Monthly Archives: October 2010
Spare us from the food police
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Another major city is trying to introduce a new ‘eating healthier’ food regulation for restaurants. Good grief, spare us from the food police. Sure, it’s true we have an obesity problem in this country but for heaven’s sake don’t go regulating everything we eat.
When we go out to dinner, an extremely rare event, I want what I want for my meal. I don’t care if it’s high in fat. I’m dining out to enjoy myself, to consume something I don’t make at home, and not have to cook.
I’d say that out of the 365 days in a year we go out for dinner maybe ten times. This year, I’m not so sure we made it out anywhere near that many times. So please don’t tell me I shouldn’t eat that luscious cheesecake they have on the menu or indulge in that butter heavy sauce I never make at home. Don’t tell me not to have a medium rare steak, if I want one I’ll have it. Dining out is supposed to be a pleasure.
What would make my dining experience more pleasurable? That’s a whole other post…
Posted in Food
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Cooking, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Eating, Family, Fiction, Food, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
It’s not a breeze when it hits fifty mph
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We had lots of wind yesterday and more today. Gavin doesn’t like wind. Wind makes his ears tickle. He doesn’t want to stay out in it long. Poor pup. He doesn’t like it when it rattles the windows and lets the wind know with grumbling woofs.
Patty loves the wind. She dashes to the center of the yard, stops, stands still, her nose high sifting through the scents. You can see the wheels turn as she catalogues each smell. She wants to stay out and explore the many aromas the wind is bringing to her.
Any dead branches left in the trees by the last few storms that passed though certainly came down yesterday and today. I see another yard clean up in my future. Now, if only I could remember where I put my garden gloves…
DH wanted to mow the grass. However, yesterday he tripped over one of the dogs and took a bit of a tumble. He decided the mowing could wait another day or two. He’s not saying anything but I’m betting he’s a bit stiff and sore.
Posted in Dog related, Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Stop me before I buy more!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Many of my Halloween decorations are old and worn out. Therefore, the last few years I’ve been buying new stuff and slowly throwing away the old, decrepit, and falling apart decorations.
I should have myself banned from Spirit Halloween. G and I went up there today to get HER costume. I should’ve left my money at home because I found another prop I loved. Yes, I bought it. Yes, she got her costume too.
What I went up for and intending to buy was fog machine cleaner and fog juice. I did get those.
However, I am the proverbial kid in a candy store. I also found something irresistible to any writer—fun pens. I now have a boxing vampire pen and two pens that look like blood filled syringes.
If I go to the store again, I may need an intervention…
Posted in Holidays, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Costume, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Fog machine, Halloween, Holiday, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Parties, shopping, Writer, Writing
What inspires you?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Is it a remembered poem or story from your childhood or high school? Perhaps it was something a teacher said to you.
I could say that my mother and baby sister inspired me because they both encouraged my writing. That would be true and I miss it. My Aunties and Cousins along with some dear friends all cheer me on these days.
Other writers inspire me. A lovely day inspires me. Many things inspire me. However, inspiration isn’t the only thing that keeps me writing. I have to write. If I didn’t I think I’d blow a gasket. On days that I can’t sit down and write, I am cranky and difficult to live with. Writing, even if it’s only a letter or my daily blog post, is my stress reliever.
As a child I secretly wrote fairy stories, as a teen I wrote angst-filled poetry, as a young woman I wrote magazine articles about dogs and tons of unpublished (long lost somewhere in the depths of my attic) reams of fantasy fiction. Now, as a woman of a certain age, I’ve found my voice in mysteries.
Tags: Arts, 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, Online Writing, Poetry, Publishing, Writers Resources, Writing, Xlibris
Ready set go! It’s another bad pun day!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Ra-pun-zel, Ra-pun-zel, let down your hair. Come on everyone dust off your favorite puns and let’s have some fun.
There’s a new line of Elvis Presley-themed steakhouses. They are for people who love meat tender.
When you keep burping up that mustard you had on your hot dog it’s Dijon Vu.
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, but when they lit a fire in the craft it sank. . . . . proving once and for all that you can’t have your kayak and heat it, too.
A doctor made it his regular habit to stop off at a bar for a hazelnut daiquiri on his way home. The bartender knew of his habit, and would always have the drink waiting at precisely 5:03 p. m. One afternoon, as the end of the work day approached, the bartender was dismayed to find that he was out of hazelnut extract. Thinking quickly, he threw together a daiquiri made with hickory nuts and set it on the bar. The doctor came in at his regular time, took one sip of the drink and exclaimed, “This isn’t a hazelnut daiquiri!” “No, I’m sorry”, replied the bartender, “it’s a hickory daiquiri, doc.”
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, bad pun day, 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, Pun, pun-ditz, Writer, Writing
The frost absconded and the green tomatoes fried
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The other night there came a dire weather prediction. Possible frost! I nipped out to the garden with shears and a basket. I cleaned all the tomatoes, ripening and green ones, from the vines. The last two eggplants joined them in the basket. We didn’t get the frost and now I have a large basket of green tomatoes on my table.
Last night for dinner, I took advantage of having green tomatoes on hand. I sliced them, dusted them with seasoned flour, dipped them egg then a seasoned cornmeal and breadcrumb mixture, and fried them to a lovely golden brown. I placed them on a cookie sheet and kept them warm in the oven while I cooked the rest of our dinner.
Which, since I’d already headed down south with the tomatoes, and had a hot frying pan ready, made me make a quick decision to turn DH’s hamburger steak and my steak into chicken fried steaks. Well, then when the steaks were done, I had to make redeye gravy didn’t I?
At least I stopped there and didn’t add mashed potatoes. We would’ve burst had I made them too. As it was, we were full.
Posted in Food, my garden, Weather related, Writer
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comfort foods, Cooking, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Food, fried green tomatoes, Gardening, Gardens, Home, home cooking, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, redeye gravy, Tomato, Writer, Writing
She wouldn’t trade birthdays with me
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We invited our new neighbor R and her daughter to come over for the post Trick or Treat night dinner at my house. When I found out that R’s daughter (little D) had Halloween for her birthday, I offered to trade birthdays with her but she said no. Darn it.
Little D is now excited to be coming over to a party. Knowing that it is little D’s birthday, G, who normally makes the dessert, is going to make a Halloween themed birthday cake. We’ve been scouring the net for ideas. Maybe our trip to Spirit Halloween this Thursday will give us some more ideas or, at the very least, spooky cake decorations.
I’ve already wrapped a small gift for our special birthday guest. Gee, surprising little D is going make our Trick or Treat night party twice as much fun as it usually is.
I think I’m almost as excited as little D.
I was disappointed to find that there aren’t Halloween birthday cards, only plain old Halloween cards. I’m sure that little D isn’t the only person to have Halloween for their birthday.
Posted in Holidays
Tags: A Halloween birthday, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Food, Halloween, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Parties, Trick or Treat, Writer, Writing
Even smoking has gone high tech
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I am a smoker, a pariah in today’s society. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to quit. I hate how the smoke makes my clothes and house smell. I hate that it yellows my teeth and every household surface
However, when your husband chain-smokes and can’t do it outside, quitting is almost impossible. In addition, take away my nicotine and you will meet a crazed Maenad out for blood. One of the times I tried to quit, DH handed me a pack of cigarettes and asked me, “Will you please smoke.” Yeah, the poor man was living in bitch city and it wasn’t pretty.
Last week I purchased an electronic cigarette starter kit online. It arrived yesterday and once I charged it, I took it for a test drive or rather a test smoke. I like it.
DH became curious and tried it. Did he like it? Yes, he did and I ordered one for him tonight.
We may still have the nicotine addiction but at least now, maybe we won’t stand out quite so much.
Check out blucigs.
Posted in Misc
Tags: Addictions, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Cigarette, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, electronic cigarette, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Nicotine, Novel writing, Tobacco, Writer, Writing
2010 Halloween preparations begin
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I went back to Spirit Halloween today. This time I took G and my new neighbor R along with me. This was R’s first time in a Spirit Halloween. She was glad we’d gone during school hours and she had a chance to scope out the place without her young daughter. Now that she knows how to find the store, she’ll go back and take her daughter along.
At one point, we all trooped into one room to check out some animated props. There was a clerk in there, R was right behind me and didn’t see him at first. When he said hello I thought she was going to have a heart attack. She jumped, she screamed, and then she laughed. The rest of the time while we were in the store every time he saw her he apologized…again.
I bought a large animated prop. I couldn’t resist it. I now have a cloth barrel that has a ghoulish zombie rise from it with eyes flashing, and jaw moving moans. Both of my friends watched me spend the money. They were entertained. True, it is more fun to watch someone else spend money.
Posted in Holidays, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Decorations and Props, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Halloween, Holiday, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Note to self or What did I mean by that?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
You can thank Elena for this post, she posed the question that started it. “I write myself the most fascinating notes. Wonder if other people write themselves mysterious notes?”
Elena you aren’t the only one who does that. I often come across some cryptic missive in my handwriting and have no clue what I meant when I wrote it. Lately I’m finding measurements but for what I have no idea. Windows? Doors? A space for a cabinet?
Don’t get me started on the many Post It’s stuck to manuscript print outs that must’ve made sense at the time. Does anyone have an idea what ‘OP m to NC’ means? That was one of the easier ones to decipher.
It’s a good thing DH doesn’t shop for groceries because he’d never figure out the special shorthand I use for my list. Shr ch, frz sn, sp whl…etc. When he used to do some shopping, I had to write everything out for him including brand names.
How about you, do you write cryptic notes to yourself and then wonder what the hell you meant?
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
Passed the two-year mark
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Two years ago on October 3, when I began this blog, I never expected to see over sixty thousand hits. Heck, I was thrilled when I hit the one hundred mark.
Now, I’m just plain old grateful that folks like you read this blog. I’m happy you come back often and comment here.
I’m grateful for the patience that those of you who want to read my books have shown. I’m not world’s fastest writer. I do hope that when they are finally out there, they are good enough for you. I don’t want to give you shoddy work. I want to give you the best I can do.
I’ve made some good friends through this blog, and for that, I am grateful.
This has been a fantastic learning experience for me.
Thank you, Dear Readers.
Posted in Misc, My blog, 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, Writing
Can a dog lick a hole into his stainless steel food dish?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I dunno but Gavin is certainly making a daily effort to succeed in doing just that. I can always tell when he’s bored because he goes to his empty food dish and licks it.
It’s as if he goes into a trance licking, licking, and licking some more. When I can no longer stand the sound of his tags rattling against the bowl, I tell him, “Dinner isn’t for several hours. Go lie down.” You can almost see him shrug and grin a gotcha.
I do know that dogs can bite holes into stainless steel dishes. This was something I learned at my mentor’s BT kennel. All of her stainless steel dog dishes had teeth marks and holes in them.
Fortunately, my two don’t chew on their dishes. That could be because their dishes fit into stands and they can’t get hold of the edges. I’m sure that both of them would make a game out of throwing the dishes about if they could.
I cringe at the thought of dodging flung dishes or having them crash into the glass of the curio cabinet.
(Normally I mix the posts up a bit, but with more rain all day and night again, the dogs and I were bored.)
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
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