So

For the past almost year I've been posting a Word of the Day on facebook.  Some come from the dictionary sites.  Some I choose myself.  Today's is very fitting for the day.  If you have no other plans, or if you need an idea for a party you are going to, this one is for you.

Word of the Day, Wednesday, December 31, 2014


flapdragon \FLAP-drag-uhn\
noun;
1. an old game in which the players snatch raisins, plums, etc., out of burning brandy, and eat them.

Because what else would you do with potentially charred fruit...


Happy New Year All!

Today's Cutenss

Go watch this!  I need to get Beau a cat statue!  Or perhaps not.  He'd probably hurt me...

My Challege

To myself.

If you think about it, this really shouldn't be all that hard to do.  I'm going to give it a try and then, if I succeed, at the end of the year I can buy myself a present.  Hmm.  Perhaps a plane ticket or two to visit friends?  Or it could go into my "Escape from Reading" fund?  I don't know.  If I manage it I will come up with something.

Who's with me?

In Case You Ever Wondered...

The history of the word “Xmas” is actually more respectable — and fascinating — than you might suspect. First of all, the abbreviation predates by centuries its use in gaudy advertisements. It was first used in the mid 1500s. X is the Greek letter “chi,” the initial letter in the word Χριστός. And here’s the kicker: Χριστός means “Christ.” X has been an acceptable representation of the word “Christ” for hundreds of years. This device is known as a Christogram. The mas in Xmas is the Old English word for “mass.” In the same vein, the dignified terms Xpian and Xtian have been used in place of the word “Christian.”


So there you have it.

Catching Up

First, I have some book news.  Karma, book 4 in my Cosmic Connections series, has been accepted for publication!  Details to follow.  How cool is that!

I've been working.  A lot.  I'm tired as you might expect.  But one good thing about the second job is that it gives me time for some knitting.  Here's my latest project, made for a friend's about-to-arrive great granddaughter.  I'm on to cozy socks now.

The other night my phone rang at 2:45.  Of course I'd just fallen asleep.  No, I wasn't doing something fun.  Beau had been playing with his squeaky mouse under the bed.  Kind of hard to sleep through that.  Anyway, the phone call.  I didn't recognize the number so I didn't answer.  There was a message.  From the gas company.  Apparently my neighbors called in a gas leak on my meter out front.  The same meter I thought was leaking the day after it was installed.  The meter I questioned the workmen who had moved on down the block about.  The meter I was assured was perfectly fine.  Good thing I didn't blow up.  I would have had to find them and do some serious haunting.

The Penguins are winning lately.  One good thing I've discovered about my new phone.  I can listen to hockey at will.  So maybe we'll become friends after all.  Maybe.  Did I tell you it was dead beyond resuscitation?  If not, I sort of dropped it on it's head and it slowly bled to death internally.  Fortunately it was only a few weeks old so the nice tech people confirmed its demise and shipped off a new one.  Yes, I traded in my nifty Dr. Who case on a heavy duty Otter Box. 

My freezer is stocked up with oodles of varieties of homemade soups which means I've been having super nummy lunches.  I also share it with an older couple I help watch out for.  He's not doing so well so send out some comfort vibes please.

It's full moon so the kitties are extra cuddly.  Good thing since it's cold outside.  We all pile up in a lump and keep each other warm.  Yes, another reason for all the soup.  Warmth from inside out.

I got a new wigwag in the mail.  What's a wigwag you ask?  That's the gizmo that makes the washer switch gears so it spins.  Mine stopped doing that a few weeks ago.  A very nice repair dude came and actually knew what was wrong.  I was surprised since it is about 40 years old.  He's the one that arranged for the wigwag to show up.  Now all I have to do is wait til my next day off so he can come back and fix it.  In the meantime I've been doing the laundromat thing before dawn on Sunday mornings.  I even found a buddy to keep me company while I'm there.  He tells me he turns 81 soon.  Has to take his mom to the eye doctor next week.  She's having some trouble seeing and isn't really safe to drive at the moment.  Hmm.  Maybe it's just me but I don't think her driving even with her eyesight improved that her driving is the best idea.  Remember, he's almost 81.  I'm not certain but I suspect that makes her almost 100.  Yeah.

Thanks to a friend I now have a current TV so I got me one of those Roku gizmos.  Have you seen them?  All you do is plug it into the TV and you can get all sorts of channels. Yep, I've joined the 21st century and gotten myself Netflix.  I've even watched a few current shows like Blacklist and Once Upon a Time.  I know, I know.  Hard for me to believe too.

