No Strings Attached

Thanks are given

2025-11-28T18:15:06Z

Yesterday was Thanksgiving.

Caroline and I went to my friend Pam’s house and celebrated it with her family and friends.

The meal was excellent with lots of side dishes that were culinary surprises.

I had never put marshmallows on my mashed sweet potatoes. We had sweet potato pie for the first time and Caroline loved it. I enjoyed it too.

My contribution was banana pudding. I haven’t made it in over 30 years. I found a good recipe and put it together. It was a success. I learned a new way to make meringue that made getting the whole thing mixed together so much easier. Peaks were achieved in short order.

I am thankful for so many things.

I am thankful for my friends and family who have supported me through this difficult time.

I am thankful for Caroline in my life. We have been helping each other cope with the death of Peter.

I am thankful to have a part time job at Micheals. I have friends at work, and it gives me time to do something else with my brain and talk to people.

Not talking is a habit I have picked up since Peter went into the rehab hospital. Other than the cats, I have nothing to talk to in the house, so I remain quiet. Might be why my voice tends to go out when I talk for a long time.

I am thankful that we finally have a case number for the will. I have no idea how long it will take now. At least this is a step forward.

I am thankful for that which entertains me. Keeps me from brooding.

I am thankful for everything that keeps me sane in all this.

I am grateful I have so much to be thankful for.

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Rob Lake and the Muppets: a review

2025-11-08T15:53:09Z

Last night with Caroline and Thinn, we went to see the magician, Rob Lake. The hook for wanting to go was the Muppets were also making their Broadway review. Might be a trial balloon for Muppets on Broadway.

Mr. Lake is a fine illusionist both with big effects and tabletop magic. He kept everyone’s attention. He starts with sawing a lady in half and it ends with a large vanishing act.

He is a believer in audience participation. I got picked for one trick because I caught a ball. It’s a mindreading trick. I stared at him as he asks and he says “The stare is scaring me.” I didn’t hear it as I was focused on him. Caroline told me what he said afterwards. I didn’t know scaring a magician was on my bucket list but apparently it was.

Rumors were flying that the Muppets were a cameo at the end. Would I have like more Muppets? Sure, but I am a Muppet fan. However, they did a good job of sprinkling the Muppets throughout. Gonzo got to perform some of his art. Kermit helped with a card trick. Fozzie told jokes and tried to get more time to tell jokes. They show up close to the top of the show and end it as well. Rowlf and Animal were under used but they were there. Miss Piggy stole the show of course.

I loved the Muppet bios in the front of the program.

A lot of people went into the making of this show go smoothly and it did work for me. I walked out entertained. I laughed very hard. I got to see the Muppets and a really good magician.

Just FYI, there is no intermission. It starts at seven pm and you are out about nine-thirty or so.

I was happy to see names of puppeteers I know in the program. Peter Linz was the puppet captain. I have known Peter for a very long time. He was friends with my brother Sean.

I am grateful I saw “Rob Lake Magic with special guests the Muppets.”

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Memorial service is over: Now what

2025-10-30T14:50:25Z

The memorial was lovely. I felt the support from the people there. Stories were told and hugs were given. It was a good mix of Peter’s friends and family. I found it cathartic.

Glenn bought us lunch given me more time to talk to the people who attended. Caught up on people’s lives as they caught up on mine. The topics discussed were varied, which I expected with the group of people there.

The memorial was taped and will be up somewhere for viewing. I announce when I know.

I have been thinking of my future. I have some time for me. Now what can I do for me?

I am organizing things sloooowly. I am amazed how many of X object I have for sewing. I still haven’t found my favorite stitch remover. I know it is in the house but that’s as far as it goes. I have a lot to organize.

There is also the daily or every other day things that need to be cleaned. I am a little behind on the kitchen and laundry. Cat boxes are on the list today.

We have a strong wind today. If it keeps stripping the leaves, we won’t have anything to peep at. There is going to rain with heavy rain at times.

Fortunately, this all clears out before Halloween. Today I also plan to get the comic books and stuffed animals ready to go for Friday. I must dig a bit for some more comics that are age appropriate.

Halloween then Thanksgiving then Christmas.

The end of the year always moves rapidly.

Then onto 2026. Times moves on.

Yes, I do still miss Peter a lot. Having someone in your life for some long doesn’t fade. I have been remembering all kinds of stories about Peter. Most of which I was party to. The memorial stirred up memories. Included when he was cleaning the cat boxes once and said, “I am the well-known New York Times best-selling author Peter David but when I have to shovel cat shit, I use Sweet Scoop.”

I miss his voice yelling Kath when he needed me. I miss our car conversations. I miss the commentary while watching a show or movie in our home. I miss the hugs and kisses.

He was very romantic. One of Ariel’s friends said we were a living example of Gomez and Morticia Addams. I’ll take that. I speak only a little French.

He was there for me when I needed him. There would not be puppets or as any puppets without his believing in my ability. Not as many costumes or other fun props. I would not have been published if he didn’t push me to write. He saw something in my writing that I hadn’t seen. My creative improved with his encouragement. Now I must push myself or find others that will encourage me.

I do have a commission I want to get done before Christmas. I need to go online and find the final fabric for the puppet’s costume. I have everything else. The Top Hat is going to be…fun?...an exercise in patience…PITA. I have been working it out in my head.

I am grateful for friends.

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Mental Health and Me

2025-10-19T18:24:50Z

mental health :noun

1. psychological well-being and satisfactory adjustment to society and to the ordinary demands of life.

2. the field of medicine concerned with the maintenance or achievement of such well-being and adjustment.

Mental Health is a broad topic. Everyone has mental health. Some have good mental health, some have mostly good mental health, some have lousy mental health, and some have the worst mental health.

I have, as I stated before, situational depression, depression, dyslexia, and a hyperactive disorder.

The situation is the passing of Peter and all that comes with that. Before it was my worrying about Peter and his health. That has been going on since he had his first stroke at Disney World in Disney Hollywood studios in front of Sid Cahuenga's. That were we think it started. We don’t stand there anymore. I have drugs to even me out and they are working. Better living through chemistry.

