M.K. Clinton's Blog: M. K. Clinton's Barking from the Bayou, page 179

My Train of Thought

Have you sat at a railroad crossing as a train chugged past anytime during the last decade wondering when it would end? It used to be so easy to tell. The sight of the friendly red caboose always made me smile. It wasn’t just because I was ready to be on my way. It was the wave of the man riding in the last train car that always made the wait seem not so bad. How could you be angry when someone smiled and waved from that funny-shaped bright red car signaling you on your way? Technology has eliminated the need for a caboose and I miss it. They were a part of Americana. In school, if a child was delegated to be at the end of the line, it took some of the sting out of the position when they were given the title of “Caboose.” If you tell a kindergartener today they are a caboose, you’ll have to explain exactly what that means. Now when a train stops us, the most entertainment we can hope for is some colorful graffiti to look at as it passes. You never know when the last car is coming; it’s just boxcar, boxcar, flatcar, tank car, boxcar, gone. That seems so wrong. It’s like having a sentence with no period, no definite ending. Would it be too much to ask the railways to put a dummy caboose on trains just so we'd know our wait was over? They could even put one of those automated waving hands in the window for nostalgia’s sake! When I searched to see exactly when the caboose met its demise, I discovered I wasn’t the only person wondering. It seems many Americans are missing the caboose. The lead car gets all of the glory. A book about Thomas the Tank Engine by Wilbert Awdry inspired its own PBS television show, toys, and theme parties. Most children hear the story of “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper. Another popular book “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg, was made into a movie by the same name. There are hundreds of great books about trains but a precious few about the caboose. We all know the train has been immortalized in music. Who hasn’t sung along with “Midnight Train to Georgia, “City of New Orleans,” or “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad?” Again, this list is seemingly endless. I can’t think of a single time when I’ve turned up the radio and belted out a jazzy caboose song. Maybe if we’d been a little more vocal, shown a little more love, written a few more books or songs about the train’s happy red caboose, it wouldn’t have left us. Just in case you’re listening railroad companies…PLEASE, BRING BACK THE CABOOSE!! America needs them.


Recipes You'll Wish You Didn’t Know

Chew~Chew Walnut Coconut Bars

Ingredients

2 cups ~ All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp ~ Baking Powder
½ tsp. ~ Salt
2/3 cup ~ Packed Brown Sugar
1 tsp. ~ Vanilla Extract
3 ~ Eggs
1 ½ cups ~ Semisweet Chocolate Chips
¾ cup ~ Chopped Walnuts
½ cup ~ Shredded Coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350˚. Grease 9x13” baking pan.
In a large bowl, cream together shortening, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla.
Slowly blend flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix until well blended.
Fold in the chocolate chips, walnuts, and coconut.
Use a spatula to spread evenly in pan.
Bake 20 – 25 minutes.
Let cool and cut into bars. Makes approx. 18



Train Your Puppy

When you bring a puppy into your family, it’s important to teach it five basic commands. These are not just for a more obedient dog but also for their safety. The first three are sit, stay, and come. All of these can keep your pup from running into the road, running after another animal or knocking over a small child. The last two, down and heel are necessary for proper leash training. Not much will ruin a walk quicker than playing tug of war from both ends of the leash. All five of these commands are usually easy to teach with love and patience. I would suggest when you visit the pet store to buy your puppy supplies; you pick up a book specifically geared to your dog’s breed. If you are the proud owner of a mixed breed, pick up a basic puppy-training book for help. It is also a great idea as well as a wonderful bonding experience to join in a local puppy class. Check with your vet or online for classes in your area. Good luck!

