Chrissy Munder's Blog, page 81
November 17, 2010
Welcome to the November Edition of The Clare and Chrissy Show!
Hello! Welcome to our special, interactive edition of The Clare and Chrissy Show. Other than any additional inches on our hips and the decorations that we might have not yet put away, Halloween is now a memory and the snowball of Holiday celebrations has started rolling. We're counting on you to be the key ingredient in making this a special and interactive post, so please, grab your coffee and get ready, set and go!
Clare: Before we get caught up in the chaos and stress the end of the year always seems to bring, Chrissy and I would like to pause and reflect on a few special items that have brought us particular joy in the past year. (Image of Bunnies do Scream copyright by Misterlingo)Chrissy: And share a few of our more humorous holiday happenings.
Clare: We'd like you to chime in as well...
Chrissy: Topping the list of things we feel grateful for are always the faithful few. Those items near and dear to our hearts: chocolate, coffee, our friendship, families, and self-cleaning ovens.Clare: Wait, you put chocolate and coffee before our friendship?
Chrissy: Think about it for a moment.
Clare: Hmmmmm. Nuff said LOL.
Chrissy: I have to say I'm grateful for the new awareness toward bullying and intolerance sweeping across the U.S. While groups like The Trevor Project and the phenomenal It Get's Better are making national news when it comes to GLBT youth and their issues, they are also opening the door for dialogue in many other areas as well.
Clare: It's interesting to watch this as an observer outside the States. We've been engrossed in the UK with many, maybe less heartening issues. We've had a new coalition government which one would hope means a new spirit of tolerance and joint effort, but seems to be more of "he said / she said" and "It wasn't me!". No, I'm not getting All Political – at least not in this forum – but the confusion is colouring the mood here, especially in the light of all the economic uncertainty. Chrissy: We just went through a mid-term election ourselves - lots of changes on the local levels and a butt-load of negativity in the ads! Definitely one of the reasons I needed to sit back and reflect on things more positive before the end of the year.
Clare: One thing that's struck me this year has been the effect of events on young and old, the two extremes. My gratitude list includes - daily! - my marvellous and inspiring mother, who's unfortunately slipped further into ill health this year (which I don't think she'd mind me mentioning here). She's at home and much loved and gently cared for, but the recent belt-tightening measures in the UK threaten to have a serious impact on future care for our senior citizens.
And at the other end of the life 'n gratitude scale are my Sons. As infuriating and challenging as they can be, they remain one of my greatest joys. Yet it seems they'll have to fight that much harder for a future, as facilities for young people are reduced, and fees for further education increased. I wasn't going to go all political, was I? It just makes me treasure the family and friends I have all the more.Chrissy: We do want to cling to the familiar and people who help us feel safe and comfortable. Especially when there is such turmoil around us. And can we hope to be so gently cared for when it comes our time?
Clare: After the cost of all this further education - I'd like to say I'm investing in it :). I've had my share of health worries this year, but hopefully will be battling on for many years to come.
Chrissy: Along with the state of your continued good health, humor tops my gratitude list. The web world has continued to expand my horizons. I may have started years ago with B. Kliban but where would I be today without my daily feed of LOL Cats? 
Clare: Lord, you and your cats.
Chrissy: Heh. Watch out. Us crazy cat folks are going to take over the world. Check this out: Cats. They're not just for crazy old ladies anymore.
Clare: Moving right along...Maybe my British humour (watch the added U, kids) is different, but it's way top of MY gratitude list as well :). I'm still chuckling over the movie "Despicable Me", the stand-up humour of Eddie Izzard and the movie spoofs of French and Saunders.
Chrissy: Did you know that when I mention British "humour" many people here in the U.S. still fondly recall Benny Hill?
Clare: *face palm* But there's plenty of fun nearer to home! Son#2 and I have a daily catch-up on "Facebook Group of the Day" (and by God, there are plenty in number to choose from). Just this week, we've had "WTF you son of a ... Biscuit", "I'm a Ninja / No you're not / Did you see that? / What? / Exactly" and "Emergency services? Woooaaahhhh, my sex is on fire!".
Chrissy: ... and she *face palms* Benny Hill...
Clare: :P. It makes me smile - and that's what keeps me coping and, dare I say it, enjoying most of life.
Chrissy: On that very subject...where would I be without YouTube for a quick fix of laugh candy? Since I spent most of my October on the phone and trapped in customer service hell, I found myself amused by this series of ads; assuring me I'm not alone.
Clare: Uh, Chrissy – what about your comment re: tolerance?
