Anny Cook's Blog, page 111

The Brand Name

How important is a brand name in a story or book? A friend and I were discussing this the other day. Now a hamburger is pretty much a hamburger. Other than the sheer recognition of mentioning the golden arches or the king, it really doesn't matter unless you're making a point that the characters are eating at a really high end restaurant.But what about cars? A Jaguar is not at all the same as a

Carnal Reunions in Print!

The Carnal Reunions anthology is out in print! If you'd like to rush right out and buy it, just click on the book cover!In the meantime, I thought I would post a little excerpt from my story in the anthology, Prisoner of the Heart.With a wheeze and clank, the car died just as Becky parked at the curb in front of the familiar Victorian house. A cloud of steam billowed from under the hood with a

Extreme Makeovers

Extreme Makeover--Hermit Crab Edition!Have you ever watched one of those extreme makeover shows? They start out with a shack and end up with a mansion. Usually in a few days.I've watched a lot of buildings go up so it boggles the mind when you watch them build something from scratch, decorate it and furnish it in next to no time. That's quite an accomplishment.I genuinely believe the people

Forgiveness and Apologies

A young lady I know argued with someone she really counts as a friend. She argued, said things she couldn't take back, and had no idea how to right the wrongs committed.We talked a lot this last week about apologies and avoiding apologies by thinking before yelling. The reality is that it is so much easier to not do something we're sorry for, than to apologize for bad behavior and bad judgment.So

Dog Under the Desk-Part 2

I have a dog under my desk. And she has a baby. Yep, she went out to the girls' toy box and adopted one of their stuffed animals. She's a very good mother. She carts her baby with her wherever she goes (except outside). Other than that, she's attentive and possessive.Oh, she won't fight if you try to take her baby away, but she whimpers and moans and that's far worse. There's nothing as sad as a

Hard Day's Work

There are days when nothing gets done. Nothing. And yet at the end of the day, it feels like I've run a marathon. I wonder why that is?Isn't it strange how you can feel more tired from doing nothing than on those days you seem to be going, going, going? I also find that certain activities just plain wear me out. What would those be, you say?Eating. I get up in the morning, take my meds, drink

No Joke!

Part of the retirement process is filling out hundreds of forms. Forms. Forms. More forms. Making decisions and filling out more forms. If we were paid by the form, we'd be rich enough to retire. Oh, I forgot...that's why we're filling out forms!Forms are not enough, though. You have to have supporting documentation. It's not enough that you worked for a company for thirty nine years. Now you

Things to do today...

On this day...Keep a promise.Search out a forgotten friend.Encourage someone.Mend a quarrel.Forget an old grudge.Fight for a principle.Express your gratitude.Overcome an old fear.Take two minutes to appreciate the beauty of nature.Tell someone you love them.Tell them again.And again.~~Anonymous~~annyAll week I'm over at Whipped Cream Reviews! Please drop by and say Hi! anny

I'm Busy!

Have you ever noticed that you can be walking around or doing the dishes or folding laundry and no one says a word to you--not even to acknowledge you're alive--yet the minute you sit down with a book, everyone in the apartment has something they urgently need to discuss with you? Why is that?You can spend the morning playing games on the computer and no one needs your input, but the minute you

In the Spotlight!

All week I'm in the spotlight over at Whipped Cream Reviews! Drop by and add your two cents!anny