Saturday, December 12, 2015

It's the most wonderful time of the year!



 
 

Another year is wrapping up and I’m knee-deep in holiday traditions. So much so, every weekend is filled shopping, baking, and spending time with those I love.

 

Aside from giggles with these two sweeties, there’ll be goodies! Carmel corn, chocolate fudge, cookies and cakes to eat all the days of Dec. And with the snacks come movies! Hours and hours of Christmas shows I’ve seen waaaaay too many times to count. Somehow I always manage to drop everything and sit down (or wrap presents while watching) and enjoy. In no time at all, I'm chuckling at the antics of Ralphie in The Christmas Story desperate to get his Red-Rider BB gun. Or marveling at how young June Lockhart was when she played in the original black and white A Christmas Carol.  The neighbors will probably hear me laughing at Red Skelton’s Christmas follies.

 

Now that I'm all grown up, the holidays can be a trifle sad if I start thinking how much I miss the old days. My own memories of Christmases past- me as a child, sharing in the joy and magic of the season with my brother always warms my heart.

I have a favorite memory of waiting in the car with my brother outside the toy store while Mom and Dad shopped. Santa was standing on the street corner ringing his bell and I worried about him working so late. I mean, gosh, he had such a big night ahead. The more I thought about it, the more I realized he must have already had his sled packed waiting nearby with the list tucked inside his bag. The one with all the names. Maybe even my name.

You see, I was pretty certain that I'd made the list, but things definitely looked iffy for my brother. And he must have been really worried too because eventually my brother rolled down the car window and called him over. After about a million psst! Hey, Santa! the big guy finally came over with a bellowing Ho! Ho! Ho! and handed each of us a candy cane.
Right about then Mom and Dad came out of the store. Dad opened the trunk as Santa walked over beside him. Twisting around in the backseat we peeked through the crack beneath the car's hood to watch them. Suppose they were trading secrets? Like last minute gift ideas. Not that Santa needs any suggestions but you never know.

And what to our wondering eyes did we see...? Our dad and Santa standing back there sharing a nip of holiday cheer! Yep! Jolly old St. Nick with his beard pulled up and head tipped back. Santa was well on his way to getting merry- (at least that's what I heard my dad say later when he got in the car.)
I don't think Mom was too happy.
 
But for us, it was a joyful time filled with snowflakes and icicles. :  )

I can almost feel the crisp night air as our breaths clouded around us. The cold frosty car windows and sweet tasting candy cane. Cheerful faces in my mind like a Norman Rockwell painting, folks rushing through the deepening twilight, darting in and out of the stores to grab last minute gifts or food. Everytime the doors would swing open holiday music would drift out into the street. The smiles and greetings left me with a warm contagious feeling that I get every December as the 25th draws near.

The most wonderful time of the year!  Why can't every day be like Christmas? At least the feelings of peace, hope, and love, all year long.
 
 

Whatever your memorie are, may your hearts be filled with the warm spirit of Christmas! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, November 28, 2015

I love holiday stories and even wrote one of my own. The Season for Miracles, the story of a little girl and her dog alone on a snowy Christmas Eve. If you haven't gotten your copy yet, now is the perfect time because it's free!





One snowy Christmas Eve street urchin Victoria and her little dog spend hours wandering the chilly streets selling ribbons and peering through the store glass windows at the grand gifts designed to fill boys and girls Christmas wishes everywhere. 
But Victoria has a wish of her own. A yearning for something she wants more than anything else in the world. And perhaps this year Father Christmas will find her and make all her dreams come true. 
When a withered old storekeeper and his gentle wife find themselves in her company, they are at a loss. The couple has long forgotten the joys of Christmas spent with a child and the magic sure to follow when they open their home and their hearts to... The Season For Miracles.



FREE!

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

It's down-right Frightful how fast time flies!!!









Oh my gosh, I can't believe its November already...What? And that it's nearly over? OMG! Time really does fly!


I hope that you know but just in case, let me say how very much I appreciate all you magnificent readers. I'm like Wow! Because of you my romance novel, Man of Her Dreams, continues selling on Amazon.

And of course, that means someone out there is reading it!!

It always spurs me on to keep plotting and writing the next installment- Glory Daze, a novel featuring Dottie and Earl on their anniversary road trip. So many funny things happen to them, none the least that they find amusing at the time but you know what they say, don't you? 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.'
I swear, by the time they get back home- if they get back- they'll be able to bench a truck! Or at least the vintage old Honda they're riding. Do you wanna peek? They've stopped at a motel for the night after a grueling day on the road.