The depression is something I have been dealing with most of my life. It came to a head during my time at the Yale School of Trauma…excuse me…Drama. I was suicidal when everything seemed to come tumbling on my head. I got help there. Both talk therapy and some mental health drugs to get me back to even. I managed to finish my master’s thesis and graduate.

After that it was an occasional bout with it. I got good at recognizing the symptoms.

There isn’t much I can do about being dyslexic. I have coping skills. I taught myself to read after trying it their way. Because I was such a good reader, I was listed as a lazy speller. No one realized what was going on with me until college where my freshman English teacher ran studies in dyslexia. He figured out after I turned in three essays in my class. I got tested and was found to be very dyslexic. Made parts of my life make new sense. Left and right have very little meaning to me. If I can think hard, I can sort it out. North, South, East, and West had no meaning until I move here with Peter. South is the shore. North is opposite from south. If I am facing North, East is to my right and West is to my left. Sunrises and Sunsets taught me that. North star can also sort me out.

ADHD is a new one but makes sense considering some of my behaviors. I had to take a lot of tests for me to be diagnosed. My case is mild, but it does, at times, effect my life. It is something my therapist and I are working on. Now I can recognize when I am falling into patterns I need to get out of. This is another disorder I am taking drugs for, and they have helped a lot.

I have no idea how long I am going to be on my medications. I know a couple are in the rest of my life category. Eventually I will stop some medications because I don’t need them anymore. I look forward to that day.

I encourage people to check in on their mental health. And for anyone really depressed, it is not weakness to ask for help.

We must stop the stigma of depression and other forms of not good mental health. One goes to a doctor when they are feeling ill for their body. How is that different than going to a doctor for your mind?

I am grateful for my mental health team.

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Friday, right? Time is an illusion Lunchtime doubly so.

2025-10-17T19:14:01Z

This week I worked at my job three days in a row. I woke up uncertain of the day or the date. Sorted it out with my iPhone pretty fast.

I have a project for the weekend. I am making a pumpkin puppet for a contest at work. I have a clever idea now let us see if I can execute it the way I want to. I think I have all the pieces I need. Crossing fingers I have enough cloth.

Tomorrow is “No Kings” day. There is a local protest that I am going to join.

Sunday will be spent with friends.

Monday I must go meet with the funeral director for the family memorial.

Then back to work I go.

I have a life of sorts. Things that need to be done and things I want to do.

It is a big adjustment from the last eleven years or possibly longer.

I was Peter’s caretaker/stage manager/agent for a long time. He could play good cop all day long and I was willing to be the bad cop and get him what he was owed.

Now I am a bit adrift. For the first time in a long time, I get to think about me and what I want and need. And I honestly don’t have much a clue. I have sublimated my wants for others. There are a couple of things, but I really don’t have the money at the moment to do them.

I am still waiting for the will to go through probate. There is not a lot in the estate, but it will help.

I am also trying to find a job that pays a living wage just like a lot of other people. I’ve been out of that job market for 22 years now. I am over 60. Not the first person who one would pick for a job. I am wondering if I should go back to school to get some other skills that pay better.

I have lots of skills that could be useful in the right job. I am organized and good at solving problems along with getting information quickly to the right people. And all the other skills I learned as a stage manager. I have office skills having started as an assistant at Del Rey and worked my way to Associate Editor. Honestly, I would be happy to have the job I had at Del Rey when I first started for the rest of my career.

Time is a funny thing. I remember things I did and then figure out that was over twenty years ago or thirty years ago or forty years ago. Forty years ago, I was stage managing my way around Atlanta and applying to go to the Yale School of Drama. It seems so long ago but also such a short time.

Having things happen on certain days gives me a sense of time but on those days. When I am on my own time, I can get confused. Thus, the use of a wall calendar and my handy electronics.

I am grateful for times past and present.

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Harvey Awards 2025

2025-10-11T18:15:17Z

In which Peter joins the greats in the hall of fame.

Last night was the 2025 Harvey Awards.

During the ceremony, Peter was inducted into their hall of fame.

It was a nice awards ceremony with killer appetizers and an open bar. Which is a good way to get the comic industry to show up.

Paul Levitz gave the introduction for Peter. He talked about Peter’s love for the industry and how he was a friend you could count on. It was a lovely speech.

Then it was my turn to speak for Peter. I could feel the melancholy in the room. I decided to lighten the mood. I opened with, “Peter David is officially a ghost writer.” The room howled with laughter and applause. The mood changed and I talked about how Peter loved the industry and the people in it. I think I did well. I did get compliments afterwards and met a lot of people who had their own Peter David story to share. I learned from several how important his work is in their countries. It was comforting to know how beloved Peter was by his colleges.

Today I am taking a break from the convention. My right knee is acting up and I want a day to get it back in shape before hitting the floor one last time on Sunday as I still have some people to visit at the convention.

I am grateful that Peter is in the Harvey Hall of Fame

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World Mental Health Day 2025

2025-10-10T14:46:14Z

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day
This is the article I read before writing this.

This year’s theme is, according to the website, 'access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies'. The theme highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental healthin times of global instability.

This is very important. Right now, it is a scary time in the world. I personally am concern for my country, the middle east, and tariffs that are costing me money when I buy something among other things. Have you looked at coffee prices and bag sizes? Shrinkage indeed.

My concerns are nothing compared to the people starving in the world or are worried about being arrested without cause or must wonder if their housing is going to survive the night. Globally the world is a mess. Small messes and large messes are in the news every day.

We have a Nor ‘eastern heading our direction. I am to walk the property and make sure everything is secured. Then it’s a hope for the best especially with the wind which brings destruction in its path. I am more worried for the folks in the Carolinas where it will hit first.

And all this is affecting people’s mental health. Especially the aftermath of destruction. They need to figure how to go on in light of what has happened in their lives. Not an easy thing to do.

I know the feeling of helplessness as I watched my husband’s health deteriorate. I got help which was the smart thing to do. I have no idea how big a mess I would be if I didn’t have mental health help. I feel a mess now, but I am a manageable mess. My emotions are day to day. Today I feel pretty even.

Asking for help is not a weakness. It is, in fact, a strength. Asking for assistance can be hard to do but it can be done.

