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Garden news
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Today a neighbor stopped over to check that three quarters dead branch on the magnolia tree. He used to work for a landscaping firm that did a lot of tree trimming. He says he can remove the branch for us no problem. Sometime after his 17 days of day shift or over a weekend, he’ll take care of it. That’s one weight off my mind. I had visions of that branch, heavily loaded with snow, crashing down on our shed this winter. Now I won’t have to worry.
We’re still picking tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. There are two different varieties of sugar baby watermelons and each have one fruit on the vines, I hope they ripen before the first frost.
The cardinals had nested in the magnolia the parents and several now fully-fledged young ones hang around the feeders most of the day. It looks as though two of the youngsters are males and three are females. We have a family of Downy woodpeckers that hang around in our yard and G’s.
I had to fill the hummingbird feeder today so even though I don’t see them often they are coming around. The small flock of goldfinches is enjoying the Echinacea seeds every day.
The cannas are continuing to bloom and they are now quite a bit taller than I am.
Posted in my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bird feeder, bird watching, Birds, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Downy Woodpecker, Family, Fiction, Food, garden harvest, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Life, Love, Magnolia, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Never take the wife’s car without leaving a note or a message
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Many years ago, I had a gold Toyota Tercel wagon and I loved that car. Then one day someone stole it right out of our driveway. I was devastated. Today, for a few minutes, I thought Casper had gone the same way.
As usual, I woke up, had my coffee, and took the dogs out. The first trip outside with Gavin I didn’t notice Casper wasn’t in the driveway. I knew DH was gone, his truck wasn’t there, but my missing van didn’t register. It didn’t register until I took Patty out. Mind you I’d only had one cup of coffee.
I was standing there waiting for her to tinkle when it dawned on me that Casper wasn’t in the driveway. Having already been a car theft victim once it was the first thing that went through my mind. “Where’s my car? OMG!” Don’t panic…think. “Call the police…no, call DH first.”
I dragged Patty inside, grabbed the phone, and hit the speed dial. Two rings, he answered, and I stuttered, “M-my car! It isn’t here.”
“I have it. My truck is in the shop. I took it over, they brought me home, and I took your car to go over to my mother’s house.”
“Expletives deleted. Why didn’t you let me know? More expletives deleted. I almost called the police.”
Posted in Misc, 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
I am not a mused
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It never fails to amaze me when a flash of insight smacks me in the head.
“That’s me, Honey.” My muse buffs her nails and admires them.
“Geez, I wish you’d stop popping in like that. Can’t you arrive without startling me?”
“What do you want, fireworks and a fanfare or something?”
“Wait, I’m talking to them. We’ll discuss your arrival and where you’ve been lurking later.”
“Lurking? Me? I never lurk.” She pastes an innocent look on her face.
“Hold on a minute folks. Yes, you do too lurk. You sulk, you hide, you pout, you primp, and you leave me sitting here staring at a blank page.”
“Do not.” She sticks out her tongue.
“Do too.”
“How often do I call you and you don’t answer?”
“Well, I hear you but I can’t come running willy-nilly all the time.”
“Half the time would be nice.”
“Besides, you have the weirdest hours.”
“Tough, those are the times I can actually sit down and do some writing. You knew that when you signed on. Anyway, back to the readers. As I said before it amazes me when inspiration hits.”
“Me!”
“Shut up!”
“I’ll stumble along tearing out my hair over one paragraph and another when suddenly the words flow and I can barely type fast enough to keep up. Amazing.”
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, Muse, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Cool weather chores
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We’ve had much cooler weather for several days, which brings to mind all the winterizing chores I need to do. The outside back door needs new caulk all the way around the frame, inside and out. I should also do the windows out there. My neighbor’s son will, I hope, come through and seal the crack in the wall between the back porch and the house.
We still need to find where the leak is in the pond. I’m betting it’s in the waterfall. However, so far we haven’t been able to locate it.
I must purchase some new weather stripping for the front and back doors and figure out some way to keep the cold from seeping into the basement from the outside door. Then there’s purchasing covers for the air conditioners although I think I’ll leave the one in the bedroom alone. It lets in just enough air that I only have to crack the other window to keep the room comfortable for sleeping during the winter. It is the warmest room in the house—too warm.
It’s too early to dig out the elephant ears and cannas. Nevertheless, I have buckets ready for them when it’s time.
Posted in Misc, Weather related, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Doors and Windows, Family, Fiction, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Weatherstripping, Writer, Writing
Never forget
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Posted in In memory of...
Tags: 9/11, Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Never forget, Novel writing, Two Towers, Writer, Writing
If it’s Thursday I’m not home
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Two Thursdays a month, I go to my local Borders and meet with other writers for a critiquing group. Well, it used to be writers it’s not that now. The group has shrunk down to only two of us. One writer, after self-publishing, decided she didn’t need a critiquing group and left. Another member became too ill to attend. The third member lost interest and stopped writing.
Now we are two, two very determined writers, passionate in our craft. We push each other forward and hone our writing techniques to a fine edge.
Yes, it would be better to have more people in our group. However, finding writers willing to meet at one o’clock on a Thursday afternoon isn’t easy.
We both have other people who review our work. Dave, G, Jackie, and Elena read mine. I read Dave’s manuscripts. I can’t imagine not having them tear into my books. They are valuable assets.
