Debbie Vaughan's Blog, page 8
January 23, 2012
The Zombie with Flowers in Her Hair
My dear friend KevaD recently released a short story via
Noble Sensual Romance, The Zombie with Flowers in Her Hair.
Whatever the title conjures in your mind, you are in for a delightful surprise! Are there zombies? Certainly.
But...there is so much more. A must read!
https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/385/The-Zombie-with-Flowers-in-Her-Hair
Noble Sensual Romance, The Zombie with Flowers in Her Hair.
Whatever the title conjures in your mind, you are in for a delightful surprise! Are there zombies? Certainly.
But...there is so much more. A must read!
https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/385/The-Zombie-with-Flowers-in-Her-Hair
January 15, 2012
AWASH IN A SEA OF CHANGE
We all go through changes, some good, some...not so much. We begin new relationships or end old ones. We get a promotion at work or move to a different company. Some of us must pull up roots and move to a larger (or smaller) home or pack up and move across the country for work or family. These changes can be exciting and open new vistas in our lives but they can also be stressful, painful and cause an emotional upheaval that reflects on all we do.
As writers, sometimes we embrace the changes and draw from them, ideas for new works. A contract from a publisher sends us to the moon, validating our existence in the literary world. A rejection sends us to the pits of despair. We are unworthy to breath the air of our published idols and friends.
It's a rocky road we travel and some of us get lost along the way. A rejection doesn't mean you are a bad writer and a contract doesn't make you the next Hemingway. Beware the pitfalls of either fork in your road. Have confidence in your abilities to weave a story, but remember there is always room for improvement. Many have traveled this road before you.
The piece one editor may reject, the next may adore. When your latest masterpiece releases, celebrate the joy of it's birth, but do not forget all the people who helped get it past conception. All those who critiqued and encouraged you deserve your gratitude. Help them as they helped you. Some may attain a place in the ranks of "published author," while others may not. Rejoice with those who do, but don't disdain those who do not. Some are luckier than others.
Writing, like life, is a crap shoot. None of us know how the dice will fall. We all have our highs and lows but we must soldier on, striving to do our best. Success won at the expense of others is a hollow victory. Don't let your triumphs go to your head. No one likes a diva. Don't be a whiner and lay the blame of your failures on others. You alone, are responsible for your life. It's up to you to make it the one you want.
As writers, sometimes we embrace the changes and draw from them, ideas for new works. A contract from a publisher sends us to the moon, validating our existence in the literary world. A rejection sends us to the pits of despair. We are unworthy to breath the air of our published idols and friends.
It's a rocky road we travel and some of us get lost along the way. A rejection doesn't mean you are a bad writer and a contract doesn't make you the next Hemingway. Beware the pitfalls of either fork in your road. Have confidence in your abilities to weave a story, but remember there is always room for improvement. Many have traveled this road before you.
The piece one editor may reject, the next may adore. When your latest masterpiece releases, celebrate the joy of it's birth, but do not forget all the people who helped get it past conception. All those who critiqued and encouraged you deserve your gratitude. Help them as they helped you. Some may attain a place in the ranks of "published author," while others may not. Rejoice with those who do, but don't disdain those who do not. Some are luckier than others.
Writing, like life, is a crap shoot. None of us know how the dice will fall. We all have our highs and lows but we must soldier on, striving to do our best. Success won at the expense of others is a hollow victory. Don't let your triumphs go to your head. No one likes a diva. Don't be a whiner and lay the blame of your failures on others. You alone, are responsible for your life. It's up to you to make it the one you want.
January 12, 2012
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!!!!
_This is not DD's usual fare but is certainly a cause worthy of your efforts. Please read carefull
Please pass this along to all your writer friends and loops! ~DD
*~*~*~*~*~*
Wild at Heart
Editor: Delilah Devlin
Publisher: Diamond State Romance Authors
Deadline: April 1, 2012
Wild at Heart is open to all authors.
Editor Delilah Devlin is looking for stories for a special project to benefit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.
Recently, six Diamond State Romance Author chapter members spent a weekend falling in love with the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and its exotic inhabitants. The refuge is home to large cats and a variety of exotic animals that would otherwise have to be put down because they aren't suitable for placement in zoos or to be returned to the wild. The need for financial support was apparent. Our chapter decided to pool its resources and find a way to help.
What we propose is to produce a volume of short stories, all centred around animals in need of refuge. All proceeds from the sales of the book will go directly to the Turpentine Creek Refuge. We will edit the submissions, seek professional cover art and formatting, and assist the refuge by uploading the anthology to online bookstores like Amazon's Kindle store and Barnes & Noble's Nook store. Additionally, we will help upload the book to CreateSpace so that printed volumes can be available for sale in brick-and-mortar bookstores throughout Arkansas and inside the refuge's shop.
This is a national call for submissions of short stories to be donated for the cause. Only the best stories will be accepted. All genres of fiction (contemporary and paranormal, sweet adult romance and Young Adult) will be considered. Please keep in mind that stories must be PG-rated as the book will be two-sided—one side geared toward adult readers and the other toward teenaged readers.
Examples of the kinds of stories we seek:
A maimed Iraqi war veteran learns to accept his disability by working with equally damaged animalsA teenaged girl helps a were-cougar hide his true nature while both hunt for an escaped catA teenaged couple encounters a tiger escaped from its private owner's cage and work together to find help to capture and care for itA pushy animal psychic must gain the trust of the refuge's veterinarian to help a depressed bearA troubled teenager discovers a tiger living in a national forest, then seeks a way to prevent locals staging a hunt from killing itHow to submit: Prepare your 1,500 to 4,000 words story in a double-spaced, Arial, 12 point, black font Word document with pages numbered (.doc, NOT.docx) OR rich text format. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) is required.
In your document at the top left of the page, include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable), mailing address, and 50 word or less bio in the third person to dsrawildatheart@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you'd like to be credited as. Authors may submit up to 2 stories.
About the editor: Ms. Devlin has published over one hundred stories in multiple genres and lengths. Her published print titles include Into the Darkness, Seduced by Darkness, Darkness Captured, Down in Texas, Texas Men and Ravished by a Viking. Her short stories are featured in Zane's Purple Panties, and Cleis Press's Lesbian Cowboys, Girl Crush, Fairy Tale Lust, Lesbian Lust, Passion, Carnal Machines, and Dream Lovers. She is published by Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, Atria/Strebor, Ellora's Cave, Samhain Publishing, and Berkley. In Fall 2011, she debuted her first anthology with Cleis Press, Girls Who Bite.
Direct any questions you have regarding your story or the submission process to Delilah at dsrawildatheart@gmail.com.
Get in bed with Delilah. Everyone else has!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Begging For It Ellora's Cave Available Now! Says Seriously Reviewed:
"This was the most gripping, emotionally charged sexy foray into BDSM I've ever read." Girls Who Bite Cleis Press – Available Now! | Enslaved by a Viking Berkley – Available Now!
Five Ways 'Til Sunday Samhain – Available Now!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Website| Blog| Facebook| Twitter
Please pass this along to all your writer friends and loops! ~DD
*~*~*~*~*~*
Wild at Heart
Editor: Delilah Devlin
Publisher: Diamond State Romance Authors
Deadline: April 1, 2012
Wild at Heart is open to all authors.
Editor Delilah Devlin is looking for stories for a special project to benefit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.
Recently, six Diamond State Romance Author chapter members spent a weekend falling in love with the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and its exotic inhabitants. The refuge is home to large cats and a variety of exotic animals that would otherwise have to be put down because they aren't suitable for placement in zoos or to be returned to the wild. The need for financial support was apparent. Our chapter decided to pool its resources and find a way to help.
What we propose is to produce a volume of short stories, all centred around animals in need of refuge. All proceeds from the sales of the book will go directly to the Turpentine Creek Refuge. We will edit the submissions, seek professional cover art and formatting, and assist the refuge by uploading the anthology to online bookstores like Amazon's Kindle store and Barnes & Noble's Nook store. Additionally, we will help upload the book to CreateSpace so that printed volumes can be available for sale in brick-and-mortar bookstores throughout Arkansas and inside the refuge's shop.
This is a national call for submissions of short stories to be donated for the cause. Only the best stories will be accepted. All genres of fiction (contemporary and paranormal, sweet adult romance and Young Adult) will be considered. Please keep in mind that stories must be PG-rated as the book will be two-sided—one side geared toward adult readers and the other toward teenaged readers.
Examples of the kinds of stories we seek:
A maimed Iraqi war veteran learns to accept his disability by working with equally damaged animalsA teenaged girl helps a were-cougar hide his true nature while both hunt for an escaped catA teenaged couple encounters a tiger escaped from its private owner's cage and work together to find help to capture and care for itA pushy animal psychic must gain the trust of the refuge's veterinarian to help a depressed bearA troubled teenager discovers a tiger living in a national forest, then seeks a way to prevent locals staging a hunt from killing itHow to submit: Prepare your 1,500 to 4,000 words story in a double-spaced, Arial, 12 point, black font Word document with pages numbered (.doc, NOT.docx) OR rich text format. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) is required.
In your document at the top left of the page, include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable), mailing address, and 50 word or less bio in the third person to dsrawildatheart@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you'd like to be credited as. Authors may submit up to 2 stories.
About the editor: Ms. Devlin has published over one hundred stories in multiple genres and lengths. Her published print titles include Into the Darkness, Seduced by Darkness, Darkness Captured, Down in Texas, Texas Men and Ravished by a Viking. Her short stories are featured in Zane's Purple Panties, and Cleis Press's Lesbian Cowboys, Girl Crush, Fairy Tale Lust, Lesbian Lust, Passion, Carnal Machines, and Dream Lovers. She is published by Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, Atria/Strebor, Ellora's Cave, Samhain Publishing, and Berkley. In Fall 2011, she debuted her first anthology with Cleis Press, Girls Who Bite.
Direct any questions you have regarding your story or the submission process to Delilah at dsrawildatheart@gmail.com.
Get in bed with Delilah. Everyone else has!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Begging For It Ellora's Cave Available Now! Says Seriously Reviewed:
"This was the most gripping, emotionally charged sexy foray into BDSM I've ever read." Girls Who Bite Cleis Press – Available Now! | Enslaved by a Viking Berkley – Available Now!
Five Ways 'Til Sunday Samhain – Available Now!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Website| Blog| Facebook| Twitter
January 9, 2012
Time to Re-group?
Do you ever get the feeling things have spun out of control in your life? That would be me. As a control freak, this is a very disconcerting thing.
Get a grip! I tell myself, yet I don't know where to begin. Everything seems entangled with something else and I can't find a loose end to hang onto.
A dear friend told me not very long ago that her Bible study group did a study on the differences between women and men.
(Yes, I write erotic romance so I THOUGHT I knew the differences. But NO!) The study was entitled, Women are Spaghetti--Men are Waffles.
Confused?
Women tend to link everything together like a continuous strand of spaghetti. The falling out you had with your spouse/boyfriend/significant other three years ago is directly linked to the five pounds you gained and that five pounds is the reason you can't enter a new relationship. Get me? That's why women tend to bring all their past hurts into the current argument or "discussion". We can't help it.
Men on the other hand, compartmentalize. Each thought, idea, or problem, has its own separate waffle hole. Nothing touches. He can't see that not mentioning your new hairstyle is the cause of your bad mood. He can't grasp the concept. He doesn't understand why you bring up the fact the last red car you owned got in three traffic accidents in one year...ten years ago, so you don't want a red car. He only knows red is your favorite color.
Is it any wonder relationships fail? So what are the sexes to do?
Relationships are works in progress...or they should be. If you stop working at i, it will certainly fail. Each side must understand the others way of thinking and be willing to accommodate to a degree. If you aren't willing to make the effort, there was never anything worth while to begin with.
So is life.
I must learn to use a fork on the spaghetti of my life. I must cut the never ending strand into bite size pieces and not chase the errant meatball across the tabletop.
Chew slowly and savor the flavor of your existence. After all, it's the only one you have.
Get a grip! I tell myself, yet I don't know where to begin. Everything seems entangled with something else and I can't find a loose end to hang onto.
A dear friend told me not very long ago that her Bible study group did a study on the differences between women and men.
(Yes, I write erotic romance so I THOUGHT I knew the differences. But NO!) The study was entitled, Women are Spaghetti--Men are Waffles.
Confused?
Women tend to link everything together like a continuous strand of spaghetti. The falling out you had with your spouse/boyfriend/significant other three years ago is directly linked to the five pounds you gained and that five pounds is the reason you can't enter a new relationship. Get me? That's why women tend to bring all their past hurts into the current argument or "discussion". We can't help it.
Men on the other hand, compartmentalize. Each thought, idea, or problem, has its own separate waffle hole. Nothing touches. He can't see that not mentioning your new hairstyle is the cause of your bad mood. He can't grasp the concept. He doesn't understand why you bring up the fact the last red car you owned got in three traffic accidents in one year...ten years ago, so you don't want a red car. He only knows red is your favorite color.
Is it any wonder relationships fail? So what are the sexes to do?
Relationships are works in progress...or they should be. If you stop working at i, it will certainly fail. Each side must understand the others way of thinking and be willing to accommodate to a degree. If you aren't willing to make the effort, there was never anything worth while to begin with.
So is life.
I must learn to use a fork on the spaghetti of my life. I must cut the never ending strand into bite size pieces and not chase the errant meatball across the tabletop.
Chew slowly and savor the flavor of your existence. After all, it's the only one you have.
January 1, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR?
God, I hope so!
2011 was filled with so many highs and lows, not only in my life, but in the world in general. What will 2012 bring?
Our troops are coming home from the far corners of the globe. Lets not forget about them or their sacrifice. They deserve our gratitude. They are returning to the States and for many, their civilian jobs. If they still exist.
Remember their service. Hire the vet.
Economists are promising gas prices will hit $5.00 by summer. People are barely eking by as is, how will we afford to fuel our vehicles, the farmers their equipment? Freight costs will rise causing higher prices for the consumer. What fresh hell will this bring to the economy.
Washington has forgotten the little man, the ones they have sworn to serve. We go into another election year filled with promises that will be unfulfilled.
Do I sound pessimistic? I am. I can only change my own life...and sometimes, not even that.
For me, I plan to finish and get published at least one book this year. I've had to scale back due to my workload, but I think I can manage one. Which one remains undecided. My current WIP is a mystery rather than a romance. I've never tried my hand at mystery before, although I've certainly read enough of them.
I see 2012 as a "do over"...an opportunity for change and self discovery..
How do you see it?
2011 was filled with so many highs and lows, not only in my life, but in the world in general. What will 2012 bring?
Our troops are coming home from the far corners of the globe. Lets not forget about them or their sacrifice. They deserve our gratitude. They are returning to the States and for many, their civilian jobs. If they still exist.
Remember their service. Hire the vet.
Economists are promising gas prices will hit $5.00 by summer. People are barely eking by as is, how will we afford to fuel our vehicles, the farmers their equipment? Freight costs will rise causing higher prices for the consumer. What fresh hell will this bring to the economy.
Washington has forgotten the little man, the ones they have sworn to serve. We go into another election year filled with promises that will be unfulfilled.
Do I sound pessimistic? I am. I can only change my own life...and sometimes, not even that.
For me, I plan to finish and get published at least one book this year. I've had to scale back due to my workload, but I think I can manage one. Which one remains undecided. My current WIP is a mystery rather than a romance. I've never tried my hand at mystery before, although I've certainly read enough of them.
