Happy Mother's Day...Moments in Time

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

I thought I'd share a poem I wrote when my youngest daughter had her first baby.

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Moments in Time, I Remember


Ten little fingers,
And ten little toes,
A little cherub face,
With a little scabbed nose!

Always a blanket,
You kept at your side,
I bought you a new one,
When at daycare you cried!

Climbing the apple tree,
Against Mommy's rule,
Your dog bit your savior,
Now that wasn't cool!

From pierced ears to braces,
Your dimples stayed true,
From playing the flute,
To track running, too!

Riding the unicycle,
On hot summer days,
Keeping us laughing,
With your funny ways!

High school and homecoming,
Wrecking the car,
Blue jeans and prom dresses,
Following your star.

Graduation and modeling,
"Borrowing" my clothes,
From baby to woman,
How fast the time goes!

"Mom will you make me,
A white satin gown?"
"Pearls and lace,
And a veil for my crown?"

These things I remember,
And memories hold dear,
Smiling, and laughing,
And shedding a tear.

And now, you're a mother,
A new page begins,
In the circle of life,
Mother, daughter, friends!

Thanks for stopping by!

Do You Have an Amazon Account?

If any of my readers have read JOSHUA'S HOPE and have an account at Amazon, would you please write a review on Amazon for me?

And, if you haven't read it, what are you waiting for? You can purchase it from my publisher, White Rose Publishing. The link is on my website. Or you can go to http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/ and search for the title, or by my name.

One of the ladies at my church purchased the book on Monday and on Tuesday morning she contacted me to say how much she loved the book. She started reading on Monday and couldn't wait to wake up on Tuesday to finish it. She said I should have issued a tissue alert with the book.  It really makes all the pain of writing worth the effort when you receive positive feedback.

Now, I've got to get these two manuscripts I'm working on finished and into the hands of my publisher.  : )

Thanks for stopping by!

Is the World Your Trash Can?

I'm so upset. What is with all these people tossing trash out their car windows? Don't they own trash cans, or do they believe the world is their trash can?

I remember when litter was a huge problem, and signs started being posted that people would be fined for littering. I remember the commercials where a stately native american cried over the polluted earth. Eventually, the world became a cleaner place in which to live. But, something happened over the past few years. The signs disappeared, the commercials disappeared, and the world became infested with inconsiderate litterers with driver's licenses.

Come on, people! Wake up! Don't you have a trash can at home? Dispose of your trash in your own yard.

Excuse me, I'm going to take my blood pressure pill now.  Thanks for stopping by today and listening to me vent.

Ah, If Only...

I've been sitting at this computer for an hour and forty-five minutes trying to get caught up on all my obligations. I had promised a critique to a friend who is entering a contest, so I had to write that and send it off. Then came emails. Lots of emails because of the RWA conference changing from Nashville to Orlando. That means I can't go as planned because it isn't in driving distance. RWA board did a fantastic job of relocating and keeping the same dates. All this was accomplished in just a few short days! Miraculous! I'd love to go to Orlando. I have so many fond memories of the last time hubby and I stayed at a Walt Disney resort. We had a blast. I've always dreamed of going back, but alas, with hubby's health he can't travel any longer. I could leave him for a few days, but there is no way I will fly. Well, I can't flap my arms and soar on air currents, but I mean I won't utilize an airline to transport me. I used to fly all the time in a previous job and I didn't like it then. Now that I don't have to fly, I'm not going to put myself through that. Driving for two days is not my cup of tea. That's too long on the road. I guess I've become a home body. I love my home, my yard, my hubby, my pets...I have no desire to leave the comfort of "my little world."

When our life circumstances change, it's hard to not long to do things we can no longer do. But, if we look for the beauty in what we do have, we make our own happiness or depression. I prefer happiness. I look outside at the sunshine, the beautiful green grass and trees, growing flowers, and neighbor's homes, and I realize I have everything that I need. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings.

Now, I still have a lot of obligations to tend to...

Thanks for stopping by!

Warm, Fuzzy Alarm Clocks and Good Things

I woke up at 6:30am this morning, thanks to my alarm clock cat who refused to go into sleep mode. But, after dragging my body out from under the bed covers, I'm glad to be up. The sun is shining and the world is a beautiful place. I really don't want to waste the daylight hours in sleep.

Today I have a busy day. I'm entertaining the Board for my writing group at noon. We have a lot to discuss, so it'll be nicer to sit on the deck and enjoy the weather while we eat and make decisions. Tonight is bible study and since it's the last night, we are having a pot luck with pizza, salads, and desserts. Pig out time!

I suppose it's a good thing that I've been running up and down the stairs so much the past couple of days.

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On Writing:

I've been working with a new writer who has a great voice and really knows her characters. However, like a lot of new writers, she has a problem with POV (point of view). At one time, it was okay to do some head-hopping, but in today's literary world, not. The first thing an agent or editor will ding a writer on is incorrect usage of POV.

I woke up thinking about why writers head-hop when they begin writing. I did it, and so has most everyone else I've spoken with. Stepping back, my take is that the author knows his/her characters so well, that they know what they are thinking and what they are doing during every second of the scene. They are in each character's head so deeply that it is easy to write in both POV's. Is this a bad thing?

Not really. A good book is only as good as its characters. Story is driven by the characters, their thoughts, reactions, and actions. So, this is a good thing. The trick is to learn which character's POV is the one to stick with for a scene. Choose the character who has to most to lose or gain from the scene. Then show the other characters thoughts and emotions through their actions. Once this is accomplished, you'll have a winning story that will meet the editor/agents criteria for a great read.

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Talking to Goldfish?????

I've always known my hubby has a soft spot for animals, especially cats. When he took early retirement, he spent most of his days with only the cats for company. Consequently, you can hear him say things like "Templeton, are you Daddy's little boy?" The cat responds with a quick "Meow." They carry on quite a conversation. Now that I'm home, I've experienced their long conversations, and I swear the cat understands him. : )

However, the other morning I had a shock. Hubby had discovered the fish tank water elevated. Somehow, the heater had gotten turned up (those pesky fish), so he needed to get it under control. These fish (which I call goldfish with fancy tails) have a special name. My hubby is quick to correct anyone who asks if they are goldfish. These fish are huge! We had one die not too long ago and it barely fit in the net. But I digress. Hubby stuck his hand into the water and one of the fish came up and nibbled on it. When this happens, he is elated. He thinks he's tamed them or something. So I said, "Well, they are hungry and wanted to take a little bite."  I went about my business and then heard, "You are Daddy's little babies. Poor little babies. Daddy will fix the water for you. Come on, come give Daddy's finger a kiss."

Ack!!!!  If the fish ever start talking back, I'm moving out. I believe he thinks he's Daddy Doolittle.

Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by. 

A Sneak Peek at My New Novel, Trapped

Here is an excerpt from TRAPPED, my latest novel. Would love to hear comments.

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Rotten people. Rotten rain. Rotten day.


Jake Taylor’s day had started out bad and hadn’t improved. If he’d been a half-hour earlier, he could have saved the dog’s life. Poor thing suffered for a long time before Jake happened along. His heart cracked a little. This mountainous road left little chance of survival for the animals dumped by uncaring humans. Rotten people.

His sweat-dampened shirt clung to his chest when he climbed back into his vehicle. He started the truck and the blast of air conditioning raised goosebumps across his shoulders. Dark storm clouds had turned the late afternoon sky into night. No way would he make it home before the downpour started. No sooner had he thought it than the torrent pummeled his vehicle. He hunched over the steering wheel to see better. The slapping windshield wipers did little to clear his view. He’d had his fill of this wretched weather, too. Rotten rain.

