Jude Stringfellow's Blog, page 8
May 4, 2025
Averick!!
Grammas are pretty hearty people, you know. We can take a lot of things, and let most of them just roll right off our backs. When my son Reuben and his wife Josie told us the day their little girl was born, rather than letting us in on the fact that they were having a baby, we were all -- especially me-- just a little stung by the news. It was INCREDIBLE news, of course, but to find out after the baby arrives that you're having a new granddaughter, I have to say, was a little nerve-wracking too.
So, when Josie became pregnant again, just months after Evie was born, she and Reuben decided my old heart wasn't strong enough to surprise me a second time, even if the new baby was due on my birthday!! When the time came for little Averick to join his big sister Evie, I have to tell you, he did it with style. He came a little early, like his dad. He came by C-section, which, of course, is scheduled, but a bit more painful for his mom. Averick didn't know that he was born into a military family with his parents being Army veterans!! Josie took both births, two within 11 months of each other, very, very well.
Like is sissy, Averick was born big, strong, an healthy. He has the coloring of a rich and healthy glow. His hair was thick, but nothing like his sister's...geez Louise; that girl had thick hair. Josie could braid it in the hospital; that's how long and thick it was. Averick was a bit more conservative, being heavy on the hair side, but not overdoing it. He is so handsome, so attentive.
At just six months old, he's sitting up and looking at everything he can. He's taking notes whenever big sister decides to school him. He's probably going to get taller than she is, but for now, she's a head taller and able to tell him later when they compare photos. Averick isn't my new grandson's first name; he was named for his father, Reuben, but he goes by one of his middle names. Both kids have really wonderful names.
It was "Take Your Kid to Work" day yesterday, so Reuben took Averick with him and then stopped by the house to show him off to Gramma. I love it when they swing by. He can do that with either kid or both, and he can do it as often as he wants. I wish I lived closer to them; I'd be THAT Gramma, I'm sure. I would love that opportunity. I really haven't had it with my other grand.
Nothing says love like new babies, and nothing is more beautiful to a woman than her own kids or the kids that her kids have. So yeah, I'm a little prejudiced about who has the best-looking kids these days, but I always knew it would happen. I always knew Reuben would make a boy even better looking than he was!
Evie!!
So, there I was, as I usually am, minding my own business, and I get the shock of my life! It was a good shock, but it also came with a bit of a pang. It was just before Christmas 2023, just 10 days before, when my son called me out of the blue to let me know he's a father. He didn't let me know that he was going to be a father, or that his wife was pregnant, and they were expecting their firstborn, no, he said, "Merry Christmas, it's a girl". He and his wife Josie had kept their "secret" from most people. Maybe out of necessity, Josie did tell her family and employer, but we were all very surprised, for the most part.
When I say I was over the Moon, I mean it. I love babies, and my kids' babies are the only ones I love more than my own. I won't give you her full name; we call her Evie. Evie was born on December 15, 2024, and of course, because she's lucky, she was born in the Great State of Oklahoma. My other two grands were born in Indiana; they're Hooisers! Evie is now about 18 months old and running everywhere, keeping her parents on their toes. Her snappy, dark eyes and thick, thick, thick brunette hair set her apart from all the rest in our family; she certainly took after her mommy.
It's been a minute since I got to play with her, but Gramma always says that the minute they leave my house. I would love to live closer to them and see them more often. It would make me happier than a Golden Retriever meeting someone for the first time; that happy. I would be happy if I could see my grands more often. They all mean the world to me. Evie is no exception. She's so pretty, sweet, and smart, and of course, you know I'm not just saying that because I'm biased. No, if you ever meet her, you'll have to agree. It's simple. It's the truth.
A few months after Evie was born, and because I told my son how it hurt not to be a part of her coming into the world, he and his wife decided to tell us when she found out she was pregnant again! Wow! Woot!! Evie would be a big sister, and she just barely got here herself!! What a birthday present! "Hey, kid, what did you get for your first birthday?" Well, her little brother came about a month before Evie turned one, but she's already the quintessential big sister to little Averick. When I say they are two peas in a pod, they are. They are both dark, have lots of hair, and are by far the cutest kids in their city. I won't say where that is -- but trust me, there are a lot of kids there.