I’m really great of ignoring my body when it is ill. I have learned to see the signs when my mental health starts to slip and now do something about it. I have learned coping mechanism, so I don’t go over the cliff. If that doesn’t work, I have medication to help me through the very rough patches. Taking this help took me quite a while and with Peter’s help to see I need it.

So, on World Mental Health Day, do me a solid and check in on yourself. I want you to stay around. I know there is a lot of bad out there and it may be affecting you more than you know. Take a little time today to see how you are feeling about yourself and the world about you.

I am grateful for my mental health team.

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Fall Shows Its Face

2025-10-08T17:08:49Z

Temperature is in the 60s. We had some rain but not enough.

Fall is the season I love the most. The temperature is very comfortable. I love watching the leaves change. And there is Halloween which is my favorite holiday. I still have to get my decorations ups.

That will happen after this weekend which is New York Comic Con. We are accepting Peter’s entrance into the hall of fame. Next weekend is Peter’s family memorial and then I am done with memorial services.

And then….

Well, I don’t know. I still have IRS, Medicaid and the Will to deal with.

For over 10 years, starting with Peter’s first stroke, I was Peter’s caretaker. I made sure he went to his physical therapy and doctor’s appointments. I made sure there was food on the table, and he had what he needed to work. At conventions, I was his stage manager making sure he got to his panels, and he ate among other things.

Now I have myself to take care of. Living by myself I have been doing for about three years. Now I must find a job that pays a decent salary. I have been trying to get a job before Peter passed. I have been out of the job market for 23 years since I was let go by Del Rey. I do have my job at Micheal’s Craft Store but only very part time at a little over the minimum wage. I do enjoy my time there. I have a great manager and a good crew to work with, but it will not pay for my utilities and other expenses.

I must learn how to take care of myself. I am so used to taking care of others, I tended to ignore me. Now it is just me and that feels weird. I honestly didn’t expect to find myself in this position for at least another 20 years or so.

I have lived on my own before I met Peter. I know I have the skill seall be it a little rusty.

The hardest thing for me to do is put me first. I haven’t really done much of that in my life. I have others I could put first. Caroline still needs me however; she has her own life and adventures to live. She knows she can call, text, or visit any time she wants to.

I am at a crossroads as to what I want to do with my life. I want to write more and continue to make puppets for fun and profit. But can I make a living on that? Right now, the answer is no but I can work to making it a yes. It will take time and effort on my part.

I am in a cocoon right now getting ready to hatch and spread my wings. I don’t know how this is all going to end up, but I think I have a good beginning.

I am grateful for me.

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Kindness, Niceness, Respect, Words have meanings

2025-10-03T15:54:57Z

Jane Goodall passed away in her sleep. She was so much more than the chimp lady. The work she did has opened a whole new way of thinking about both animals and people.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to

make.”

— Jane Goodall

Kindness costs you very little. Kindness should be one’s first go to. A kind word can make someone’s day especially if they are having a bad one. I compliment someone’s hair or outfit or shoes, many times they smile, and their face brightens up. I have recognized them as a fellow person in just the comment. I try to be kind to all. I don’t know what sort of day/week/month/year they had.

Polite is a good reflex too. It doesn’t matter who it is, they deserve politeness. I try to be polite even in difficult situation. It’s just good manners. I have gotten a lot further with taking care of problems with being polite. I watch that play out at DragonCon when I went to check in. It was two different people checking in. One was being rather rude. They kept harping on their status with the hotel and how dare his room was not ready right now. The other gentleman took the news rather graciously and gave them his cell number to call when the room was ready. The gentleman was called back in pretty short order and got his room. The other guy came back about the same time I did to get his room. There was a lot of muttering about calling corporate about how long he had to wait. It was about an hour. I told the clerk whose name was Susanne that if she needed a witness as to what happened here is my phone number since I had been there for both incidents. She thanked me but said it was not necessary due to the camera system they have set up there.

Nice is a reflex with me. I always try to be nice. Again, it costs me nothing except breath. Everyone deserves to be treated nicely. When I was at MoMI two weeks ago, I gave information I knew to others who had questions I could answer. I helped some new puppet owners how to operate their puppets. One said they hope they are as cool as me when they get to my age. I said keep practicing.

Respect the other person. Not that easy when the topic is a tough one that one will never see eye to eye. I am of the “agree to disagree” group. There are times that one can totally lose respect for the other person. It is about the time the discussion becomes a war of words and ideas. Shouting is not winning an argument in face it is pretty much losing it. Slurs, implied or blatant, are the end of the argument. “I know you are, but what am I” is the kiss of death. We, as a society, need to relearn how to debate.

I learned most of this from my parents who live what they say. They were my models on how to act in public. They also taught me some tricks to discussion and debate. Other things I learned from mentors in my life.

I am grateful for the people to raised me.

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Being a Creative Person

2025-10-01T14:28:55Z

I am a creative person. This I have known since I was a child. I have found ways to expressing my creativity.

Now I knew I was creative, but I never really thought of myself as an artist. Bill Sienkiewicz was the one who made me see my work as art. He managed to get me to see what I did was not just a technical trick but creative art. I thought of puppets as practical objects. I didn’t see them as art. Now that I do, I think of myself as an artist. I am proud of my art.

I can write. I enjoy stretching that part of my mind. I am always thinking my way through stories and scenarios. Peter did the same thing and we would bounce ideas off each other and were each other’s first readers.

And we were honest with each other. Peter would warn people they would be getting his opinion good, bad or ugly. I got his honest opinion which sometimes was just the words “it sucks. Try again with out the story sucking.” He would tell me when I was wasting my time on a story for various reasons. I would tell him the same thing on that rare occasion where I could tell he was at a dead end.

I like making dolls. I haven’t done it in a while. I learned the kind of doll I loved making from Wendy Froud. If you ever get the chance to take a workshop from Wendy, take it. It will change your life. Yesterday a friend of mine gave me a box of eyeballs. These are much smaller I would use for the puppets however, they are the perfect size for smaller dolls. Most of my doll work is with anthropomorphize animals or fantast creature. I kept my favorite badger to remind me that I can do these things.

I like making stuffed animals. Another thing that I haven’t done in a while. Again they go to the fantastical side of the road.

I like making costumes. I am doing less of that. For one thing Caroline learned to sew for herself, so she makes her own costumes. I don’t have that gang of kids I had to make costumes for. I am starting to make stuff for me. Some of it can be used as street clothing. Other pieces are costume only. I am in the middle of making a swallow tailcoat. It is very complicated. I think I can do it. I am probably going do a muslin mockup before I take scissors to the real fabric.

My mind is never bored. It is aways scheming all kinds of things. Right now, it is working on the answer to a question a friend asked about how to do something with a puppet. I came up with several ways just off the top of my head. I am now going through them to see what would work for my friend since this is their first puppet.

I am grateful for my creativity.

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Monday Morning Quarter and other things

2025-09-29T16:21:04Z

I actually sat down and watched football yesterday. The Giants beating the Chargers was a nice pick up from me. I thought the Bucs were going to beat the Eagles but the Eagles were playing tight. The Lions surprised me. The rest of the games basically fell where I thought they would.

Saturday was fun. I went into the city for a gathering of friends to talk art and anything else that came to mind. It was exactly what my spirit needed. Some good food and pleasant conversation. Thanks, gang.

Today is chores day. I am working the next two days so I want to get as much done as I can today. I do need to go to the grocery store for a few things as well.

My body clock is getting me up earlier these days. I saw a lovely sunrise this morning. I think once we go back to normal time in November, my body will sort it out.

September is Mental Health month among other things. I have been quite open about my struggles with my mental health. Right now, I am stuck in the spin cycle of situational depression. Situational depression is a little different than normal depression. In situational depression, the situation one is in is the cause of the depressive cycle. Considering all that has happened in my life for the past couple of years, it’s obvious. I am lucky I have a good therapist and doctor who have helped me through some of these crises. I am using prescribed drugs to help my brain to work more normally. I think I would have shut down entirely if I didn’t have them.

I also must thank my friends who have had my back. I have people I can talk or rant or vent to. I feel the support even when I am alone. Knowing I can call someone if things start getting bad in my head is a great relief.

Y’all have helped me a lot. Having a place, I can just say something and not be judged is very helpful. I also feel the love and support.

I am grateful for all the support.

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The Toast is to the King of Creativity

2025-09-24T23:23:44Z

Today would have been Jim Henson’s 89^th Birthday.

This past weekend I went to the Museum of the Moving Image to celebrate it. It was amazing the creativity that went into the puppets and costumes that people had. I think Jim would have been proud.

Jim was the King of Creativity. He was a “yes and” man. Ideas were encouraged even if they seemed to be crazy ideas. He had a good eye for talent and built his group of puppeteers and puppet builders very carefully. He never asked more than he could do, which was a lot according to those who knew him.

He was an incessant doodler. I can’t say I have seen any of his papers without doodle. There is an entire book on his doodles. And they are delightful. Sometimes you get triangles repeatedly in a lovely pattern. Others turn into the Muppets we know and love so well.

We have so much he did while he was alive from Wilkins and LaChoy Dragon ads to SNL to Sesame Street to the Muppet show to Dark Crystal and Labyrinth to so much more. Personal favorite is the StoryTeller.

Since he has passed, his children have kept the ball rolling with new Muppet material long with all kinds of projects along the way. Now we are getting a special episode of the Muppet Show which is a trial balloon to bring back the variety show.

I think what amazes me the most about Jim Henson is how relevant he still is to the world. An entire generation has been born since he passed and they know who he is and what the Muppets are. I found that out this weekend. This was an all-ages event. A young man won the costume contest dressed up as Jim Henson.

In a strange way he is the mentor to many people he never met. His work and attitude give us something to work towards. His words of encouragement are still read and taken to heart.

Happy Birthday Jim! You are missed.

I am grateful for Jim Henson.

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What I did for Peter's 69th Birthday

2025-09-23T22:20:02Z

I started out with a 5am to 9am shift at my job at Micheals.

Fortunately, there is an IHoP in the adjoining parking lot.

Why IHoP, believe me we use to have to drive all the way to the north shore to get to one, because it was there Peter could get his favorite pancake in the world chocolate, chocolate chip pancakes. He only had them on his birthday. Other days when we might find ourselves at an IHoP, he would get buttermilk or chocolate chip pancakes. But the best was saved for his birthday. He also said they went through him like roto rooter.

Then I had a nap that I needed having gotten up so early. This too was part of our traditions. We would have an adult nap together. Lot easier once Caroline was in school.

Next is a movie. I saw Fantastic Four: First Steps. Not bad. Not the best Marvel film but it played fair. I do like that HERBIE was not used as the butt end if jokes but was as much part of the team as Ben or Johnny were. Galaxtus was cool. I was entertained and that’s really all I ask of a movie. I hope if you have seen it, you stayed all the way through. The end piece is really a nod to fandom. Although the middle one did set up a whole bunch of questions.

The Mets aren’t playing tonight so I won’t be watching a game. I guess I’ll catch up on the DVR.

Doing these traditions helped me today. It gave me good memories and brought up good memories. Overall, I am doing Okay.

I am grateful for traditions.

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Random Stuff that had/is happening in my life

2025-09-22T16:14:30Z

First Happy Equinox to all who celebrate the Spring/Autum solstice. Currently the weather is my kind of weather. Has been for the past week or so. I am a polar bear according to my friends. I like it in the low seventies/high sixties. It feels right. I like some wind in the air. I am okay with snow and rain. I am very sensitive to heat. This past summer was less killer than some previous. DragonCon was a breeze rather than the sweat fest it usual is.

Happy Birthday to the Baggins Boys. JRR Tolkien made this Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday. I expect it is busy at Bag End with some form of party or remembrance. I love those books. I still have fond memories of my father reading those books to me before I was at that reading level.

Tomorrow is going to be difficult for me. It would have been Peter’s sixty-nineth birthday. I have no idea how I am going to react to it. I might write a blog about Peter or I might shut down the entire day. What happens is what happens. I will deal with it.

