Blog Archives
Dog gone dog home
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Things were somewhat quiet at the MIL’s house today. We should’ve figured it was too quiet and was the hush before the next squall.
Five this afternoon I was out weeding the gardens when I saw DH hobbling to his truck. “Where are you going? It’s almost time for me to start dinner.”
“My mom’s again.” This would be trip number three for the day. “The dog got out.” His mother has an elderly Border terrier who, like most terriers, even at his old age is still fast on his feet. She should have some old roly-poly dog that can’t get out of its own way.
“Want me to come along? Drive you over?”
“No. Go ahead and finish what you’re doing.”
“I won’t start dinner until you get back.”
“Okay.”
Three hours later, he came dragging in the door. He hadn’t found the dog. His mother was in hysterics and we both knew she’d make his life hell if the dog never came home. The poor man was distressed and beyond tired. It was late, I made dinner, we ate, and soon afterwards, he went to bed.
Around ten p.m. the phone rang, it was the MIL, some woman showed up at her door with the dog. DH mustn’t have been sleeping well worrying about the dog, because as soon as I hung up the phone, he called downstairs and asked me what was up. He knew it was his mother, she has a special ring on our phone, and it sounds as frantic as her constant calls.
“The dog is home.”
“Thank God.” He went back to bed.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
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, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
How to repair a hole in a wall
Posted by doggonedmysteries
There’s a hole in the wall behind Patty’s crate.
How did that get there?
The idiot dog put it there.
Sure, blame the dog.
Really, she did it. No, she didn’t use a hammer or put her paw through it, she used her crate.
Patty is a high energy Bull Terrier. Patty will run full tilt into her crate and slam into the back of it. One of these days, I expect to find her unconscious in there with that I-meant-to-do-it look on her face. The last time she ran full tilt into her crate, it hit the wall so hard that it knocked a hole in the plaster. It’s not dry wall this is an old plaster and lath wall.
I will clear away any loose dust and plaster and undercut the edges. I’ll dampen the hole and edges, fill it with patching plaster, not quite even to the wall, and then score the surface of the patching plaster. Let it dry for 24 hours. Then I’ll apply joint compound even with the rest of the wall. This doesn’t have to be perfect since I painted the wall with textured paint, which I’ll apply after the joint compound is dry.
Have I done this before? Oh, yeah. Many times, between DH’s frequent falls and two high energy BTs I’ve become an expert.
Posted in Dog related, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, DIY, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Home repairs, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, the dog did it, Writer, Writing
Vined and died
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The heat wave finally broke today but not without some damage. We had thunder, lightning, and heavy rain. That didn’t do the damage, on top of all that; we had strong winds whip through after the rain.
In the back corner of our yard, we have a good-sized shed. Going up the side facing the alley we had four types of vines growing up and over the roof. Two types of ivy, bittersweet, and chocolate vine had all intertwined and created a lovely mantle over the boring aluminum shed. Ferns below covered any of the lower faults.
My first trip out into the yard with Gavin after the rain stopped the wind kicked up into high gear. When I took Patty out next, I was shocked to find that in a few minutes the wind had literally peeled all the vines off the shed. A huge mass of vines were now hanging by a few tendrils that had attached to the magnolia.
All I could do was put on my work gloves, haul out the trimmers, and get to work on clean up. I filled four forty gallon trashcans with vines by the time I finished. It took me three hours to clear away the mess. It was still hot and humid when I was working.
Now if I can find someone willing to paint the shed for me…
The winds continued through the evening but not as wild as in the afternoon. By 11 tonight, we’d cooled down to a very comfortable 61 degrees. The air conditioners are off and I opened the house to welcome fresh air.
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, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
DH and the dogs are air-conditioned couch potatoes
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I have one empty pot sitting out on the walk. I’m trying to figure out what sort of vegetable I’d like to put in it. Sure, I could do flowers but I so love fresh veggies. Maybe I’ll pick up some beet seeds and try them in the pot. I used to grow them in my garden when I had a huge veggie garden. We’ll see.
After the rains, we had yesterday and last night, all the veggies, whether in pots or by the back fence, have doubled in size. I found it rather surprising since I’ve watered them every day. Unfortunately, two of the patty-pan squash blossoms fell off…Sigh.
The southern flow of high heat and humidity has worn DH down to a nub. He’s barely functioning after he goes outside. The air conditioners are on and running for him. Heck, even the dogs are happier inside. They’ve become air-conditioned couch potatoes already.
We are both looking forward to the cooler temperatures and lower humidity heading our way from the north. It will be nice to be able to weed the gardens without having to take a million water breaks.
Posted in Dog related, MS related, my garden, Weather related, 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, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
One flew over the cuckoo’s nest and I’m sure it was my MIL
Posted by doggonedmysteries
One a.m. thunder and lightning along with pouring rain. DH’s cell phone rings, waking him out of a sound sleep, and the police are on the other end of the line. I found all this out when he came downstairs set to drive across town to his mother’s, for the fourth time in nineteen hours. It seems that my MIL’s power went out for a few minutes and she felt the need to report the fact to the police. They in turn called us. Thanks guys.
The woman is going to be the death of him. Either that or she’s going send him to the funny farm post haste. This, by the way, is where she should be.
I swear she is certifiable, has been for at least 40 years. In fact, for 37 years her lights were on, nobody was home but the cuckoo, and he’s been screaming CUCKOO! Where’s nurse Ratchet when you need her?
The woman is nucking futs. I’d reserve her rubber room for her but the way things are going poor DH would probably be next door to her and I don’t think that would work.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, crazy, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
The klutz was out and about again
Posted by doggonedmysteries
So there I was running the trimmer around the edges of the yard and the garden when I ever so neatly landed on my butt. Yep, the klutz was out and about again today. This time I tripped over the two bricks and the hose that extend from the filters for use while back washing the pond filter. The hose spewed a bit of water so my pants were also wet. I looked lovely.
