Sandra Cox's Blog, page 17

Weekend Wishes

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

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

Sentence: The idea that cats only purr when they are happy is hokum.

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Did you know, that Founding Fathers James Monroe, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson all died on July 4th?  Adams and Jefferson in the same year only hours apart. 

 

For more information: Three Presidents Die on July 4th: Just a Coincidence? | Constitution Center

Ketch-up Day

 

How are you? How's your weather. We had rain last night. Woot.  Woot. It's been so dry here that instead of rustling the grass crunches when you walk on it. 

If you celebrate, did you do anything 4th of July? The HH popped up some popcorn and we went to the fireworks.

 
Remember the nests in the butterfly bush? Looks like we've got renters:) If you look closely you can see three little heads.

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It's butterfly season here.  This is what we usually get: 

 

Yellow and black swallowtails.

Last week I saw a Zebra zooming around.  

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My poor hibiscus is one of the few things still blooming in this heat.

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Frank:)

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From Illinois

Thanks, Allison 

Every made these? They consist of Twinkies, Twix and red gel.

That's all, blogger buds.

 

 

Weekend Wishes

 

IWSG Wednesday 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  July 3posting ofthe IWSG are JS Pailly, Rebecca Douglass, Pat Garcia, Louise-Fundy Blue, 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 experienceor story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let itinspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember,the question is optional

 July 3 question -What are your favorite writing processing (e.g. Word, Scrivener, yWriter,Dabble), writing apps, software, and tools? Why do you recommend them? Andwhich one is your all time favorite that you cannot live without and use dailyor at least whenever you write?

I don’t do anything fancy just write in Word. I’llbe interested to see how others answer this and what they feel helps them.

 

June/July Reviews in noparticular order

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

 

STREETOF FIVE MOONS by Elizabeth Peters

ThisVicky Bliss series was written back in the late 80s.  I enjoyed it then and I’m enjoying it now.  Urged on by her boss Herr Professor DoktorSchmidt director of the National Museum, Vicky always finds herself smack dabin the middle of a dangerous mystery around priceless relics. The storydefinitely picks up when dashing thief Sir John Smythe enters the picture.  A must read for folks that enjoy anold-fashioned romantic suspense.

SILHOUTTEIN SCARLET by Elizabeth Peters

Thestory picks up where THE STREET OF FIVE MOONS leaves off with Sir John ploppingVicky in another dangerous situation, involving a criminal with a deadly hobby,then uses his wiles and courage to get her out of it.

Available at Amazon

 

SOUNDSIN THE SILENCE by D. L. Finn

Afascinating mystery that connects the past and the present.

PresentDay: Maria and Logan have bought a mansion in disrepair that they plan onturning into a Bed and Breakfast, having no idea when they sign on the dottedline that the mansion comes with a ghost.

1924:Helen is married to the love of her life Charles. They party their way throughprohibition until Helen disappears and her husband is blamed for thedisappearance.

NowMaria must solve the mystery of what happened to Helen.

Thetransition between the two different periods of time is handled smoothly andkeeps the reader wondering what is happening in the other timeline.  The entire book has a deliciously eerie feelto it, due in part to the author’s fabulous descriptions. For instance: ‘Thechill fall night was silent under a sky so dark that the stars seemed subdued.’

Thisis one of Ms. Finn’s best. Enjoy it.

Available at Amazon

 

 

WILLIAMHENRY HARRISON, NINTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (ENCYCLOPEDIA OFPRESIDENTS) by Christine Maloney Fitz-Gerald

I'mslogging my way through the biographies of the Presidents of the UnitedStates.  Mega apologies to the author,but the last one I read I found long and boring, so I tried the children'sversion of Harrison's life. I.E. William Henry Harrison: Ninth President of theUnited States (Encyclopedia of Presidents) and loved it. I learned all kinds ofthings about this president I didn't know. It hit the salient points in hislife, and presented them in an interesting manner, without belaboring pointsthat had no bearing.

Irecommend this book for kids and adults alike.

Available at Amazon

 

AVENTURE TO VICTORY: 40 Lessons to Live a Victorious Life  by Shahid Pervaiz

Thisis a self-help designed to guide us on our journey of improvement whether it bein our professional or private lives.

Severalphrases caught my eye and gives a feel to what the book is about:

“It’snot important to win the argument, learn to win the people.”

“Stayaway from negative people.”

“Yourfuture is a reflection of your performance today.”

“Forgiveyourself for the blunders you make.”

“Sharewhat you have. You always have something to give.”

“Ifyou pray for the rain, you gotta deal with the mud too.”

Iparticularly enjoyed the last quote😊 It’s an easy read that will putyou in a positive frame of mind. Enjoy.

Available at Amazon

 

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Did you know that the poet Percy Shelley was a vegan?

For more information:

24 Crazy Author Facts You Need to Know — On Book Street

 

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Category - All (smashwords.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

Can you believe it's July? June was hot and dry here. The plants and I are a little concerned to see what this month brings. What's your weather like?

The Eternal Garden Pics

We finally got the fish spout put out.

A hydrangea for Andrew:)

This is pretty blurry.  It's a squirrel gnawing on a hard roll I threw out:)

 

The HH got me 4th of July flowers.

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From Colorado

Thanks, Julie

From Colorado

Thanks, Julie

From California

Thanks, Denise

That's all, blogger buds.

Your Weekend Read: SOUNDS IN THE SILENCE

 

Thank you for having me over to visit today, Sandra 😊to talk about my latest release, Sounds in the Silence!

My reading pleasure, Denise. I loved this story.

 

I’m always intrigued by the creative process behind an author’s story ideas.So, today I’ll share where Sounds in the Silence’s ideaoriginated.

Back in 2020, I wrote a poem for Suzanne Burke’s ‘FictionIn A Flash Challenge’ Week #21 NEW Image Prompt.

 

With a picture of an old house, I wrote a haibun poem.

THE TRUTH

Wood slats replace the glass in my childhood home. Rocks and years strippedaway its beauty. Long ago, this empty house was full of life. People traveledgreat distances to attend lavish parties. Our family was admired and respected,until I disappeared. They hung my beloved husband for a crime he didn’t commit.Only I knew the truth. No one heard my ghostly protests. Someday we’ll bereunited, but only after people finally learn what really happened.

the house isn’t haunted

I only want to be found

murderer with me

When I posted it on my blog I got several comments, including Sandra,suggesting I make it a story. So, when I participated in NaNoWriMo the nextmonth, I wrote the rough first draft of this story. Then it waited patientlyfor me to get back to.

 

Blurb

A dual timeline where murder has consequences 40 years later forthe living—and deceased.

Maria and Logan Davis stumbled upon the perfect old house by a secludedlake—a prime candidate for their dream inn. They knew a renovation was involvedbut didn’t expect a persistent ghost that pleaded to be found. Determined,Maria delved into the mystery, only to uncover a haunting love story and murderfrom the Roaring Twenties. Yet, the young couple’s curiosity shifts to fearwhen they realize someone has taken a dangerous interest in their barn. Withtime ticking away, they must unravel the secrets of their home’s past beforeit’s too late.

 

Amazon

 

Fun Finn Facts

1.     My favorite children’s books were A Wrinklein Time, The Hobbit, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.

2.     I do believe in ghosts and the unseenaround me.

 

Author Bio

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone toembrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, butin 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, inthe Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books butespecially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creatingher own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, andcedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations includechildren’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventurewith an open invitation to all readers to join her.

D. L. Finn Links

Twitter

Bookbub

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

D.L. Finn blog

 

Hiatus

 

Greetings, Blogger Buds.  I'm taking a brief hiatus. I'll be back Friday with a wonderful new release from D.L. Finn.  Enjoy your week:)

Weekend Wishes

 

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Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

 What's your word, synonym, example or sentence for:

Example: My uncle robbed a bank which made him a scofflaw.

 

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Did you know, the term sideburns was originally burnsides and coined for General Ambrose Burnside who sported unusually bushy sideburns connected by his mustache?

 

For more information: Sideburns - Wikipedia

 

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