Category Archives: Misc
Blind as a bat or forget the scratch coat please
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Since the first heat wave hit us this year, I’ve had trouble seeing. Sounds weird doesn’t it? There’s an easy explanation. When I bought my glasses, I had them put the scratch coat on them. Everyone knows how easy it is to scratch your glasses. Right? It was a big mistake. I’d rather have scratches.
You see I take after my father. I sweat. I sweat profusely. When I sweat, my glasses steam up. It seems that when they did that at least once the scratch coat warped and loosened. Then sweat got under it and left a line of discoloration right across the bifocal lens and up the inside quarter of the entire lens. It wasn’t a thin line either and got worse as time went on. I switched to my other pair of glasses.
We had another heat wave. Those glasses also had the scratch coating on them. The results were the same but not as bad as the other pair. However, it is bad enough that I have to struggle to read. EEKS! I love to read. I have to read to write. I’m going crazy with not being able to read.
My eye appointment is Saturday.
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, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
The answers are in the wind
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It was on the tip of my tongue and then whoosh it was gone. It happens to me all the time. It’s not age related because I’ve always been that way. Sometimes it names—well, most of the time it is, other times it is movie titles, book titles, authors, song titles, you name it and I’ve probably stumbled over it.
Get me in a game of Trivia and I will lose. I know the answers but my brain seizes up and misplaces them. I sit there dumb as a post.
DH sometimes will ask me who movie stars are in a movie we’re watching and even though I know their names for the life of me, I can’t tell him. That is until hours later when the names flash into my brain. Of course, he’s probably in bed by then and the answer is useless.
I’ve been told it’s because my brain is so busy with other things that trivia tends to waft off to the ether. I like that explanation it’s much better than thinking my brainpan is fried.
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, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Summer is dashing by
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It’s August already. I’m wondering where the time went. Winters seem to drag but spring and summer dash past. I look at the calendar and realize that I haven’t accomplished half of what I wanted to by this time.
I didn’t paint the kitchen. I didn’t buy the shelves for the back porch and put them up. The pups still need vet appointments and shots—note to self: must do that this week. I didn’t put in the patio I so desperately wanted to do. G and I didn’t get much walking in either. I’ve missed too many critiquing sessions due to things on my end or the other people’s.
However, it is worth it to put some things on the back burner and do other stuff that brings a smile. I’ve played in the dirt and watched things grow. I had the shed painted. I’ve spent time with DH and that’s a precious commodity. I’ve played with the dogs—another joy for me. I’ve taken my dear friend G to lunch and she’s taken me. Which means it’s my turn to take her out again.
I’ve made new friends. I enjoyed another writers’ conference. DH and I have celebrated another anniversary. Yep, it’s worth it.
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
A rare treat
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I wandered out to the garden this afternoon to take a break from writing and I was glad I did. I got one heck of a photo op. There, directly behind my yard, up on a telephone wire, sat a red-tailed hawk. I dashed inside for my camera praying that no one scared him off while I was inside.
I snapped a few shots from the yard. Several people walked under him never seeing this magnificent bird. Many city people are not observant of nature. Since he hadn’t moved, I unlocked my gate and walked down to where I was almost directly beneath him. He practically posed for the pictures.
When I got the shots I wanted, I ran to G’s house and told her husband to grab his camera there was a fantastic hawk photo op if he hurried. He did and he got some great shots too.
Every year for at least the last twenty years we’ve had a pair of red-tail hawks nesting in the ancient and very tall horse chestnut trees in the cemetery. Getting pictures of them is a rare treat since they usually stay hidden because the crows tend to mob them.
Posted in hobbies, Misc, my garden
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, digital photography, digital photos, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, photo, photograhy, Writer, Writing
It’s little old me the klutz again
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Only a true klutz can whack the same knee in the same place four times in less than an hour. Yep, me again. When I managed to do this, I was out in the melon patch picking cucumber bugs off the leaves and vines. I was stepping back behind my rather large gargoyle to reach them and then stepping back out to drop the bugs in a jar of soapy water. Each time I did it, I managed to hit my knee on the gargoyle.
This isn’t a knee height gargoyle like the one pictured with the watermelon, this one is almost as tall as I am. Don’t ask how I kept hitting my knee because I haven’t figured it out yet. I guess I should slow down or something when I’m chasing those bugs. I have managed to put a dent in their population along with the dent in my knee.
At least I didn’t sprain my ankles again. No, I look like I frequently did as a child. I have a skinned knee. I know when I go out to lunch with G later today she’ll have a good laugh.
Posted in Misc, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Klutz, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Horror writers scare the crap out of me
Posted by doggonedmysteries
One would think that since I write murder mysteries, horror wouldn’t bother me. One would be very wrong. I’ve only read a couple Stephen King books (and had to turn all the lights on in the house), I have one old autographed Jack Ketchum (Dallas, you are a dear but your writing terrifies me), and now I own several autographed Jonathan Maberry books.
The minds of horror writers scare the living crap out of me. I can describe a gory murder scene and stalk or be stalked by a killer through page after page. However, things that go bump in the night, complete psychos, zombies, and werewolves intent on brutal, mindless massacre make my skin crawl.
Yet, I am reading Jonathan Maberry’s books because he so graciously autographed all of them for me when I won his basket. (Thanks Jonathan, did I mention that live next to a cemetery?)
The cemetery doesn’t normally bother me since those neighbors are very quiet. We only worry about the live ones…or so I thought. Then I read Jonathan’s books and he completely creeped me out more than once. It may take a while before I’m comfortable again.
