Blog Archives
Does anyone make a coffee maker that won’t pee on my counter?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I love coffee. I love drip coffee makers. However, I have yet to find one that lasts longer than two years. I take care of them. I keep them clean. I follow all instructions. Nevertheless, before I know it, they become senile and start peeing on the counter.
In 37 years, I’ve gone through a multitude of coffee makers. One decided I worked it too hard and in protest shot its on/off switch across the kitchen, nearly hitting G in the head, and then ceased working. That one was the only one that didn’t hang around long enough to pee on the counter.
I have owned every name brand coffee maker out there and not one of them has remained housebroken. I’ve had cheap coffee makers; middle range priced ones, and a couple of expensive ones.
I’m tired of wiping up puddles on my kitchen counter. It’s worse than having an 8 week old puppy. At least as they get older they learn not to wet the floor.
Do coffeemakers mark their territory? Do they perhaps have weak bladders?
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, Food, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Cold spell damage repairs on the pond
Posted by doggonedmysteries
That long cold spell we had did some damage to the waterfall and froze the filters solid. The weather is supposed to be (hopefully) warm enough to thaw things. It looks as if I have a lot work ahead.
The top of the waterfall is a manufactured piece of fiberglass and cement. I need to locate the leak there and fix it. The two filters are solid icicles so I have to wait for them to thaw. At least the fountains are running and the pond didn’t freeze solid.
I figure, according to the weather reports, that I have three days to get the work done. Once I get the filters and waterfall working properly it can get cold again.
Just in case I can’t get the filters working, if the freezing damaged them, I did look at some new ones online today. There are ton of them out there and most of the new ones have a built in UV light that is great for killing algae and preventing algae blooms. We will go for one of the ones with the UV light if we need a new filter.
Posted in my garden, Weather related
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Fish, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Koi, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pond, Ponds, Writer, Writing
We are gonna get some warmer weather
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Over the next few days, we’re supposed to see a steady rise in the temperature. Need I say yippee? I can’t wait it’s been far too cold for my taste lately. We might even see it hit fifty degrees by Thursday. Wow, that means I can…do…some…yard…work—oh, crap.
The Koi will be happy because it means I’ll be able to add fresh water to the pond and back wash the filters. They should thaw by then. Not only will they be happy but also the wild birds who have been trying to find water at the top of the falls will be too. I’ve seen the poor things leaning way over the edge of the pond to sip. The littlest ones do have trouble reaching it.
The pups will be thrilled. They have not been pleased with the extreme cold we’ve had the last several weeks. I’ve never seen them hurry so much to get back inside as they have during this cold spell. Yes, they are spoiled. They love the comfort of the furniture and the heat. Same as they do the AC in the summer.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, my garden, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Fish, Home, Koi, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Sherlock Holmes movie
Posted by doggonedmysteries
If you are a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, do not walk but run to the theater and get ready for a good movie. G and I went to it today and we weren’t disappointed. Now I can’t wait for it to come out in DVD so DH can see it. He can no longer sit comfortably in a theater.
This Sherlock Holmes is not one of those sanitized Hollywood versions we’ve all seen. This movie runs closer to the books. Sherlock Holmes is truer to the character Doyle intended. If you want Basil Rathbone, don’t go see this movie. If you’re looking for a foolish, doddering, and fat Dr. Watson, don’t go see this movie. The movie is gritty, action packed, and definitely not a cozy.
Posted in My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, Movies, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Are your characters likable?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Plot twists, bodies, red herrings, murder scenes, cops, and bad guys aren’t all there is to a mystery. Your characters are the stars of the story. Therefore, the characters need to draw in the reader. They have to be likable or, at the very least, intriguing.
Editors didn’t like my first mystery. No, that’s not true; most of them liked the mystery. I have the lovely long rejection letters to prove it. However, they didn’t like my main character. She was too independent, too gritty. They couldn’t warm up to her. No matter that, her father and several loving but gristly ranch hands raised her. She was a person they didn’t understand. Their world wasn’t ready for that character.
However, my agent loved her. She worked hard to sell the book. Willing to continue to try to sell it, I think she felt let down when I pulled it to write something different.
Several years have passed, and maybe I should have her shop it around again. After all, since then the program Saving Grace became a hit. Grace is gritty, tough, and an independent character.
Could it be that editors would give the book a second look today? One never knows, but for now, I’m too busy with my works in progress to rewrite that one.
Posted in My blog, My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Musing on my muse
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Her voice made me jump out of my reverie. “I’m back.”
Once my heart settled back into its normal rhythm, I grumped at her. “It’s about time. I’ve been struggling here.”
“Hey, don’t blame me. You’re the writer.” My muse flounced over to a nearby chair and sprawled into it.
“Yes, but you’re my muse. You’re supposed to be here to give me inspiration.”
“Inspiration, shminpiration I have my own needs.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know.” She stretched out her left hand and checked out her fingernails.
“No, if you don’t tell me. I don’t know.”
“I need space. I need my privacy. I need love too.”
“A likely story.” I turned back to my computer.
She stood and tapped me on the shoulder. “I’m serious here. Why don’t you believe me?”
“Because you only disappear when I’ve written my characters into corners that’s why.”
“So don’t do it.”
With that exasperating bit of news, I shoved my chair away from the desk. “Pray tell, how is that possible?”
“Write literary fiction. Give up on the mysteries.”
I picked up my phone. “Is there someone I can call to have you replaced?”
“Now, is that nice? After all I’ve done for you.”
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, Muse, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
The week in review
Posted by doggonedmysteries
This has been a long week. Very cold weather and now today, more snow. Dang, we were just getting to see some grass peek through the last dumping of snow we got. The furnace has been working overtime keeping the house warm. Eeks! We have frigid weather and another inch or two of snow predicted for this weekend. Take note people, with this surge in cold weather stocks in long underwear companies should rocket. Hurry up spring!