*   *   * 
       Dot came out of the bathroom wearing her comfortable green robe. “I feel as if I’ve hit the ground from a forty-foot drop,” she said as she wobbled into the room,. Her body ached in places she’d forgotten she had. “Are you sure we didn’t wipe out back there?”  
    Earl balanced on the edge of the chair trying to toe off his new leather boots.  “Back where?” he managed to squeak out as he tugged on the offending boot.    
    “Here, there. I don’t know. Where the heck are we?” She slid around the edge of the bed stopping at the foot where he’d tossed their luggage. “Every bone in my body hurts,” she said, unzipping the leather bag.  “I’m glad I remembered to pack the ointment.” Dot retrieved the tube of topical arthritis pain medicine. “Be a sweetie and rub some on my back.”
       Earl was pulling on the heel of his boot, his face red and forehead dotted with sweat. “Let me get these damn shoes off first” he grimaced, hooking the boot’s heel on the edge of the coffee table and pulled. A white stocking foot slowly emerged. He repeated the process, freeing his other foot from the stiff leather boot and sent it sailing across the room.
     He fell back into the plush chair cushions; both arms flung to his side as he closed his eyes. “Ahhh.” He flexed his feet and wiggled his toes. “Whose idea was it to wear new boots, anyways?”
     “Yours, remember? Along with the leather jacket and Oakley’s?” She eyed the white double duvet on the bed and made slow process toward the center of the cushiony mattress.  “No sense looking like an amateur, you said.”
     “As if. You forget, this isn’t my first rodeo.”
    “Yeah. And the Honda’s no horse, either.”
    “I’ll admit these days I’m more of a soft leather type. Like George Clooney or Cary Grant …” Dot held back a laugh. Ha! George Clooney my foot. And the only resemblance Earl had to Cary Grant was the dusting of gray hair. 
    “…distinguished. Comfortable. Did we by any chance pack my Rockford’s?”
       She gave a weak grin and twisted her shoulders left, then right, stiff joints cracking noisily as she moved. “They’re in the bag. I’ll dig them out in the morning,” Once more holding out the lotion. “But for now, can we concentrate on me? Please? I can’t get rid of these kinks in my lower back."
     “In a minute, Dot. I wanna make sure you packed the shoes.”
      She shrugged and tilted her head; the continual racket as she attempted to loosen her neck was drowned by embarassing creeks coming from her knees as she tried to sit cross-legged on the bed. She should probably just pop a couple ibuprofens and forget the lotion. Earl looked worn out as he stood rummaging through the satchel.
       “Aha!” he said as he pulled out the worn leather shoes and set them on the floor. Earl moved like a hundred year old turtle- backing up to the edge of the bed while keeping his back ram-rod straight- like it were tied to a board and then descended slowly onto the mattress. Part of her wanted to feel bad for him. Six hours on the back of a motorcycle was a tad much. But this whole anniversary road trip was his idea. He needed to act his age. Which was middle-aged, not some empty-headed twerp barely out of high school.    
       Earl turned slowly and took the tube from her. “Okay, Dot. Where’s it hurt?”
      “A better question would be where does it not hurt? Which would be my chin, probably because it was cushioned against your back.”
      “I know. I have a dent to prove it.” He unscrewed the tube, making a face as the vapors released into the air. The tube made a noise as he squirted a generous pile in his palm.
      Immediately the scent of camphor wafted between them. “I’ll be quick.” The cold ointment touched her skin followed by Earl’s strong palms, rubbing the cream between her shoulder blades.
     Naturally. She groaned. If she had a dollar for every time she’d heard that lately she could afford her own private masseuse.  Hard to believe they used to spend hours in bed, rubbing bottle and bottle of oil into each other’s skin. The radio would be playing softly in the background and a gentle breeze from a window fan gave them just the right amount of privacy in their tiny apartment.
    Splat! Earl pushed the lotion up around her neck, massaging the nape of her neck and carelessly hitting the rim of her ears which immediately started to burn. When did he become so rough?
     Dot closed her eyes. Some things never change despite their location. But she could pretend…let herself dream she was being pampered in a fancy ladies spa hotel with a muscular masseuse rubbing herbal scented oils into her skin…flirting…playing.
     Lost in a daydream the smelly lotion took on a fruity aroma, of pineapple and coconut and she pretended to feel the heat of the tropical sun beaming down….
     “How’s that?” He said, slapping her on the back. "Better?"
     Pop! The fantasy ended but the heat penetrated deep into her aching muscles brought immediate relief. In a matter of moments soothing warmth began to work its magic.
       “Anything else?” Earl said as he capped the tube and tossed it onto the bed. He strolled across the room in his stocking feet, soundless, except for the noise sounding like pop-rocks coming from his joints. “Epson salt? A pedicure? Maybe you’d like some hot towels to drape around your sore shoulders?”
       She ignored the sarcasm. “Mmm…Sounds wonderful,” she murmured, and stretched out across the soft bed, closing her eyes. “I’d be willing to try anything but I can hardly move much less roll over.”
      She could hear Earl rummaging around in the bag but she was too weary to open her eyes. He was big enough to lay out his own socks.
     “Who said you need to roll over?” He slid across the spread beside her.
     Suddenly cautious, and very leery of his tone, Dot cracked one eyelid. What squirrel crawled up his leg? She twisted just enough to see him more clearly, taking note of the gleam in his eyes as he arched his brow. “I have just the thing here that’ll fix you right up. Something to take the edge off.”
       “The edge off what?” She attempted to sit up, but his arm flailed out preventing her from sitting up. Instead, she lay back and turned onto her side to face him. “Earl?”       

