVE. I’m talking books in the bath, sunsets in the west, stars in the sky, a random fox in the field below the school (saw that last week), the laugh of your bestie, a birthday card in the mail, a darn good cup of tea. Focus on the good things and the crazy will settle until you can fight for what needs a champion, and let the rest go. You got this. Happy Monday!

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Monday Motivation: Be Beautiful & Strange

Great Horned Owl taking flight from Prickly Pear cactus pads. Text: Monday Motivation: Jumpstart your week! https://siobhanmuir.com

Good morning and Happy Monday! You are here. You are amazing. You are beautiful and strange in all that you are. Feels good to be acknowledged for just being, yeah? One of the things that bothers me most about living in a Capitalist society is this idea of being a ‘productive’ member. ‘Productive’ means literally producing something with the intention of it being useful. But we’re human beings, not human doings and being productive isn’t really the goal of our lives. We want to work and be helpful, but that isn’t really the only reason we’re here. Let’s take a step back from the old programming we’ve endured for decades that tells us we’re only valid or worthy if we’re ‘producing’ things. Here’s your Motivation for this Monday: Your validity and worthiness have nothing to do with what you’ve gotten done each day. You’re not a human doing, you’re a human being. Your existence as you are is what makes you valuable. I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you’re beautiful and strange. Keep being you as you, and you’ve already proved your value. Happy Monday!

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Monday Motivation: 20 Things to Stop Wearing

Great Horned Owl taking flight from Prickly Pear cactus pads. Text: Monday Motivation: Jumpstart your week! https://siobhanmuir.com

Good morning and Happy Monday! Happy Women’s History Month! This is a great time to focus on the great things about being a woman (even if the world is on fire). Being a woman in this world isn’t easy. There are plenty of places where being a woman is the hardest person to be – and yet, the world NEEDS women, for our understanding, compassion, empathy, and fire. The world will try to drag us all down, destroy our self-esteem, confidence, and understanding of the power we wield. It’s why legislatures are trying to dismantle women’s rights in so many places. Because we are powerful. Don’t feel that? It’s understandable with onslaught of messages trying to cut you down. So here’s the first step in recovering your power with Motivation for this Monday: Iris Apfel recently passed away – a fashion icon who didn’t let anyone tell her how to dress even though she was 102! The woman in the yellow coat looks like her. Don’t let anyone tell you how you should be as a woman. You get to choose your own style, your own way of getting things done. The only expectations you need to fulfill are your own. You’ve survived this long and you know how things work for you. Don’t let anyone tell you how you do things is wrong – are they living your life? Nope.  Of course it’s okay to seek and take advice – sometimes you can learn better ways of doing things – but you owe no one explanations for why and how you do things, and you don’t have to wear their expectations like an ill-fitting pair of shoes. YOU are the woman you’re meant to be. Be her to the fullest. Happy Women’s History Month and Happy Monday!

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Monday Motivation: Love into Evolution

Great Horned Owl taking flight from Prickly Pear cactus pads. Text: Monday Motivation: Jumpstart your week! https://siobhanmuir.com

Good morning and Happy Monday! Have you ever heard someone say some derogatory about themselves? Like they hate parts of their body, or they’re disappointed in something their mind does – ADHD, Anxiety, PTSD, etc. Have you every done this yourself? Has it ever brought change or improvement? I bet the answer is no to the last question. There was this cool experiment done on water by Japanese scientists. They analyzed the effects of positive energy (in this case words and compliments) and negative energy (insults) directed at the water, and what the crystalline structure looked like afterwards. The differences were striking. The insulted water had deformed and broken shapes, malformed and incomplete. (The Hidden Messages in Water by Masaru Emoto) One thing to remember is the human body is a living thing running on energy, and it’s 70% water. If negative thoughts and insults deform water, imagine what those same thoughts and insults do to our own bodies. So here’s your Motivation for this Monday: You are a spectacular conglomeration of energy, atoms, and water. You are the most unique version, with a fantastic array of variations never seen before or will come about again. Society would like you to believe you’re not one thing or another – and we’ve all heard those recriminations. But you are magnificent as you are, even with the extras (or lack thereof) of whatever is considered good in societal norms. You are great, amazing, perfection. Love the person you are with all your “imperfections” that others can’t understand. Compliment yourself daily – it doesn’t have to be aloud – and see what beautiful shapes are formed as a result. You got this.  Happy Monday!

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Monday Motivation: I Rested Today

Great Horned Owl taking flight from Prickly Pear cactus pads. Text: Monday Motivation: Jumpstart your week! https://siobhanmuir.com

Good morning and Happy Monday! And Happy President’s Day if you celebrate. This is a day that many people take off (if they don’t work in retail or the food services). It is one of the few, rare holidays when Americans don’t have to work – Americans, by and large, are workaholics – mostly to survive, so the phrase about being lazy is very common. But in Late Stage Capitalism, we are in dire need of recalibration of our thoughts. It’s very easy to claim or accuse yourself of being lazy, but that’s just the old programming we need to discard. So here’s your Motivation for this Monday: We are human BEINGS not human DOINGS, and the “lazy” remark is only for doings. Being human means taking time to rest, recuperate, and relax. You are more than your job, and you deserve time to be yourself in whatever way you need to be. Take your time, find your space, and rediscover your value in just being you. Which phrase strikes you the most? Happy Monday!

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Monday Motivation: Stock up on Compassion

Great Horned Owl taking flight from Prickly Pear cactus pads. Text: Monday Motivation: Jumpstart your week! https://siobhanmuir.com

Good morning and Happy Monday! Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Lunar New Year! This is the first Monday in the Year of the Wood Dragon, and it’s a great time to take stock of the qualities of the dragon to upgrade not only your mental health but your whole world. According to a Chinese folklore expert, this year has unlimited opportunities for personal growth, professional success, and social impact. But only if we practice generosity and selflessness much like the Chinese dragon of lore. LINK TO THE ARTICLE According to the expert, spending this year cultivating empathy and compassion will build a foundation next year for you to succeed in anything. So here’s your Motivation for this Monday: Where in your life can you increase your empathy? Where in your life can you show compassion? And this is not just toward others – this is also toward yourself. A woman can’t climb a mountain bad-mouthing herself the whole way. Use some compassion on yourself, reminding yourself of all the good things you’ve done to get you where you are. More compassion helps you, your family, and your world. Be a dragon this year – practice empathy and compassion. Happy Lunar New Year and Happy New Monday!

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