Goal Post: Blizzard of ’26 And The Aftermath

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

So, we got hit by a pretty bad storm last weekend.  It started on Sunday, but the worst happened overnight into Monday.  My dad and I were lucky to have gone out to clean the cars and do some shoveling in the evening.  This made the morning easier, but it was still a pain.  The wind made it that we had spots with barely any snow next to drifts that were around 15-18 inches deep.  This meant we got a total of over 20 inches before the storm actually stopped.  Apparently, this one was the worst on record, so take that everyone who goes ‘This is nothing compared to the blizzard of ’78’.

The aftermath resulted in us getting two snow days, which won’t take away from spring break due to the governor declaring a state of emergency.  Thankful for that because it would have been my half that we lost.  The days off also helped us clear more out, especially after the one time the plow came through.  I don’t know what was going on, but the roads are still a mess.  Snow is piled on the corners, which means you can’t see what is coming without sticking your car’s nose into the street.  Some people haven’t cleared their sidewalks and crossing streets is nearly impossible since you have a wall of ice in your way.  Total headache, which is gradually going away.

I had my son for the snow days too, so we got to spend time hanging out.  He’s trying to teach himself some basic coding, which he did while I shoveled, rested from shoveling, and worked on May blog posts.  He’s 16 and wants to do his own stuff at times.  Have to accept that as a parent, but he still enjoys having lunch with me and watching our cartoons at night.  I think this hurts a bit more than it normally would because my brain reminds me that I missed about half of his teenager years due to the 50/50 custody.  Not the best way to look at it, but there’s been a lot of events that he’s had to miss because he wasn’t with me at the time.  So, I give him space and ask that we do some things together.

After finishing Darwin & the Joy Path, I’m trying to focus on ‘Phi Beta Files’ and setting up blog posts.  I’m proud to say I’ve already gotten most of May set up since I’m reposting ‘mental health and writing’ posts.  As for ‘Phi Beta’, I’m struggling with the finale outline.  I have to figure out various pieces first and then set up the 10 short stories.  I keep wanting to start the whole thing with them being sent on a mission that is supposed to get them killed.  They’re still a gang of effective idiots, so I don’t know if I should have them succeed and return to face the real problem at the academy.  Part of me feels like they would leave as soon as they realized they weren’t supposed to survive.  That would get the person who set them up really riled up and possibly have their destructive meltdown (the main plot) be more believable.

On top of this, I’m still trying to figure out what the difference between a witch and a caster is in Windemere.  Both use magic, so why would a witch be different?  I already have song casters, time casters, channelers, wand-only casters, and other subcategories.  I can’t figure out why the ‘Coven of the Gray’ would be unique.  I even considered them being casters who lost their aura, but still have magic.  That makes them undead though and that would be more like a lich . . . Unless . . . I mean, witch and lich rhyme.  I still have no idea what I’m planning.

With it being a full week of school/work, I’m not going to plan much beyond finishing up blog posts and tinkering with outlines. This weekend is the big end of season Pokemon Go event, so I’ll be walking in the park for most of today and a chunk of tomorrow.  The amount I walk around tomorrow depends entirely on how I do today.  Not going to go for the full 8 hours nonstop though.  I’m taking a break at 1 pm to get lunch and then I’ll head back out.  By the evening, I’ll be tired, but I should still be able to tackle ‘Phi Beta Files’ a bit.  Not having a book to write has me feeling lazy in terms of production, but I can’t tackle a project like that yet.  March has too many meetings and appointments, which is causing stress.

So, what are the goals for the week?

  1. Catch all the Pokemon on my list this weekend.
  2. Catch all the Pokemon on my son’s list in case he isn’t allowed to go.
  3. Work on ‘Phi Beta Files’.
  4. Finish May blog posts.
  5. Jigsaw puzzle!
  6. Relax because it’s a long trek towards spring break.
  7. Settle some personal stuff.
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Questions 3: Getting Back Into Writing

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

So, I’ve voiced my opinion about getting back into writing.  Today, I want to know what other people think about picking up the pen/pencil/laptop again.  I’m sure many authors have had to take a break and return, but I feel it’s different for everyone.  To be clear, I’m talking about sitting down to write a new book after a long break.

  1. Have you ever had to take a long break from writing and how did that affect you?
  2. What is something you would do to help get back into writing?
  3. What advice would you give to someone who is returning to writing after a long break?
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Poetry Day: The Challenge of the First Step

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

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(This one stems from a time when I had trouble getting out of bed in the morning.  I had a job that was soul-crushing and amped up my anxiety issues to the point where I would cry in the car.  Glad I’m not there anymore.)

