Cheryl B. Dale's Blog: RANDOM MUSINGS, page 32
February 11, 2013
MORNING WALK
The weather -- with apologies to the northeast -- is perfect down here! Temps in the sixties, mostly sunny! We rode around the island yesterday with the top down.
This morning, our usual walk took us out of the complex. See the azaleas at the street? All over the complex, they're blooming. They must think it's spring, but I'm afraid they're going to be surprised in a few days!
So then we walked on down by Mallery Cafe, through the Village, and down to the pier. No big ships in sight but the tide was near high. Took a couple of shots of water dashing on the Johnson rocks. There was practically no wind today, but since the highest point on the island is nineteen feet above sea level -- the average is nine feet -- it's kind of scary to imagine what some really big winds would do to us.
And if you're wondering why they're called Johnson rocks, it seems that they were brought in during President Johnson's administration to keep the beach from further erosion!
This morning, our usual walk took us out of the complex. See the azaleas at the street? All over the complex, they're blooming. They must think it's spring, but I'm afraid they're going to be surprised in a few days!
So then we walked on down by Mallery Cafe, through the Village, and down to the pier. No big ships in sight but the tide was near high. Took a couple of shots of water dashing on the Johnson rocks. There was practically no wind today, but since the highest point on the island is nineteen feet above sea level -- the average is nine feet -- it's kind of scary to imagine what some really big winds would do to us.
And if you're wondering why they're called Johnson rocks, it seems that they were brought in during President Johnson's administration to keep the beach from further erosion!
February 8, 2013
SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION
My latest romantic mystery INTIMATE PORTRAITS is free for Kindles from today until Tuesday, February 12th.
Here's the link: http://amzn.com/B00B35SWCY
A growing reputation as a sensual photographer. A new superstar client. Autumn Merriwell’s career is set to soar—assuming she lives long enough.
When Autumn was seventeen, Rennie Degardovera gently rejected her advances. At thirty, she’s no longer a naïve girl barreling headlong into love. But his return brings up all the old feelings.
Rennie may be a college professor now, but he’s still all wrong for Autumn. His mother is her housekeeper; he eats off paper plates and visits Mexican relatives with dirt floors. Autumn grew up in Atlanta society; she uses cloth napkins and knows the right people. She's way out of his league, no matter how tempting.
Then a mugger pushes Autumn off a bridge, an arsonist destroys her studio, and a gunman kills a neighbor wearing a jacket like hers.
Rennie's determined to protect Autumn while they find out what's going on. Autumn's determined to convince him she belongs in his life.
Neither has much time. Someone wants her dead.
Here's the link: http://amzn.com/B00B35SWCY
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A growing reputation as a sensual photographer. A new superstar client. Autumn Merriwell’s career is set to soar—assuming she lives long enough.
When Autumn was seventeen, Rennie Degardovera gently rejected her advances. At thirty, she’s no longer a naïve girl barreling headlong into love. But his return brings up all the old feelings.
Rennie may be a college professor now, but he’s still all wrong for Autumn. His mother is her housekeeper; he eats off paper plates and visits Mexican relatives with dirt floors. Autumn grew up in Atlanta society; she uses cloth napkins and knows the right people. She's way out of his league, no matter how tempting.
Then a mugger pushes Autumn off a bridge, an arsonist destroys her studio, and a gunman kills a neighbor wearing a jacket like hers.
Rennie's determined to protect Autumn while they find out what's going on. Autumn's determined to convince him she belongs in his life.
Neither has much time. Someone wants her dead.
February 6, 2013
SHIPS IN THE NIGHT
I was sound asleep, dreaming of the sequel to my light mystery. (When I'm trying to figure out plots, I often dream of whatever I'm writing.) Right in the middle of the heroine peering over a mountainside to find a makeshift air strip down below, comes this HONK!
Let me tell you, I jumped six inches and woke up pronto! And looked wildly around to see what train was about to run over us.
It was a ship. We're a couple blocks up from the channel and can usually hear them pass. Last night it sounded like it was coming through our bedroom. The boy-cat must have heard it, too, because he came and crawled into bed with us.
Took me a while to get back to my work-in-progress, what with my pounding heart and the boy-cat licking my face to make sure I was all right. Or maybe he wanted me to get up and feed him.
I don't think my guy heard a thing.
Let me tell you, I jumped six inches and woke up pronto! And looked wildly around to see what train was about to run over us.
It was a ship. We're a couple blocks up from the channel and can usually hear them pass. Last night it sounded like it was coming through our bedroom. The boy-cat must have heard it, too, because he came and crawled into bed with us.
Took me a while to get back to my work-in-progress, what with my pounding heart and the boy-cat licking my face to make sure I was all right. Or maybe he wanted me to get up and feed him.
I don't think my guy heard a thing.
February 2, 2013
EARRING WINNER AND NEW GIVEAWAY
The winner of January's earring giveaway is... da da da dum... Norma Beishir! Norma, if you'll email me at cherylbdale@hotmail.com and give me your mailing address, I will get these out to you. Hopefully.
And before anyone asks, since Norma and I are in an online group together, I did not rig the drawing! If I had, I would definitely have chosen someone not in Canada because my December winner happened to be in Canada, too, and I had a terrible time getting the earrings mailed to her. Took the better part of January for her to receive them.
In case anyone wonders how I choose, I count the number of entries and have my guy pick a number from the first to the last. Then I count and presto! We have a winner.
And now for February's earring giveaway:
These blue glass earrings hanging from cloisonne beads would be perfect for the formal dinners Lindy endured in THE WARWICKS OF SLUMBER MOUNTAIN.
And here's the store link:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/107365461/blue-belle-of-the-ball-earrings?
And before anyone asks, since Norma and I are in an online group together, I did not rig the drawing! If I had, I would definitely have chosen someone not in Canada because my December winner happened to be in Canada, too, and I had a terrible time getting the earrings mailed to her. Took the better part of January for her to receive them.
In case anyone wonders how I choose, I count the number of entries and have my guy pick a number from the first to the last. Then I count and presto! We have a winner.
And now for February's earring giveaway:
These blue glass earrings hanging from cloisonne beads would be perfect for the formal dinners Lindy endured in THE WARWICKS OF SLUMBER MOUNTAIN.
And here's the store link:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/107365461/blue-belle-of-the-ball-earrings?
January 29, 2013
EARRINGS GIVEAWAY
Okay, just a couple of days for people to enter my January earrings giveaway. All that's necessary is to post the word 'EARRINGS' in a comment this month. The winner will be announced on my first post in February.
The earrings are pretty amber ones, some the heroine in my book THE WARWICKS OF SLUMBER MOUNTAIN might wear. Here's a photo:
And here's the Etsy site they're coming from if you want to check it out:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TalismanMoon?ref=search_shop_redirect
The earrings are pretty amber ones, some the heroine in my book THE WARWICKS OF SLUMBER MOUNTAIN might wear. Here's a photo:
And here's the Etsy site they're coming from if you want to check it out:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TalismanMoon?ref=search_shop_redirect
January 28, 2013
JELLYFISH SEASON GEARING UP
Yep, that's what the local paper says. Are you wondering why?
Seems it gives the shrimpers something to do when the shrimp season is over. The pay isn't too bad and it's easier than shrimping.
So who buys these netted jellyfish?
Asians! Evidently, they're crazy about them.
How do they get from here to Asia?
The jellyfish are dehydrated at some East Coast dehydrating factories (ever heard of a jellyfish dehydrating plant?) and sent overseas. There, they're rehydrated and used as...Wait for it...
Salad toppings! Ah, can't you just imagine eyeballing your salad and having it gently wave back at you.
Georgia jellyfish are much sought after because they're evidently humongus little boogers that the Asians prefer. These are cannonball jellyfish we're talking about. I've been down at the pier before and watched scores of the beautiful iridescent creatures wash under one side and go out the other with the tide.
So now there's a use for them. Good deal (though you won't catch me trying one). Season starts February 1. (Yes, there is an official jellyfish season.) Can't wait to see those shrimp boats out netting jellyfish.
What great things we learn from the local newspaper!
Seems it gives the shrimpers something to do when the shrimp season is over. The pay isn't too bad and it's easier than shrimping.
So who buys these netted jellyfish?
Asians! Evidently, they're crazy about them.
How do they get from here to Asia?
The jellyfish are dehydrated at some East Coast dehydrating factories (ever heard of a jellyfish dehydrating plant?) and sent overseas. There, they're rehydrated and used as...Wait for it...
Salad toppings! Ah, can't you just imagine eyeballing your salad and having it gently wave back at you.
Georgia jellyfish are much sought after because they're evidently humongus little boogers that the Asians prefer. These are cannonball jellyfish we're talking about. I've been down at the pier before and watched scores of the beautiful iridescent creatures wash under one side and go out the other with the tide.
So now there's a use for them. Good deal (though you won't catch me trying one). Season starts February 1. (Yes, there is an official jellyfish season.) Can't wait to see those shrimp boats out netting jellyfish.
What great things we learn from the local newspaper!
January 24, 2013
EARRINGS GIVEAWAY
Everyone probably knows I've been giving away earrings each month for one person who comments with the word 'earrings' in their post. The last month's pair went to a commenter in Canada. I had a problem ordering and earrings ended up coming to me and I forwarded them on to her. After filling out appropriate paperwork with help from two postal employees. Bless them.
I got word yesterday that she had just received them! Took them that long from the original order on January 4th to get to me on the 10th, then took from the 11th when I mailed them to get to her. This seems kind of stretching it out.
Anyway, I apologized for the hang-up. Maybe next time I have a Canadian winner, I'll know how to handle it.
Or maybe not! I'm not up on techie stuff and evidently, I'm clueless on mailing stuff, too.
Here's the picture of the earrings I'm giving away for January.
They're amber, to kind of go with my Warwicks of Slumber Mountain ebook. Here's the store they're from:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TalismanMoon?ref=search_shop_redirect
I got word yesterday that she had just received them! Took them that long from the original order on January 4th to get to me on the 10th, then took from the 11th when I mailed them to get to her. This seems kind of stretching it out.
Anyway, I apologized for the hang-up. Maybe next time I have a Canadian winner, I'll know how to handle it.
Or maybe not! I'm not up on techie stuff and evidently, I'm clueless on mailing stuff, too.
Here's the picture of the earrings I'm giving away for January.
They're amber, to kind of go with my Warwicks of Slumber Mountain ebook. Here's the store they're from:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TalismanMoon?ref=search_shop_redirect
January 22, 2013
MAILINGS
Well, this morning we mailed out a hundred and fifty-eight first chapters of TAXED TO THE MAX, my light mystery hardback. There should have been a hundred and fifty-nine--the number of tax commissioners in Georgia--but evidently we lost one somewhere.
Don't know where we lost it or how we lost it. We had 159 first chapters, a label for each county, and we put them together and stuffed them into a box. We took it to the post office, got a hundred sixty stamps, put them on and had two stamps left over instead of one.
So I counted the chapters and yep, there were only a hundred fifty-eight first chapters.
I hate it when things like that happen!
Don't know where we lost it or how we lost it. We had 159 first chapters, a label for each county, and we put them together and stuffed them into a box. We took it to the post office, got a hundred sixty stamps, put them on and had two stamps left over instead of one.
So I counted the chapters and yep, there were only a hundred fifty-eight first chapters.
I hate it when things like that happen!
January 20, 2013
CATS WHO THINK THEY'RE DOGS
My cat thinks he's a dog. When I eat, he puts his feet on my knee and looks at me like a dog. All hopeful and pleading.
"Don't beg," I say. "You're a CAT. Cats don't beg."
He doesn't listen but continues to give me the soulful look.
"Cats rule the world," I lecture. "They tell everyone else what to do. They do not beg."
My admonishing doesn't stop his begging. If I don't give in, my guy does.
And when I feed him and his sister, he wolfs his food down like a you-know-who (which means he's liable to throw it up like dogs do). Then he rushes over to push his sister back from her dish. She pushes back but it's useless. She may be queen of the house, but when it comes to food, the boy cat is immovable.
"You aren't a dog," I tell him. "Cats are finicky eaters. You need to take lessons from your sister."
She smirks at him, but he doesn't care. He's too busy cleaning her plate because while she was daintily eating half of hers, he has swallowed his food whole.
I'm wondering if a cat psychiatrist could help. Maybe it's a lack of self-esteem?
"Don't beg," I say. "You're a CAT. Cats don't beg."
He doesn't listen but continues to give me the soulful look.
"Cats rule the world," I lecture. "They tell everyone else what to do. They do not beg."
My admonishing doesn't stop his begging. If I don't give in, my guy does.
And when I feed him and his sister, he wolfs his food down like a you-know-who (which means he's liable to throw it up like dogs do). Then he rushes over to push his sister back from her dish. She pushes back but it's useless. She may be queen of the house, but when it comes to food, the boy cat is immovable.
"You aren't a dog," I tell him. "Cats are finicky eaters. You need to take lessons from your sister."
She smirks at him, but he doesn't care. He's too busy cleaning her plate because while she was daintily eating half of hers, he has swallowed his food whole.
I'm wondering if a cat psychiatrist could help. Maybe it's a lack of self-esteem?
January 15, 2013
WEATHER
We managed to walk again this morning. Not as long as usual but we're gradually getting over the crud.
The weather--on January 15th!--is wonderful. Mid seventies again today. This is why we moved down here!
These photos are of the church across from our complex that we go by when we walk. Notice the poinsettias in the foreground? Still lovely this long after Christmas. And behind them is a blooming hibiscus. It and the azaleas think spring has sprung! Are they gonna be in for a shock when the cold weather swoops down, maybe this weekend. Not looking forward to it.
The weather--on January 15th!--is wonderful. Mid seventies again today. This is why we moved down here!
These photos are of the church across from our complex that we go by when we walk. Notice the poinsettias in the foreground? Still lovely this long after Christmas. And behind them is a blooming hibiscus. It and the azaleas think spring has sprung! Are they gonna be in for a shock when the cold weather swoops down, maybe this weekend. Not looking forward to it.