Chrissy: It's the system, procedures, and repeated two hour waits on hold that made my head want to explode; not the person on the other end of the line.
Clare: So intolerance toward corporations doesn't count?
Chrissy: What can I say? I'm a work in progress.Clare: And that's what it's about, isn't it? No one's the same, calm, joyous...
Chrissy: ... sane ...
Clare: ... unselfish, healthy, caring person every minute of every day. But it's the Gratitude List that can pull us back on course when we need it. Silly things like looking at family photos, watching an old movie, a run around the block, watching the world in microcosm on the bus. Even sillier things - depending on your point of view - like singing (*coughIwasvotedQueenofKaraokeatWorklastmonth*) and the rollercoaster world of writing.
Chrissy: Color me unsurprised, your Majesty. BTW, I'm more than just a cat fanatic - have you ventured out to Angry Alien Productions? Home of the 5 minute movie as portrayed by bunnies? A few of my favorites include The Shining, The James Bond Medley, and Jaws. But they have many more up on their site.
Clare: And talking of aliens... this ad for mashed potato never ceases to crack me up.
Chrissy: Of course our ability to laugh at ourselves helps get us through the day...
Clare: ...especially during the Holidays when it seems if it can go wrong, it will.
Chrissy: We moved into our current house six years ago during the Thanksgiving Holiday. We planned. We packed. We were ready. We then woke up at five o'clock that morning to find not only that it had snowed four inches, but both houses had lost power and heat.
Clare: Brrrrr (sez me, from the city where snow flutters prettily on to the pavements then fizzles out to slush).
Chrissy: To make it even more fun we planned to cook a turkey dinner for everyone helping us move. Luckily, we still had cold running water, and the stove was gas, not electric. I can't tell you which was colder, that semi-frozen turkey or the house we cooked it in.Clare: All ended well?
Chrissy: Moving in the middle of snowstorm isn't something I'd recommend, but between good friends, candlelight, and cheap wine we had a memorable dinner even if we had to wear our winter coats.
Clare: I can't compete with a major move, but I've had plenty of culinary disasters. The gammon joint I cooked with the polythene wrapper still on; the Christmas pudding that poured out of the bowl when I came to cut it; the turkey I thought I cooked but was pinker than Barbie when Hubby started to carve...Chrissy: *raises hand* Uhm, dear? Can you define gammon joint for the Yank? Psssst...btw - my solution for any and all cooking disasters is more wine.
Clare: (Cross-culture shortfall : gammon=bacon, like a pork joint, we serve one with the turkey, it's a tradition LOL). And I can't help recalling the special parcel I sent to my dear friend Sloane in the US when she wanted to create a British Christmas dinner but couldn't easily get hold of the ingredients. It arrived on her doorstep, empty and stamped courtesy of Homeland Security. I'd (unthinking and unwitting) sent her beef suet and the dogs had nosed it out. We still have visions of someone's family enjoying what should have been Sloane's Christmas pudding ... after it was proved to be non-explosive, of course :).
Clare and Chrissy: Now it's your turn! What are some of the things you are grateful for this year? Do you have a Holiday story you can share? How about a favorite, humorous link or clip for YouTube you can't live without? Everyone who comments to this post will be entered in our random drawing with one lucky winner receiving festive Clare and Chrissy Swag. Winner to be announced in our next, monthly post.
October Swag Winner: LC - Congratulations! Please email Chrissy at chrissymunder@yahoo.com with your snail mail address to receive your goodies.
Here's Chrissy! website // blog .
Here's Clare! website // blog .
November 8, 2010
Calibre or Mobipocket Creator? Which do you prefer?
Dipping a toe into the modern waters...or, yes, I'm finally getting a Kindle. Before anyone is too shocked I'm giving up my stone-age ways it's not that I plan to actually buy books from them or use the WiFi function - but I was looking for an inexpensive eReader that could contain my eBook/word document library already collected and give me text to speech functionality with a minimum of fuss.
While I understand I can send Kindle my pdf and word documents to have them converted and sent to me via email (see, still not taking advantage of the WiFi option as I'm far from any Wifi area), I also want to convert my own documents.
So, for anyone already happy and busy converting documents/eBooks themselves which software do you prefer? Calibre or Mobipocket Creator?
While I understand I can send Kindle my pdf and word documents to have them converted and sent to me via email (see, still not taking advantage of the WiFi option as I'm far from any Wifi area), I also want to convert my own documents.
So, for anyone already happy and busy converting documents/eBooks themselves which software do you prefer? Calibre or Mobipocket Creator?
November 4, 2010
Excerpt Thursday! Hearts and Flowers
It's raining cats and dogs outside today with snow soon to follow. And yes, while Brush with Desire features Dwayne, the overly-bonded with his owner cat - today's short story, Hearts and Flowers introduces Fred, an eager young puppy who's never met a pant leg he didn't like.
Summary: Jesse knows his love-life is in trouble when his most affectionate relationship is with an abandoned puppy. Somehow, his slacker office assistant, a mix-up in classified ads, and an inebriated telephone conversation lead to the romance he'd begun to lose hope of ever finding.
Like Reviews? Click here to read one from Fallen Angels.
Excerpt:
Jesse yawned as he stood, stretching his hands toward the ceiling and enjoying the pull on his muscles. He needed to make time to go to the gym tonight. He had missed his last couple of nights and his slot in the ropes would be rescheduled if he missed another.
He heard voices as he approached his office door and frowned briefly. Dennis was a good enough assistant but he spent far too much time socializing. Jesse was going to have to speak to him again, no matter how much he would prefer not to. There was another noise Jesse didn't recognize, some strange little … whimpers? Is that what he heard?
Jesse sighed with exasperation and opened the door to see just what was going on now. He stepped out into the open area and gasped as his foot hit a wet patch on the marble tile. His arms windmilled for balance and he thudded into the wall as he struggled to keep from falling.
"What the…"
"Oh my God!" Dennis's curly head popped up from underneath his desk. "Mr. Pearce, are you okay?"
"Yeah," Jesse muttered as he stepped away from the wall and straightened his tie. "Why is there a wet spot on the tile?"
"Uhm … yeah. Sorry about that. I was just getting something to clean it up. Won't take me but a minute." The young man looked nervously down below his desk again and back up at Jesse. "Is there something I can bring you?"
"I just wanted a cup of coffee," Jesse grumbled. Now he had to apologize for walking around his own office?
"Why don't you go back to your desk? I'll bring it in and then clean up the floor."
"You don't have to do that, Dennis. Just call for one of the maintenance staff." Jesse looked quizzically at his assistant. He knew he had a tendency to be short, but most times he really did try to work around his instinctive lack of cordiality. Was that a word? Look at that, one visit to the shrink and he was already questioning himself.
"Really, it's no problem," the young man babbled, practically shooing Jesse back towards his door. "Won't take me but a minute."
Jesse paused outside his office as he realized Dennis was repeating himself. "Is everything okay?" he asked hesitantly. He wasn't normally prone to asking such things but this appeared to be his day for stepping outside the box.
Panicked brown eyes swiveled up to meet his. "Fine! Everything's fine!" It was more than obvious that everything wasn't.
The noise was soft and low but even so Jesse heard it. There it was, that small, almost whimpering sound again.
"Did you hear that?" he asked Dennis, looking over the young man's shoulder.
"What? No! I didn't hear a thing."
Even as the denial fell from the young man's lips the small sound came again.
"It sounds almost like a child." Jesse's curiosity was roused and he pushed past Dennis and began looking carefully around the office.
"Don't be silly…" Dennis began, only to stop when a glance from the piercing blue eyes skewered him where he stood. Shit! he muttered under his breath as he watched his employer walk around the office. He was in for it now.
As Jesse walked near Dennis's desk he heard the noise again, louder this time. With a grunt he knelt down, looking up to see his assistant cover his eyes with his hand as Jesse pulled a small box towards him.
The movement startled the box's occupant and Jesse fell back on his rear as a small, furry creature leapt towards the sides and attempted to lick Jesse's nose with an eager pink tongue.
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=55_128&products_id=1332
Summary: Jesse knows his love-life is in trouble when his most affectionate relationship is with an abandoned puppy. Somehow, his slacker office assistant, a mix-up in classified ads, and an inebriated telephone conversation lead to the romance he'd begun to lose hope of ever finding.
Like Reviews? Click here to read one from Fallen Angels.
Excerpt:
Jesse yawned as he stood, stretching his hands toward the ceiling and enjoying the pull on his muscles. He needed to make time to go to the gym tonight. He had missed his last couple of nights and his slot in the ropes would be rescheduled if he missed another.
He heard voices as he approached his office door and frowned briefly. Dennis was a good enough assistant but he spent far too much time socializing. Jesse was going to have to speak to him again, no matter how much he would prefer not to. There was another noise Jesse didn't recognize, some strange little … whimpers? Is that what he heard?
