Ron

I have always been an avid reader from the moment I learned how, but I read a variety of different topics from the usual childhood things -- with an emphasis on nature books. But when I got to fifth grade, in our middle-school library I discovered Doc Savage and I read as many books of this series as I could find there. After that I found more in my town's library, and I read until I exhausted that supply, too. Doc Savage first showed up in pulp magazines of the 30's and 40's and then made it into the paperback books I began to read so the character had a good run, I'd say. Keep in mind that I had no real inkling that I was gay yet, but what a man and his adventures were exciting! Later I discovered The Hobbit, and we all know what that leads to... a lifelong joy of reading fantasy and more Tolkien.

Congratulations on your promotion @astone2292

Microwave your asparagus. This is something new to me that I found by searching if this was a viable option, and it turned out to be a marvelous way to cook asparagus. Heating up the house by turning on the stove (gas in my case) to heat up water is not something I want to do in the warmer months if I can avoid it. For enough trimmed, medium-sized asparagus for one as a side dish. Microwave 1100 watts - paper towels sufficient to roll asparagus until completely wrapped (mine took four half-sheets) - your choices of seasoning - water. Lay out sufficient paper towels on the counter or cutting board. Trim and rinse asparagus shaking off excess water but do not dry and place on paper towels. Season asparagus to your preference. Roll asparagus in paper towels until covered with the seamed side down (if paper towels can be folded under on one or both ends do so). Sprinkle paper towels with water until wet but not dripping. Place the asparagus on microwave plate seam side down. Microwave for 3-4 minutes (depending on microwave power) and let sit for 2 more minutes. Open microwave door carefully, there will be hot steam, and remove covered asparagus with tongs to avoid burning yourself. Carefully unwrap the asparagus, plate them, and season further if you like, the addition of a pat of butter or some superior quality olive oil is more than acceptable here. Note: This worked like a charm. I set my microwave for 3.5 minutes and the asparagus was a little overcooked, so I'll try half-a-minute less the next time. I ground sea salt on the asparagus before wrapping and it didn't need more afterward, but I did mix some olive oil, a smidgen of Dijon mustard and a splash of sherry vinegar in a small bowl (I know, those aren't very precise measurements) and I spread that over the cooked asparagus, delicious. If you're cooking for more than one person or your asparagus is thick or thin sized, you'll need more or less time in the microwave. Begin with 5 minutes for thick stalks and check for doneness after the 2-minute sitting time, microwave in short intervals if further cooking is required. And of course, less time is needed if you're using thin stalked asparagus. Enjoy!

Remuneration is an archaic word (often used by accountants and lawyers), often confused with renumeration... The first means payment and the latter means recount, so it can be better to skip confusion and use informal words. Though, of course, it's wise to know the definition when you do see words less often seen.

Sorry to hear you caught the bug, Steve.

I think I may name a female character Plaudet (just to make it slightly different) in a future story. It would be a good name, don't you think? Of course, I'll have to fuss with the spell check issue.

This has been up for a while, and no one has said the obvious yet so I will... Rob, if you're listening it's been too long since we've had a story from you. And... Yes, dear readers, I know it's been a while since you've had the pleasure of something new from me, too. There are plans to rectify this anomaly.

@AC Benus Oh, my! Whatever could that be for?!! Is there a movie playing on the other side?

This is funny for what it’s meant to hint at, and it is funny for just that reason. Although, anyone standing on the other side of the sheet would need to step upon a stool for this scenario to work well. Yet, still, the implication remains humorous.

This word always conjures up spy novels for me. Although... If I type the word into google search I get perfume, a downtown Portland hotel, an organizer to keep papers in (close) and fleet management and maintenance software to name just a few things. Weird!

I do very much hope all you have to do is press a button to get this information.

This qualifies as wonderful! I watched the whole video and I appreciate the emcee’s thoughtful exploration of Ms. Bassey’s vocal range and expression.

When I saw that you posted the photo of the man in the gallery I wondered, "Is this Zombie?" And if it is, "He looks rather intense."

Congratulations on your promotion, Mawgrim.

Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner!

How would you compare the books with the Amazon series?

Every time I make mashed I'm a potaster (which is what I first read), not to be confused with poetaster.

I had one and that one is exaggerating!

I would like to add that it’s entirely possible that it’s the way rigmarole is pronounced by the individual or region that’s responsible for the phantom ‘a’ in the middle. The word has three syllables rig-ma-role but when said quickly it sounds like ri-gm-a-role with the ‘gm’ making a sound like gam, as in gamble. As @drpaladin says it may just be that people in Northern Ohio, where I grew up, say rigmarole in such a way as to include the phantom ‘a’ in actual speech.

Anecdotal information: Growing up I’d always heard this word spoken as rigamarole — sort of like someone saying irregardless, I suppose.

For that one person (so far, I'm looking at you @astone2292) who expects extra hours of daylight... daylight saving time doesn't mean that the light lasts longer, we just move it around (sort of)!

We turn the clocks ahead this weekend. More diurnal activities available later in the day. Not that I’m a fan of the switch!

Fair enough said, all of it. For my part I have left many comments that were often detailed and were once considered reviews but are no longer. Since the change I haven't left actual reviews as they now stand and therefore no stars for anyone to get upset about.

What do you mean by "five-star review? Clearly stars are a simple rating apparatus and should not be viewed as a review per se. A review would be critiquing the story in words that express your critical appraisal of a story in clear wording along with a summary of reasoning. Anything less and you haven't reviewed anything. A star rating is merely a quick assessment and not a review and authors and readers should realize that distinction and act accordingly before the author reaches the conclusion that their effort is diminished and/or for a reader to decide whether to read a story or not. In the end, of course, someone else's star-rated opinion, whether given lightly or with considered thought, may not have any effect on another reader's actual enjoyment.

It’s all good! It just depends on how well you use your power.