Sandra Cox's Blog, page 108

Monday-Tuesday

I saw this on Amazon Prime and really enjoyed it. The movie is based on a true story, which for me only heightened the emotion of the film. Is it fast-paced and action-packed? No. Does it get under your skin and have you rooting for the underdogs? Most definitely. I was happy dancing on the inside by the end. Which by the way is where I do most of my happy dancing;)

Weekend Wishes

Did you know, that many bones in a bird are hollow? Which...

Did you know, that many bones in a bird are hollow? Which is helpful weight-wise for takeoffs and flying.

Wacky Writerly Wednesday

Release Day

Today is TumbleStar's official Book Birth Date. Thanks to all who featured a cover release, pre-ordered and continue to help. I couldn't do it without you.


Warning. Besides hand-tooled boots, content contains: a big-hearted, hasty-tempered cowboy, a homeless young woman, an orphaned little girl and a wild white stallion.

Storyline. Coop Malloy receives a telegram that his sister and brother-in-law have died and Kallie, his ten-year-old niece, is on her way to Texas to live with him. Still reeling from the loss of his sister, he receives another shock when his childhood friend Randa Lockhart steps off the stage with Kallie. He’s stunned to see that the little pigtailed nuisance that tagged after him and his best friend years ago has turned into a beautiful young woman.Randa and Kallie have barely settled in when Coop finds buffalo hunter Marvin Doolin beating the local blacksmith within an inch of his life for laming his horse. Coop steps in and when the buffalo hunter tries to kill him, he shoots him. Now Doolin’s four brothers are out to even the score. When they go after Randa, they cross the line. They’re about to find out that’s there’s nothing Coop won’t do, and no one he won’t track down to protect the two females that have burrowed hard and fast into his heart.
Excerpt “Something on your mind?”That was another thing she’d forgotten. How easily he read her. Considering her attraction to him, that definitely wasn’t a good thing. Nerves had her pleating a piece of her skirt between her fingers. But she looked him in the eye when she spoke. “I was wondering why you didn’t bring her in the house instead of sticking her in that dark little hut.”He rocked on his heels and studied her. “What do you think?”She gave him a level look, but couldn’t bring herself to make an accusation. There had to be another explanation. “I don’t know, Coop. That’s why I’m asking you.”His face darkened. She could almost see the anger roll through him. He’d always had a quick temper. Got over it quick too.“You think it’s because she was captured by the Indians and has a half breed son? Come on, Randa. You know me better than that.”“I knew you better than that.  It’s been a few years. Men change.” “So do women. There was a time that thought would have never entered your head.”She shrugged. “And I don’t really believe it now.”Relief spread like sunshine across his features. Wiping out the angry.Just like a popup storm, she thought.  Here and gone.“So, tell me. Why did you stick her in that dreary little shed of a building instead of the ranch house? My heart knows you even if my head questions. What was the reason?”He drew himself up and looked down his nose at her. “I don’t make a habit of explaining myself, Miranda.”She remembered that too. And the fact that he’d used her full name just went to show the storm wasn’t over.“But I will.”He held up a finger. “It’s where we take all the injured and sick because it’s close to Coosie.” He held up a second finger. “Yes, it’s dreary and it’s a shed, but it will be theirs. I told Anna she’s welcome to stay on once she’s better. We can use her help with the cooking, sewing and cleaning. As time allows, we’ll add a couple of bedrooms and windows. I figured she’d be more comfortable if she had a place she could call hers, no matter how small. I know the boy would.”Remorse washed through her as heat flooded her cheeks. When had she got so smallminded? There must be some of her father in her after all. “I’m sorry, Coop. I sometimes forget, no matter how much trouble you got into, you always led with your heart.”“You instigated your fair share of that trouble, Randa.”  His voice gruff, his dark, slashing eyebrows still maintained their downward spiral.She gave him a playful nudge in the ribs. “I learned from the best.”The eyebrows rose to their normal position and his lips quirked in that lopsided smile that showed a snaggletooth and made her knees weak.She’d get over it. She had to.
Bio. Sandra is a vegetarian, animal lover and avid gardener. She lives with her husband,their dog and several cats in sunny North Carolina.Besides all things western , she also writes in several other genres. She is a category bestselling Amazon author, Eppie finalist and Golden Ankh Award winner.


Order here.   Available in E or Paper.

