Blog Archives
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
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
We’re having a heat wave
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Oh yeah, it looks as though we’re going to have a heck of one. Today was hot, humid, and too much for the dogs and Dear Hubby. Tomorrow is supposed to be hotter and so on for the next week or so. I don’t mind the heat, but DH and the dogs do. The three wimps will stay inside in the AC as much as they possibly can.
Gavin will only go out if his bladder is screaming. Patty will go out whenever you want her to but she’s at the door to come in, in an instant. They’d never survive living in the south. This is fine with me I have no plans to move south. However, I’d love to send this weather back there where it belongs.
I’m no Southern belle. I’ve lived in the south and I prefer to stay in the north. I love the change of seasons. Sure, I’ll complain about the winter snow but the worst snow and a million bucks couldn’t move me south. Sorry, my southern friends I’m a Yankee through and through and can’t change.
Posted in Dog related, 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, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
We will have to buy some mulch
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The poor pups had a late dinner tonight and they certainly let me know they were not thrilled it was late. Gavin scolded me as I washed and refilled the water dishes. This ritual marks dinner time in his eyes. Patty ran from the kitchen to the living room several times. There she’d sit in front of her dish stand for a second before returning to join Gavin in sassing me. What does this have to do with buying mulch you ask?
I finally cleared the mulch pile from the driveway today. I moved seven wheel barrow loads of wet mulch. I mulched the entire side garden, half of the garden under the Tulip poplar, and a bit of the back garden along the fence. I didn’t finish until after seven and that’s why the dogs were disgusted with me.
I figure we’ll need to buy about five bags worth of mulch to cover the parts of the gardens that I didn’t cover today. Unless, the neighbor’s son just happens to have another truck load of mulch to get rid of, of course.
Tired doesn’t begin to describe how I feel. My legs burn, my back is sore, but I’m happy. Tomorrow I’ll clean the house…yeah, sure like that’s going to happen.
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, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pond, Ponds, Writer, Writing
Coffee and a good book
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I spent a quiet couple of hours at our local Borders today. I stopped in the café, ordered a large coffee and a blueberry scone. I then sat at a table, read Donna Andrews’ Cockatiels at Seven, sipped my coffee, and munched my scone. It was a pleasant way to spend some time. I needed a break and Dear Hubby needed some alone time too.
Although we love each other dearly, there are times when you feel as if you are constantly tripping over each other. Since I was too sick to go to my critiquing group when they met last, I needed to get out a bit today. One of my greatest pleasures is browsing through the book store, treating myself to a new book, coffee, and a light snack.
Usually I buy more than one book when I stop in at Borders but today was a one book day. The guy at the register knows me, and he almost dropped his teeth to see me buy only one book.
I told him, “I’m getting off cheap today.”
Geez, you’d think I’d slapped his mother with the look he gave me. I’ll be back next Thursday, cut me a break here.
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, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
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