What have you been up to?

New from my Friend, Lois Kasznia!

For the Love of Par, just released.

Professional golfer, Stacie Thomas, certainly knows her way around the golf course. But when it comes to men, all she can do is make double bogies. When she bumps into Dirk, she realizes that somehow, her brother's best friend has grown into the most gorgeous man she's ever laid eyes on. The spark is instant. But there's more than one reason to hesitate—namely, her boyfriend Ryan. Should she dare take a chance on Dirk at the risk of losing their renewed friendship?

Dirk Dixon, sports anchor for the local NBC channel, intentionally runs into Stacie while covering the LPGA Open. He'd been in love with her for as long as he could remember, but knew that he would never be anything more than her little brother's best friend. Being Stacie's friend is just not enough anymore. He wants more, and he's determined to get it. The only problem is can he get Stacie to see the man he has become?

Have you read any of Lois's books yet?  If not, you should!  

Hahahahahahaha!

Snake socks I made for a friend's birthday!

The Last of the Pretties

Thank You, Veterans

A Thought...

But, as a writer, I have held on to the magic!  And yes, I will happily share it with you through my stories.

It's Election Day

Go VOTE or don't complain!!!

Haiku

Angry Autumn sky
Blustery wind chills the air
Drawing winter snow

Oh My

Dictionary.com defines defibrillator [dee-fahy-bruh-ley-ter, -fib-ruh-] /diˈfaɪ brəˌleɪ tər, -ˈfɪb rə-/ as noun, Medicine/Medical

1.  an agent or device for arresting fibrillation of the atrial or ventricular muscles of the heart.

Do you know what that is?  I’m sure you do.  You must have seen one of those medical dramas at some point in your life where someone passes out, the staff rips the person’s shirt open, they slap paddles on him, yell “charging” and “clear” and then zap him back among the living while he flops around like a fish out of water.  Yeah, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

If you’ve lived in a cave for the past dozen years with no contact to modern technology you many not know that there are now things called AEDs.  “An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.”

Many, many places now have these gizmos onsite, including where I work.  One of the things I do is purchase the fancy batteries that keep these machines operational.  They are extremely expensive and have a definite, limited shelf life so they are not stocked by any of the local medical supply people.  Understandable and in a perfect world that would be no problem.  AEDs warn you when the batteries are getting low.  Cool, right?  It would be if people had enough sense to mention that the soon-to-be-non-functional equipment was emitting an even more annoying beep than a smoke alarm going bad.  Had they done so I wouldn’t have spent a good chunk of time this morning phoning around, attempting to locate one even though I knew better. I guess not everyone hears that sound as I do.

I did speak with a very pleasant woman at the Red Cross who actually called the manufacturer’s rep to try to help me obtain a new battery immediately. No luck but the rep did mention that Wal-Mart has begun carrying their AEDs though she wasn’t sure if they also had batteries or not.  Okay.  I called one of the local superstores.  I was transferred to the pharmacy department.  So far, so good.  I explained what I wanted and was asked if a defibrillator was part of a toothbrush.  Um.  No.  So I was passed off to electronics who had no clue what I was talking about and said no, try somewhere else.

The second Wal-Mart superstore in the area said, “Oh, that’s an auto part, just a moment, I’ll transfer you.”  I attempted to explain and was promptly put on hold.  Many minutes later she came back and told me, “They were all gone.”  Click.  Yeah, I’m fairly certain she was clueless as well.

I threw in the towel and ordered online like I usually do when given proper warning of the battery going dead.  We do have more than one unit, so we’re still okay.  It’s not urgently urgent even though it is nicer and less stressful, should the AED ever actually be needed, to have one right at your fingertips but I’m sure we’re perfectly capable of dealing with it should it become necessary.

My point.  If you’re in danger of having a medical emergency don’t go to Wal-Mart.  I seriously doubt the staff there knows where their AED is located, let alone how to use it.  On the other hand, they may try reviving you with an electric toothbrush or jumpstarting you with a car battery and then, should you survive, you’d have quite a tale to tell your grandchildren.

Happy weekend, all.  Oh wait.  It’s only Wednesday.  Two more days to go.  Sigh…

Haiku

Wind whipping through trees
Wispy grey clouds racing by
Bringing Autumn chill

Way Cool Stuff!

A friend noticed that lately I've been posting a Word of the Day.  As I see it, it doesn't hurt to learn something new now and again, no matter how old you are.  Anyway, said friend found an article of Webster's Forgotten Words.  Click here to check it out.