I love my little Evie and my little Averick!! I'm sure I'll kiss them soon, and she'll have to tell me all the things her little brother has been doing that annoy her!
Perry Mason and Me
Not everyone who knows me knows that Perry Mason and Della Street are my parents. I don't go around bragging about it, because you know how some people can get...all uppity and whatnot. People try to one-up each other when they find out a friend or colleague has famous parents; it's only natural. I decided to tell the truth, now that both have passed. I haven't kept it a secret that they are my parents, I just don't mention it to everyone. It's not the first thing out of my mouth when I'm introduced; you understand.
I think the fantasy began around the time I could sit up and stare at the television set. I wasn't fixated on that particular show, not by any means. I had many, many favorites, but as I grew and as my imagination kicked into gear, it became more and more apparent to me that I would need to keep up the ruse about where I came from if only to see the looks on people's faces when I told them. I always say it with a straight face, and usually as it is almost an afterthought.
"Perry Mason is my father." I say, and when they ask who my mother is, I tell them, "Della Street, of course." No matter who I'm speaking with, they always answer me "Of course!" I've never had anyone tell me I was lying or that I didn't have all the rocks I know I have in my head. It's a simple fact, and we all deal with it. I can't think now if I ever have mentioned it to my pseudo parents, Wayne and Becky Stringfellow. They may or may not be aware. It's been too many years; it's a moot point by now.
Perry and Della had such an impact on my life, and if it wasn't for them, I couldn't tell people why I ask so many questions, why I dig deeper into matters that most people either don't care about or they steer away from. I don't steer away, I call in the reinforcements, the Paul Drakes if you will. I get in there, and I get to the bottom of things. It usually takes me longer than 47 minutes to do it, which is how long a Perry Mason show lasts, but I do find the culprit, and I do make my point known.
Della, for her part, was always the faithful one. When I worked for Mr. Moler all those years (the attorney employer in my life) I tried to be as dutiful, but there was no way the man was going to ask me to work past 5:00 p.m., allow strangers to bunk at my place, or send me on some wild goose chase in the middle of nowhere while wearing heels and pearls. That didn't happen -- Della was always better than I when it came to stuff like that. I answered the phone, made coffee, and kept the books. I did what I was paid to do; I think Perry and Della had a bit more going on than an employer-employee relationship. In fact, I know they did, because I'm their kid!
I've seen every Perry Mason episode and movie ever made. I own every Perry Mason television episode and movie ever made. I watch them over and over again. I quote the man, and I listen to his wisdom. Erle Stanley Gardner is my hero of heroes among authors. You can keep your J.K. Rowling, Grishom, and Tolkien...nope, give me a good old-fashioned murder book by Erle Stanley Gardner anytime; over and over again. He makes sense to me. He challenges me. I love that man.
When the chips are down, as they have been, I usually have Perry Mason to see me through things. I couldn't go out to eat or pay my bills, but I could always count on a book being on my shelf if my electricity was turned off, and those times when I had to keep the kids fed instead of myself, those reruns of that show made it that much more bearable. I think my kids know about my parentage; they've asked if I got any royalties...to which I had to answer in the negative. Maybe I should have spoken up sooner about it. I don't know. It is what it is. I'll survive.
Photo Credit: Max Allan Collins
Jude's Almost Daily Blog Book 4
I am in the middle of writing or rather organizing the 4th installment of my Jude's Almost Daily Blog Book series. It will likely be my last, but you can never say never, right? Since they don't sell, they may not be necessary, but then again, it's never known who will buy the books, when they will buy the books, or even IF they will buy the books. As strange as that may sound, I don't write them to sell them. I write them because I'm a writer.
Jude's Almost Daily Blog Book 4 will be a little different from the others in that it will have recipes in the middle, not poems. The last three books in the series have about 80 blogs and 15 poems. This one has about 80 blogs and 15 or 16 recipes—mostly those I use often or ones I like. You may like them too; I tried to make it interesting and entertaining.
I had a bear of a time designing the cover. I had one thing in mind, and changed it. I then changed that one and finally came up with the one I have now. I will keep this one. I like it because, as a writer, I look out my window(s), drink coffee, and have other books on my desk. I have dogs, cats, and lizards near me, and I like butterflies. It's all good. Mostly, the blogs are about my life and/or my experiences, of which dogs, cats, lizards, butterflies, and kids are a part...my life, and I tried to reflect that on the cover.
