John Bredesen

I’m reading a comic!

I know that isn’t a big deal, but it is the first story comic I’ve regularly read. Far Side, Zits, Bloom County, Calvin & Hobbs, and Doonesbury were all regulars back when they were new.

Not sure how I found it, and I’m pretty sure it is YA, but, damn, is it good. Visuals are great and the story line is sweet. Details below.

Part of the appeal is that it isn’t a “our world will be destroyed” type of plot. Frankly, I’m tired of those.

Recommended.

A Spell for a Smith | WEBTOON

A shy witch in her quiet forest cottage. A surly dwarf in his blacksmith’s forge. Both seeking solace in their respective refuge, but both aching for more. Though drawn to each other’s kindness, they can’t deny the gentle chemistry simmering beneath their every interaction… just as their secrets do.

https://www.webtoons.com/en/fantasy/a-spell-for-a-smith/list?title_no=6078
My writing tech stack
Posting this to have a link to share. Here is my tech stack.

Foundation first.
- Windows: Desktop & Laptop. The desktop is mostly used by my wife and we share the laptop based on who needs it during travel. We both have some Windows-only tasks.
- Chromebook: When one of us needs the Windows laptop, the other gets this one.
Primary Software
- I write using Dabble Writer, an excellent tool who #1 design goal is simplicity. It has all the important features (plotting hierarchy that be organized visually, clean-sheet writing, character sheets, and story notes). It’s runs all my computers and every phone I’ve ever had.
- Unfortunately, I need to use MS-Word for interacting with editors and publishers.
- I also do book layout work as a side gig. For that, I use Adobe InDesign. Perhaps more complicated that I need, but I have spent the time learning it and it gives me the most flexibility in my layouts.
- Gemini is fast becoming important software for non-writing-words things. I use Gemini because Google included it another subscription I have, not because I think it is the best. I imagine the others would be fine.
Other Stuff
- I am an Android user. I started back with the original Motorola Droid and haven’t felt a need to change. Dabble runs on just fine on Android so I can write anywhere. Especially helpful standing in lines.
- Just switched from my old Task Manager to Google Tasks/Gemini. So far so good. I wasn’t using the features I was paying for.
Local Perkins

We went to Perkins the other day. We love going out for breakfast and our normal place was too busy. So Perkins it was.

On our way out, I noticed a Little Library in the lobby. And puzzles. A couple of dozen for sale for $3. I started looking through puzzles.

One of the servers came over. That’s her in the pic. She explained the puzzles were from donations and the money went to Give the World Village. She told us about all the things the group did.

It was a cool thing. Certainly it was different from lobbies of other restaurants. We have puzzles at home we plan to donate.
Fortune Cookie, Oct 2026

I like this one. While it isn’t technically a fortune, I like the sentiment.
The case of disappearing candy

Parents are responsible for unveiling various mysteries of life. One of them is the fact that Halloween candy evaporates. Sceptics claim it isn’t possible. I’m here to tell you it is.

From the time my kids starting trick or treating, we would store the candy buckets on the fridge to control candy consumption. But during the next few weeks, the candy level dropped faster than the kids consumed it.

This started long before they could they could reach the top of the fridge.

The only theory that makes sense is the Candy Evaporation Theory. While scientists don’t fully understand it, evidence points to the interaction between a few of the chemical ingredients and sloppy packaging.

It is also just a coincidence that I stopped talking about it when they got old enough to understand cause and effect.

Truly.

The Flannel

I’m reading a comic!

My writing tech stack

Local Perkins

Fortune Cookie, Oct 2026

The case of disappearing candy