Blog Archives
A little of this and that
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I received a lovely surprise in my mailbox today. The prize package from Jennie arrived. She’s such a dear. She didn’t have to send the package all the way here from Cardiff, Wales. She could’ve fibbed and sent it to someone closer. I’m glad she did send it to me though because it’s a delightful little treasure trove.
The news that one of my favorite actors has died threw me for a loop. I’ve always adored Patrick Swayze and kept hoping he’d beat that nasty pancreatic cancer.
We’ve had two sunny days in a row now—Hooray for the sun! I managed to backwash the pond filters, pick five tomatoes and a dozen or so grape tomatoes. There’s still more out there that aren’t ready yet. The first hint of a frost around here and I’ll scrabble to pick all the green tomatoes—we do love fried green tomatoes.
After I finished the yard work, I went straight to my computer and spent several hours reading and critiquing one of Dave’s books. He’s truly an excellent writer. In fact, I think I used ‘excellent’ more than once in my comments on his manuscript. I’m telling you people, when his books are published, you have to read them.
Posted in In memory of..., Misc, My blog, 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, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pond, Ponds, Writer, Writing
Ahoy me mateys!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Put on yer eye patches and polish up old Polly, Saturday is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! ARRR! Elena reminded me of it so now I have the date circled on my calendar.
Last year I drove Dear Hubby bonkers talking like a pirate and I didn’t tell him he had Elena to blame, nor will I tell him she reminded me again this year. From the time I woke up until I went to bed it was shiver me timbers, arrr, and ahoy maties. I’m sure I Arrred and yelled, “Hoist that mainsail” too many times. That could be why he went to bed early…
If you want to drive your loved ones or work mates crazy for a day, talking like a pirate works wonders. I even talked that way at the grocery store. You should have seen the looks it got me. It was silly, it was fun, and I had many giggles all day. It certainly was a lift to the spirits. So go out and have fun Saturday and don’t forget to ARRR and shiver me timbers a few times.
(Oh, boy I can picture you all now…Man the bilge pumps, the sh*t’s gonna to get deep.)
Posted in Holidays
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
Whatever happened to service with a smile?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Linda from over on Crone and Bear it got me thinking about this tonight. It seems to me that the term service with a smile has gone away. Today rude, snide, snot nosed brats (even 70 year olds can be brats) are the norm wherever you go. When I worked where I had to answer a phone our instructions were to answer with a smile. When one answers a phone with a smile pasted on his/her face, it does make one feel and sound more pleasant to the caller.
“The customer is always right.” You’ve all heard this one. That too has fallen by the wayside. It’s a darned shame that so many people, so often have to ask for the manager because whomever they are dealing with has forgotten this rule.
Something a dear friend of great age taught me long ago was that you’ll get a lot farther in this world with a smile and a kind word than you ever will by being nasty. Of course, that old gal could tell you to go to hell in such a way that you’d actually look forward to the trip—it’s called diplomacy.
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
I guess two posts in one day don’t count…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It seems that my readers were worried since I didn’t post at my normal weird hour. My excuse? After writing for hours, I was caught up in reading, doing minor rewrites on my mystery and by the time I put it down it was an even weirder hour than normal for me.
I thought about posting, but then I figured that after posting twice yesterday I ‘d already fulfilled my quota.
Yes, the one was only a photo memorial to 9/11. I felt there wasn’t much more one could say about it that hasn’t already been said and the pictures were a better reminder. As a writer I should know better.
I promise, at my normal weird hour tonight/tomorrow, I will post again. I wasn’t slacking off–truly I wasn’t.
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
Support writers—READ!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I love reading new authors’ books. I search them out in my local Borders and I hope that someday other people will do the same with mine. When I worked in a book store, it was my job to keep both the Mystery and Sci Fi sections up to date, restocked, and I had the honor of making selections of new books to add to the shelves.
I am saddened that so many book stores are going or have gone out of business. Don’t leave it up to me to keep book stores and other writers in business. Go buy some new books and get reading. Sure, you could go to your local library but if you are anything like me, you have more books in your favorite genre than they do, and better ones!
I’d rather write or read than watch TV. Yes, when I’m not writing, I’m reading. Heck, I burned through two mysteries tonight. I needed a break from the major rewrite I’m doing. If you like mysteries, check out the writers in my writers community list. As I discover new ones I do add the authors to the list.
Posted in My books, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Waking your sleeping muse
Posted by doggonedmysteries
There’s nothing like a good brainstorming session to shake the cobwebs out and wake up your muse. I know because Dave and I had a lovely IM session today. We tossed some ideas back and forth and managed to jump start our writing. We don’t do this very often. In fact, we only do it when one of us is at wits end and screams for help from the other.
Later today I get together with my critiquing group and will break the news that I’m killing off a character—well, two of them sort of. The one will remain but won’t have the separate chapters I’d put him in they weren’t working either. They are going to kill me.
If your muse has taken a snooze, why not get together with friends and see if they can help you out with a brainstorming session. Offer them free coffee and snacks if they’ll play ‘what if’ with you. Sometimes all it takes is a chance to bounce ideas off someone.