I feel a weight
That presses on my chest
And locks my limbs in place
Unable to kill the alarm
That blares above my head

 

It is the morning struggle
That proves I am not dead
Though my will is weak
I continue to breathe air
And to live a life of pain

 

I battle to move on
Twitching weeping muscles
With a stagnant brain
Getting only spasms
Along my shaky spine

 

Eventually I move a leg
My foot dangling
Inches above the floor
It touches down
And locks itself in place

 

The alarm has gone too long
It’s droning now a whine
I use it to drag me up
With both feet on the floor
Forced to live this day

 

When did this begin?
These mornings of near death
Forcing me to tears
That have no solid cause
Beyond the stress I hold

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7 Tips to Returning to Writing

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

It isn’t easy getting back to any hobby.  Writing can be very tricky since skills can get rusty and confidence can falter pretty quickly.  So, what are some ways to return and not run away in shame?

  1. If you’re really nervous, you might want to start slow.  Design a character, work on an outline, or just write a page.  This can help you figure out where your skills and focus are sitting.  Once you get an idea of where you stand, you can work on improving and pushing forward.
  2. Remember that writing is a skill that you can never fully perfect.  There will always be new things to learn or adjustments you wish to make.  So, getting back into it isn’t that much different than continuing without a break.
  3. Ignore people who try to remind you that you either quit or were forced to stop.  It’s clear they were never in your corner to begin with.
  4. It might not be a bad idea to take time to read your old creations.  This is risky because you could pick out your mistakes.  On the other hand, you could find all of the things you did right.  This can help you mentally get back to where you were before you had to take a break.
  5. Always have your favorite snack or drink nearby.  Doesn’t hurt to have things around to keep you calm and happy.  Big part of writing is being in the right mindset.  Don’t knock the physical objects that trigger a helpful dose of dopamine.
  6. If your confidence is really low and doesn’t improve over time, you might want to read author blogs and short bios.  Not so much to see what they say about writing or any story tips.  Read about their own struggles.  Knowing that even the ones who made it to the top of the heap had trouble can make you feel better.  It means you’re just as human and capable as they are.
  7. Try to always remember to have fun with your stories.
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Heroes of Windemere Profile: Kira Grasdon

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

(Last, but not least.  Definitely one of the unluckiest characters of the series.)

 

Kira Grasdon By Kayla Matt

Kira Grasdon By Kayla Matt

Hair– Black
Eyes– Green
Race– Human
Hometown– Bor’daruk
Career– Warrior/Merchant
Weapon(s) of Choice– Kusari-Gama
Debut Book– Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero

Not a champion or a character that appears in every volume, Kira Grasdon still plays a major player for the heroes.  Throughout the series, she takes the role of Luke Callindor’s fiancee, Nyx’s childhood rival, Sari’s adult rival, source of transport, and occasional ally in battle.

The oldest child of the Grasdon Merchant Family, she is not able to go on the adventures, but finds herself pulled into the events as the prophecy gets closer to its finale.  Starting as another student at Hamilton Military Academy, Kira is not warrior material.  She is clumsy, whines, and complains to the point where people wonder why Selenia doesn’t expel her.  At least she appears that way since she is a ‘master of masks’.  After a rebellious early childhood, Kira learned to read people and become what they wanted.  Her most common facade has been that of a spoiled, bratty noble, which worked for the high class world she survived in.

Things change due to her romance with Luke Callindor and Kira changes the most out of every character.  No longer wanting to be what others want her to be, she crafts a new persona that feels natural and meshes with her fiancée.  Every appearance shows an evolved version and reveals that she has been maturing, which includes accepting the consequences of some of her bigger mistakes.

Kira would also go on to star in the spin-off, Quest of the Brokenhearted:

Cover Art by Sean Harrington

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Returning to Writing

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

Gandalf

Last year I finished editing and started writing a new book for the first time in about 2 years or so.  It was kind of nerve-wracking because I had a lot of imposter syndrome and other flavors of doubt.  Still, I did it and then it got me thinking about the act of getting back into writing.

It’s weird to be nervous about getting back into writing when I was doing it on some level since I was 15.  There were long periods of time where I only worked on outlines.  For example, the 4.5 years in Florida were entirely outlining and editing the books I had finished.  Still, I was doing something in regards to writing, so I never felt like I was taking a break from it.  Then again, I was editing the whole time I wasn’t writing anything new, so why the difference?

This is just a theory and might only pertain to me.  Prior to publishing and tasting any success as an author, I was tinkering and dreaming.  So, being forced to not touch my outlines and notebooks didn’t mean I was going backwards.  I returned to the same position I was in before. After publishing, I kept feeling like any pause on working on my books was a period of time where I hemorrhaged what little progress I had. Not being able to afford cover art or advertising added to this, but not writing anything at all for a long time almost felt like I had given up.

