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Everything in history appears twice: first as tragedy and then as AI slop.

"These don't just grow on trees, you know!" Brunhilde said, holding up an apple.
"Actually, they do," the bear said.
"What!?"
"Several kinds of #fruit do. Or so they say."
"We get ours from the replicator!"
"Stop pulling her leg!" Forrest screeched. "Next you'll tell her mice grow on trees!" #wss366

#ScribesAndMakers Do you like baking? If so, what do you usually bake?

I love to bake, especially during the winter. I'm particularly good at pizza and scones, although I haven't made any for a while because summer. https://wandering.shop/@stevendbrewer/111794950286633001

"Watcha doin'?" he said.
"Planting tomato starts."
"Starts?"
"You #start 'em inside, then move 'em out after the last frost."
"What else are ya plantin'?"
"Onions, peppers, and cilantro."
"Whatcha gonna make?"
"The hottest salsa you ever had," she said, tweaking his nose. "Wanna help?" (2/2) #wss366

The boy knocked on the door. There was no answer.
"Grandma?" he called.
"'Round back!" she said.
He skipped around the corner of the house and into the back yard. She was wearing old clothes with a bandana over her hair. She was kneeling next to a raised bed with her hands in the soil. (1/2) #wss366

#WritersCoffeeClub What's a work you won't write but you'd like to see another writer take on?

Every other book in existence.

#WordWeavers Describe the sensations of one of your characters in the last scene you wrote.

My current WIP is the origin story of the bear. I just wrote the scene where he is welcomed to the Volpex Picnic Park and the Ranger replicates a feast. The bear has never experienced anything like this before and can't quite believe he gets to gorge himself on so many delicious things. But then, after the wonderful meal, he nervously has to confess there is one more thing that he'd really like to have…

The @wss366 prompt today is a perfect one: an ordinary word with multiple meanings. So why don't you #start writing your contribution right now? https://wandering.shop/@wss366/114992323142635296

I'm set up for the Amherst Artisan's Market (Thursdays from 3-7pm). Due to nearby construction, they've packed us into a smaller space. But the weather is nice and people are happy to be here. #WesternMass

"How far off is this cave?" the Ranger called.
"About a half a kilometer," Forrest replied from a treetop. "As the owl flies."
They continued to #march over the damp leaf litter, following Forrest's guidance. (2/2) #wss366

At the edge of the forest, the undergrowth was thick. The bear cleared a path, heedless of the briars and thorny shrubs. Once they were under the mature trees, the forest floor was largely clear. Here and there, a wind-thrown tree left an opening in the canopy creating an island of growth. (1/2) #wss366

Totemo worked through the afternoon, recording species in a forest clearing. Lambda, padding around her, suddenly stopped. She turned, lifted her muzzle, and sniffed. She swiveled her head, sampling the #air.
"Do you smell something?" Totemo said.
Lambda whined and pointed.
"Smoke?" Totemo looked up and saw smoke rising above the distant hilltop. Then she saw flames spring above the trees on the ridge.
"Run!" she said. "Back to the DR20!" #wss366

#Writephant A3. Are you a writer with routine or who has to be spontaneous? Sometimes we want to create routines, but life is too chaotic.

I like to have an orderly life so that I can be governed by serendipity. I write when I feel like it. My life is pretty routinized but that just gives me flexibility to do whatever I want. I don't want my writing to be routine.

#Writephant A2. How about your writing? Is any part of your writing life complicated?

The writing part is pretty uncomplicated. When I get stumped on a manuscript, I sometimes have to take a walk to sort out what's happening, but that's about it.

But there's a lot more to my writing life: trying to get published and to promote my work after publication: Attending conventions, running bookselling operations, etc. Plus my service to writing organizations (SFWA and Straw Dog) keeps me busy.

#Writephant A1. Do you think your life is complicated? Why or why not?

Yes and no. As with most things, it's a matter of perspective. I mean, I have chronic health issues, elder care, and relatives that need assistance. Plus, I'm always trying to do too many things.

That said, my life has been pretty stable: I've had a good career, now phasing into retirement. I've lived in the same house for nearly 30 years. And I have a wife that keeps my life in order so I can live my "life of the mind."

Forrest landed on his head.
"That would be me," Forrest said. "You're going to pick up every piece of trash in this park." He squeezed his talons tighter. A little trickle of blood ran down the man's face. "Or else."
"You heard him," Melly said, genuinely glad to see Forrest for once. (5/5) #wss366

They were drinking tubes of Snort! One of them finished one and threw it on the ground.
"Hey!" she yelled.
"Oh?" said one. "What do we have here?"
"Pick that up!" she said.
They surrounded her menacingly.
"Who's gonna make me?" the leader sneered.
A shadow fell across his face. (4/5) #wss366

"What's with the trash?" she asked.
"Oh," he groaned. "Those young hoodlums! I strained my knee and can't get after them. It's a real problem! But I think I've got a line on a solution."
"Let me see what I can do," she said.
She did a patrol and spotted four young men hanging around. (3/5) #wss366

For the briefest moment, she considered calling the Ranger of the Volpex Picnic Park to ask if they could get Forrest to come, but then shook her head with horror for even thinking it.
She arrived at the office to check in.
The Supervisor was sitting behind his desk with his foot up. (2/5) #wss366

The first thing Melly noticed was the trash: trash everywhere.
She had been assigned to assist the Supervisor of the Children's Park No. 843. The park was a rolling green landscape with colorful play equipment. But it was a mess.
"That owl would never let this happen," she thought. (1/5) #wss366