Teachers Impact the World

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word teacher as “one that teaches; especially: one whose occupation is to instruct.” That is such a limited description for a person whose job is truly limitless. I had the privilege of working with some outstanding teachers over the fifteen years I was in the public school system. My experience let me observe teachers in their classrooms from the kindergarten level through the twelfth grade. I was a child specific aid in many of the classes, a room mother in quite a few, and just a spare hand in others. My admiration for any person that chooses the career is boundless. Every grade brings with it special challenges and it’s the teacher’s job to guide each student through the obstacles they may face. A young child often has separation anxiety while the teens are often rebellious and anxious to become adults. A teacher must have the Wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, and the tenacity of the devil. On many occasions, I have witnessed teachers use their own money to purchase supplies, clothes, food, and even prom dresses or rent tuxedos for students in need. These random acts of kindness aren’t made for recognition. They simply want to make a difference in the life of a child. Some think people choose to go into education so they can get summers off every year. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most of the teachers I know work two jobs year round and summers are often spent attending college classes, coaching, working with school clubs, traveling to educational seminars or preparing for the next school year. The choice of becoming a teacher and making it a lifelong career is definitely a selfless one made for the love of education and helping children. It’s a new school year and a chance to influence a new group of students. What can a parent do to help? Get involved in your child’s PTSA, attend teacher conferences, and don’t immediately take your child’s side against the teacher. Most schools have their own website and the teachers have pages where they can list homework assignments, upcoming tests, and any help they may need. Log in, get involved, and make a difference! Are there a few bad teachers in the system? Of course, but the majority of our educators are devoted, intelligent, and grossly underpaid. Ask anyone you encounter today to name his or her favorite teacher. It doesn’t matter if the person is 18 or 88 years old, they will recall the name of that one special person who affected their life. We may only have a teacher for one year during our time in school but that one year can make all of the difference in our lives. If you can read this…thank a teacher!

Recipes You’ll Wish You Didn’t Know

Peanut Butter Swirl Caramel Apples

Ingredients

1 pkg. (269 g) Kraft Caramels
5 apples, washed, well dried
3 oz. (1/2 of 170-g pkg.) Baker's White Chocolate
2 Tbsp. Kraft Smooth Peanut Butter

Directions
MELT caramels as directed on package.
COAT apples with caramel as directed on package. Do not refrigerate.
MELT chocolate as directed on package; mix with peanut butter until blended. Spoon over apples. Refrigerate 1 hour or until caramel is firm.

Tips from Kraft
Size-Wise Caramel apples, with their built-in portion control, make special treats that are fun to make with your kids.
Food Facts: Wash and dry the apples thoroughly so that the caramel sticks to the apples.
Food Facts: Remove apples from refrigerator 15 min. before serving; let stand at room temperature to soften slightly.



Teach Your Puppy How To Shake!
Everyone is impressed when your puppy can do tricks. One of the easiest to teach is the simple “shake.” Have the pup sit in front of you. (1) Say, “shake” as you put a treat in front of his nose and extend your other hand in front of the pup’s leg. (2) If you’re met with a confused look, press his shoulder muscle with your empty hand. (3) Take his paw immediately when he lifts it off the ground. Give him the treat and lavish praise. (4) Repeat a few times but remember a puppy’s attention span is very short. Patience is a must in all training exercises.

Television Dramas' Drama

Ok, here's the deal...nobody tell me how "Breaking Bad" ended for let’s say, the next four months. The problem is I never watched the first episode. It was one of many shows I wanted to follow. Television dramas are such a major life commitment and I’ve been burned so many times before. I faithfully tuned into “Lost” every week for six long years only to find out they were all dead the whole time. What?!? I enjoyed the run but dang, they were all dead? I’m sure I watched some of them die on the show, have babies, and fall in love. I felt the same as viewers who were in a long-term relationship with the “Sopranos” must have felt. Just kind of empty. “Grey’s Anatomy” also sucked me in for a few a while until it became so depressing I couldn’t shoulder their pain any longer. My brother bought me the collection of “Six Feet Under” for Christmas a few years ago. I watched the entire five seasons over Christmas break. It was wonderful, addictive, and I didn’t have to wait months to find out what would happen next. The producers of that show knew how to end a series with class and style, leaving the viewers content and fulfilled. That is when I decided it was the only way to enjoy long running series. I plan to get “Breaking Bad” on DVD so I can watch the entire five seasons in one marathon viewing. I just have to avoid all media, tweets, and conversations on the subject until then. “Dexter” is another show I am anxious watch and will have to catch up on its previous years. Since I have declared my abstinence from these life-consuming shows, I must reluctantly admit to accidentally watching the first episode of “Nashville” last year. That’s right, now I’m addicted, and the new season premiere is waiting patiently on my DVR at this moment. I really thought I could quit and walk away. It is like crack television, one hour, and I’m begging for more. There are shows I watch but if I miss an episode, it doesn’t throw the storyline into chaos. I’m a huge fan of “The Middle,” “Modern Family,” “Ellen,” “Duck Dynasty,” and “DWTS.” I love to laugh and each of these tickle my funny bone. I discovered another show that has been around forever but I’d never watched. “CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood” is remarkably entertaining. I’d always thought it was one of those boring Sunday morning news programs. It is anything but boring. If you’ve never watched it, I highly recommend tuning in or DVRing it this Sunday. It is time well spent with great interviews from interesting celebrities, fun tidbits of information, and always ends with a peaceful scene from nature. Well, that’s it for today. Since I can’t talk to anyone that watched last night’s series finale, this was the best I could do for television talk today. Have a great week!

