Blog Archives
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
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
Men-o-pause
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Sleep, it’s a great thing if you can get it. I had about four to five hours last night. My body prefers a good eight. It seems that with the dread thing called menopause comes less sleep. If it isn’t hot flashes waking me, it’s the sweats. Then again, there are those nights where it’s impossible to fall asleep.
DH can tell when I’ve had a bad night because when he greets me he gets a glassy glare until I’ve had my coffee. Sometimes he might even get a growl. He pauses in mid sentence, points to the coffee pot, and waits for the second or third cup to kick in. He learned over the years never to stand between the coffee pot and me when I first get up.
Mood swings aren’t fun and I’m glad I don’t have them too often. DH is thrilled. What man wants his wife to go from zero to sixty in three seconds? His car yes, his wife, no.
Life is ever changing, and to tell the truth, I’m enjoying the heck out of this time of my life. There’s a sense of freedom now that I don’t remember having when I was younger. Yep, call me crazy but I like this.
Posted in 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, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
A message from beyond?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Once when my sister visited me she brought some Texas bluebonnet seeds. We planted them near the pond, our favorite place to sit and shoot the breeze, when she was here. The seeds didn’t grow and I forgot about them.
A few weeks after she died, I noticed a familiar plant growing. There, where we’d planted the seeds a few years before was a Texas bluebonnet. I watched it grow and when it bloomed, I smiled remembering a time that we’d played in a field of them. We acted like children and for a little while delayed our trip to the hospital in Ft. Sam.
Every year since then one has grown in the same spot. I’ve planted seeds from it in other places but they don’t come up. The only one that grows is where we planted the seeds together. I think of it as her way of letting me know she’s around.
Today the first sprout broke ground. I smiled.
Posted in In memory of..., 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, Pond, Ponds, Writer, Writing
New to writers conferences?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Volunteer, it’s the best way to learn. When I went to my first conference, I felt a bit overwhelmed at the session choices we had. I soon found my way around, relaxed, and enjoyed myself. At one point I was asked to help when someone had to leave early. I did my first volunteer work at a conference. It was fun.
I offered to help wherever they needed someone at my second conference. I had a blast introducing a few of the speakers in the sessions. I gave other people breaks so they could go to a session they wanted to attend.
At my third conference, I volunteered to go along with the hotel van driver to meet the train and bring some of our speakers, agents, and editors back to the hotel. Can you imagine having all those people to yourself for a twenty-minute ride? It was a hoot.
I was a frequent volunteer for several years and did a variety of things. One of my favorite things to do was be a timekeeper for agent and editor appointments.
The last few years I’ve attended without volunteering. Why? I’m tired. The conference has become my yearly vacation where I go to recharge my batteries, learn more about the business of writing, socialize with friends, and meet new people. I don’t want to have anyone depending on me since I get that enough at home.
Posted in My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pennwriters, Pennwriters conference, Writer, Writing
Missed that photo op
Posted by doggonedmysteries
High jinks come on the heels of days of rain and chilly temperatures. Both dogs and owners are bored. Is there a better time to play games, then on a rainy day?
We played hide the cookies and do you remember this trick? Gavin and Patty will do almost anything for a cookie. I’d wind them up and put them through their paces. Gavin is faster at doing a down than Patty is. She’s not fond of that trick I think she has issues. Patty does a pretty stick ‘em up. Gavin hasn’t her balance but he beats her paws up on doing a down.
Patty sense of smell is sharper than Gavin’s but I think his vision is better than hers is. Gavin easily frustrates where Patty has patience. Patty gets wild and hucklebutts on the couch while Gavin dashes from kitchen to living room and back again.
Finally, tired out Gavin settled next to me in my chair and soon was snoring. Patty hopped into her Daddy’s chair, rolled upside down with paws in the air and soft snores soon came from that direction. Dang it the camera was in the kitchen and Gavin was asleep with his head on my shoulder. I wasn’t getting that picture.
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, Photo I wished I'd taken, photo ops missed, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Doggonedmysteries 