Category Archives: Writing
It’s one a.m.; do you know what your fur babies are doing?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I know what mine are doing only because I am downstairs with them right now.
Gavin bows in front of her crate. “Come out and play with me.”
Patty turns her back to him and covers her head with a paw. “You are nuts. It’s after one in the morning. Let me sleep.”
“Please, please, please come out of there.”
“Zzzzzzzzzz.”
“You’re no fun.” Gavin goes and rings the go out bells. “C’mon Mom take me out. It’s chilly and I love it.”
“Hold your horses, I’m writing my post for tonight.”
In the kitchen, the bells ring again. Gavin runs to my chair and barks. “Didn’t you hear the bells?”
A moan comes from Patty’s crate. “Take him out so I can sleep will ya?”
“Geez, it never fails does it? I sit down to write and you guys start in.”
“I didn’t do anything. I’m trying to sleep here.” Patty says.
“I want to go out.” Gavin runs to ring the bells again.
“I get it, I get it. I’m coming.” I grab his leash and we go out.
Gavin sniffs over the entire yard, squats to pee a teensy bit, and drags me back to the door. “Ready to go in now.”
“Oh for heaven’s sake.”
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, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Never work in a snake pit
Posted by doggonedmysteries
For lack of anything to watch on TV tonight, DH turned on that Undercover Boss show. I was working at the computer and only half listening. However, I did come to the conclusion that if someone had done that at one of places where I worked for a very short time I might still be working there.
This office made you dread having to go to work. I stayed only a couple of months. I couldn’t take the vicious backbiting and stress it caused. When I left there, I felt a great sense of relief. How I left there was inspired. I’d had a particularly bad day of dealing with malicious coworkers and impulsively called the human resources department.
“How do I quit this job? Do you want two weeks notice or what?” I asked.
They tried to persuade me to stay but I’d had it. They even offered to transfer me to another location. I still wasn’t interested. They finally told me that since I was only part time I could leave straight away. I told them I’d finish out the day but that would be it.
Before I left that day, I typed a letter to my boss explaining why I decided this was not the place for me and left it on his desk—he was never one to be found in his office. In the letter, I told him it was no wonder that they had such a huge turn over in help. They needed to clean out their snake pit if they wanted anyone to stay more than a month or two.
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, Television, Undercover Boss, Writer, Writing
A bit of a ramble through my thoughts
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Although my life is mundane, there are moments that I enjoy sharing. I know that I have a cockeyed view of the world, I write about murders. I don’t look at things the same way a lot of people do. My reality often bends and changes as light through a prism.
Because DH has a debilitating disease, we never know what each day will bring. This is what I call living life unscheduled. We live each day as it comes and always revel in small joys and accomplishments. Like any married couple, we sometimes grump and growl at each other but above all else, we never forget that we love each other.
Add two crazy bull terriers to the mix and you walk a fine line between sane and insane. Heck, I should’ve named them that but it would only confuse them and have me locked up. Can you picture me looking for two lost dogs calling out, “here Sane, here Insane.” The men with white coats would scoop me up in an instant.
When I began writing this blog, I never thought that many people would give it a second look. Today the number of hits passed sixty thousand. All I can say is wow and thank you Dear Readers.
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, Marriage, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Philosophy, Writer, Writing
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
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
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
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
Learn from rejection
Posted by doggonedmysteries
You can learn from rejection. Don’t ‘huh?’ me, you heard correctly. Rather than allow a rejection to put you into a fetal position, and cause you to cry and rage against the world, doesn’t it make more sense to figure out the why of it?
In writing, there are several forms of rejections sent out by agents and editors. I’ll list a few. A. The form letter, this one is no help whatsoever. B. The ‘we love your work’ rejection letter where they actually court you a bit then drop you on your ass leaving you feeling like a jilted lover. C. The rejection letter that comes with constructive criticism—one of the best types to get. D. The nasty ‘don’t quit your day job’ letter.
The form letter is the lazy way out. Nine chances out of ten your manuscript sat on their desk for a few weeks and they never read it. Check them off your list and try someone else.
We love your work kick in the teeth rejections are the hardest to take. I’ve heard seasoned writers cry over them.
The constructive criticism rejection letter is one to take seriously. Read it carefully, listen to what they tell you, go back to your manuscript and work like hell on it.
The don’t quit your day job letter is tough to take but if everyone who has read your work seems to say the same thing, well, maybe your book really wasn’t as great as you thought it was. Then again, the person who read it might have had a bad day. Try a critiquing group and listen to them.
Posted in 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
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