From the Garret of AnnNoE

Friday, September 1, 2023

I Must! I Must!

September 2023 Blog

Three-Ring: A Haiku

Life is a circus,

And I am its saddest clown,

Alone in a crowd.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(9/1/23)

My friend, Laura, told me so! “You must keep writing”, she said. And she’s right. Truer words were never spoken – or typed.

I am a writer, and that’s what writers do – they keep writing – whenever the muse strikes, with whatever the muse has in mind – like the above Haiku.

I’m not really in a sad mood. I could be, I suppose, but the morning was beautiful. The words just came to me almost verbatim. I simply had to write them down.

I have truly been neglecting my muse and my craft lately. Okay, I have plenty of excuses: I’m not getting any younger; my husband has been ill; my son decided, “Life is shitty”; the world is burning up, drying up and on fire. All of that would make the happiest clown sad.

But I think what makes me the saddest, is that I am not wiritng. And I find my joy and release in writing. So – I must! I must! – saqtart writing again, pay attention to my craft, and resume publishing and promoting my novels, my ebooks and my audio books.

I have no reason not to. I have only excuses and they no longer serve my purpose.

And so this sad clown will put on a happy face, take a deep breath and slip into tbe magical cannon and see if I can reach the stars – or at least the top of the “BigTop”.

Absolutely going to keep track of my progress this month and maybe post it on my FB author page.

https://www.facebook.com/AnnWilmerLaskyAuthorlink

Feeling better about this than I have in a long time. And it’s long past due. Time to catch up and forge ahead.

So we will see. As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for any publication announcements.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Also, Eldreth, the Castleweaver, asked me again to post the links to his books. He claims no one understands him. I claim I do. He just rolls his eyes and keeps weaving his tragedies. By the way, my son, Vernon Ray Wilmer, Jr. did all the artwork in both Castleweaver Chapbooks. I will be donating a dollar for each of these books sold from now on to a suicide prevention program.

Amazon https://tinyurl.com/y9d8czj4

https://tinyurl.com/y6x9pqno

It’s now September and the year is two-thirds over. My sunflowers never got big enough to bloom.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

I Call Do-Over!

August 2023 Blog

The Undone: A Haiku

That list gets longer

Ev’ry day I say, “I will

Do that tomorrow.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(7/6/23)

Of course “...and don’t.” is the logical conclusion. But enough of that. I want a do-over for July. It was just so rotten, I haven’t recovered from it yet. But I will!

This month I will...

Okay, I know I can’t have July over, so I’ll just insist on a better August. We all deserve a better August. One that won’t set anymore heatwave records. One that won’t see unbridled mayhem the world over. One where my car won’t be stolen and recovered and then wrecked the next day by a little woman wielding a big truck.

This month, after I catch by breath, will be a whirlwind of activity. All those things I’ve promised myself and others will finally get done – the Sam Rock sequel, the Black Oak audio, my house in order, and health, healing and well-being for all concerned.

Okay, it’s a tall order, but without big dreams, there’s little chance of attaining even small ones. So, I’ll dream big and plan large, and accept the good things coming my way that I’ve waited for for so long.

Guess it’s time to stop waiting and start making things happen – good things. We deserve good things in our lives. Most of us have been long-suffering way too long. At this point, even touching concrete without get third degree burns would be nice.

And I don’t even want to hear about the resurgence of the Covid Virus along with at least three other viruses cropping up.

Think I’ll just hunker down, lie low, and write and edit and listen and publish. If I want conversation, I have my friends on line – mostly on Twitter – where I hope Elon Musk will tire of his childishness before my friends all leave. Wait him out – that’s what I’m planning on doing.

So we will see. If I lie low and keep my nose to the grindstone, who knows what I can accomplish. Think I’ll go off now and give it a try.

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for any publication announcements.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Also, Eldreth, the Castleweaver, wanted me to post the links to his books. He claims no one understands him. I claim I do. He just rolls his eyes and keeps weaving his tragedies.

“The Castleweaver's Tales: A Dozen Glimpses of Medieval Madness: 25th Anniversary Edition” in print: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/y9d8czj4

“The Castleweaver’s Tales: The Madness Continues” 25th Anniversary Edition on Amazon. https://tinyurl.com/y6x9pqno

It’s now August and summer it seems, will last forever. Some of my plants have survived, but my sunflowers may never get big enough to bloom.

Saturday, July 1, 2023

Déjà vu – All Over Again!

July 2023 Blog

I Am Not Job: A Haiku

Would that the gods ceased

Having sport with me for I

Am most sorely pressed.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(6/29/23)

I do not expect life to be fair, but I’m not happy it has been this unfair. Several months ago our car was hit in the parking lot of a mall where my husband has a small movie and TV memorabilia collectibles shop. A truck came around a blind corner and turned right in front of him as he was pulling out, basically ripping the front end off. It was a hit and run and the insurance company wanted to total the car. We wanted it fixed. They said they would no longer cover it if they paid us for it. So we paid almost eight hundred dollars out of pocket to get it fixed.

A couple of days ago, the car was stolen from our driveway late at night. We thought the police had little chance of finding it and getting a replacement was way beyond our means.

Enter the friend of a dear friend who set up a Go Fund Me account to help us replace the stolen car. We had high hopes.

The police found the car (damaged, but drivable) two days later. We got it back and planned on using the Go Fund Me funds to fix it.

We actually got it back yesterday around 4PM. My husband drove it two blocks to the mall this morning and parked it. Less than an hour later, another dealer cut a sharp right turn in from along side the car and took the front end off again.

The car is now really totaled. We don’t know what if anything the driver’s insurance will pay. So we are back to relying on the Go Fund Me to help us obtain a serviceable car.

Neither one of us is in good health, and we surely don’t need this stress and aggravation, but we keep plugging along. Well, I for one am done with life being this unfair.

But it seems life is not through being unfair. As I am writing this, we found out our over-priced cable company no longer carries the one channel we watch almost from the time we turn the TV on until we fall asleep. As of today, we now have to get an antenna. (Gee, just like the olden days, right?)

Basically the point of all of this ranting and raving is this: I am tired of things happening to me and mine. I am declaring to the gods that be that I will no longer play the victim. I wlll become proactive instead of reactive. The replacement car will have an alarm. There will be a motion sensor light in the driveway. We will get an antenna and dump our over-priced cable company. I will pull my “big girl panties” up and live my life “balls out”! My new motto is “Get ‘er done!” and I do mean now.

Taking a deep breath now. I’m going to type this. (I still write with pen on paper.) Once posted, I will get some sleep and hit the floor in the morning with every intention of having a good day. Enough has been enough. Listen for my roar!

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Also, here’s a link to that “Go Fund Me” page so you can see what I have written is for real. (I know, it sounds like a wild tale.) Trust me, I couldn’t make this stuff up!

https://gofund.me/287c298e

It’s now July and the year is half over. Summer is upon us, and we still need rain. I’ve planted some sunflowers and herbs this year, and I am watering them faithfully. They are still alive. So, there’s hope.

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Under Pressure!

June 2023 Blog

Under Pressure: A Haiku

Think now “leisure years”

Misnamed, with less energy

Left for the “must do’s”.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(6/1/23)

So much for thinking I could do as I pleased in my old age. Seems like that is not exactly the case. I’m finding I have more and more responsibilities now than ever before.

Sure, I don’t “work” any more. But with medical issues of my own and my husband’s continuing litany of symptoms with seemingly little reason or relief, I find it’s almost a full time job keeping track of medical appointments and the subsequent bills and reports. Then I have to do all the regular stuff like cook, shop and clean house in between times.

Shouldn’t complain, I guess, because at least I am still able to do these things. Don’t know what would happen if I couldn’t.

But I am starting to get back on track after the last couple of months of loss and grieving. I do believe I have come through the other side almost intact.

Now I am ready once again to take a deep breath and dive back into the productive writing pool. Actually, I’m looking forward to losing myself in my own little worlds of fiction. Even though I write horror, I feel it’s not as horrific as my life has been lately.

And I know for sure, I’m not the only one out there with problems. I really feel compassion for those struggling through their senior years.

I guess I thought my “golden years” of the “leisure life” would be just that – all happy and rosy – travelling and enjoying new adventures.

Well, it didn’t happen that way, but I really have little to complain about. Besides what I have to do, I can pretty much do whatever I want to, if I can find the time and money.

So it’s back to the drawing board or rather the paper and pen. I may go at a slower pace these days, but at least I am going. I will also try to be more appreciative of the good moments and little triumphs we should all enjoy more.

amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now June and the year is nearly half over. Summer is almost upon us, and I’m still praying for rain. I’ve planted some sunflowers and herbs this year, and I am watering them faithfully.

Monday, May 1, 2023

May Day! May Day!

May 2023 Blog

Ode To May: A Haiku

May the joys of May

Blossom and bring forth laughter

To last all summer.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(5/1/23)

Happy new day, happy new week, and happy new month. I am looking to returning some joy to my life this month. I could use lots of spring flowers and loads of laughter. A little rain would help too. I’d love not the go through another summer of drought conditions.

I am truly waxing poetic this month (but not overly wordy). Writing Haiku for as long as I have, I tend to few words. But I would love to share this:

Now Not Never: A Haiku

Now, if ever, is

“The time is now”, else it be

Forever never.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(4/29/23)

I would not have it be forever never. So now I take a deep breath and get back to my first love – writing! I can’t put it off any longer. I have no idea what the future holds, but it will hold more joy if I am writing.

I would also like to share what I wrote for my son Vernon’s memorial that was held by his friends and fans from the Las Vegas Hilton’s “Star Trek – The Experience” show along with his friends from other shows in Vegas on April 23, 2023.

Starlight! Star Bright! A Haiku

7 of 16

Has rejoined the Collective

And is now at peace.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(4/23/23)

Eulogy for a Borg

“The stars in the Star Trek Universe shine a little more brightly now that my beloved son, Vernon, has joined them.

I am sorry I am ill and unable tto attend the memorial. I appreciate everyone’s love for Vernon.

Also, I wanted to share these photos with you all. They are among my favorites:

The first one of Vernon is from 1977 when he was seven and at his happiest. The second is of Vernon and his sister, Lawanna, in 1972 when he was an adorable two-year-old.

He was happiest again when he joined “Star Trek - The Experience”. The third photo was taken when I was able to visit with 7 of 16 at The Hilton.

I thank you all for your love and support as you celebrate his life.”

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now May, deep into Spring, and I’m praying for rain. I want flowers this year. I need flowers.

Saturday, April 1, 2023

In Memoriam!

April 2023 Blog

One Step Beyond: A Haiku

One never knows how

Many steps it takes until

One can take no more.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(3/31/23)

On the night of Sunday, March 26, 2023, my son Vernon Ray Wilmer, Jr. took that final step and left this life for no good reason.

He was an avid Star Trek fan and will be long remembered for the Borg he portrayed in the Las Vegas Hilton’s “Star Trek – The Experience” during its tenure there. He has many friends from that experience, and they are as much in the dark about what happened as I am. He was indeed a Borg Extraordinaire!

This blog is dedicated to him and his memory. He was a brilliantly talented man. He shone as an artist, a photographer, a videographer, and a film editing genius, among other things.

As a teenager, he illustrated both of my Castleweaver poetry chapbooks, bringing Eldreth and his madness to life.

In the future, I will donate $1.00 from the sale of each Castleweaver book to a suicide prevention organization (please let me know if you’re familiar with such a group) in hopes that another mother will not lose her son for no good reason.