So, the return to writing in this situation felt almost like coming out of retirement.  I wasn’t sure if I should be trying. I couldn’t tell if I retained any of my skills as an author or if I was a shadow of my former self.  Chapter sections would feel too short or lacking or repetitive or too long or something that made me walk away for a break more often than I used to.  Every sentence that didn’t feel right or a plot issue that forced me to rethink the story was like a knife stabbing me in the face.  Going in with blind confidence has never been my thing, but this was me writing in spite of a voice telling me that I already failed as an author.

Again, that’s from me and certain events have made me fairly pessimistic about me ever doing well again.  For others, returning to writing can bring a sense of relief.  I won’t deny that I felt this when I would get into the the story and forget my issues.  So, there’s a positive energy coming from returning to writing, which makes sense.  An author loves writing and there’s a part of their core that will always want to do it.  It simply differs from person to person since we possess different personalities.

I think there’s a difference if you’re returning to a series or starting something entirely new as well. With a series, you can read what came before and get back into the story.  It isn’t perfect, but you don’t feel like you’re starting from zero.  That’s the case if you tackle a new series.  Maybe you have an outline or character notes, which can help.  You still run into the ‘new adventure’ tension that adds to the ‘return to writing’ anxiety, so you can become a bigger mess.  At least with established books and characters, you have a solid foundation to help you regain your confidence.

In the end, a person who loves writing will eventually return.  Whether it be to publish or write for themselves, they’ll do it if the spark is still alive.  Doesn’t make it any easier, especially for those who aren’t naturally brimming with confidence.  It’s been about 7 moths and I’m still unsure if I still have any of my previous skills.  If not then I’m writing something terrible, but I won’t know for a while if ever.  That really doesn’t help my confidence, so I’m going to go now.

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The Bumpy Snailfish

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

This little guy is only about 3 inches long and is found deep in the ocean at over 10,000 feet.  They were discovered in 2025 using robots in Monterey Canyon.  Here are some other facts about this new discovery:

  • As you’ll see in the pictures below, they’re adorable.
  • Snailfish have a suction cup on their underbellies to help them attach to rocks.
  • While they are a fish, snailfish have no scales and have jelly-like bodies to help survive the pressure of their environment.
  • They also possess special proteins that help survive the pressure.

Before going to the pictures, there is another importance to discovering the bumpy snailfish.  It demonstrates how little we have explored and know about our oceans, which are at risk.  Every new discovery can help show people that we need to protect the oceans and continue exploring.  Some of the plants and animals we find can lead to cures of our diseases or answers to settling ecological problems.  More importantly, every animal is essential to their ecosystem.  The more we know about them, the more we understand the world we are living in.

Now, for the pictures:

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Goal Post: A Winter of Break

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

I don’t feel like I was successful this week, but I was.  Only goals that I failed to accomplish were finishing the April blog posts and tinkering with ‘Phi Beta Files’.  To be fair, I’m only 1 away from that first goal and I tried started at the second one.  No idea what happened there beyond I had gone out to a bar with a friend beforehand.  The bartender had some experimental drinks that she wanted to try and I agreed to be a guinea pig.  Wasn’t drunk, but was buzzed to the point of mellowness.  Anyway . . .

All of that means I finished writing Darwin & the Joy Path.  It got pretty hairy at a few points due to some unexpected appointments.  Managed to slip in some writing between those to not fall too far behind.  Then, I used Wednesday to write an entire chapter, which I haven’t done in about 2 years.  Guess it wasn’t that hard because it was the final one and the final section was the 1.5 page foreshadowing for the next book.  I might have to go back to Darwin & the Fate Bracelet for some continuity questions, but I think having this item on a returning character could just be something they picked up over time.

The weather was decent enough that I had fun going out for a few Pokemon events last weekend.  I ended up being in the park longer than expected, but only because I ended up socializing.  Seems it had been weeks since most players hit the area due to the frigid temps and lingering piles of snow.  So, there was a lot catching up and discussing how things might work not weekend.  It’s the big end of season event, which spans the entire weekend with a lot of fun stuff to do.  This another reason why I was determined to finish Darwin & the Joy Path during this break.  Means I don’t have to go 3 weeks with only the closing chapter to do.

All writing basically stopped once my son came home for my half of the break.  We went to the zoo on Thursday, but it wasn’t a picture heavy outing.  Not that it wasn’t fun, but things are low key there during the winter.  My son was observing animals to see if any inspired him to make monsters for a future video game.  I’m trying to teach him my tricks for creature creation, which depends a lot on having animal knowledge.  It kept him off his phone for most of the trip too, which was interesting.  Think he figured out over 30 critters, but he isn’t sharing.

