Cardeno C.'s Blog, page 99
January 24, 2015
Happy Australia Day
(I’ve pulled some facts from a news article, just to entertain us all)
So it’s the Australia Day weekend. Yippee! That means hot weather, bbqs, sunburn and cricket. It was rather fortuitous that the First Fleet arrived during summer. If they’d arrived in the middle of winter, then Australia Day would be something entirely different.
Australia Day falls on the 26th of January each year and marks the anniversary of the landing of a group of ships from England (The First Fleet), sent to set up a penal colony. After 252 days at sea, the group of eleven ships carrying more than 1000 people (750 of whom were convicts) arrived at what we now know as Sydney. It was January 26, 1788.
The First Fleet ConvictsAccording to the first census of 1788 as reported by Governor Phillip to Lord Sydney, the white population of the colony was 1,030 and the colony also consisted of 7 horses, 29 sheep, 74 swine, 6 rabbits, and 7 cattle.
Fact One: The first police force in Australia was made up of the best-behaved convicts when, in 1789, the Night Watch and the Row Boat Guard were appointed by Governor Arthur Phillip.
I’m not sure how these people celebrated the first Australia Day – perhaps they slaughtered one of the sheep to celebrate – but I do know that those people were extremely brave. (And they should’ve never brought the damn rabbits!)
Now 227 years later we still celebrate by slaughtering sheep. Lamb chops are one of our favourite foods to consume on Australia Day. I’ll probably make a nice coleslaw and a tossed salad to go with it.
Watch Youtube Clip: STRAYA
Fact Two: Mt Kosciuszko, at 2228m, is Australia’s highest mountain. But the Mt Kosciuszko we know today is not the peak originally called Mt Kosciuszko. The Year Book Australia 1910 explains: “Various measurements of the peak originally called by that name showed it to be slightly lower than its neighbour, Mount Townsend, and the names were thereupon transposed by the New South Wales Lands Department, so that Mount Kosciusko still remains the highest peak of Australia”.
Australians celebrate our national day with a lot of fun. It usually involves swimming in some form, cooking meat on an open grill and flying our flag with pride. These days you can find hats, shirts, bikinis, thongs (shoes people - thongs are shoes!!), shorts, sunglasses, earrings and all manner of clothing plastered with the Australian flag (and all made in China). We chuck on the suncream and the zinc cream, and head outdoors, listening to the radio play all our favourite Aussie artists.In my younger days (ie before kids) we would head for the river in Perth. We would stake out our pozzie (slang for position) on the grass and spend the day playing cricket and swimming in the river. At sundown, a fireworks spectacular goes off from barges centred in the river – so we would lie back on our blankets and enjoy.
Last year (ie with kids) I spent the day on the beach in a gorgeous place called Dunsborough. The shallow inlet allowed the kids to swim and play on the beach all day. I lazed around in the beach tent, only arising to paddle out on the kayak to watch the fish swim by.
Fact Three: The world’s first “flash mob” occurred at a Tasmanian prison in 1832 when 300 women convicts stood as one and bared their buttocks at the visiting Governor during an assembly. The convicts at the Cascades Female Factory collectively spun around, lifted their skirts and slapped their bottoms at the Governor, Sir John Franklin, his wife and the reverend William Bedford “making a not very musical noise’’.
Cottesloe Beach - The Havana Thong ChallengeAm I a proud Aussie? You betcha! I hauled out my giant flag a couple of days ago and stuck it on a stick out the front of my house. Come Monday I’ll be listening to Midnight Oil, AC/DC and Kylie. In my novel Safe In His Arms, Casey celebrates Australia Day by heading to Cottesloe Beach (see pic to see how beautiful this is). This is a popular hang out with the young crowd, although the cops will be cracking down on drinking, since it’s illegal to drink on the beach.
However, my newest novel (Shawn’s Law, coming March 6th) focuses on a different aspect of Australia. After writing Safe I needed some cheering up from all that darkness. So I wrote a comedy. Usually I like to portray Perth as a beautiful place to visit with wonderful beaches and lovely people (because this isn’t lying), but for Shawn’s Law I decided to freak out the tourists. As I started the novel, I idly wondered how many Australian animals I could get to attack my MC before the end of the book.
Turns out that I couldn’t get all the animals, but I managed to get some good ones in. **wink**
Fact Four: The humble platypus has venom strong enough to kill a small dog. The poison is delivered via small spurs on their back legs. In one case report, a 57-year-old man who grabbed one of the small mammals while fishing said the pain was “so bad I started to become incoherent”
Fact Five: Of the world’s deadliest snakes, numbers 1 to 11 come from Australia, and 20 of the top 25. The inland taipan is the world’s deadliest snake at No. 1.
So I hope you enjoy Shawn’s Law. It’s a story of how the unluckiest man in Perth (Shawn) got lucky by falling love with Harley. And of course, how could it be a Renae Kaye novel without some great secondary characters. And two dogs named Benny. Doesn’t every book have two dogs named Benny?
Fact Six: The dingo fence, which stretches from the Great Australian Bight in South Australia to central Queensland, is the longest fence in the world (5530km). It is about twice as long as the Great Wall of China.And while I’m reading all these facts about Australia, I really didn’t need to know this last one:
Fact Seven: Australia has notoriously slow internet download speeds. According to NetIndex, in 2014 we were ranked 58th in the world, slower than Kazakhstan, Madagascar and Vanuatu.
So happy Australia Day to you all. If you can decipher the following terms and phrases, then you are True Blue.
Check out this site for some more aussie humour: http://www.thepoke.co.uk/2015/01/22/30-reasons-to-love-australia/
How to contact Renae:Email: renaekaye@iinet.net.auWebsite: www.renaekaye.weebly.comFB: www.facebook.com/renae.kaye.9 Twitter: @renaekkaye
January 21, 2015
Love Means.... The End
Last Friday was the release of Love Means... Endurance, the last story in the Farm series. It was a difficult decision to say goodbye to characters I have loved so very much, but its time. Geoff and Eli along with all their friends at Laughton Farms will live on in my heart, but its time to let them have their happy endings as one bug family. I wrote the first story Love Means... No Shame in early 2009 and for all that time whenever I needed peace in my writing, I went back to the farm. In a way I probably always will.
I think Geoff and Eli each represent a part of myself that I hope will live on for a along time. These two men, filled with compassion, love, and guts are what I hope is the best of who I am. So I'm sure you'll see pieces of them in my writing, just like there is a piece of me in every story. So spend a final time on the farm and find out what Love Means...
Blurb:
Together for over ten years, Geoff and Eli built a fulfilling life. Their love and support helped raise their adopted son. Their hard work and dedication grew their farm from raising cattle and boarding horses to expanding into therapy riding sessions. Surrounded by a loving circle of friends, Geoff and Eli couldn’t ask for more. Until driven Eli loses his energy, and the doctor gives them the dire diagnosis of cancer.
Caught up in never-ending doctor’s appointments, surgeries, and treatments, their world turns upside down. With so many people dependent on them, they must pull together to put on a brave face, continue living as best they can, and care for their family. Geoff fears Eli, the love of his life, while a fighter, may not endure this battle, but neither is willing to consider succumbing as an option.
