Sandra Cox's Blog, page 10

Ketch-Up Day

 

It's Iris season in NC. Time to pull out the T Towel my sister bought me at the botanical gardens we went through years ago.

 

AND Azalea Season

 

AND Hosta Season

  What's blooming in your garden?

Weekend Wishes

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

 Greetings, Blogger Buds. What's your synonym, example, definition or sentence for:

 

Examples: After changing her diet and exercising regularly, Nicole had definitely become a sylph.

or

Her wings sparkling, the sylph flitted through the trees, there one minute, gone the next. 

AND

Did you know, spider plants are natural air purifiers? 

*Spoiler alert.  It takes a large amount to really make a difference, but my personal opinion is even one is a help.

 

Chlorophytum (Spider Plant) - A Natural Air Purifier

 

AND

 

Author and Honorary Cuz, J.Q. Rose is hosting Reuben and me today. If you're in the vicinity, please drop by and say hey.  J. Q. specializes in mysteries and most lately memoirs.  Here's where you can find her latest.

Available at Amazon  

AND she's branching out into painting.

 

Ketch-up Day

 

How are you? 

We got some much needed rain yesterday. I don't know if they got it in the mountains or not, but they need it worse than we do as wildfires still rage.

I used the crock pot again for some more stewed apples and pecans. And roasted cauliflower in the oven. Next up, vegetarian chili.

 

 

 

 

AND

While we got this:

 

 

 

California got this.

Thanks, Denise.

 

 

How's Mother Nature treating you?

Weekend Wishes

 

IWSG and Did You Know

 

The firstWednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by NinjaCaptain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discussstruggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 

The awesome co-hosts for the April 2 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, L Diane Wolfe, Jenni Enzor, and Natalie Aguirre!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional April 2 question - What fantasy character would you like to fight, go on a quest with, or have a beer/glass of wine with? I'm not picky. Either Thor or Iron Man would work for me. ;)

 

March/April Reviews in noparticular order.

*Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factorthem into my review.

 

DEATHIN THE ABSENCE OF RAIN by Caleb Pirtle III

Thefifth book in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles

Thisstory centers on Graham Huston, the owner of the local newspaper, who has aghostly visitant while fighting his own ghosts/demons from his past.

Thetale is well-written and told in a mystical poetic voice. It will definitelyappeal to the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicle followers.

Canbe read as a standalone.

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

BORNAND BRED TEXAN by Jinx Schwartz

Thisis the ninth book in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles Series

Sofar, I haven’t read a book in the series I haven’t enjoyed and Ms. Schwartz’soffering is no exception. Her main character, Blue, is a feisty widow returningto her home in Magnolia Bluff, hoping to heal from the loss of her husband. Shegets more than she bargains for when a dead body is found on her property,followed by several sets of human remains.

Highlyrecommended for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, feisty heroines, and story lineswith plenty of humor running through them. 

Thisbook can be read as a standalone. 

Available at Amazon

 

SUNFLOWERTANKA by Colleen Chesebro and Robbie Cheadle

Authorsfrom around the world have offered their renderings of ‘into the light’ usingthe symbolic sunflower. There was much talent and many different takes. Hereare just a few lines that caught my eye:

‘intothe light, she emerged

readyfor her second chance’ ~ Yvette Calleiro

‘howfast time passes

youngsters—nowteens or adults

elders,no longer sprightly’  ~  Robbie Cheadle

‘silent guardian

owl—a speedy feathered wraith’ ~ ColleenChesebro

‘winter rain sputters

bruised clouds surrender the sky

a spring dawn beckons’   ~ D. Wallace Peach

‘whispers of sunlight

awaken sleeping autumn’ ~  Gwen M. Plano

There is much, much more to read. Atreasure for poetry lovers who enjoy beautiful wordage.

Available at Amazon 

 

AND

 

Good bud, author D. L. Finn,  is hosting Reuben and me at her place. Denise is a multi-talented author whose writings include middle-grade stories, paranormal reads, inspiring poetry and lately she's opened a Gratitude store where she has many lovely items that display both her photography and her poetry. If you're in the vicinity, please stop by and join us.

 

Available at Amazon

 AND

Did you know, Oscar Wilde  went to prison and did hard labor because of his sexual proclivities?

For more information: 24 Crazy Author Facts You Need to Know — On Book Street

 

Release Day for REUBEN HAYES

 

Tag Line:

The crustymiddle-aged rancher had only ever loved one woman. And now her daughter stoodon his doorstep.