Jesse sighed with exasperation and opened the door to see just what was going on now. He stepped out into the open area and gasped as his foot hit a wet patch on the marble tile. His arms windmilled for balance and he thudded into the wall as he struggled to keep from falling.
"What the…"
"Oh my God!" Dennis's curly head popped up from underneath his desk. "Mr. Pearce, are you okay?"
"Yeah," Jesse muttered as he stepped away from the wall and straightened his tie. "Why is there a wet spot on the tile?"
"Uhm … yeah. Sorry about that. I was just getting something to clean it up. Won't take me but a minute." The young man looked nervously down below his desk again and back up at Jesse. "Is there something I can bring you?"
"I just wanted a cup of coffee," Jesse grumbled. Now he had to apologize for walking around his own office?
"Why don't you go back to your desk? I'll bring it in and then clean up the floor."
"You don't have to do that, Dennis. Just call for one of the maintenance staff." Jesse looked quizzically at his assistant. He knew he had a tendency to be short, but most times he really did try to work around his instinctive lack of cordiality. Was that a word? Look at that, one visit to the shrink and he was already questioning himself.
"Really, it's no problem," the young man babbled, practically shooing Jesse back towards his door. "Won't take me but a minute."
Jesse paused outside his office as he realized Dennis was repeating himself. "Is everything okay?" he asked hesitantly. He wasn't normally prone to asking such things but this appeared to be his day for stepping outside the box.
Panicked brown eyes swiveled up to meet his. "Fine! Everything's fine!" It was more than obvious that everything wasn't.
The noise was soft and low but even so Jesse heard it. There it was, that small, almost whimpering sound again.
"Did you hear that?" he asked Dennis, looking over the young man's shoulder.
"What? No! I didn't hear a thing."
Even as the denial fell from the young man's lips the small sound came again.
"It sounds almost like a child." Jesse's curiosity was roused and he pushed past Dennis and began looking carefully around the office.
"Don't be silly…" Dennis began, only to stop when a glance from the piercing blue eyes skewered him where he stood. Shit! he muttered under his breath as he watched his employer walk around the office. He was in for it now.
As Jesse walked near Dennis's desk he heard the noise again, louder this time. With a grunt he knelt down, looking up to see his assistant cover his eyes with his hand as Jesse pulled a small box towards him.
The movement startled the box's occupant and Jesse fell back on his rear as a small, furry creature leapt towards the sides and attempted to lick Jesse's nose with an eager pink tongue.
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=55_128&products_id=1332
October 29, 2010
Find me at The Romance Reviews
Looking for an interactive book and review site that's geared toward your interests? Try The Romance Reviews.Search for new books and authors, comment on covers and reviews, visit the lounge and interact with friends, check out the contests and while you are there come write on my wall!
October 28, 2010
Excerpt Thursday! A Halloween Tail
It's beginning to smell a lot like chocolate a/k/a Halloween! Excerpt Thursday has sent me pawing back into some of my older works. Stories that don't much play. I realized this when I opened my excerpt folder and found I didn't have a prepared excerpt for this story.
What? You mean I've never posted a snip to this story anywhere? *pets Lionel and Michael*. Sorry, guys! I love this story. Where else have I written lines like these:
Dark, curly hair. A soft growth of beard. Lines of character, lines of pain. And the eyes… I sighed. The man was a god. Hands down. No questions asked. Genetics had conspired to put together this perfect package that was lit from within with a kind of incandescent electric charge. At least, I felt like I was getting zapped.
Oh, that was just the Snickers bar under my ass. I shifted a bit to get more comfortable.
But I digress. That's not the excerpt I'm posting today. Sorry. Let's start at the beginning:
Excerpt:
It's not that I didn't like Halloween.
I did.
I do.
Really.
It's just that this year, instead of going to an absolutely fabulous party at my favorite club (called Lowlands, by the way – no reflection on the clientele) with an absolutely hunky date, I was at my sister's house watching while she and her husband got dressed up to go to their Halloween party.
"This is not shaping up to be a good idea."
My tone was well modulated, firm and resolute. The only problem was that she wasn't paying any attention to me, not that she ever did.
"Maybe I'm not the best person to do this." I tried again with the voice of reason.
"You'll be fine." My sister murmured in a half-hearted attempt to placate me. Her thoughts were already filled with the fun she would be having later this evening as she finished applying her makeup. MY thoughts on the other hand were filled with dread.
"My ass looks fat in this costume." When all else falls, go for sheer vanity. Hey, sometimes it works. It didn't look like tonight was going to be one of them.