Posted in My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Fiction, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
My two circus dogs
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’ve enjoyed teaching dogs to do tricks since I was a kid. Usually it was the old stand bys of giving a paw, sitting up to beg, and a few other common tricks. Our old male Bull Terrier, Malcolm did a marvelous dead dog. I would point my finger at him, say, “bang” he’d drop, and roll onto his back with all four feet in the air. These two haven’t learned that trick but they do have a couple of their own.
Gavin was a horrible jumper when he was a pup. He constantly jumped up at you as high as he could and nip at your clothing—I have a complete wardrobe of Gavin designed holey T-shirts. That’s when I had a flash of brilliance (that only happens occasionally) and bought a Hula-Hoop. I began to redirect his jumping up into jumping through the hoop. He loves to do this now and all I have to ask him is, “want to go play hoops?” He bounds for the door—that danged fool will do anything for a cookie except roll over on his back. Thus, he doesn’t play dead.
The standard poodle across the street learned to do hoops by watching him—she also has a severe cookie addiction. When Patty arrived on the scene, she too learned by watching and, of course, her love of cookies. Patty also does a great ‘stick ‘em up’ her paws go way up into the air for that. Maybe I can add on “bang” dead dog. Right now, I’m working on stick ‘em up followed by a down.
Posted in Dog related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, 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
Dirty jobs—have to love them
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’m hooked on the show Dirty Jobs probably because I’ve done so many of them over the years. Who doesn’t love watching someone else do an icky job? Oh, come on. I’d bet most of you do.
I’ve mucked out horse stalls and have been a trail guide for both a mule stable and a horse stable. I’ve been a gopher for a ceramic tile mechanic—read this as I did all the lifting and carrying of boxes of tile, grout, and thin set. I’ve cleaned homes and offices, worked in a veterinary lab—I was the person who ran all those fecal sample tests. I cleaned cages in an animal shelter, and later managed a pet store—I was the only person there most of the time so I was also the kennel help. Those are just a few of the dirty jobs I’ve had.
Funny thing is I got more satisfaction out of doing those dirty jobs than I ever did working in an office.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Dirty jobs, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
No Facebook, thank you
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I have enough things draining my time. The last thing I need is something else. Lately it seems everyone and their brother is sending me ‘join me at Facebook or____, you fill in the blank’ notices. I’m here to tell all of you who have sent me these requests that I love you but no, I don’t want to join.
I seldom chat online any more as many of my friends have noticed. Managing my time has become a difficult enough task. I get giddy if I can get dinner on the table before 6:30 p.m. Dear Hubby never complains although I’ve seen him look longingly at the kitchen when I’m typing away on one of my books.
The only ones who complain if their dinner is late are the dogs. If I don’t start fixing their dinners by 5p.m. I get all sorts of grief from Gavin. He starts by poking me with his nose and if that doesn’t get my attention he barks at me until I look at the clock and realize his tummy alarm has gone off. Thank goodness, Patty stands back and lets him do the bitching although there have been days where she will nudge me a bit too.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
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
Killing off a character who isn’t earning his keep
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I E-mailed two of my friends a few days ago to tell them I was killing off a character. I told them he wasn’t working. He was a cardboard cut out and had no life. He didn’t contribute enough to the story to justify keeping him. Killing him off gave my main character, Linnie many more options than before. However, by doing this I…OMG…have to do many little changes. In the end, I believe it will work and the book will be better by far.
High ho high ho it’s off to work I go…
Posted in My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Fiction, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Casper the haunted van
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Casper the haunted van is still up to mischief. The wipers still go on when I use the turn signal especially when we make left hand turns. Door locks lock and unlock merrily while I drive along. He’s developed a new talent now, when I hit the button to unlock him, he will unlock all the locks except the drivers side door lock. When I stick the key in to unlock it, he then pops the button up before I turn the key.
Casper likes to flatten his tires slowly so I always carry a portable air compressor to keep them inflated. The garage can’t find any leaks. When I took my trip to visit my Aunties and Cousins I told him he had to behave and he did for the most part. He didn’t clown around with the locks or the wipers the whole trip. Although, I did have to re-inflate the tires before we came home.
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
Friday post mortem
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I stopped in at Borders today for a little ME time. Remember yesterday’s post? Wouldn’t you know it, a mere two doors down from Borders they are opening a Spirit Halloween store. I can’t wait for it to open. They always have great props and costumes.
At the pet store, (I had to get dog food) I almost bought two Halloween hats for the pups. One was a witch’s hat with green hair attached and the other was a pirate hat with black hair. I might go back for them, the only thing stopping me is the pups,—these two don’t like to wear things, unlike previous Bull Terriers.
After the pet store, I picked up a few groceries. I’ve never had to dodge so many misguided carts and stopped in the middle of the aisle people than I did today. People who completely block an aisle and remain oblivious to the fact that other people would like to get past them make me crazy. I hate grocery shopping. I want to get in, get what I need, and get the heck outta there.
I grit my teeth, I smile, I say, ”Excuse me.”
They stare at the shelves.
I smile again and speak louder, ”Excuse me. Helloooo.” I wave my arms to get their attention. “Yoohoo.”
Finally, it sinks in they look at me and say, “Oh, am I in your way?”
“Heaven’s no. My cart has hover capabilities and I can fly it right over yours.” ACK!
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
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