Category Archives: My blog
Now my characters are chewing me out
Posted by doggonedmysteries
“Where the heck have you been?” My main character asked me as I sat down to write.
“I’ve been busy.”
“That’s a fine thing. You go haring off to deal with your life and leave me stuck here up to my neck in trouble.” She stands with arms crossed over her chest.
“It’s not as if your neck is flesh and blood you know.”
She begins to pout. “Oh, yeah? Hey, you keep that attitude up and I’ll walk.”
“You’ll only do that if I give you legs and a place to go.” I reached for the delete key.
“Don’t get hasty, you know you like me.”
I pulled my hand back. “You’re the one who jumped on me not the other way around.”
“Okay, I apologize. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”
“Let’s see if I can get you out of your little situation.”
“If? What do you mean by if? You better get me out of this or you’ll have to write a whole new character to take my place.”
“Quiet. I’m working on it.” Type, type, type…
“Are you kidding me? You want me to do what? Who do you think I am Wonder Woman?”
“Oh, for cryin’ out loud.” Delete, delete, delete…
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, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
The birds will be happy
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’d neglected hanging suet out in the gardens for quite a while. The squirrels would clean it out before the birds could get to it. It hardly seemed worth spending the money on tree rats. Those gray furred monsters chased all the birds away. Now, I haven’t seen a squirrel in the yard since I stopped putting out suet. I’ve seen very few birds too.
Yesterday we had many birds in the yard. They were all playing in the waterfall. Cardinals, chickadees, juncos, and sparrows were splashing away like kids in a pool. Since I was heading to the grocery store, I added suet to my list. It won’t take them long to find it. They will be happy. I just hope word doesn’t get back to the neighborhood tree rats.
The squirrels have an uncanny sense that there’s suet about. With luck, the birds will find it first. G is closer to the cemetery’s tall trees. So far this year the squirrels have damaged four hanging suet baskets and three bird feeders at her place. We keep hoping that our neighborhood hawk has put a dent in the tree rat population.
Posted in Misc, My blog, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, feeding the birds, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Happy birds, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, tree rats, Writer, Writing
Is Big Brother watching your children?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I found this news story to be very discomforting. It truly creeped me out thinking that this school district would actually have the nerve to completely invade someone’s privacy the way they did. I don’t have kids but with all the child predators out there, this would’ve had me storming the school district’s offices with torch and pitchfork in hand.
It also made me think that if I ever get a new computer that has a built in camera, I’ll put electrical tape over the lens. I like my privacy.
Then I look at this whole situation as a mystery writer. The idea of someone watching a person, through his or her own computer, without his or her knowledge, is fodder for another book. In a world where we’ve had to put stalker laws on the books, tell me this doesn’t make your skin crawl.
In fact, I do believe that Criminal Minds had a show where a serial killer used his job as a computer tech to stalk and kill his victims. After reading this and the news story, I wonder, did you put tape over your computer’s camera?
Posted in My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Is Big Brother watching you?, Life, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, privacy, Shocking news, Writer, Writing
Ouch, that hurts!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
DH broke his big toe. I know because I’ve done it myself more than once. He’d been complaining about his toe since he fell on Tuesday. Tonight he noticed the bruising. He came downstairs to show me.
I looked at it…nodded my head, and said, “Yep, it’s broken.”
“It hurts,” he said.
“I know it does. Are you going back to bed now?”
“Yeah, but did you see how black and blue it is?”
“It is bruising some. Another day or two and it’ll look real ugly.”
All you can do for a broken toe is wait for it to heal. This is going to be a long six weeks.
Men whine, their theatrics when sick or hurt are often worthy of Oscars.
For best actor in the drama… Flu Days, we present this award to…
For best actor in the comedy… We All Fall Down, the award goes to…
Don’t get me wrong, I feel for him. I really do. As I said, I’ve been there.
Posted in Misc, MS related, My blog
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Avonex, Tysabri, or where do we go from here?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We had a very long day around here today. DH dragged my carcass out of bed early so I could drive him to his neurologist appointment. (It took two cups of coffee to get my eyes to open and two more to get me functioning.) I love the neurologist’s new offices except that DH had to do a lot more walking.
We discussed the problems that have plagued DH after his Avonex shot lately. For example, DH took his Avonex on Monday, and on Tuesday, he took a bad fall. He has some scrapes and bruises but he’s okay. This has become a regular thing the last several months. The doctor suggested that DH try halving his Avonex dose for a few weeks, and then slowly raise it back to a full dose, to see if that helps.
If that doesn’t work, Dr. H suggested trying Tysabri on DH. I asked him about Fampridine too. His answer was a bit noncommittal. I’m not surprised since the FDA only approved it in January. He gave DH a very thorough exam, and he is sending him for more blood work.
On another note, Jackie (one of my faithful readers) has started a blog. Why don’t you go over there and give her a nice howdy?
Posted in MS related, My blog
Tags: Author, 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
Westminster Dog Show nights
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Every February we spend two nights watching the Westminster Dog Show. When I used to show our BTs, I dreamed of showing one our dogs there one day. Well, life oftentimes changes things as ours has. We’ll never have a dog entered at Westminster because we no longer show dogs. However, we can enjoy making our picks, competing with each other on which dogs will win, and watch the best of the best make it to the Best in Show ring.
I drive DH crazy because I pick an average 3 out of 4 winners in each group. (Dang I should’ve wagered money on this with him.) This year I picked all four ribbon winners in the Non-sporting group in the correct order. In addition, I managed to pick 3 out of 4 for the rest of the groups. For the last several years, I’ve picked the Best in Show winner too. I knew Elliot Weiss would pick the Scottie, Sadie. She was flawless, and once a terrier person, always a terrier person. I must add here that the Best in Show group, in its entirety, was breath taking.
When I first met him (oh, so many) years ago, Elliot was a professional handler. Malcolm had managed to make it to terrier group. Professionals, handle most of the terrier breeds, with the exception of some BTs and a very few others. When I entered the ring, I saw many handlers who, in the dog show world, were legendary and who was it in front of me in line? Elliot. He was very nice. He saw that I was nervous and gave me a few encouraging words. We didn’t win, but it certainly was exciting for me, a mere mortal, to compete in the same ring with all those renowned handlers.
Posted in Dog related, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, dog shows, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Westminster Dog Show, Writer, Writing
Even dogs get cabin fever
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Neither Patty nor Gavin enjoy trudging through the deep snow outside. Therefore, they’ve begun to romp inside more than usual with DH and me taking the brunt of their zest. They run around like maniacs and use us as bumpers when they make turns. Either that or they leap onto our laps leaving black and blue paw prints behind.
Gavin had quieted down and had stretched out alongside me in my chair. He likes an afternoon nap. Patty was still looking for mischief. First, she poked his paw with her nose as she walked by. Then she walked past again and nosed his chest. The third time by she poked him in the nose a couple of times. I must say Gavin tried mightily to ignore her.
She, who is not to be ignored, wanted to play. She went and stood by DH’s chair and studied Gavin for a few minutes. Gavin was trying to doze. He even faked it by closing his eyes tight. However, I could feel his body tense as he sensed her scrutiny.
Patty walked past us and went into the kitchen. A few seconds later, she bounded back into the living room and pounced on both of us. Gavin shot out of the chair, bully runs and hucklebutts ensued. I can’t wait until they can burn off some energy outside.
Posted in Dog related, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
Where did my brain go?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
My brain went on a vacation. However, it did leave several voice mails for me.
Message 1: “Um, hello? Geez, I hate voicemail. Anyway, this is your brain. I’m going on vacation. I hear that Hawaii doesn’t have snow.”
Message 2: “It’s me again. You know. Your brain? I just wanted to let you know I forgot to put coffee on the grocery list, you might want to do that.”
Message 3: “Just arrived in Honolulu. It’s a balmy 71. I hear it’s supposed to hit 81 this afternoon. Enjoy the snow. Neener neener neener.”
I threw my cell phone against the wall. If my brain wants to be nasty about it, I won’t listen to my voicemail.
I received a strange E-mail. “This is your brain in Hawaii. It’s sunny and warm. Did the next snow storm hit yet?”
There were pictures too. My brain sitting on the beach sipping on a Mai Tai. (It had better make sure it showers off all that sand. There’s nothing worse than sand in the crevices.) My brain at a luau doing the hula. (Don’t ask it isn’t pretty.) Then there’s the picture of my brain at the pineapple farm. (Great, I’m allergic to pineapple so now I’ll be itchy.)
