Blog Archives
We are one step ahead of the squirrels in the great tomato war
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Gavin here, Mom said I could write the blog tonight. Boy is Mom completely ticked off at the squirrels. Tree rats she calls them. While Patty and I were enjoying the AC, it seems that those sneaky critters went and built a nest in her magnolia tree. Then they started stealing tomatoes and had the nerve to sit on her bench by the back door and eat them!
Patty says she could scare them off if only she could climb the tree. We’ve both tried but we don’t have any cat blood in us so it didn’t work. The danged old tree rat laughed at us but then so did Mom. Now that it’s cooler outside we’re patrolling the yard more often.
The tree rat cusses at us from the top of the magnolia. Patty and I pretend we can’t hear him and maybe he’ll come closer.
Dad says it’s time to get out the have-a-heart traps again. He said something about relocating the fluffy tailed rats. I don’t know what relocating means but I growled about it at the squirrel tonight.
Posted in Dog related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, 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
Hookers, Johns, and night-time photographs
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I know it’s weird that I take pictures of the gardens at night. The whole night-time photography thing started in a strange way…
I live in the center of town in a rather quiet area, slightly off the beaten path. For years, we had a high hedge along the side of yard. This attracted a certain problem. What was the problem you ask? Hookers and their Johns discovered it. At first, I’d let the dogs out and allow them to bark at the strange cars but I began to fear that these people might try to harm my darlings. My tactics changed quickly when one man became confrontational and we had to call the police on him.
After such an experience, you tend to try to find easy ways to move them off without being confrontational. Having a camera’s flash go off several times in their direction certainly does the trick. No, I don’t take pictures of them or their cars but they don’t know this. Should they try to confront me, I can prove that I am innocently taking pictures of my gardens and pond.
I’ve found that when I photograph the gardens at night the colors of the flowers and Koi come up clearer and most natural. There is that deterrent thing too…
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Fish, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Koi, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pond, Ponds, Writer, Writing
Never tell anyone who your tomato overflow person is…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We planted five tomato plants. The counters and fridge are teeming with tomatoes. I have several neighbors who put in at least a dozen plants, no wonder they have so many.
Our tomatoes are coming in faster than greyhounds after a rabbit and so are all the neighbors’. Neighbors are scrambling to get rid of them and they are all getting the same response, “I already have a ton of tomatoes.”
I’ve made salsa, tomato sauce, and relish. We’ve had so many BLTS that they are coming out our ears. (I’m not complaining I love BLTs.) I have two people I give my overflow to before the harvest fills every shelf of the fridge and my entire counter top. Shhh, don’t tell anyone but my next door neighbor and my MIL are our tomato people. They welcome our surplus with glee. Dear Hubby takes a basket of grape tomatoes and a couple of the Big Boys over to his mom once a week. My next door neighbor has Big Boy tomatoes whenever she desires them.
When other neighbors complain that have no one left to give their tomatoes to I suggest taking them to the soup kitchens.
Posted in my garden
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Will multiple sidekicks work?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
With each book I write, Linnie’s sidekick could be the same. However, I think it might work to use a different one in each subsequent book. I have several characters who are clamoring for the job. In Doggoned Dead, there’s Perry. In Doggoned Bullseye, I think one of the other characters would work better. In Doggoned Bones, her cousin seems to fit the bill.
What do you think? In a series mystery, does it matter to you if the sidekick changes according to the storyline? I won’t mix and match several in one book I don’t think that would work.
Why am I writing a mystery series? I love reading them. I enjoy getting to know the characters. The idea of picking up a book that has a familiar set of characters appeals to me.
Do you read mystery series? What do like best about a mystery series? What turns you off? Come on people, let me hear your opinions.
Posted in My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
The night owl advantage
Posted by doggonedmysteries
From the hours of midnight to 5 a.m., the city quiets down. It’s so peaceful that, on the odd occasion, I can hear the trains from the other side of town. When I’m outside, all I hear is our waterfall, fountains, crickets, and frogs. The occasional siren or passing car intrudes but not too often.
Inside the dogs are snoring quietly and the phone is silent. Ideally, the TV is off. I write. The dinner dishes sit in the sink all rinsed and ready for washing. They will keep for a while.
With coffee close to hand and some inspiration, my nightly post grows. I read the comments on my blog and answer them. I reply to E-mails and my books take on new life. I play with words, phases, expressions, dialogue, and characters. I hope to take my readers on a journey into a good mystery with twists, turns, and a resolution at the end.
Around about 4 a.m., I take the dogs out, do my dishes, and go to bed.
Posted in Misc, My blog, 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, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
I keep very strange hours
Posted by doggonedmysteries
My internal clock is different from almost everyone I know. How many people do you know that make potato salad at 3 a.m. for dinner the next day? I just finished making it and put it in the fridge. Do you know anyone who does dishes at 4 a.m.? I’ve been known to do that often. See? Weird.
I also do my writing after 11p.m. I’m never fully awake until sometime in the afternoon. Before that, I live on coffee to jump start my brain. Ask me a question before noon and I make no sense. Probably because I’m still in bed and sound asleep at that time.
