No Words Today

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Silver James

The vet called yesterday afternoon. Jake has large-cell lymphoma. We knew it was a possibility because of the cancerous growth on his tail. We were all hoping and praying the amputation had “fixed” it. It didn’t. The damn cancer had probably already spread. His compromised immunue system likely increased the possibility of him contracting theEhrlichiosis. We are sure what we’re going to do short term. His appointment this morning will help determine next step. It all comes down to quality of life and his pretty much sucks at the moment. So does ours. Thank you everyone for all the thoughts and prayers. They’ve helped. Really they have. I’ll be back to social media in a bit, after final decisions. Y’all live life well while I’m away, okay? 💔😢

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Tuesday Tidbits:

Posted on August 18, 2026 by Silver James

I considered posting something about procrastination, except I’m not really procrastinating. I’m not necessarily “working” but it’s not because I don’t want to, it’s because my brain doesn’t want to go there. Then I thought about the memes I have dealing with brains and minds, like when they wander off and get lost. Then, as I was browsing threw my files, I came across this one and it made me smile. Before I started listening to audio books in the car, I used to sing with the radio. Jake was very happy when I discovered audio books. Anyway, this mades me laugh because…yeah. Been there, done that, got caught and did some catching of my own.

Please tell me I’m not the only one… Have a good day. Jake goes in for more bloodwork tomorrow morning. What will be will be.In the menatime, find something to smile about.

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Just Another Monday

Posted on August 17, 2026 by Silver James

I don’t have much to report. It’s Monday.

Jake is…I don’t know. He seems to get better and then stuff happens. He’s eating a bit more. He’s even taken a few treats and jerky strips. He’ll let us know when he needs to go out but he’ll also sleep so hard he loses a bit of control. He hates taking his pills. He’s lost 30 pounds. He neesd a bath but… Every time I wake up at night and every time I get up from my desk during the day, I go check to make sure he’s still breathing.

I have to go to Walmart today. I haven’t been to Walmart without him in 7 years. I went to Ace Hardware yesterday. Without him. It’s weird being in the car alone. I’d take Toby but he won’t get into the car without a big fight. Once he’s inside, he’s perfectly happy and loves the ride. I have no clue why the whole process of getting in is such a hassle. But I’m not strong enough to lift his 160 pounds up and in. Anyway…

It’s hot. We’re now at Day 22 of temps over 100 and little to no rain. We desperately need the rain.

I haven’t written since Jake got sick. Due to circumstances, there was no Thursday Thoughts last week so no new words. I’ll figure something out for Wednesday. Not sure about tomorrow.

We’ll be going back to the vet’s either today or tomorrow for more blood work. The test on the lymph cells to determine if the cancer has spread is also hanging out there. I can’t breathe for a moment whenever I think about that. Anyway…

So that’s it for me. What’s up in your neck of the woods?

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Friday Fizzle

Posted on August 14, 2026 by Silver James

I’m late. Sorry. That said, this pretty much sums up me today. We see the vet again at 11:30 fo rmore tests. At least my car is running smoothly. See? I’m looking on the bright side. Better get your sunglasses on.

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Thursday Thoughts: Week, You’re Fired!

Posted on August 13, 2026 by Silver James

This week is fired. Unless our lottery ticket won something last night. I’m not holding my breath. Pardon the mini-rant/whine.

First, Jake pupdate. We’re still waiting on the cancer test outcome. After texting and phone calls on Monday and Tuesday, the vet suggested we bring him home Tuesday afternnoon for several reasons. Shew asn’t having any luck getting him to eat and every time he’d get out of his kennel, he’d go to the room where we normall got to wait when we have an appointment. He was looking for us. We brought him home, got him settled. He was weak and often needed help walking when he’d go out. He’d drink but he wouldn’t eat. We got a chub of Fresh Pet and he ate a few bites of it. He’s taking LOTS of pills. We’ve solved this by putting them down his throat and then squirting whipped cream into his mouth. I’ve started doing that with bites of the food, minus the whip cream. This afternoon, he finally ate a few bites without me “force feeding him.” He’s also able to got out, do his stuff and come back inside without having to lay down to rest in between. This is all good.

Now for the mini-rant. LG is on VA disability. I’m on Social Security. It’s enough to pay our bills and put groceries on the table but there’s not much left for emergencies. Once upon a time, I made enough royalties from my books to get a little cushion in the bank and give us a bit of play money for some fun once in awhile. Then I got sick and ended up in the hospital for almost a month. Getting back into normal life and writing routine has been a bee-yooch. That’s on me. But that steady $1K a month is now more like $25.00 a month. People who think writers are rich and make boucoups amounts of money and Hollywood is panting to buy our books to turn into movies or TV shows don’t have a clue. Anyway. In real life, credit cards get maxed out whenever there is an emergency and we’ve had them: AC/Heat repair; LG’s truck catching fire and having to finance the replacement because insurance didn’t come close to covering the purchase price (and we got a bargain but whatever…); having to replace my desktop computer; new tires. The list goes on. We finally semi-got things back under control. CC debt was cut in half, one almost paid off and then…Jake. I’m not complaining. Jake is mine. I will fight to keep him healthy and with me until there are no options. His cancer surgery was $900. And now this episode, which is $1300 and counting. We were able to finance this latest because I pay off the financing on my computer this monthy. Like I said, Jake is family. We’ll do whatever it takes. But I’m really getting tired of fighting to make ends meet and keep things together..

See, we went to pick up Jake Tuesday afternoon. We did the financing. On the way home. my Highlander started doing a weird thing. I thought maybe LG had put it in 4WD low or something. The “OH SH!T!!! STOP RIGHT NOW!!!” light and message started flashing with all the bells and whistles. Low Oil Pressure. Stop Immediately. Call Dealership. We drove the 3 blocks to our house. We got Jake out and settled then LG drove the vehicle 3 blocks back to a local mechanics shop–that had just done an oil change on Drover back in June. We’d blown an oil line. Yes, they could fix it. We picked it up yesterday afternoon. It was almost $500, but they replaced a plastic seal with a metal one. Drover (yes I name my vehicles) is 18 years old and has 72K miles. This is the first really major mechanical problem so I can’t really complain about the breakdown. It’s just the timing of it.

Yes. While LG was out this afternoon, I sat down and cried. To make money writing books, you have to actually write books. And that’s been a struggle. LG keeps looking at various jobs but his health is such that he really can’t. Getting old sucks. But we aren’t homeless. The house is paid off. Drover is paid off. Jake will hopefully recover. That damn caner test is still hanging out there. But he’s here with me for now. I’m just tired. And I needed to vent so y’all got my thoughts today. I’m trying not to shake my fist at the Universe and yell…well…bad words.

My final whine. If everyone who subscribes to this blog or follows me on social media bought just ONE of my books (any of them over $1.99 that is), in two months, I’d be able to partiall catch up. I’ve sold 16 books so far this month. My estimated royalties are $28.45. That buys one week of dog food.

Okay. Whine over. It is what it is. Life goes on. We do what we can. Damn the torpedoes. All the platitudes. I have coffee. Jake is laying on his bed in my office. Life is okay.

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Wednesday Words: I’ve Got You

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Silver James

It’s Wednesday. I’m setting this up on Tuesday. In a bit of good news in the midst of worrying about Jake, I managed good enough words to garner an honorable mention in last week’s Thursday Threads. The judge had this to say: I’m a sucker for romance, and even more so when the love interest is both reluctant and protective. Even in this short scene, the connection between the two characters felt intense. I really enjoyed this! I’m a sucker for romance, too. What can I say? The prompt is: *“I’ve got you.”* Good news, this scene continues a previous scene. Bad news, all I know is that it happens a bit later in the book.

“I need help, Ariel.”

His tongue and his body both frozen at Aisling’s plea. When his muscles thawed, he breathed, filling his lungs with air and blowing it out until they were empty again. He had orders. He knew what he had to do. Reminding himself of his duty over and over, he dredged up words he didn’t want to utter.

“You forget, I’m no hero.”

Aisling’s gaze settled on him, her eyes all but glowing in the sudden moonlight. The look in them threatened to eviscerate him.

“I don’t need a hero,” she whispered. “I just need you.”

Her words slammed into him and it was all he could do to remain standing. He wanted to fall to his knees and beg her forgiveness. He wanted to run as far away from her as he could, just to keep her safe. From him. Duty was such a bastard.

“Help me.”

I won’t. I can’t. Those were the words he should say but they stuck in his throat. Instead, the words that came out were, “I will.”

She melted against him and that was that. If he was lucky, he’d only be banished. If he wasn’t, Oberon or Titania would have his head—in the literal sense. None of it mattered. Aisling was in his arms, the sweet fragrance of lilacs and sunshine filling his very being with a sense of rightness and purpose.

“I’m scared,” she whispered into his chest.

“I’ve got you.” Now and forever, he promised silently.

Yeah, I think Ariel has it bad. *bwahaha* Writers, write should you so desire. Readers, out of all your favorite heroes, which one would you pick to have your back?

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Tuesday: Jake

Posted on August 11, 2026 by Silver James

This picture of Jake “smiling” always makes me smile. He was getting a belly rub when I took this pic. Jake is currently at the vet’s. Last week, he started not eating. He’d nibble not not really eat. He would eat his treats though. On Friday, he and I made our usual Wallyworld run. Every time I stopped the cart for any length of time, he’d lay down. Normally, he’d only go down with the down command at the checkout.

Over the weekend, he stopped eating completely but drank copious amounts of water. Sunday night, he threw up a couple of times. There was blood in one of them.

The vet opens at 8:30. I called at 8:32 and our wonderful vet’s assistant said the 9 o’clock slot was open. I said we’d be there. Toby wouldn’t get in the car so we left him behind. Jake went down getting in the car and we had to lift him in. At the vet’s, he had trouble walking, went down in the lobby and we had to use a towel to lift and support his back legs. The doc did an exam and took blood. He was running a fever and his blood work came back with mixed results. She wanted to keep him for IVs, X-rays, and possible sonogram, plus more blood work. She was really worried about his kidneys and spleen. We left him there.

Our vet is wonderful. She called to give us an update. X-rays showed all of his lymph glands were swollen and we immediately thought the cancer had spread. She went on to explain that she’d done futher testing based on that, including for various tick-borne diseases. That test came back positive for Ehrlichiosis. It is treatable with medication, though it may not be curable based on his age, compromised immunity from the previous cancer, and how long he’s had it. All in all, very hopeful news. She called back a bit later to say that he was drinking, managed to stand on his own and went outside to do his business. He’s still not eating but she’s hoping the anti-nausea medication will bring back his appetite. She’s still keeping him overnight and we’ll hear something more this morning.

Still asking for prayers and healing thoughts. I’ll update as I know new info.

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Dog Days of Monday

Posted on August 10, 2026 by Silver James

You know it’s hot when the dogs melt before they finish their outside business. They go out and come back a minute later panting. I have to fill the birdbaths at least twice a day. And yes, there are bowls down low for the critters. I have to fill them too. It hit 103 yesterday, 104 on Saturday, and headed toward at least 101 today. Ugh. At least the humidity isn’t too bad–not like last week when it was 65%+. It is disheartening, though, when I look at current conditions at 11 p.m. and it’s still 90 degrees.

I’ve pretty much been a slug because I do not like hot weather, Sam I am. Not with a fox, not in a box, and definitely not with green eggs and ham. That would mean firing up the stove and I’m avoiding the kitchen like the plague. The closest I’ve come to cooking in the last few days is boiling eggs for tuna salad to slather on bread for sandwiches. Heck, we celebrated our 43rd anniversary last week by LG running out to Arby’s for roast beef sandwiches and potato cakes. Everything was still hot when he got home, thanks to the weather.

Writing is still slow but it is moving along. I’m still in that see-saw stage of “It sucks!” with a sudden swing into “Hey, this isn’t half bad” to the very rare “Huh. This might be good. after all.” I am getting better and expanding existing random scenes and figuring out how to had them to other random scenes and creating a chapter. Go me.

Graphic Audio dropped the next book in Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series so I’ve been doing a marathon of the previous books. Yes, it is a favorite series and yes, I do love me the multi-cast editions. The good news is, I’ve caught up to my Goodreads reading challenge. I’m actually one book ahead at the moment, thanks to DIAMOND FIRE, which is the transition novella between WILDFIRE and SAPPHIRE FLAMES. It bridges the end of Nevada’s arc and starts Catalina’s.

There’s not much else going on in my world. Hot weather really puts a damper on things. No soccer. School starts this week though. Well, it does for Only and Stormy. Baseball Boy gets another week before students arrive. He does have “in service” days so it’s not like he’s at home under the AC playing video games. 😉

No real plans for this week other than getting Jake in for a vet check up. He’s not doing too well. We’re hoping it’s the heat. He’s not eating much, ignores the treats he normally inhales and is mostly laying still. When we went to Wallyworld on Friday, he walked slowly and would lay down every time I stopped the cart for any length of time. He’s also have a bit of trouble getting in and out of my car. We’re worried that it’s more than just getting older, as he is 13 now and that’s old for the giant breeds. Anyway. On a happier critter note, I did get Toby to do a down. It’s only taken a year and he only did it once but…PROGRESS! Now I could just get him into the dang car. He loves to go once we manhandle him into the back seat. He just doesn’t weant to get in. Silly mutt.

Anybody do anything fun this weekend? Anybody got plans for this week? Y’all need to step it up ;so I can live vicariously through you.

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Friday Sinema: Untamed

Posted on August 7, 2026 by Silver James

I wouldn’t have seen this if a friend hadn’t emailed me. Well, I probably would have eventually because I’m a Lindsey Stirling fan and she pops up in my YouTube searches more often than not. That said, YAY! I got to see it sooner than later and I get to share it. Yes, it puts me in mind of Ariel and his Damn Book. Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend. Stay cool! The AC is still my BFF!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Sight

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Silver James

Writers are alleged to be keen observers–of human nature, of nature itself, of the world around us. We then turn those observations in words, telling stories or explaining things. It depends on what type of writing we do. Granted, non-fiction and academic writing is far different from writing fiction or poetry. Okay, maybe not far, because the basics–spelling, punctuation, sentence structure–remain the same but there is a definite difference. And as usual, the Universe dropped a little gem into my inbox to point this out.

What you see with your eyes, Silver, is never as important as what you feel with your heart.

Know what I’m talking about?

  ❤️
  The Universe
  ©www.tut.com 

P.S. And there’s always so much more to feel, Silver. Try it now.

When it comes to writing–fiction especially–we have to lead from the heart. We have to create a world where our readers want to live. We have to breath life into our characters so readers want to get to know them–to love or hate them as the character’s role evolves. And bottome line, we have to fill our stories with emotion so that readers not only see our words but feel them in their hearts. And that starts when we see with our eyes but feel with our hearts.

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