Whatnot Wednesday —Smalltalk & Big #ThursdayDoors

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Ginger cat Daphne in hammock puzzled
Daphne: …What?  Whatnot?

Hello, one and all.  welcome to both Wednesday and Thursday.  My main “whatnot” for today is small talk.  Put that on your backburner, let it simmer, and then I’m going to ask you a question.  Although first, here are the other whatnots.

Whatnot Wednesday

Absinthe, a friend of Cornelis. Teagan via Night Cafe

In writing news… 

I’ve said this a few times, so I hesitate to say anything.  My Cornelis Drebbel steampunk fantasy adventure novel began ten years ago as a blog serial.  It’s been “almost ready” to be bookized for years.  I’ll spare you the epic details of all that.  I’d like to do a cover reveal, but I keep changing my mind about the exact title.  The original title was long. I shortened it. Then I realized that it needs to “identify” both that it’s Cornelis and include “the alchemist.” It does. Don’t argue with me on that. 

Felicity beside road locomotive
Another friend of Cornelis, Felicity, the narrator

Small talk… 

Since I’m veering close to my own taboo, let me remind everyone that we don’t talk about politics, religion, or shame anyone’s various lifestyle choices.

I know that things are tough all over, that life and the world is in the toilet for everybody.  I find that whenever I talk about the day-to-day typical things most of us use when we keep in touch with one another, I sound all “Woe is me.”  That even applies to the universal standard topic of small talk — the weather.

Leaving out family and weather… What would your alternative “small talk” topic be?

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Thursday Doors

NASA Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Control Center, 2011
NASA Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Control Center, 2011 Wikipedia

Now, let’s go from “small” to “large.”  I don’t expect anyone else’s brain to work this way… but while I was thinking of small talk, I wondered what kind of door I could use. Naturally (?) I thought, “Where is the largest door?”   To the best of my research and knowledge the answer is, the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Control Center at Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida.

In the past, the facility was known as the Vertical Assembly Building.  With the advent of not-so vertical craft like the space shuttle, the word “vertical” was changed to vehicle.  Do you see that broad black area behind the rocket in the photo below? That is not a shadow, it’s that big door.

Artemis 1 First Rollout, Kennedy Center VAB. 2022 Kim Shiflett Wikipedia

Below, the Space Shuttle Atlantis is rolled out of the vehicle assembly building.

Space Shuttle Atlantis is rolled out of the building. Wikipedia
Space Shuttle Atlantis, Wikipedia

The next photograph shows the Saturn 5 vehicle for the Apollo 4 mission in the Vehicle Assembly Building. After the completion of the assembly operation, the work platform was retracted, and the vehicle was readied to rollout from the VAB to the launch pad.  I don’t see a door anywhere, but just imagine how huge that area must have been.

Saturn 5 rocket for Apollo 4, Wikipedia

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Did we boldly go where no Doors post has gone before?  I rather doubt it, because there are a lot of creative Dooristas out there.  Thanks for opening this door.  Friendly comments are encouraged.  Hugs!

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I must include the obligatory shameless self-promotion.

Real Steampunkery Tech: True Contraptions of the Steam and Diesel ErasRevised cover "Real Steampunkery Tech: True Contraptions of the Steam and Victorian Eras

Universal Purchase Links

E-book:  relinks.me/B0DHC6JFVT

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0DHD9BSJB

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Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. It’s hosted by Dan Antion.  Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing your link in the comments below, anytime between 12:01 am Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time).

2025 other doors badge

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Copyright © 2025 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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60 thoughts on “Whatnot Wednesday —Smalltalk & Big #ThursdayDoors”

  1. I never thought about where the rockets were assembled. I guess I thought they were built out in the open, which doesn’t make sense, now I come to think about it. Well, thanks for the reality check! 😀

    There was a time when small talk could be about books, but now I guess it’s TV shows, network or streaming. If I’m talking to a kid, we can usually dive into video games (I’m a Minecraft peaceful survival fan).

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  2. What a great exercise in contrasts! And, though you skirted close to your own taboos, I had to laugh at your comment about how life is in the toilet. All the better to think about the small and the large. Small talk for me? That’s an interesting question. I have no idea. Apparently, after the weather, I’m done. As for that ten-year incubation, I can only congratulate you on coping with writer’s birth pains. Non-writers have no idea.

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    1. LOL, this novel has gotten shelved (for so much reasons) so many times that I’ve lost count. It actually has a large/small contrast that I didn’t think to mention. The tiny hallucinogenic-farting Green Fairy’s counterpart is a huge dragon.
      Ha! Not only is “life” in the toilet, it’s a clogged toilet. 🚽 🙊 Hugs!

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  5. My small talk (when I’m forced to make it) usually reverts to books, movies, or pets. I’d love to see that door at NASA up close and personal. Daphne has that look of “May I help you since you’ve interrupted my me time?” Hugs to you and the Scoobies, Teagan!