I have been a bit at loose ends. I have NYCC coming up and the memorial has been set. DM me if you want the info for the memorial. I am looking forward to NYCC because I get to see folks I haven’t seen in a while. It will be nice to catch up with my comics gang along with the friends I have made along the way.

The memorial is the end of a long road that started with his death. I have needed to get this done for a while, but it was not possible until now. I had hoped to do it around his birthday, but I couldn’t find a venue. Now I have a venue and am working out the rest of the details. It needs to be done.

The will has entered probate. I don’t know quite where we are in the process, but I do know it is moving forward.

After the memorial and the will are sorted out, I am at loose ends.

I must figure out what is next for me.

Finding a job has been on going depressing job. I have some ideas that I have to reach out to some people on. I can’t do what I have done in the past. My legs are not what they were so desk job it is. Would I like to work from home? Yes, yes, I would. However, I am will to go into an office. I just want a decent paying job that doesn’t drive me crazy.

Would I like to make the puppets my permeant job? Yes, however, I stink at promotion. My website is a mess. And my business card needs to be redone. It’s funny, I can promote others. It’s really easy. When it comes to me, I get imposter syndrome although I know my puppets look very good. I have impressed others with them.

This past weekend I went to the Museum of the Moving Image to celebrate Jim Henson’s birthday (9/24/25) with like-minded people. They showed 71 best Muppet moments. Some made me laugh out loud others brought a tear to my eye.

Along the way, I taught a couple of people how to use their puppets that they had just bought. I felt good passing on the information that had been given to me oh so many years ago. I could see the light bulb go off over their heads as I explained what they needed to do. I think next time I am bringing a puppet or two or pay for a table and try to sell them.

I am grateful for puppets.

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Lazy Sunday

2025-09-14T19:16:21Z

I plan to watch football today. I have chips, dip, and original coca cola. The original coca cola tastes like the soda I drank in my childhood. Until now the Coke imported from Mexico has been the closest.

Part of the reason I am being lazy is that my right knee is hurting quite a bit today. There is no rhyme or reason for the days it becomes stiff and unreasonable. Really hurts to walk.

Tomorrow I will get back into the swing of things and make my to do list. I’ll start in one room and go from there. Cat boxes are in it yet again. For two cats, they create a lot of waste.

Caroline is coming by for the weekend. That sets up the week before she arrives really.

But right now, I am enjoying the game although both local teams are losing. I have chips and dip and a cold Coke.

I am grateful for lazy Sundays.

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RTBTCKI Birthday and the days that followed

2025-09-12T15:46:53Z

Tuesday was my sixty-second birthday. I worked in the morning then went grocery shopping. I let the rest of the day to fall into place as it may. This including petting the cats for half an hour then a nap with the cats sleeping next to me. I made myself dinner and had cherry pie for my birthday treat. All in all, a nice mellow day.

Wednesday was another morning of work. We got large boxes full of little things. Those boxes seem to take forever. I got two out of four areas done having gotten through 30 boxes of yarn the day before leaving 50 to go. The rest of Wednesday was dealing with little fires that have been popping up. I kept feeling dizzy and put it down to hydration. Didn’t pass out but came close.

Thursday started late as I really woke up at 10:00 am. I tried to wake up at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 but just couldn’t succeeded. The day was slow, and I napped a lot. Talked to my therapist about DragonCon and other things going on. She gave me some good advice about taking care of me. Self-care is important and I have been peddle to the meatal for months now. She thinks since I have the time I might need to give myself a break this the weekend and then start up everything again. I think she is right and plan to do so. I might even go see a movie.

Today I woke up at 7:00 and started to clean up this that and the other. My back complained so I sat down and watched the press conference for the suspect in the Charle Kind murder. Assignation is not the answer. Too many have die for stupid reasons. We need to remember how we felt about each other on 9-11 when the country came together. I love my country. I am not particularly happy with what is going on with in the political area.

I am grateful for birthday pie and birthday cake.

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Another Week Starts with Another List

2025-09-09T00:07:48Z

Top of this list is to finish unloading the car before the end of Tuesday. We are down to puppets and towers and a table we use to display the puppets and a few kits for sewing and cosplay that need to be sorted out.

I need to remember to add masking tape to the table kit and a pair of scissors.

Then another round of cat boxes. It is just two cats, however they make good use of their kitty potties.

I learned today that I am not a Virgo but a Leo and there is a constellation called that was removed from the Zodiac because the Babylonians wanted only twelve to go with their calendar. It is due to Earth wobble over the past two thousand years. The zodiac constellations have moved in that time or rather we have moved. It is an amazing article in the New York Times today. Probably explains why the hat keeps dumping me into Gryffindor. The dumped Zodiac sign was called Opliuchus (Nov 30-Dec 17). Unlocked article below.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/upshot/zodiac-signs.html?unlocked_article_code=1.kU8.H7GU.e8sE112oUcqV&smid=url-share

Tomorrow, I have early work then going to go grocery shopping to fill the larder. I am out of a few of the basics like jam and paprika and heading to having no coffee in the house.

I am grateful for articles that spark my imagination.

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Kiss of Fall

2025-09-07T16:46:39Z

The weather today is fall weather. There is a cool breeze. The house is comfortable. It is raining which is a good thing because we need the rain desperately. I know we will probably get another hit of muggy summer but if the weather stays this way I am in my comfort zone.

The cats have been asking to be petted just as I am waking up. They sense I am coming back to the world, and I find them up on the bed with Inky on the right and Mewlan on the left awaiting pets and skritches. I have no idea how long they are on the bed. Some mornings I hear and feel them land on the bed and others they are just there. Mewlan has a habit of curling up with me in the middle of the night for an hour or so.

Next puppet, Gary Oldman’s Dracula which is a commissioned piece. I found the blue glasses that are puppet sized. I have most of the fabric. I need to find a grey lining fabric to finish the clothing. I already have the body. The hat is going to be tricky but not impossible. I have built top hats before.

That was something I was thinking about recently because of a question at DragonCon. The number of things I have learned to build it for a puppet. Wedding dresses, bowler hats, different form of vests, coats, and shirts, dresses, kilts, the list goes on and on. The Doctors alone taught be about various kinds of frock coats. I learned patterning making for puppet size which had helped me make things for people. I want to learn more about pattern making for adults.

