Blog Archives
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
Happy Labor Day!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I hope you all have a lovely day today. I’ll be back tomorrow.
Posted in Holidays
Tags: Author, Bones, 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
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
September is here already?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I can’t believe it summer is already ending. Wasn’t it just Spring?
I picked the last cantaloupe I don’t think we’ll get any more from the vines this season. I do think we may have some watermelons before the first frost though. The next wave of tomatoes is starting to ripen. Another day or two and I’ll be making BLTs again.
The ruby throated hummingbirds are becoming regulars at the feeder and the cannas. The cardinals, woodpeckers, and sparrows are now sharing the feeders with two parakeets and a cockatiel that occasionally comes in. It is startling to see them at first.
Our toad, Mr. Toadamus is growing larger and must be finding plenty of bugs to eat because he’s quite fat. I miss the frogs I will have to buy some tadpoles in the spring unless the neighbor’s son finds some on one of his landscaping jobs and brings them home.
The hawk family is still around. I could hear them up in the cemetery when I was outside today.
There are two new stray cats in the neighborhood. I chased one of them out of the yard when I discovered him napping on the bricks along the side garden. It’s a good thing I was out alone and the dogs didn’t discover him. All hell would’ve broken loose.
Posted in My blog, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bird, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Food, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Home & Garden, Hummingbird, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tomato, Woodpecker, Writer, Writing
Sookie Stackhouse instead of shuffle dog please
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I spent most of this evening immersed in Charlaine Harris’s world of Sookie Stackhouse. I needed a break from reality and some well earned pleasure. I find all of her books a pleasure to read and her Sookie books top my list. (Gee, I hope someone says that of me one day.)
We had a busy day topped by taking both dogs to the vet’s office. We play shuffle dog. One in the van with DH while one is in the office and then we switch them. Or rather I do. It is a great deal of exercise moving the dogs around when one is not happy to be there. (Read the September 1 post.)
Gavin still needed his shots and blood test, and we had Patty scheduled for hers. After three vet visits this week alone the total bill came to $400.00. Can you say OUCH? Had Gavin not become ill the day before his appointment our bill would’ve been about $180.00 because he wouldn’t have needed to go a second time.
We were out of heartworm pills too, they take them the fifth of each month, and that ran us $85.00 for 12 doses or six months worth. That ran up the bill. At least the pups are now up to date on all their shots. Lucky Gavin got one more than Patty. He was due for his rabies shot.
Neither dog seems to mind the shots they go quickly. The drawing of blood…well, Gavin hates that and if not held tight will pull away from the needle. Patty is stoic and stands like a statue to have her blood drawn.
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Charlaine Harris, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog, Doggoned, Dogs, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Recreation, Sookie Stackhouse, True Blood, Writer, Writing
Death by Cuddles
Posted by doggonedmysteries
“Henry went to the garden to chop down that old grape vine. That was two hours ago.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Detective Hayes wrote in his notepad. “Then what happened?”
“I heard a commotion. I came outside. Cuddles had that bloody board in his mouth. He was knocking over the potted plants.”
“You mean that two-by-four the Bull Terrier is playing with? You say it has blood on it?”
“Yes. I couldn’t get Cuddles to drop it. He ran by and cracked me in the shins. I went down hard. He ran past again and hit my head.” Victoria showed him the purple bruises on her shins and the knot on her forehead.
“That must’ve been quite a shot.”
“Oh, it was.”
“Tell me about Henry.”
“I was getting to that. Once I could walk, I went to look for him. I’m sure he killed Henry.”
“The dog?”
“Yes, Cuddles killed Henry.”
“Where was the dog?”
“I found him with Henry. He was licking Henry’s face. I ran back to the house to call for the ambulance. When they got here they said Henry was dead and called you.”
“I’m placing you under arrest.”
“But Cuddles did it.”
“Sure, lady”
Posted in Dog related, My blog, Short Stories, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Breeds, Bull Terrier, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog, Dog humor, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Rescues and Shelters, Short stories, Terrier Group, Writer, Writing
Gavin doesn’t fit under a potted palm but you try to tell him that…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Yesterday Gavin entertained me by trying to hide under the potted palm in the waiting room. The receptionists and I were in the giggles. He crawled under a chair in the exam room, closed his eyes, and ducked his head in the old ‘if I can’t see you, you can’t see me’ routine. Didn’t work, the vet tech cracked up and took his temperature anyway.
When Dr O came in, Gavin tried to ooze under the door. That didn’t work either. Dr. O laughed at him and did a complete examination. He even snuck in a quick peek down Gavin’s mouth as far as Gavin would open it.
Gavin didn’t get his shots. No, he managed to come down with a case of the squirts. All night long and for most of the day before his scheduled 2:30 appointment, I took him out every two hours…or less. He came home with two bottles of medications and he is back on the old hamburger and rice diet.
I didn’t want to take both dogs in together. I tried that last time and Chicken Dog had Patty all apprehensive. She usually enjoys her vet visits. That’s why I made two separate appointments. However, now Gavin is tagging along to Patty’s appointment on the second to get his shots. DH can come along and enjoy Chicken Dog’s entertaining antics and then he can take him to the car while Patty gets her check up.
This should be interesting…
Posted in Dog related, My blog, 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
There’s nothing like clean, sweet smelling dogs
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Gavin has a vet appointment today so yesterday was bath day. There’s no way I was taking Mr. Stinky in without a bath first. Patty’s appointment is the second so she’s clean too. I don’t bathe them as often as I should because they don’t make it easy.
DH was taking a nap when I hauled Patty up the stairs first. She wasn’t happy about going up there because she’d seen me take the dog towels up earlier. She knew what I had on my mind. A little coaxing and a cookie tossed in the tub soothed her for a bit. Then I turned on the water. Patty froze. Actually, I’m glad she did, bathing the brindle statue was easy. A soap and rinse later she was out of the tub and covered in towels loving the rubbing. She bounded down the stairs never once thinking of anything but another cookie and some drying time in her crate.
I took a short break.
Oh, boy it was Gavin’s turn. Getting him upstairs and into the tub, no problem, he jumped in right after the cookie I tossed onto the mat. Water on.
“Oh, no you don’t, Mom.” He backed into the far corner.
The tub is six feet long, the doors, the way I had them set, block four feet, and I was straining to reach him. I got him wet, soaped, rinsed. He kept shaking and got me wet, soaped, wet, and a ring on his bath collar hit me in the knuckle breaking a vein. Out of the tub, covered in towels, he managed to shake once more, soaking the entire bathroom and me again.
I took a long break before I went back up and cleaned the bathroom.
Nope, there’s never a dull moment around here.
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, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Description, when is enough, enough?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I admit it I under-describe things and have to go back later to pump it up. However, I’d rather do that than do what the author (who will remain anonymous) of the mystery, (the title too shall remain anonymous) that I’m reading has done.
He has bored me with paragraph after paragraph of tedious description. Admittedly, the book was published in 1978. Had I read it then I would have said the same thing. The book is a trudge.
Nothing gets past him without a description. He describes minor characters in minute detail. He hands to you, in microscopic illustration, every location in the book. He’s boring me to tears. What bothers the crap out of me is that according to the book jacket, from 1978, he wrote sixteen novels. Geez, I wonder how many he’s had published since then. I’ll have to look for his books when I go to the bookstore again. Then I’ll ignore them.
I think I’ll hang on to the book as an example of what not to write. No, I didn’t buy the book.
G lent me a stack of new books I hadn’t read and I spotted this old one in a pile of books she was taking to a used bookstore. The title intrigued me. Sigh, I should’ve left it in the reject pile.
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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