      He raised his eyebrows rapidly in a wiggling, comical, silent-movie fashion. “Inquiring minds want to know.” 


First draft stage and all but definitely fun. I love road trips, don't  you? 



Monday, October 12, 2015

Man of her Dreams... .99cents!













http://www.amazon.com/Man-Dreams-Daydream-Believers-Book-ebook/dp/B00LBKD5U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444674256&sr=8-1&keywords=Teresa+Blue


Friday, July 24, 2015

In the good ol' summer time



All Natural Bug Spray for those pesky mosquitos

1 tsp. lemongrass oil
1 tsp. eucalypluas oil
1 tsp. citronellal oil
6 oz WitchHazel

Mix and pour into pretty spray bottles to keep handy on the porch. Smells so good I'm tempted to squirt just for the aroma!





The first day of summer came and went without comment. Little wonder...it was the longest day of the year. And felt like the hottest. We've already seen tempatures in the mid-90s with a forecast of 100 degrees by the weekend. What's a person to do?


I know what I don't want to do. And that is miss out.


Because if I'm not careful one day pretty much feels like the next. And that's not how I hope to spend the lazy, hazy days of summer.


You see, I've got this tiny voice whispering in my ear, coming from an imaginary, drop-dead Fred kinda guy. And he's got lots of ideas, all kinds of things he swears I could do to enjoy the summer. Trouble is, he keeps forgetting I'm not a kid any more.

Seriously. Polar Bear swimming at dawn?





I'm so sure.

Eat peanutbutter toast and icy cold milk outside sitting on the front steps.



Geez, Louise.

Remember all the slippery fun and refreshing hours spent running under the water-sprinkle?


Dream on.

I'm a grownup with a to-do list a mile long...laundry, cleaning shopping and meal planning. My chores are endless. You think I can drop everything and play?

   




So what do you do when it's so blasted hot?

I'd love to hear your ideas.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

It's a Party!!

Help share in the launch of Christine's Warner's new book
                 A Friendly Engagement  by Christine Warner.

 
 
 
This is a facebook event. Log into the url below to join the fun. Win prizes! Meet new authors!
 
 
Be there or be square! : )
Thrusday - June 25
at 7:00pm - 10:30pm
 
   Grand Prize - $50 Amazon Gift Card

07:00 pm - Nikki Lynn Barrett
07:30 pm - Teresa Blue (Signed print copy of Letters From Inside - US Only)
08:00 pm - Kristina Knight, Romance Author, Romance Author (3 e-Books {Winners' Choice} & a $10 Starbucks Gift Card
08:30 pm - Lora Lee - Author (Giveaway: Signed print copy of Bringing in the Thieves and $5 Amazon Gift Card)
09:00 pm - Callie Hutton (The Baron's Betrayal - Print {US Only} & e-Book {International})
09:30 pm - Sarah Ballance (Paperback copy of The Marriage Agenda to US entrants and $15 Amazon Gift Card to International entrants)
10:00 pm - Christine Warner ($50 Amazon Gift Card)
 

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Now that's pretty!



