Today is a somber day. No. I’m not watching the ceremony. And it’s for the same reason I stay away from the media on April 19th. I lost friends both days. Instead, I’m taking a page from one of those friends. When asked if he was every worried about how dangerous his job was (FDNY firefighter) he said, “No. Life is what it is and I’m living each day to it’s finest. I’ll do my job and laugh or cry once it’s done and I go home. Personally, I plan on laughing a lot.” Those words came back to me in a dream last night. It was a restless night but I dozed and I heard his voice, reminding me of what he’d told a reporter here in the aftermath of the Murrah. He was part of NY Task Force 1. He was in the midst of the rescue on 9/11 when the towers came down. He didn’t go home. But 26 years later, his words came back to me in a dream so I looked for something that made me laugh and I found this. It’s true and it’s funny and I hope it makes you laugh too. Even if it’s through some tears.
I didn’t dream of becoming a writer until I was an adult. I wanted to be a cowgirl, breeding and training horses. I wanted to be an actress then I wanted to be a bureaucrat and work for the government. I wanted to be a cop. I sort of did those things but not in a way that they became a career. Through it all, I told stories to myself. Some of them got written down. I tried a few times to get published because hey, why not? I have some interesting rejection letters. The older I got, the more diverse my various careers became–law and the courts, fire service, police investigations. And along the way, I added becoming a wife and mother. And still, I wrote stories. At one point, LG gave me The Look™️and said, “You need to do this.” So I got serious and becoming a published author became my dream. As usual, the Universe has thoughts.
Having a dream, Silver, is awesome.
Having a dream and showing up for it every day, even when nothing seems to be happening, is priceless.
But having a dream, showing up for it every day, and sauntering, winking, and giving out lots of hugs along the way is when the floodgates begin to tremble.
P.S. Saunter, Silver, is not to be confused with sashay, prance, or trot… although each will work wonders in their own special way.
Some fifty books later–not including those books that will never be published–I’ve mostly achieved my dream that wasn’t a dream. At the same time, dreaming is very much a part of my process. I get an idea and then daydream, developing the idea into a plot, a place, and the people. At that point, I saunter, sashay, prance, trot, drag my feet and am often confused until I get to the end. And the funny thing about dreams? They happen in Real Life too. What are you dreaming about today?
It’s a new week with me back on track when it comes to posting. I am happy to report that one of the few good things that happened to me last week was winning the Thursday Threads challenge. That means that I added 250 words to Ariel’s Damn Book. One of these days, I should share the massive list of possible titles. None of them are quite right and I keep looking for others. And I’m off topic. It’s Wednesday. Therefore there should be a prompt, which is: *“You sure this is going to work?”* This scene happens somewhere in the great sagging middle of the book. Hopefully, it will all be tight and firm by the time it’s finished. In the meantime…
**** Sade wasn’t paid enough to herd this group of cats. She could depend on Caleb, her Werewolf partner. The plan she’d laid out happened in daylight so Sinjen was out of the equation. Sidelining the Vampire might be a misstep but she had reasons. The humans, Aisling and Carla, looked skeptical. She still hadn’t figured out the shy librarian’s role in this case, but she needed Carla’s witchy skills and the witch insisted Aisling’s knowledge would come in handy. Then there was the frickin’ Dragon. Nikos was always a wild card.
“You sure this is going to work?” Caleb looked askance at Sade.
“Do you have a better idea?” she shot back.
The Werewolf started to speak, then closed his mouth with a shake of his head.
Nikos added his two cents. “I vote we just let the Fae handle their own problems.” He shrugged off their glares. “They’re Fae. They fight. They always have. They always will.”
Druic took offense. “And your kind have always sought peace?” He snorted and turned away from Nikos to focus on Sade. “Ariel should be here.”
“But he’s not.” She eyed the youngster. “Do you know where he is?”
He shook his head. “No. And I will admit it worries me.”
It worried Sade too. “Did he get called back to court?”
