Sandra Cox's Blog, page 2

Ketch-Up Day

 

How are you? Is Mother Nature being kind?  We've had about 5.5" of rain over the past couple of weeks which we can definitely use. And I'm hoping we've seen the last of the 100 degree days. The butterflies continue to delight.  There's been about a dozen or so hanging around the butterfly bushes, but I can't get a good group pic of them with my phone. They refuse to cluster together and smile or say cheese.

 

We celebrated friends' birthdays this month.  The garden is between blooms and wouldn't cooperate on floral arrangements so I had to get creative.   And now you know what kind of wine I like:) 
 Has anyone tried the cake bites? We've all decided this is our new go to for bday cakes. They come in a tray with a mix of lemon, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla bites. We found them at at Lowes Foods. 
AND Louie and Maisy AND 
  That's it for our excitement for the week. Butterflies and cake bites.    What about you, blogger bud? What have you been up too? 
 

Weekend Wishes

 

AND
 

IWSG Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

 

 

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 arestruggling.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim!

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

 

August 6 question - What is the most unethical practice in thepublishing industry?

I'm not answering this question, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on it. 

 

July/August Reviews in noparticular order.

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

 

BLOOD IS THICKER THAN MONEYby Joe Congel

This is #38 in the MagnoliaBluff Crime Chronicles.

Brandon Turner is a retiredNew York police detective who has moved to Magnolia Bluffs for peace, quiet andfishing, but somehow always seems to find himself embroiled in a murder.  

When Ronnie Spatch’s fatheris brutally killed, the young man turns to Brandon to solve the crime. Brandon decidesto make it official and becomes a PI. Ronnie being his first client.

Once again, the fishing hasto wait  while Brandon throws all hisenergy and formidable skills into catching a killer.

If you’ve followed thisseries, you’ll meet old and new characters alike as the former policedetective, with the help of new pal Sergeant Investigator Palmer Kraus, tracktwisty-turny clues that lead not only to murder but other crimes as well.

BLOOD IS THICKER THAN MONEYis classic Joe Congel who is a master at developing gumshoes that have an edgeto them and a kind heart. A great read for anyone who enjoys a good mysterywith an HEA ending. I certainly do😊

Available at Amazon 

 

APEX by Tanweer Dar

I don’t normally readhorror, but this one captured and held my attention.

Nikki, our protagonist takesa much-needed weekend getaway with her significant other and a couple offriends. What could go wrong on a camping trip in the English countryside?Turns out plenty.

As the story progresses thetension ramps up, with some unexpected twists.

In a horror story, there’snot going to be a happy ending for all the characters. One death in particularI found difficult and wasn’t sure how the author was going to get around it,but he did in a most satisfying way, ending the heroine’s portion of the storyon a positive, hopeful note, while still leaving some spook for the reader. I’deasily recommend this story for Dar and horror fans or readers who just love agreat yarn.

Thumbs up for a well-toldtale.

Available at Amazon 

  

A BOUNDARY OF STONES byMillie Thom

In this historic story, theauthor takes us back to the 1600s where the plague is killing villagers and religiousleaders rule.

Rector William Mompesson hasbeen sent to the village of Eyam in the Derbyshire countryside. He has beentasked with turning the villagers from their Puritan ways to the Anglicanfaith. The rector finds himself fighting on several fronts: antagonistvillagers that have no notion of turning from their true faith and anembittered Puritan reverend. If that’s not enough, the plague hits. No oneknows where it started in the village or how it is transmitted. Now he and thePuritan Reverend Stanley must join forces to keep the plague from spreading.

This book is a study in Puritan beliefs, theplague and how it was dealt with. A BOUNDARY OF STONES is recommended forreaders who enjoy European and religious history. Followers of Millie Thom willnot be disappointed 😊

Available at Amazon 

 

WEEPINGBOUGHS DON’T BREAK by Staci Troilo

Thiswomen’s fiction drama is about a woman who always tries to do the right thingbut has reached a crisis of faith.

Ms. Troilo excels at her craft. Thecharacters are well-developed and the world-building outstanding. She expertly takesthe reader from one challenge to another while continuing to ratchet up thetension.

Highly recommended for readers of Women’sChristian Fiction and Contemporary Christian Fiction.

Available at Amazon 

 

 

AND

 

Did you know, William Faulkner wrote the outline for A FABLE on his office wall?

 

 

150 Interesting Facts About Our Favorite Authors [Infographic] 

 

 

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

How are you? 

We have went from 100 degrees to temps in the 60s.  Can't recall that one before in August. 

The butterflies have arrived and are visiting here. They do love the Butterfly Bushes. So does the occasional hummer and hummer moth.

 

  
 

This little fellow indow, kept me entertained while I was in the dental chair:)

 

AND

Has anyone had the cranberry nut bread from Publix? Oh my goodness. It's so very good.

AND *Alert*

Just a heads up, so you don't stumble into the same thing I did. I visited Melody Jacobs site and when I hit continue, the bells and whistles began to shriek with warnings, letting me know I was in malware territory.

In case you need it, I found this article helpful.

What to do if you accidentally visit a malicious website 

 

That's it for now. 

Had any of that bread? Is your temperature fluctuating like crazy? Got butterflies? Stumbled onto one of those nasty sites?

Weekend Wishes

 

                                  It's August

   AND

 

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

What's your synonym, definition or sentence for:

 

 Example;) Grouse love popple (poplar) trees.

 

 AND

 

Did you know, that one of the dirtiest items in a household is the coffeemaker? The reservoir grows mold and bacteria if it's not cleaned regularly.

 

 

Your Coffee Maker Is Full of Mold and Bacteria: Here's How to Clean It 

Ketch-up Day

 

How are you? How is your week going?

Okay, I'm going to start out with playing the blatant grandparent bragging card:)  The eleven-year-olds participated in an entrepreneurship camp last week at ECU. They were some of the youngest members there, most of the participants being high school students.  They had to develop an idea for a product, create a proposal and make a presentation.  The winner getting a thousand dollars.  The little girl won  😀 The HH and I are so thrilled. (I was also pleased with her brother's proposal. I thought it was a good one:)

AND

 I finished my latest garden project: get rid of the grass and weeds around the grapevine and lay down mulch and pavers. 

 

 Let me tell ya, it was hard to get out of this chair, lots of obstacles in my way, but I managed:)

 AND

Beautiful Canada.

Thank you, Ralph.

 

 

That's it from here. What's going on in your neck of the woods, friends?

Weekend Wishes

 

 AND

AND
 

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

 What's your synonym or sentence for: 

My sentence: Don't forget to slap some deodorant  on your oxters.

 

AND

 Did you know, that koalas have fingerprints that are hard to discern from human fingerprints?

 

 https://factanimal.com/koala/

https://factanimal.com/animal-facts/

 

 

Ketch-up Day

 

It's

 

So kick back and relax.

Meanwhile in the garden 

This is the first grapes, and pretty much the only grapes, from the vine the HH got me last year and I let them sit too long before harvesting. Maybe both the grapevine and I will do better next year:)

 Crepe myrtles are blooming all over town.

  The birds do like to nest in our rose bushes.

I saw this little guy sitting on the birds' water bath the other night.  You can't tell from the picture but he's teensy, tiny. About an inch long.

Have a great week and stay cool.  And if your weather is already cool, woot woot. We're under the heat dome here.