We aren’t having the a lazy break either.  Family visited yesterday and he has his own plans today.  Tomorrow is supposed to be when we get hit by another blizzard, which goes into Monday.  We bought food to make for when we’re stuck inside.  You can tell we are working around ‘big events’ to do our own things.  I still plan on preparing blog posts and outlining while he is designing monsters and trying to teach himself some basic computer coding.  There’s us watching shows together and video games.

Speaking of video games, I did buy the ‘Castlevania’ bundle only to be reminded how brutal the first game from the 80’s could be.  No cheats, easy way to farm lives, easy to find health, or enemies who stay dead.  I feel like the game is set to hard mode too because I don’t remember taking this much damage from one hit back in the day.  I think I can still reach the same place I usually failed.  My son got destroyed by the first level and decided he wasn’t into old games.  It’s going to be rough when I make an honest attempt.

Next week is going to be fairly crazy.  I’m scared to make any goals because of how things are looking.  It starts with a possible blizzard, which could give us a snow day.  Then, we go back to school/work while there are piles of snow around. Driving will be messy and all the kids are going to be thrown off.  Leading up to the Pokemon Go season finale will be nightly events, but the weather and roads might not allow for me to easily get to them.  It’s going to all end with the big event next weekend.  Last time I did one of those was in November and I ended up getting the bacterial infection over the course of that.  Needless to say, I’m a little nervous.

There’s a lot of other things going on too, which I can’t get into.  My son is doing better, but the Disney trip debacle still comes up with him asking why the person did it.  I have no answer and neither does the person.  Feels like much of my parenting time lately has been playing damage control for other people.  Tired of trying to explain the actions of others towards my son when I don’t even agree with them.  He knows I’m doing my best and trying to be the bigger person, especially since I can’t hide my exhaustion at having to do this over and over and over again.  Hopefully, I get a day off from this mess when we’re just hanging out between shovel outings.

Goals of the week?

  1. Spend time with son.
  2. Finish April blog posts.
  3. Shovel if blizzard hits.
  4. Work on ‘Phi Beta Files’ outlines.
  5. Play Pokemon Go as best I can with the weather.
  6. Stay warm.
  7. Get extra sleep.
  8. Puzzle time to relax.
  9. Go back to work.
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A Little More to the Left

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

Princess Bride

Torturer– “I’ll get you to talk.”

Prisoner– “Never!”

T- “Your lips will flap when I start using these.”

P- “Don’t make me . . . They meeting at the docks tomorrow night at 9.”

T- “You won’t be laughing for long. Wait, did you just give me what I wanted?”

P- “Yes.”

T- “Talk about ruining my fun. Why?”

P- “Your tools look really like they could really hurt. That one doesn’t look clean and I don’t want an infection.”

T- “I dip them in the antibacterial liquid right before usage. I’m not a monster.”

P- “Oh, I thought that was an acid.”

T- “Never work with the stuff.  Makes too much of a mess and I hate the smell. Big risk of spilling it on myself.”

P- “That makes sense.”

T- “Soooo . . . I get paid by the hour, so I need to do something.”

P- “But I have nothing else to tell you.”

T- “There has to be something. Any weaknesses of your allies?”

P- “Nothing to speak of.  We could just hang out. I think there’s a boardgame in the cabinet over there.”

T- “It’s Monopoly, which I only use when I need to turn prisoners against each other.”

P- “I always wondered if that game was a torture device. Are they watching?”

T- “No. I need you to look exhausted and pained. Maybe I can give you a cut on the top of the foot and you can smear the blood on other parts.”

P- “Sure since you clean your tools.  What’s the feather for?”

T- “I need you to make some loud noises, so I’m just going to tickle you before making a cut.

P- “Please don’t.  Here’s another secret.  I have a fear of bald cupcakes.”

T- “You mean muffins?”

P- “Is that what they’re called?”

T- “Now I’m not sure who is being tortured.”

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Poetry Day: The Burning Lamb

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

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(Not 100% certain where the title came from.  The poem is about people who live entirely for others.  Not the sacrificial types who help those in need.  It’s about those who are raised to put themselves second and never attempt to do anything other than support those around them.)

How does one live

Without a sense of self

Born and trained

To always do for others

Put those around you ahead

Leaving your own wants

Your own tender ambitions

Stored in a satchel that you always carry

And rarely opened to the light of day

Asking for one’s own benefit

Is met with criticism

Accusations of selfishness

Declarations that one must give

And never complain

Such an action is hated

For the ones at the bottom

Should never whine to those standing

Heavy upon their crumbling shoulders

Is there anyone who will sacrifice

For those that always give

And rarely receive what they truly want

A scrap of time to dream

A second to indulge the heart

And forget that their life

Is always lived for others

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