Blog Archives
Wordless Wednesday
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Tomorrow I am off to the conference. Thought I leave you these pictures to enjoy in my absence. I’ll post Monday.
Posted in hobbies, My blog, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, 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
Another day closer
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It’s three days to the conference and two days until I leave for Lancaster. I daren’t bring one thing downstairs until Thursday morning. If I do, Gavin will know for sure that Mom is going away for a few days. He already senses something is up and is a bit more clingy than usual.
Thursday morning before I leave, I’ll backwash the pond filters and make sure everything is running smoothly. That only leaves one thing for DH to do there and that’s toss in some Koi food once a day. Even if he forgets to do that, the fish will be fine since there’s plenty of natural food.
I showed G where the watering can is and she has the keys to the yard gate and house. B has my car keys so he can work on the fuse problem.
All I have to do is close my suitcase, grab the bag of hanging stuff, bring them downstairs, and load the car when my conference roommate gets here.
After that, all I need to do is have a good time and learn more about this crazy business of writing.
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, Pennwriters, Pennwriters conference, Pond, Ponds, Writer, Writing
Frost? Really?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
After the lovely warm weather we had Last week this week wasn’t so nice. We’ve had strong, damaging winds and chilly days. There’s even a frost warning tonight. Geez, I wish it would stay warm. So much for the iris that are in bloom right now. By morning, those blossoms will be mush. I do hope the ones that haven’t bloomed will be okay.
DH isn’t minding this cold spell since it doesn’t sap his energy as the heat does. He has his mobility cart up and running so the dogs are enjoying running walks around the yard with him. At least they’re getting their exercise.
Since it was too windy and cold to go out and garden I finished printing my cards for the conference. That project took forever since I can only print one page at a time. The ink is running low in the printer but I don’t think I’ll buy more. What I’ll do is shop around for another printer. Old faithful is dying a slow death.
With four days left, until I leave for the conference, I packed a little more tonight. By noon on Thursday we’ll be on the road to Lancaster.
Posted in My blog, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, 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, Pennwriters, Pennwriters conference, Writer, Writing
5 days to go
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The packing of the suitcase has begun, sort of. I’ve been setting out the things I plan to wear at the conference. My toiletries are packed and so are my shoes. I probably won’t wear the shoes that I’ve packed but they are there if I want something dressier than sneakers or flip-flops. I can’t help it I hate wearing shoes, even sneakers.
I gave G the key to the yard gate so she can water the plants that are in pots we know DH will forget them. She won’t. She has permanent possession of a house key so she will check on DH and the pups too. Her hubby B is going to see if he can find the glitch in my car while I’m gone. It seems that there is a fuse blown somewhere in the car. The cigarette lighters don’t work and I use them to plug in my air compressor to fill my tires. As on my old van, this one too has problem holding its air. (Danged, aluminum wheels.)
I did the laundry so DH can’t complain he has no clean socks or underwear. There’s plenty of food in the freezer and fridge and several restaurants that deliver he won’t starve. The dogs have food and treats. I downloaded the pictures on my camera and cleared the card. The battery is charging.
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, Pennwriters, Pennwriters conference, Writer, Writing
Preparing for the vegetable garden
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Our blueberry bushes didn’t make it through this past winter. I dug them out today. The catbirds will miss them. They raided them and almost cleared them off before I could harvest them last year. After the conference, I’ll put tomato, eggplant, and pepper plants where they were.
Two pots are ready for me to plant plum tomatoes alongside the house. Another pot will hold lettuce. I may try to squeeze a few more vegetables in among the flowers in the side garden.
The rhubarb is ready for the first picking. Oh boy, I can smell the rhubarb custard pie now. The cherry tree up in the cemetery must be loaded with cherries again. I keep finding cherry pits in my garden and the waterfall. Thanks to the birds.
If you feed squirrels, I am mad at you. The danged squirrels are digging holes in my garden to hide peanuts someone is giving to them. I can’t tell you how many I’ve tossed into the garbage. If you are going to feed the tree rats, at least give them shelled peanuts. That way they’ll eat them and not bury them.
Posted in My blog, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Conference countdown and happenings in the garden
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Six days to go. We picked up the last few items for the baskets we’re donating to the Chinese auction. Two of the baskets are on my kitchen table. My conference roommate has the others at her house. I almost pity the person who wins the one basket. They’ll need someone with a strong back and a weak mind to carry it to their car. Um, Dave? Did I just hear you volunteer?
DH has his cart charged and claims he is ready to handle the dogs. I bet that by the end of the first day, the dogs will be handling him. BTs are like that. Give them an inch they’ll take a mile.
For a change of subject, there’s a very noisy wren building a nest in a little birdhouse in the yard next door. It’s hard to believe that such a loud song can come from such a tiny bird. A pair of cardinals are busy constructing a nest in the chocolate vines and ivy on my shed. It’s a good thing they waited until the frogs left. We had one attempt to climb up the vines one night. After the frog fell from about three feet up DH dubbed him George of the jungle.