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5952
Excerpt:
“Papa, I got Strawberry’s stall cleaned out,” Jakey called.“I’ll look at it and help him with the rest of his chores. You do what you need to.” Geoff knew Robbie would take care of what he could in the office. The rest could wait. He kissed Eli quickly and walked to Strawberry’s stall. Jakey had done a good job of clearing away the soiled bedding. They had him do that stall because it was the smallest and didn’t take too long. “Okay. That looks good.” He turned to smile at his son, resting his hand lightly on his shoulder. “I’ll bring in the sawdust, and you can spread it for him. Then you and I can feed and water all the horses.”They got busy. Geoff hauled, and Jakey spread. Then Geoff helped him carry water and fill all the troughs. He also explained to Jakey how much hay each horse got, and they cleaned out mangers and refilled them with fresh hay.“What else do I have to do, Dad?”“You need to sweep the center aisle of the barn, and do a good job. Then you can go inside to finish your homework at the kitchen table. Once that’s done, you can call your friends.” Geoff checked around the barn. “When they’re over, you remember the rules?”Jakey nodded seriously. “No playing around the horses. Stay out of the paddocks, and no one is to go up in the hayloft.” He paused. “And don’t let them ride Grace—she is not a pony.”“Very good.” The last time they had been up in the loft, he’d found opened bales and piles of hay that had been used to make forts. That wasn’t going to happen again. “They can come over after Papa is done with his therapy riding, so you’ll need to ask him what time he thinks is good. But you have to have your homework done first. So the sooner you sweep and get it done, the sooner you can call your friends.” Geoff was firm with Jakey, though he always made sure chores and homework were rewarded in the end.“I will, Dad,” Jakey said, rushing to the tack room. He came out with the broom and walked to the far end of the barn, then started to sweep with a vengeance. Geoff grinned at his energy and figured it was best to help him get some of it out constructively.“And watch out for the horses as Papa’s students arrive.”“I will,” Jakey said without looking up. He was heads-down sweeping. Geoff knew that would last about ten minutes, so he checked all the stalls, spot-cleaned the worst spots, and hauled out the mulch. The great thing about spring was that the horses spent more time outside, so there was less cleaning to do. By the time he was done, students had started arriving, and Jakey was reaching the front door of the barn. Geoff checked on his work and helped Jakey pick up the sweepings. They never just swept it outside. It was best to pick it up in case anything got swept up that shouldn’t be there. They had found tacks, bits of plastic, and other debris that was best gone forever and not tracked back inside.“You did very well. Go see Robbie after your homework and he’ll pay you.” Geoff believed in paying Jakey for his work, just like everyone else who worked for him. His father had done the same, and it had helped Geoff learn the value of work. It also meant that as he got older he didn’t feel like an indentured servant, the way some of his classmates in school had. His work had been valued, just like Jakey’s was.Jakey hurried to put the broom away and then ran toward the barn door.“Jakey,” Geoff said, and he slowed to a walk without stopping. Once he was outside, he took off toward the house and immediately disappeared from sight.Eli’s students began to arrive, and the barn filled with their voices as they saddled their horses. Geoff checked that Eli didn’t need anything before going to his office. The one thing about a farm was that the work was never done, even office work. There were books to be done, herd records to be updated, invoices to pay, and money received and payments to follow up on as well as plans to be developed and updated.Jakey was at the kitchen table with his math book open, working on his problems, when Geoff came in. He looked over Jakey’s shoulders as he worked. Since Eli had freed him of the burden of showing his work, Jakey was filling in the answers one after the other, and they were all correct. They definitely needed to speak to his teacher. It didn’t take Jakey long before he held up the page for Geoff to look over. It looked good to him. He nodded, and Jakey closed his book and put it in his school pack.Geoff went to his office. It wasn’t necessary for him to listen as Jakey called Mark and Juan to ask them over.Robbie was busy working at his desk, headphones over his ears. Geoff knew he was listening as a computer voice guided him. There was also an embosser attached to the computer so Robbie could print out what he needed in Braille. He and Robbie had worked together for years, and Robbie had a real knack for coordination and detail. Most people, when they arranged for lessons or classes, had no idea that Robbie couldn’t see. Geoff went to his desk and got to work. He sent Robbie a message to tell him that Jakey would be in to be paid and how much. It seemed dumb to text when they were in the same room, but it allowed Robbie to stay focused, and he’d listen to it when he got a chance.On weekends he tried to be done in the early afternoons so he would have time with the family. He’d been working about an hour when Jakey rushed in, breathless.“Robbie has your money,” Geoff said.“Daddy,” Jakey gasped. “Papa fell in the barn. Uncle Joey said to get you.”“Is he hurt?” Geoff asked as he stood and came around the desk. Robbie had taken off his headphones and was listening.“He fell and isn’t getting up,” Jakey said, and Geoff heard the panic in his voice.
I think Geoff and Eli each represent a part of myself that I hope will live on for a along time. These two men, filled with compassion, love, and guts are what I hope is the best of who I am. So I'm sure you'll see pieces of them in my writing, just like there is a piece of me in every story. So spend a final time on the farm and find out what Love Means...
Blurb:
Together for over ten years, Geoff and Eli built a fulfilling life. Their love and support helped raise their adopted son. Their hard work and dedication grew their farm from raising cattle and boarding horses to expanding into therapy riding sessions. Surrounded by a loving circle of friends, Geoff and Eli couldn’t ask for more. Until driven Eli loses his energy, and the doctor gives them the dire diagnosis of cancer.
Caught up in never-ending doctor’s appointments, surgeries, and treatments, their world turns upside down. With so many people dependent on them, they must pull together to put on a brave face, continue living as best they can, and care for their family. Geoff fears Eli, the love of his life, while a fighter, may not endure this battle, but neither is willing to consider succumbing as an option.
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5952
Excerpt:
“Papa, I got Strawberry’s stall cleaned out,” Jakey called.“I’ll look at it and help him with the rest of his chores. You do what you need to.” Geoff knew Robbie would take care of what he could in the office. The rest could wait. He kissed Eli quickly and walked to Strawberry’s stall. Jakey had done a good job of clearing away the soiled bedding. They had him do that stall because it was the smallest and didn’t take too long. “Okay. That looks good.” He turned to smile at his son, resting his hand lightly on his shoulder. “I’ll bring in the sawdust, and you can spread it for him. Then you and I can feed and water all the horses.”They got busy. Geoff hauled, and Jakey spread. Then Geoff helped him carry water and fill all the troughs. He also explained to Jakey how much hay each horse got, and they cleaned out mangers and refilled them with fresh hay.“What else do I have to do, Dad?”“You need to sweep the center aisle of the barn, and do a good job. Then you can go inside to finish your homework at the kitchen table. Once that’s done, you can call your friends.” Geoff checked around the barn. “When they’re over, you remember the rules?”Jakey nodded seriously. “No playing around the horses. Stay out of the paddocks, and no one is to go up in the hayloft.” He paused. “And don’t let them ride Grace—she is not a pony.”“Very good.” The last time they had been up in the loft, he’d found opened bales and piles of hay that had been used to make forts. That wasn’t going to happen again. “They can come over after Papa is done with his therapy riding, so you’ll need to ask him what time he thinks is good. But you have to have your homework done first. So the sooner you sweep and get it done, the sooner you can call your friends.” Geoff was firm with Jakey, though he always made sure chores and homework were rewarded in the end.“I will, Dad,” Jakey said, rushing to the tack room. He came out with the broom and walked to the far end of the barn, then started to sweep with a vengeance. Geoff grinned at his energy and figured it was best to help him get some of it out constructively.“And watch out for the horses as Papa’s students arrive.”“I will,” Jakey said without looking up. He was heads-down sweeping. Geoff knew that would last about ten minutes, so he checked all the stalls, spot-cleaned the worst spots, and hauled out the mulch. The great thing about spring was that the horses spent more time outside, so there was less cleaning to do. By the time he was done, students had started arriving, and Jakey was reaching the front door of the barn. Geoff checked on his work and helped Jakey pick up the sweepings. They never just swept it outside. It was best to pick it up in case anything got swept up that shouldn’t be there. They had found tacks, bits of plastic, and other debris that was best gone forever and not tracked back inside.“You did very well. Go see Robbie after your homework and he’ll pay you.” Geoff believed in paying Jakey for his work, just like everyone else who worked for him. His father had done the same, and it had helped Geoff learn the value of work. It also meant that as he got older he didn’t feel like an indentured servant, the way some of his classmates in school had. His work had been valued, just like Jakey’s was.Jakey hurried to put the broom away and then ran toward the barn door.“Jakey,” Geoff said, and he slowed to a walk without stopping. Once he was outside, he took off toward the house and immediately disappeared from sight.Eli’s students began to arrive, and the barn filled with their voices as they saddled their horses. Geoff checked that Eli didn’t need anything before going to his office. The one thing about a farm was that the work was never done, even office work. There were books to be done, herd records to be updated, invoices to pay, and money received and payments to follow up on as well as plans to be developed and updated.Jakey was at the kitchen table with his math book open, working on his problems, when Geoff came in. He looked over Jakey’s shoulders as he worked. Since Eli had freed him of the burden of showing his work, Jakey was filling in the answers one after the other, and they were all correct. They definitely needed to speak to his teacher. It didn’t take Jakey long before he held up the page for Geoff to look over. It looked good to him. He nodded, and Jakey closed his book and put it in his school pack.Geoff went to his office. It wasn’t necessary for him to listen as Jakey called Mark and Juan to ask them over.Robbie was busy working at his desk, headphones over his ears. Geoff knew he was listening as a computer voice guided him. There was also an embosser attached to the computer so Robbie could print out what he needed in Braille. He and Robbie had worked together for years, and Robbie had a real knack for coordination and detail. Most people, when they arranged for lessons or classes, had no idea that Robbie couldn’t see. Geoff went to his desk and got to work. He sent Robbie a message to tell him that Jakey would be in to be paid and how much. It seemed dumb to text when they were in the same room, but it allowed Robbie to stay focused, and he’d listen to it when he got a chance.On weekends he tried to be done in the early afternoons so he would have time with the family. He’d been working about an hour when Jakey rushed in, breathless.“Robbie has your money,” Geoff said.“Daddy,” Jakey gasped. “Papa fell in the barn. Uncle Joey said to get you.”“Is he hurt?” Geoff asked as he stood and came around the desk. Robbie had taken off his headphones and was listening.“He fell and isn’t getting up,” Jakey said, and Geoff heard the panic in his voice.
January 20, 2015
A Few of our Favorite Things
<BA> boooo
[sean] eeeek!
[sean] ;)
[sean] so, favorite things!
[sean] Favorite Color?
<BA> heee!
<BA> PINK
[sean] purple
<julia> uh
<julia> turquoise
[sean] Favorite Song?
[sean] I know this one is unfair, but choose anyway ;)
<BA> oh... I have lots.
<julia> Real Good Man by Tim McGraw
<BA> The Cowboy In Me by Tim McGraw. I sang it to Julia for our wedding.
<julia> heee
<julia> she did
<julia> and that is overall btw
[sean] that's the best answer
<julia> today my favorite is Ain't Worth the Whiskey
[sean] one of my all time favorites is Lighting Crashes by Live
<julia> oh I like that one
<julia> hee
<julia> as long as it's not Nickelback
<BA> my current favorite is Take Me to Church
[sean] oh, yes, that's a new favorite
[sean] Favorite Season?
<BA> Spring
<julia> Fall
[sean] anyone who knows me, knows my answer to this one *grins*
[sean] WINTER!!!!!!
<BA> yes, weirdo
<julia> weirdo
[sean] yep ;)
[sean] Favorite Comfort Food?
<julia> pizza
[sean] grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup
[sean] and I mean the kraft singles cheese in the sandwiches -- I like all types of grilled cheese, but the kraft singles ones are the comfort food
<julia> lol
<julia> I haven't had those in years
<BA> hamburgers and fries
<julia> I think they have wheat in them
[sean] yum
[sean] is anyone else getting hungry?
<BA> we're cooking bacon
<BA> so yes
<BA> the house smells SO GOOD
[sean] put a couple slices on for me!
[sean] Favorite "Fancy" Food?
[sean] Scallops
<BA> hrm
<BA> Risotto, I think
<julia> lobster
[sean] Favorite Fairy Tale?
<BA> I'm not particularly fancy food-wise, just give me something yummy
<julia> well this breaks into 2 parts
[sean] are you saying you're easy, BA?
<julia> Disney and not
<BA> Always. :D
<julia> Disney-wise my favorite is the Little Mermaid
[sean] LOL
<julia> literature wise, Cinderella
[sean] julia, non-disney wise my favourite it the Little Mermaid
[sean] I love Hans Christian Anderson's version
[sean] and no, I lie
[sean] The Little Matchgirl (also a Hans Christian Anderson)
<BA> for Disney (and I'm a HUGE Disney fan), my favorite is Beauty and the Beast
<BA> and I love Paul Bunyan
[sean] Tangled was probably my favorite Disney version fairly tale
<BA> oh, that grossed me out
<BA> with the whole hair thing
<julia> she can't even watch it
[sean] didn't like the hair?
[sean] heeee
<BA> I couldn't watch it
<julia> it's like Japanese horror
<BA> the commercials made me gag
<BA> YES
[sean] lol
[sean] Favorite Timewaster?
<julia> Facebook
[sean] I have a jigsaw puzzle ap...
<BA> I love that silly jigsaw puzzle thing!
<BA> I love puzzles
<BA> full stop
<julia> I read magazines, too
<BA> I play a crossword with Julia every night
<julia> heee
<julia> nods
[sean] oh cool
<BA> and a fill in puzzle
<BA> and a jigsaw puzzle
[sean] Favoite Time of Day?
<BA> and a hidden object puzzle
<BA> I'm a morning person, assuming morning starts at 8ish
<julia> 6pm
[sean] I'm a night owl and even if I'm sick, I start feeling better around 8pm
<julia> just after supper when we settle in with no deadlines
<julia> no work
<julia> just us and the TV and some chatting
<BA> and snuggly puppies
<julia> yes!
<BA> Favorite Book
[sean] oh lord
<julia> ack
<julia> Borrower of the Night, by Elizabeth Peters
[sean] Coming Through Slaughter by Michael Ondaatje
<BA> Little Women by Alcott
[sean] Favorite Junk Food?
<julia> ahhhhhh
<julia> so many
<julia> so little time
[sean] heeeee
<julia> chocolate
<julia> in all forms
[sean] for me it used to be a coke and a bag of salt and vinegar chips
<julia> cake, pie, cookies, raisins
[sean] but I don't drink coke anymore and the chips just aren't the same without it
<julia> lol
[sean] the answer is probably still chips, though
[sean] BA either cannot choose or is not swayed by junk food ;)
<BA> popcorn
<BA> just plain old popcorn
[sean] Favorite Wierd Food?
<BA> peanut butter and pickle sandwiches
[sean] I don't think it's weird, but I know most of the world does -- poutine - which is fries, cheese curds and gravy
[sean] okay, BA,you win
<julia> LOL
<julia> man now I want to come up with something bizarre
[sean] I mean, you haven't given yours yet, Julia, but I'm not sure you can top that
<julia> but I used to love Texas Toast with ketchup
<julia> like at the steak house
[sean] I used to make ketchup sandwiches when I was a kid
[sean] of course, I also used to pour vinegar in a glass and drink it
<julia> pickle juice
<julia> BA makes me drink it when queasy
[sean] and it helps?
<julia> yep
[sean] neat
[sean] okay, my to do list is getting longer by the minute
<julia> okay honey
<julia> hugs
[sean] don't do anything I wouldn't do!
[sean] ;)
<BA> LOL
<BA> I was cooking eggs to go with bacon
[sean] I would do that, so you're safe
<BA> LOL
<BA> dork
[sean] always :)
<BA> happy birthday week, btw
[sean] thank you!
<julia> waves and yes
<julia> hippo birdie week
[sean] ciao
<julia> laters
<BA> Love you!
<BA> *waves*
If you have a topic you’d like us to chat about (or any other favorite things you'd like us to share), please let us know. We’re totally up for that.
You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga.
Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com
BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com
Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelW...
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbota...
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
[sean] eeeek!
[sean] ;)
[sean] so, favorite things!
[sean] Favorite Color?
<BA> heee!
<BA> PINK
[sean] purple
<julia> uh
<julia> turquoise
[sean] Favorite Song?
[sean] I know this one is unfair, but choose anyway ;)
<BA> oh... I have lots.
<julia> Real Good Man by Tim McGraw
<BA> The Cowboy In Me by Tim McGraw. I sang it to Julia for our wedding.
<julia> heee
<julia> she did
<julia> and that is overall btw
[sean] that's the best answer
<julia> today my favorite is Ain't Worth the Whiskey
[sean] one of my all time favorites is Lighting Crashes by Live
<julia> oh I like that one
<julia> hee
<julia> as long as it's not Nickelback
<BA> my current favorite is Take Me to Church
[sean] oh, yes, that's a new favorite
[sean] Favorite Season?
<BA> Spring
<julia> Fall
[sean] anyone who knows me, knows my answer to this one *grins*
[sean] WINTER!!!!!!
<BA> yes, weirdo
<julia> weirdo
[sean] yep ;)
[sean] Favorite Comfort Food?
<julia> pizza
[sean] grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup
[sean] and I mean the kraft singles cheese in the sandwiches -- I like all types of grilled cheese, but the kraft singles ones are the comfort food
<julia> lol
<julia> I haven't had those in years
<BA> hamburgers and fries
<julia> I think they have wheat in them
[sean] yum
[sean] is anyone else getting hungry?
<BA> we're cooking bacon
<BA> so yes
<BA> the house smells SO GOOD
[sean] put a couple slices on for me!
[sean] Favorite "Fancy" Food?
[sean] Scallops
<BA> hrm
<BA> Risotto, I think
<julia> lobster
[sean] Favorite Fairy Tale?
<BA> I'm not particularly fancy food-wise, just give me something yummy
<julia> well this breaks into 2 parts
[sean] are you saying you're easy, BA?
<julia> Disney and not
<BA> Always. :D
<julia> Disney-wise my favorite is the Little Mermaid
[sean] LOL
<julia> literature wise, Cinderella
[sean] julia, non-disney wise my favourite it the Little Mermaid
[sean] I love Hans Christian Anderson's version
[sean] and no, I lie
[sean] The Little Matchgirl (also a Hans Christian Anderson)
<BA> for Disney (and I'm a HUGE Disney fan), my favorite is Beauty and the Beast
<BA> and I love Paul Bunyan
[sean] Tangled was probably my favorite Disney version fairly tale
<BA> oh, that grossed me out
<BA> with the whole hair thing
<julia> she can't even watch it
[sean] didn't like the hair?
[sean] heeee
<BA> I couldn't watch it
<julia> it's like Japanese horror
<BA> the commercials made me gag
<BA> YES
[sean] lol
[sean] Favorite Timewaster?