Posted in Misc, 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, Writing
Own up
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Is it just me or is anyone else completely bugged about how celebrities get away with breaking the law? If Every-Day-Joe-Blow pulled any of this rehab instead of standing before a judge for sentencing crap, you know darned well the cops would have him in cuffs before he drew a second breath.
Celebrities are only people who have more money and press than the average person has. They are not above the law. When they break the law, they should serve the full term given to them by a judge. Fame is not and should not be a get out of jail free card. In the case of some famous people, I think I’ll add ‘grow the hell up’ to the mix.
I don’t care who you are, own up and make payment. If it is jail, serve the time, if it is fines write the checks. Did the judge order community service? Do it.
What does this teach the young people? Do you want your children or grandchildren to look up to famous people who have no respect for our laws?
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Celebrity crimes, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
I need to de-clutter and organize
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Whatever happened to freestanding storage shelves? It seems that they are hard to find. I checked the two big name home improvement stores. One seemed to have no idea what I wanted, and the other had them but the prices gave me a slight case of sticker shock. It’s been many years since I bought any. They used to be cheap.
Now that I’m over the sticker shock, I will probably go buy them. I need two types, one an enclosed storage shelf unit and the other and open one. My back porch needs organization and de-cluttering. There’s entirely too much stuff sitting on the floor in the middle of it. We have one set of shelves out there now but that isn’t enough.
I figure if I put two more shelving units out there, that I might actually find the floor. I can see it now with everything organized and on shelves. The mixed in junk finally tossed into the garbage. Wow, I won’t know how to act.
Maybe once I do that I will continue and organize the entire house. Whom am I kidding? Only if Jackie volunteers to come help me, will that ever happen. Hey, Jackie I saw you duck behind your desk…
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
Too much information
Posted by doggonedmysteries
A local plastic surgeon is advertising a new liposuction. “We can remove your belly fat and use it to enlarge your butt and enhance your breasts.”
Now, the truth be told, I’d love to have some belly fat removed. It’s always been a trouble spot for me. However, even though I have no ass, I have no desire to have my fat removed from one place and added to another. Besides, since I’ve never had an ass (I’ve known several asses in my lifetime but we won’t go there) I wouldn’t know how to act, dress, or sit on one. I’m used to my flat ass. I’m betting it would seem oh so weird having new fat back there. Would I have to learn how to walk all over again? Would I bounce out of a chair if I flopped in it? I have so many questions.
That brings us to the other part of the body they will inject the fat. I’d rather have a reduction in the boob zone than an enhancement. Mine aren’t overlarge but why not have my boobs reduced so in another decade or two they aren’t pointing at the ground? Little boobs stay perky.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Life is down to simple pleasures
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Thanks to BP, the cost of fish, shellfish, and heating oil will skyrocket this year. Don’t you believe that they won’t pass the costs on to us. Tighten your belts is what they will tell us. Honey, if my belt were any tighter my backbone would meet my belly button.
We don’t go out and we seldom buy anything other than necessities and a DVD or two. We only buy the DVDs because DH can’t sit in a theater.
Our vehicles are over ten years old. We don’t drive anywhere other than to do the crucial things in life.
Our dogs are overdue on their shots, which is one thing I hope to rectify the end of this month. Both of them could use a check up and I will make that appointment sometime next week.
Life is down to simple pleasures and keeping spending to a minimum. Instead of traveling, we enjoy our backyard—weather permitting. Tonight was lovely since we had rain today and the temperature dropped to very comfortable.
I am growing vegetables and melons for the first time in years. Other than a few tomato plants and some herbs the last several years, I haven’t grown anything edible. Now I have tomatoes, a variety of peppers, and two types of squash, watermelons, cantaloupes, and cucumbers.
Posted in Misc, My blog, my garden, 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, tighten your belts, Writer, Writing
It’s going to be a while before he lives down this one
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Casper has a boo-boo. For those of you that don’t know, Casper is my white van that, because of all its electrical quirks, it seems as though it has a ghost, thus the name.
DH had another ambulance run emergency with his mother and came home to get my van in case they released her he could drive her home. (She is home now.) His mother can’t climb into his truck so he has to use my van. On the way to the hospital, he had a minor fender bender when the driver in front of him slammed on her brakes. The other vehicle was a large SUV and she had no damage at all.
However, my van had damage. I am not a happy camper. Gentlemen, if you drive your wife’s car for any reason, do so with great care because I’ve got to tell you, it’s going to be a while before he lives down this one. Well, it will take at least until it is repaired and then some.
I guarantee you he’ll hear the words ‘drive carefully’ every time he drives my van from now on.
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
Updates and a Happy Birthday wish
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Record heat here today and it was far from pleasant. Normally I enjoy summer but we’ve had two major heat waves already and it’s barely into July. We are going to have more records broken this week according to the weather reports. If I wanted to live in the south I would, but I don’t.
My neighbor finished painting the shed today and it looks brand new. All is painted except for the doors, which we told him to leave alone. DH wants to straighten out some dents that he put in them and then we’ll paint them.
Happy Birthday Chuck! Hope you have a nice birthday, Sweetie! Our dear old friend Chuckles has tacked on another year today.
On a gardening note: I found three little watermelons on the vines today. The cucumbers are getting larger another week or two and I might have some in a salad. I harvested more banana peppers. There are a few nice patty pan squash coming along, finally. No cantaloupes yet, the one or two I thought we might have died teensy. I’m guessing they weren’t properly pollinated could be because the male and female flowers were out of sync but they seem to be blooming together now. I hope that means we will have fruit to enjoy. There are now dozens of green tomatoes on the tomato plants, yippee!
Posted in Misc, My blog, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Food, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
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