*Recipes You'll Wish You Didn't Know*
Santa Fe Soup
Ingredients
2 (15 oz. cans) Pinto beans
2 (15 oz. cans) Whole Kernel Corn
1 Pkg. Taco Seasoning
! Lb. Ground Beef
1 Can Ro-Tel
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
½ lb. Velveeta Cheese
Instructions
Brown and drain meat. Dice Velveeta. Mix all ingredients (Do not drain beans or corn) together in a large pot. Add meat and stir. Cook over low heat until Velveeta melts. Serve over crushed tortilla chips.

It's National Coffee Day

It’s seems every day is National Something or The Other Day. However, today is a celebration I can truly say I honor, love, adore, and haven’t gone a day without in forever. IT’S NATIONAL COFFEE DAY! Oh, an entire day set aside to appreciate the little bean that wakes us up, gets us moving, and kicks our brain into gear. As a child watching the coffee bubble up to the clear top of my mother’s percolator I remember thinking, someday I’m going to like how that tastes. If I'd only known how much I would grow to love it. The smell has always made my mouth water. A local grocery store used to have a big red grinder on the coffee aisle and I’d go down the aisle just to get a nose hit. Who would have guessed that in the decades since that silver gurgling pot, we’d stand in line for a $4.00 cup of the same brew? Just like Bubba in Forrest Gump, I love coffee however it’s presented, hot brewed, Caffè breve, Americano, Café au lait, Iced coffees, Frappé, Cappuccino, Instant, French pressed, lattes, espresso shots, Macchiato, flavored coffees, coffee pods, and of course, chocolate covered coffee beans. What is missing from my list? That would be decaffeinated coffee because I don’t consider it coffee but a waste of time. I am one of “those” people that grind their coffee beans at home. It tastes better and the smell is just this side of Heaven. I wanted to put some great coffee drinker quotes in my post but there are so many great ones. Here are some of my favorites. "Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee." "Drink coffee, do stupid things faster with more energy." "My blood type is coffee." "Sometimes I write drink coffee on my To Do list just so I'm sure to accomplish something!" "You can't buy happiness but you can buy coffee and that's kind of the same thing." There are hundreds more but you get the idea, people love their java! A few years ago, I ran across a paper my daughter wrote in first grade. The subject was, “My Favorite Place.” She wrote that her favorite place was home and the smells she smelled were coffee. Twenty plus years later when she walks in the house it still smells the same. In honor of this life-giving elixir grab a cup of your favorite brew and enjoy a Happy National Coffee Day!

Crumb Coffee Cake
Ingredients List
Cake:
2 cups - sifted all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons - baking powder
3/4 cup – Sugar
3/4 teaspoon – salt
2 – eggs
1/2 cup - vegetable oil
1/2 cup – milk
Crumb Topping:
3 tablespoons - all-purpose flour
1/2 cup - chopped nuts (optional)
1 teaspoon – cinnamon
2 tablespoons - butter or margarine, softened
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease 9-inch square cake pan. Prepare Crumb Topping: In a medium mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and cinnamon. Using a pastry blender or fingers, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Prepare Cake: In large mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Make a well in the center; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, combine eggs, oil, and milk. Add egg mixture all at once to dry mixture. Stir just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with crumb topping. Bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm.

When Did The Golden Rule Become So Tarnished?