I see 2012 as a "do over"...an opportunity for change and self discovery..
How do you see it?
December 21, 2011
So much to write, so little time!
2011 has brought many changes for me, most good, some...not so much. I got a job, a divorce, two manuscripts published, a new guy in my life. A few months ago, I changed jobs.I love the new job, the people I work with and the customers I see daily. I also love the pay.
So where's the bad ,you might ask.
I liked the people at my old job too. I miss them and the new job hasn't allowed me time to visit. I work LOTS of hours. The new guy decided I didn't float his boat. The worst part has been, I haven't had time to write.
I have a mild form of OCD and when I write I tend to exclude everything else. That task orientation is great, but not when you have to work around a 45 hour week. (But my boss loves me!) I am learning to adapt.
Last week I spent one of my days off, cleaning and doing domestic stuff, on the other--I WROTE! All freaking day! I wrote 7500 words. Good words! Now if I can just manage to continue in that vein I should have my first draft completed in about three months. Yea, me!
So that is my plan for the New Year. I don't make resolutions. I will continue to adapt and grow as a person and a writer. What are your plans?
Now on the subject of Christmas...
I, like many others, will be alone this holiday season. I'm used to it but that doesn't mean I like it. I don't want sympathy, I'm trying to make a point. As you hustle about buying gifts for friends and family, please pause to think of those less fortunate. Sure it's great to give to the needy, those unseen faces.
But, what about those you know.
What about the widow or widower who lives down the street? The one who talks your ear off when you meet at the mail box. Did you know they do so because they're lonely? Their children live in another state and never visit? The next time you think your ear will fall off if they say one more word, you might give them the gift of tolerance. It's a little thing for you that might mean the world to them.
The shy child, who looks longingly at you when you play ball with your kids. Have you thought to invite them to join the game? Maybe his/her parents aren't around much, or at all. As a kid I adopted my friends families because I didn't have one of my own. I wheedled my way in...and they let me. I've never forgotten the way they included me or them.
You kids out there, young and old, when was the last time you spoke to your mom or dad? When did you tell them you loved them? When did you visit last?
We are all so caught up in our own little universe we sometimes forget the very ones who brought us into the world. Without them we would not be. Show a little gratitude, kindness and love.
Charity does begin at home.
Merry Christmas all. Have a bright and wonderful New Year.
So where's the bad ,you might ask.
I liked the people at my old job too. I miss them and the new job hasn't allowed me time to visit. I work LOTS of hours. The new guy decided I didn't float his boat. The worst part has been, I haven't had time to write.
I have a mild form of OCD and when I write I tend to exclude everything else. That task orientation is great, but not when you have to work around a 45 hour week. (But my boss loves me!) I am learning to adapt.
Last week I spent one of my days off, cleaning and doing domestic stuff, on the other--I WROTE! All freaking day! I wrote 7500 words. Good words! Now if I can just manage to continue in that vein I should have my first draft completed in about three months. Yea, me!
So that is my plan for the New Year. I don't make resolutions. I will continue to adapt and grow as a person and a writer. What are your plans?
Now on the subject of Christmas...
I, like many others, will be alone this holiday season. I'm used to it but that doesn't mean I like it. I don't want sympathy, I'm trying to make a point. As you hustle about buying gifts for friends and family, please pause to think of those less fortunate. Sure it's great to give to the needy, those unseen faces.
But, what about those you know.
What about the widow or widower who lives down the street? The one who talks your ear off when you meet at the mail box. Did you know they do so because they're lonely? Their children live in another state and never visit? The next time you think your ear will fall off if they say one more word, you might give them the gift of tolerance. It's a little thing for you that might mean the world to them.
The shy child, who looks longingly at you when you play ball with your kids. Have you thought to invite them to join the game? Maybe his/her parents aren't around much, or at all. As a kid I adopted my friends families because I didn't have one of my own. I wheedled my way in...and they let me. I've never forgotten the way they included me or them.