These blog books are relatively easy to produce because I write the blogs throughout the year and then when I have 80 or so that I can gather up and bind together, I just pull them off the blog page, copy and paste before formatting. It shouldn't take me more than a weekend to put it all together; the next week or weekend, I'll go through it for mistakes and spacing. Then...boom! It's up and loaded on Ingram Spark, and my 19th book will be complete.
It's my 19th, I think. I could be off one. I'll have to count. I just sent "Dion" up for publication and then ordered a copy. It arrived last week, and I went through it this week, made a bunch of corrections, and reloaded it for the final publication. If there are still errors, my readers must forgive me. It's close. I try, but I'm not perfect - hence the blog books! They let people know exactly who wrote the other books they may be reading.
"Dion" was so far out in left field from who I am that it was challenging but fun to write. My lead character, Elle Finlay, is young, ambitious, a law graduate from Pennsylvania who has a bit of clout and financial standing. She's a bit of a minx and not that grounded in some ways, but is in others. She fights for what is hers, but she's a little loose around the edges, and that was a challenge for me to write because I tend to put my own personality or experiences in my characters. I had to NOT do that with her and others, but it's not as easy as you may think.
The fourth blog book will be fun to read and quite informative. I hope you like the recipes, and know I got permission to post the photos. In fact, I went to the free sites to get some. I love the resources we have now for writing. Woot!! A book may cost me $50 tops to write, format, edit, and produce. It's the marketing that will get you! OUCH!!
Photo Credit: Me.
April 28, 2025
New Washer! (It's the Little Things)
It really is the little things in life that excite me and keep me smiling as much as I do. I can be really put off by the negative attitudes that some people I speak to during the day can have, and then, out of nowhere my joy is restored by seeing a cute puppy in a car window smiling at me, or maybe I'm getting gas (like I did today) and realized that the prices have gone down! Woot!
Over the weekend, my really inexpensive used washer that I purchased about a year ago decided to do a less-than-stellar job, so I decided to replace it. Knowing I have about 100 choices around town to choose from, I began my search on Marketplace on Facebook, thinking—and even hoping—to find this one guy I know from years back, who sold used appliances that he had personally refurbished. I trust him; he's a good guy, but alas, he has retired.
I did find the man, but he told me he sold his shop, and he wouldn't even recommend buying from the guy he sold it to. He told me that getting out of the business was a difficult decision, but he thinks he made the right one. He did tell me where to go to get a good machine, and I checked them out. However, for virtually the same price, I can get one at Sam's Club, and the delivery is free. They also haul away my old one for free. I'm talking $70 difference, and the machine is new, still in the box.
The old machine may be repairable, and someone can use it. I thought about donating it, but they wanted me to help load it, and that's not going to happen. The next group of people I tried said they could do it for a $50 donation....wait, what? I'm donating the machine! No thanks, I'll let Sam's third-party guy or gal have it, and they can do with it what they want. The delivery, hook-up, and haul were included in the price. I only had to pay taxes over the cost, and that's it.
Lowes, Home Depot, Buy For Less, Appliances 4 Less, and other places had different stipulations, but all had stipulations. There were delivery frees, tips, requirements for repair insurance, hauling fees, etc...well, no thank you. Sam's Club did it right. They've got my business, and they'll keep it too. I went in today to look at the machines, but they are only online. However, while I was there, I walked down the candy aisle. It was on my way out the door, you see. I picked up a HUGE bag of Easter Cadbury eggs (the little ones with hard shells) for $8.71 (MONSTER big bag). Yes, I bought it.
So, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. I will have a new 4.1 cubic ft top-load washer with an agitator for $525 + tax. My old one is an Amana 3.5 cubic ft, so I think I'm OK. New is good. I realize now that this is the first new machine I've bought. I've always allowed myself to buy a good used one, which is fine, but this time I'm going for it -- warranty and all. (two years included) I will probably wait a month and get a matching dryer to go with it -- no sense in working the other one into the ground. I'll see if a church wants it before allowing the Sam's people to take it too.
Woot! I'm a happy girl -- just me and big ol' bag of chocolate eggs...and yes, a new machine on the way. Gotta love the little things in life.
Photo Credit: Samsclub.com April 27, 2025
Losing Dad. (A Reflection)
He didn't go quickly. We had a few years of watching his decline, and knowing that his appointment with Jesus was coming, so we tried to see him as often as we could. I moved back to Oklahoma a year or so before Dad passed, thinking I could help Mom and my daddy close down their farm and get things in order. That didn't happen, at least not in the way I thought it might. I guess when I was planning things, I didn't take my siblings (or one in particular) into account any more than she took the rest of us into account.
Needless to say, after his passing, the dynamics of the family altered to the point that virtually no one who knew us would have recognized what was left of the Stringfellows. We had not been raised to be friends while we were growing up, so it was no surprise to any of us that we weren't close after we reached adulthood. I think (somehow) Mom was still surprised by the lack of concern or interest we kids had for one another. It is what it is, and what it is certainly isn't begging to be made into a Hallmark movie.
When Dad passed, I noticed an immediate change in the way things were handled; he hadn't even passed, but was lying in the hospital room when my sister thought she could take control of literally every aspect of my parents' lives and drill the rest of us into whatever corner she chose. If you know me, and you may by now, I didn't listen to her. She can talk and scream at me until she's blue in the face, and I'll give her that smile I give just before I walk away. She has never been able to tell me what to do, which is part of the dynamic she was hoping to change.
With Dad safely in the loving arms of Jesus, my Mom stepped into whatever it is that she stepped into. I think I've seen her a couple of times over the past seven years. When she was hospitalized and in rehab over the summer of 2020 (could have been 2021) we weren't allowed into the room with her, and had to literally stand outside in the weather talking to each other by cell through the window. At least dear sister wasn't there to stop me then! Again, it is what it is. I wasn't set up to take Mom into my place, and I am very grateful that she is comfortable, even if she is predominantly sequestered from literally all of us.
Losing my dad let me reflect on my childhood, my upbringing, how he influenced us, and what it meant to be his favorite child....Oh, yeah, sorry, I just put that part in there. I'm sure he didn't have a favorite, unless he did and told all of us the same thing. My daddy was a good man, a Christian man, a believer and follower of Christ. He was a Navy man, a quiet man, and a man so in love with his wife, he didn't even know what it would be like to think outside that box. He really was a very very good person.
I decided to dedicate this book to my dad (Jude's Almost Daily Blog Book 4) because he did so much for us growing up and he probably never realized the impact he would or did have on us. He built us a giant treehouse without a tree, it was a fort on stilts, and with his knack at carpentry, let me just say people could have lived in the fort rather comfortably if they had a mind to jump the fence, fight back the dogs, and defend themselves against all of us and our friends who used it year round. He drove us places, took us to work with him, fished and camped with us. He cooked while Mom baked. He worked and paid the family bills; no kid thinks about that. He never missed a beat.
My daddy was the one man I could always depend on, and I did depend on him. He's still watching over us - and no one can convince me otherwise. I love you, Daddy. I always will.
My dad. Reuben Wayne Stringfellow
April 23, 2025
Fixed.
All the mammals in our house, except my daughter Laura, are spayed or neutered. Yes, every last one of us, except her. I'm the first of us, of course. I was fixed about 35 years ago, right after giving birth to my 3rd. Ginger was fixed when I picked her up from the shelter, as was Frodo the cat. However, the others had to be taken to the vet to have the job done.
Dr. Sam Crosby Sr. has been our small animal vet for over a decade, and his son, Dr. Sam Crosby Jr., is our large animal vet. We no longer have large animals, but when we did, we couldn't have found a better horse veterinarian than Dr. Sammy, as he is affectionately known around these parts. His dad, Dr. Sam, is probably going to retire soon. I think he's just about that age when he finds someone to train so he can rest a while, go fishing, and recall all the nonsense he's had to endure for these past 50+ years -- I've heard a few of his stories. No, thank you.
It's really not the animals, I'm sure, but their owners. I know I try really hard to not give the man any direction. I feel that he's more than capable of doing what he does without me pretending my dog or cat deserves extra care or better treatment -- no, they're normal; he's exceptional. I prefer to just drop them off, wave at them, and let the doctor's staff know the check will clear on my way out the door.