I am also itching to get back into doll making. I have taken a series of classes from Wendy Froud who have given me the skills to do so. I have a lot of ideas running through my head including a Dragon in a smoking jacket.

I have writing to do as well. There is Nemo and Mystery Novel #1 along with some short stories. Peter believed in my ability to write, and I want to prove him right.

There is also the usual household chores that need to be done. Cats to be cleaned up after. Laundry to be washed (Isn’t there always laundry). And an entire house to be sorted.

Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so.

I am grateful for the motivation to get things done.

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RTBTCKI Back to Life Back to Reality

2025-09-06T14:05:41Z

I will be at NYCC (New York Comic Con) this year. The reasons for it I will explain after the show.

I am getting back into the swing of daily life. DragonCon is a five day festival that leaves one wanting more. The perfect amount of time for the convention. It leaves you wanting more. Several people talk about Dragon Drop. How right after the convention they feel a little down or depressed because DragonCon is the high in their lives. There are even help groups that form after DragonCon.

I have the laundry in the basement ready to go. I plan on cleaning the kitchen, cat boxes, and start the laundry today. I still need to get some stuff out of the car like the puppets and the hand truck.

Then it is back to the puppets. I still have a commission to do and a few others to finish up. I think I am going to try to make the puppets more year-round, so I always have stock to sell. I also want to write again.

Still working on the estate paperwork. It might finally be starting to move forward. I await the next communication.

But first I must get over the apparent Con Crud I seem to have picked up at DragonCon. Slight fever, achy joints, stuffy nose, and pain in the ears. My balance is off too.

I am grateful for that which makes me feel better.

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DragonCon 2025 Wrap Up

2025-09-05T17:30:50Z

Or what I did at DragonCon

Tuesday August 26, 2025

The beginning of the drive down to Atlanta.

First stop picking up Caroline and Thinn in Brooklyn. One-and-a-half-hour delay getting to them. One due to an accident and the other due to road work.

Picked them up and loaded their luggage into the car. Still could see out of the back.

Now when I first picked out the path, I added some time but avoided Washington DC. It reset when I pushed the go button, and we drove right by DC adding another hour to or trip. I stopped somewhere in South Carolina which made it about five hours to our hotel in Atlanta.

Wednesday August 27, 2025

We got up early knowing we were against a ticking clock of how many spaces were left at the hotel.

Not as many construction delays. People seemed to be paying more attention to the speed and the signs.

We arrived about one in the afternoon and got our luggage for the hotel out of the car and left the stuff for our table in the car.

Settled in and got lunch.

Dinner was with my parents. My mother made her magnificent lasagna and a Cesar salad. It was nice to see them in person. We spent time with them which was lovely.

Back to the hotel with a stop at CVS on the way.

Sleeping was not a problem.

Thursday August 28, 2025

Sean’s Birthday

I declared the night before that it was a “sleep in until you wake up day”.

I woke up about eight. Went about my morning ritual then got breakfast for the group.

Next was getting badges. Didn’t take as long as I thought it would. Along the way I said hello to lots of friends who I have known since before I moved to New York.

Now having the badges, I went to the loading docks for the Comic Pop Art area because they were missing an important sticker. I got that sticker for all three badges along with the loading in sticker which barely fit on my badge between my handicap sticker and my panel sticker.

I drove us to what I though was the right garage, but it was the wrong garage. So, we had to haul our goods further than we wanted to. Load in was swift and we set up quickly. I know which is the right garage for next year if we have a table. We have lupper (Lunch/supper) in the late afternoon.

The reason why is because I had a panel at seven thirty in the puppetry track. It was a well-run introduction to all the panels we would be presenting over the weekend. I got to see a lot of people that have become friends over the years in the puppetry track. Got a lot of warm hugs and sympathy for Peter’s passing. It felt like family.

Best part of the day? Getting to hug my brother on his birthday.

Friday August 29, 2025

This was a rather full panel day for me.

I started at ten o’clock in the American Media room for the “Muppet Mayhem: Which Muppet Wins when Muppet Fights Muppet?” This is a fun free for all where the audience picks 16 Muppets to put into brackets to fight each other and then we discuss who would win. We had Beaker vs. Bunsen. Beaker won due to all the pent-up rage towards Honeydew. My favorite was Anderson Cooper vs. Sam the Eagle. Sam won for some screwy reason. The winner was a Yip-yip that was in the room. The Yip-Yip’s advantage is that it had Mjolnir covered in carpet tape. I’m bringing Sherlock Hemlock to the next round if I am invited.

Next panel was in the Sci-Fi track entitled “Muppets Sci-Fi: Favorite series recast”. You could only have one human and cast the rest with Muppets. Mine was Sherlock Holmes. Keep Holmes human say Hiddleston or David Thewlis then Rolf is Watson, Gonzo is Lestrade, Uncle Deadly is Moriarity, and so on.

The next panel was in DragonCon families, a track I didn’t know existed, but it needs to exist, entitled” Theater life for kids”. We talked about auditioning, weird props we have dealt with, disasters on stage and how to keep going, and several other topics. The panel was very positive and uplifting. We didn’t say it wasn’t hard, but we did encourage the kids to give it a try. I told my Yale story where I was the audition secretary. What the people auditioning didn’t know is how they treated me played into their score to getting into the Drama School.

I went to see Caroline and Thinn at the table to find out we sold several copies of “The Complete Howling Mad” along with a blank puppet body.

Walking back to the Hilton something strange started happening with my body where I was listing to the left and bending towards that side. Had a hard time breathing. When I got to the front of the Hyatt I was in bad shape. They sat me down and checked me for stroke. They got me some water and let me sit there until I felt normal again. I made it to the Hilton but it was one of the hardest walks I had done.

I went to the Marriot to a panel on the most amazing car I have ever seen. It was the Studebaker from the Muppet Movie. Inside were great recreations of Fozzie and Kermit built by my friend Cher. I loved being able to be so close to the car. All I could think was “Ah a bear in his natural habitat, a Studebaker.” It is an amazing reconstruction of the original car. The company that rebuilt it was Razor Fly Studios and they did a fine job. It was interesting to hear about the problems along the way to get it back to a running car with a killer paint job. The car will now be on view at the Studebaker Museum.