"It's only for four hours. 240 minutes. And that costume fit me fine last year." My sister's full attention was now turned my way and her exasperation was evident. I hate to say I did derive some small measure of satisfaction from the way the lines on her face detracted from the make-up job she'd just spent so much time on.
"Can't someone else take her Trick-or Treating?" I was almost embarrassed at the whine in my voice.
"You're Anne's Uncle and my brother. You are doing me this favor so that I can go out with my husband to my first Halloween party in ages. You are also doing this because you lost the bet we made about your last so-called boyfriend. "
I'll give it to my sister. She can be absolutely ruthless when the need arises. Apparently the opportunity to go socialize with other adults instead of ten-year-olds qualified for need. I mean, honestly, don't you think it was a pretty low blow to bring up Xander? How was I to know that wasn't his real name but just something he borrowed from a cheesy television show to impress me?
And no, we won't discuss just why that name impressed me.
"Besides, you have start doing something to make up for coming over every year, going through her candy bag and stealing all the good stuff. THAT's why your ass looks fat in that costume."
Did I mention my sister was heartless as well as ruthless?
"But…."
"No buts. I'm going to a party with Mike. You are taking your niece out Trick-or Treating. You will watch her. Walk beside her. And you will not talk to any strangers."
"Shouldn't you be telling her that?"
Sheena, Queen of the Jungle turned her piercing gaze back upon my complaining frame. "I'm telling you. No strangers. Not when you are watching your niece. I don't care what their costume is."
She walked off uncaring of my muttering that trailed behind her. Leaving me alone with my niece. An orange pumpkin head flashlight in my hand and the costume from hell on my back. It was going to be a great night. I could tell already.
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=55_128&products_id=1090.
Like Reviews? Click here to read.
A Halloween Tail by Chrissy Munder
Summary: When Lionel gets strong-armed into baby sitting and taking his niece trick-or-treating, he suffers the humiliation of the big purple costume and follows through. Little did he know that the hideous purple tail would catch the attention of one black-dressed god!
What? You mean I've never posted a snip to this story anywhere? *pets Lionel and Michael*. Sorry, guys! I love this story. Where else have I written lines like these:
Dark, curly hair. A soft growth of beard. Lines of character, lines of pain. And the eyes… I sighed. The man was a god. Hands down. No questions asked. Genetics had conspired to put together this perfect package that was lit from within with a kind of incandescent electric charge. At least, I felt like I was getting zapped.
Oh, that was just the Snickers bar under my ass. I shifted a bit to get more comfortable.
But I digress. That's not the excerpt I'm posting today. Sorry. Let's start at the beginning:
Excerpt:
It's not that I didn't like Halloween.
I did.
I do.
Really.
It's just that this year, instead of going to an absolutely fabulous party at my favorite club (called Lowlands, by the way – no reflection on the clientele) with an absolutely hunky date, I was at my sister's house watching while she and her husband got dressed up to go to their Halloween party.
"This is not shaping up to be a good idea."
My tone was well modulated, firm and resolute. The only problem was that she wasn't paying any attention to me, not that she ever did.
"Maybe I'm not the best person to do this." I tried again with the voice of reason.
"You'll be fine." My sister murmured in a half-hearted attempt to placate me. Her thoughts were already filled with the fun she would be having later this evening as she finished applying her makeup. MY thoughts on the other hand were filled with dread.
"My ass looks fat in this costume." When all else falls, go for sheer vanity. Hey, sometimes it works. It didn't look like tonight was going to be one of them.
"It's only for four hours. 240 minutes. And that costume fit me fine last year." My sister's full attention was now turned my way and her exasperation was evident. I hate to say I did derive some small measure of satisfaction from the way the lines on her face detracted from the make-up job she'd just spent so much time on.
"Can't someone else take her Trick-or Treating?" I was almost embarrassed at the whine in my voice.
"You're Anne's Uncle and my brother. You are doing me this favor so that I can go out with my husband to my first Halloween party in ages. You are also doing this because you lost the bet we made about your last so-called boyfriend. "
I'll give it to my sister. She can be absolutely ruthless when the need arises. Apparently the opportunity to go socialize with other adults instead of ten-year-olds qualified for need. I mean, honestly, don't you think it was a pretty low blow to bring up Xander? How was I to know that wasn't his real name but just something he borrowed from a cheesy television show to impress me?
And no, we won't discuss just why that name impressed me.
"Besides, you have start doing something to make up for coming over every year, going through her candy bag and stealing all the good stuff. THAT's why your ass looks fat in that costume."
Did I mention my sister was heartless as well as ruthless?