You kids out there, young and old, when was the last time you spoke to your mom or dad? When did you tell them you loved them? When did you visit last?
We are all so caught up in our own little universe we sometimes forget the very ones who brought us into the world. Without them we would not be. Show a little gratitude, kindness and love.
Charity does begin at home.
Merry Christmas all. Have a bright and wonderful New Year.
December 10, 2011
WORK IN PROGRESS
The title to this blog not only describes my life, but my current work. As I have mentioned before I have several ideas on the drawing board. Some are mere dust motes in the eye of my mind, while others are complete works without a home.
After yet another rejection, I am seriously considering self-publishing my Legacy series.
So what do you do when you have so many things up in the air? Why, start a new one, of course! I have done so. The first chapter of, ADVENTURES IN INTERNET DATING has been written. I wonder where it will go from here?
After yet another rejection, I am seriously considering self-publishing my Legacy series.
So what do you do when you have so many things up in the air? Why, start a new one, of course! I have done so. The first chapter of, ADVENTURES IN INTERNET DATING has been written. I wonder where it will go from here?
December 2, 2011
What a DAY!
It started when I got up. It was pitch day at Savvy Authors and I planned to do just that. Problem was, I wasn't sure I could before I left for work at 7:30. Luckily for me, they are set to Eastern Standard Time. Yippee! I sent it in...all 25 words. Now I have to wait a week to find out if she is interested.
On the subject of waiting...it's been 4 weeks since I subbed my urban fantasy to the latest publisher. I will assume not hearing anything yet is good. Yeah, that's the ticket!
It was a long and BUSY day at work. I swear from 3:00 to 5:00p.m. they must have been dropping people in from the sky! So, of course I was late getting home and scrambled when I got here to get the animals fed. DUH, right?
Well, I had my OSM about 15 minutes ago. I'm being interviewed today by D.A. Kentner on his blog. And, the day was pretty much over. Eek! So I scurried on over to see if I had missed anything.
Please take a moment and drop by.
http://dakentner.blogspot.com/2011/12/romancesuspenseparanormal-author-debbie.html
On the subject of waiting...it's been 4 weeks since I subbed my urban fantasy to the latest publisher. I will assume not hearing anything yet is good. Yeah, that's the ticket!
It was a long and BUSY day at work. I swear from 3:00 to 5:00p.m. they must have been dropping people in from the sky! So, of course I was late getting home and scrambled when I got here to get the animals fed. DUH, right?
Well, I had my OSM about 15 minutes ago. I'm being interviewed today by D.A. Kentner on his blog. And, the day was pretty much over. Eek! So I scurried on over to see if I had missed anything.
Please take a moment and drop by.
http://dakentner.blogspot.com/2011/12/romancesuspenseparanormal-author-debbie.html
November 21, 2011
A DAY OF FIRSTS
This has been a day for firsts, some pleasant and others...not so much.
On the "not so much" end of things, I woke to find I was flooded into my little valley. A first in 20 years. The severity was confirmed by my kind neighbor who called just after 5:00a.m. to report the water was up to the middle of his car doors as he tried to ford our creek. Yikes! His admonition to stay home did not fall on deaf ears. Luckily, today is my day off. So mostly, no harm no foul. Except the rain is to continue into the night and early morning hours tomorrow. This evening they promise hail and possible tornadoes to go with. Are we having fun yet?
I am trapped inside with ten dogs. Ten wet dogs. "'Nuff said."
Still in the same vein, I have Neil Sedaka's, "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" on continuous loop in my mind. GET IT OUT! Can you do a self-lobotomy with a soup spoon?
I can't write. I HAVE tried. The ideas are there, the focus is NOT. I have never had this issue before. I hate that I have time to write and can't. It's not writer's block...I'm pretty sure. I blame the song in my head. I'll get you for this, Neil!
On the up side. I voted in the 2012 People's Choice awards today. Never done that before. Why? Well that's twofold. First, I saw Nathan Fillion on Good Morning America and he is nominated. I adore Nathan and Castle is my all time favorite show, so of course I had to do my duty. The other reason is, with the fore mentioned exception, I loath most of what passes for entertainment these days. I can count the number of shows/movies I like on one hand. They deserved to be acknowledged for excellence in their categories. So Bones, Big Bang, Two Broke Girls and The Good Wife you got my nod.
Same with the music industry. I'm pure country. Blake, Taylor, Lady Antebellum...you rock!
Add to the above a couple of excellent movies and the actors/actresses who made them so, and my duty was done. I figure entertainment is like government, you can't gripe if you don't vote.
So go vote. Vote often. Make you voices and tastes heard.
On the "not so much" end of things, I woke to find I was flooded into my little valley. A first in 20 years. The severity was confirmed by my kind neighbor who called just after 5:00a.m. to report the water was up to the middle of his car doors as he tried to ford our creek. Yikes! His admonition to stay home did not fall on deaf ears. Luckily, today is my day off. So mostly, no harm no foul. Except the rain is to continue into the night and early morning hours tomorrow. This evening they promise hail and possible tornadoes to go with. Are we having fun yet?
I am trapped inside with ten dogs. Ten wet dogs. "'Nuff said."
Still in the same vein, I have Neil Sedaka's, "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" on continuous loop in my mind. GET IT OUT! Can you do a self-lobotomy with a soup spoon?
I can't write. I HAVE tried. The ideas are there, the focus is NOT. I have never had this issue before. I hate that I have time to write and can't. It's not writer's block...I'm pretty sure. I blame the song in my head. I'll get you for this, Neil!
On the up side. I voted in the 2012 People's Choice awards today. Never done that before. Why? Well that's twofold. First, I saw Nathan Fillion on Good Morning America and he is nominated. I adore Nathan and Castle is my all time favorite show, so of course I had to do my duty. The other reason is, with the fore mentioned exception, I loath most of what passes for entertainment these days. I can count the number of shows/movies I like on one hand. They deserved to be acknowledged for excellence in their categories. So Bones, Big Bang, Two Broke Girls and The Good Wife you got my nod.
Same with the music industry. I'm pure country. Blake, Taylor, Lady Antebellum...you rock!
Add to the above a couple of excellent movies and the actors/actresses who made them so, and my duty was done. I figure entertainment is like government, you can't gripe if you don't vote.
So go vote. Vote often. Make you voices and tastes heard.
November 17, 2011
'Tis the Season
The holidays are rapidly approaching and I am trying--rather unsuccessfully--to get into the spirit. Not that I am a Scrooge by any means, I believe the gift is in the giving--it's just I don't really have a special someone to lavish gifts upon.
There are a lot of us out there. I'm not alone. So buck up and make the best of the season.
Share a smile with a stranger, offer a kind word or helping hand to someone. Remember as you chase down the aisles searching for those precious gifts, the sales people and store staff have worked extra hours to make sure you can attain your goal. So if your checker is a little slow, the line a little long, the bagger seems harried, or you have to wait a bit for help toting your plunder to your car, don't forget those persons have been up since before dawn to make your shopping experience all it can be.
Be patient, be kind, say thank you. 'Tis the season...
Oh, and just in time for the holiday gifting season, Mr.Fix-it is going to print and will be available in paperback soon at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other sellers.
There are a lot of us out there. I'm not alone. So buck up and make the best of the season.
Share a smile with a stranger, offer a kind word or helping hand to someone. Remember as you chase down the aisles searching for those precious gifts, the sales people and store staff have worked extra hours to make sure you can attain your goal. So if your checker is a little slow, the line a little long, the bagger seems harried, or you have to wait a bit for help toting your plunder to your car, don't forget those persons have been up since before dawn to make your shopping experience all it can be.
Be patient, be kind, say thank you. 'Tis the season...
Oh, and just in time for the holiday gifting season, Mr.Fix-it is going to print and will be available in paperback soon at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other sellers.