I can’t help it. I’ve tried changing my circadian clock but before long, it is right back to where it was before. My mother told me many times I did this as a child. I drove her crazy with it. My dear Aunties have learned to take my crazy hours in stride. They let me sleep until I wake up when I visit. They also know never to phone me before noon and preferably not until sometime around 3 in the afternoon when I am completely functioning.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
I am a dial up slowpoke
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The clouds hung low and brooding over the city, thunder rumbled. Lightning flashed. My dial up connection went to hell in a hand basket…
One of these days, I’ll get a high speed connection. When I do, I’ll probably be amazed at the difference. For now, I have to stay with the dial up and be pokey. I can’t view videos that people E-mail to me—I keep telling them that but they don’t seem to get it.
As of now, I simply can’t justify paying what they want around here for a high speed connection.
I’ll keep plodding along here at a turtle’s pace while everyone else leaps ahead like rabbits…wait does that sound familiar?
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Miscellaneous stuff
Posted by doggonedmysteries
A trip to Borders today gave me some insight into my troublesome character. I did a bit of scribbling in my notebook I hope will turn into another chapter or two if I’m lucky.
After stopping to visit a friend at my favorite store, I went to get a hair cut. Yes, Dave it’s short again but Dear Hubby thinks it’s cute. Why do so many men want women to have long hair anyway? When it’s thick and curly like mine, it’s hot and frizzy in the summer.
We had a very muggy and hot day today so the dogs spent most of it on their favorite chairs snoozing in the AC. I’m looking forward to the storms they are predicting this weekend that are supposed to bring cooler and less humid weather with them.
When I was visiting them last month, my Aunties gave me three lovely Japanese figurines that were my Grandfather’s. I did some research and found out they aren’t just any old figurines. They are three of the Japanese Seven Gods of Fortune. The first one I found is Daikokuten the God of wealth, the second one is Fukurokuju the God of wisdom and longevity, and the third one is Hotai San the laughing Buddha rubbing his belly is supposed to bring good luck. How fun!
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
I am not a domestic Goddess
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I hate to clean. Don’t get me wrong, I love a clean house but I hate doing the work to get it clean.
Dusting, oh, I’d rather play with the dogs. Running the vacuum, yuck, it’s so noisy, wouldn’t it be better to sit and read a book? Sweeping, it’s quieter but wasn’t there something I meant to write about? Washing windows? Do I really need to see outside? If I wash the dogs’ nose prints off the windows, they’re back there in an hour anyway. They call it decorating and I tend to agree with them.
Who wants to schlep baskets of laundry down and back up two flights of stairs when there’s gardening to do? I can go outside, pull a few weeds, daydream, and play with the Koi and the bullfrogs. Therefore, the laundry piles up and when I finally break down to do it; I’m at it all day. It’s a good thing to do on a rainy day. I can cuddle with the dogs in between loads. No, I didn’t say dust, vacuum, sweep, or wash windows.
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Fish, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Koi, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
What do you do with an uncooperative character?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’m having difficulty with one of my characters. He doesn’t seem to be working as well as I hoped he would. However, the story falls flat without him since he is an important character. Now comes the time either to lose him or fix him. This is not an easy decision.
What would you do if you have a character that doesn’t seem quite right? Do you rewrite him numerous times to fix him or do you continue plodding on with the story and hope that you can go back and fix him later?
I’m not certain if he needs to be meaner or if he’s mean enough but I haven’t quite caught his character. I can’t seem to get into his head enough.
How do you get into a character’s head? I haven’t had problems with this when I write other characters, so why does this one elude me?
I feel as if I’m spending time banging my head against the wall.
Posted in My blog, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Fiction, Life, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
There was no blueberry feasting at our house
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’ve been hunting up recipes for things to do with blueberries. I’m dreaming that next year we’ll have some to harvest from the bushes. My cousin gave me some much needed information on how to get them to produce. He told me to add peat moss, iron sulfate, and plenty of mulch to the soil around them. Next time I at Home Depot, or Lowes I’ll make sure to pick up what I need.
The bushes looked puny this year and didn’t produce enough fruit especially with the cat bird making raids on the bushes. Danged bird would look right at me, make his mewling noise, grab a blueberry, and fly away. He beat me to every ripe berry.
The only blueberries I had this year were the ones I picked and brought home from my Aunt’s place. The first thing I did was to make us a lovely batch of blueberry pancakes. Next year, if my bushes produce like the ones at my Aunt’s place, I’ll have enough to share with the blasted bird without missing out.
I’m thinking about all this because I have to start now if I want the bushes to be in good shape next year.
Posted in Misc, My blog, my garden
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
A do nothing day
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Today was a very good day to do nothing. According to the weather reports, tomorrow will also be a great day to sit inside in the AC. I don’t do air conditioned ‘nothing’ very well. I get restless and I want to be outside. Gavin was content to sit with me in the chair and even relaxed on his back alongside me. Patty preferred the couch away from body heat.
Dear Hubby’s mother picked today of all days to ask him to run some errands for her. What the hell? She waits until the hottest day we’ve had so far this year to ask him. I swear she does this on purpose.
Given that this is a do nothing day, this will be a short post too. Tomorrow I’ll spend another day inside in the AC with DH and the pups since it’s going to be hotter.
Posted in Misc, MS related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
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