<julia> Facebook
[sean] I have a jigsaw puzzle ap...
<BA> I love that silly jigsaw puzzle thing!
<BA> I love puzzles
<BA> full stop
<julia> I read magazines, too
<BA> I play a crossword with Julia every night
<julia> heee
<julia> nods
[sean] oh cool
<BA> and a fill in puzzle
<BA> and a jigsaw puzzle
[sean] Favoite Time of Day?
<BA> and a hidden object puzzle
<BA> I'm a morning person, assuming morning starts at 8ish
<julia> 6pm
[sean] I'm a night owl and even if I'm sick, I start feeling better around 8pm
<julia> just after supper when we settle in with no deadlines
<julia> no work
<julia> just us and the TV and some chatting
<BA> and snuggly puppies
<julia> yes!
<BA> Favorite Book
[sean] oh lord
<julia> ack
<julia> Borrower of the Night, by Elizabeth Peters
[sean] Coming Through Slaughter by Michael Ondaatje
<BA> Little Women by Alcott
[sean] Favorite Junk Food?
<julia> ahhhhhh
<julia> so many
<julia> so little time
[sean] heeeee
<julia> chocolate
<julia> in all forms
[sean] for me it used to be a coke and a bag of salt and vinegar chips
<julia> cake, pie, cookies, raisins
[sean] but I don't drink coke anymore and the chips just aren't the same without it
<julia> lol
[sean] the answer is probably still chips, though
[sean] BA either cannot choose or is not swayed by junk food ;)
<BA> popcorn
<BA> just plain old popcorn
[sean] Favorite Wierd Food?
<BA> peanut butter and pickle sandwiches
[sean] I don't think it's weird, but I know most of the world does -- poutine - which is fries, cheese curds and gravy
[sean] okay, BA,you win
<julia> LOL
<julia> man now I want to come up with something bizarre
[sean] I mean, you haven't given yours yet, Julia, but I'm not sure you can top that
<julia> but I used to love Texas Toast with ketchup
<julia> like at the steak house
[sean] I used to make ketchup sandwiches when I was a kid
[sean] of course, I also used to pour vinegar in a glass and drink it
<julia> pickle juice
<julia> BA makes me drink it when queasy
[sean] and it helps?
<julia> yep
[sean] neat
[sean] okay, my to do list is getting longer by the minute
<julia> okay honey
<julia> hugs
[sean] don't do anything I wouldn't do!
[sean] ;)
<BA> LOL
<BA> I was cooking eggs to go with bacon
[sean] I would do that, so you're safe
<BA> LOL
<BA> dork
[sean] always :)
<BA> happy birthday week, btw
[sean] thank you!
<julia> waves and yes
<julia> hippo birdie week
[sean] ciao
<julia> laters
<BA> Love you!
<BA> *waves*
If you have a topic you’d like us to chat about (or any other favorite things you'd like us to share), please let us know. We’re totally up for that.
You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga.
Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com
BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com
Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelW...
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbota...
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
January 19, 2015
I Tried It At Home - Peeling Garlic by Cardeno C.
Happy Monday! Last week, I saw this intriguing video about a simple, clean, fast way to peel garlic. Basically you put the whole bulb in a small jar, shake, and magically the peel just falls right off. Easy, breezy, and your hands don't smell like garlic. Want to see how this went for me?
Step one: Here was my bulb of garlic:
Step two: The video said I could just toss the whole thing in the jar, but I thought I'd increase my chances of success by cutting off the base, rubbing off the flaky skin, and putting the rest in the jar. That didn't take long and I was hoping for a cleaner more successful outcome.
Step three is the jar part. Bit of a hick-up here. Apparently my shaking was too vigorous and my hands were too slippery. (Sidenote: I'm in the midst of writing a sex scene right now so maybe it's just me, but this whole description is sounding a tad smutty.) Anyway, here's what happened to the first jar.
Step four was unexpected clean up. This step alone took this whole project out of the "time saving: realm.
Step five: New jar, garlic placed.
Step six: Shook and shook and this is what happened (note the mostly still intact, though likely bruised, garlic cloves).
Step seven: I took out the "peeled" garlic and the excess skin. The peeled garlic wasn't fully peeled so I had to finish it by hand and ended up doing the knife smash, which worked as usual.
Step eight: More shaking and maybe a bit more peeled garlic.
Step nine: I gave up, took out the garlic, did the knife smash, and put it in a jar with olive oil.
Bottom line: I broke a jar, had to sweep my kitchen, bruised my garlic, and ended up doing the same knife smash I always do. On the plus side, I got some arm exercise in late at night and I like the smell of garlic so garlic hands aren't a bad thing.
If you try this at home, share your stories, successes, and pictures in the comments. Also, if you see a kitchen idea video that claims to make life easier and you want to know if it works, send it my way. I'm game for another experiment.
I hope you have a great week.
CC
www.cardenoc.com
Step one: Here was my bulb of garlic:
Step two: The video said I could just toss the whole thing in the jar, but I thought I'd increase my chances of success by cutting off the base, rubbing off the flaky skin, and putting the rest in the jar. That didn't take long and I was hoping for a cleaner more successful outcome.
Step three is the jar part. Bit of a hick-up here. Apparently my shaking was too vigorous and my hands were too slippery. (Sidenote: I'm in the midst of writing a sex scene right now so maybe it's just me, but this whole description is sounding a tad smutty.) Anyway, here's what happened to the first jar.
Step four was unexpected clean up. This step alone took this whole project out of the "time saving: realm.
Step five: New jar, garlic placed.
Step six: Shook and shook and this is what happened (note the mostly still intact, though likely bruised, garlic cloves).
Step seven: I took out the "peeled" garlic and the excess skin. The peeled garlic wasn't fully peeled so I had to finish it by hand and ended up doing the knife smash, which worked as usual.
Step eight: More shaking and maybe a bit more peeled garlic.
Step nine: I gave up, took out the garlic, did the knife smash, and put it in a jar with olive oil.
Bottom line: I broke a jar, had to sweep my kitchen, bruised my garlic, and ended up doing the same knife smash I always do. On the plus side, I got some arm exercise in late at night and I like the smell of garlic so garlic hands aren't a bad thing.
If you try this at home, share your stories, successes, and pictures in the comments. Also, if you see a kitchen idea video that claims to make life easier and you want to know if it works, send it my way. I'm game for another experiment.
I hope you have a great week.
CC
www.cardenoc.com
January 17, 2015
Proverbs for the new world
What’s your favourite saying or proverb? “All’s fair in love and war”? “Don’t blow your own trumpet”? “Easy come, easy go”?
My mother’s favourite saying is “Reap what you sow.”
I have to admit I like that one and I try to live by it, treating others as I would like them to treat me. It took me a long time to understand what my mother was saying with this one when I was a child. I knew that if my father planted seeds in the paddock, then he reaped hay. I tried to work out how you would plant one type of seed, but reap another. Or perhaps, my young brain tried to figure, it was about stealing and reaping other people’s hay.
Perhaps we need to rewrite these proverbs into a language that kids in the 21st century would understand. At university (all those years ago) I was introduced to the concept of “Garbage in, garbage out.” They were referring to computer programming, but it has grown since then. I think a lot of kids have heard this and understand it. It can be applied to programming, but also for things like healthy eating, friendships and watching TV. If all the kids watch is violence on TV (garbage in), then what are they going to do in life (garbage out)?
A couple of days ago I posted on FB my 21st century translation of “You catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar.” My translation is, "You will get more achieved with a polite email, than a rant on social media.”
My husband’s favourite saying is “Measure twice, cut once.” Sage advice when it comes to wood-working, but very true when it comes to life too. Maybe we should be saying in the 21st century “Check your facts before you post.” Or given the explosion of twitter, “Check your spelling before you post.” **facepalm**
Two proverbs that I used to get me through those awkward teen years came from two unlikely sources. The first one was on a badge that someone gave me when I was a little girl. It said “The smile you send will be returned to you.” Even as I think about it now, it is true on so many levels. From the simple smiling at a stranger who automatically smiles back at you, to the more complex thought of how you live your life will rebound on you.
The other saying that helped me as a teen came from the musical The Sound Of Music. In one scene, Maria says, “When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.” Now, you don’t have to believe in God to believe in the meaning of this proverb. Don’t sit there and stare at the door that is closed to you, because you could be missing out on the windows of life. I clung to this as a teen. As an adult, I still do.
Recently a friendship of mine ended abruptly. I stared at that closed door for a while. I wandered around in the darkness of the room for a while. Then I looked up and noticed the open windows. I peeked into one of those windows. I said hello, and found a new friend. Shirley Ozment (writing under the name of SA Ozment) is a new author at Dreamspinner whose first book Illusions is released on the 13th of February. In saying hello, I was staying true to a number of my personal beliefs.
When I stepped out into the social media world last year to whisper that I had a book coming out, several people welcomed me. Authors were sooo goddamn nice (and I’m lookin’ at you Cardeno!), helping me and telling me it was going to all be okay. I welcomed their advice and have tried to follow it. Their friendship has helped me through five releases. So now I hope to pay it forward and help the new author who is in the exact position I was in ten months ago. So welcome Shirley – we’re happy to have you around.
It is also funny as to where help comes from in this world. Several months back Anna Sikorska was contracted by Dreamspinner to give me a cover for Safe In His Arms. (And goshdamn, didn’t she do a great job?). From there I contacted her on social media and thanked her. Even though she was on the other side of the world, she in turn introduced me to a friend of hers, a fabulous author in my own city, Pia Foxhall. Pia is a wonderful person, and through our chats she’s now introduced me to an editor she knows.
As a result I’ve taken my first step along the path to get my m/f book published – which is enquiring about editing fees. Oh, I know I am a huge way off, but I stepped out on that path. I’m holding Pia’s hand as she waits for the answer on her book submission, and maybe, Pia will just end up holding my hand.
There are lots of proverbs and sayings. Some ring true. Some, perhaps, more than others:
“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” - Okay! (And please tell me I’m not the only one who put a sexual spin on that…)
My mother’s favourite saying is “Reap what you sow.”
I have to admit I like that one and I try to live by it, treating others as I would like them to treat me. It took me a long time to understand what my mother was saying with this one when I was a child. I knew that if my father planted seeds in the paddock, then he reaped hay. I tried to work out how you would plant one type of seed, but reap another. Or perhaps, my young brain tried to figure, it was about stealing and reaping other people’s hay.Perhaps we need to rewrite these proverbs into a language that kids in the 21st century would understand. At university (all those years ago) I was introduced to the concept of “Garbage in, garbage out.” They were referring to computer programming, but it has grown since then. I think a lot of kids have heard this and understand it. It can be applied to programming, but also for things like healthy eating, friendships and watching TV. If all the kids watch is violence on TV (garbage in), then what are they going to do in life (garbage out)?
A couple of days ago I posted on FB my 21st century translation of “You catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar.” My translation is, "You will get more achieved with a polite email, than a rant on social media.”
My husband’s favourite saying is “Measure twice, cut once.” Sage advice when it comes to wood-working, but very true when it comes to life too. Maybe we should be saying in the 21st century “Check your facts before you post.” Or given the explosion of twitter, “Check your spelling before you post.” **facepalm**
Two proverbs that I used to get me through those awkward teen years came from two unlikely sources. The first one was on a badge that someone gave me when I was a little girl. It said “The smile you send will be returned to you.” Even as I think about it now, it is true on so many levels. From the simple smiling at a stranger who automatically smiles back at you, to the more complex thought of how you live your life will rebound on you.
The other saying that helped me as a teen came from the musical The Sound Of Music. In one scene, Maria says, “When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.” Now, you don’t have to believe in God to believe in the meaning of this proverb. Don’t sit there and stare at the door that is closed to you, because you could be missing out on the windows of life. I clung to this as a teen. As an adult, I still do.
Recently a friendship of mine ended abruptly. I stared at that closed door for a while. I wandered around in the darkness of the room for a while. Then I looked up and noticed the open windows. I peeked into one of those windows. I said hello, and found a new friend. Shirley Ozment (writing under the name of SA Ozment) is a new author at Dreamspinner whose first book Illusions is released on the 13th of February. In saying hello, I was staying true to a number of my personal beliefs.When I stepped out into the social media world last year to whisper that I had a book coming out, several people welcomed me. Authors were sooo goddamn nice (and I’m lookin’ at you Cardeno!), helping me and telling me it was going to all be okay. I welcomed their advice and have tried to follow it. Their friendship has helped me through five releases. So now I hope to pay it forward and help the new author who is in the exact position I was in ten months ago. So welcome Shirley – we’re happy to have you around.
It is also funny as to where help comes from in this world. Several months back Anna Sikorska was contracted by Dreamspinner to give me a cover for Safe In His Arms. (And goshdamn, didn’t she do a great job?). From there I contacted her on social media and thanked her. Even though she was on the other side of the world, she in turn introduced me to a friend of hers, a fabulous author in my own city, Pia Foxhall. Pia is a wonderful person, and through our chats she’s now introduced me to an editor she knows.As a result I’ve taken my first step along the path to get my m/f book published – which is enquiring about editing fees. Oh, I know I am a huge way off, but I stepped out on that path. I’m holding Pia’s hand as she waits for the answer on her book submission, and maybe, Pia will just end up holding my hand.
There are lots of proverbs and sayings. Some ring true. Some, perhaps, more than others:
“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” - Okay! (And please tell me I’m not the only one who put a sexual spin on that…)
January 14, 2015
Ask Andrew - Writing Education
Dear Andrew, The French writer Emile Zola said "The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work." You definitely have a gift, but how did you learn your craft? Did you take writing lessons or are you an autodidact? Cordially, Madeleine Dear Madeleine My education consisted of American High School followed by 4 years of college where I studied business. I did my post graduate work in Management Information Systems. I know that seems about as exciting as reading a telephone book. At the time I thought that was where my passion was. I've always been a good student and I did well. But other than composition classes where they taught us how to write papers, letters, and all that sort of thing, I never took any other type of writing class. I discovered my gift for storytelling quite by accident. I got an idea in early 2007 and sat down to see if I could write the story. My first draft read more like a research paper than a narrative, but I had actually done it. I wrote an entire novel length story and it was reasonably cohesive. The thing was, I had actually done it and of course, right after that I wrote another and then a third. Dominic worked with me a lot to help refine my language skills. (That's a nice way of saying he pointed out what I was doing wrong so all my sentences didn't sound the same.) And we talked over story ideas and plots. At the beginning I wrote very slowly and it wasn't until a few years later that the stories began to pile up inside and then sort of fall out of me. I have attended craft talks as well as given a few, I've spoken to other writers in order to get their insight, but mostly when it comes to honing my craft, I owe a great deal to my editors and the people I work with a Dreamspinner. They published my early work and took a chance on me. So for anyone out there with the urge to give story telling a try, I say got for it. You never know what you're capable of until you try!!!! Hugs and LoveAndrew
Ask Andrew is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.
So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
Follow him on Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
Visit Andrew's web site: www,andrewgreybooks.com
Ask Andrew is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
Follow him on Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
Visit Andrew's web site: www,andrewgreybooks.com
January 13, 2015
books written, books in progress
<Sean> evening all
<BA> Hail hail, the gang's all here!
<julia> waves
<julia> hey y'all
<Sean> so how was your birthday, BA?
<julia> sleepy tonight
<Sean> now I have the lion sleeps tonight stuck in my head, Julia
<BA> it was nice, barring the whole being sick thing.
<julia> heee
<julia> sorry
<BA> You get to have the next birthday :D
<Sean> yeah
<Sean> I'm almost old ;)
<Sean> I have a banner release week this week
<Sean> Drawing Straws: Tork on Wednesday from resplendence
<Sean> Winter's Gift on Wednesday from torquere
<Sean> Love Matters on Friday from totally bound
<BA> damn, you overachiever
<Sean> nods
<Sean> it always seems to work like that
<julia> and your biker thingee is number 2 on All Romance
<Sean> if I have three releases in a month they are all the same week
<Sean> I know!
<Sean> hashtag my readers rock
<julia> LOL
<julia> I get that
<julia> mine have made my dragon books at changeling press very popular
<Sean> dragons!
<BA> heeee
<BA> wooo!
<Sean> how many books are there in that series now, Julia?
<julia> Four.
<julia> Vanished is the newest
<Sean> cool
<julia> and then I'll start the Desert Dragon series
<Sean> that's great :)
<BA> I'm hoping I'll have release dates soon.
<julia> nodnod
<julia> you will
<Sean> what are you waiting on release dates for, BA?
<BA> I have a f/f YA coing out as Anne Key
<BA> and Ever the Same from Dreamspinner
<Sean> awesome
<BA> and I just subbed a new paranormal to Resplendence
<Sean> what flavor of paranormal?
<BA> and I'm just waiting to spill my secret news about Roughstock
<BA> this one is the start of a new series -- an alternate universe in Colorado where shifters flourish
<BA> the first one is werewolves
<Sean> yum werewolves
<BA> the second will be a werebear and a wolf
<julia> oooh
<BA> the third is a wereraven and a weremountain lion
<julia> I do love me some werebears
<Sean> oh there's some fun and unusual ones there
<julia> tell!
<BA> nods -- this universe has an old granny wereowl
<BA> a weremarmot
<Sean> LOL
<BA> a pair of twin werefoxes
<julia> LOL
<BA> a werecoyote
<julia> no kitties?
<BA> it's a goofy little world
<BA> there's a weremountain lion
* BA points up
<julia> oh oops
<BA> see?
<julia> told you I was sleepy
<BA> wereraven
* BA chuckles
<Sean> sounds like it's going to be fun
<BA> it was fun to write
<Sean> that's great
* BA leans
<BA> nods
<julia> blinks slow
<BA> so, have you had a decent new year?
<Sean> I have
<Sean> I've already blown all my resolutions
<BA> LOL
<Sean> so I got that over with and can go on with the rest of the year ;)
<BA> there you go
<BA> I haven't blown one yet
<BA> ;-)
<julia> nope
<julia> me either
<julia> yay
<Sean> good for you guys
<BA> well, I haven't taken over the world yet
<BA> but it's a work in progress
<Sean> lol
<julia> nope
<julia> but she's hatching plans
<Sean> beware!
<Sean> that's dangerous
<BA> nods
<BA> indeed
<BA> I need chocolate
<julia> okay
<julia> where
<BA> heeeee
<BA> I'll just grab a handful of chocolate chips
<Sean> I want something crunchy
<BA> mmm...chips
<Sean> or nuts
<BA> we actually have leftover apple pie in there
<Sean> that's not crunchy
<Sean> yes, I'm stuck on crunchy
<BA> have you ever noticed that everything on TV is just odd
<julia> BA must be feeling better
<julia> she said everything in the house was crunchy the other day when her throat hurt so bad
<julia> and burst into teatd
<Sean> awwww
<BA> nods
<julia> tears
<julia> O.o
<BA> I did not burst into teatd
<Sean> lol
<BA> I don't think I'm sure what teatd is
<BA> it sounds obscene, though
<Sean> yep
<julia> T-E-A-R-S
<Sean> so what makes everything on TV odd?
<BA> I assume there's a hypnotize everyone into stupidity section in the government
<BA> it's their job to provide 'quality programming'
<Sean> lolol
<BA> it's easier to control us when we're brain dead
<BA> BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAINS
<Sean> heeeee
<BA> *grins*
<BA> yeah, I know
<BA> I'm a grumpy old goat
<BA> it's one of my more appealing qualities
<BA> ;)
<Sean> cackles
<BA> so, what are you working on right now, oh prolific one?
<Sean> well I'm jumping on the dragon band wagon
<Sean> I've got a millionaire and man who owes him a looooot of money
<Sean> another one with a bdsm newbie
<Sean> a shibari and a swak
<BA> jesus
<Sean> I like to have several on the go
<BA> nods
<BA> your several and mine are...
<BA> vastly different
<julia> lol
<Sean> heeee
<julia> yes
<julia> sorry i think I dozed off
<Sean> it must be that time, then
<BA> the comatose!Julia time?
<Sean> yep, that's the one
<julia> yes
<Sean> I'm gonna sign off and find my crunchy
<julia> I'm sorry y'all
<julia> no sparkly wit tonight
<Sean> you'll wow us next week
<Sean> ;)
* BA smooches
<Sean> waves
<BA> love you, honey
<Sean> night you two
<BA> night
<BA> :D
If you have a topic you’d like us to chat about, please let us know. We’re totally up for that.
You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga.
Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com
BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com
Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelW...
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbota...
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
Sean
smut fixes everything
<BA> Hail hail, the gang's all here!
<julia> waves
<julia> hey y'all
<Sean> so how was your birthday, BA?
<julia> sleepy tonight
<Sean> now I have the lion sleeps tonight stuck in my head, Julia
<BA> it was nice, barring the whole being sick thing.
<julia> heee
<julia> sorry
<BA> You get to have the next birthday :D
<Sean> yeah
<Sean> I'm almost old ;)
<Sean> I have a banner release week this week
<Sean> Drawing Straws: Tork on Wednesday from resplendence
<Sean> Winter's Gift on Wednesday from torquere
<Sean> Love Matters on Friday from totally bound
<BA> damn, you overachiever
<Sean> nods
<Sean> it always seems to work like that
<julia> and your biker thingee is number 2 on All Romance
<Sean> if I have three releases in a month they are all the same week
<Sean> I know!
<Sean> hashtag my readers rock
<julia> LOL
<julia> I get that
<julia> mine have made my dragon books at changeling press very popular
<Sean> dragons!
<BA> heeee
<BA> wooo!
<Sean> how many books are there in that series now, Julia?
<julia> Four.
<julia> Vanished is the newest
<Sean> cool
<julia> and then I'll start the Desert Dragon series
<Sean> that's great :)
<BA> I'm hoping I'll have release dates soon.
<julia> nodnod
<julia> you will
<Sean> what are you waiting on release dates for, BA?
<BA> I have a f/f YA coing out as Anne Key
<BA> and Ever the Same from Dreamspinner
<Sean> awesome
<BA> and I just subbed a new paranormal to Resplendence
<Sean> what flavor of paranormal?
<BA> and I'm just waiting to spill my secret news about Roughstock
<BA> this one is the start of a new series -- an alternate universe in Colorado where shifters flourish
<BA> the first one is werewolves
<Sean> yum werewolves
<BA> the second will be a werebear and a wolf
<julia> oooh
<BA> the third is a wereraven and a weremountain lion
<julia> I do love me some werebears
<Sean> oh there's some fun and unusual ones there
<julia> tell!
<BA> nods -- this universe has an old granny wereowl
<BA> a weremarmot
<Sean> LOL
<BA> a pair of twin werefoxes
<julia> LOL
<BA> a werecoyote
<julia> no kitties?
<BA> it's a goofy little world
<BA> there's a weremountain lion
* BA points up
<julia> oh oops
<BA> see?
<julia> told you I was sleepy
<BA> wereraven
* BA chuckles
<Sean> sounds like it's going to be fun
<BA> it was fun to write
<Sean> that's great
* BA leans
<BA> nods
<julia> blinks slow
<BA> so, have you had a decent new year?
<Sean> I have
<Sean> I've already blown all my resolutions
<BA> LOL
<Sean> so I got that over with and can go on with the rest of the year ;)
<BA> there you go
<BA> I haven't blown one yet
<BA> ;-)
<julia> nope
<julia> me either
<julia> yay
<Sean> good for you guys
<BA> well, I haven't taken over the world yet
<BA> but it's a work in progress
<Sean> lol
<julia> nope
<julia> but she's hatching plans
<Sean> beware!
<Sean> that's dangerous
<BA> nods
<BA> indeed
<BA> I need chocolate
<julia> okay
<julia> where
<BA> heeeee
<BA> I'll just grab a handful of chocolate chips
<Sean> I want something crunchy
<BA> mmm...chips
<Sean> or nuts
<BA> we actually have leftover apple pie in there
<Sean> that's not crunchy
<Sean> yes, I'm stuck on crunchy
<BA> have you ever noticed that everything on TV is just odd
<julia> BA must be feeling better
<julia> she said everything in the house was crunchy the other day when her throat hurt so bad
<julia> and burst into teatd
<Sean> awwww
<BA> nods
<julia> tears
<julia> O.o
<BA> I did not burst into teatd
<Sean> lol
<BA> I don't think I'm sure what teatd is
<BA> it sounds obscene, though
<Sean> yep
<julia> T-E-A-R-S
<Sean> so what makes everything on TV odd?
<BA> I assume there's a hypnotize everyone into stupidity section in the government
<BA> it's their job to provide 'quality programming'
<Sean> lolol
<BA> it's easier to control us when we're brain dead
<BA> BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAINS
<Sean> heeeee
<BA> *grins*
<BA> yeah, I know
<BA> I'm a grumpy old goat
<BA> it's one of my more appealing qualities
<BA> ;)
<Sean> cackles
<BA> so, what are you working on right now, oh prolific one?
<Sean> well I'm jumping on the dragon band wagon
<Sean> I've got a millionaire and man who owes him a looooot of money
<Sean> another one with a bdsm newbie
<Sean> a shibari and a swak
<BA> jesus
<Sean> I like to have several on the go
<BA> nods
<BA> your several and mine are...
<BA> vastly different
<julia> lol
<Sean> heeee
<julia> yes
<julia> sorry i think I dozed off
<Sean> it must be that time, then
<BA> the comatose!Julia time?
<Sean> yep, that's the one
<julia> yes
<Sean> I'm gonna sign off and find my crunchy
<julia> I'm sorry y'all
<julia> no sparkly wit tonight
<Sean> you'll wow us next week
<Sean> ;)
* BA smooches
<Sean> waves
<BA> love you, honey
<Sean> night you two
<BA> night
<BA> :D
If you have a topic you’d like us to chat about, please let us know. We’re totally up for that.
You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot and @batortuga.
Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com
BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com
Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelW...
