Maddy Barone's Blog, page 51

The Merry Miaow

It’s a sunny Sunday morning here in Fargo, ND. It’s been hot all week, and it will continue to be hot this week. I personally detest temps in the upper 80s and lower 90s (that would be 31-35 C) and that’s what we’re getting. The average high temperature for Fargo in July is about 83. Really don’t like it to be warmer than 70, myself.   

My cat Merry, however, loves laying in the one patch of sunlight that sneaks through the blinds. She just plain loves warmth. Unnatural creature. When I take the laundry from the basket to put away, she dances with impatience for the moment she can jump in and curl up in the still-warm basket. She’d prefer to jump in while the clothes are still in the basket, but thank God I broke her of that habit. (at least, she doesn’t do it while I’m watching her. If I turned my back, I bet she’d be snuggled up with the sheets and towels quick as a wink)

She is also fascinated by boxes and bags. What is it with cats and empty recepticles? Seriously, in my place, any empty box will have at least one cat in it.

 

 

 

As you can see, she has lots of long, fluffy white fur, which is as soft as bunny fur. It sticks to everything. I take it with me, apparently, because my chair at work is liberally coated with white hairs about 2 inches long. I get so depressed when I’m sitting down in my chair after a couple hours of thorough cleaning and see white hair dancing in the beam of sunlight. That’s anotherreason I hate summy days! Although she drives me slightly crazy, I love her. She is very sweet natured, doesn’t have any bad habits, and always uses the box. Really, what more can you ask from a cat?

 

Do you have a cat? What little quirks do they have?

Blog Hop!

Welcome to Maddy Barone’s stop on the Sexy Summer Solstice Blog Hop! If you fall off the train, just click HERE to get back on. Or if you have stumbled on this post and want to join, click that same link above.

 

I know other participants are writing short stories and all kinds of other good stuff, but I’m deep in writing Eddie’s Prize, Book 4 in the After the Crash series, so I thought I’d just post a few of the pix I’ve collected as inspiration. Enjoy!

 

 This is Eddie Madison, the hero of Eddie’s Prize. He’s nearly 26, with a slim build, shoulder-length golden blond hair and turquoise eyes. In the post-apocalyptic world he lives in, women are few. He is the son and heir of the most powerful man in his area, but if he wants a wife, he has to enter a Bride Fight and win her.

 

 

 

[image error]Lisa Anton was an international fashion model before the plane she was on crashed in a desolate future where strong men rule by might. When she first sees Eddie she thinks he’s a  golden sex god. She’s worked with many handsome male models in her career, but Eddie tops them all. 

 

There you go, a little eye candy! It’s just the heat of the summer sun that has your cheeks flushed and your eyes glazed, right? Yeah, me too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Teaser – Sleeping With the Wolf

Here is a short teaser from Sleeping With the Wolf, the first book in my After the Crash series. Taye is trying to explain to Carla that it was his wolf who chose her as their mate:

 

“Your wolf was the one who picked me to be your mate?” Carla tucked a heavy lock of her walnut brown hair behind her ear and studied Taye as if he were a Where’s Waldo poster. When he was in human form she saw no sign of his wolf.

“He did. To be his special companion. He wants you to be the person who belongs to him, kind of like … a horse belongs to a human.”

Carla stared at him blankly. “A horse?”

Taye frown and shook his head. “That’s not a good description. It’s like…”

As Taye trailed off, obviously frustrated to not be able to explain better, another man stepped up to the table. He had light brown hair in a tangled mess hanging in his face and past his shoulders and vivid green eyes peering through it. “I heard my father explain it once to my mother. He said that to his wolf, she was like the only warm house in the middle of a deadly blizzard. She gave him a safe place to shelter in, one that was just for him, and he would take care of that safe place and defend it from intruders.”

Carla’s mouth formed an “Oh,” without sound. Then, “Is that why the wolf doesn’t want me to shake hands with other men? He thinks that might let them into his safe shelter?”

“Exactly,” said Taye with relief. He rested a hand on the other man’s arm. “Thanks, Quill.”

Quill had a shy smile of surpassing sweetness, and Carla reduced her estimate of his age from early twenties to late teens.

Coming Soon! Win a Nook!

Here’s a quick heads up about a blog hop starting next week. You can win tons of great prizes, like books and a Nook Glowlight ereader pre-loaded with a ton of romance novels. You can read short stories and excerpts of books, enjoy a little eye candy and maybe find some new authors. So stop by and see what’s up next Wednesday through Sunday.

