Okay. First, this is totally cool. Second, this dude is very creative. Third. This dude has waaaaay too much time on his hand. But that’s okay because…see “first.” Have a great weekend!
Sweet Baby Jesus, grant me the strength. I can’t even. Yesterday was the day from hell. Today starts round 2. I hate–absolutely HATE!–with eye-stabby fierce hate when $h!t doesn’t work the way it is supposed to, especially when I’ve paid a great deal of money for it.
The wireless keyboard and mouse that came with the new computer would not sync. I don’t think the keyboard works period. It’s supposed to have a light that shows when in use. The light comes on when I fiddle with the batteries then it goes out. Computer settings says it doesn’t exist. Same with the mouse.
I’d planned on using my plulg-in ergo keyboard anyway. And my wireless mouse has a dongle thingy. New computer is mosty up and running but I still need to use the old one for stuff and to eventually “decommission” my stuff so it can go to Stormy.
I love LG. He called in the middle of me having a meltdown. He was out and about and planned to stop at Wallyworld. He was calling to ask if I needed anything. I was sharp and short and said something about a pitcher of margarties because Toby has just knocked my coffee mug over, I was dealing with a BIOS update that could have wiped out my computer, and Toby had gotten in the closet and chewed two pairs of my shoes. I hung up on him. He brought me some sort of pre-mix thingy that freezes and is margarita flavored but wine based. Bless his heart.
Microsoft and HP are not playing nice. Windows Hello says there is no camera. The camera words in evry other app.
I think all my files are intact and transferred. I am having to do software piece by piece. When I quit yesterday, I had Google Chrome, Drop Box, and Scrivener. All my Scrivener files are in Drop Box so those are good to go. I have more to track down and install. It sucks.
I think I’m ready for that wine now. How’s your day?
I may or may not be fine when y’all are reading this. I really am totally not a fan of technology–especially computer stuff. I’ve learned a little bit along the way but frankly, teaching new tricks to this old dog is something of a waste of time. It’s hard. Even with written instructions. Anyway, just in case I’m still elbow-deep in the set-up and tranfer, I’m preprogramming this because I know y’all anxiously await your snippet each week. Today’s prompt is: *”I hope you’re happy.”*
****
The flashlight beam bounced as Aisling’s hand shook, cutting wild swathes across the floor, walls, and ceiling . Something clicked behind her and a moment later the buzz of florescent lights hummed before the space was flooded.
She gasped and the flashlight clattered to the stone floor as her lifeless fingers loosened. “Who would do this?” Aisling threw up her hands, staring around the room in dismay. Books and papers were scattered higgledy-piggledy on every surface.
Ariel carefully toed a book with his boot. He flinched when Aisling slapped his arm.
“Don’t do that!” The angry librarian crouched and touched the book with a reverent finger. “It’s okay,” she crooned to it as she gathered it up and carefully smoothed a page before closing the book.
Thought he steadied her as she stood, Ariel’s attention focused on the book. The faded letters embossed on the cover shimmered. He backed up a step. “Aisling, put it down.”
Her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. He could almost feel her testiness. “This is a valuable book.”
“Maybe but it’s also dangerous. Please, put it down.”
Her brows knit together and her lips turned down in a frown. “Wh—?” She didn’t get the word out before flames licked along the edges of the book. With a high-pitched scream, Aisling threw the book at him. He didn’t catch it.
“Fine,” she sniffed. “You were right. I hope you’re happy.”
“Do I look like I’m happy?” He wisely hid the smirk forming on his lips, especially when he recognized the sadness lurking beneath the frustration she displayed.
Aisling simply stood for a moment, then turned a slow circle. Taking in the chaos, tears threatened. Her voice hitched as she said, “I don’t understand.”
Ariel didn’t understand either but he now had ideas. “I’ll help you clean up.”
****
The mystery continues. FYI, just to tease a bit, before the new computer, I’d been working on some Bran scenes. I’ll continue those once I’m up and running again. 🤞🏼 In the meantime, writers, you know what to do. Readers? What’s made you happy today?
Presetting some blogs while I’m off-line. I have no recipe and no exact title. But this is the way I feel some days. You can always click on the link up there in the menu bar that says BOOK LIST and scroll through to find a title you haven’t read yet. Thank you for your patience while I stumble through the technical side of life. FYI, this meme about authors’ pleas to readers always makes me laugh. Tanks for being a reader. 😉
What book are you currently reading? I’m listening to Thea Harrison’s A DRAGON’S FAMILY ALBUM, an anthology of 3 Elder Races novellas.
August is on a downward drift toward Labor Day. It’s always hot around here until Labor Day. After that, we get pretend fall, summer, maybe fall, summer, fall…nope just kidding, Indian summer, and finally, if we’re lucky, actual Fall toward the end of the month. I’m ready, even though we’ve only hit 100 once this summer. Humidity, baby. That’s the difference.