"But…."
"No buts. I'm going to a party with Mike. You are taking your niece out Trick-or Treating. You will watch her. Walk beside her. And you will not talk to any strangers."
"Shouldn't you be telling her that?"
Sheena, Queen of the Jungle turned her piercing gaze back upon my complaining frame. "I'm telling you. No strangers. Not when you are watching your niece. I don't care what their costume is."
She walked off uncaring of my muttering that trailed behind her. Leaving me alone with my niece. An orange pumpkin head flashlight in my hand and the costume from hell on my back. It was going to be a great night. I could tell already.
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=55_128&products_id=1090.
Like Reviews? Click here to read.
A Halloween Tail by Chrissy Munder
Summary: When Lionel gets strong-armed into baby sitting and taking his niece trick-or-treating, he suffers the humiliation of the big purple costume and follows through. Little did he know that the hideous purple tail would catch the attention of one black-dressed god!
October 26, 2010
Knit Your Bit...or in my case, crochet for WWII Veterans
Yes, I've made someone's list, but it's a good list. Based on my earlier post re: Crochet for the homeless I received an email asking me to pass on info from the National WWII Museum's Knit Your Bit Campaign. Where you can help the Museum honor WWII veterans by Knitting (and crocheting) Your Bit - in this case a simple scarf to be donated to a veteran in a Veterans Center somewhere in the United States.
There's plenty of information, free patterns and even a downloadble flyer to pass out here at their website.
There's plenty of information, free patterns and even a downloadble flyer to pass out here at their website.
October 22, 2010
Stretching your Holiday Dollars, or psssst: Free eBooks
Rainbow eBooks is at it again - offering up free eBooks this weekend from their featured publishers. A quick secret? Sign up for their free newsletter/become a member and get emailed direct links to the downloads without having to search.
It's a great way to treat yourself to a variety of authors and genres without breaking the budget.
It's a great way to treat yourself to a variety of authors and genres without breaking the budget.
October 21, 2010
Crochet for the Homeless and other yarn-based charities
Many of my friends know that Fall is my favorite time of the year. But as the weather cools the need for warm hats, mittens, and scarves grows among those who are struggling and underserved. For years I've joined local groups that crochet for the homeless no matter what state I've lived in. But these groups weren't always easy to find.
If you like to knit or crochet and haven't made the connection in your area here's some help:
Lion Brand Yarns Charitable Connection. Just enter your city or state and let the charity registry doing the searching for you.
Not a group person? Contact your local homeless shelter and discover just how great the need can be. Even one person, crocheting or knitting over the course of a year can make a huge difference.
Interested in starting your own group, but not sure how to go about it? Take a look at these project sites: The Humble Stitch and Scarves with a Purpose for excellent examples of a well-organized endeavor. Let them inspire you or just join in.
For those on the un-crafty/out-of-time side of things remember that nothing tops a new, un-opened, multi-pack of socks or underwear as a donation to your local shelter.
If you like to knit or crochet and haven't made the connection in your area here's some help:
Lion Brand Yarns Charitable Connection. Just enter your city or state and let the charity registry doing the searching for you.
Not a group person? Contact your local homeless shelter and discover just how great the need can be. Even one person, crocheting or knitting over the course of a year can make a huge difference.
Interested in starting your own group, but not sure how to go about it? Take a look at these project sites: The Humble Stitch and Scarves with a Purpose for excellent examples of a well-organized endeavor. Let them inspire you or just join in.
For those on the un-crafty/out-of-time side of things remember that nothing tops a new, un-opened, multi-pack of socks or underwear as a donation to your local shelter.
Excerpt Thursday! It Takes One to Know One
Have you ever known a guy named Zeke? I have. What a doll. I didn't even have him in mind when I wrote today's short story -
It Takes One to Know One
. But once the character ran his hand so sensually down the side of the Lotus there was no turning back. Zeke he became.
Summary: Tow-truck driver and car enthusiast Zeke Darden is a connoisseur of well-tuned engines and well-turned asses ~ and a late-night call to rescue a classic beauty turns into an introduction that just might lead to the enjoyment of both.
Read the 4 Star Review from Rainbow Reviews here: "A great story that you won't want to end by an author that delivers time and time again, this short tale is a sure win."
Excerpt:
I was dreaming again. It was the same dream as usual. The same
lovely, lovely dream that always came on the rough nights. The lonely
nights when I was tired and sore from working too many hours with too
little sleep. Sometimes I thought I could live on this dream alone, it was
that satisfying.