Short and sweet today folks. Feeling a tad under the weather but I'm sure I'll bounce back. In the meantime, I've been collecting an assortment of dishes for a crafty idea I had. After finding the cup and saucer at a thrift store, I was ready to put it all together.

Ta-da! It's a bird bath. I plan on putting this outside of my She-shed. It'll catch water for the birds and chipmonks. Although I really wish Chip and Dale would hang out someplace else, they seem to like my flowers best.

Let's hope the birds do too.








Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Hurry! Sale ends soon!


I'm rushing in at the last minute to let you know Shadow Beneath the Sea, a Crimson Romance by Joanna Lloyd is in its final countdown hours! Hurry! Sale ends soon!

http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Beneath-Sea-Crimson-Romance-ebook/dp/B00EVTN332/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431478896&sr=8-1&keywords=shadow+beneath+the+sea



Lillian Marshall’s father is determined she will accompany him to England on board the great luxury liner, Lusitania. Walter Marshall needs an accomplice in crime to execute a shrewd con to make their fortune. She is faced with an impossible decision - stay in America and marry a man she doesn’t love for stability and security, or face her fear of sea travel, her father’s crooked schemes, and an unknown future to reunite with a family she’s never known.
When Edward James books passage to England on the Lusitania, he believes his future is at last out of his father’s hands and his career as a musician is within reach. Before the ship sails, Edward becomes an unwitting ally in Walter’s plan to force his reluctant daughter onto the ship. Edward finds himself drawn to the intriguing Lillian and seeks her company at every opportunity; finally facing the possibility that it may be Lillian who holds his heart.
Unfortunately, his uncle has more insidious plans to wed Edward to the cold-hearted Lavinia Armitage, daughter of a family business partner.
So begins a love story hindered by class, time, and promises - Edward’s to marry Lavinia and Lillian’s to steal from the man she loves. Against a backdrop of vivid characters, obscene wealth, secrets, lies, and deceit, they are both on a countdown toward one of the greatest war-time shipping tragedies in history.
Sensuality Level: Sensual



Saturday, May 9, 2015

Personality color wheel










 

Recently I stumbled across this a color wheel. Since I'm always looking ways to add more depth to my characterization, I thought I’d check it out. Its design can help showcase your character(s) and his/her mood by adding a splash of color.

  

Personalities can be divided into colors; each color represents a different trait. Knowing the color can help better describe the person.

 

 

Red: Courageous and confident. Reds crave attention. You’re physically active and naturally sex is a necessity to you. If you’re a red, you’re most likely very ambitious, play hard and like to win. You’re more interested in facts and avoid details, in a hurry to get the results. Often, they are fast thinkers and tend to move quickly.

 

Yellow: Mellow yellow, anyone? They are the life of the party; social and expressive, yellows are imaginative and enthusiastic. They don’t like to be asked to suppress their opinions and never try and discourage a yellow’s natural creativity.

 

Blue: Those with the color blue in their chart are organized, or at least they like to be. Don’t disrupt their space! Wherever it may be, that little corner or the room or area beside the chair is exactly how they want it to be. They can’t stand being late, (I’m a blue and I seriously get cramps if it appears I’ll be late.) A blue is also considered trustworthy and in turn can be quite trusting of others- although a bit leery at first. Win a blue for a friend and you’ve gained a true-blue friend.

 

Green: Green people tend to need more. More of an answer, that is. Greens want specific, curious as to the why or how of something. They tend to ask lots of questions, using a soft and polite voice. They are organized and neat to a fault, persistent and always follow through. If it sounds as if green people are perfect, think again. Many are hard to please and tend to over analyze everything. Because of this, they can become depressed and lonely.



There are many more colors and personality traits. What color are you? Take the test and find out.




http://www.colorquiz.com/ 

Friday, April 24, 2015

When Pink's not pretty...






Everyone is familiar with the pink ribbon and its implication that beneath the pink there’s a woman with breast cancer. And fighting for her life.


I’m always mindful that it could just as easily be me and gladly give money to help. I pray that scientist find the answers to end cancer soon. Someone must find the cure to the devastating diagnosis that affects far too many women and the lives of their families. 


A month ago my daughter decided not to cancel yet another mammogram, and instead, kept the appointment she’d been putting off for way too long. And received the news. The tender lump between her armpit and breast turned out to be IDC- invasive ductal carcinoma which forms in the milk ducts.