Yes, there are bruises. I have one on my butt, and another on my arm that I have no idea how I got one there. I’m betting by tomorrow there will be more. Not to mention the stiff muscles I’ll discover that I never knew I had. I narrowly missed spraining an ankle, again. I’m ever so glad no one saw me fall it couldn’t have been pretty.
Falling once was bad enough, but not five minutes later, I almost repeated the same pratfall on the same two bricks and hose. By now, I think I hold the klutz queen crown firmly within my grasp. Next time I’m moving the bricks and hose before I begin to trim.
However, with my luck I’ll find something else to fall over. I’m taking odds on that.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
How does your garden grow?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’m pleased to say that all the tomato plants I put in have tripled in size and the plum tomatoes have blossoms. All of the pepper plants are growing tall and are loaded with flowers. This is the first time I’ve planted dill that the danged earwigs didn’t eat it to the roots within days. I guess planting it in a pot was the secret. The fennel plant looks good too.
There’s a lovely flower blooming on the patty pan squash and there are other buds a plenty. The sugar-baby watermelon vine has quadrupled in size and I do believe that also has buds. The acorn squash, the cucumber, and the cantaloupe are growing fast no buds yet but they’ll get there.
I don’t see any change in the lemon grass but at least it’s alive. I planted half of my black elephant ears in the pond garden and half in a pot. The ones in the pot are growing faster.
All of the new iris I planted are doing well and so are the other flowers. My oriental lilies are blooming. The stargazers are getting tall and have plenty of buds. I have a ton of coreopsis even after giving a bunch away to other gardeners along with some other iris I had to split. The day lilies have started to bloom. I took some pictures but have to download them.
Posted in hobbies, 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
The psyche of a character
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Sometimes your readers see your characters clearer than you do. How often have you gone to a critiquing group and had them ask you, “Why did your character do that?” Your first response is the childlike, because ___. To which they say, “Your character wouldn’t do that.”
Baffled you stop and think, Huh? I know my characters. I know what they’d do. But wait, what do these people see that I don’t? Did I forget something?
You know your character’s inner workings but have you read the story with the eye of reader? You have revealed something to the readers. Somehow, by the character’s thoughts, words, deeds, and emotions, you gave them something and you missed it. However, you have a success because they feel that they know your character.
Quit writing for a day, do something else, then go back, print it out, and read what you have. Don’t read it with your little editor, don’t read it as the writer, read it as a reader.
You may find the little quirk you gave the character that made your critique group tell you the character wouldn’t react the way you wrote it. If you don’t, don’t worry about it. What you wrote made them react by them reacting in the way they did it shows that your character came to life for them. Use it.
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
Remembering those who have fallen and those who still serve.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
My nephew in Afghanistan
May you all come home safe and soon!
Posted in Holidays, In memory of..., Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, Memorial day, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, service men and women, Writer, Writing
No more robbing Peter to pay Paul
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We went through years of where we thought we’d never see the light at the end of the tunnel. We’d get close but then someone would move the end. We had those calls from creditors where you want to scream at them, “How do you get blood from a stone?” You knew it was bad when you’d cringe at the ring of a phone. We lived in creditor hell for a while and it is the worst place to be. I’m not going back there.
I never thought this day would get here. One more check to write and we are debt free. We can pay our regular bills as they arrive.
No more loan payments! We cleared that last week. We’ve always had a loan payment. 20 years ago when we paid off the mortgage, we still had car payments, and there was a home equity loan we had to take out when most of our major appliances committed suicide on the same day. Like anyone else, we kept refinancing that loan to pay for things we needed.
We don’t owe the credit card companies a dime. I’ve worked hard to keep them clear by only charging what I knew I could pay when the bill came. Believe me that wasn’t easy.
We’ve paid our oil and cable bill for the year, the car insurance too. Holy crap, we won’t know how to act. We might even be able to build up a decent savings account. Wow.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Debt free, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
I began to write again
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I always danced to a different drummer. I never fit in with the ‘in’ crowd. I wasn’t a nerd, I wasn’t an athlete, and I wasn’t a straight A student. I barely cracked a book and was happy with A’s and B’s giving me a high B average. I was bored and ignored in school.
I did a lot of daydreaming and spent most of the time with my nose in a book. I wrote bad teenaged angst filled poetry and short stories. I loved my art and English classes.
My junior year of high school I had an English teacher that managed to light a spark. At first I frustrated her because I’d read every book on her book list. Then she made another list. I messed her up on that one too since I’d already read over half of those books. She didn’t give up. She saw something in me that most teachers had overlooked. She’d never had a student quite like me. I had a passion for reading and writing. She never stopped pushing and prodding me the whole year.
For years afterwards, I put that passion for writing aside, busy with working and keeping house. Then one day I began to write again.
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, Passion, Writer, Writing
Here we go again
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I have my hands full with Gavin tonight. One of his ears is once again inflamed and he won’t leave it alone. This means he’s back in ‘the collar of shame’ at least that is what he thinks about the E-collar. I had to put it on him because he kept digging at his ear, not a good thing. He only makes it worse that way. At least with the E-collar on him I can try to break the itch scratch cycle.
This is a chronic problem with him. It took him an hour to settle down in his crate after I put the collar on him because he was not thrilled. Last time I put it on him he did a Houdini and got it off. I found it in the back of the crate. We were fortunate that he didn’t chew it up and eat the thing.
Posted in Dog related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, 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, Writer, Writing
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