There was soccer this weekend. Stormy’s team won 2 of 3 games so yay. We made it to one game on Saturday, taking both Jake and Toby with us. Toby is getting a bit better but it’s obvious he’s had no training. We plan to train him as we trained Jake, to be a serive dog. Jake is getting older and will retire at some point, hopefully years from now. The way things are going, it may take that long to train Toby. I’m only partially kidding. He’s smart but ohhh sooo stubburn. The cats are still stand-offish but there’s been no fights or eating of “prey” which is good. Anyway, it was really hot at the game so when we got home and cooled off, everyone napped–dogs and people. I slept until almost 7 p.m. Yeah, I was tired. We didn’t make it to the night game and then LG had some health issues overnight so we didn’t make Sunday morning’s game. Match. Whatever a soccer thingy in called. It sucks to be old.
I’m still marathoning through the Elder Races series. At least I’m catching up to my Goodreads reading challenge. I was woefully behind.
Very little writing got done. Some, but not much. Not sure how much will get done this week, hence today’s LOL meme.
Y’all remember when I said I was getting a new computer and then the order got cancelled? Well, the same computer at the same price popped up again yesterday morning. Taking a chance, I ordered it. It came with same day delivery and it was delivered at noon yesterday. I’ll be out of order until I figure out how to get the new ‘puter set up. Hopefully, my brain doesn’t break in the process because y’all? I trully am a technophobe. Anyway, don’t worry if I don’t appear for a day or two. Hopefully not three. Unless I need a day off to rest my brain. 🤣
That’s all the news fit for public consumption. Hopefully, I’ll be back up and running in time for Wednesday Words. How’s life in your neck of the woods?
I used to be a big fan of Dancing with the Stars and then…stuff happened. I still come across their videos from time to time but this week, it was a video from the Israeli version of the show. I’mma just gonna drop this here, let y’all enjoy and wish you a great weekend!
The Universe is back in writing advice mode. Well, okay. Technically, It usually is–or at least that’s how I interpret the messages. This one in particular sets out things very succinctly.
It doesn’t matter if you are a plotter, a pantser, or a puzzler. It doesn’t matter if we write fiction or non-fiction. We need some sort of roadmap to get us from the first sentence to the final word.
The secret to every success, Silver, lies not in what or even who you know, but in clearly “seeing” where you want to go.
And going.
The power to have it all,
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. You were born with the gifts of a god, Silver, and I don’t just mean making it rain.
You know, in a way, writers are gods of a sort. At least those of us who create fiction. Too bad we can’t do it in the proverbial 7 days. Just think of all the books! 🤔 On second thought, probably better than it takes us a while. But we do breath life in the worlds we create, the characters our imagination gives birth to. It is our super power. Use it for good.
Now, if I could only make it rain on demand….
EDIT: Well, filch! Got the day right, wrong time. This whole am/pm thing is a pain and I get distrcated and don’t check to see if the dang blog publishes until waaay past OOPS! time. *sigh* It’s Wednesday. I have words. Sadly, no award for me from last week’s Thursday Threads but that’s okay. I have fun with these words and yes, I’ve already expanded this scene but y’all will have to wait until the book comes out. I’ll only say that this scene is part of Ariel getting to know the young fae who…well…you’ll see. This week’s inspiration prompt is: *“Our souls speak to each other.”*
****
Druic carefully carried the two ceramic mugs from the counter to their table, artfully dodging around people. With a flourish, he placed the latte with a stacked heart design in the foam in front of Ariel. He set his own mug down and settled onto the bench.
Ariel eyed his coffee then Druic’s. The other fae’s mug displayed a swan. “Do I want to know?”
The tips of Druic’s pointed ears reddened as he mumbled, “It’s a skinny vanilla.”
Sipping in lieu of laughing, Ariel maintained a poker face. He realized he knew very little about his new…sidekick. The kid had already compared himself to Batman’s Robin. “Tell me about yourself.”
Blushing more, Druic rattled off his lineage, education, and position in the Seelie Court. Ariel didn’t roll his eyes but it was tough not to. “So much for name, rank, and serial number. That’s not what I asked. I want to know about you. What do you like to do? Do you read? What’s your favorite food? I mean…besides drinking skinny vanilla lattes.”
“I blame that one on my lady.”
Ariel raised an eyebrow in surprise. “The queen drinks those things?”
“Oh no. Nonono.” Druic shook his head vigorously. “Not Queen Titania. My lady.” Scarlet washed over his face and ears.
“Ah, I see. Your girlfriend.”
“Yes.” The kid breathed out the affirmation like a prayer. “She is my one. Our souls speak to each other.”
Ariel wondered if the lady shared Druic’s enthusiasm. He’d find out.