I hate my brain.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Weather related, 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, Snow, Writer, Writing
The problem with snow is snow removal
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Yes, we did get snow, quite a bit, though not as much as Philly and south. Our snow angel shoveled our walk again color me happy since shoveling the walk completely exhausts me for the rest of the day.
I do wish DH’s mother had a snow angel. DH had his stomach in knots all day thinking about how we can get her walks cleared. He can’t do it and feels guilty that he can’t. She, of course, adds to that guilt on purpose. There’s no way I can get over there to do it either. The snow plow managed to block our driveway and my project for tomorrow is to clear the wall of ice he left for us. That’s going to take all afternoon and it’s going to kill me. Sore muscles here I come.
I got a little creative tonight while doing some research on snow removal in our area. I found ServiceMagic.com. I plugged in my MIL’s address, named my project—residential snow removal, and they matched me with two places that do it in our area. Both of them will give a free estimate too. How cool is that? I’ll let you know it goes.
Posted in MS related, My blog, Weather related, 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, Snow, Writer, Writing
Finally decided on a paint color for the kitchen…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’ve wanted to paint the kitchen forever. I’ve waffled over this repeatedly. One after another, paint sample cards have hung on the wall above the cabinets where I can see them from my desk. Some were too dark, others too light, then one day a few months ago, G gave me a couple of cards she’d brought home for her own use and had used to choose her colors.
I narrowed my choices down to two colors. Behr paint’s Delicious Melon and Luminary both extremely close but it was the darker of the two that seems to work best. Luminary was my choice. It draws on the floor tile color, it’s light enough to be cheerful, and it has a nice warmth to it.
This will be my spring project. Once I can open the windows I’ll go buy the paint. Painting anything in this house takes on a comedic shape. Two Bull Terriers, a ladder, drop cloth, paint rollers, and fresh paint are disasters waiting to happen. It’s good thing the wall color will be similar to the floor.
That sounds weird, similar to the floor. I’m telling you it will look nice. The cabinets are a medium stain on birch and the counter top is forest green. The floor is a pale peach tone with small accent tiles of green. The back splash is white. The paint will make the cabinets pop and it will brighten an ugly paneled kitchen. When I do it this spring, I’ll post before and after pictures.
We are not responsible for the paneling it was here when we moved in. I’d tear it down but then that would mean hiring someone in to put up dry wall and take down the nasty drop ceiling. We can’t afford that.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Writer, Writing
I really didn’t want to break in my new boots
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Worn out and no longer warm, my old winter boots were ready for the trash. For the life of me, I couldn’t find a decent pair in a style I liked. [Warm, waterproof, and easily slipped on and off.] I’m lazy and when the pups want out they want out NOW. Finally, I found a pair in a catalog and ordered them several weeks ago. They arrived last week.
We had some cold weather the last few weeks but the snow had passed us by. My new boots sat by the back door neglected, unworn, and I prayed they’d stay that way until next year. I hate snow.
No such luck. It is snowing tonight. I had to put them on to take the dogs out for their last piddle break. That was around 1 a.m. and, by then, we already had an inch of that white stuff. It’s after 3 a.m. and it’s still snowing. At least it’s not a blizzard. The snow is falling gently and it is quite fluffy.
I hope when I wake it is sunny and the snow is gone or, at least, mostly gone.
Posted in My blog, Weather related
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, Snow, Writer, Writing
Word choices
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I can’t tell you how often I will fuss over word choices. A first draft is rife with bad choices. My verbs are feeble and lackluster. The descriptions are hackneyed and drab.
“It’s boring, boring, BORING!” I scream as I read over a new page. “I can do better.”
I believe my delete and backspace keys will wear out long before any of the other keys on my keyboard.
Dear Hubby and Gavin are used to this and don’t bat an eye. Patty will often dive for her crate but that’s how she is.
I go over each word, dredging for something better, brighter, and stronger. No wonder it takes me so long to write. I want my readers to feel the textures, hear the sounds, see, even taste and smell what my character sees, tastes and smells. I want to yank you into the story, suspend your disbelief, and entertain you.
Have patience with me. It’s my greatest hope that you will feel satisfied and entertained when you finish one of them. If I can do that, and make you want more, I will be content.
Posted in My blog, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
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