May | 2011 | Cathy C. Hall Writes

Now that I think about it, I really didn’t have anything to do with the making of this awesome bookmark. I suppose, technically, I’m tooting Book Bling’s horn.

Anyway, the point is, you’re going to hear the story I call, “The Tale of the Goose Charm” or “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait-and Win Auctions.”

So, once upon a time, I made the highest bid on an auction item to benefit the kids in Japan. Before long, Joan Stradling of Jots & Tittles contacted me and asked what charm I’d like on my bookmark (the auction item), and I said I find Gladys the Goose pretty charming, not to mention a-“muse”-ing (That sounded better in my head), and could she put a goose on a bookmark? Oh, and by the way, could she use gold thread ’cause I need a golden egg right now (as opposed to the rotten eggs I keep laying)?

A few weeks passed, and then I received word that no, goose charms are simply not available but perhaps I’d like this special charm made from Gladys the Goose’s likeness?

Oh, yes, I said, I certainly would! And then today, I found this utterly charming goose bookmark in the mail. And I’m quite sure that I shall write happily ever after!

Gladys shall hang about, inspiring me because, technically, she can’t write. (Silly goose!)

When I opened Precious the Laptop this morning, everything seemed fine. Seemed being the operative word here. But what I found was that all was not well with Precious. All was, in fact, unwell, to put it politely.

For every time I punched the little icon to open my World to The Internets, a bizarre message came up. Something like “What, are you crazy? You’re not getting into the Internet. No way. No how.”

It may have been more technical than that. But I got the picture. I was this close to a major hissy fit. See, I remembered yesterday that a strange security message popped up (which I ignored because the last time I clicked on a security message, Precious got infected). And then last night, when still another security message popped up, the Beneficent Mr. Hall clicked on it anyway, and fooled around awhile, until presto! Precious seemed fine and dandy again.

Now, I think we’ve already established the meaning of the word “seemed” here. So, anyway, I was about to yell for the Beneficent Mr. Hall for a little “discussion” when I realized he’d left to run errands. Suddenly, I had a brilliant idea! I’d use “System Restore” to get whatever bug out of Precious, then run my Cleaner to wipe out anything else lurking.

I really hate to use the Cleaner; it takes me a month to get everything back the way I like it. But a writer has to do what a writer has to do to get into The Internets. And wonder of wonders, it worked!

Next, I had to dash to a meeting, but on the way there, I can tell you that I was thinking some pretty “unwell” thoughts concerning the Beneficent Mr. Hall and whatever he’d done to Precious, and that when I returned we’d get back to that “discussion.” And then I remembered Memorial Day.

I thought of all those verterans who’ve sacrificed life and limbs and warm beds and hot meals and evenings at home with spouses and kids…so I can have the freedom to open my laptop, and surf to just about anywhere I want in The World of the Internets.

And I cannot tell a lie, friends. It may have been a beautiful Finding Something Friday, but I found myself sorely ashamed.