****
There you have it, just two fae sitting in a coffee shop sipping lattes and getting to know one another. Writers, if you can use it, don’t lose it. Readers, do you like little scenes like this that might or might not move the bigger plot along? I call it adding a touch of domesticity. 😉
Today’s treat is about as easy as it can be. I mean…two ingredients. Some stirring. Baking. And voila! Muffins! I’ll be honest. I haven’t made these. I probably will when it gets closer to actual pumpkin time but I figured we could all tuck it into our recipe boxes just in case.
Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins
Yield: 12 muffins
Prep time: 5 minutes Minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes Minutes
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients
1 box Devils Food Cake mix *do not add water, eggs, or oil
1 can 15 ounces pumpkin puree *not pumpkin pie mix
Let’s Make This
1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a muffin tin with 12 muffin liners.
2 – In a medium bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree and cake mix.
3 – Divide the batter evenly among the twelve muffin liners.
4 – Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
5 – Cool for 5 minutes before enjoying!
Tips
1. Store in air-tight container for a few days or freeze.
2. If you have an “old-fashioned” ice cream scoop–the kind that has a release lever–use to scoop this really thick batter into the muffin cups.
3. This batter is very dense so the muffins don’t rise much.
Poor Hannah. The school called and said she needed to bring a snack for the Pumpkin Festival at school. Liam found her sitting on a kitchen stool staring at a can of pumpkin puree and a box of cake mix. She hadn’t been to the store, didn’t have eggs, milk, or oil. If these things don’t taste yummy, then blame it all on Liam. 😉 Curious? Grab the whole MOONSTRUCK GENESIS series to get the whole story of how Hannah met Mac and the Wolves, how Liam came into the world, all the adventures and the formantion of the Sisterhood of the Mates. And finally, how they found themselves in a small mountain town in West Virginia. Just click on the pic, the series title, or use the QR code to take you to the series landing page. You can find all the books and all the on-line retailers where you can procure your copies. And just remember… It might be August but pumpkin spice everything is just around the corner!
Pssst. This is an actual recipe. Cross my heart.
Another Monday and we’re almost mid-August. Days are getting a little shorter. School starts this week. We’re still sleep deprived and wondering if we’ve lost our collective minds or if they just wandered away for a short adventure.
Speaking of adventures, last week was a whirlwind of them as you know if you read my Friday post. There have been a few improvements, some status quos, and lots of coffee.
Woke up Sunday morning to the debris of a small tornado, ie. Toby. He shredded the pillow Pete naps on when he’s not napping on the bed. It sat on my antique cedar chest and Pete had the stuffings arranged just the way he wanted them. That’s been his go-to spot for a couple of years. I’d caught Toby lying on it the other night, took it away, told him “NO!” in no uncertain terms and put it back where it belonged. Yeah, well. I know better now. He seems obsessed with Pete’s scent. On the flip side, Pete is all attitude now. He’s figured out that Toby doesn’t quit know what to do with him when he stands his ground. Pete gets a smug look when he sits blocking a doorway and Toby just sort of stands there making little whiny noises.
Sadly, Loki is still mostly in the witness protection program. He did come out yesterday morning for a bit while both dogs were outside. Toby has tried to get into Loki’s secret hiding places under the table and bed in Jake’s room (aka the guest room) whick Loki considers to be his room too. I’m fairly confident they will work it out. Loki needs to just stop and stare at Toby like Pete does in stead of running away. When he runs, Toby thinks it’s a game.
Saturday night, I tried a different tactic for the Midnight Barking. Pete was still out in the garage so I invited Toby to get on the bed thinking he was just missing warm-blooded contact. Oh. My. God! It was like trying to sleep with a toddler who’d just eaten a whole chocolate cake and was jonesing for a can of Redi-Whip. Not my brightest idea even if it made me remember back to the days when Only would sleep with us upon occasion.
I did manage a little bit of writing. I really wish this dang book would write itself. I’d tell it to take it’s place on the back burner for lack of cooperation but no other characters/plots have stepped up to pinch hit. I’m about 23K words in. I know the story and have a good sense of the characters now but the words I write really are blah. So I write over them. Around them. Under them. Then I erase them and start over. Rinse and repeat until I get fed up and say, “I’ll fixe the damn think later, move on!”
It’s hot. We’ve only hit 3 digits once so far but we’ve pushed that mark a lot with high enough humidity to make being outside miserable. I will say that the wind this morning held a hint of cool even though it was 79 at 7 a.m. We’re supposed to get a break for a few days starting tomorrow. The good news is, the days ARE getting shorter. As I mentioned to begin this post.
On that note, I need to start the laundry, drink some more coffee, try to figure out how to train a stubborn dog–I mean seriously!! Toby is a toddler in the terrible twos. You say “No!” and he stares right back and mimics with a “BarkNo!” 🙄 How was your weekend? Also, have a great week! May we all be productive.
NEW RELEASE
NEW RELEASE
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Silver James 