Rotten day. First, his sister, Becca, had harped at him for giving her daughter, Jenny, a puppy. He wanted to give the last of the litter to his niece. She’d been bugging him for weeks to have the fat little black and white furball. How could he resist her sweet dimples and big blue eyes? He told Becca he’d help with housebreaking and training, though he didn’t understand why it should be a problem. The puppy would have plenty of room to run around in their huge yard, and every child needed a pet. It taught responsibility, something he wished the scumbags who abandoned their pets had learned when they were kids. That wasn’t the main contributor to his mood, though. He knew he could win Becca over.

He rubbed the back of his neck. He had to make a decision soon. Shelley wanted Jake to make a commitment. He liked her, maybe even loved her, but he wasn’t in love with her. They’d been friends for years. But, Havens Creek didn’t offer many opportunities for romance. He’d either have to marry her, or live his life as a bachelor. Neither choice seemed right. He wanted kids of his own. Someone to love and take care of. He couldn’t spend the rest of his life with only the animals he rescued for company. Another problem. Shelley couldn’t abide his tolerance for pet hair. She believed animals belonged outside. He, on the other hand, enjoyed sharing his home with the poor creatures who’d known nothing but abuse until they came to live with him.

Dolly, the orange tabby with the loud voice, could maneuver around his house with ease, despite having lost her eyesight. His stomach rode a roller coaster thinking about the pain she endured as a result of someone shoving a pointed object through both of her eyes. Yet, she retained the ability to love. Every night she curled next to him on the bed and purred contentedly until they both fell asleep.

Tires squealed as he rounded another curve. With the rain, it was a good thing he knew the road so well. Anxious to get home, he drove a little faster than normal. A hot shower and a meal would lighten his mood. So would Buck, the yellow lab who’d be sprawled across the foot of Jake’s bed right now. The dog never jumped on the bed when Jake was home, but the telltale hair trail told the story of what happened while Jake patrolled the county roads. He didn’t care. In his opinion, the three-legged dog deserved a little comfort in his life. “Steaks tonight, Buck,” he said, as if the dog could hear him. “And a can of tuna for Dolly.” They all deserved a treat. Maybe it would help relieve the pain he felt from finding the dead dog. A good meal, a friendly tail wagging, a purring cat weaving figure eights between his legs. Home. The picture melded on his mind.

His headlights speared on the sign depicting the sharpest set of curves along this stretch. Slowing slightly, he reached for the radio knob. Static filled the vehicle. Would nothing go right this day? He needed music, sound—something to take his mind off the rain. He popped in a CD, taking his eyes from the road for a moment.

Suddenly, headlights speared through the rainfall from the opposite direction.

He yanked the wheel to avoid a collision. Heart hammering against his ribs, he felt the bump when his vehicle clipped the other car. He stomped hard on the brake pedal. The wet pavement proved to be too much, and his truck spun one-eighty. He spied the other car spinning in front of him, and then his throat tightened as the vehicle slid off the road and down the mountain. Lights flashed, metal crashed, and then silence scratched fingernails down the chalkboard of his soul.

He rested his head against his trembling hands, sickness churning in his gut. “Oh, God, help me.” He pried his hands from the death grip on the wheel and reacting on training, he called for an ambulance. Seconds later, he placed flares in the road. If only he could hear something…anything from the wreckage below. “God, please protect whoever is in that car.” The sound of his voice brought little comfort.

He moved his truck as close to the berm as possible, grabbed his flashlight, and began the tedious descent down the mountain. The car had lodged against a stand of trees. The skewed hood had popped open, and though all four tires appeared flat, the car had come to rest upright. Thank God. He beamed the light over the wreckage with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t see clearly through the splintered glass, but it appeared the driver was female. Long dark hair hung over one shoulder, obscuring features.

“Hey, you all right?” he asked, tapping lightly on the door.

No response. The woman didn’t move. He wasn’t sure if she was unconscious or…dead. The driver door hugged the tree, making it impossible for him to get inside that way. He wiped the rain from his eyes with his soaked shirt sleeve. Where was that ambulance? And his deputy? He needed help, and he needed it fast.

He turned off his light, placed it on the ground by his feet and began tugging on the back door. Metal groaned and his muscles screamed, but finally he created an opening large enough to stuff his body through. This was one time he wished he’d inherited his mother’s diminutive frame instead of receiving the genes from his dad’s pool. He ignored the pain in his shoulder and forced his way inside the car. The front seat had shifted back, leaving little room for his long legs.

Then he caught sight of the carseat...

It's Tough Being a Woman...

Getting together with a group of women is so much fun! Wednesday nights I participate in a women's Bible Study at my church. We have been studying the book of Esther. Now Esther is one of the best stories of the Bible for women to read/study. First of all there are lots of parties, celebrations and feasts. There is a king who could be some of the people I've worked with/for. Talk about delegating! This guy didn't want to do anything that didn't involve partying. He handed off all responsibility to his gang members, then waltzed away to have another goblet of wine.

First, he got rid of his queen when she refused to come and parade around a room full of drunken men. So, goodbye trophy queen. Then he realized what he'd done, but didn't know what to do about it. This is a man who could not make a single decision by himself. Enter another trophy queen, Esther. But Esther was faced with a huge task shortly after becoming queen. How she overcame her predicament and managed to save the day is extraordinary and very uplifting.

When I get to heaven I want to meet Esther!

The Beth Moore bible study is focused on the theme "It's tough being a woman..."

With a room full of women and Beth Moore, you can't go wrong. Laughter, love, and insight into God's word. I came home last night blessed.

Thanks for stopping by!

Ack!!!! Dandelion Warriors!

This morning I'm sitting here in my pajammas worrying about what to write on my blog. What a life!

I realize that's not something to make you smile, but it sure makes my face muscles work!

All my other muscles are sore from doing yard work. Yesterday I spent several hours using my new yard tool to pull dandelions. I've never seen so many. You know how the farmers say, "It's a good year for corn!"?  Yep, well in my opinion, "It's a good year for dandelions!"

Some of them have rooted four and five in one clump. Monster mutant dandelions. Tough buggers to get out, and they look fearsome. In fact, I think I heard one of them giving instructions to another to dive deep and hide in the tunnel.

They have grown immune to the liquid weed killers. They fake death, lying in a huge irregular round circle on the ground, but underneath... *shiver*  They have built huge hideouts where they laugh at my attempts to seek them out.

When I was a kid, I loved dandelions. Big beautiful fields of yellow flowers. What fun when they would grow fluffy white heads and we could blow them and watch them fly away in the wind. Little did I know that I was preparing myself for a future of fighting armies of dandelions bent on vengeance.

I even dreamed about them last night. Huge, hulking yellow flowers wearing green armor, marching into the back yard to launch an attack against me for trying to take out their trapped soldiers. Ack!!!

All right, I'm not smiling any longer. I think I'll go upstairs and fortify myself with a nice hot cup of tea.

Thanks for stopping by, and if you need a smile today, think of me battling the dandelions!

Sifting Through Memories, I Found....

Rummaging through my pics this morning, I happened upon a folder with these three pics. I still tear up when I gaze upon the faces of my two furry faithful friends. Both of our dear companions passed on within a year of each other. Katie, our collie lab, had become unable to maneuver the steps...and we live in a bi-level. We thought about putting her to sleep, but my dear hubby built an elevator on the back deck so we could "winch" her down to the yard. Katie would lay at the top of the steps and watch through the front door to see the world passing by. Sara, our gorgeous calico cat, would lay nearby. They were great companions.

The kids and I picked Katie out of a litter at a pet store. We decided on a big dog because my hubby had always loved big dogs. We wanted to surprise him. So we asked for a plain cardboard box and put Katie inside. Hubby was surprised, and the two became very close friends. He had so many nicknames for her. She'd follow him around the yard when he pruned and planted flowers or mowed the lawn. Katie loved to play with the grandkids. In fact, our second grandson learned to walk by holding on to Katies fur. She loved company and running in the back yard. Being a big dog, weighing in at 90 pounds, her voice grew quite loud as well. We taught her to "whisper" for a snack. Being companions with Sara, Katie learned to "purr." She'd rub against our legs and give her version of purring. She loved people food treats. My hubby would toss her tidbits which she'd catch in her mouth. He liked to tease her and pretend to toss something just to watch her snap at the air. One day he tossed her a piece of napkin...Katie ate it! Before she became unable to maneuver the steps, when a salesperson would show up at the door, I'd take hold of her collar and we'd walk down to greet the unwelcome stranger. I pretended to have to hold Katie back, so when I said "No, thanks," the salesperson hightailed it away with no further protest. Truth is, she would have loved to get to them for some petting. Now salespeople linger and question my "No, thanks." Katie loved Halloween. Seeing all the kids in costumes come to the door gave her great pleasure. Most of the children wanted to come in and pet her, some were afraid. Katie didn't understand why anyone would be afraid of her. She thought she was a small lap puppy, or cat. I still miss my dear friend.

When I picked Sara out of the available kittens in the pet store, it was her gorgeous green eyes that drew me. I couldn't resist her. Hubby, on the other hand, said she was an ugly cat. But he quickly changed his mind (though I'd remind him of that statement over the years). Sara slept with us every night. She'd find a spot between the two of us and when I found it hard to fall asleep, she'd purr and purr until I relaxed and dozed off. Sara didn't enjoy visitors like Katie did. She would run off and hide until the company left, especially little kids. Sara was a quiet, gentle cat with a peaceful aura. She didn't like noise and disruption. But she loved to play with mice dangled on elastic strings secured to the door. We had to watch her closely though because one time she managed to get herself completely caught up in the elastic and we were afraid she'd choke herself. At nighttime hubby would call Sara and say "Time for bed!" Sara would trot on her short little legs and follow him down the hall and onto the bed. As age took her agility, we put a footstool at the end of the bed to enable her to climb to the mattress.

Though they are both gone now, we remember them, and hold their memories close to our hearts.

Thanks for stopping by to share a moment of warm memories with me.

Ignite the Flame -- Unpublished Author Contest

Looking for the perfect contest for your novel? Here is one of the best. It is available to any unpublished author.  Find out more details for submission at http://www.cofw.org/

CENTRAL OHIO FICTION WRITERS
17th Annual Ignite the Flame Contest
A rewarding contest for unpublished writers!


The sparkling dazzle of a roman candle, the white-hot brilliance of summer lightning, the slow smolder of a winter fire, or the breath-taking inferno of a wildfire--Whatever sort of heat you're building between your hero and heroine, it all begins with the spark of their first meeting. The Ignite the Flame Contest is designed to help you polish that critical scene so that it crackles with romantic energy! Electronic and paypal available.

Winners: First place winner in each category receives $25. The top three manuscripts in each category with a average score of 80 will go to:

Young Adult: Andrea Somberg, Harvey Klinger Agency

Category-Length Contemporary: Elizabeth Mazer, Steeple Hill/Silhouette

Erotic Romance: Deb Werksmen, Executive Editor, Sourcebooks

Historical Romance: Susannah Taylor, Richard Henshaw Group

Paranormal Romance: Michelle Grajkowski, Three Seas Literary Agency

Single Title Contemporary: Leis Pederson, Berkley Publishing Group

Suspense Romance - Esi Sogah, Avon Books, Harper Collins

Qualifications: Contest open to all writers of romance fiction unpublished in book-length fiction. COFW recognizes e-books and print-on-demand books as publications.

Submission: 15 pages max of your hero and heroines first meet or reunion meet scene and an optional one page unjudged set-up.

Fee: COFW $22, all others $27

Deadline: May 8, 2010

Look what a past contestant and Golden Heart® winner said:

"ITF has been very helpful for me. Several times I've entered and received wonderful feedback that helped my manuscripts shine. More than once I've received requests from top editors through this contest and in 2008 I ended up making my first sale to one of these publishers. Thanks, COFW, for putting on a great contest!"

--Susan Gee Heino, 2008 Golden Heart® winner, Regency Historical Category, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE 2009, Berkley Publishing

A Very Sad Post....

My heart is very heavy this morning. Those who follow my blog know that I dearly love animals. Currently I care for thirteen feral cats. Our yard is the place where stray cats seem to find their way. A neighbor across the street and several houses away was caring for two cats, but she moved away. *sigh* The female calico cat found her way to our yard. Every morning, she would sneak in and eat the food I'd put out. When I'd see her, I'd chase her away. I hoped she would find someplace else to call home because I knew she'd be having a litter of kittens this spring. Sure enough as the months warmed up, I could tell she was very pregnant. I felt sorry for her, but knew we couldn't handle more cats that would continue to perpetuate. With no way to catch her, I continued to shoo her away.

Day before yesterday, while in the back yard, I heard a new-born kitten's cry. It sounded like it came from the yard next to us. I told hubby that I figured Patches (I always name animals) had dropped her babies. Thankfully, not in our yard. Silly me. Why did I think it would matter? The animals would just be more feral cats in a subdivision foraging for food and continuing to perpetuate. I wish someone besides us would try to fix the situation.

Yesterday, when I came home from working at church, hubby told me he found the kittens under ornamental grass next to our pond. Just the following afternoon, I had trimmed that ornamental grass down, so they hadn't been there at that time. He said that he thought there were five and two were dead. So we went out with rubber gloves on and sure enough...there they lay. Three of the tiny kittens were dead. We removed them from the others. I decided to move the other two to an area at the back of the yard behind a lattice fence which is covered with vines. I figured Patches would come take the kittens away elsewhere.

But they continued to cry through the afternoon, so I went back to look at them. They were curled together in the sun with no protection at all. Since I knew it was going to rain, I had no choice but to move them back where their momma had left them, under the grass next to the pond.

Through the evening, I would hear their cries periodically. I hoped that the momma kitty had come to care for them, but my heart ached so badly because I didn't know what to do. We can't afford to have another yard full of unspayed and unneutered cats. I prayed for God to show me a way to handle the situation.

This morning I went out to feed our ferals and I walked to the pond very quietly to see how the kittens had fared. They were gone! I figured the momma had moved them someplace else. So, I felt better. At least they were being cared for. But, as I walked further around the pond, I saw one of the babies floating in the water. My heart sank. The poor little thing had managed somehow to get over the hurdle of flagstones and fell into the pond. I never did find the other one. I hope the momma moved it. I pray so.

It is so unfair. The poor little kittens do not ask to be brought into the world. They are innocent creatures. And this could be avoided if people would be more responsible with their pets and get them spayed/neutered. And, when a family moves, they shouldn't abandon their pets to fend for themselves in the world.

I cry for the unjustice. My heart is so heavy and burdened.

Horoscopes: Boldly Busted

My horoscope for the day says: You may feel as if you've hit a wall in your career path, but you need to keep from giving up. It may be that you need to make a bold change, but now is a better time for thought than for action.

Bold? I looked this word up in my Thesauras which states: audacious, forward, brave, impudent.

I don't believe I'm a bold kind of person. With that in mind, what kind of change would I make?

It's a good thing I don't really believe in horoscopes! Oh, I know that some things about our sun signs are right in line with our personalities, but come on. A printed horoscope for the day will vary across different medias according to:  the AUTHOR! Yep, and that's the truth. Printed horoscopes are written by someone just like me. Someone who has to sit down and write, pulling the words, one at a time, from their brain. It's fiction.

But, it's entertaining. So, what's not to love about that?

Wimpy Woman Tackles Outdoor Monsters

I've always been a wimpy woman when it comes to yard work. But, since my retirement, and warm weather, I've become the major caregiver for our yard. Over the years, my hubby has landscaped the yard with huge bushes, beautiful trees, a pond, knock-out rose bushes, butterfly bushes...and so much more. Me? I don't do yard work. I always took care of the house, the laundry, grocery shopping, paying bills, balancing the budget..safe indoor assignments. Now, he can no longer handle the yard work due to his lung disease. So...I just can't let all his hard work fall apart. I've invested in yard gloves, a new electric mower, lawn fertilizer, weed killer, and I've been working hard...under his supervision. This is the view from the top step of our deck. As you can see the wisteria tree is at its most beautiful in full bloom. You can see some blooms on the lilac bush to the right. The ornamental grass beside the pond needed to be trimmed down as you can see from this picture taken on Saturday. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon whacking away and hopefully it will grow up again and be pretty. I also fertilized the lawn and treated all the dandelions. Ugh. They seem to be taking over this year.

Aren't these wisteria blooms gorgeous? I can't tell you how much I love this addition to our back yard. So much prettier than the climatis which doesn't seem to bloom as fully as in years past. But, unfortunately, the blooms will be mostly gone by this coming weekend. The tree then will be a green umbrella for the rest of the year.

I don't like bugs and spiders, so wearing yard gloves helps. I'm probably going to start wearing long sleeves when I do pruning though. My arms are always very itchy for hours after working on the bushes.

I'm actually enjoying doing the yard work. I love being outside in the sunshine after spending years in an office with no windows. But, don't tell my hubby. He feels very frustrated that he can't do these things any longer. My answer to him was: You know you've always wanted the chance to tell me what to do. So, sit back, have fun and enjoy reaping the benefits.

Thanks for visiting my back yard today!

Smile at My Expense...

There's nothing worse than waking up and knowing you are supposed to blog and your mind is blank. Especially when the blog is supposed to "start your day with a smile." I can't think of a single thing to smile about this morning.

My eye is burning because it was watering and I wiped the moisture away with the finger I'd just spread face cream with. Ugh.

I read my horoscope and it said to accomplish brainstorming in the morning which would go especially well, but in the afternoon there would be a clash of egos. Well, I plan to meet a friend for lunch, so that will be the good brainstorming, but I'm not looking forward to coming home and clashing egos with my husband. This seems to be a common thing since he's feeling better. At least, I'll be spending more time down in my office to avoid the nitpicking.

Our neighbor put top soil down in the bare spots of their lawn. Our feral cats were happy. They look at is a new potty areas. I'm embarrassed, but don't know how to stop this. Worse, the cats seem to want to leave their mess uncovered for all to enjoy.

I've killed two spiders in the house this week. I do NOT like spiders. The wonderful plug in that is supposed to rid the house of all spiders doesn't seem to work that way. Instead it immobilizes the spiders who sit and wait for me to smash them. At least I'm not as afraid of them as I used to be since they don't run away.

The name of my dentist group is Smile Makers. Okay, so why to they have to numb me with a huge needle first? And then, when I try to smile, my face becomes a grotesque mask.

So, now you know why I can't think of anything to write about that will start your day with a smile. Of course, some of our greatest comedy moments are laughing at other people's pain and mistakes. Maybe I've accomplished my goal after all.

Hope you have a day full of smiles! Thanks for stopping by.

But, It's Never Too Late!

Quote of the Day: "Everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was." --Robert Louis Stevenson

Sometimes I get caught up in negative thoughts like "It's too late to try to accomplish that in my life." But, it's never too late! Every day is a new beginning. It's not a continuation of status quo. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?

I'm ready...are you?

I've Found a New Use for My Kindle

I have found a perfect way to edit my manuscript. Since I can load pdf files to my Kindle, I can save my work as pdf and upload it to my ereader. Why, you ask?

Reading and editing my work on paper is cumbersome. My printer isn't made to spit out multiple pages quickly. It's time consuming, and expensive. Plus, I find it frustrating to work with the huge stack of paper.

Reading and editing on my computer is a bit easier than doing it on paper. I can make changes as I go, but...I just can't get lost in the story. I find myself wanting to change words, and if I don't use track changes, I may change one word over and over again in multiple edits.

Why I love editing on my Kindle is that I find I can actually read the story like any other book. It feels like other books and I get caught up in the characters and story. BUT, when something is wrong, it stands out. Then, I can use the note feature of my Kindle to write a short editing note. When I'm finished, then I use my Kindle to go to all the notes I've made and then make the edits directly into my computer.

This works for reading through the first draft really well. I catch plot problems, time line problems, and areas that need beefed up.

And for the final read through, it's wonderful. If I can get caught up in the story and the characters and enjoy the writing, then I feel I've done all I can do.

Editing on the Kindle is enjoyable for me and I've never enjoyed editing before. So, if like me, you are having a problem with editing, you might find this an alternative way of tackling the necessary job.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Tale of the Missing Squirrel -- Eeeeew

On Thursday, I purchased some weed killer and painstakingly walked around the yard both front and back to spray the dreaded dandelions. I swear we have some that are so big they can only be classified as giant mutant monster dandelions!! I've never seen any that large before! Of course, hubby couldn't get out much last year to weed and with me working, well, I think they decided to take hold in the back garden areas. But I digress.

While walking the perimeter of the yard, I found a squirrel, dead. It was next to the wood partitioning off the lilacs, azalias, and rose of sharon. Ick. Evidently the cats had caught it foraging in the bushes. They "murdered" it by slashing it's throat. I quickly side-stepped, told the cats who were sitting on their haunches watching my progress that they were very bad. (Although none of them seemed interested in the dead creature).

I forgot to tell hubby about it until it had turned dark. Since I had to work on Friday morning, he promised to go outside and get rid of the dead animal while I was away. I came home to find him with a "cute purple" throw-away glove on his hand. He said he was getting ready to go outside and get rid of the squirrel. I figured it must really be in a "state" after 16 hours. So I gathered some old newspapers to wrap it in and then we planned to put it in a plastic tie bag.

The two of us foraged outdoors and...no squirrel!!!

Nothing. Not even a sign of fur.  Now mind you if animals (say cats) had eaten it, there would have been remnants left. But the entire carcass had disappeared.

I'm not sure what really happened to it, but of course, hubby thinks I imagined it. NOT!
I just hope I don't stumble across it again. Do squirrels turn into vampires? Or zombies?

Thanks for stopping by!

Friends and Sunshine...What's Not to Love About That?

Spent the day yesterday visiting with friends from my "old" day job. What a nice time. I can honestly say I miss everyone, but not the work. I don't miss sitting in a dark and dreary office with no windows for 8 to 9 hours a day. I don't miss having to battle the time clock that didn't want to recognize my finger print. I don't miss coordinating the holiday show...**shiver** I don't miss getting bored when all my work was finished. But I sure miss my friends.

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day. Hubby and I visited WalMart to pick up some things, then stopped at Sonic for chili dogs for dinner. We sat outdoors to eat. Later we sat on our screened in deck and played a couple games of cards.