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I’m sure at some point you were taught or at least heard of The Golden Rule. I realize it’s a Bible verse but the sentiment should have little to do with religion. It should have everything to do with treating people a little kinder. It’s thinking about what you say before you speak or before you hit the “enter” button. Maybe “Empathy Rocks,” “Embrace Empathy” or “Get High on Empathy” would be more socially acceptable. What has me on a soapbox? It started running through my mind when another young person gave up on living after being taunted online with “You should kill yourself” and “Why don’t you just die?” Come on, seriously? What is going on in the mind of someone writing such horrible things? How do those kids feel now that the tween took their advice and ended her life? Maybe if they had just stopped to think how they’d feel if such posts were directed at them, they wouldn’t have pressed, “enter.” Then yesterday, I was in the grocery store parking lot and witnessed an older man honking, cussing, and making obscene gestures towards a woman in another car. She wasn’t talking on a cellphone nor did she cut him off, she simply pulled out before him. This man was livid. Either he spent the rest of his afternoon trying to calm down or letting his temper escalate. Why? What good did his anger or cussing do either of them? Maybe she just didn’t see him. When did getting mad and being mean to people become so acceptable? Do we blame television? No, we've been doing that since the 1950’s. Should we point the finger at video games, music, books, drugs, or alcohol? It’s possible drugs and alcohol are a contributing factor but not the entire reason. Let’s blame the real culprit, apathy. We seem to have quit caring about others’ feelings. What has happened to self-control? I’ve heard people scream at teachers, waiters, cashiers, other drivers, bike riders, and sometimes anyone in their path. Just because someone works with the public doesn’t make them fair game for bullying. Even more disturbing is hearing adults rage and belittle their children or spouses. I've seen things written about others that are brutal to say the least. Do people ever think how they’d feel if it were them on the receiving end of these tirades? The old saying of “sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a bunch a malarkey. Remember, everyone is fighting his or her own personal battle. You don't have to go to war with them. Sure, there are some really evil people in the world but I have to believe that the majority are good-hearted. If we all try a little harder to see things from another’s perspective, the world will be a much nicer place. Take the time to listen to your words before they leave your mouth in anger. Read your words before you send them into the cyber world. Let’s get the Golden Rule back out and polish it up until it glistens from sea to shining sea.

Recipes You’ll Wish You Didn’t Know
Gotta Love Butter Cookies
1 box Duncan Hines butter recipe cake mix
1 stick butter
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese @ room temperature
1 egg
Combine all ingredients with electric mixer until well blended. Chill dough for two hours. Roll into balls (about walnut size). Roll balls in powdered sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar when completely cooled.

Five Great Reads for Romance Junkies

I’ll admit to being a romance-reading junkie. There are very few happily-ever-after books I can honestly say I don’t enjoy reading. The biggest problem I have is the fact that when I get on a reading jag, I will read a book in one day. This could be a very expensive addiction but fortunately, I have found some great authors who offer their work free through Amazon’s KDP program. I know there are authors who think it will lead to the demise of Indie authors’ survival but I disagree. I am a member of the program and frankly, I’m glad to gain the extra readers and exposure. Of course, that debate will rage on and I’m not going to try to convince anyone either way. As a reader, I appreciate the opportunity to discover books I would probably never have bought because the author was new or unfamiliar to me. Besides, who can seriously afford to buy a new book every day? Not this gal! Most but not all of the titles I am going to list today were downloaded from the Amazon Top 100 Free Books. If you take a few minutes each day and peruse the lists of your favorite genre, it’s possible to find some true gems. All of these books mentioned below are worth their list price to add to your library or if available, to borrow through Prime. You may even catch them on a KDP free day! I’ll put them in alphabetical order since it’s impossible to pick a favorite for me.
Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett http://www.amazon.com/Off-Limits-eboo...
I loved this book and read it quickly because I simply could not put it down. It did a number on my heart. I felt Emily and Nix's pain, joy, regret, and love. I was totally invested in their outcome. Off Limits was an emotional roller coaster and I truly enjoyed the ride! Sawyer Bennett did a fantastic job of storytelling and I will be looking for more of her works. I will remember this one for a long time.
A Soft Place to Fall by Barbara Bretton http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Place-Fall...
I found A Soft Place to Fall a delightful read. Barbara Bretton did a wonderful job in creating very believable characters. It was easy to relate to everyone in the small town of Shelter Rock Cove. The way she described Sam and Annie's feelings towards each other brought me into the story as if I were a fly on the wall. The storyline was great. It was a very hard book to put down and I found myself with a sappy grin quite often. I'm also a sucker for a great dog added into the mix. I will be looking for other books in this series. If you enjoy a sweet love story with secrets kept and revealed, you will love this book!
Significance by Shelly Crane http://www.amazon.com/Significance-A-...
Let me start by saying I don't usually read paranormal books. I'm one of the few romance readers that hasn't read the Twilight series. (Yeah, I know) I admit to being more of a cheesy romance reader even though it is not what genre I write. The Amazon reviews of Significance were so intriguing that I took the plunge. It was very enjoyable and I was sucked into the plot right away. It is one I have no qualms about giving a 5 star review. The only problem now is I want to know what happens to Maggie and Caleb so I'm actually going to buy the second book in the series!!
Saving Justice by Tasman Gibb http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Justice-... ebook/dp/B00D0HWI2S/
I really enjoyed Saving Justice from the very first page. It has a bit of everything I love...dogs, romance, action and mystery. It is one of those books where I tell myself I'll read one more chapter before I stop. Of course, in reality that means I will read as many as possible before I can bear to turn off my Kindle. There are some tough scenes in this book but they are necessary to explain the characters’ quirks. I hope there are more books coming in this series!
The Wreck by Marie Force http://www.amazon.com/The-Wreck-ebook...
This was my first Marie Force book and I loved it! Actually, I found myself turning my Kindle light on so I could finish it before I even attempted to go to sleep. The Wreck is one of those books where you simply MUST know what happens as soon as possible. Of course, then you wish that you could stretch it out a little longer because you really don't want it to end! I don't want to give anything away but this book had me laughing, crying and on the edge of my seat with curiosity and hope for a "happily ever after.”
Promise Cove By Vickie McKeehan http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Pelican...
Jordan Phillips is trying to fulfill her husband’s dream of opening a Bed and Breakfast in his hometown of Pelican Pointe. Following his death in Iraq, she struggles against snobbish townspeople, a dilapidated house, and a looming deadline to open her business. When a stranger with secrets of his own shows up and offers her help, she doesn’t know if it’s a blessing or not. This story will make you laugh, hope, cry, and cheer. Most of all it will make you beg for more. I highly recommend the Pelican Pointe series.
These are just five of the hundreds of books I have enjoyed over the past few years and I will be sharing more with you each week. I know everyone’s taste is different and I urge you to read the book’s blurb to see if they sound like books you’d enjoy. They were certainly ones that had me captivated.

Recipes You’ll Wish You Didn’t Know **Warning: Highly Addictive
Cajun Crackers
1 box Premium Crackers
1 ¼ cup Canola Oil
1 pkg. Ranch Dressing (Dry Mix)
2 Tblsp. Red Pepper Flakes
1 ½ tsp. Tony Chacere’s or Zatarain’s Creole Seasoning
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
2 tsp. Paprika
1 (2gallon) Ziploc Bag
Mix all dry ingredients together. Add crackers then oil. Tumble and shake gently for 15 minutes. They are ready to enjoy but they taste better IF you can wait until the next day! I tumble the crackers a few more times throughout the day.

Five Great Reads for Romance Junkies

I’ll admit to being a romance-reading junkie. There are very few happily-ever-after books I can honestly say I don’t enjoy reading. The biggest problem I have is the fact that when I get on a reading jag, I will read a book in one day. This could be a very expensive addiction but fortunately, I have found some great authors who offer their work free through Amazon’s KDP program. I know there are authors who think it will lead to the demise of Indie authors’ survival but I disagree. I am a member of the program and frankly, I’m glad to gain the extra readers and exposure. Of course, that debate will rage on and I’m not going to try to convince anyone either way. As a reader, I appreciate the opportunity to discover books I would probably never have bought because the author was new or unfamiliar to me. Besides, who can seriously afford to buy a new book every day? Not this gal! Most but not all of the titles I am going to list today were downloaded from the Amazon Top 100 Free Books. If you take a few minutes each day and peruse the lists of your favorite genre, it’s possible to find some true gems. All of these books mentioned below are worth their list price to add to your library or if available, to borrow through Prime. You may even catch them on a KDP free day! I’ll put them in alphabetical order since it’s impossible to pick a favorite for me.
Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett http://www.amazon.com/Off-Limits-eboo...
I loved this book and read it quickly because I simply could not put it down. It did a number on my heart. I felt Emily and Nix's pain, joy, regret, and love. I was totally invested in their outcome. Off Limits was an emotional roller coaster and I truly enjoyed the ride! Sawyer Bennett did a fantastic job of storytelling and I will be looking for more of her works. I will remember this one for a long time.
A Soft Place to Fall by Barbara Bretton http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Place-Fall...
I found A Soft Place to Fall a delightful read. Barbara Bretton did a wonderful job in creating very believable characters. It was easy to relate to everyone in the small town of Shelter Rock Cove. The way she described Sam and Annie's feelings towards each other brought me into the story as if I were a fly on the wall. The storyline was great. It was a very hard book to put down and I found myself with a sappy grin quite often. I'm also a sucker for a great dog added into the mix. I will be looking for other books in this series. If you enjoy a sweet love story with secrets kept and revealed, you will love this book!
Significance by Shelly Crane http://www.amazon.com/Significance-A-...
Let me start by saying I don't usually read paranormal books. I'm one of the few romance readers that hasn't read the Twilight series. (Yeah, I know) I admit to being more of a cheesy romance reader even though it is not what genre I write. The Amazon reviews of Significance were so intriguing that I took the plunge. It was very enjoyable and I was sucked into the plot right away. It is one I have no qualms about giving a 5 star review. The only problem now is I want to know what happens to Maggie and Caleb so I'm actually going to buy the second book in the series!!
Saving Justice by Tasman Gibb http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Justice-... ebook/dp/B00D0HWI2S/
I really enjoyed Saving Justice from the very first page. It has a bit of everything I love...dogs, romance, action and mystery. It is one of those books where I tell myself I'll read one more chapter before I stop. Of course, in reality that means I will read as many as possible before I can bear to turn off my Kindle. There are some tough scenes in this book but they are necessary to explain the characters’ quirks. I hope there are more books coming in this series!
The Wreck by Marie Force http://www.amazon.com/The-Wreck-ebook...
This was my first Marie Force book and I loved it! Actually, I found myself turning my Kindle light on so I could finish it before I even attempted to go to sleep. The Wreck is one of those books where you simply MUST know what happens as soon as possible. Of course, then you wish that you could stretch it out a little longer because you really don't want it to end! I don't want to give anything away but this book had me laughing, crying and on the edge of my seat with curiosity and hope for a "happily ever after.”
Promise Cove By Vickie McKeehan http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Pelican...
Jordan Phillips is trying to fulfill her husband’s dream of opening a Bed and Breakfast in his hometown of Pelican Pointe. Following his death in Iraq, she struggles against snobbish townspeople, a dilapidated house, and a looming deadline to open her business. When a stranger with secrets of his own shows up and offers her help, she doesn’t know if it’s a blessing or not. This story will make you laugh, hope, cry, and cheer. Most of all it will make you beg for more. I highly recommend the Pelican Pointe series.
These are just five of the hundreds of books I have enjoyed over the past few years and I will be sharing more with you each week. I know everyone’s taste is different and I urge you to read the book’s blurb to see if they sound like books you’d enjoy. They were certainly ones that had me captivated.

Recipes You’ll Wish You Didn’t Know **Warning: Highly Addictive
Cajun Crackers
1 box Premium Crackers
1 ¼ cup Canola Oil
1 pkg. Ranch Dressing (Dry Mix)
2 Tblsp. Red Pepper Flakes
1 ½ tsp. Tony Chacere’s or Zatarain’s Creole Seasoning
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
2 tsp. Paprika
1 (2gallon) Ziploc Bag
Mix all dry ingredients together. Add crackers then oil. Tumble and shake gently for 15 minutes. They are ready to enjoy but they taste better IF you can wait until the next day! I tumble the crackers a few more times throughout the day.

Modern Technology

In my first blog, I mentioned the need for more knowledge of the computer. What I really believe is the geniuses who write the instructions for computer programs need to speak plain old English. I don’t use the name geniuses facetiously; I know they have superior intelligence. It’s just not necessary they rub it in my face every time I try to install a program on my laptop. They all start out so nice and friendly. “Hi, welcome to our site. Let me walk you through the installation and in just minutes you’ll be exploring your new download.” I feel so confident, this person is going to take me step-by-step, and it’s going to be a breeze. All of my initial fear subsides as I click on the “get started” icon. Once he has suckered me in to the point of no return, suddenly I’m dealing with Hermes, the god of knowledge and invention. “You’ll need to reconfigure your encrypted code in…” Huh? My eyes glaze over and my stomach knots up because I have absolutely no idea what to do now. I immediately call one of my kids who were raised in the age of computers. This is the usual response, “Mom, you know to wait until one of us can be there before you try to download anything.” My mother’s intuition tells me they are rolling their eyes but I know it’s well deserved so I don’t call them on it. “Just close the program and wait for us to come over to show you how to do the installation.” I sigh, turn off the computer hoping I haven’t killed it, and wait for them to rescue me…again. When one shows up to help, they take my laptop, with me trying to follow their actions, install, and are cruising through the program in minutes. I couldn’t tell you the first key they hit and they are already through. I certainly don’t begrudge the younger generation for their tech savvy. In fact, I admire them. All I’m asking is, why can’t someone make a site user friendly for those of us whose first calculator was an abacus?

Recipes You'll Wish You Didn't Know Peanut Butter Butterfinger Pie Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Yield: 9 inch pie

A no bake peanut butter cheesecake topped with Butterfinger bars in a baked Pillsbury pie crust Ingredients 1 refrigerated Pillsbury pie crust 1 package cream cheese, softened (8 oz.) 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.) 1 cup sour cream 3/4 cup peanut butter 2 1/2 cups Cool Whip, divided 1 1/2 crushed Butterfinger bars Instructions 1.Remove the pie crust from the refrigerator and let sit for 15 minutes on the counter. Gently unroll the pie crust and place in a 9 inch pie plate. Press firmly into the bottom. Crimp the edges. Use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust very well. Bake at 450* for 10 minutes. Cool completely. 2.In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese. Add the sweetened condensed milk and sour cream and beat until creamy. Remove 2 cups of batter and set aside. Add the peanut butter and beat again. Spoon into the bottom of the cool pie crust. 3.Fold 2 cups of Cool Whip into the saved cream cheese mixture. Spoon on top of the peanut butter layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours to set. 4.Cover the top of the pie with the crushed Butterfinger bars. Decorate the edges of the pie with the remaining Cool Whip. Makes 1 - 9 inch pie. Keep refrigerated or freeze for firmer pie.

Bentley's Story

I credit Bentley, my Basset Hound with being the inspiration for my book The Returns. I really believe he was born to be ours. Basset Hounds have always been one of my favorite breeds because, well just look at them. Those ears, that face and the stubby little legs are hard to resist. Five years ago a friend of mine offered me her son’s full-grown Basset. Soooo tempting! We have always enjoyed raising our dogs from the puppy stage so I reluctantly passed on her generous offer. About a week later, my family was trying to decide on our lottery numbers. I told them my lucky number was seven. The kids laughed and pointed out that seven was almost everyone’s lucky number. Duh, there’s a reason for that…it’s a lucky number! Surprisingly, we didn’t win the Powerball. Keep reading, I promise this is leading somewhere. My husband received an invitation to a surprise 50th birthday party for one of his co-workers. Now is the time to point out we never go to parties other than family functions. It’s not that we don’t enjoy parties; we just don’t like actually going to them. So for the first time in probably fifteen years, we ventured out to this surprise celebration. It was a great time and his friend was very surprised. He was even more surprised when he received a six-week-old Basset Hound puppy for one of his gifts. **Note: It is not a good idea to surprise someone with a puppy! Of course, I was in love immediately and spent most of the night cradling the little sad-eyed baby. We spent the rest of the weekend talking about the puppy and thinking of what we’d name him if he were ours. My husband called me at work the following Monday. The man and his wife were not able to keep the pup. They had recently lost their old dog and weren’t ready to welcome a new dog. If you’ve ever lost a pet, you can certainly empathize with their feelings. My sadness at the fate of the puppy was quickly replaced when he said those magic words, “They want to know if we want to take him!” My excitement was off the charts. YES, YES! The next afternoon Bentley, the name we chose over the weekend, came to live with us. My Golden Retriever, Tucker was less than enthusiastic. True to his nature he tolerated the ear pulling, gnawing, and climbing little bundle of curiosity. They quickly became best friends and Tucker taught him the ins and outs of being a good boy. It wasn’t long before we let him run around in the backyard following his big “brother.” It was during one of those romps, my husband called him Seven. When I asked why, he pointed out the perfect white number seven on Bentley’s hip. I was stunned and did the thing any responsible pet owner in my situation would do…I wrote Jack Daniels Distillery! They asked for a picture and thought it was great but declined my idea of using him in ads. I did score a ball cap and Bentley got a bandana so it wasn’t a total loss. I still knew there was some reason God put a seven on our Basset. Then we figured out he was the seventh dog we had owned since we were married. (Cue the spooky music) He is such a cool dog. He sits on his butt like a human waiting to talk; he insists on giving real hugs, looks deep into your eyes and can be as stubborn as any human can. I later contacted a dog food company advertising that their food helped dog’s bodies in seven ways. I mean, come on! Nope, nada. I couldn’t shake the feeling there was a reason for all of the coincidences surrounding the sevens and Bentley. Finally, I had decided to begin a writing career and wanted to incorporate him as a character. The idea to make him an FBI Agent returned to earth as a Basset Hound struck me like a bolt of lightning one afternoon. My husband and I both knew at that moment, we had found the reason he with his number seven had become ours. The rest as they say is "his-story."

Welcome to my blog

Hi and welcome to my first blog, I hope you enjoy reading it and tell your friends to stop by. The best way to get started is to tell you a little about myself then what I hope to incorporate into this blog. Here are the basics, without revealing my age; I’ve been married to my husband for over 31 years. The first time we met, I was only 4 years old but it was quite a few years after that before we were married! Now you know I’m not 35 years old! I have had several jobs in the past including being a Directory Assistant operator. This was pre-computer age so we used giant phone books to look up numbers. Ok, so I’m not even close to 35 years old! I can still look up a phone number with amazing speed. I know with everyone having a phone that can do it in seconds, it’s a pretty useless talent but whenever your phone dies, I can come in handy. When our daughter was born, I became a stay-at-home mom. Our son was born three years later. After they were both in school, I spent so much time doing P.T.A. activities (I claim being the first female President Clinton, just in case) along with room mother things; the principal offered me a job. He said since I was there all the time, I’d might as well be getting paid. There wasn’t much that didn’t make sense with his logic so I became a child specific aide. In other words, I helped a child with cerebral palsy adjust in a classroom setting. It was a very rewarding experience. I also coached cheerleaders from the time my daughter was in kindergarten until four years after she graduated high school. I transferred to the high school level when she was a freshman and worked again with special students before transferring to office work and finally to the school library as a clerk. I resigned from the job a couple of years ago to pursue a new career in writing. I published my first book, The Returns, through Amazon last November. I have been shamelessly self-promoting myself since then. This brings me to today and the creation of a blogging website. The saying “What a difference a year makes,” has never been more true than the last year of my life. In the past year, I’ve had both of my children get married, my husband retired, my first book published and now I have my own website. It has been quite a wonderful year. I am thrilled with the marriages, I love having my husband at home, and I am really proud of my book. Having said all of that, I have also learned more these past twelve months than I had ever thought possible. I know now I should have become more proficient with the computer, done more investigating into the world of Indie authors and self-publishing before jumping in over my head, and I definitely should have paid more attention in high school English classes. At this point, I’m hoping not to regret never grasping algebra. It could cause my head to explode! My hope is you will become a regular visitor here so we can share a smile and a few laughs. The plans are to feature interesting stories, interviews with a variety of people, some recipes you’ll love to try, along with some animal stories. I will be reviewing some of my favorite books but don’t expect to read any bad reviews here. If I don’t enjoy a book, I simply won’t review it. Everyone’s taste in reading is different and while I may not care for some books, you might enjoy them. I wouldn’t want to be the reason you miss falling in love with a book. I will leave those reviews to others who are no doubt better qualified than I am. That’s about it for my first official blog experience. I hope you enjoyed it and come back soon. Until then, laugh, love and enjoy life! M. K. Clinton