What I don't understand is why they're forgotten.  Some of them are great!  Okay, go learn something and have a good weekend!

NEED, not want!

Seriously.  I NEED this!!! I know you're thinking I mean I want this, yeah that too but honestly, I NEED this. NOW!!!  Bring it, quick, then back away slowly.  It could keep me from hurting people.  And oh yeah, while you're at it, don't forget the organic milk.  Can you tell what sort of day it was?

This

Unwrap, grate, mix

Equals this!  Which I NEED!!!

Look What I Did!

My very first sock!  I know, I know.  Far from perfect but come one.  It's the FIRST sock ever!  I need lots of practice making the toe seem but all in all, I'm rather pleased with myself.  So much so that I'm going to actually knit the other one so I have a pair of toasty warm, cozy socks.  Ha!

Please Don't Misunderstand...

I’m all for supporting a good cause.  And I do.  Animal-related ones especially.  No, that does not mean you should solicit funds from me for your animal causes.  You support those and good for you.  I have already chosen the ones I willingly donate to on an ongoing basis. Good for me.

 

That said, I have no objection to groups milling around, attempting to get funds from those who contribute impulsively.  I’m not one of them so don’t bother but I know many people are.  Have at it.  I appreciate the collectors who are polite once I indicate I’m not interested.

 

What I do mind is the pattern that has developed in my neighborhood.  It is now a weekly occurrence that has people standing on the street corners of the busiest intersection around, holding out buckets for whatever the cause of the day is. 

 

Again, I don’t mind others attempting to raise money for a legitimate cause and, for the most part, I have heard of the ones displayed either on their Tee-shirts or on their placards.  Today it was vests for police dogs.  Excellent and very worthy.  My problem stems from the fact that they have become a traffic hazard.  Yes, there are stoplights and yes, for the most part, those soliciting are mindful of them.

 

But not always.  Busiest intersection around, remember?  Lights change.  People are sometimes in a rush to beat the light and may not necessarily be paying as much attention to traffic patterns as they should.  When the car in front of them stops to donate they sometimes get run in to.  I know, mostly the fault of the individual not watching but also the fault of those who stop as there really isn’t room to pull over and the fault of those collecting.

 

I haven’t heard of anyone being run over attempting to do this good deed.  Yet.  It’s bound to happen sooner or later.  Perhaps it’s time to rethink this whole street corner thing.

Happy weekend, all.

Lookee!!!

At what my awesome friend Lois Kasznia just did!  Not Just an Act, now available.  If you haven't read her books
yet, you really should!

Blurb -
Deanna Titone, New Jersey native, has just inherited Hideaway Villa—an upscale B & B right outside Branson, Missouri—from her cousin. This stroke of good luck allows her to quit her stressful job and start her life over. Running this business should be easy, right?

No one warned Deanna about the bizarre demands guests could make while booking reservations, or staying overnight, nor about the quirky staff—including the handsome handyman, Gus Swenson, who mysteriously showed up on her first day. After a couple of trying days, Deanna is ready to give up.

Chet Lancaster is one of Hollywood's famous actors. Recently, Chet has watched his career, and his life, tailspin into tabloid fodder. Reluctantly, he accepts the role of an ex-con turned handyman for his next movie in the hopes of reviving his career. In order to research his upcoming role, his agent sends him undercover to Hideaway Villa as Gus Swenson. The catch—no one can know his true identity.

Keeping the truth from Deanna is harder than Chet could have imagined, especially after the sparks fly between them. Can he convince her that his love is true, and not just an act?

Tis...

The equinox.  Go stand up your eggs!

Very

Busy girl this week.  I'll be back.  In the meantime, go here and read something you haven't yet.  Or perhaps here for more choices.

Thought for the Day

Very true!

Yeah

It's like that today.  Whole bunch of characters, none relating to each other, mixed up mess of stories.  I have all sorts of new first lines with nothing behind them.  So I will "write" like the poster until they are feeling more cooperative toward me.

I Write

Yes, you know that.  After all, that’s the whole point of having this blog, isn’t it?  But I don’t talk exclusively about writing.  That would become boring for all of us, me included. 

Today however, I think I’d like to ramble a bit about the process of starting a new story.  I recently submitted the book I’d been working on to my publisher and am now faced with choosing a next project. 

There are several options.

1.  Attempt to find an agent for my horror novel, Indiscriminate Slaughter.  This is something I poke at occasionally.  Not at all fun.