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbota...
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
Sean
smut fixes everything
January 12, 2015
Thank You by Cardeno C.
Happy Monday. I've been on cloud nine and feeling immensely grateful all weekend because of the amazing support and encouragement I get from readers. I always appreciate the time readers take to communicate with me via email and Facebook and Twitter and share their kind words and this weekend that support came with shiny badges.
The Goodreads M/M group let readers vote on their favorite books in a variety of categories and I'm so honored that a couple of mine were chosen. I was also lucky enough to have books recognized in Elisa Rolle's Rainbow Awards. So today I want to thank all of you who take the time to support me in a bunch of ways, including in these awards.
Perfect Imperfections:
1. Rainbow Award Runner Up (2nd) - The William Neale Award for Best Gay Contemporary Romance
2. Rainbow Award Runner Up (3rd) - Best Gay Book
3. Goodreads M/M Group Best Performance/Visual Arts (1st Place)
4. Goodreads M/M Group Best Virgins (1st Place)
5. Goodreads M/M Group Best Story that Should have a Sequel (2nd Place)
In Your Eyes
: Rainbow Award Runner Up (3rd) - Best Gay Paranormal Romance
More Than Everything:
1. Rainbow Award Runner Up (4th) - The Bobby Michaels Award for Best Gay Erotic Romance
2. Goodreads M/M Group Best Polyamorous (2nd Place)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and have a great week.
CC
www.cardenoc.com
The Goodreads M/M group let readers vote on their favorite books in a variety of categories and I'm so honored that a couple of mine were chosen. I was also lucky enough to have books recognized in Elisa Rolle's Rainbow Awards. So today I want to thank all of you who take the time to support me in a bunch of ways, including in these awards.
Perfect Imperfections:
1. Rainbow Award Runner Up (2nd) - The William Neale Award for Best Gay Contemporary Romance2. Rainbow Award Runner Up (3rd) - Best Gay Book
3. Goodreads M/M Group Best Performance/Visual Arts (1st Place)
4. Goodreads M/M Group Best Virgins (1st Place) 5. Goodreads M/M Group Best Story that Should have a Sequel (2nd Place)
In Your Eyes
: Rainbow Award Runner Up (3rd) - Best Gay Paranormal RomanceMore Than Everything:
1. Rainbow Award Runner Up (4th) - The Bobby Michaels Award for Best Gay Erotic Romance
2. Goodreads M/M Group Best Polyamorous (2nd Place)Thank you from the bottom of my heart and have a great week.
CC
www.cardenoc.com
January 10, 2015
Uniquely Australian
Okay, I admit it. Sometimes I write things in my stories that I know will freak people out. It’s how I get my fun.
Example: mentioning crutching in The Shearing Gun.
For those who haven’t read the book, and are going “What the hell is crutching?” – crutching is a quick shearing of a sheep’s bum. They’re not taking the whole fleece off, just the bit around the bum where the poo gets stuck on the wool. If crutching is not done, then the wool gets so matted with dung, the flies breed in it, and maggots will kill your animal.
See – EWWWW. I’ve just grossed out 80% of readers.
Ding, ding, ding. Pleasure for Renae! LOL.
Other things I love to mention are things that Australians take for granted, but I know non-Australians are shocked at: 40 degree temperatures (that’s over 100F), driving long distances to get anywhere, the killer wildlife and eating vegemite.
The last two bring me intense pleasure.
Mention spiders and most people run a mile. I have to admit I’m not a fan of spiders, but if I freaked out every time I saw one, I’d be screaming all day. Last week Perth had record breaking temperatures of 44 degrees (110F) and all the spiders on my back patio all came out of their webs and hung limply around. Nightmare alley for anyone with arachnophobia. I just took note of where they lived and promised to spray them another day.
I don’t like to kill all the spiders – we’re sharing this world after all – but I have to spray the redbacks, and I get a bit peeved with the webs of the common black house spiders, so they get sprayed when they start to get a bit too many.
Snakes are another one that creeps the readers out. But most truthfully, most Australians living in suburbs would only see a snake every couple of years. I live and walk around wetland areas a lot, so my count is a lot higher. I find snakes beautiful. But they’re deadly and unpredictable, so I keep a healthy distance from them.
Today I’m off to a crafting party. I have a friend who sells card making items, and a mutual friend of ours is having a get together where we will learn about some great card making ideas (and hopefully buy some of her stuff). The funny thing? The woman who sells crafting items, she’s a snake catcher during the day. Great combo, right? “Sure, I’ll come and catch the four-foot tiger snake in your back yard, but by the way, are you interested in these stamps and coloured paper?”
The idea for this blog came from a reader who messaged me this morning and said, “What is vegemite?” LOL. I sometimes forget that people are not always educated in the good things in life – and vegemite is GREAT.
It’s one of the first things I ever fed my kids. I would make some toast and put a thin spread of vegemite on the surface for the kids to chew on. When I’m sick, I eat vegemite on toast. And it’s not just me – my husband does too. It’s comfort food that our mums used to make us when our tummies were not well. My kids both love the stuff. The school canteen has vegemite sandwiches on their menu. The literature we get home from community groups mentions vegemite sandwiches as a great lunch time healthy food. I’ve seen it used in soups, stews and other cooking. I’ve heard it can make a good fertiliser for your garden. It’s recommended during pregnancy. It’s great for mouth ulcers. The shops have an entire shelf where you can buy it in five different sized jars, in a squeezy tube and even as a dip with biscuits. The local baker sells a savoury scroll roll that is bread and vegemite.
And only Australia seems to know about it.
Just like the Brits would view an empty tea canister as a tragedy, so is an empty vegemite jar in an Australian household.
I often look around me, and wonder how to explain Australia to someone who is not familiar with it. Things that we see as “normal” but take explaining to someone not familiar with it. So I’ve challenged myself today to find four uniquely Australian things that have happened to me in the last 24 hours that I would have to explain to a non-Australian.
1. Yesterday I went to the shops, and as I locked up my car, I pulled the sun blinds across the windscreen and placed a baby blanket on the seat. My seats are leather, and if you’ve ever sat on burning hot leather in shorts, then you know to carry a small towel or blanket around in your car. Summer + sun + car = severe burns. Every child is taught this. The belt buckle is as hot as a branding iron when you get back in the car, and the leather seats will burn your legs. Precautions are needed to prevent this.
2. Yesterday I also saw the news headlines where our favourite drug addicted ex-footballer went swimming with crocodiles. I rolled my eyes and muttered, “Oh, Benny-boy.” I hoped that the need for adrenaline means he’s clean from the drugs and looking for a high elsewhere. Nice boy, good looking boy, great footballer? We love him. He descends into drugs (or at least the veil is stripped away and we learn he always took drugs) and we love him a little less. But he can still make news headlines by doing what 99% of Australians would never do – deliberately swim with things that will eat (or at least severely maim) you, just because an old mate dared you.
3. Yesterday I packed my kids off to the in-laws with a change of clothes, PJs (they’re sleeping over), bathers, hats and thongs. Thongs people. The things you wear on your feet???? But yes. My kids have left me for a cool 30 hours and the only essential items they needed were thongs, bathers and hats. It’s summer. My in-laws are within walking distance of the river. Of course they’re going swimming.
4. Okay, okay. I was scrambling around for a fourth uniquely Australian thing and couldn’t really find one, so I was playing around on the computer while I thought about it. One of my dream-wishes is to buy an electric bike. (The next best seller I write, I’ll buy one! **wink**). Why would I want an electric bicycle, you ask? Well, most of my travel is within seven kilometres of my house: school, grocery store, church, friend’s house, large shopping centre, mum’s house. Sure I can walk to the shops – but how do I get my groceries home? I have a bike, but up until 3 months ago I had a child who wouldn’t ride her own bike, so everywhere I had to go involved carrying her (and really, I’m not that fit!). So I’ve fallen in love with the idea of an electric bicycle. The ones I’ve been looking at are solar charged (and we have plenty of sun in Australia!) and can travel distances of about 40kms before needing to be charged again.
So today I was drooling over some bikes on the internet, and I found a new company who specialises in cargo-carrying bikes. PERFECT! They make bikes that can take my groceries, can take a kid on board (it has straps and all), and is electric. Made in China (what isn’t these days) and used a lot in Europe.
So how is this uniquely Australian? Well, I was looking through the FAQs on the site and I came across this one: 16) HOW MUCH BEER CAN A CARGO BIKE CARRY?
Four cartons/cases/slabs of stubbies is easy.More would be possible if you drink cans, or if you load the cases higher, or if you use the rear luggage rack.We advise against riding cargo bikes under the influence of any intoxicating substance.
Yes. I would have to say that only in Australia would a FREQUENTLY ASKED question involve how many beers a bike could carry. And only in Australia would we consider this not a silly question. So much so that we answer it and put it on our business website.