Weekend Wishes

Stone Man and Johnnycakes

Welcome, Charles Suddeth. Charles is going to tell us not only about his new release but also share with us some genuine Cherokee recipes.Cherokee johnny cakes and allWhile I am not a cook, I have learned to make cornbread that is not available commercially, like I grew up on. White cornmeal is typical, but the results with yellow cornmeal should not differ. Many Cherokees omit salt, because it makes the cornbread crumbly, but feel free to add a pinch of salt to these recipes.Ashcakes These were for emergencies, when you had to eat quickly without dishes. Ingredients: WaterCornmealAdd enough water to the cornmeal so that it does not stick to your hands. Form into patties that can fit into the palm of your hand. Do NOT put on live coals. Put the patties on top of white ashes (gray ashes are too cool) and turn over after 3 or 4 minutes-cook 3 or 4 minutes on the other side. Pull out of the ashes and enjoy.Hoecakes Lace Hoecake Cornbread
These were ideal for a campfire. They were cooked on either a flat rock or flat metal like a griddle (hoe in England can mean griddle)Ingredients:Boiling water  Cornmeal Add water to make a thick batter. Let sit for 10 minutes. Coat griddle or rock with lard or bacon grease. Cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until light golden-brown. JohnnycakesNowadays, most call Johnnycakes Fried Cornbread. Add a pinch of sugar, and some call them cornmeal pancakes. Johnnycakes were something for the cabin, when you had time to enjoy them.Ingredients:Boiling water  Cornmeal Baking powderAdd water to cornmeal and pinch of baking powder to make a batter. Let sit for 10 minutes. Fry in a cast-iron skillet with bacon grease/drippings. Fry until golden-brown. Bean Bread Tuya gadu  ᏚᏯ ᎦᏚThis recipe originally calls for corn cooked in wood ashes (lime water) to remove the hulls—then ground into flour. Nowadays you can buy masa harina—the same thing. Results are more like a dumpling than bread. Ingredients:3 cups masa harina2 teaspoons baking powder½ cup bacon grease1 cup cooked beans (pinto beans are traditional—others will work)2 cups water the beans cooked in (bean pot liquor)Dried cornhusks (or hickory leaves)Mix masa harina and bacon grease together first. Then add other ingredients. Form into patties and wrap in cornhusks. Steam covered for 45 minutes/when cornhusk pulls away cleanly.Can also be boiled. Minus the cornhusks, it can be baked or fried. Bio and Links:Charles Suddeth After U.S. soldiers attack twelve-year-old Tsatsi’s Cherokee village, his family flees to the Smokey Mountains. Facing storms, flood, and hunger, they’re forced to go where Stone Man, a monstrous giant, is rumored to live. His family seeks shelter in an abandoned village, but soldiers hunt them down. Tsatsi and his sister Sali escape, but Sali falls ill and is kidnapped by Stone Man. Tsatsi gives chase and confronts the giant, only to learn this monster isn’t what he seems.Their journey is a dangerous one. Will Tsatsi find the strength to become a Cherokee warrior? And will they ever find their family?Print ISBN 9781939844620EBook ISBN 9781939844651Release date – October 8, 2019Find Stone Man: And the Trail of Tears at:Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Stone-Man-Trail-Charles-Suddeth/dp/1939844622/ITunes - https://fnd.io/#/us/book/1455664389-stone-man-and-the-trail-of-tears-by-charKobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/stone-man-and-the-trail-of-tearsBarnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130849102?ean=9781939844620Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44453832-stone-man-and-the-trail-of-tears

Did You Know AND Wacky Writerly Wednesday

Did you know in Victorian times, flowers were considered the language of love and used to send secret messages. For instance:
Acacia stands for secret love.
Begonia - Beware
Calla Lily - Beauty
Clover, White - Think of me
Dwarf Sunflower - I adore you
Lily, orange - Hatred
Lotus -  I love you still
Primrose - I can't live without you
And so on.

AND...
Combining Did You Know and WWW because a special post is coming tomorrow.

Did You Know

Did you know in Victorian times, flowers were considered the language of love and used to send secret messages. For instance:
Acacia stands for secret love.
Begonia - Beware
Calla Lily - Beauty
Clover, White - Think of me
Dwarf Sunflower - I adore you
Lily, orange - Hatred
Lotus -  I love you still
Primrose - I can't live without you
And so on.

Monday-Tuesday

We went to a Lee Rocker concert. OMG. He's awesome. He plays a double bass like most play a guitar. A little bit of trivia: his parents are classical clarinetists and his sister is a country music singer/songwriter. He wrote a song called 'If Things Aren't Going Right Turn Left' Heh. I LOVE rockabilly.



AND...
The Impossible Whopper (a plant burger).
Anyone tried it yet?  I liked it. It was a little dry, but not enough to be a problem. I thought the flavor was  good.
AND...
Hobos. Ever fixed hobos(veggies and  potatoes with butter and seasoning  wrapped in aluminum) on the grill? I've started fixing mine in the oven and adding a little olive oil.
AND...
The HH picked this up for me.
AND...
Got a surprise in the mail from Ro. Thanks, Rockin Ro. Love it.
AND...
Looks like the mum I had no idea the color of is the same as Di's, red:)
AND...
Saw Ad Astra. Enjoyed it. The special effects were amazing.



Oh my cod. It's carpet shampooing week. For those of you who have wood floors...Don't want to hear it:)

So what about you. Tried the Impossible Whopper? Seen Ad Astra? Like Lee Rocker? Got your Halloween on? Got mums? Shampooed carpets lately? (If so, you have my complete sympathy:)