The chirp of the speaker on my cell was loud, just like the voice
that was calling my name and reminding me that satisfaction was
obviously something I was meant to live without.
"Darden? You there?"
I groaned and rolled over onto my side away from the phone,
pulling the pillow over my head to block out the voice. I didn't want to
answer; I wanted to go back to that far-off racetrack, smell the erotic
odors of exhaust and fuel mixed with the tang of burning tires, feel the
throbbing engine under my hands….
"Come on, Zeke, pickup." Even though Lola, my dispatcher, was
only in her thirties, she always managed to sound like a sixty-year old
chain smoker. Some might find that husky rough voice rather erotic; I
was always reminded of a documentary I'd seen once on the phone sex
industry.
You can laugh, but until you've seen a sun-leathered grandmother
playing canasta with her friends while she talks a client through his
jerking off, you can't understand. It still really creeps me out. But Lola
was part of the package when I bought the towing company, so I've
adjusted.
Mostly.
Without opening my eyes, I reached out with a hand still clad in
my working gloves - black, fingerless leather that protected my palms but
let me keep the dexterity I needed - and picked up that devil's invention
called a cell phone, pressing the button on the side.
"Zeke's dead and can't come to the phone right now," I mumbled
sleepily. Well, it was worth a try, wasn't it?
"Up and at'em, Zeke. Time to roll." Yeah, she definitely sounded
like she'd smoked three packs and then pounded a bottle of Jack. It
made her a popular gal up here in the sticks.
I groaned again. What kind of new torture was this? "I just pulled
16 hours, Lola. Get somebody else."
"You'll hate me if I do. You want this call, Zeke. Trust me." Ooh,
was that a cough? It reminded me a little of my grandfather. Was Lola
started to venture into the realm of old man noises now? Yeah, that was
real sexy.
"I wanna go to sleep. Get Jimmy." What can I say? When the
pressure's on I can whine with the best of them.
"Would I bug you if it wasn't the call of your dreams?" Ok, she
was starting to get to me just a little.
"There ain't nothing out there like I was just dreamin' of." I
managed to successfully pry one red-rimmed eye open and stared at the
clock beside the bed.
"Christ! Lola! It's 4:30 in the morning!" This went beyond cruel
and unusual. Wasn't I the boss?
"That's right, and you need to pull your head out of your ass and
get moving." Sometimes I just get no respect.
"What in the hell could possibly be good enough to get me out of
bed at 4:30 in the morning?" I had managed to open the other eye now.
My dreams were fading into the mist as quickly as the rather impressive
(if I say so myself) hard-on they had caused.
"It's the Lotus, Zeke."
"WHAT?" Ok, I had to admit it, she'd definitely gotten my
attention.
I jumped out of bed and fumbled on the floor for the jeans I had
dropped when I'd come in a scant hour before, pulling them up over my
hips and ignoring my lack of underwear. Anything to save time and
laundry soap.
I'd moved up to the sleepy rural town a year ago and only seen
my dream car twice. Both times at it roared past me like I was standing
still, leaving me hard and aching in its wake. And now…!
"That got your attention, huh?"
I could hear the smile in Lola's voice; my lust for that car was
definitely a subject for humor among my employees. I ignored it and
reached down for my favorite flannel shirt. There was an oil stain on it
from the Pontiac I'd towed last, but I shrugged and pulled it on anyway.
Who was going to complain?
"Boots, where are my boots?" I frantically looked around the
debris field that was my bedroom. I'd just kicked them off, how far could
they have gone?
"Let me know when you're on the road and I'll give you the
location." That was Lola again. Patience wasn't one of her virtues. Come
to think of it, I really didn't know if she had any virtues.
"Yeah, yeah." I grabbed my keys and my boots with the hand not
holding the phone and dived out the door to the covered pad where my
rig was parked.
I cranked the engine, the diesel chatter a familiar and comforting
sound, and hit the switches, illuminating the lights up and down the
frame before I pulled the wrecker out onto the road. This was going to
be a good morning. I could feel it.
"Talk to me, Lola."
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1096
Summary: Tow-truck driver and car enthusiast Zeke Darden is a connoisseur of well-tuned engines and well-turned asses ~ and a late-night call to rescue a classic beauty turns into an introduction that just might lead to the enjoyment of both.
Read the 4 Star Review from Rainbow Reviews here: "A great story that you won't want to end by an author that delivers time and time again, this short tale is a sure win."
Excerpt:
I was dreaming again. It was the same dream as usual. The same
lovely, lovely dream that always came on the rough nights. The lonely
nights when I was tired and sore from working too many hours with too
little sleep. Sometimes I thought I could live on this dream alone, it was
that satisfying.