Rose and Kiba went this past Monday, and I have to say, I think if any of our pets did decide to go see Jesus and then, of course, decide not to return, I would not get another one that needed to be fixed. It's expensive, it's time-consuming, and it's a huge inconvenience, really, when I can just pick up a dog or cat from the shelter after it has been taken care of -- so much cheaper. Dr. Sam is very inexpensive compared to others, but it was still $525 for the two of them. They were given their necessary shots as well -- just saying; it's not something I'd like to do very often.
When we picked the dogs up, Kiba (a 7-pound Chihuahua/Pom mix) hardly knew he'd been snipped. Dr. Crosby said he was up and moving within 10 minutes, somewhat curious about it, but not overly upset. Rose, on the other hand, (a Rhodesian Ridgeback cross) was cross-legged, dropping her head, trying to make eye contact, but couldn't stop the stars from swimming around long enough to focus on our faces. She dropped into the backseat and had to be peeled off of it when we got home. Kiba basically asked for a treat and told us his butt hurt a little.
We, of course, brought home the cones of shame. Kiah had to wear her every minute for those first four days, but Rose and Kiba haven't even thought about tearing into their stitches. They haven't itched, scratched, or begged for medication. Kiah whined a lot, rolled over, and tried to rub herself on the couch to itch the area; she was a mess. I don't remember if Bilbo (cat) did anything special - he was only 3 or 4 months old when he was fixed - I don't think he skipped a meal. Bilbo hasn't really skipped any meals -- ever.
If more people would spay and neuter their pets, we wouldn't have the sad stories of shelter euthanasia that we have now. Over a million animals a year are put down in our country alone; there truly is a better way to deal with these statistics. I remember hearing Bob Barker say it at the close of The Price is Right: "Remember to spay and neuter your pets." It may sound easy to say, but getting people to do it is another matter. Pet insurance is beginning to take a foothold in our nation, and that will help -- look into it if you haven't already done so.
A GIANT thank you to Dr. Crosby and Dr. Crosby, who together have made such a vast difference in our lives, and the lives of those we love.
Rosaleigh "Rose"
Kibawww.judestringfellow.com
April 20, 2025
DION - Finished and Up for Publication! Woot!
The book ended up being 385 pages and 33 chapters long. I finished it, and after I read the last chapter, I decided to add another one. It wasn't all that finished until the woman was living inside the house she had inherited, because she had fought so hard for it. In the end, she is satisfied with her efforts, and that makes me happy.
I'll tell you something else that happens when you spend so much time with these people living inside your head: you can't seem to stop listening to them talk about their problems, solutions, issues, and whatever else they decide to discuss. I'll be at Sam's buying dog food, and all of a sudden, I'll hear the voice of Jack Abercrombie behind me asking if that's the right choice; maybe I should consider the dog's palate. Jack is such a prat!
I won't tell you what happens to Jack in the book, but something devastating does happen to him. I read and re-read what I wrote, and I began to tear up. I realized then that Jack was probably going to hang around for a while, much like Mathew from "The" does. They don't have a thing in common, but they'll end up getting to know one another if they're floating around my office space long enough.
I need to add a dog personality to the next novel. I do have one in the Nick Posh series, but the ladies in my novels, who tend to be on the move, don't really have time for dogs. After saying that, I realized that Jule from Bay Sorrel Ranch bought a ranch. She has time for dogs. She has a few, but I should have dug deeper into their personalities and shone a little light on them. I will next time, I promise.
Actually, the next novel outside of the Posh books will feature a male lead - oh my. He's in his mid-to-late twenties and seeking to find his beginnings. He was stolen at birth and raised across the waterways from where he should have been. Believing himself to be a bastard without any hope of a real future with the woman he has fallen in love with, he decides to find the truth about who he really is. Whether or not the findings will satisfy her father, he has to try.
He won't have a dog either, not if he's expected to cross the seas and fight this or that sworn enemy on his long and arduous quest to regain and discover his legacy. Oh well, I'll find a place for the dog, even if I have to write a book from the dog's point of view, which, no, I don't want to do that, sorry, yeah, no. I'll make something happen. I have a few books to go - keep reading!