2.  Revise something that is already written.  Polishing rough drafts is something I do when all my not-yet-revealed characters dessert me and go on vacation without me.  Sometimes fun, sometimes not.  I’ve already spent time discovering those stories.  There are times when revisiting the characters works but also times when it doesn’t.

3.  Beg Beau to continue on with the numerous stories he and I have started.  I’ve learned in the past year that he has even more mind bounce than I do so sometimes going there is not a good thing.

4.   Start something brand new.  Okay but what story?  In general when doing this, I let my subconscious choose.  I go about my daily life while listening to conversations going on within my head. Usually the loudest is the one I will work on next.  There are times when that works and they reveal the entire story to me as I hope every time I start one. 

However there are also times when a different set of characters barges in and demands instant attention.  Shane and Alyssa from Chaos did that.  Boy, did we have a blast!  Conversely there have been characters who lurk in the background of the story I’m working on, whispering just loud enough for me to catch snippets of what they’re saying.  Eventually this becomes highly distracting, so much so I have to put aside what I intended to write and ask the lurkers what is going on.  Then there are the characters that play hide-and-seek with me.  They pop into someone else’s story, boldly interrupting the flow only to vanish just as quickly as if daring me to come find them.

So.  Nope, not a clue what’s up next. 

I have wondered at times if the conversations within my head are being had by real people and I’ve somehow managed to tap into them, eavesdropping on their personal lives.  Hmm, there’s a thought for you. Next time you’re talking to someone and get that prickly sensation of being watched even though there is no one around it might just be my, spying on you from inside your own mind.

Baby Pics!

I was surfing some old files and found some of Beau when he was just a wee lil thing.  So here's your cuteness for the week.

Something About This

Struck me as funny.  So funny I now think I may have to have one.  Yep, I had a pet rock as a kid.  Still have it too.  I wonder if a sandal would be as loyal?

Beautiful!

Things were winding down at work today when a coworker called and told me to go look out the window.  There was a Monarch butterfly on our butterfly bush!  Monarchs have been extremely scarce around here for years.  It was a wondrous thing to see!  Made the day a whole lot better for all of us.

Happy weekend, all.  May a Monarch cross your path too.

The Only Problem...

With taking a few days off from work is sooner or later you need to go back.  My kitty friend, Brewster shares my opinion on that.  We want more vacation!

Announcing...

Eventide (Iron Falls, #1)

by Christine

Allen-Riley

 

Release Date: 10/2014

Summary from Goodreads:

The driver in a tragic

car accident that killed her best friend, Devon Greer is consumed by guilt.

When powerful hallucinations convince her that she’s seeing Rachael everywhere,

Devon thinks she’s going crazy. But her friend isn’t truly gone.

To save Rachael from the faeries who stole her, Devon must pit herself against

the Court of the Sidhe. Once she witnesses the true form of the fey, Devon’s

life is in danger—and so are the lives of everyone she loves.

Now, Devon must not only protect herself, but also Jonah Seafort, Rachael’s

cousin and the only person Devon can trust to help her. While the Sidhe walk

among them, no one is safe…

About the Author

Lover of books, nature, cats and shiny things. Active disliker of

cooking, cleaning and stress. Mom, freelance editor & YA author - also a

bit of a nerd.

Author Links:

   

Cover Reveal Organized by:

Yes, There Was Cake!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Patience

I grew up watching Doctor Who.  By the time I started watching the series was already on the third Doctor, Jon Pertwee.  I watched through the fourth, Tom Baker and fifth, Peter Davidson. Back at the beginning I remember my dad making fun of me for being so fascinated.  It wasn’t long before he was engrossed, watching along with me.

When the sixth Doctor, Colin Baker arrived, I pretty much lost touch with the series.  By the time I went looking for it, it was gone.  But then, in 2005, it was resurrected with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor.  Happy girl!  I had TV back then so I didn’t miss an episode.  Still don’t but now I have to wait for them to be released on DVD.  A few months later, people who only watch things once start selling theirs off cheap and I can have them.

Recently I gathered up the three sets of the Doctor Revisteds.  Last night I watched the movie with the eighth Doctor, Paul McGann.  Fun!  Too bad there weren’t more episodes with him.  I will work my way through the last three Doctors even though I’ve seen them all.  Once I do that, I get to watch the 50^th Anniversary Special.

Sadly, after that I have to wait.  Sigh.  Perhaps I’ll watch all the DVDs I’ve collected.  By the time I’m through them all again, the next season should be available.