**face palm**
Example: mentioning crutching in The Shearing Gun.
For those who haven’t read the book, and are going “What the hell is crutching?” – crutching is a quick shearing of a sheep’s bum. They’re not taking the whole fleece off, just the bit around the bum where the poo gets stuck on the wool. If crutching is not done, then the wool gets so matted with dung, the flies breed in it, and maggots will kill your animal.
See – EWWWW. I’ve just grossed out 80% of readers.
Ding, ding, ding. Pleasure for Renae! LOL.
Other things I love to mention are things that Australians take for granted, but I know non-Australians are shocked at: 40 degree temperatures (that’s over 100F), driving long distances to get anywhere, the killer wildlife and eating vegemite.
The last two bring me intense pleasure.
Mention spiders and most people run a mile. I have to admit I’m not a fan of spiders, but if I freaked out every time I saw one, I’d be screaming all day. Last week Perth had record breaking temperatures of 44 degrees (110F) and all the spiders on my back patio all came out of their webs and hung limply around. Nightmare alley for anyone with arachnophobia. I just took note of where they lived and promised to spray them another day. I don’t like to kill all the spiders – we’re sharing this world after all – but I have to spray the redbacks, and I get a bit peeved with the webs of the common black house spiders, so they get sprayed when they start to get a bit too many.
Snakes are another one that creeps the readers out. But most truthfully, most Australians living in suburbs would only see a snake every couple of years. I live and walk around wetland areas a lot, so my count is a lot higher. I find snakes beautiful. But they’re deadly and unpredictable, so I keep a healthy distance from them.
Today I’m off to a crafting party. I have a friend who sells card making items, and a mutual friend of ours is having a get together where we will learn about some great card making ideas (and hopefully buy some of her stuff). The funny thing? The woman who sells crafting items, she’s a snake catcher during the day. Great combo, right? “Sure, I’ll come and catch the four-foot tiger snake in your back yard, but by the way, are you interested in these stamps and coloured paper?”
The idea for this blog came from a reader who messaged me this morning and said, “What is vegemite?” LOL. I sometimes forget that people are not always educated in the good things in life – and vegemite is GREAT.It’s one of the first things I ever fed my kids. I would make some toast and put a thin spread of vegemite on the surface for the kids to chew on. When I’m sick, I eat vegemite on toast. And it’s not just me – my husband does too. It’s comfort food that our mums used to make us when our tummies were not well. My kids both love the stuff. The school canteen has vegemite sandwiches on their menu. The literature we get home from community groups mentions vegemite sandwiches as a great lunch time healthy food. I’ve seen it used in soups, stews and other cooking. I’ve heard it can make a good fertiliser for your garden. It’s recommended during pregnancy. It’s great for mouth ulcers. The shops have an entire shelf where you can buy it in five different sized jars, in a squeezy tube and even as a dip with biscuits. The local baker sells a savoury scroll roll that is bread and vegemite.
And only Australia seems to know about it.
Just like the Brits would view an empty tea canister as a tragedy, so is an empty vegemite jar in an Australian household.
I often look around me, and wonder how to explain Australia to someone who is not familiar with it. Things that we see as “normal” but take explaining to someone not familiar with it. So I’ve challenged myself today to find four uniquely Australian things that have happened to me in the last 24 hours that I would have to explain to a non-Australian.
1. Yesterday I went to the shops, and as I locked up my car, I pulled the sun blinds across the windscreen and placed a baby blanket on the seat. My seats are leather, and if you’ve ever sat on burning hot leather in shorts, then you know to carry a small towel or blanket around in your car. Summer + sun + car = severe burns. Every child is taught this. The belt buckle is as hot as a branding iron when you get back in the car, and the leather seats will burn your legs. Precautions are needed to prevent this.2. Yesterday I also saw the news headlines where our favourite drug addicted ex-footballer went swimming with crocodiles. I rolled my eyes and muttered, “Oh, Benny-boy.” I hoped that the need for adrenaline means he’s clean from the drugs and looking for a high elsewhere. Nice boy, good looking boy, great footballer? We love him. He descends into drugs (or at least the veil is stripped away and we learn he always took drugs) and we love him a little less. But he can still make news headlines by doing what 99% of Australians would never do – deliberately swim with things that will eat (or at least severely maim) you, just because an old mate dared you.
3. Yesterday I packed my kids off to the in-laws with a change of clothes, PJs (they’re sleeping over), bathers, hats and thongs. Thongs people. The things you wear on your feet???? But yes. My kids have left me for a cool 30 hours and the only essential items they needed were thongs, bathers and hats. It’s summer. My in-laws are within walking distance of the river. Of course they’re going swimming.
4. Okay, okay. I was scrambling around for a fourth uniquely Australian thing and couldn’t really find one, so I was playing around on the computer while I thought about it. One of my dream-wishes is to buy an electric bike. (The next best seller I write, I’ll buy one! **wink**). Why would I want an electric bicycle, you ask? Well, most of my travel is within seven kilometres of my house: school, grocery store, church, friend’s house, large shopping centre, mum’s house. Sure I can walk to the shops – but how do I get my groceries home? I have a bike, but up until 3 months ago I had a child who wouldn’t ride her own bike, so everywhere I had to go involved carrying her (and really, I’m not that fit!). So I’ve fallen in love with the idea of an electric bicycle. The ones I’ve been looking at are solar charged (and we have plenty of sun in Australia!) and can travel distances of about 40kms before needing to be charged again.
So today I was drooling over some bikes on the internet, and I found a new company who specialises in cargo-carrying bikes. PERFECT! They make bikes that can take my groceries, can take a kid on board (it has straps and all), and is electric. Made in China (what isn’t these days) and used a lot in Europe.So how is this uniquely Australian? Well, I was looking through the FAQs on the site and I came across this one: 16) HOW MUCH BEER CAN A CARGO BIKE CARRY?
Four cartons/cases/slabs of stubbies is easy.More would be possible if you drink cans, or if you load the cases higher, or if you use the rear luggage rack.We advise against riding cargo bikes under the influence of any intoxicating substance.
Yes. I would have to say that only in Australia would a FREQUENTLY ASKED question involve how many beers a bike could carry. And only in Australia would we consider this not a silly question. So much so that we answer it and put it on our business website.
**face palm**
January 7, 2015
Ask Andrew - Eureka! I'm a Writer
Dear Andrew
Has there been a defining moment in your career that made you think "Yes, I am a writer"?
Dawn
Dear Dawn
I think I had more than one of those and they all took me by surprise because they weren't the ones I thought I'd have. There was of course the first acceptance letter, and the first royalty check. Those I expected. There's also the first time I hit the top of one of the sales lists. That was cool, but I didn't have the big moment. However I'm going to talk about the very first moment and that was a number of years ago a few months after I released Love Means... No Shame.
I received a letter from a reader. He told me a little about his and his partner's lives and they had been through a lot both in order to be together and then to stay together through the years. But they had made it and had been happy. They were an older couple and his partner had become very ill. Eventually the disease took everything from him including his partner's ability to see. So he wrote to tell me that he used to sit up and read to him. My mind still goes to a quiet room with a single light and a soft voice reading to the one he loved. (I'm sniffing as I write this)
He went on to say that his partner had passed away and the last story they shared together was Love Means... No Shame. I cried my eyes out. Then I showed Dominic the letter and he hugged me while I continued sniffling. I had touched someone's life and my work had meant something special to them. In that moment, I know I was a writer.
Ask Andrew is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.
So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
Follow him on Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
Visit Andrew's web site: www,andrewgreybooks.com
Has there been a defining moment in your career that made you think "Yes, I am a writer"?
Dawn
Dear Dawn
I think I had more than one of those and they all took me by surprise because they weren't the ones I thought I'd have. There was of course the first acceptance letter, and the first royalty check. Those I expected. There's also the first time I hit the top of one of the sales lists. That was cool, but I didn't have the big moment. However I'm going to talk about the very first moment and that was a number of years ago a few months after I released Love Means... No Shame.
I received a letter from a reader. He told me a little about his and his partner's lives and they had been through a lot both in order to be together and then to stay together through the years. But they had made it and had been happy. They were an older couple and his partner had become very ill. Eventually the disease took everything from him including his partner's ability to see. So he wrote to tell me that he used to sit up and read to him. My mind still goes to a quiet room with a single light and a soft voice reading to the one he loved. (I'm sniffing as I write this)
He went on to say that his partner had passed away and the last story they shared together was Love Means... No Shame. I cried my eyes out. Then I showed Dominic the letter and he hugged me while I continued sniffling. I had touched someone's life and my work had meant something special to them. In that moment, I know I was a writer.
Ask Andrew is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
Follow him on Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
Visit Andrew's web site: www,andrewgreybooks.com