Meanwhile back at the pond, the waterfall is frozen but the fountains are running. We need a few days above freezing to thaw the filters and the waterfall. There’s no ice on the pond, due to the cattle trough heater, but leaves clogged the basket on top of the pump, thus the frozen filters. It took me two hours to get the fountains flowing. Ah, wet hands and frigid weather, what a lovely combination.
Gavin and Patty are as sick of snow as we are. Neither one wants to be outside long. Our normally quiet dog barked when she saw some people outside today. It seems that Patty has taken to complaining to the neighbors about the weather.
DH had a bad week. We’re hoping next week will be a better one for him. He’s going to skip his Avonex dose on Monday. We’ll see how that goes.
Here’s hoping for warmer days, melted snow, and DH feeling better.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, my garden, 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, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Snow, weather, Writer, Writing
Driver license pictures—Oh, crap
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Smile for the camera!
It’s driver license photo time again. Groan. The last one I had done was horrible. This time I think I’ll try to get to my hair stylist before I go for the picture. I will try to remember to wear a flattering colored top and not the neon green T-shirt I wore last time. Looking back at the last time, I do remember I wasn’t in any mood to have it done. It shows.
The poor woman took three pictures and not one of them was good so we picked the best of the three. She was willing to try for more but I wasn’t. By that time, I just wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and pull the covers over my head. I prayed I’d never have to show my license to anyone. No such luck. It seems that ever since that awful picture became my ID everyone has asked for it.
At least I have over two months to get the picture done so I have time to plan. Oh, sure, like that ever works in this house. The best laid plans and all that malarkey.
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, comedy, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Beeps and buzzes that run our lives
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Today G mentioned that her new coffee pot started beeping and flashing a clean me light. Holy cow, talk about having a machine tell you what to do. At the time, we were waiting for my coffee pot to beep and let us know the pot was ready. Then our discussion went into other forms of beeps and buzzes that run our lives.
I complained that due to people having laundry rooms near their bedrooms manufacturers of dryers have done away with the loud buzzer that lets you know it has finished with the cycle. It’s now an anemic chime. I hate it. Why do I hate it? My dryer is in the basement. The old dryer had a loud buzzer that I could actually hear and respond to; taking my clothes out, before they became wrinkled.
I wish the manufacturer had asked me about the chime before they produced the new dryers. I would have told them to put an optional chime or buzzer switch on them.
Consequently, what beeps, buzzes, or chimes run our lives? Our list consisted of the coffee pot, the dryer, the microwave, alarm clocks, cell phones, and timers for everything. What beeps, buzzes, or chimes run your life?
Posted in Misc, My blog, Uncategorized
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
DH considers discontinuing Avonex
Posted by doggonedmysteries
DH has been on Avonex for many years, since way back when his now secondary progressive MS, was relapsing remitting. Lately he’s had a terrible time the day after his weekly injection. That first morning after he’s much weaker, can’t walk, or even sit up and in general, feels like crap. These are not the flu-like symptoms often connected with the use of Avonex. He had those in the early days of his Avonex use. These are different.
This worries me since Avonex can prevent further damage to the nerves. However, DH is determined. He has agreed to discuss this with his neurologist and I plan to be there when he does. I’ve done tons of research, hit all the MS sites I could find, and yet there is very little information on secondary progressive MS and what can happen if one discontinues the use of Avonex at this stage.
I plan to bring a list of questions, what ifs, what we might have to expect if he stops the drug. I also plan to ask about Fampridine, if the FDA approves it, when it will be available.
I would appreciate hearing from people who have secondary progressive MS and their reactions to the information and care they have available.
Posted in 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, Healthcare, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
It’s time for a party.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
A few posts back I wrote that I’d party when certain renters moved. They moved out tonight. Midnight movers—probably two steps ahead of their landlord. It’s so quiet around here now that you could hear that proverbial pin drop.
I’m calling G tomorrow so we can celebrate together. Since she lived behind them, she got all the incessant barking dog and kid noise. Whereas since I live in front of them, I got the dog, kids, and the car stereos blasting so loud they rattled my windows and the gunning of the car engine by the hour at all hours.
Pop that champagne cork peace is back again. Yippee! Now that’s the way to start the New Year.
When the landlord rents the place out again I do hope it’s to a nice, quiet family. People who don’t leave litter everywhere all the time like this last family did. Speaking of that problem, I hope they took that tire they’ve had out by the curb for months. If not we’ll put it on the porch and let the landlord worry about it.
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Cold weather dogs? No sirree.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
How fitting that I have dogs who don’t like the cold. Bull Terriers are not cold weather dogs. Believe me the days are very cold right now, colder than we’ve seen in many years. Neither Gavin nor Patty will tolerate a coat even on the coldest of days. They give that ‘she’s-crazy if she thinks I’m going to wear that’ look.
I’ve never seen either of the pups so quick to go out and come back in. Miss Patty, of the very thin coat, goes a few yards into the yard, does her business, and comes flying in the back door as if shot from cannon. Gavin walks only a few feet from the back steps, squats like a puppy and trots back in. He wants us to think that the cold is no big deal to him.
Miss Patty heads for DH’s lap or the settee, which is warmed by the radiator behind it. (Gavin hasn’t discovered that feature yet.) Gavin wants his chair or my lap, preferably the latter. I’ve resorted to turning the space heater on for a few hours at night in the kitchen since that’s the coldest room and is where Gavin’s crate is. Even though his crate is next to the radiator in there, he is noticeably quieter when the space heater is on. Therefore, I know he’s more comfortable.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog, Weather related
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, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
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