 

Blurb:

A young womanshows up at the Hayes’ ranch, bringing bad news and danger.
Sage Baylor is the daughter of the only woman Reuben ever loved. Now she’s onhis doorstep, bringing with her the news her mother is dead. Shortly after herarrival, her father, the Honorable Senator Baylor from Missouri, arrives.That’s when bullets start flying.
Both the senator and Sage are in danger from an unknown source. When thesenator leaves, he tasks Reuben with keeping his daughter safe. Help comes froman unexpected source in the form of an engaging young gunslinger. Between thetwo men, and Reuben’s cranky ole cook, they’ll keep the Senator’s daughtersafe. No matter the peril. No matter the cost.

 

 Excerpt:

Cattle lowed.Horses whinnied. Men whooped and lariats slapped against chaps.

Thesounds carried on a thick, heavy breeze. Dust rose from hundreds of hooves, makingbreathing difficult. The scent of scorched fur and hide filled the air asbrands came down on heaving flanks before struggling longhorns were let go.

Reuben Hayes rosein the stirrups, cupped his hands and shouted, “Henry, get that loco longhorn that’sheaded for the brush.”

A lean cowboyraised a hand in acknowledgement, urged his horse into a gallop and shot offafter the steer. Another rider came thundering up. This one young, still in histeens. He reined in his foam-flecked dun mare.

“Soggy wantsyou back at the house pronto. His words not mine, sir.” He pushed back his hatand wiped his sweating brow, unruly black curls falling over his forehead.

“What’swrong?” Reuben’s raspy voice came out harsh as tension crawled up his backbone.Soggy would never call him back to the ranch if it weren’t dire.

“There’s avisitor waiting.”

“A visitor?” Thick,dark eyebrows, streaked with gray, rose nearly to his hairline. “Soggy told youto come and get me ‘cause he has a visitor?” He lifted his voice to carry overthe bellow of frightened cattle.

“Not him,Boss. You.”

“Thanks forclarifying that, Billy.” Eyebrows that had risen now settled into an aggrievedscowl.

Billy wiped asweaty hand on his pants and swallowed, his Adam’s apple doing a nervousdance.  “It’s a young lady,” he addedhelpfully.

“A younglady?” Reuben’s head jerked back and he blinked in surprise.

“Yes, sir.”

“A younglady?” he repeated.

“Yes, sir.Pretty as a picture.”

For a momenta fatuous look settled over the young man’s features, making him look like amoonling calf, Reuben thought in disgust.

“Guess I’mheading back to the ranch.” Curiosity warred with irritation. It was brandingtime. He didn’t need to be shunting back and forth between the house and therange like a damn fool. He blew out an impatient breath, lifted the reins, thenbellowed, “Levi.”

put heels to his bay and camegalloping toward him.

“Yes,Boss?”

“I’m headingback to the house. You’re in charge.”

“Everythingokay?” His foreman took off his no-frills, worn cowboy hat, wiped his forehead thensettled it back on his head.

“The boss hasa visitor. Pretty as a picture,” Billy interjected.

“Oh, yeah?” Levigrinned and spat a wad of tobacco.

“Wipe thatsmile off your face and take care of the cattle.”

Levi compliedthough his lips continued to twitch.

Reuben pointeda finger at Billy. “You help him.” He clapped heels to his big Appaloosa andgalloped off.

 

CharacterFacts:

Reuben isas tough as old shoe leather, but he’s fair.

He rides abig Appaloosa.

No one thatknows him goes out of their way to mess with him.

 

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Reuben-Hayes-S-Cox-ebook/dp/B0DWQBGT88

 

AND

 

March 31, I am visiting with prehistoric man expert, Jacqui Murray. Jacqui knows more about this era than anyone I know. She takes historical facts and wraps them in a fictional story.  If you haven't tried one of her books yet, you are in for a reading treat. She has two blogs that are always chock full of information for readers, writers and teachers alike. 

If you're in the vicinity, stop by and share a cyber cup of cowboys' coffee.

For more info on the coffee cowboys drank:  History – Arbuckle Coffee

 

 

Available at Amazon

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

What's your definition, synonym, or sentence for:

 

Sentence: An earwig is an insect that doesn't make a habit of dwelling in an ear....or so I'm told.

 

Earwig: Human Threat or Harmless Household Invader?

AND

Did you know, that dead people can get goosebumps?

 

300 Crazy Fun Facts To Start Your Day - Facts.net

Ketch-Up Day

How are you? Wonderful, I hope.I wish I had exciting news to report, like Reuben Hayes--who is coming out Friday--has already sold mega copies and is destined to be a best seller. Or we won the lottery. Or the world is now a calmer, safer, friendlier, and environmentally healthier place. Since that hasn't happened, here's the usual garden pics:) 
  


 

Be well, my friends.

Weekend Wishes

 

 

Today I'm posting on Wister's famous classic  THE VIRGINIAN, considered by many to be the first American Western novel.  If you're interested, please drop by. Love to have ya.

https://cowboykisses.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-virginian.html