The chirp of the speaker on my cell was loud, just like the voice
that was calling my name and reminding me that satisfaction was
obviously something I was meant to live without.
"Darden? You there?"
I groaned and rolled over onto my side away from the phone,
pulling the pillow over my head to block out the voice. I didn't want to
answer; I wanted to go back to that far-off racetrack, smell the erotic
odors of exhaust and fuel mixed with the tang of burning tires, feel the
throbbing engine under my hands….
"Come on, Zeke, pickup." Even though Lola, my dispatcher, was
only in her thirties, she always managed to sound like a sixty-year old
chain smoker. Some might find that husky rough voice rather erotic; I
was always reminded of a documentary I'd seen once on the phone sex
industry.
You can laugh, but until you've seen a sun-leathered grandmother
playing canasta with her friends while she talks a client through his
jerking off, you can't understand. It still really creeps me out. But Lola
was part of the package when I bought the towing company, so I've
adjusted.
Mostly.
Without opening my eyes, I reached out with a hand still clad in
my working gloves - black, fingerless leather that protected my palms but
let me keep the dexterity I needed - and picked up that devil's invention
called a cell phone, pressing the button on the side.
"Zeke's dead and can't come to the phone right now," I mumbled
sleepily. Well, it was worth a try, wasn't it?
"Up and at'em, Zeke. Time to roll." Yeah, she definitely sounded
like she'd smoked three packs and then pounded a bottle of Jack. It
made her a popular gal up here in the sticks.
I groaned again. What kind of new torture was this? "I just pulled
16 hours, Lola. Get somebody else."
"You'll hate me if I do. You want this call, Zeke. Trust me." Ooh,
was that a cough? It reminded me a little of my grandfather. Was Lola
started to venture into the realm of old man noises now? Yeah, that was
real sexy.
"I wanna go to sleep. Get Jimmy." What can I say? When the
pressure's on I can whine with the best of them.
"Would I bug you if it wasn't the call of your dreams?" Ok, she
was starting to get to me just a little.
"There ain't nothing out there like I was just dreamin' of." I
managed to successfully pry one red-rimmed eye open and stared at the
clock beside the bed.
"Christ! Lola! It's 4:30 in the morning!" This went beyond cruel
and unusual. Wasn't I the boss?
"That's right, and you need to pull your head out of your ass and
get moving." Sometimes I just get no respect.
"What in the hell could possibly be good enough to get me out of
bed at 4:30 in the morning?" I had managed to open the other eye now.
My dreams were fading into the mist as quickly as the rather impressive
(if I say so myself) hard-on they had caused.
"It's the Lotus, Zeke."
"WHAT?" Ok, I had to admit it, she'd definitely gotten my
attention.
I jumped out of bed and fumbled on the floor for the jeans I had
dropped when I'd come in a scant hour before, pulling them up over my
hips and ignoring my lack of underwear. Anything to save time and
laundry soap.
I'd moved up to the sleepy rural town a year ago and only seen
my dream car twice. Both times at it roared past me like I was standing
still, leaving me hard and aching in its wake. And now…!
"That got your attention, huh?"
I could hear the smile in Lola's voice; my lust for that car was
definitely a subject for humor among my employees. I ignored it and
reached down for my favorite flannel shirt. There was an oil stain on it
from the Pontiac I'd towed last, but I shrugged and pulled it on anyway.
Who was going to complain?
"Boots, where are my boots?" I frantically looked around the
debris field that was my bedroom. I'd just kicked them off, how far could
they have gone?
"Let me know when you're on the road and I'll give you the
location." That was Lola again. Patience wasn't one of her virtues. Come
to think of it, I really didn't know if she had any virtues.
"Yeah, yeah." I grabbed my keys and my boots with the hand not
holding the phone and dived out the door to the covered pad where my
rig was parked.
I cranked the engine, the diesel chatter a familiar and comforting
sound, and hit the switches, illuminating the lights up and down the
frame before I pulled the wrecker out onto the road. This was going to
be a good morning. I could feel it.
"Talk to me, Lola."
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1096
October 20, 2010
Welcome to another edition of The Clare and Chrissy Show!
Grab that coffee, bring your confetti and join us as we chat about this month's topic: OMG: I'm Published. Now What? a/k/a Clare and Chrissy's Top 5 Happy Hints for New Authors.
We're over at Clare's this month, so here's the link: CLICK ME
Hope to see you there!