Posted in My blog, My books, 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, Writer, Writers Resources, Writing
One month on Ampyra
Posted by doggonedmysteries
DH has been on Ampyra a little over a month now and there is a definite improvement in his walking. The other day he even said he felt he walked better. Thing is I noticed the improvement before he did, but then I watch him.
It’s been quite a spell since he’s forgotten to grab his cane upon leaving the house. He forgot it two days ago when he went over to his mother’s house for lunch. Yep, I’d say there’s been a good deal of improvement. The upturn in his walking does pose a few problems like him pushing himself too hard and over doing it.
I’m not saying he hasn’t had a couple of bad days because with hot days nothing helps. However, it’s been a long time since he worked on his truck and he did just that yesterday.
He’s been lucky not to have any side effects so far, and if he has had any, he hasn’t mentioned them to me.
Posted in MS related
Tags: 4-Aminopyridine, Acorda Therapeutics, Ampyra, Author, Biogen Idec, 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
I can see again!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Finally, my glasses came in and I went to pick them up this afternoon. Their seven to ten business days stretched out to several more than that, but I’m happy now. It’s so nice to be able see well again. I love both pairs. They fit well and are comfortable. Driving home from the optical store, I did wear my old, old glasses. I switched to the six-year-old pair after the eye doctor told me the new glasses prescription was weaker than the four-year-old pair. They worked well and did knock out the headaches I was getting.
I can read better now—both books and my computer screen. No more straining my neck to read fine print on the computer is a bonus in itself. I don’t have to enlarge my pages to 150% to read them. No more, do I have to struggle to read price tags or grocery store prices!
DH likes my choices in frames. My thanks to G who helped me pick them out. It isn’t easy to when you can’t see a thing without your glasses.
Posted in Misc, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Eyewear, Family, Fiction, Glasses, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Vision, Writer, Writing
The house is getting cleaner by small increments
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I now have the organizing bug in my system. My back porch is much improved. Thank you Jackie for coming over and lending a helping hand. My kitchen has more room since we hauled the bench out onto the much cleaner porch to give DH a place to sit when he comes in with muddy or snowy boots.
It makes me want to tackle places like the back bedroom that has become a bit of a catch all for things that should be in the attic. The attic is another place that needs clearing and organizing. Then there’s the cellar—oh, Ick! That’s one area I’d rather ignore, in fact I’d rather clean out the shed than work in the cellar.
I don’t think the garbage men are pleased with me tonight I did put out quite a bit more than usual. They’ll get over it.
I do think that before I tackle another large project I need to clean my desk. It does tend to gather papers, books, and computer doodads all the time. Yes, it’s time to clear the clutter from my workspace. Now if I could only get DH the pack rat to clear out some of his junk…
Posted in Misc
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Clean house, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, getting organized, Home, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Happy Labor Day!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I hope you all have a lovely day today. I’ll be back tomorrow.
Posted in Holidays
Tags: Author, Bones, 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
Learn from rejection
Posted by doggonedmysteries
You can learn from rejection. Don’t ‘huh?’ me, you heard correctly. Rather than allow a rejection to put you into a fetal position, and cause you to cry and rage against the world, doesn’t it make more sense to figure out the why of it?
In writing, there are several forms of rejections sent out by agents and editors. I’ll list a few. A. The form letter, this one is no help whatsoever. B. The ‘we love your work’ rejection letter where they actually court you a bit then drop you on your ass leaving you feeling like a jilted lover. C. The rejection letter that comes with constructive criticism—one of the best types to get. D. The nasty ‘don’t quit your day job’ letter.
The form letter is the lazy way out. Nine chances out of ten your manuscript sat on their desk for a few weeks and they never read it. Check them off your list and try someone else.
We love your work kick in the teeth rejections are the hardest to take. I’ve heard seasoned writers cry over them.
The constructive criticism rejection letter is one to take seriously. Read it carefully, listen to what they tell you, go back to your manuscript and work like hell on it.
The don’t quit your day job letter is tough to take but if everyone who has read your work seems to say the same thing, well, maybe your book really wasn’t as great as you thought it was. Then again, the person who read it might have had a bad day. Try a critiquing group and listen to them.
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, Writer, Writing
September is here already?
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I can’t believe it summer is already ending. Wasn’t it just Spring?
I picked the last cantaloupe I don’t think we’ll get any more from the vines this season. I do think we may have some watermelons before the first frost though. The next wave of tomatoes is starting to ripen. Another day or two and I’ll be making BLTs again.
The ruby throated hummingbirds are becoming regulars at the feeder and the cannas. The cardinals, woodpeckers, and sparrows are now sharing the feeders with two parakeets and a cockatiel that occasionally comes in. It is startling to see them at first.
Our toad, Mr. Toadamus is growing larger and must be finding plenty of bugs to eat because he’s quite fat. I miss the frogs I will have to buy some tadpoles in the spring unless the neighbor’s son finds some on one of his landscaping jobs and brings them home.
The hawk family is still around. I could hear them up in the cemetery when I was outside today.
There are two new stray cats in the neighborhood. I chased one of them out of the yard when I discovered him napping on the bricks along the side garden. It’s a good thing I was out alone and the dogs didn’t discover him. All hell would’ve broken loose.
Posted in My blog, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bird, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Craft of writing, Dead, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Fiction, Food, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Home & Garden, Hummingbird, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tomato, Woodpecker, Writer, Writing
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