@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

"Hey, cousin! Let me fix you a #drink!" Mike said.
A stout man with a thick beard and a big scar on his face, Helen knew he worked as a bartender. And, as everyone knew, was a serious alcoholic. He looked unhealthy, face flushed.
"Sure, Mike," Helen said. "Just make it a small one." (1/3) #wss366

I had never realized how cringey it is when Theoden says to Eowyn, "C'mon baby, smile. You look so pretty when you smile." #LoTR

I fixed breakfast-in-bed for my waifu at 4pm today, AS ONE DOES DURING THE HOLLERDAYS.

She started to edge past Clara, looking for a place to eat.
"Here," Clara said, stepping out of the corner. "Here's a good spot."
Helen looked up surprised.
"Thanks for taking care of mom," Clara said. "We all know how much work it was."
"Thanks," Helen said. Maybe people did change. (3/3) #wss366

Well. Almost everyone. Aunt Clara stood glowering in the corner. People just didn't change.
Helen worked her way to the #buffet that had been laid on the sideboard. It was a nice spread. She picked up a few little wedges of cheese, some squares of bread, and a handful of olives. (2/3) #wss366

Helen stood by the fireplace as relatives chattered all around her. The wake was cheerful. Uncle William was telling the funny stories that always got laughs. Tomorrow, the funeral would be time enough for tears. For now, everyone still living was just happy to see kin. (1/3) #wss366

#WordWeavers How has your writing been this year? Achievement to celebrate?

As I usually do, I've written a "Year in Writing" for this year where I talk about that stuff. It was a good year for writing — not so good for publishing. But I do have a new book that just came out. https://stevendbrewer.com/year-in-writing-2025/

I've been struggling with reader's block… https://stevendbrewer.com/overcoming-readers-block/

She pulled on it and it slid out on a short metal shaft, releasing the lid.
Inside the chest, she found a bundle of old aerogrammes: letters on very fine, blue paper. Each was written in an elegant, bold, cursive hand. They were signed, "Love, Margaret." (4/4) #wss366

In the jewelry drawer was a tiny wooden #chest, covered with stitched horsehide. She went to open it, but it was seemingly locked. There was, however, no lock or keyhole. She turned it over in her hands looking for a button or latch. Eventually, she noticed a rivet that was loose. (3/4) #wss366

She took a deep breath and turned to the chest-of-drawers to the left of the door. She briefly inventoried the items on top and then opened each drawer to look inside. Socks. Panties. Sewing supplies. Costume jewelry. A lifetime's accumulation of stuff. (2/4) #wss366

In the morning, Helen went into her grandmother's bedroom. It was strange the see the bed, unmade, without grandma in it. She felt a momentary pang of loss and started to tear up, but stopped herself. Grandma had lived a full life and had been ready to go. (1/4) #wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub What’s something you’d like to see future generations of writers discard?

The myth that writing is a solitary occupation. Although you are the one putting pen to paper, or touching the keys, your writing draws it's meaning through every human experience you've ever had. Every conversation and interaction with others throughout your life has contributed to who you are now and what ideas you can bring to your craft. Be present in your communities to keep the dialog going.

The #UMassAmherst campus has delayed opening until 11am this morning, presumably due to ice accumulation overnight. Not that it would matter for me, as I work remotely and, further, it's my period of non-responsibility. I'll just have to see how non-responsible I can be this morning. #WesternMass

For various reasons, I haven't had a good place to read for several years. So, today, I bought a new floor lamp and have cleared a spot for a reading nook in my office. It's not ideal, but it's not bad.

The Presidential seal, she realized. She got out her phone and did a quick search. She gulped.
She very carefully put the cup and saucer back, and got out a plain ceramic mug just as the kettle began to whistle. She added a mental note for another thing to check tomorrow. Tomorrow. (3/3) #wss366

She went to the kitchen, lit a burner, and put the kettle on to boil. She got down the tea and found a cup and saucer. While waiting for the water to boil, she inspected the cup.
It was an elegant #china cup, with gilt decorations and some kind of matching seal on the cup and saucer. (2/3) #wss366

Helen watched the ambulance drive slowly away. Grandma hadn't been able to leave the house for her last weeks, but now she had departed for good -- never to return.
Tomorrow, there would be a thousand and one things to do. But tomorrow was tomorrow. And tonight, she could relax. (1/3) #wss366

"Vil du bolla?" the exchange student said, in halting #Danish, to some boys on the playground.
"Ja vil bolle!" one replied, provoking raucous laughter from the rest.
The exchange student laughed half-heartedly, unsure what was so funny.
"We play ball, yes?" one of the others said. "Come!" #wss366

As a man with a menopausal wife, I was interested to read this article in the NYT Magazine (gift link): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/magazine/what-its-like-when-your-wife-goes-on-testosterone.html?unlocked_article_code=1._08.jCXF.UdtiZFZy0yMy&smid=url-share

I was profoundly disappointed that the author did not take the opportunity to describe this as gender-affirming care nor talk about the challenges our trans siblings are having accessing appropriate care. I suppose this is because the *real* point of the article has nothing to do with women and their care, but is primarily about men 'not getting any.' Sigh...