Monthly Archives: November 2009
How many ways can you say crazy?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Tonight a friend of mine (Jackie) and I were discussing the many ways you can say crazy. There were the old stand bys of one sandwich shy of a picnic, his elevator doesn’t go to the top (some even say it hasn’t left the ground floor), the lights are on, but nobody is home. Then she hit me with ‘her cheese has slid off her cracker’ and I fell on the floor.
It was downhill from there. We got worse. They came swiftly nuttier than a fruitcake, one step short of Bedlam, and answering the cuckoo. He’s one taco short of a combo plate, one brick short of a load, one egg roll short of a PuPu platter. His rocket is not working on all thrusters.
And worse. She’s such an air head, that the only thing that keeps things from going in one ear and out the other, is the “For Rent” sign in the middle. He is a few fries short of a happy meal. He has verbal diarrhea and mental constipation. I think her sewing machine is out of thread. Some drink from the fountain of knowledge, but he just gargled.
Have you any to add?
Posted in Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, funny, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Writing, using others as soundboards
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I am fortunate to have a husband, a critiquing group, another mystery writer (Dave), and a good friend (G) to bounce ideas off when I need to. Without them, I’d probably be stuck in some dark padded cell neatly decked out in a white coat that buckles in the back.
Granted Dear Hubby will sometimes roll his eyes when the idea I have makes no sense, but he will help me work through it until it does. He has also come up with some ideas I didn’t think of and they have been great.
When I’m in the throes of writer’s block, Dave will ever so kindly get online and have a long BS session with me in IM. He never fails to help me find new angles, red herrings, or scenes.
When I hand my finished chapters to my critiquing group, they will catch things I didn’t see. Boy, do they catch them. They will let me bounce ideas off them on chapters I’ve not yet written.
Don’t be afraid to use others as a soundboard. However, be aware that some people aren’t going to be helpful. Then there will be other ones, where you will wonder how you ever did any writing without them.
Posted in My blog, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
It’s time to accentuate the positive
Posted by doggonedmysteries
For many people this time of the year is the most depressing. I know it has been so for me for a long time. However, I am determined that THIS year I will work towards a more positive and happy attitude.
I will remember to make myself feel happier. Smile and the world smiles with you, it is true. When you wear a smile, people tend to smile back. Once they’ve smiled at you they will smile at the next person they meet and so on. Pass along a smile today. It’s uplifting and such a small thing to do.
I will listen to others. Everyone needs to talk but finding a willing ear to bend is often a problem. How was your day? I’m listening.
I will take time to play. Yes, I said play. Everyone should play. Bring out that inner child and let him/her have some fun.
Hmm, there’s still one big, fluffy pile of leaves in the yard I think it’s time I joined the dogs in a good dive in the leaves.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Fall, Family, Fiction, Gardens, Home, Humor, leaf piles, leaves, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Rewriting, or why doesn’t that editor on my shoulder shut up?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
“There that chapter is fixed.” I stretch and let out a satisfied sigh.
My little editor taps me on the shoulder. “Why did you take out that scene?”
“Because it didn’t work with the changes I made. Besides, the new scene is better.”
“But I liked that scene. It was a good scene.” The editor kicks me in the temple.
“Ouch. Shut up. It’s not going back in. It doesn’t work.”
“And yet you kept that awful dialogue on page sixty one,” he says with a sneer.
“That was good dialogue. What makes you say it was awful?”
“Would anyone truly say that? Is it realistic?”
Beads of sweat break out on my forehead. I pop up the page and read the dialogue aloud. “I think it’s realistic. I don’t see any problem with it.”
“Okay, I’ll let that slide, but—“
“No buts. It’s time to move on to the next chapter.”
“Okay. In the first scene, you need to—“
“Shut up! Let me do it. I know what I want to do here.”
The editor flops onto the back of my chair and whines, “You never listen to me.”
“Do too.”
“Do not.”
“Have it your way. Now, chapter thirteen, page seventy seven. Scene one stays as it is.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Posted in My blog, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
He is my rock and I am his
Posted by doggonedmysteries
When I was very young, someone told me I shouldn’t dream. The same someone always laughed and sneered at my ideas and me. I believed that someone for a long while. For many years I hid my dreams, buried them deep inside me, until they came close to dying.
If you do not attempt to reach for your dreams, you are not living. One day, my dreams and I began to live again.
That was when Dear Hubby came into my life, he told me I could and should always dream. He encouraged me to explore my ideas. He’s supported me, defended me, and is always in my corner. He has never once told me I couldn’t or shouldn’t. He tells me he is proud of me in whatever I do.
When I made some tough decisions in life, he stood beside me.
When he needs me, I am there for him. When he falls, I’ll pick him up. When he dreams, I encourage him. When he makes tough decisions, I stand beside him.
Posted in My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Relationships, Writer, Writing
The Idas
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Hurricane Ida is throwing a lot of wind our way. It hasn’t rained much although it’s been overcast for days. It did begin to rain a bit around 3 a.m. though. How do I know this? Because the pups wanted to go out. Not a peep out of them all night until it began to rain.
Hurricane Ida is feisty and makes me think of another Ida I knew. She lived with us. She had white hair, wore glasses, was under five feet tall, and was almost as round as she was tall. Ida was a lively woman who loved to walk. She could walk all of us grandkids into the ground on any given day. She learned to do the twist when she was in her seventies.
Oh, that woman could bake! The cookie jar was always full and the house was scented with baked goods for as long as I can remember. My baby sister loved peanut butter cookies and she often made them for her. I loved her chocolate drop cookies, oatmeal and raisin, and Snickerdoodles. She had a true weakness for chocolate, dark chocolate being her favorite. I know she passed that obsession on to me.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Food, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
For what are you thankful?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I promised Dave, that sometime this month I’d do a post on what we are thankful for, so here goes.
I’m thankful for every moment with my Dear Hubby, the love of my life, may we have many more years ahead of us. I’m thankful that I’m healthy. I’m thankful that we have a roof over our heads, our mortgage is paid, and we have food on the table. I’m thankful for the love of two silly dogs.
I’m thankful for the love and support of my wonderful Aunts and Cousins. Have I told you all lately how much I love you?
I’m thankful for all my wonderful friends who never fail to lift my spirits. I love you guys too.
I’m thankful to be able to follow my own path in life.
I’m thankful to be who I am, all I’ve experienced—the good and the bad, who touched me, who I’ve touched, and for those who have gone before me. I’m thankful for the joys of living and the lessons of loss and grief.
I’m thankful for the people who take time out of their day to read what I write here.
Posted in Holidays, Misc, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Food, gifts, happy, Home, Humor, joys, lessons learned, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Thankful, Thansgiving, Writer, Writing
You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your relatives.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Some family holiday meals are as pleasant as playing with an angry grizzly bear. We don’t do them any more. Instead, Dear Hubby and I enjoy a quiet meal at home without having to endure in laws or out laws. We don’t go away for the holidays.
For some reason, at certain of these ‘holiday meals,’ Dear Hubby and I found ourselves seated at the children’s table. Two children sat at the adult’s table because they’d raised a fuss over having to sit with their peers. We didn’t have kids, we were well over twenty one, but there we were at the kiddies’ table. (Not a smart thing to do with us.)
I guessed it was some perverse torture set up by the parents of the spoiled brats…um children. Therefore, we became the ringleaders of mischief. Do not leave us to our own devices…you WILL pay. DH’s specialty is food fights. He is very subtle and no one has any idea how these battles begin—well, I do but no one else does.
I specialize in telling bad fart jokes or engaging in other antics that will make milk come out of a child’s nose. (I warned them not to seat us there.)
Posted in Food, Holidays, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Food, Holiday meals, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Gavin met Madison
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Madison, who always looks for me when they walk past the yard
The nose knows
Gavin finally met Madison today. I was so proud of him he was a perfect gentleman. He didn’t bark or show any of the hostility he has shown to many of the dogs people walk past our yard. Could it because she’s also a BT? I’m betting on it.
Madison wasn’t too sure of him at first since she’d only moments before met with a hostile Pit bull who had snapped and growled at her. Gavin was all tail wags and happy little whines of greeting. What a flirt he was, trying to get her to come closer for a smooch. He was thrilled when she eventually came to the fence to become acquainted. That boy certainly loves the girls.
Patty wouldn’t have been nice with Madison since she doesn’t like any other dogs. Gavin is her one and only dog pal. This all stems from the time a Pit bull attacked her through our back fence a few years ago. It’s a shame because Madison has the energy to keep up with her (not that Gavin doesn’t) but another playmate for her would be nice. However, she’d rather stick to her Gavin.
Posted in Dog related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
His balance and mobility are limited with MS
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We keep a supply of ice packs on hand at all times. Balance and mobility are not Dear Hubby’s strong suit. His neurologist and I want him to keep a cane or walker by the bed but he’s stubborn and seldom does. At least twice a week I hear him take a tumble upstairs after he’s gone up for the night.
My heart does a rabbit run and I bolt up the stairs to find him sitting on the edge of the bed.
“You okay? What happened?”
“Yeah, I fell onto my knees getting up is all.”
“You scared me to death. Did you hurt yourself?”
“Nope, I’m fine.”
My heart settles back into a normal rhythm again. I stand there and watch him for a bit, drinking his image in. I love him so much that when he hurts, I hurt.
We keep a mobility cart out in the yard so he can play with the dogs, but it’s only good in the spring, summer, and fall weather. Once winter hits the cart becomes a useless thing that takes up space on the back porch. He doesn’t get out as much and often becomes more depressed than usual.
The pups and I do our best to keep him smiling. A laugh or two a day does him good and even eases his pain. Friends, who remember him and visit, especially during the winter months, are like precious gems.
Posted in MS related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Thank you
Posted by doggonedmysteries
To all the people who clicked on my Keep a Breast icon I say, thank you. For those of you who didn’t I say, what are you waiting for? If my sister’s beautiful face didn’t move you to click maybe this will…
As I said, my baby sister had a great sense of humor. One day, after her first mastectomy, she startled my Dear Hubby into peals of laughter when she asked, “Want to play with my Boob?” and then threw her prosthesis at him.
Posted in In memory of...
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Breast Cancer, Bull Terriers, cancer, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, gifts, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Today she would’ve been 52
Posted by doggonedmysteries
If Mary had survived her last fight with breast cancer that took her away so young she’d be 52. She didn’t, she lost that battle in 2001. Her lively sense of humor will never brighten a room again. In her memory, and as a favor to me, please click on the Keep a Breast icon at the bottom right hand side.
Posted in In memory of...
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Breast Cancer, Bull Terriers, cancer, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Healthcare, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
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