“No.” Titania, the Seelie Queen, appeared from thin air.
Sade banged her head against the wall, muttering, “Why me?”
“Because Karma’s a bitch?” Caleb asked.
“Time for Plan B,” Sade announced. ****
Writers, I hope you find some inspiration. Readers, glad you’re still on this rollercoaster ride of a journey. I promise I’m going to buckle in and push this thing to the end. Don’t ask me what Plan B is. Iffy hasn’t figured it out yet. I’m open to ideas if any of you want to toss some inspiration back my way…
Yesterday was Labor Day which is the unofficial end to Summer. However, Summer is being stubborn and refusing to gracefully bow out to make room for Fall. That’s okay. I’ve found a yummy treat that is quick, easy an d doesn’t heat up the kitchen too bad. In fact, I’ve added the ingredients to my Wallyworld list for this week. If I’d found it in time, we would have had them for dessert with the brisekt we had for dinner last night.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars
Recipe details Yield: 16 servings Prep time: 5 Minutes Cook time: 40 Minutes Total time: 45 min
Instructions 1 - Preheat an oven to 350F and place your rack in the middle. Line a 7x11 glass baking dish with parchment paper, leaving the sides high for easy removal. Set aside.
2 - Make brownie batter in a medium bowl according to the box, and pour12qws into prepared dish (note: you do not have to spread the batter out, it will spread during the next step).
3 - Place lightly flattened pieces of cookie dough and place them throughout the brownie batter. Push them in slightly.
4 - Bake for about 40 minutes or until the brownies are cooked through and the cookies are golden.
5 - Cool in the dish on a cooling rack until fully cooled before removing, then slice and enjoy.
Tips 1. With only two ingredients, these bars are super simple. Feel free to add any toppings or mix-ins of your choice like nuts, marshmallows, caramel, or a sprinkle of sea salt.
2. Keep cut bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Bars also freeze well and can be frozen up to 3 months.
3. You will know bars are cooked through when a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean, and bars will continue to set as they cool.
Sometimes, a girl just needs cookie dough or brownies. Sometimes, she needs them both at the same time. When dealing with a pack of Irish Mob Wolves, the girls keep the ingredients on hand. If you haven’t read the book and would like to find out why, you can grab MOONSTRUCK MAFIA: BOSTON from your favorite on-line store. Just click on the title or the cover pics. You’ll zip over to Books2Read (you can click on it too), find your store, click again and bingo! Then go make a batch of these treats, settle in and start reading. Here’s the blurb:
Their enemies call them Boru’s Wolves… And they are about to embark on a war against their rivals, the authorities, and the lowest of lowlifes Boston has to offer. After years of plotting, the time has come to put their plans into motion. Crime and corruption in Boston is about to take on a whole new meaning.
If they only knew the truth… The Wolves aren’t just a faction of the Irish Mob. And they aren’t just human. Not exactly. Technically, they are wolf shifters. Inside every man is a wolf waiting to come out and hunt. Hard to piss off and even harder to kill, the Wolves will stop at nothing to keep their territory safe from the scum that inhabits the streets of Beantown.
Wolves protect what’s theirs… Especially since they mate for life. When love sweeps in like a Nor’easter, these moonstruck Wolves will fight harder than they’ve ever fought before. Protecting their mates will never be easy for men like these, but they’ll use every molecule of both man and wolf to keep their ladies safe.
For Boston’s Moonstruck Mafia, it’s a war for territory, for honor, and for love. In a war like this, only the strong survive.
It’s the first Monday of September. That means it’s Labor Day here in the States–the unofficial-official end of Summer. Now if Summer would just get the hint and take a hike. I am sooo ready for Fall.
For many, like office and government workers, this is a holiday. Folks got a 3-day weekend. For folks in service industries, first responders, and retail, it’s just another–if somewhat busier–day at work. Sometimes, we’d get holiday pay ie. time and a half. Also, if you’re a writer, it’s also just another day unless you consciously take the day off. Anyway…
I voted last week off the island and then on Saturday, sent it a pink slip. It is officially fired. As y’all know, we lost Jake on Monday. I’m coping but I still get misty-eyed at odd times. There’s a big hole in my heart. It will get smaller with time. Toby is being a sweet boy but he’s nowhere close to being ready for “prime time.” He is sitting better and going “down” on command. Getting in the car? Nope. Not even for salmon sticks. But we’re working on it. Saturday, we received a very sweet note from our vet with ink prints of his front paws and his nose. Late in the evening on Friday night, Only called. Their pupper, Dozer, was having trouble walking and she wanted info on emergency vets. Dozer was a GSD and was at least 10. It was his time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. So yeah, lousy week for the James Gang.
In somewhat happier news, I saw hummingbirds at the feeder and I won Thursday Threads. Still, not enough to keep the week from being kept on the payroll.
It’s a new week and time to get on regular track. I’ll be getting back to work on Ariel’s Damn Book. It’s time. I’ll be working with Toby each day, trying to entice him into the car so we can go get a pup cup. He likes pup cups. I’m hoping that reward after a drive and the training treats to get him into the car will work and then he can start going places with me..
I’m about to finish up my Rock Chick marathon listen. It’s been a fun ride and an easy way to fill in the blank spots and partially take my mind off the empty spaces. While they would drive me crazy if they were real rather than fictional, there’s still a part of me that wishes I actually knew them and could drop into Fortnum’s Book Store for one of Tex’s coffees and sit on the couch to watch the shenanigans. Their antics and predicaments make me laugh and roll my eyes at the same time. Also, the Hot Bunch is hot. Kristen Ashley has a touch.
On that note, I’m going to drink my morning coffee, surf the net a while, and then I’m going to lay down new words or else. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Enjoy your day if you are celebrating. Don’t work too hard if that’s your lot. Be safe and stay cool.
Are flash mobs a thing anymore? They used to be lots of fun to “trip over” on the internet. They’ve probably gone the way of the do-do bird. Anyway. I was reminded of this particlar on by a post on X yesterday so I went to find it. I keep thinking there’s a longer version out there but I couldn’t find it so here’s the short version. I hope it gives you a smile to take into this long holiday weekend (a holiday here in the States, anyway). Have a good one!
When this message from the Universe first dropped into my inbox, I tucked it back with the idea of applying it to writing. I mean, it’s a pretty easy juxtaposition. When you write a book, you start at the beginning and eventually you get to the end. Granted, some of us take longer than others to finish the journey. And its those final words in the stroy that define the book, that determine whether there is a Happy Ever After or, if the book is “literar,” the reader may be left with tears. I don’t like tears so I’m always working toward the HEA. But then Life happened and this message took on a deeper and sadder meaning and while the message seems sad now, there is also hope.
It’s the final moments, Silver, that define a journey.
P.S. The middle moments, Silver, are for living, loving, and gelato breaks.
I’ll just leave this here for your own interpretaion but with this final thought from me: There weren’t any gelato breaks but there were lots and lots of pup cups.
It’s Wednesday again. As y’all know, I’ve been distracted the past few weeks but look! I have words today. They aren’t particularly inspiring but it’s a good scene and I’ll make it all pretty and wordy and emotional and stuff when I edit it into the main story. In the meantime, the Thursday Threads prompt for the week is: *“I have more if you need it.”* I didn’t win, place or show last week in the challenge but that’s okay. I wrote 250 words which is way more than I wrote the week before.
**** “I have more if you need it.”
Aisling hiccuped and waved her glass around. Carla snatched for it but missed. “Are you tryin’ t’get me drunk?”
Carla rolled her eyes at the slurred words and muttered, “You already are, chica.” Louder, she added, “Not offering more sangria. I’m talking about advice.”
“Nope. I don’t need advice. I’m just gonna pack my stuff and move.” Aisling nodded believing she looked as sage as she felt. “This town’s not big enough for the both of us.”
“Chica, are you even listening to yourself?”
Pausing to drain her glass, Aisling nodded, with emphasis this time. “Of course I am.” She hiccuped again. “Carla…” She wailed the name. “I propositioned him.”
Finally able to divest the glass from Aisling’s hand, Carla set it out of reach and took her friend’s hand. “This is not as big a deal as you’re making it.”
“Is too!”Aisling looked around wildly before focusing again on Carla. “He shut me down.” She turned the last word into multiple syllables. “How can I face him again?” Her eyes went wide as a sudden thought hit. “You’re a witch,” she breathed.
“Chica…” Carla’s tone held warning.
“You can whip up a love spell!” She nodded enthusiastically.
Carla sighed. “Witch magic don’t work so good on Fae, chica. And between you and me? I don’t want to piss off your Fae.”
“He’s not—” her voice hitched. “Mine.”
As he listened at the door, Ariel thought, Not yet but I will be. ****
Okay, so maybe the scene is a little better than I first thought. Still, it needs work. Heck, the whole dang book needs work but I’m ready to get back to it. Life goes on, right? Anyway, writers, you know what to do if you so desire. Readers, what do you need right now?
A county deputy responded to a “shots fired” call. He stopped on a country road and stepped out of his vehicle. The next thing he knew, this big black and white dog was sitting in his front passenger seat. Figuring that a local farmer had been shooting at the dog, the deputy took him to Pet Angles Animal Rescue. They named him Jacob and the vet thought he was around 5 years old. Three different families adopted him. All three returned him for…reasons. LG saw his picture in a FB post and contacted the rescue. He’d been adopted a fourth time the week before. We were sad as Cooper, our Landseer Newfoundland had passed a few weeks before and Boone, our other Newf was sad.
A few days later, the rescue emailed LG. She was hesitant to ask, considering Jacob had been returned for a fourth time. We immediately made an appointment to go see him. It was love at first sight and three day’s later, he was ours. He jumped up in the backseat of LG’s truck, and he never looked back. Neither did we.
Jake and Boone did the usual sniff, posture and dance, then settled in to be best buds. Jake’s issues were minor as far as we were concerned. He had separation anxiety. He got into the trash. He counter surfed for food. He didn’t like crates. (One family brought him back because he ate his way through the crate after they’d been specifically told NOT TO CRATE HIM!) Anywasy. All easy fixes. Chips and bread went on top of the fridge. Trash can replaced with a lidded one. I worked from home. If stuff happened while we were gone, we cleaned up, loved him and went on with life.
Then he started cueing in on stuff. LG’s balance problems. My blood pressure and bad knees. He’d come stand next to my chair so I could either brace on him or grab his collar and he’d pull me up. I started training him. He started going everywhere. He loved riding in the car. He loved Starbucks and Walmart. He went to restaurants, laying under the table, quiet and content. He was with his people and he helped them. Boone didn’t like riding in the car. It didn’t bother him at all to stay home.
Jake graduated from Service Dog in Training to Service Dog. We took him with us. I took him with me. Every associate in Walmart knew and loved him. He’d strain the leash to get to firefighters shopping there. He was patient with little kids. He picked out a man shopp;ing with his wife in the bedding department. Jake stood beside him, leaning slightl against his leg. I told the man it was okay to pet. The man’s face was pale and drawn. He looked worn out and it seemed like he was panting a bit as he breathed. He petted and leaned back against Jake. His wife shopped, wide-eyed. I’d already grabbed what I was shopping for and just waited. I watched that man’s color come back. I watched his breathing ease. His wife confessed they’d just come from a chemo treatment and they were always terribly hard on him. She had tears in her eyes as she watched her husband perk up.
Yeah. Jake was that special.
After the cancerous grouwth and tail amputation and the report of it being large-cell carcinoma in his lymph glands, we knew it was just a matter of time. As long as he was comfortable and happy, we didn’t have to decide. He went to Walmart with me. We stopped at Starbucks. Then his steps slowed and he’d lay down each time I stopped to look for something on a shelf. The time was coming. The next time I went to Walmart, he stayed home. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Still, he was eating, drinking, getting around the house. He’d get in the car to go to Starbucks, until he couldn’t. So I made him pup cups at home.
This past weekend, he crashed. After eating some food Saturday morning, he didn’t eat the rest of the day. He drank a lot of water and would go outside, come back in, drink a lot, sleep. Sunday, he’d move about six feet from one spat to another. He wouldn’t go out. He didn’t go out. We cleaned up and knew it was time.
Yesterday, we made The Decision™️. Our vet is the most wonderful lady. As soon as I contacted her on Monday morning, she set us up. LG and I had to carry him to the car. We put him in the cargo area instead of the back seat. He couldn’t stand up. Dr. Rose and her vet tech brought a stretcher out to the car. The two of them and LG got him lifted out of the Highlander and onto the stretcher. We got him inside and settled. We made arrangements for cremation. We petted and loved him and he let out a little sigh. As Dr. Rose said, he’s at peace.
Jake took his final ride and crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He has a big pack waiting for him there. Boone and Pete will be there at the front to greet him. He’s pain free now, has pup cups galore, and all the jerky treats he desires. Knowing Jake, he stopped partway and looked back to Toby and Loki, to LG and me. He wagged his tail and gave one of his barks–the one that said, “See you later.”
See you, later, Jake. You were the best boy ever! 💔❤️
I took a vacation from social media last week for…reasons. Sadly, I haven’t really missed it but I kinda have. I’m like a cat. I don’t know if I want to be outside or stay inside, or go outside or…whatever.
It’s hot. I’m ready for Summer to take a hike. And we desperately need rain. I fill up the birdbath out in the driveway island early in the morning and by mid-afternoon, it’s completely empty but for the dry sand the birds washed off. I fill twice a day now.
I managed a tiny bit of writing this past week. Only 250 words, but that’s way more than the week before which was a big fat zero. Like my feelings for social media, I’m a bit ambivalent about the WIP. Depression sucks so hard. I’m trying to get back into the swing of both SM and writing, hence this post. There will be words on Wednesday and since I found some new recipes, maybe a treat for Tuesday. If I were smart and motivated, I’d just set up blogs for the whole week today and then go wallow in my den of don’t wanna do nuthin’.
On a happier note, someone(s) new picked up most of one series on the ‘Zon and another on Apple. Holy crap. I just checked today’s (Sunday) number’s at the ‘Zon. I sold 8 books! That’s $60 for ‘Zon and like $23 at Apple. I can almost cover the loan payment on Jake’s vet bill next month! FYI, royalties get paid on a month’s delay.
Speaking of, as of Sunday (when I’m actually writing this), he’s still with us. We delayed The Decision™️because he didn’t seem to be in distress and was comfortbable here at home. Admittedly, I wake up every morning thinking I’ll find him gone, like I did with the last 4 we’ve lost (Cooper & Boone then Addidas & Pete). I’m afraid we’re going to have to decide soon though. He’s not eating much–a recent development–and while he went out to do business like 10 times Saterday, he hasn’t gone out today (again, this is Sunday around 1 p.m.). I don’t want him to suffer.
I really don’t have much else to say. It’s boring here and that’s okay. I’m listening to books I’ve read and listened to so many times, the whole process is sort of on autopilot. It’s okay. They make me occasionally laugh, roll my eyes, and I’m safe in the knowledge there’s a HEA at the end. I’m in Kristen Ashley world. I start with her Dream Man series (4 books) and then threw up my hands and gave into the temptation of a marathon Rock Chicks relisten marathon. Hope things are good for all of you. Hang in there and stay cool.
Silver James 