Suddenly, things have come to a screeching halt as she rediscovers the importance of diet, health, and lifestyle. The erratic pace I watched her run for years- errands, work, and even parenting, has taken a backseat while she’s forced to do whatever means necessary to survive.

Why didn’t she go to the doctor's sooner? Was she really so busy she couldn’t make one very important checkup? The means of preventing such catastrophic results are available but only if you take the time to follow through. Please….

Don’t put it off. The world is much nicer with you in it.




 



Monday, April 13, 2015

Welcome Glenda, the good witch, and the Tin Man




My cast of dolls from the Wizard of Oz is nearly complete. Recently added is
Glenda, the good witch- who floated down in a bubble, dressed in a soft pink gown, a crown resting on top of beautiful red curls.



I never realized how smart she really was until I searched for a bit of encouraging words from the lady herself.

Glenda- "Home is a place we must all find, child. It's not just a place where you eat or sleep. Home is knowing, knowing your mind. Knowing your heart, knowing  your courage. If we know ourselves we are always home, anywhere."

And her advice to the great and powerful Oz- "You're capable of more than you know."


And of course what fairy-tale is complete without a hero. 




Meet the Tin Man- that cute little woodcutter who while searching for a heart, stole ours as well. He looked danger in the face but willing admitted- his only fear was being caught in a thunderstorm without his oil can.

He believed: "A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."


I'm not sure how many more dolls there actually are from the Oz collection but I do know there is the Wizard. And I would love to find a monkey wearing one of those red and black striped suits. We'll see. 


Until then, it'll be fun to see what turns up. :  ) 







Thursday, March 12, 2015

Another Munchkin doll from Oz

I've come to believe if we keep our eyes peeled and heart open, the most wonderful things will appear. I'm finding that to be true. At least in my quest of adding to my doll collection with the cast of characters from The Wizard of Oz.

You remember I found Dorothy and her dog, Toto, Then found the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow, and Wicked Witch of the west. Brrrr, she's so mean...and green too. Her adorable light green face has made the little girl my favorite. Well...almost.

Until I stumbled across The Lollipop Kid last weekend.


Can't you just hear him singing and shaking his shoulders with his trio- I assume were his brothers- thus, the Lollipop Kids.



Madame Alexander Dolls

In 1923 Madame Beatrice Alexander founded the Alexander Doll Company.  When I found out this talented lady was the one behind the beautiful dolls included with McDonald's happy meals my outlook on the convenient drive-thru improved considerably. Everything in moderation, right? 

So, back to the dolls. Here's another munchkin, not sure who. Or if in fact, she is from Munchkin Land, but with the colorful array of dancing folks residing there, I feel pretty confident she has at least passed through.
 Look at the details on her
little braids. I wore my hair like
that for years!





I just love being a Thingfinder. You never know what's right around the corner....

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Coming Soon- Letters From Inside...


What scares you?       




As a teenager, my highlight of summer was weekend movies. Classics such as The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes. I sat surrounded by darkness unable to look away from the gore-fest or the blood-curdling screams.


Years later, I moved miles from town into a rustic old farmhouse. I loved the quiet, the privacy and when hubby left for a week long trip, I looked forward to the solitude. It was dusk and I was coming home from town in no particular hurry. After all... there was absolutely no one expecting me.


And then HE came along, driving a dirty gold Pontiac and pulled right out in front of me, tires squealing when they hit the paved road and burning rubber for several hundred feet.He had dark windblown hair from the open car window, shaggy. A tanned, muscular tattooed arm hung from the window, his hand drumming the side of his car to the beat of his music. Our cars passed in an instant and my gaze flew to the rear-view mirror, thankful not to have to been killed. But my relief turned to panic when the guy did a U-turn in the road, zooming up behind me as if our bumpers were magnetic.
He passed me and turned onto the dirt road, sped up, did a doughnut and headed right toward me.

By now, my heart was an enormous lump in my throat which undoubtedly interfered with the oxygen leading to my brain. It's my only excuse because without thinking, I pulled my car over to the side of the road and got out, yelling, “Do you have a problem or what?”

At least one functioning brain cell prevented me from approaching his car, where he'd parked on the edge of the road, his engine idling loud and burning oil, the muffler rumbling like something from a Grinder-House horror flick. He crushed an empty beer can and tossed it to the ground. Without saying a word, the guy gave a goofy grin, a wave, and sped off.


Thankfully, my house was only a few mailboxes down and I quickly turned into the drive and hurried inside. But darkness fell, so black it seemed as if I'd been swallowed up. I crept around the empty house, peeking out every window, praying he didn't come back.



I never saw him again. But the seed was planted and a novel came forth.



Letters From Inside.  A single mother trying to live quietly in her rural ancestral home with no idea her rebellious daughter has opened a door to danger.  




Thursday, February 5, 2015

Why do we fall in love?



Most of you know I write romance novels about two people falling in love.
Boy meets girl,
Boy kisses girl,
Boy gets girl.

The End......

Not even close. Forget about the many lovely faces boy had to research- sowing wild oats, they call it- before his eyes meet the perfect one and the sparks fly. An attraction so fierce he can't even close his eyes without picturing her in his head. Remembering every word of conversation they shared, her laughter, her smell, the way she walks... Geesh, talk about love....

What I want to know is why?   What is it that makes us fall in love with one person rather than the other? And how do we choose who to fall in love with?

I have some ideas and I'm hoping maybe you'll help me out by adding more.

What I've discovered is this:

 1.  You are ready to fall it love.  Johnny Lee's song "Looking for Love" sums it up nicely. We are designed to have a partner and therefor set ourselves up with an expectation that someday we'll find the one who makes us happy. We feel good when we're together. The main reason behind going out on the weekends when we're young is the hope of finding that special someone we're attracted to or destined even to spend our lives with.


2.   Let's get physical.  Yeah,,,and then there's that. The physical attraction that has us sweating, blushing and heart pounding sensations just being close to that person. Feels so right...for real. Powerful brain circuits are triggered, like the chemical dopamine, which produces a feeling of euphoria, energy and even sleeplessness. We go out of our way to make it so by using makeup, clothes, even fancy cars to get noticed and hopefully- get lucky.


3 .  There is a desire to be needed or helpful.  I smile when dear hubby claims he'd never find another like me. Whether its true of not, it's a sweet sentiment. Who doesn't want to be needed? A big part of love is being there for each other. The feeling of security you get from a long term partner can certainly evolve into a deep emotional commitment, and help couples stay together to see their families raised

4. Little things mean a lot.  I love it when hubby washes my car and fills it with gas. Or the way his face lights up when he comes home tired from work to find I've made his favorite dish. And later, promise to massage his sore muscles with a five minute rub-down.


Actions speak louder than words. What kind of gestures make you fall in love? Or at least get your attention?
             


                                               




Friday, January 30, 2015

How do you make your coffee?












How many of you  have used this kind of coffee pot, or at least remember seeing one like it on the back of the kitchen stove? Maybe your grandmother had one? Or an aunt? My mom had a huge one. I think it held about twelve cups, and the bottom was a bit scorched  (she loved to set the flame on the gas burners high.) Since I'm being totally honest here, it was also a tad greasy from the the cast iron skillet splattering oil as she fried bacon and eggs for our breakfast.

But time marches on and eventually, she changed to a shiny electric percolator for awhile and then onto the fast making Mr. Coffee. Recently, now that her family size decreased, she purchased the ever popular Keurig- single cup coffee maker.

Which is nice, don't get me wrong. I have one and it's great for that afternoon pick-me-up when all you need is a little jolt of caffeine. But have you ever woke to find the electricity off due to a power outage? And nothing will give you that steaming cup of java unless you've got a jar of instant and a gas stove.

Awhile back I came across this at the Goodwill and didn't hesitate to grab it up for the piddly amount of 1.99. Seriously! At home, I replaced my tea kettle in favor of keeping this coffee pot on the stove instead. Makes me feel- I don't know, like Olivia Walton or something, and any minute my family will come tromping downstairs for breakfast.

And I'll be ready.



Instructions:
1/4 cup ground coffee in the basket per four cups of water. Place over medium heat until it begins to perk, watching carefully so it doesn't boil over. Allow to perk for 5- 10 minutes depending on the strength you're after.

The aroma alone will leave you with a sigh of contentment.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Courage to write...where do you find yours?


 
 
 
 
Where do you get your courage?       

 

 

I’ll admit it, I’m a coward. I carry around a fear that sometimes paralyzes me and sends me running away from my WIP rather than putting butt in chair and face it. Instead, I find myself doing the most awful, mundane chores imaginable. Remember last summer when I cleaned behind all of the electrical faceplates in the house? Seriously! Armed with my spray bottle of 409 and a screwdriver I managed to waste an entire day on the pretense of keeping my family healthy wiping away the germs and avoiding embarrassment from friends who might notice the smudgy fingerprints on my wall outlets.

And God forbid we should suffer from the hidden bacteria contaminating the can-opener!

 
See the pattern? I will do anything NOT to write.

 

But…it seems I am not alone.

 

In my quest to avoid yet another day of staring at a blank screen, or worse, examine my characters GMC (Goal-Motivation-Conflict), I picked up this book I honestly can’t remember when I bought it, and started to read. “The Courage to Write” by Ralph Keyes.

 

And there, staring me right in the face was the answer. It was like attending an AA meeting with fellows writers confessing their fears of writing.

 

E.B.White- gave us not only ‘Charlottes Web’ and ‘Stuart Little’ but he also revised a handy booklet present on most everyone’s desk titled, ‘The Elements of Style’ by the late William Strunk Jr. Named Elwyn Brooks White, he claimed because his mother ran out of names, was a procrastinator who managed most days to avoid the trauma of writing altogether by squandering valuable writing time puttering around on his farm in Maine. He told a friend once that he considered himself “the second most inactive writer living, and the 3rd most discouraged.”

 

Seems I’m in good company, huh?

 

Okay, so I could go on with many wonderful and encouraging phrases in this book but instead, I’ll gather my courage, my tools, and go to work on the novel I’m writing. After all, I’ve got characters waiting for me to suck it up and continue on. 

 

How about you? What are your reasons for not writing?

 

 

 

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Nothing to do...

So, I had foot surgery in December and have been house-bound for four weeks. And I've  got eight more weeks to go. Ugh!

What am I doing to keep myself entertained?

Let's see....

I'm watching the final season of Big Valley and falling more in love with tales of the Old West. It's so beautiful! I'm also up to season four of Little House On the Praire and have just started watching a comedy series from the 70's called Soap. This is one funny show centered around two families, the Campbells and the Tates.

Currently I am reading the latest Johanna Lindsey novel titled, Stormy Persuasion- A Malory family novel.
This series started in 1985 with "Love Only Once" and follows handsome Captain James Malory, many dashing pirates and rakes. Not to mention the daughters born over the course as they come of age. 

On somedays I even pull out my current WIP and work on that. I know, I'd promised myself I'd get this written but here I am, fiddling around doing NOTHING! And despite the fact the last chapter written is really fun- it unfortunately has me re-directing what happens next.

Somewhere between chapters six and eight. Not sure.


   The patrolman shoved his ticket pad deeper into his back pocket. He reached over and grabbed Dot pulling her arms behind her.

   “I may not have the right to go through your bag but I can search and seize any incriminating evidence I find on your person.” With that, he grabbed her wrists and spun her around, yanking both arms behind her while he dangled the handcuffs.

    “You can’t do that!”

    “I can and I will,” the patrolman muttered as the cuffs clicked into place.    

    Despite the fact her hands were locked behind her back, she still managed to dodge the officer for several more minutes as he made every attempt to pat her down. The moment he hands actually touched her body Dot let him have it with a mighty blow from her knee.

    Crack! The patrolman fell over backwards cupping his family jewels and knocking her off balance in the process. He wailed loudly. "You're going to regret that," he growed as he lunged at her.
    Dot was almost on her feet when the officer’s hand caught her ankle, tripping her to the ground.

    “Earl! I could use some help, here!”


Although I usually write in order, this chapter has jumped sequence and will have to go on a back burner for a bit.

Foolish me. I really thought I'd enjoy having nothing to do all day but watch tv or read. Until dinner time rolls around and I realize, crippled or not, I've still got to eat. And hubs is much happier if I've cooked something. And I miss going upstairs to my room and soaking in the whirlpool tub. I miss trying on clothes, I've worn nothing but stretch pants since the Dec. And I miss visiting with my mom even though I have managed to go once a week if hubby's not too tired after work to drive me. It takes quite a bit of manuvering to get the wheelchair or scooter outside, plus me, in this snow.  I've been using muscles I didn't know I had.

Enough complaining. Really am glad to be mending so nicely.

Soon, I'll be back on both feet and shopping for new shoes!!!

Until then....