The final activity of my day was the Friday Night Workmanship Contest. This year was harder than last year to judge. Best in show was easy. The minute she walked in we knew she would be hard to beat. It was a Neverending Story costume. She had a Falcor twisting around her along with one of the wolves. The base of the costume told the story in pictures. Her costume was the princess’ but augmented. It was a thing of beauty. There were a lot of wonderful costumes but in the end we judged them and gave them the winners.

Afterwards I went to my brother’s room and relaxed with friends. Vin managed to get me to stop leaning. He recommended some things to do to stop it.

Saturday August 30, 2025

The Parade gave me some time to get myself together the next morning.

First panel is one I suggested and am the moderator of entitled “So you want to build a puppet?” It is where people come with their questions and problems they are having with puppets they are working on. We had some really good questions, and the panel had good answers for them. I love that panel so much.

Next was back to the Hilton and “Meet the Winners of the Friday Night Costuming Contest”. Where the winners showed off how they created those magnificent costumes. The audience asked intelligent questions, and it was a good discourse.

I went back to our table and sold some books and almost sold some puppets.

It was weird, I didn’t do any real walk arounds with my puppets. I usually I have a puppet on my arm consistently. This year I walked around with a head for a while. I just wasn’t feeling it. It kind of scares me.

Therefor I got plastered before going to Peter’s memorial.

Peter’s memorial hosted by the Comics Track was lovely. We told stories of Peter and what he meant to us. The audience got to participate as well. Paul Jenkins was the moderator. On the panel was Nayr, Colleen Dorran, Garret Wang, Keith De Candido, Kevin J. Anderson, and me. It was nice hearing other professionals talk about Peter.

After that I had sometime so I went back to the table to let Caroline and Thinn wander the dealer’s hall of which I saw the floor I was on and half of another floor. I just didn’t have the time.

We went to dinner, and I went to my last panel entitled “Giant Walkabouts and Body Puppets” where we talked about giant walkabouts and body puppets. We did end up on some tangents but managed to get back on topic pretty quick.

I ran back, okay walked quickly, to my hotel room to get ready for Sean’s party. I was dressing up as Barnabas Collins for Sean’s Addams family party. I wore a sticker that said, “Hello I am Cousin Barnabas”. Thinn did my make-up and Caroline my hair. I put on what I had of the costume. I was missing the boot covers and the swallow tailcoat. It was good enough to fool people who knew me. The cane and ring helped a lot.

It was a late night talking to friends. I had a lot of fun.

Sunday August 31, 2026

I gave myself permission to sleep in since I had only one panel for the day.

I got up at nine and got breakfast for the girls before walking over to the table. We ate breakfast and sorted out the day. I took Thinn around to talk to artists about her art and how she could promote it. She got excellent advice from each. I walked the floor with Caroline and bought her a few things. I picked up a Dr. Strange commission from Mike Kunkel which is totally darling.

My panel was entitled “Puppetry and Evil”. Most puppeteers in media are the bad guys. We discussed why. It was a lively discussion. We talked about evil puppets and puppeteers and good puppets and puppeteers. I was able to give a plug for my short story “The Hand Job” from the anthology Side of Good/Side of Evil.

The girls knew I was exhausted, and they encouraged me to take a nap. I did and it did help. By the time I woke up they had already gotten dinner, so I went out to dinner with my friend Joann at an Irish pub I like. We had a good meal and good conversation.

Monday September 1^st 2025

I had one panel entitled “The Last Thing You Want to See At DragonCon: Peter David Memorial”.

This was a tribute that Peter use to close out the Trek Track every year. It was entitled “The Last Thing You Want to See At DragonCon: Peter David.”

It was Keith DeCandido and me along with the audience. It was a love feast. We were there to support each other. I sold all the copies of “The Complete Howling Mad” I brought with me.

After that I wandered a bit until it was time to pack up and leave. We did so efficiently and got everything back to the room.

We took the stock with us when we went to get the car and put that in leaving us only our suitcases and bags.

Then it was time for my birthday dinner with my parents. We had a spinach salad, bake potato, broccoli, filet mignon, and cake. It was very yummy. We had good conversation and a lot of fun.

We got back and finished packing our bags. We went to bed at a reasonable hour.

September 2, 2025

We drove back home. The GPS took us a back route that avoided Washington DC entirely. I got the kids back to their apartment about eleven twenty and I got home about twelve twenty-three.

I am so grateful for DragonCon and all the people who make it happen.

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Work Work Work

2025-08-23T13:08:14Z

I had to redo all the buttons on the Fugitive Doctor’s coat. They were in bad shape after just walking around the convention. That’s a lot of buttons.

I had fun on the Prisoner panel. My buddy John Peel was on it as well. At the beginning we drew numbers to wear during the panel I got Number 6. We gave the moderator Number 2. It was a roving discussion about the show and its effect on us. Speaking of roving, Rover apparently scared other people too. It is a weather balloon that was terrifying. Watch the show you will understand.

I don’t know why there was no Cobert or Myers this week. It might be summer vacation for the staff and crew. However, it seems a little too on the nose that the Daily Show was put on a five-week hiatus and now the other shows are gone too. I miss my funny.

I did run into people I know at the convention both friends and acquaintances. I was introduced as Peter David’s widow for the first time. Sounded strange to my ear but it is true.

Today I have two panels and plan to get the puppet to Jo. Wish me luck. I also plan to get two puppet heads done.

I am grateful for fun smaller conventions.

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Fuzzy Fuzzy Fuzzy

2025-08-22T15:34:34Z

I got the vest almost done for my costume. It needs buttons and either snaps or Velcro. Now onto the much more complicated swallow tailcoat. The fangs arrived today.

Right now, I am working on some heads out of fun fur that I can price at $40.00 and make a little money on each. I want to get two done today before I start the coat.

