M.J. Compton's Blog, page 25

MJ’S Musings: Claustrophobic Feet

A social media acquaintance, after reading my lament about not being able to wear a pair of fun and funky boots, even though an ad for them beckoned me for months, said I had claustrophobic feet. What a perfect description! My reason is that my feet cannot abide being trapped inside boot or sneakers. If […]

MJ Monday: MJ’s Manuscript-Betrayed By Moon Exceprt

I’m pulling pieces of the manuscript before revisions, so these selections may change in the published version.   Selena stopped next to a neon cowboy hat advertising roast beef sandwiches and lifted her face to the night sky. Light pollution from the city cloaked most of the stars, although a few planets pierced the haze. […]

MJ’s Musings: Book Bingo: Sports Romance

Update on my Book Reading Bingo progress: I filled the “Romance with a Sporting Chance” square by reading Jean C. Joachim’s DAN ALEXANDER, PITCHER. Baseball romance. YAY! I really enjoyed this book. I loved the whole idea of a woman hiding out in plain sight as “the hot dog girl” at a major league baseball […]

MJ Monday: MJ’s Music–The McGarrigles

Back in the last millennium, I was introduced to a duo of folk singers named Kate & Anna McGarrigle. Their voices were unusual; their music–most of which they wrote–was unique. Kate was married to Loudon Wainwright III of “Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road” fame (whom I saw in concert  with Bob Dylan). […]

MJ’s Musings: Another Pet Peeve

I I use my own shopping bags. Have for years. I keep them in the trunk of my car so I always have them with me. Every time I grocery shop, I tell the cashier, “Please don’t make the bags too heavy.” And every time, the cashier loads as much as s/he can into each […]

MJ Monday: MJ’s Movies-The Big Lebowski

Several years ago, a supervisor at my Day Job mentioned a long sweater I kept in at my work cubicle. He called it my Big Lebowski sweater. I had no idea what he was talking about. He said, “Really? You should watch the movie. You’ll love it.” I hate being predictable. A few years later, […]

MJ’s Musings: SEP-This Heart of Mine

Of all Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Chicago Stars books, This Heart of Mine is my favorite. She takes the sister of the heroine of It Had to be You (Molly Sommerville) and pairs her with the hero’s nemesis from Nobody’s Baby But Mine (Kevin Tucker). SEP admits she finagled their ages a bit to make the story work. She is […]

MJ’s Monday–Meals: Asian Veggie Buddha Bowl

My friend Kris introduced me to the concept of Buddha Bowls. This recipe is my variation on one of hers. I used quinoa instead of rice for my grain base.  Quinoa can be a pain to clean and cook, so when I discover this, I was ecstatic. I also keep precooked chicken in the freezer […]

MJ’S Musing: The Allure of Jeans

When I was a teenager, I loved jeans. Even as a young adult, jeans were my wardrobe of choice. Lately…not so much. I guess I’m getting cranky in my old age. At Day Job, any day we can wear jeans is greeted with much elation, especially among the younger set. But I don’t find jeans […]

MJ Monday: MJ’s Manuscript: Excerpt from Betrayed By the Moon.

Another tidbit from my book, BETRAYED BY THE MOON,  tentatively scheduled for  late June 2019 publication. “Who did you bring home?” Another male spoke from the shadowed corner. Ethan bristled, ready to defend his mate from the intruder. “Ethan,” Selena replied. “Nathan? Nathan who?” The voice cracked. “Ethan Calhoun,” Ethan said. “Who are you?” “Channing […]