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    1. Haha. She really cracked me up with that expression, Teri. Books and TV are great topics. Admittedly, I know some people with whom there’s just no “good” topic these days… Maybe I should take a vow of silence… Hmmm… 😉 Have a wonderful weekend. Hug winging back to you — and Bond!

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  7. Oh Teagan, I am very excited to hear that My Cornelis Drebbel steampunk fantasy adventure novel will soon be here – book sized. My small talk is always about the books I’m reading. A great Thursday doors post that is “out of this world” brilliant. Sending hugs on speedy wings.

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    1. Hi, Rebecca. I’ve made good progress with it this week. I’ve also been creating images to make a video trailer, which is added fun. I wrote it 10 years ago, but reran the serial in 2018… I’ve mentioned it a good bit, but I don’t think we were blog acquainted then. Anyhow I think you would love the no-holds-barred all out whimsy of that story. Absinthe is a tiny fairy creature who has hallucination-inducing farts. My version of Cornelis is inspired by Broadway’s Terence Mann (as far as how he acts, and his voice). But of course, the real Cornelis Drebbel invented the first navigable submarine in the 1600s. The whole idea started when I was researching (I don’t remember what) and found his name on a list of alchemists.

      Dust storms here today (the second day this week). Low visibility. It’s as if the mountains are no longer there. My asthma hates it… But the Scoobies are doing fine and that’s all I care about. Hugs winging back to you and to Don.

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  8. Hi Teagan, well done on Cornelis Drebbel book progress. I know I have read about him but it can’t be the original series as I haven’t been blogging for 10 years. It will be eight years in October this year. I love that great big door. A super Thursday Doors find.

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  9. I like where your mind went with the door! I never thought to ask myself where is the largest door? That’s a cool door and place.

    Small talk…hum, well topics I might bring up are photography, birds, wildlife, things blooming or not at the moment, books we’re reading now, books on TBR pile, show/movies recently watched, fashion, make-up…art. Speaking of art Your Absinthe is adorable!

    I hope you’re having a great week. 🤗

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    1. Good topics, Deborah. I think a lot of people could talk about bird sightings, even those (like me) who don’t know many of their names. Thanks about Absinthe. He’s a cutie, but just don’t startle him… 😀 Have a lovely rest of the week. Hugs.

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  10. Teagan, I must say your take on doors is out of this world. I adore unique, and that is a great word for you.

    Small talk! CATS!!!!! The Scoobies, Misha, Tim’s cats, the big cats, all cats, any cats….

    Gee I hope I didn’t steamroll cats into big talk.

    Hugs to you and the Scoobies!

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    1. Oooo… “out of this world doors” there’s an idea! Cat-talk, absolutely. Someone commented about “bulking up” re Daphne’s photo. Like mom, like cat, I guess. Although now I’m compelled to post a more flattering picture of her. Chin rubs to Misha. Hugs winging back to you. ❤

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      1. When I read “Oooo… “out of this world doors” there’s an idea!” – I saw, in my mind, the opening to “The Twilight Zone” the door that is just floating in outer space.

        Well, I think Daphne look just fine.

        Chin rubs, will do! YES! Misha loves a good chin rub.
        HUGS!!!

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  11. Good luck with bookizing Cornelius (and the Alchemist). Take your time and get it right, so you’re happy with it, Teagan. 🙂 I know it will be a super story.

    And HUGE doors. Lol. That was a fun look at NASA’s doors. I never considered that those “vehicles” would need a place to be constructed and then moved out-doors. Quite a feat!

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  13. Since all my favorite topics are verboten, I’d default to kids and pets. Both are continuously entertaining. NASA is my neighbor. Here we have the largest swimming pool in the world, it’s also the deepest. You can put a space shuttle in it with lots of space left over. The astronauts put on space suits adapted for deep water diving and practice weightless tasks in the open shuttle bay. Now that we don’t shuttle anymore, there is a lot less pool time for the astronauts. I know they miss it. Can you imagine on a balmy winter day at Kennedy someone is always squawking about who left the door open.

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  15. Wow! Those are big doors! For small talk I go with family, pets, and books. I stay as far a way from politics and news as possible. Love Felicity and hope she will be on the cover of the next book. Hugs to you and the scoobies from across the pond. xo

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    1. Indeed they are large. I don’t think I can imagine how big that building must be, Darlene.
      Many thanks about Felicity. The cover has her standing (smaller) behind Cornelis. Although it’s a different “Felicity.” Amazon requires authors to sign-off on a statement that they have not used AI in illustrations or covers. Many of the images I use here (including that one) are computer generated. The “Felicity” here is a computer generated image (CGI), so I won’t be using it. Big hugs winging back to you.