At five o’clock I will be at my panel for today. We are discussing one of my favorite TV series that more people need to know about, The Prisoner. I saw it when it first aired. I think I was four and, of course really didn’t understand what I was watching. I did like the cowboy episode. Rover was nightmare fuel for me for years. I thought I had dreamed the whole thing until PBS show it while I was in my teens. The minute I saw Rover I exclaimed, “It’s real?” then explained my nightmares about it. Other bits and pieces felt very familiar. This time I was old enough to understand what I was watching and by the end it was on my favorite list. I rewatched it for this panel and think, considering the situation today, PBS should show it again.

Tomorrow, I have two panels at LI Who

10 am Prog B L.I. Who Beginners (or How to navigate a convention)

12pm Prog B Heaven Sent 10th Anniversary (TEN YEARS!!!!!!)

Sunday I have one panel

11 am Prog B Sarah Jane Smith (One of my absolute favorite companions)

I’ll be around mostly Saturday because I am trying to get puppets and costumes done as well.

Now one of the cats (Inky the black and white) decided to roll in the fur trimmings and now she is a black, white, pink, and red cat. Of course that means the fur is getting all over the house.

I am grateful for things I have gotten done.

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Busy Busy Busy

2025-08-21T13:54:31Z

If it is not one thing then it is another.

Right now, I am working on my costume for Sean’s Party. Then it is back to puppets.

I will be at LI Who this weekend. I have several panels I am on

Friday

5 pm Prog A: The Prisoner panel

Saturday

10 am Prog B: L.I. Who Beginners

12pm Prog B: Heaven Sent 10th Anniversary

Sunday

11 am Prog B: Sarah Jane

In between those I will be wandering the convention or going home to continue the work on Puppets.

Monday is loose ends day. Putting the mail on hold. Getting our change bank ready for DragonCon. Cats taken care of. And all the other things I need to do before leaving town.

Tuesday we start our journey to Dragon Con. I want to get with in 4 to 6 hours of Atlanta before stopping for the night.

Wednesday is the beginning of Dragon Con for us, but it really cranks up on Thursday.

Then we are in the Dragon Con through Monday.

After we get back, I get to reset my thinking with no other conventions except NYCC to think about and I don’t have a table there.

I am grateful for conventions and the joy they bring me.

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Random thoughts before the coffee kicks in Pleasant Day

2025-08-19T13:23:42Z

Or as it shall be hence forth know RTBTCK as it was known previously

This is one of my random thoughts blogs. What comes to mind is written down.

Here’s an odd TV/Movie fact, the kid playing David/Daniel in the Ben Cross version of Dark Shadows was the actor who voiced the word “Dong” in the Glass Onion. He has a whole bunch of other credits, but these are two of his more obscure rolls.

Being an adult has its advantages like you can eat what you want for dinner. I wanted hot dogs and baked beans, so I had them. The disadvantage is that one must be careful what one eats and how much of it. I needed comfort food and didn’t want to make from scratch mac and cheese.

The will is sloooooowly moving forward. We have fewer obstacles than we did two weeks ago. I think we may be looking at October to get things started up so I can actually moving forward on things that need to be done.

I got a summation of what is owed medically that Medicaid will not pay for. Grand total 32,000. Please push the go fund me as I am trying to get through this without going into bankruptcy.

Today I am working on puppets and my costume. Yes, on occasion I do make myself a costume for a convention. I think the vest is going to get done today along with two puppet heads as I have found their fabric and eyeballs. I finally found that missing box of eyeballs I wanted to use for this project. Still have a lot to do but also have things that must be done.

Thursday, I take the car in for an oil change and the usual going over. I want it to be road worthy for Dragon Con.

I am on ten panels at Dragon Con. My usual Friday night Workmanship Contest and the review the next day and my so you want to build a puppet which is on Saturday at 11:30 AM rather than Monday at 10AM. I have a lot of other fun panels for the weekend. I need to get my notes together for each panel. I will be busy, but it will be fun. We have a table in the Comics and Pop Art section. We, being me with puppets including some new types, Caroline with her art, and Thinn, Caroline’s roommate, with her art. Come by and say Hi.

Off to fiddle with foam and fabric.

I am grateful for whatever I get done today.

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Life goes on and on and on

2025-08-16T12:15:59Z

I know I have been rather quiet. There has been a lot going on but my want to write about it has been weak.

There have been some nice memorial services for Peter at various conventions. I was either there, or someone was kind enough to tape it. It is nice hearing all these stories about Peter and how people remember him. At the SDCC George Takei copped to the fact that the Jim Beam line in Oblivion was entirely of his doing. Something Peter has been saying for years only to get a “Yeah, sure Peter” in return.

The will is slowly moving forward. We can’t file it until we get a couple of signatures to complete the paperwork needed for the will. Meanwhile I am twiddling my thumbs waiting for other things to happen before I can pick up the trail and move my piece forward on the board of life.

I am, as I told my parents, two puppets behind. Those may get shelved as I move onto creating stock for our table at Dragon Con in the Pop Art section. A name came up that if I had known they were coming I would have gotten their puppet done. Also, this year I have a costume I must build for myself for my brother’s Addam’s family reunion. I have the pants and the shirt. I need a vest, swallow tailcoat, and boot covers.

I miss Joann’s so much right now. I can’t run out and get some fabric. I have found a quilting store near me that has cotton fabric. I know some Micheals have fabric counters. I hear that Walmart and Target have fabric in some of their stores. Right now, what I need is simple things like black lining and buttons. I do have one set I need but am scratching my head where I am going to get the rest. We are supposed to have buttons at our Michaels location. They haven’t come in yet. Apparently, Micheals bought Joann’s materials, and we are starting to get it into our store.

Today I think it is going to be vest and heads since I finally found my puppet eyeballs, I have been looking for over a month. I need to balance my costume and the stock I need to build for DragonCon.

We have a table in the Pop Art Alley. Caroline and her roommate are selling their art, and I will be selling puppets including just puppet bodies that can be turned into your own personal puppet. Then there are the puppet heads. Just heads. Come on by and say Hi. I’ll post the number when I know it.

I need to clean up from the previous project before starting the next one. That and cat boxes need to be cleaned as does their water bowls.

I am grateful for a peaceful mind.

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