…since my last blog post. Longer than that since I’ve really written anything. It’s been a struggle. Writer’s block:
Writer’s block may have several causes. Some are creative problems that originate within an author’s work itself. A writer may run out of inspiration, or be distracted by other events.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer’s_block
“...or be distracted by other events.” Well…I guess I need not list such events for anybody.
…among other things…
My idea here is to work back into writing by, well, writing. Starting with a simple project: a blog post about some of the things I have done during this time of not writing.
- Admired our cats
![Three cats together on cat scratcher.](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cropped-IMG_2244-1-1.jpeg?resize=512%2C512)
- Admired our cats
![Three black cats looking through a deck door screen, watching a Flicker.](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2461.jpeg?resize=734%2C551)
- Read “The Expanse” books, including the companion short stories in Memory’s Legion
![The Expanse Books on a bookshelf](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2626.jpeg?resize=734%2C551)
- Um…admired our cats
![Large black cat on windowsill](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0020.jpg?resize=576%2C1024)
![Two black cats cuddling](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0124.jpg?resize=734%2C551)
- Washed my hands far too much (did I mention I was already a bit of a germaphobe when all this started? Already washed my hands often and at least 20 seconds…I just upped it. Result? Cracked dry bleeding hands…no image required, I’m sure I’m not the only one.
- Watched a lot of golfers
- Collected a lot of wayward golf balls which we’ll donate to the golf course’s youth program.
![Large bucket full of used golf balls](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2628.jpeg?resize=734%2C551)
- Admired our cats
![Three black cats watching a bird through a screen door](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2433.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
- Demolished our rotted deck. OK, well this was Klee doing this job…but I helped carry junk!
![Close up view of rotted deck support](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_0014.jpg?resize=734%2C550)
![Rotted deck base and Klee prying up more decking](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_0011.jpg?resize=734%2C550)
![Black cat watching Klee prying up rotted deck boards](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_0007.jpg?resize=734%2C979)
- Worked a jigsaw puzzle
![Puzzle full of cats. Pomegranate Artpiece Ditz Double Cat-Spread Puzzle](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_1989.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
- Watched progress on the patio which is firewise and replacing our rotted deck
![Patio side wall and compacted fill](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2559.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
![](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2595.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Patio pavers](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2625.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
![Patio Construction, stairs and pavers](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2624.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2596.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Close up of aggregate cement](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2597.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
![](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2607.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
- Admired our cats supervising the work on the deck demo and patio build up
![Louie Supervising the patio crew AKA his entertainment crew.](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2552.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Black cat supervises the patio crew AKA his entertainment crew.](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2551.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Two black cats supervising the patio crew AKA their entertainment crew.](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2550.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Two black cats supervising the patio crew AKA their entertainment crew.](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2549.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Two black cats supervising the patio crew](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2548.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
- …another jigsaw puzzle
![Puzzle of Klimt's "The Virgin"](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2385.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
- …and you guessed it! Another jigsaw puzzle
![Cat laying on puzzle pieces](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2485.jpeg?resize=734%2C551)
- Experienced snow in April
- Tried a few new recipes in the new Instant Pot
![Greek Lamb Patties W/Lemon Dill Couscous, fresh spinach garnish](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2413.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
- Made several feeble and failed attempts to get a decent photo of Mt. McLoughlin trying to do its Fuji-san imitation.
![Mount McLoughlin, dormant stratovolcano behind power lines](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0530.jpeg?resize=734%2C551)
![Mount McLoughlin behind FedEx Truck](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0531.jpeg?resize=734%2C551)
![Mount McLoughlin behind FedEx Truck](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0532.jpeg?resize=734%2C551)
- Pulled weeds
- Planted bulbs
- Enjoyed bulbs blooming and peonies
![Red tulips white snow drift and grape hyachinth](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2440.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
![Orange and pink tulips white snow drift and pink creeping phlox](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2441.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2442.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Red Itoh peony and yellow/orange Itoh peony](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2553.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Red Itoh peony and yellow/orange Itoh peony](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2554.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
- Took our indoor cats outside
![Black cat in blue harness and leash](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2506.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
![Black cat on blue leash on paver](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0138.jpg?resize=734%2C979)
![Black cat on blue leash on ground cover looking at camera](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0133.jpg?resize=734%2C734)
- A few cherished, masked, distanced chats with our wonderful neighbors
- Started early morning walks on the golf course cart path and admiring this heron
![Bird, a large Heron standing in profile](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2603-1.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
- A little bit of bicycle riding
- And started another puzzle
![Partially completed puzzle with reptiles](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2629.jpeg?resize=734%2C551)
- A new experience! Geese hanging out on our roof for the day…
![Two Geese on a roof](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2498.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Two Geese on a roof](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2497.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Two Geese on a roof](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2496.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
- Phase one of replacing rotted deck with Catio complete! Next up Phase 2…Netting and “things” to make it safe and fun for our (indoor) cats, to be outside. They are going to love to be able to be outside and we are going to love to be able to enjoy our patio with the boys!
![Patio Complete!](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_2661.jpeg?resize=734%2C979)
![Patio Complete!](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_2662.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Patio with stairs and circle kit](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_2663.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Patio with stairs and circle kit](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_2664.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
- …and you guessed it: Admired our cats
![](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_0148.jpg?resize=734%2C979)
![Two black cats on a bed.](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_0151.jpg?resize=734%2C550)
![](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2207.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
![Three black cats sharing a bed and pillows](https://i0.wp.com/threemuseswriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2207-1.jpeg?resize=734%2C550)
If you made it this far, my thanks. This is my first effort to break my writer’s block. Is it cheating that it is mostly a list with images? At any rate, I’m sitting down at the page…taking it “Bird by Bird” (thank you Anne Lamott).
Try this: Set a timer for twenty minutes and just type nonstop until the bell goes off.
Do not stop your fingers moving even if you’re typing “OK nothing what there’s a blue wall in front of car just went by gee its raining again” (don’t need periods or punctuation, this is just to get the machinery going).
Or the Gene Wolfe method: No creative activities, at all. You can mow the lawn or clean the house, but no reading, no TV, no puzzles, until you write.
Best of luck.
Many thanks! I’ll give those a try.