Posted in 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, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pennwriters, Pennwriters conference, Writer, Writing
My old printer isn’t happy with me today
Posted by doggonedmysteries
With the conference just days away, I set out to print my business cards today. My old faithful HP printer was not enjoying the task. The poor old dear wheezed its way through one page at a time. I had to sit at the printer and gently pull on the card stock so it didn’t stick. At this rate, it’s going to take me forever to print out what I need to take along with me.
It doesn’t mind grinding pages of manuscript. In fact, it almost sounds cheerful while it does. That’s a good thing because it is going to have to some major printing this weekend. Let’s not tell it, it may have a heart attack and I can’t go out shopping for a new one right now.
After the conference, I may have look into purchasing a new one. I don’t want too many bells and whistles, for fear if one thing goes wrong, I’m screwed. We’ll see. You never know there is the possibility that I might be sucked in by some raving beauty of a printer that promises me quick manuscript printing and great photos.
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, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Save a few trees
Posted by doggonedmysteries
‘No call’ lists are useless when it comes to politicians. It was bad enough during the presidential race but now we have another election coming. It’s time to elect a governor. I’m so tired of phone calls that begin at noon and continue until well after nine at night.
G was over this afternoon for about a half hour and during that time, the phone rang three times. No, I didn’t want to talk to the campaigners who wanted to convince me to vote for their choice for governor. I already know whom I’m voting for and their phone calls will not change my mind.
I am informed. I keep my eye on the politicians. I read. I research. I listen to their opinions and I make up my own mind. Do not call me. Do not load my mailbox with junk mail. Save a few trees and I might actually vote for you. All of those political flyers go from the mailbox to the recycle bin without a glance. Do not drive me crazy when I’m cooking dinner.
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
We don’t need rain right now…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We sure did get a load of rain the night before last. From what I heard, it totaled over 3 inches worth. I’m glad I thought to tie up some of my plants that would’ve flattened under a heavy downpour. I didn’t tie up the crane’s bill and it was pretty well flattened by the time the sun came out today. It’s a good thing that once it dries out it tends to rise again.
I have some candleholders that stick in the ground. I hadn’t put any candles in the cups and they were full of water when I went outside today. The ground in the back garden was downright saturated by the runoff we get from the apartment building behind us.
When I came down in the morning, the sky still threatened more rain. However, some time around four the sun came out and drove the clouds away.
Unfortunately, with all that heavy rain Goliath and two other frogs went walkabout and none of them have returned. We are now down to one bullfrog. Maybe that’s a good thing since those bullfrogs were starting go for any bird that happened to land close to them.
Posted in Misc, My blog, my garden, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pond, Ponds, Writer, Writing
10 days to the Pennwriters conference
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’m starting the countdown now. Even though the Pennwriters conference isn’t until the 14th I leave in ten days for Lancaster. (We like to get there a day early.) This means I have nine days to make sure everything at home is ready for my four-day absence.
I also have a few things I need to purchase before I leave. Things I want to take along with me. Bottled water sold there is expensive my roommate and I will bring our own. I take a small cooler along. Extra coffee, sweetener, and creamer are other must haves. Snacks—have to have them too.
My roommate and I need to pick up a few small items for our Chinese auction baskets. We donate several each year. One of ours this year is a real doozy. I can’t wait to see the reaction it gets.
Hey Dave, I’m looking forward to seeing you again. Are you ready to get rowdy?
Posted in My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, 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, Pennwriters, Pennwriters conference, Writer, Writing
The frogs let me down
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We had a lovely day here yesterday. We hit a new high temperature record for the date. DH didn’t do so well by afternoon when it hit 87 degrees, but we expect it to be so, and make adjustments. He dresses cooler, tries not to over do it, and stays inside where, with a brick home, it’s cooler until late at night.
DH takes a daily afternoon nap. It helps him function better. This unfortunately is where he was when I was outside and almost fell off my chair with excitement. I watched a great blue heron fly over, and although glad that he didn’t stop by for a snack of Koi, I was bursting at having no one around to share my exhilaration. Even G was away and she would’ve been as thrilled as I was.
Around 7 p.m., it had cooled down to a nice 76 and DH came outside to sit by the pond for a little while. We watched robins bathe in the waterfall, goldfinches serenaded us, and a gentle breeze kept us comfortable.
However, the frogs let me down. They made a liar out of me. No one sang.
Posted in Misc, My blog, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pond, Ponds, Writer, Writing
The pups are after the compost bin again
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I have a compost bin. We do the coffee grounds, tea bags, any kitchen waste that’s not meat—all of it goes in the compost heap. There’s one teensy problem though. We put banana peels in there because they are great for the garden. The problem is with the banana peels I have to keep the bin blocked off so the dogs can’t get near it.
You see my dogs adore bananas. You could say they are bananas for bananas. We can’t open a peel without having the two dogs plaster themselves to our side until they each get some. Therefore, they would scavenge the peels from the compost pile if they could.
Last year Gavin tried his darnedest to climb into the bin because he smelled his favorite treat in there. In an instant he was stuck. I then had to climb over obstacles to pry him out of there. I need a better way to block the bin.
Yesterday Patty attempted a raid on the bin. With her long legs, she might have made it. It’s a good thing she was on the retractable leash at the time.
Posted in Dog related, My blog, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing














