The Monday before Monday

Posted on December 15, 2025 by Silver James

Hello, Monday. Only one more of you before Christmas. I don’t waznt to think about it. I haven’t been this far behind on the holidays since…well…it’s either been awhile or it’s been never. Oh, I’ve pushed things off to the last minute for reasons but I’ve never just thrown up my hands and said, “Uncle!” And yes, I will put down my coffee mug before doing so. I’m not total idiot.

I did stuff last week. It involved peopling. And lots of coffee once I got home. The good news is, the vampire at my doc’s practice was all kinds of awesome. Jake and I went while LG and Toby stayed home. Jake was, of course, a perfect gentlman and enjoyed his pets. Blood draw was quick and painless. My results all came back either good or excellent but for a couple of things. I figure Dr. Y and I will be discussing them tomorrow during my check up.

I’m trying to cook more these days rather than relying on quick, microwave-ready meals. It’s hard being creative and the same ol’ standbys get boring. I tried a Reuben casserole that was pretty tasty–toashed rye bread cubes, Swiss cheese, thin sliced corned beef from the deli, sauerkraut and 1000 Island dressing. I made chili. We had the leftover on tamales–bought not made. I can’t make tamales for love nor money, but many locals can do and sell them. Yay. Spaghetti. Yes. Cold weather food. I made beef stew yesterday, with cornbread. It was good.

I wrote a little. I fiddled a little. I found a chapter title and a song for it. I rearranged some scenes. I feel bad for Ariel. My total heart isn’t in this book and it’s not like any other character is screaming for me to write their book. I’m over 30K words into this one so I’ll keep chugging along. Hopefully, something witll happen that either inspires me or gives me a boot up my arse.

I listened to an anthology of shorts stories and novellas written by Anne Bishop across all of her worlds and some standalones. It’s an adventure. And not for the faint of heart. There are some very dark tales in the colleciton. A little humor. Odd bits and pieces. I would not necessarily recommend it as an introduction to Bishop’s works. I have no clue what I’ll listen to next. I have a Kristen Painter book queued. up and while I love Kristen’s whimsey, I’m not sure the headspace is in the right place. I’ll stare at my wish list and library and find something to occupy me.

Didn’t make soccer this weekend. Too cold for old bones and LG was under the weather. His team won their first game then lost to the #1 team in the league 0-1. Sunday’s game was thankfully canceled because the temps nver got above freezing. Brrrr. We did attend Stormy’s Christmas program at his school. Both dogs accompanied us and they were good. Well, Toby was mostly good. Jake kept a little-bitty entertained so her mom could watch her big brother’s part in the musical. Stormy was in the chorus. It was a cute show. The best part was the littles. They opened the show with some Christmas songs and the highlight was them singing and signing in ASL, “Silent Night.” I wish schools would teach all kids some ASL. Anyway…

I’ve sold FOUR books this month. That’s almost $10.00. Yippee.

And on that note, I need to start laundry and refill coffee. I have to people again this week–doctor tomorrow.

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Friday Sinema: Ancient Star Trek History

Posted on December 12, 2025 by Silver James

I blame this on on B.E. but stilll… I laughed. I sang along. I had a sudden craving for mead! Enjoy and have a good weekend. And yes, we are almost to Christmas and no, I’m still not ready so hush! 😆

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: Universal Talk

Posted on December 11, 2025 by Silver James

We are coming to the end of the year. As I tend to do, I reminisce ove the past year and wonder where time went. In past years, it’s been a satisfying exercise as I considered the books I’d written and published. Then I got sick. The back-to-back major surgeries and the extended hospital stays really sucked all the wind out of my sails. This particular message from the Universe has been tucked back in my files for awhile now and it popped up when I was looking for something to post for today.

Believing you can, you can. Though you might not.

Believing you can’t won’t change that you can. It just hides it.

Whereas simply getting started, however timid your first steps are, Silver, and consistently moving in the direction of your dreams day after day, will eventually create such unstoppable momentum, you’ll find it nearly impossible to believe that there was ever a time when you wavered.

Let’s give them something to talk about –
The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. Besides your cooking, Silver.

Seeing is believing. Doing is believing. Belieiving is believing. I need to stop talking about what I should be doing and just do it. Then we’d all have something to talk about besides my cooking. So, let’s do this. Who’s with me?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Wednesday Words: I Scream, You Scream

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Silver James

Another week, another batch of words and a prompt for stymied writers. Like me. Every day, I wake up, do the morning chores then come in here to my writer’s cave, sit at my desk, wake up the computer, and…check email. Surf social media. Watch the morning news and “The Price is Right.” True story. I always bid on the final showcases just because. Yesterday. I was 2 dollars off! The actual price was $33,408. My bid? $33,410. 🤦🏼‍♀️ But I digress. Writing. New words. I have some from last week’s Thursday Threads of which the prompt was: “She screamed anway.” It’s not my finished snippet but it’s sorta fun.

****
The hotel’s dining room was mostly empty. Their waitress had moved off after refilling their coffee cups.

Druic chewed and swallowed the last bite of his omelet. “Then what happened, Ariel?”

“She screamed anyway.”

“Is that a punch line?”

Ariel offered the dragon a scathing look. “This is not a joke, Nikos.”

“So what was hiding in the dark?” Druic broke in before the older Magicks could get into another argument.

The youngster did his best to look brave but Ariel noticed the white-knuckled grip with which he held his coffee mug. He didn’t blame the kid. Traipsing through the dark tunnels beneath the library unnerved him as well. Taking moment to consider, because he certainly didn’t like his initial thoughts, Ariel sipped from his cup. He eyed Nikos. “It was none of your kin.” His tone made the comment a statement rather than a question.

Nikos nodded agreeably. “My kind prefer warmer, dryer weather and lairs.

Ariel hated the conclusions he’d drawn and the idea of notifying Oberon and Titania left him nauseous. “The magic here tastes of the Wild.”

Druic’s eyes widened until the whites glowed all the way around his irises. “That can’t be. King Oberon banned the Hunt after the Veil ripped.”

Nodding in agreement, Ariel continued. “He did but there is still a realm where the Wild Hunt rides.”

The kid’s face drained of color and he stammered. “B-but the Shadows are locked inside the Dark Court.”

“I think they found a way out.”
****

Cue the dramatic music… There it is. Writers, have fun with the prompt should you so desire. Readers, have you ever screamed at a movie? I don’t think most of us would actually scream while reading a book. Normally, books don’t have scary “jump outs.” The scares in books sneak up on us but we mostly see them coming, right?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Tuesday Treats & Titles: Blueberry Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Silver James

Looking for something quick and easy to whip up for a Christmas brunch? Breakfast casseroles are a brunch-time favorite for years, but they often require a considerable time investment. Blueberry Croissant Casserole makes things easy peasy, needing only 45 minutes to make so you can set it on the table without the wait. The speediness doesn’t mean less flavor either, with fluffy, buttery croissant pieces soaked in a creamy, tangy vanilla sauce and filled with tart, bursting blueberries. Even better, you can make it the night before and just pop it in the oven when it’s time. This casserole tastes like Christmas morning… not a bad way to enjoy the morning!

Blueberry Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Prep Time: 25 min
BakeTime: 35-40 min
Total Time: 1 hr plus
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 (10-13-ounce) package croissants chopped
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries
  • 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese softened
  • 1 1/3 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups milk
Directions
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
  • Place the croissant pieces in the prepared pan.
  • Sprinkle the croissant pieces with the blueberries.
  • Beat the cream cheese, the sugar, the eggs, and the vanilla together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until well-blended.
  • Add the milk to the cream cheese mixture and mix until combined.
  • Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the croissant pieces.
  • Let the casserole stand for at least 20 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • Bake until set in the center, about 35-40 minutes.
  • Serve warm.

We all know FBI Agent Sade Marquis doesn’t cook, bake, make or otherwise spend much time in the kitchen. That’s okay. It doesn’t bother her. She just likes good food and agrees that this sounds all kinds of yummy and between the croissants–a favorite when she’s in Paris–and the blueberries–which always remind her of Scotland for some weird reason, she thinks it would make an appropriate meal or snack for anyone wanting to read about her adventures in those two places. So, if you haven’t read GHOSTS AND THE ANCIENT STONES, you should totally make this casserole, then take a break and buy the book–or reread it! She insists this is an awesome way to enjoy the holiday season. Just click on a pic or the title to head over to Books2Read to find the online retailer you prefer.

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

How Many Days Monday?!?!!

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Silver James

Seventeen days. Yes, you read that right. It is 17 days until Christmas. No, I’m not ready. No, I haven’t put up a tree (and I may not for…reasons). No, I haven’t done any shopping. I’m still waiting for Christmas lists. Will I be ready by Christmas?

Maybe.

Or not. 🙄

In other news, I did get the front door wreath switched from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The dinning room and kitchen tables have Christmas tablecloths. The dining room table has a centerpiece and appropriate candles. At some point this week–if it warms up enough–I’ll get the evergreen swags with lights up on the porch. It’s been not only cold but damp and the combo plays havoc with my old bones.

Also, I’m not being a grinch re: the tree. There are two reasons for possibly not putting it up. 1) in the current configuration, the family room does not have space for a tree. 2) PITA Pup. I highly suspect that he would have a field day with the big green tree. I am considering pulling the cactus “tree” out of retirement. But then we have the problem of packages. Yes, I know he won’t learn without exposure but ast the same time, I do NOT want to lose presents plus the time and expense of rewrapping. We don’t know where Christmas will be this year. Once that is determined, we’ll decide a course of action. I should mention that Santa collection remains on year-round display in the dining room.

Siren test was canceled due to cold weather. Soccer was not but LG and I opted to stay in. Sitting in a wind chill of 15 for over an hour, even if wrapped in a blanket is not my idea of staying healthy. Luckily, the Kids get it and understand. Stormy played well so there’s that.

I did a little writing but more time was spent on rearranging already written chapters because the time line keeps getting mucked up. Dang book. I shouldn’t be surprised. SEASON OF THE WITCH took me almost 3 years to write. I was writing other stuff during that period so there’s that. I’m not at the moment though I’ve considered it. Sadly, nothing else has caught my or Iffy’s attention. Yeah, writer’s apathy sucks.

I’m on the last book of The Others series. This makes me a little sad because I have no real clue what I’ll listen to next. On that note, I need more coffee. Anybody do anything fun this weekend? Anything awesome–or not (I’m good at commiserating too)–in your lives?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Friday Sinema: Let It Go

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Silver James

I think I’ve posted this version before but I still laugh and enjoy it plus, Winter dropped by for a visit this week, and there are cool scenes of NYC and Central Park in the video. My advice is “Just let it go! Enjoy your weekend!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: Universal Dream

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Silver James

It’s Thursday. I have thoughts. I also have to people today. I mostly stocked up for the Thanksgiving holidays so I could avoid reatail spaces during the post-holiday shopping crowd. If I don’t get out today, the pups will be without gushy food and I’d get the sad faces and a hunger for people food. I’ve considered doing an on-line-for-delivery order but I also need meat and produce and I’m pretty picky. I want to pick out my own. Anyway. That explained, the Universe also has thoughts. Tis the season for wishes and dreams.

There are only 3 things that can make your dreams come true, Silver:

Your thoughts, your words, and your actions.

Be the spark,
  The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. They’re all you have, Silver, and they’re all you need.

Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it? Translating this into writing advice, consider your dream to be the book you are writing. What does it take? First you have to think it up–plot, characters, setting. Then you have to turn those thoughts into words and get them down on paper (or on the monitor/screen–however you work). Once the words are done, you have to take action–editing, revising, proofing, then either submitting it or publishing it yourself. Then the real work begins–marketing. And the Big U is correct. These are all we have and all we need. For you none writers, take that message straight up the way it’s written. It pretty much lays it all out in plain language. May all your dreams come true!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Wednesday Words: The Way Things Work

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Silver James

How can it be midweek already? No. I’m not muppet flailing. Much. First, due to Thanksgiving being on a Thursday, there were no Thursday Threads and therefore no actual prompt for this weeks words. That said, here’s a snippet that’s a bit longer than the norm but that’s okay. And while it wasn’t written from a prompt, there is a prompt I’ll share for the writers out there who need some inspiration. Ready? Here it is: *“That’s not how this works.” As a quick reference, Farez Battah is the FBI’s Buffalo field office SAC–Special Agent in Charge. He’s a bit of a PITA but unlike Toby (PITA Pup), he is not so cute. Sade’s been sent to Rochester to find out what’s going on and whether or not Magicks are invovled. Well…duh! Fae and dragons and magic books, oh my! Anyway, hope you enjoy.

****
Sade was the first person off the plane. She cleared the gate, followed the overhead signs and headed toward baggage claim—not because she had a checked bag but because that’s where the car rental counters were located. She thought it odd that Alice had not already taken care of that. As she stepped off the elevator, a Black woman, cell phone to her ear, approached.

“You Marquis?” she asked.

Sade gave her an appraising once-ver. A head shorter and stockier, the woman oozed efficiency. Hair had been lightened to show mahogony highlights and stiled in a straight, chin-length bob. She works a navy blue pinestrip pantsuit and leather pumps with low heels. She was also carrying. “You first.”

The woman snorted. “Marcella Lloyd, ASAC, Buffalo Field Office.” She flipped open her jacket to show the badge clipped at her waist.

“Then I’m Marquis. Supervisory Agent in Charge of the MAGIC Unit. I’m guessing you’re my ride.”

“SAC Battah is a little put out that you flew directly here instead of Buffalo. Let’s get your bags.”

“I have my bags and Battah can bite me. My investigation is here in Rochester.” She held out her hand, palm up. “Keys.”

Marcella blinked at her. “Beg pardon?”

Sade snapped her fingers. “Keys. I hope you had someone follow you, otherwise you’ll have to catch a bus.”

Eyes narrowed, Marcella glowered. “That’s not how this works. I’m here to pick you up and drive you to Buffalo to meet with Farez.”

“Since I outrank you and even if I didn’t, you’ll never win a pissin’ contest with me, I’ll tell you exactly how this works.” Sade was pleased with herself. She’d been on the ground a whole ten minutes or so and hadn’t resorted to cussing. Yet. Maybe Sinjen was wearing off on her. “My investigation. Not Buttah’s. Not the Buffalo Field Office. Mine. Orders straight from Director Bailey. I’ve told you want to tell Buttah if he wants to bitch.”

Marcella winced but she also didn’t reach for the keys in her pocket. “Listen—”

“No.”

Staring, Marcella finally shrugged. “Fine. Where we headed?”

This was not going the way Sade anticipated—or wanted. Her cell phone buzzed. She didn’t bother looking at the caller ID when she answered. “What?”

“Play nice, Agent Marquis. Agent Lloyd can be of assistance. Please note that you are going to the Inn on Broadway. You have a reservation.”

Sade pretended there weren’t goosebumps sprinkling her arms. “Alice, what’s going on?”
“

Nothing yet, dear. Just keep your friends close. You did you remember your umbrella, yes?”

There was a click followed by dead air before she could reply. The director’s assistant was one scary bitch.

On a sigh of resignation, Sade said, “Fine. Lead the way.”

A few minutes later, they were settled in the front seat of a standard issue black SUV, Marcella behind the wheel.

“Apparently, I have a reservation at the Inn on Broadway. You familiar?”

The other woman’s eyes widened. “Yes. It’s…five star. How—” She snapped her mouth shut before finishing that thought.
S

ade finished it for her. “I don’t have a clue. The director’s admin says do this, go here. I go there and I do that. I doubt this fancy place has government rates so I’m guessing there’s a good reason for the upgrade.”

Marcella had been punching in numbers on the vehicles GPS system. “You want the quick way by interstate or the scenic route.”

“Let’s take the scenic route. I like to get a feel for what I’m getting in to.”
****

There you have it. At the moment, this about Chapter 11 but I’m thinking it might need to be later in the book. There’s a lot going on with Ariel, Aisling, Nikos, and certain crows.

Writer’s write on. Readers, what book are you reading right now? I’ve got one more book in The Others series and I’ll need something to glom onto soon so I’m looking for suggestions.

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tuesday Treats & Titles: Christmas Crack Dip

Posted on December 2, 2025 by Silver James

It’s officially Christmas season. I still don’t have lights or other decorations up. It’s cold outside and I’m lazy inside. That said, I do have Christmas books! Well, books that happen around Christmas. And truthfully, today’s featured recipe and book are favorites. I had a lot of fun writing the book and I have a yummy in my tummy when I eat the dip. I don’t make it. Only does. I could make it but why would I when she does it so well. And the reason it’s called “Crack Dip”? It’s totally addictive! So, for those of you who were asking, here’s…

Crack Dip

Ingredients 

  •  1 1/2 cups sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
  • 2 tablespoons dried dill weed (NOT seed!)
  • 1  teaspon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt (like Lowrey’s)
  • fresh or dried dill weed for garnish

Instructions 

  • Place the sour cream, mayonnaise, parsley, onion, dill weed, garlic powder and seasoning salt in a bowl.
  • Stir until combined.
  • Chill for 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle with fresh or dried dill for garnish before serving if desired.
  • Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Hannah is of the same mind as I am. This dip is so easy she could make it but why when everyone else–including Liam–can make it for her. Great minds and all that. Anyway, you can dip chips, veggies and/or cheese cubes/sticks. Yum. You can slather on sandwiches, burgers, baked potatoes, french fries, onion rings, fried mushrooms, fried cheese sticks. You name it, this stuff is awesome dipped, dripped, spread, slathered, or whatever way you can find to use it. I know most of you have read the book but just in case some stranger stumbles in or on the off-side chance someone who follows this blog HASN’T treated themselves to CHRISTMAS MOON, just click the title I just typed and linked, or either of the pics with the cover. You’ll land at the book’s page on Books2Read where you can find your on-line bookseller of choice. Hopefully. Mix up a batch, grab your dipper of choice and a good book then settle in for a cozy time of good stuff on a cold day or night.

Posted in Books, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments