Monthly Archives: September 2010
What’s black and white and shouldn’t live in the city?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
G’s husband had a ‘have-a-heart’ trap out in their yard the other day. He hoped to catch a stray cat that has been wreaking havoc on the neighborhood garbage bags. He hadn’t baited the trap yet, he planned to do that the next morning around the regular time he’s seen the cat. Much to his surprise when he came out he found he’d caught a small black and white critter.
Yep, he had a skunk in the trap. Now around here no one will trap, retrieve, or even tell you what to do if you catch one. It’s a good thing it wasn’t the first time one of us has caught a skunk. B very carefully draped the trap with two black garbage bags and ever so quietly backed away.
He came over to borrow DH’s cart hauler that goes on the trailer hitch. There was no way he wanted a trapped skunk inside his 4WD with him. He told us later that he gently set the cage on the hauler and carefully strapped it down. Then he drove to an area where the skunk should be happy and released it all the while praying the critter didn’t spray him. B got lucky the skunk toddled off without a backward glance.
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pest control, Writer, Writing
The rain finally showed up
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We’ve been terribly dry here for most of July, August and September so far. Therefore, when raindrops began to ping off the AC unit I was pleased. At first, DH didn’t recognize the sound and asked me, “is that rain?”
Yes, it has been that dry. It was so dry around here the trees were chasing the dogs. It was so dry that the ground was as hard as a rock. It was so dry that…well you get the idea.
At least now, it isn’t dry and the grass is already looking greener. We were lucky that it didn’t come down as a gully washer. Instead, it’s been a good soaking rain. I don’t have to lug water to the gardens today, YAY!
If we’re very lucky, the rain will last for a day or two and give the thirsty ground a deep drink. It will make weeding a lot easier.
Other than a lack of rain, the weather is fantastic. The daytime temperatures are in the mid seventies and the nights drop into the mid sixties. It’s great for sleeping.
Posted in Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Garden, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Rain, Water, Writer, Writing
She’s worth more than a sister or two to me
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Someone mistook G and me for sisters again the other day. It set the two of us off into the giggles. Actually, I’ve been around her more years than I was my sisters. We’ve been neighbors and friends for thirty-seven years. Therefore, when you figure I only lived with my sisters for about nineteen years, then yeah we’re closer than most sisters are by far.
She never met my father but when my father died, she sympathized. When my sister died, she grieved with me, she knew my sister well. When my Mother died, G and I shed tears together because my mother treated her like a daughter when she visited us in the summers past.
We’ve borrowed sugar and stuff from each other forever. We’ve shared many hobbies over the years. We trade plants and garden harvests. We’ve laughed over many a cup of coffee.
I watched her sons grow from toddlers to men. I sat with her in the hospital when she had surgeries. I stayed with her, worried, and held her hand when her husband had a heart attack a few years ago. DH and I celebrated her hubby’s recovery with her.
Not a week goes by without us checking in on each other at least twice during the week. If I haven’t seen her all weekend, I know she’ll pop by on Monday.
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Best friends, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Garden news
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Today a neighbor stopped over to check that three quarters dead branch on the magnolia tree. He used to work for a landscaping firm that did a lot of tree trimming. He says he can remove the branch for us no problem. Sometime after his 17 days of day shift or over a weekend, he’ll take care of it. That’s one weight off my mind. I had visions of that branch, heavily loaded with snow, crashing down on our shed this winter. Now I won’t have to worry.
We’re still picking tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. There are two different varieties of sugar baby watermelons and each have one fruit on the vines, I hope they ripen before the first frost.
The cardinals had nested in the magnolia the parents and several now fully-fledged young ones hang around the feeders most of the day. It looks as though two of the youngsters are males and three are females. We have a family of Downy woodpeckers that hang around in our yard and G’s.
I had to fill the hummingbird feeder today so even though I don’t see them often they are coming around. The small flock of goldfinches is enjoying the Echinacea seeds every day.
The cannas are continuing to bloom and they are now quite a bit taller than I am.
Posted in my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bird feeder, bird watching, Birds, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Downy Woodpecker, Family, Fiction, Food, garden harvest, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, Magnolia, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Never take the wife’s car without leaving a note or a message
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Many years ago, I had a gold Toyota Tercel wagon and I loved that car. Then one day someone stole it right out of our driveway. I was devastated. Today, for a few minutes, I thought Casper had gone the same way.
As usual, I woke up, had my coffee, and took the dogs out. The first trip outside with Gavin I didn’t notice Casper wasn’t in the driveway. I knew DH was gone, his truck wasn’t there, but my missing van didn’t register. It didn’t register until I took Patty out. Mind you I’d only had one cup of coffee.
I was standing there waiting for her to tinkle when it dawned on me that Casper wasn’t in the driveway. Having already been a car theft victim once it was the first thing that went through my mind. “Where’s my car? OMG!” Don’t panic…think. “Call the police…no, call DH first.”
I dragged Patty inside, grabbed the phone, and hit the speed dial. Two rings, he answered, and I stuttered, “M-my car! It isn’t here.”
“I have it. My truck is in the shop. I took it over, they brought me home, and I took your car to go over to my mother’s house.”
“Expletives deleted. Why didn’t you let me know? More expletives deleted. I almost called the police.”
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
I am not a mused
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It never fails to amaze me when a flash of insight smacks me in the head.
“That’s me, Honey.” My muse buffs her nails and admires them.
“Geez, I wish you’d stop popping in like that. Can’t you arrive without startling me?”
“What do you want, fireworks and a fanfare or something?”
“Wait, I’m talking to them. We’ll discuss your arrival and where you’ve been lurking later.”
“Lurking? Me? I never lurk.” She pastes an innocent look on her face.
“Hold on a minute folks. Yes, you do too lurk. You sulk, you hide, you pout, you primp, and you leave me sitting here staring at a blank page.”
“Do not.” She sticks out her tongue.
“Do too.”
“How often do I call you and you don’t answer?”
“Well, I hear you but I can’t come running willy-nilly all the time.”
“Half the time would be nice.”
“Besides, you have the weirdest hours.”
“Tough, those are the times I can actually sit down and do some writing. You knew that when you signed on. Anyway, back to the readers. As I said before it amazes me when inspiration hits.”
“Me!”
“Shut up!”
“I’ll stumble along tearing out my hair over one paragraph and another when suddenly the words flow and I can barely type fast enough to keep up. Amazing.”
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Muse, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Cool weather chores
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We’ve had much cooler weather for several days, which brings to mind all the winterizing chores I need to do. The outside back door needs new caulk all the way around the frame, inside and out. I should also do the windows out there. My neighbor’s son will, I hope, come through and seal the crack in the wall between the back porch and the house.
We still need to find where the leak is in the pond. I’m betting it’s in the waterfall. However, so far we haven’t been able to locate it.
I must purchase some new weather stripping for the front and back doors and figure out some way to keep the cold from seeping into the basement from the outside door. Then there’s purchasing covers for the air conditioners although I think I’ll leave the one in the bedroom alone. It lets in just enough air that I only have to crack the other window to keep the room comfortable for sleeping during the winter. It is the warmest room in the house—too warm.
It’s too early to dig out the elephant ears and cannas. Nevertheless, I have buckets ready for them when it’s time.
Posted in Misc, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Doors and Windows, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Weatherstripping, Writer, Writing
Never forget
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Posted in In memory of...
Tags: 9/11, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Never forget, Novel writing, Two Towers, Writer, Writing
If it’s Thursday I’m not home
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Two Thursdays a month, I go to my local Borders and meet with other writers for a critiquing group. Well, it used to be writers it’s not that now. The group has shrunk down to only two of us. One writer, after self-publishing, decided she didn’t need a critiquing group and left. Another member became too ill to attend. The third member lost interest and stopped writing.
Now we are two, two very determined writers, passionate in our craft. We push each other forward and hone our writing techniques to a fine edge.
Yes, it would be better to have more people in our group. However, finding writers willing to meet at one o’clock on a Thursday afternoon isn’t easy.
We both have other people who review our work. Dave, G, Jackie, and Elena read mine. I read Dave’s manuscripts. I can’t imagine not having them tear into my books. They are valuable assets.
Posted in My blog, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writers Resources, Writing
One month on Ampyra
Posted by doggonedmysteries
DH has been on Ampyra a little over a month now and there is a definite improvement in his walking. The other day he even said he felt he walked better. Thing is I noticed the improvement before he did, but then I watch him.
It’s been quite a spell since he’s forgotten to grab his cane upon leaving the house. He forgot it two days ago when he went over to his mother’s house for lunch. Yep, I’d say there’s been a good deal of improvement. The upturn in his walking does pose a few problems like him pushing himself too hard and over doing it.
I’m not saying he hasn’t had a couple of bad days because with hot days nothing helps. However, it’s been a long time since he worked on his truck and he did just that yesterday.
He’s been lucky not to have any side effects so far, and if he has had any, he hasn’t mentioned them to me.
Posted in MS related
Tags: 4-Aminopyridine, Acorda Therapeutics, Ampyra, Author, Biogen Idec, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
I can see again!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Finally, my glasses came in and I went to pick them up this afternoon. Their seven to ten business days stretched out to several more than that, but I’m happy now. It’s so nice to be able see well again. I love both pairs. They fit well and are comfortable. Driving home from the optical store, I did wear my old, old glasses. I switched to the six-year-old pair after the eye doctor told me the new glasses prescription was weaker than the four-year-old pair. They worked well and did knock out the headaches I was getting.
I can read better now—both books and my computer screen. No more straining my neck to read fine print on the computer is a bonus in itself. I don’t have to enlarge my pages to 150% to read them. No more, do I have to struggle to read price tags or grocery store prices!
DH likes my choices in frames. My thanks to G who helped me pick them out. It isn’t easy to when you can’t see a thing without your glasses.
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Eyewear, Family, Fiction, Glasses, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Vision, Writer, Writing
The house is getting cleaner by small increments
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I now have the organizing bug in my system. My back porch is much improved. Thank you Jackie for coming over and lending a helping hand. My kitchen has more room since we hauled the bench out onto the much cleaner porch to give DH a place to sit when he comes in with muddy or snowy boots.
It makes me want to tackle places like the back bedroom that has become a bit of a catch all for things that should be in the attic. The attic is another place that needs clearing and organizing. Then there’s the cellar—oh, Ick! That’s one area I’d rather ignore, in fact I’d rather clean out the shed than work in the cellar.
I don’t think the garbage men are pleased with me tonight I did put out quite a bit more than usual. They’ll get over it.
I do think that before I tackle another large project I need to clean my desk. It does tend to gather papers, books, and computer doodads all the time. Yes, it’s time to clear the clutter from my workspace. Now if I could only get DH the pack rat to clear out some of his junk…
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Clean house, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, getting organized, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
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