Tuesday Truth-Writing is Work

Do you ever think: Wow, I wish I could write book, but … And then list the reasons why you couldn’t, like “I don’t have the time” or “my computer is crappy” or “I don’t have the patience” or “I start and then it fizzles”.

Well, published authors deal with all that too.  We all have days where the ideas just aren’t coming. Or maybe I should speak just for myself. I have struggled with writing Eddie’s Prize. I’ve had a lot going on in my life the last year or so. My mom’s been sick, my widowed sister  moved back into my mom’s house with her daughter, I’ve had a lot of illness myself. Last summer the department I’d worked in for years was downsized and I was sent to another team. It hasn’t been a good experience for me. In fact, I hate my day job, but I can’t live without the paycheck. I think that stress has affected my love for writing.

However, the good news is my critique group has told me that they think the writing I have done is very good. In fact, one gal said she thought Eddie’s Prize was my best writing yet.

So, I’m back on the horse, trying hard to get this story finished.

Tuesday Truth: RAGT

I had a GREAT time at the Annual Reader & Author Get Together that Lori Foster and Duffy Brown put on near Cincinnati OH. I arrived home last night and I’m taking my time going through the loot I came home with.  What should I read first?

Tuesday Teaser-Eddie’s Prize

As promised, I’m posting a short teaser from Eddie’s Prize. I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off, getting ready for the Annual Reader & Author Get Together. We’re leaving tomorrow morning at 6am and should arrive at the hotel in West Chester, OH Thursday afternoon. I’ll be sure to post some pix from that event.

 

       The Madison family looked startled as Carla and Lisa explained everything that had happened since yesterday morning when they boarded the plane in Minneapolis.  Brianna and Mrs. Madison made sounds of horror and sympathy when they described the way the plane bucked and fell, nearly completely out of the pilot’s control, to the earth. The blood and the screams of the dying … Lisa’s mind stuttered to a stop when she remembered the little boy who had cried so weakly in her arms until his struggling heart finally stopped beating. The mild look of wonder and the half-smile on his face had stayed even after he had died. Lisa would never forget it as long as she lived.

       Carla was matter-of-fact. “We need to send an air ambulance. Some people were badly hurt but still alive when we left the plane.”

       “An airplane,” said Mayor Madison, shaking his head with wonder. “You think it’s about thirty or forty miles west of here, and a bit north. You can leave that to me. I’ll round up some men and we’ll get things taken care of. Meanwhile, you gals should go on upstairs and get a good rest.”

       A weight fell off Lisa’s shoulders. She had actually been worried that they wouldn’t be able to get help for the survivors they had left behind. She paid attention the pie on her plate. Lisa normally didn’t eat pie; it wasn’t in her diet plan, and as a model she had to work hard to keep her figure perfect. But this was really good. And even though a half hour ago she had felt nauseous in the wagon, she found now that she was really hungry. When she got back to L.A. she’d skimp a little bit to make up for it, but right now she scooped up the last bite of pie with pleasure.

       Mrs. Madison noticed. “You look like pie isn’t on the menu for you too often.”

       “Not too often,” Lisa agreed with a smile. “It was wonderful. Thank you.”

       “Now, there,” said the mayor heartily. “You’re a bit on the scrawny side, but you have nice manners. A man should consider more than just looks when he’s shopping for a wife.”

       “Uh,” said Lisa blankly.

       “Now, Ray,” said his wife severely. “You get going. There’s plenty to get done for these girls. There’s no time to waste.”

       “That’s a fact.” Ray nodded and got up. “Eddie, you’re with me. Honey, we’ll likely miss supper. Don’t keep anything for us, we’ll grab a bite when we get back.”

On the Mend

Last Tuesday I was diagnosed with pneumonia, and I did feel pretty darned crappy. I’ve been on antibiotics, plus two different inhalers and a steroid, and today I’m feeling pretty good. It used to feel like my left lung was a garage for a small red-hot brick with sharp edges that cut me every time I breathed. Very uncomfortable. And my temperature fluctuated between 100.6 and 102.4. I’m much better today. A little tired, because I’ve been running around getting stuff ready for the Annual Reader & Author Get Together next weekend, but definitely on the mend. 

My friend Jess and I have been getting goodies together for the raffle basket we’re donating. It will contain a handknit shawl, the 1st two After the Crash books in paperback, some chocolates, a nook simple touch ereader with a handsewn cover, a gift card to Barnes & Noble and the basket itself is a hand woven purse from South America.

Lots still to do, but we’re not leaving until Wednesday morning. Best thing? I’m on vacation now until Wed June 6!

 

Tuesday Truth

My truth for today: I have pneumonia. Made an appointment with a doctor about three weeks ago for my asthma/allergies. Things seem usually to get a little worse after March, and in the past I’ve been given a steroid shot that really helps. I’ve had a fever off and on for a month. I went to the doctor, she asked questions, listened to my lungs and ordered a chest X-ray. Then she told me I had pneumonia, wrote perscriptions for about 5 different drugs (antibiotics, prednisone, 2 diferent inhalers for my asthma and rhinocort)  and ordered a steroid shot, too.  She also recommended that I take a few days off work, and I want to. Oh, do I want to! But I’m on vacation starting next week and there is just too much for me to get done before I go.

 

So, that’s my Tuesday Truth! Next week, I promise a Teaser from Eddies’ Prize.

 

 

How To Make a Quick and Easy 1920s Party Dress

      I’m going to a Murder Mystery party in a few weeks, and the theme is Babes, Bootleg and Bodies. We’re all being asked to dress in the style of the 1920s.  I don’t have a pattern, but the styles of the 1920s are based on a simple, straight sillouette. It’s the fantastic beading that makes a dress stand out. Well, I haven’t the money or time for fancy beading, but I can eyeball a dress and figure out the basic pattern. And since I’m not the only one to ever need a pattern for a dress like this I thought I’d share the quick and dirty directions that I came up with. I’m not a professional costume designer, and these directions are basic, so I’m not guaranteeing a perfect end product. But maybe these will help.

First, get some measurements.
A = widest part of your body + 3 inches divided by 4.

      On me, that’s my bust. For you it might be your hips. So if your widest is 43 inches, add 3 (a total of 46) divide that by 4 and you have 11.5. Your “A” measurement is 11.5. 

B = Distance from top of shoulder to where the hem will be (usually about the knee) + 3.

      If your measurement from the top of your shoulder to your knee is 42 inches, add 3 for a total of 44. Your “B” is 45.  This determines how much fabric you need. Multiply B by 2. You will need 90 inches, or 2.5 yards.

C = Distance around arm, divided by 2.

      Measure from the top of your shoulder, through the armpit, and back to the shoulder, snugly.  If this is 20 inches, divide by 2. Your “C” is 10.

D = Distance from the center back neck to end of shoulder.

      Find the little bony bump at the base of the back of your neck and measure to where you want the outside of the shoulder of the dress to be. On mine, I wish I would have not gone so far out. I may trim that and re-sew it if I have time.

E = Top of Shoulder to Neckline

     Measure from the top of your shoulder, down your chest to where you want neckline of your dress to hit. In the 1920s some necklines were very deep, some were very modest. Please yourself.

Cut the Dress Out

Fold your fabric lengthwise, selvedge to selvedge (that’s the woven sides, not the cut ones) with the right side of the fabric inside.
Fold again crosswise (in quarters) so the cut ends are together. It’s like folding paper to make paper dolls. If you haven’t done this before, it might be a good idea to get a piece of paper and practice the next few steps in miniature.
The fabric should now equal measurement “A”.  The top fold will be the shoulders of the dress. Use a pin or chalk to mark the shoulder fold. Open the fabric again so  the selvedges are still together

     Mark and Cut Out Neckline

See the pin or chalk mark you just made? Let’s call that the shoulder. Measure 1 inch above the shoulder and use a pin or chalk to mark the back of the neck.
Measure 6 inches away from the fold. Mark.
Measure “E” from Shoulder. Mark.

Now you can decide if you want a V neck, a square neck or a round neck. Use chalk or pins to trace neck and cut. yay! You have a neck hole! Re-fold the fabric again in quarters so the cut edges are together.

      Mark and Cut Out Dress Body

From body fold, measure along shoulder fold the distance of “D”. Mark. (actually, since you’ve alread ycut out your neckline, you have to estimate where the body fold would be. Shouldn’t be too hard tho) From shoulder fold, measure down ”C”. Mark.
Measure “A” from fold near the cut edges , mark. Continue to mark “A” at 6 inch intervals as you go up. When you get to “C”, curve inward until you meet “D”.
Cut out dress.

Sew the Dress

Use seam binding (purchased or self-made) to bind the neck edge.
Make a narrow hem in arm opening.
Fold the dress right sides together and sew the side seams.
Turn up 1 inch hem and sew.

Note: I chose to do an asymmetrical hemline.

Basically, you’re done now.  You can go a step further and fancy your dress up with extra stuff if you want.

Embellish the Dress

Here’s the fun part. Let your imagination go. Make a sash. Add glitz. Fringe, beads, feathers, braids and trims were all used lavishly in the 1920s. Here are a few pics of actual dresses from the 1920s to give you some ideas.