I sprayed the dandelions in our yard. They are getting huge. In the back yard, I found mutuant dandelions. Huge, I tell you. I don't know how I'll ever dig those roots out. I've never been a gardener, but I suppose this is the year I learn.

There is nothing like a beautiful, sunny, warm day to spend time outdoors in God's creation. These are the kind of days that I do not miss going to a day job every single week day. What's not to love about being retired?

Magical Waterfall Blossoms

Our wisteria tree is so beautiful. Yes, they are truly vines or bushes, but my husband planted this one ten years ago and trained it to grow up on a four by four post. By trimming all the lower vines off, it has grown into a beautiful waterfall tree. This year it is full of blooms.

Each of these clusters will blossom into gorgeous flowers that look like clusters of grapes.

Below I show a picture each day as the tree continues to open to its full beauty.

The following pictures were taken this morning. By next Thursday, all the blooms will be open! Be sure to stop by then!

Another sure sign of spring are the birds beginning to make nests in the birdhouse.

My lilac bushes are full of beautiful blooms. I love the smell of lilacs!

Have a glorious day! Thanks for stopping by.

My Heart is Full of Spring

I had a wonderful day yesterday. Now that the weather is warming up, I can spend time on our screened in deck. Our lilac bushes are loaded with flowers and the smell is divine, wafting across the breeze and through the screens. Our feral cats are so well fed that they didn't bother the fat robin pecking in the grass. In the birdhouse, a tiny little chicadee kept busy building a nest. Soon we'll have lots of little baby birds. I love it when they stick their heads out and cry when mommy bird brings food.

Since hubby can't cut the grass any longer, I really don't like having to depend on others to do it for us. My son-in-law is wonderful about coming over and cutting it for us, but he works so hard, then does his grass on Saturday and geesh, I don't like him having to do ours the following day. The problem I have is that I can't handle the Lawn Boy Self-Propelled mower. It is too heavy and I just can't seem to get the hang of it. I told hubby I would be able to cut the grass if I had an electric mower. So, we searched and found a great bargain at Lowe's. We purchased a "demo" model which usually sells for $239 for $189. Yay!! It's a pretty deluxe model. Even hubby was impressed. So, now I can't wait to see if I can actually pull off what I said I could...cut the grass. I figure it will be good exercise for me. That's something I sure can use!

Isn't it nice to be thinking of outdoor things? I'm so glad the long winter is over.

Thanks for stopping by!

I LOVE My New Kindle!!!

I treated myself to a Kindle. It arrived on Friday, and I anxiously opened the box. First thing I appreciated was that it had been set up for me to instantly connect to Amazon to purchase books. How cool is that!!

According to the directions, I would be able to connect to my computer and upload my personal pdf files. Hmmm. So, where was the USB cord to do that? I looked through the manual (which is on the Kindle, how neat this that?) and realized the plug for charging the battery had the usb cable plugged into it! Wow!!! I've never seen anything like this.

Of course, I had to test this out. Sure enough, I uploaded a pdf file of one of my books into the Kindle. Instantly. Just a click and drag. Too easy...but there it was! I opened it and, voila!

So, next I had to test out downloading a book from Amazon. I decided to treat myself to two of my books which had the rights reverted back to me on Saturday. It's amazing how quickly the book appeared in my Kindle!

I also purchased a writing help book and then browsed through the "free" books and downloaded one from an author I like. The only thing I didn't like was the "free" book had definitely been condensed. It was a very quick read, but enjoyable. Hey, and it was free!

I love the idea that I can have up to 1500 books on this thin, lightweight device. And I love having the choice of changing fonts to an easy reading for my eyes. My hubby is happy because now I can stop purchasing hard back and paper back books. Why? Um, well, you should see my house. I can't bear to part with a single book. Now, I won't have to!

The only question I have is "why did I wait so long?"

I Would Rather Go Back to Bed

Today I volunteer to answer phones at our church from 8:30 to 12:30. The weather has turned colder, the wind is blowing, I have a headache, and doing this chore is the last thing I want to do.

However, I made a list of pros and cons for the above complaints.

The weather has turned colder, but it is NOT snowing.
The wind is blowing, but it is not hurricane force.
I have a headache, but I have medicine which will help.
This chore is the last thing I want to do, but in doing so, I will have quiet time to finish my Bible study since the only people in the church today will be me and God.

Now, what's not to love about that?

Like Surprises in Easter Baskets....

As I looked through my kitchen window, I saw my old friend, Boots. He'd been missing from the crowd at breakfast time for nearly a week. Since all the ferals have been neutered/spayed, they don't stray away, nor do they stay away for more than an hour or so. Consequently, I worried that something had happened to him. Boots and I have a special bond. He has always had ear mites, and I try to treat them, but when he feels the meds in his ear, he runs away and then he's shy from me. He's also allergic to fleas. Imagine an outdoor cat who is allergic to fleas! I had managed to put some meds on the back of his neck to treat the fleas, and a couple of days later he disappeared. Now he'd come back.

I stepped outside to take a few pictures. Boots' ears looked pretty clear! I wonder if the meds for fleas had also helped the ear mites. One can be hopeful. The scars on his side and back seem to be healing from the flea bites. I managed to get this closeup of his face. Isn't he cute?

I took a snapshot at the bottom of the steps at the plum tree across the pond. It's in full bloom. Our weather has been unseasonably warm, so all the flora and fauna are saying hello to the sunshine.

Behond the plum tree is our wisteria tree. It is full of budding leaves. I hope we have a good set of blossoms this year. They are so gorgeous. Like huge bunches of lavendar grapes. The tree does draw a lot of bees, but the beautiful plumage makes it well worth dodging a few buzzing insects.

Next I panned down to the grass beside the swing. I found two of our ferals snuggled down in the grass, just like surprises in Easter baskets. Hmm, I guess I need to get the lawn mower out and start cutting the grass. Hope I can do better with it this year than last. The mower is self-propelled and very hard for me to control. I'd get a smaller electric one, but I don't think hubby would approve. He's still hopeful that he won't need to be on oxygen forever, and I'm not ready to burst that bubble.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Half Full or Half Empty?

Which way do you see your glass?

I know people who always see their glass as half empty. In fact, I was once married to one.

If you hang around someone who is always looking at their glass as getting emptier by the minute, you will find yourself being pulled down into the negative spiral. These people can suck the energy from you. Especially, if like me, you are trying to get these people to see the positive rather than the negative. They will always have an answer as to why they are right and you are wrong.

I'm not saying that we all are always happy. However, we make our own happiness. A smile can work wonders. Smiling uses a lot of muscles...and don't worry about those laugh lines. Frowning can cause uglier lines than smiling.

When I worked my day job, people were always commenting on my smile. I didn't even realize how much I smiled, but it seemed to draw positive people to me. I like to laugh. I like to smile. I like to be happy. I don't like to be unhappy.

How about you?

Dean Koontz - Breathless

I love to read. In fact, if I buy one more book I'm liable to suffocate myself and my hubby. But, I can't resist a new release from my favorite authors.

I purchased the latest Dean Koontz book, Breathless, on Friday. I tried, really tried, to savor it...to make it last. But, I had to keep turning the pages until I got to the end. The end is always depressing for me when I adore the story. I want it to go on and on. Such was the case with Breathless.

The book was so good. A bit paranormal, hard to believe, yet very believable. I fell in love with Puzzle and Riddle, and could imagine them actually being. Koontz depicted a psycho schizophrenic personality with vivid detail. Chilling, to say the least. With a lot of characters to keep up with, I worried that I might have a problem, but Koontz pulled it all off perfectly, and tied up all the loose ends. There were places where Koontz allowed his fantastic command of language to flow. Amazing to say the least! He is a master word weaver.

Overall, I LOVED the book, but for those who are not Koontz fans, you probably will not have such a positive reaction. Of course, I dont' see why everyone doesn't love all Dean Koontz books!

A High School Reunion -- Revisited

Recently my publisher sent out a call for submissions for their line about older heroines...um, I mean those who graduated high school in 1985. So, I thought, why not give it a whirl? In high school, I was a nobody. Not one of the "in" crowd, not one of the "bad" crowd, just one of the girls who went to school, did their homework, and never participated in outside activities. Most people didn't know my name--only a few close friends, also part of the "nobody" crowd.

I've attended high school reunions, and nothing changed. The cheerleaders and football players continue to remain a tight clique, so tight, in fact, that no one could sit at their table. They still looked down on everyone else.

After the last reunion, I decided never to attend another. So, when I joined the discussion group to talk about the new series, I was amazed to find a group of writers who were claiming dibs on the "in" crowd. Homecoming queens and kings, star athletes, cheerleaders, bad boys...

My character, I decided, would be a nobody. In fact, I don't even intend for my "nobody" to actually attend the reunion. She has nothing to prove to anyone, nor does she have any need to subject herself to the scrutiny of those who never knew her to begin with.

Funny, how a little thing like this can bring back memories. Nothing ever changes, does it?

No blogging week...

Sorry, I will not be posting this week due to hubby's surgery. Been spending full days in the hospital with him.

Have a blessed Easter, everyone!

Do You Have This Fear?

Fear of failure is one of the greatest fears in my life. When I was in elementary school, I didn’t like to raise my hand because I didn’t want the teachers to choose me to answer a question. I feared giving an incorrect response. I ducked my head and tried to become invisible. Sometimes it worked.


When I wrote my first book, I embarked on the journey without fear. Yes, I’d come a long way toward facing my fears by that time. I didn’t even fear rejection. Gasp! Then I received my first. It brought back feelings of insecurity and failure learned during my formative years. I recoiled into my dark cave to lick my wounds. But I didn’t stay there long. Everyone experiences rejections throughout their lives. I’d experienced it many times and survived. I would survive this time as well.

After holding my first book in my hand, I thought I had it made. I began a second novel, and when I reached the mid-point, I froze. What I had written—garbage. No one would like it. Why should I continue? I should just trash these pages and start something new. So I did—start something new, not trash what I’d written. A few months later, I returned to the “horrid” manuscript and finished it without looking back. Reading it over from start to finish, I thought “Did I write that? It’s good.” So, I submitted and received a second contract. This book required very few edits. Total shock on my part!

Now, I went back to the book I’d already started and worked through to the mid-point, and that dreaded insecurity reared its head again. But I pushed onward and finished the manuscript. Received a third contract, and had very few edits.

By this time, I had begun a fourth book. I loved the characters, thought the plot was good, the writing inferior. I’ve revised the beginning of this book so many times, I don’t even know which one is the one to use. I’m stuck at mid-point, hating the plot line, the sub plots, and I don’t even know who the villain is. What is wrong with me? Why can’t I finish this book? I'm ducking my head again, just like a young school girl.
What if I get rejected? What if I get a contract and the book doesn’t sell? Fear of failure. I wonder how many other writers out there are having a problem with finishing their novel. Are you? Could you also be suffering fear of failure? If so, I challenge you to face the truth, and then get back to the pages and just “finish the book!”

Happy writing, and thanks for stopping by!

Cabinet Ghost

Templeton knows how to play innocent. Hubby was watching basketball upstairs when he heard the cabinet doors banging. Though I was downstairs in my office, I could heart hubby yelling for Templeton to "stop it." Hubby would go into the kitchen and see...nothing. After he sat on the sofa, the noise would begin again. Each time, he'd look into the kitchen and all was quiet.

This continued for several minutes. Finally hubby caught the door swinging open and...inside the cabinet he saw...Templeton. He's learned to get inside and bang the doors and stop when he hears footsteps. That way he can't get caught.

After hubby squirted him with the water bottle (our punishment), Templeton ran downstairs, walked across my desk, jumped in the basket where I keep paperwork to shred and sat there watching television. When hubby came downstairs to tell me what Templeton had done, the innocent cat, didn't take his eyes off the screen.

Enjoy your day. Thanks for stopping by!

A Feral View

Looking out my kitchen window afforded a beautiful view of sunshine. My writing friends gave me the beautiful bird suncatcher because I rarely get a variety of birds at my feeder any longer. Why? Because my feral cats think they are toys.

Here is my morning view. The beautiful cat is Skeeter. He is one of our ferals. He's got incredible gorgeous sea green eyes that look as if a makeup artist used a careful hand with black eyeliner.

I've never been able to touch him. He keeps his distance when I put the food out and if I open the door to the deck, he's long gone. But he watches from safe locations and he certainly eats his share of food. Isn't he gorgeous?

Thanks for stopping by!

Normal...or Not???

Being a writer, I like to observe people and especially to listen to how people talk to each other to help my dialogue be believable. However...

Sunday, while having breakfast, two twenty-something guys were seated in the booth behind mine. Since they talked quite loudly, I couldn't help but overhear most of their conversation.

They began talking about the "night before." I'll call them "big guy" and "little guy".

Big guy said, "You're slurring your words."

Little guy: Laugh. "I'm still hung over. I don't remember much about how I got home, but I don't think I threw up."

Big guy: "You danced last night."

Little guy:  "I did?"

Big guy: "Yeah, you were really funny. You know that dancing baby on the internet. You looked just like that."

Little guy: More laughter. "I can't believe I danced. I know I had a good time. At least what I can remember."

Big guy: "My sister thought you were hilarious."

Little guy: "You ever seen her naked?"

Big guy: "My sister!!! No way!"

Little guy: "Can I?"

Big guy: "You'll have to ask her husband that. He's six foot four and built like a football player."

Food arrives.

Little guy: "We thought you'd forgotten us."

A short spell of quiet.

Big guy: "Where'd you get those flip-flops."

Little guy: "I love these flip-flops. I love flip-flops, period. They're so comfortable. I wear them in the shower and around the pool, too."

Big guy: "How long you had them?"

Little guy: "I've had them about  a year and a half. These are my favorite ones."

Big guy: "I'm always looking for good flip-flops. Love them."

Little guy: "You should go to T. J. Maxx. I found these for nine bucks."

Big guy: "They're great."

******

Okay, so if I were to put this into a book, I think my readers would toss it in the trash. No one I know believes that guys talk about shoes! Besides, what kind of hero would big guy and little guy make?

Hope their conversation made you smile. It sure made me smile.

Thanks for stopping by!

Follow My Horoscope---No Way!!

So, I read my horoscope each morning on my internet home page. This morning it says:

Exercise could be on your mind -- spring is almost here, after all -- and your head is in the right space to get started on a new fitness routine. You should be able to make it stick long enough to count.

Um, not!! It seems every time I start an exercise regime, which consists of walking (usually on the treadmill) I wind up with something painful that debilitates me. A few years ago, I had a pain in my hip area, but I kept walking, pushing through the pain, and eventually wound up with bursitis that literally kept me in my chair for a week. I couldn't walk. Last year I tried walking on my treadmill and a pain shot through my foot which prevented me from doing any serious exercise walking for several months. Two months ago, I started walking on my treadmill again. Yep, pain in my foot. I tried to ignore it until I reached the point that I was limping so badly I could barely walk up our steps. Sigh. Finally, I went to the doctor and had an x-ray. Diagnosis...arthritis and bunion. So, what's a gal to do?

Thanks for stopping by!

Just Write It

I read a lot of writing blogs. Experts are always giving advice on what to do and what not to do. I see all the rules that will make my books the next bestseller. I know that I need to grab the reader from the very first paragraph, from the very first sentence. I know that I need to incorporate the five senses. I know I shouldn't use the word "that." (Ha! Thought you had me, didn't you?) I know should write what I know. I know the sequence to follow: beginning - intro characters and establish goal; middle - plots, subplots, problems, conflict, tension; ending - black moment when all looks lost; climax - when the final clash happens, followed by the happily ever after (in the case of romance).

If you are a writer, you've read all these things, too. And, you're probably as confused as I am sometimes. HOW do you remember to do all these things...and, gasp, how do you accomplish them? You know what needs to be done...but how do you actually DO it?

Let me ease your overload and fears. First, just write the book. Don't get hung up on what you should do or what you shouldn't do. You are a storyteller. Tell your story. Just let the words flow from your head, your heart, your fingertips. Don't stop along the way. Don't go back and read that first chapter over and over again. Don't revise. Just write. After you reach the end, you will have done what you set out to do. You will have written your book.

The time for looking at the "rules" and all those vague things you know you should do is after that first draft. Use the writing tools to edit your words and make them come to life on the page. Look at each scene and incorporate the five senses where you can, use description to paint the setting, the emotions, and ramp up the tension. Remove unneccessary words like "that." Take out unnecessary "ly" adverbs, overdone adjectives. Vary the length of your sentences. Use your thesauras to find new words to spice up old overrused nouns and verbs.

But, trust me. If you don't throw out the rules when you are writing, you'll never get that book written.

Thanks for stopping by!

Helping Paws

I continue to make progress with my prayer shawls...despite the helping paws.

Wilbur just can't resist.

Let me help you unwind the yarn.

Oops!

Yuck! It doesn't taste good!

Templeton decides to get in on the act. He likes purple.

Hey, Mom, I've been watching and I think I can do this.

Now how did you hold this thing?

I think I can do better with just my paws.

Creating with yarn is just so much fun when you have cats. Thanks for stopping by!

A Mindless Blog

Okay, so it's Friday. The sun is shining. What's not to love about that?

On the other hand, I have to do a lot of running from one end of Columbus to the other today, buy groceries for a family dinner on Sunday, and clean the house. Not so much to love about that.

But, since I don't have to go to work, I have time to rest between all that running around. What's not to love about that?

I guess the pros have it this Friday!

Can you tell I didn't have one thing on my mind to blog about today?

Momentary Escape

Looking out my window gives me many different views. A couple of days ago, I was sitting here enjoying the sunshine when I spotted something that immediately revved my radar to alert. Two men, wearing dark clothing, hoodies pulled up, and bright yellow vests with orange bands sauntered up the street. Not walked--sauntered. Their clothing screamed of the "community service" people brought from local lock-up to clean the streets of debris. But they didn't carry the tools to pick up discarded trash, and no trash bags. My gut told me to be cautious.

So, I ran to the front door, opened the screen and stuck my head outside to see where they would go. They continued to saunter up the street, heads perusing the homes. About that time, my hubby yelled, "The cat!"...which is the alert that Templeton is trying to escape. So, I pulled the screen door toward me, catching Templeton by the hips. He wiggled to get out the door and I kept pressure against him, while I grabbed his tail and yanked him back inside. Not exactly a nice thing to do, but if he got out the door, I would have to chase him barefooted and in nothing but my oversize white terry robe. Not a pretty sight.

Cat saved, the men had disappeared. So I shut and locked the front door. I just knew those men didn't belong in our neighborhood. I headed back to my office. Twenty minutes later, I looked out to see a yellow bus passing by with the words..."community training program"  on the side. Behind the bus was another one identical, followed by a light blue van with a flashing yellow light. Yep, bet they were searching for those two men who thought community service meant casing the neighborhood.

Amazing what one can see through their window. My gut instinct has been proved correct again.

Thanks for stopping by!

Dreams Can Be Exhausting

I woke at 6:00 this morning and decided it was just too early to roll out of bed. So I closed my eyes and willed myself back to sleep. Have you ever done that? Do you have weird dreams during that time?

Geesh. I had a collage of weird dreams. First, I was driving home from who knows where and I kept taking the wrong turns. I couldn't get home! Then the dream sedged into me sitting in a parking lot and trying to figure out how many miles an hour I had driven. 300??? Um, whatever!!!

Then, the dream changed again and I was in a hallway and I passed a man. I realized I'd taken a wrong turn and then I heard him coming after me! I ran and ran and hit a dead end with only one door. It was a woman's bathroom. I ran inside and locked myself in a stall, only to realize there was no toilet to stand on. It was like a blank empty cell. I heard the man slam into the room, and...miracle...he didn't find me! After a few minutes of racing heart, I snuck out again.

Now, I was in a room with a bunch of men and they were trying to hide the fact that they'd been embezzling money from the company. Evidently, I was supposed to be one of them. I managed to carry off the charade and a big stack of receipts. When they weren't looking, I ran with them. I entered the accounting office and had the women help me to hide the goods in the bathroom. But they had to find a way to sneak me out to my car so I could escape.

Good thing I woke up! I'm so tired right now, I just may have to go take a nap to get through the day...

Thanks for stopping by!

Spring Fever!!!

It's an absolutely gorgeous day!  I haven't seen such blue skies with no sign of clouds in quite a while. The sun is shining and this afternoon the temperature is supposed to reach mid fifties. Yay!

Days like this make me long for spring and summer. I've been dreaming of sitting out on our deck and enjoying breakfast to the sound of birds singing. Drinking a cup of tea, eating toast, and reading the paper. Then, in the late morning, opening my laptop and composing an outdoor scene with all the sights, sounds, and smells surrounding me. Nothing brings a scene alive better than painting words like an artist with a brush on canvas.

Hurry up spring!

Thanks for stopping by.

Write What You Know

I've heard that said by so many people. Write what you know. What does that mean?

As a new writer, I had no idea what to do with that phrase. What did I know? Should I write about knitting, crocheting, ceramics, crafting? Or should I write about raising kids, or working too many hours? How could these things be intriguing to anyone else?

I wrote. I became published. I still wondered about those words.

One day not long ago, I began to understand what those words mean. I've been through a lot in my life. A lot good...a lot bad. I've been hurt and I've hurt others. I've been terrified and I've been happy. I've lost loved ones and seen babies born. I've told lies and reaped the consequences.

Those are things I know. So when my characters get into situations that I've faced at one time in my life, I can close my eyes and remember back to the time it happened to me. I need to pull out the details of that particular situation. It requires meditation and going back into time, experiencing the hurt or the happiness all over again. Where was I when it happened? What was I wearing? What about the other person, if there was someone else there at the time. Once I've captured this, then I can write what my character is experiencing...using what I know.

Use what you know, and write from the heart. Your characters will come to life on the page through your own experiences. It doesn't have to be exact. You just have to know what emotion your character is experiencing and tap back into your memory for a similar emotion you felt.

Good luck! Thanks for stopping by.

Cats and Prayer Shawls

I took up crocheting again after many years of abandoning yarn and needles. I've been making prayer shawls to give to friends in church who are facing surgery or hard times. The pattern works up very fast and in the few hours each day that I watch television, I manage to finish a shawl every three days.

The hardest part is keeping my cats out of the yarn. There's just something about moving yarn that fascinates them. All the pictures you see of cats tangled in yarn...they're true! Wilbur is the cat that I have to fight with most frequently. He'll sit on the floor, eyes big and round, while he watches the progress. Then, suddenly, he leaps to the sofa and with one huge paw, smacks the yarn and stops it from moving. He looks so cute and innocent that it's hard to scold him. But, when he grabs the yarn in his mouth, that's where I have to get stern. I'm working on how to write a nice accompanying tag to give with the shawls, and of course, I'll have to include how Wilbur has helped.

I'll try and take a picture of one of the completed shawls with Wilbur and post on the blog for next Saturday.

Have a nice day! Thanks for stopping by!

Is That the Sun or a Freight Train?

Today I take DH to see the specialist who will perform his surgery. Anxiously awaiting more information on his condition and how the surgery will help.

These past three months have been very stressful for both of us. Looking ahead we can see a light at the end of a dark tunnel. Now, as long as it isn't a freight train, then what's not to love about that?

Hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by!

Writer's Cobwebs

Today, I'm not looking outside my office window. Instead, I'm looking inside my office at the stacks of papers and books that seem to multiply overnight. Why can't I keep an organized office?

I suppose my office is a reflection of my writing mind lately. Jumbled and in disarray.

One of the blogs I follow, The Plot Whisperer, hit the nail on the head with the post of 5 Reasons Writers Get Stuck. Read blog post by clicking here.

I'm waiting for warm, dry weather so I can get outside and clear the cobwebs from my brain. Much needed spring cleaning. *grin*

Hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by!

Smile! You'll have to get used to it!

I received this in an email from my sister-in-law. Since I hadn't heard it before, I thought I'd share it with my readers. Hope it starts your day with a smile!

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.

So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.

The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.

As the two walked and chated, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, "Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?"

Timmy nonchantly replied, "Yeah, I know who she is."

The little girl asked, "Well, who is she?"

"That's just Shirley Goodnest," Timmy replied, "and her daughter, Marcy."

"Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us?"

"Well," Timmy explained, "every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and March will follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!"

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A Lose-Lose Situation

For the past few days I've been nauseous off and on. Woke this morning feeling yucky. I started taking prescription meds for my arthritis about a week ago, and I'm thinking this is what's causing the problem.

So, now it's a toss-up: deal with the nausea and stomach pain or deal with the body aches, especially the foot.

Whoever came up with the term golden years must have been quite young! The only gold I'm seeing is going straight into the hands of the medical profession. Ugh.

Hope you all have a great day. Thanks for stopping by.

Split-Personality or Just Taking the Middle Road?

Have you ever taken one of the "right brain" vs "left brain" quizzes to determine which side of your brain is the most dominant?

The right brain is the creative side of your thinking. It's where emotions, gut instincts, intuition, and visioning takes place.

The left brain is the more technical side of your thinking. It's where you analyze, research, and process ideas.

I've taken multiple tests of this kind and I always fall squarely in the middle. There is no "middle" brain folks. So what does this mean? All it means is that I use both sides of my brain to an equal amount. At times, I'm very analytical and methodical in making decisions, while at other times, I make decisions based upon my emotions or gut instinct. Sometimes both sides of my brain wrestle. I know what should be my choice based upon knowledge, however, my heart tugs me toward a second choice because it "feels" right.

I suppose that's why I have problems when I write. At times I'm letting my right brain control the word flow and feeling wonderful with what is happening...but then, my left brain editor kicks in and tells me this is all hogwash. It will never fly. The plot isn't strong enough, the characters need more development.

However, I need the right brain word dump to get the draft done, but the left brain takes over during the edits. Controlling which brain is dominant becomes the tough part. It's not a cognitive choice for me. I may "know" which side of my brain needs to drive, but real life and distractions come into play.

So, how about you? Are you right or left brain dominant? How does that play into your writing?

Thanks for stopping by.

Heartwarming Mission

Those who've been following my blog for a while know that I care for thirteen feral cats. When a neighbor moved away leaving some semi-wild cats that he'd been feeding, my hubby bought food and took it over to the patio and fed them through the winter. When spring came, the house sold and workers began remodeling. The cats migrated to our yard to take refuge...and to have kittens! Aghast at the sheer number of cats in our yard...seventeen...I searched for help. We had all the cats and kittens spayed/neutered, got their rabies shots, and released them back into the yard. The trap and release program meant that we would agree to offer shelter and food to them for the remainder of their lives.

So we built a shelter for them under our deck, and we purchase about six twenty pound bags of food to feed them. Over the years, we have lost four of the cats. The remaining ones are still wild and afraid of humans, except for us. Most of them shy away at noises and movement, though they don't actually run too far. Some of them are friendly with us. They will allow us to pet them and look forward to our outdoor visits. However, we could never pick them up or try to put them into a cage.

I begin each morning with feeding and watering the animals. It's the closest I'll get to living on a farm, I guess. And, I feel very blessed with taking care of these precious animals. Someone has to care. There are so many animals abandoned by families who move away and leave the defenseless pets behind. The number of feral cats is beyond comprehension--so much so that there is no place to take them. Thus, they continue to perpetuate. Feral animals have a short life expectancy, but I believe the ones we care for will fare better than most. They are fat and fluffy and as healthy as can be expected. My heart goes out to them over the winter, especially winters like the one we just experienced in Ohio. There is still snow on the ground. I shoveled paths around the house and around the areas where they walk to help.

Today the sun is shining and the cats are laying on the dry areas of concrete and stairs soaking up the warmth. I tell our three indoor cats how lucky they are, but I don't think they quite "get it."

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Finding Positive in the Negative

Today I am having a tooth pulled. There's nothing to love about that. I've been struggling with finding one thing to love about today.

The sky is cloud covered, but I see a hint of sunshine.

There is still snow on the ground, but I can see patches of grass.

I have to go grocery shopping, but I have the money to provide food.

My husband has to face another surgical procedure, but he doesn't have cancer.

Hmmm. Looking back, what's not to love about today?

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"Sunshine Almost Always Makes Me High"

I love the song "Sunshine on My Shoulders" as sung by John Denver. It depicts the feelings I have when I'm standing in the kiss of the sun.

This morning, sun is reflecting in the window of the house across the street, a big beautiful ball of gold, which promises a sunny day. Even if it is winter, and cold, the sun has a way of lifting my spirits.

In an hour we'll be leaving to take my DH to VA outpatient surgery. Today, we should learn what has been causing his nearly three month health problem and determine the path for going forward. I need the sunshine, so I thank God for that blessing today.

Thanks for stopping by.

I Bumped My Toe...Against a Pile of Snow...

Yesterday I went to the doctor for my six month check-up and to have him look at my foot. I've been having pain in my right foot for several months. Most of the pain has centered in the top of the foot above the arch. But recently it's become very painful whenever I bump my toes against anything, which I did two days ago. Yep, I bumped my toes, wearing nice soft snuggly slippers against a small pile of snow. Yeah, I know...that something to smile about! But it really hurt! I've been in pain ever since.

So, the doctor pressed around my toes where they meet my foot and OUCH!!!! He sent me to the hospital to have x-rays.  Tomorrow I should know the results.

But, on a good note, he told me my blood pressure and my blood tests were fantastic!

See, I knew when I quit working the day job that I'd get healthier. Now, that's something to smile about.

Thanks for stopping by!

I've Always Wanted to Be a Pirate

This week I'm sailing on "The Muse's Adventure," a mythical pirate ship created by me mateys in me writin' group. We be lootin' and treasurin' in Conflict Cay at the moment, after leavin' the Isle of Hunks where we picked up our heros. Me pirate band mateys will disembark on Saturday at midnight, but all will have completed a lot of editin' and writin' along the way.

Yo-Ho-Ho!

Thanks for stopping by today!