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    1. Thank you, John. I’m happy you liked the idea. There was a beautiful golden looking (from the lights) photo of the interior of the building, and darn if I couldn’t find my way back to that one. Thinking about the space program stirs the memory of a childlike hope, belief, and positivity in me.
      Congrats on the great reviews for your latest book. Hugs winging back to you.

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  17. Small talk, mmmm. We usually cover weather, family, and politics (but only if it’s a mutually acceptable topic), So those are out. After that, probably travel (where we’ve been, where we’re going), food, movies and TV shows. And of course, with us old folks, ailments!

    Head rubs to the Scoobies.

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  18. The difficult thing about small talk for me is avoiding topics when they are bought up by others. So many people seem to have an agenda these days. Even the small talk of replying to comments seems to drift from the lane on occasion. When people are upset, small talk seems to coalesce around the subjects causing discomfort. Hobbies, sports and occasionally the weather seem to be the only safe havens.

    I love seeing Absinthe, and I love the doors you shared. Years ago, I took a friend to tour the Space Center. Long enough ago that one of the Shuttles was on the pad. That building, and those doors were magnificent. They told up during the tour that those are indeed the biggest doors on the planet.

    I hope you have a wonderful week, Teagan. Give those kitty girls a scritch from me.

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    1. Ugh! I know what you mean about people bringing up unwanted topics and having agendas. You are so right. Since I realize how badly I get triggered, I have an unfortunate tendency to bluntly say “I can’t talk about that. We need to talk about something else.” However, even more unfortunately, many people seem to take that to mean that they absolutely MUST keep talking about it — they just try to talk faster. (eye roll). Ooh yes, hobbies — that’s a great idea.
      I’m happy you liked the doors. Thinking about the space program stirs the memory of a childlike hope, belief, and positivity in me. That seems so long ago and faraway.
      The Scoobies send you a purr. Hugs.

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      1. “However, even more unfortunately, many people seem to take that to mean that they absolutely MUST keep talking about it — they just try to talk faster.”

        Teagan, that comment could be part of a standup comedy routine. It’s so true!

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  20. I found this article really enjoyable and I thank you for the interesting information and photos you provided.
    I wish you all the luck with your Cornelis Drebbel fantasy adventure novel l and ask you to give Daphne a pat on the back for me 💗💗💗

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    1. Daphne loves all sorts of petting, Luisa. She graciously accepts. 🙂 ❤ The novel is coming along. Now I'm mostly going over the formatting with a fine toothed comb, because of Amazon publishing's bizarre problems. Many thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs.

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  22. Now your doors seriously rock! Daphne is catastic. I think Daphne needs to have a chat with Herbert, the slightly still, but previously feral kitten. Herbert will not eat human food or water, so he maintains that feral lean profile, do you think Daphne could give him some tips on bulking up a bit? She is adorable. And so are you!

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    1. Hi, Cindy. Darn. I just tried to email you and it came back as undeliverable. I thought it would be fun to do a “Scoobies” post with Daphne and Velma disagreeing about food advice to Herbert. If that sounds fun to you, please send me at least one photo of him to use for the post (or a link to where you’ve already posted his pictures).
      .
      Daphne (yes, is a little plump) is a long-legged, pretty large cat. It’s hard to imagine her being comfortable, having to bunch herself up in that hammock, but she loves it. Much smaller Velma, conversely, lolls out in the biggest cat bed. 🐱 Hugs.

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  23. Small Talk…Firstly I think Absinthe, is so very, very striking and cute…for the last few years life has been challenging -sigh therefore I haven’t read as much whether it be books or blogs however I was a fan of your Cornelis Drebbel steampunk fantasy-can I think of a shorter title nothing springs to mind but I’m sure you or someone else will…That certainly is quite large door…Did you know? The worlds smallest functional door is in Amberg, Germany and that folding doors take up the most minimum of space…I would be quite good on a quiz team for the most useless information …lol…Thats enough of my chatter for now…Hugs xoxo

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    1. How cool about the smallest door, Carol! Small was my first thought, but I didn’t think I would be able to find it. (Haha, not because it was microscopic.) AI has taken over search engines (even when people assume they are not using AI, it’s part of every publicly available web search.) And I knew the search results would be messed up…
      Oh! Trivia is a brilliant small talk idea. Thanks for visiting. Hugs winging back to you.

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      1. Isn’t that the truth, Teagan even in our house we can all search the same thing and get different results I know it’s partly because of our search hisitory but I don’t want some program assuming what I am looking for we miss out on sooooo much because of that -sigh- Hugs x

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  24. I think you got the largest doors, Teagan, because even ancient temples and big churches I think can’t compare. As per small talk… It depends on the person, I guess. Family news (when appropriate), pets, hobbies, holidays, books or films or sports (it can be tricky)… Do take care, Tegan, and I look forward to more news on your project. (Titles can be a joy or a nightmare and often both). Love to the Scoobies!

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