This year, 2025, will see "Stratford", "Dion", "Cask", Legacy", and probably "Shadow" being written. Then, in early 2026, I'll write "Kingdom," "Slick," "Tulsa," and "Death Mask" for sure... It's good to have a plan. I just realized that "Slick" will be a novel I can stick a good dog in and make it stick! It'll have to be a rescue-- and it might be a mutt; pretty sure it's going to be a mutt. Oh, and yeah, Leigh has a dog in "The" so we're good!
"Dion" will be sent up tomorrow for its first publication, which means I'll run one copy, review it for mistakes, correct those mistakes, and allow it to be purchased around or on May 7, 2025. Woot! Here's the new cover. I had to redo it since it was 35 pages thicker than what I first thought it would be.
Photo Credit: Me.
White House Message on Holy Week 2025 -- Amazing.
April 18, 2025
Zoo Time!
So, I work for one of those types of companies that force their employees to travel an entire six miles once or twice a year to meet with anyone and everyone else who must also travel great distances to see each other. Since we work remotely, and by that, I mean that at any given time, there may be only three humans in the actual brick-and-mortar building that was purchased with pride and admiration years ago. Believe me, when I tell you, the building is amazing!! I truly love it, but no, I wouldn't go back to working in a real-life building again - NOPE!
This year, because they could, the HR department decided we should all have fun at the Oklahoma City Zoo. I have to say, they made a really wonderful choice. Not only, was the weather perfect for walking our butts off, but almost every single animal was out because of the cloud cover and lower temps. I would say, if I were guessing, that the high today was in the mid-70s but at the time we met up, which was around 9:00 a.m., it was just about a perfect 62 degrees! Oh, can't tell you how wonderful it really was.
I met up with folks I've talked to for a year on nearly an everyday basis, but had never met! My boss was one such meet-up! He brought his wife and their kids, and I felt as if we'd been hanging out for the entire year. I recognized him immediately! Then, there was another manager who, believe it or not, didn't have to show up because he lives outside of the one-hour radius rule -- WAY out of it. He drove himself and his family from about 400-500 miles from where we live JUST to meet up with us -- and of course, see his grandma, who also works for the company! (It's a really great place.)
If you know me, you know I like to have fun, so what I did today to one of the higher-ups was hilarious. I speak of him, about him, but never to or with him. He's not seen me, but he knows who I am, and though he would never have been able to pick me out of a line up if he had to, I walked up to him and threw my arms around him right in front of three of the other higher ups who I had also never seen and or interacted with. I did it with a manager's nudging and encouragement - because the look on the man's face was simply -- priceless. I pretended we knew each other, and waited for him to either say "I really have NO IDEA who you are," or to pretend he did know me, and to go with it -- he went with it!!
When I finally introduced myself, he slapped my shoulder and said, "OK, OK, I've been told you're a prankster! I get it!" He was too much fun, and the other guys were bent over laughing about it -- Maybe it was one of those "you had to be there" moments, but we were there, and it was too much fun! Me, my boss, his boss, his boss, and his boss gathered in the same space for the group photo -- so I guess I wasn't too much out of line with my antics. Everyone has a good sense of humor there, at least everyone I've met so far.
One of the owners of the company, a seemingly very private man, congratulated me on making "Employee of the Month" last month, and apparently, by winning it, I am now eligible for a chance to win "Employee of the Year." The man I hugged got me back. He told me that if I win, I have to work at the office for the entire next year, so that I can use the auxiliary benefit of having a free parking space! NOPE...he may not know me, but everyone knows that this girl has no intention of putting on real pants, shoes, or makeup just to be seen! They were lucky I wore shoes today!
Our first pit stop at the Zoo was in the Children's Zoo, which is really a petting zoo - Laura had to get her goat fix. They used to have a little calf, a miniature horse, and even a donkey, but today it was a handful of goats and a few sheep. The goats were quite attentive. I thought we could end up taking one home with us, but alas, Laura finally let it go so others could enjoy its precious fuzzy face. We met up with about forty or fifty people I work with and had a few interesting conversations about work. We walked about 2 miles and then headed home before it became too crowded. The parking lot was a mess with all the school buses pulling in around the time we were leaving -- whew! Just in time!
Photo Credit: Me.
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