Sunflower Monday

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Silver James

Yes. It’s Monday. The first Monday in August. I switched out my front door wreath over the weekend, from the red, white, and blue of the 4th of July to the sunflowers and burlap of August. I always think of sunflowers in August. August is also the month Lawyer Guy and I got married. Under a gazebo in my parent’s backyard. And the current weather reminds me of that time. See, anything outdoors in August in Oklahoma is chancy at best. It might be 110 with 50% humidity. It might be 100 with 80%% humidity (the heat index works out about the same there), or it might be like today, and the day LG and I said our “I do’s”. Temps in the 80s to low 90s, and humidity under 50%–a sweet hint of things to come once summer turns to fall. So, I’m in a good mood as I type this.

Amazing what avoiding the news does for my temperment.

I’m writing. A little at a time, but new words. This is a plus as I have a bunch of stuff coming up. Gotta get out of the procrastination station and back on the track of every-day writing. Working on it.

Baseball is back. Sort of. Some of my Cards tested positive so their games are on hold. Sounds like the season may be over before it really gets started. This makes me have a sad.

We had pancake breakfast Saturday! Yay! Our biker-dude Viet Nam vet pancake wizard makes the best! Plus eggs, some of that bacon I helped fry up last week, sausage (that I don’t eat), and biscuits and gravy for those who need more carbs. I like biscuits, but not with pancakes. Anyway, masks and social distancing ruled the morning and it was all good. I took Jake. He’s missed getting out with me. He also made a trip to Wallyworld last week. Lots of the Wallyworld regulars were thrilled to see him again. He really is a popular doggo. Considering he hasn’t been “training” in over 4 months, he did good! He’ll get to go some more. I like having him with me.

I finished off the Laurenston Pride and Badger Chronicles series. They were a bright spot in my listening pleasure and headspace. I’m back to my relisten of JD Robb’s In Death series. Most of which I haven’t read or listened to since 2016–at least the earlier books. I’ve got a few books on hold at the library and I’ll listen to them as they drop. I’m hoping the hype is worth it. Except for one book–which actually didn’t get much hype and should have! (SOUTH OF THE BUTTONWOOD TREE), I’ve been sorely disappointed in those hyped books that I waited on. Totally glad I didn’t spend money and have to go through the hassle of returning them.

Stormy had his dad call on Thursday night. When we answered, Baseball Boy explained he was calling for Stormy, who had something to ask. He wanted to spend Friday night with us. Of course we said yes! He came over Friday afternoon and we enjoyed an easy dinner from Golden Chick while watching “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.” LG and I laughed and rolled our eyes a lot but it was fun. Then Stormy went to pancake breakfast with me to meet up with his dad because Only was off on a girl’s only photography day trip.

Oh! There’s at least one new feral kitten added to the “cauldron.” Fluffy gray, so s/he stands out in the middle of all the black. It evidently followed Momma Cat across the street yesterday afternoon. Hi-Jinx, Shy, and Momma were lounging around the front porch. BG was probably close by. Lucifer wasn’t around, which is a good thing. He gets a bit snarly around the others. Anyway, I was looking out the window and saw the gray fluff. It’s a cutie and if I can “capture” it, it’s coming inside! Loki needs a friend and we don’t need more ferals. The neighbor across the street has tried to catch Momma to get her fixed but she’s too smart to get into the cat trap, even when I don’t put out food. Ah well. Anyway, cute kitten alert.

And on that note, time to get my tail untucked and face the day. More coffee, less procrastination, and anticipating new words. That’s my goal. How was your week/weekend? And what’s your goal today?

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Friday Sinema: Bad Blood

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Silver James

Because sometimes, you just gotta let it all out… (And it’s safer to watch this than burn it all down. Just sayin’… 😉 )

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Moves

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Silver James

Sometimes, writing is hard. Sometimes, the words just flow. Writer’s block can be a mountain. Or a molehill. Life can be the same. Sometimes, we bite off more than we can chew, when we should be nibbling away at the problem. I need to remember this. Often. And, as usual, the Universe popped in to remind me.

Silver, if you know what you want; if you’ve made up your mind; if you can see it, feel it, and move toward it in some small way every single day… it has to happen.

Xxxooo,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®
Silver, move toward it in some small way every single day.

So, I have a plan. Every day, I’m going to take a nibble from whatever project I have. A few words–or a lot of words if inspiratation strikes. But words. Or sorting through a box tucked back in the corner in preparation of rearranging my office. Or sorting through clothes in the cloest that I haven’t worn in years. Or the pantry. But first and foremost, words. Because I’m a writer. Even when I’m avoiding it. For whatever reasons. I’m not going to look at the WIP and feel overwhelmed because I can do a few words a day, moving toward typing the end. Right? Right! What project do you have that you need to nibble on?

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Wednesday Words: Shoulda Coulda Woulda

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Silver James

Do people still use this phrase today? It was a “thing” back in my day so when it popped up on the #1lineWed prompt for this week, I knew exactly what they were talkin’ about. And surprise, surprise, surprise, I had the perfect scene. I might have used this one before. I know it was a #ThursdayThreads flash fiction exercise but I don’t rememeber if I used it here. Anyway, it’s mostly new words from NIGHT WISH so yay! Anyway, Gen and Wiz are going through a rough patch. Her life, since moving up to Kansas City, has not been an easy ride. There are things happening behind the scenes conspiring against her so then, this happens…
****
Gen
Early to bed, early to rise. Welcome to my life, I thought bitterly. I was neither wealthy, healthy or wise. No. I was simply mired in a swamp of depression, regrets, and feeling totally stupid. Why was I here? What had I been thinking? Masochist. That was me. But there was no time for all the shoulda coulda wouldas that were piling up in my life.

The AC in Rascal worked overtime. “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” the weatherman had intoned that morning. Seriously? Heat plus humidity added up to danged hot! And my hair was the lastest victim.

I heaved out of my car then leaned back in to grab my bag. I hated this job. Hated my apartment. Hated my life. I even hated myself but could I hate the one person who was the basis for all this? Oh, hell no. Not me. See? Masochist. Totally. I shut my car door and beeped the locks with my fob. Trudging to the front door, I fumbled for the other set of keys.

Something slammed into me and I careened into the building’s entrance, my face smashing against the glass door. Stunned, I tried to figure out what had happened. I caught a reflection in the glass. Two men. In hoodies. One had a gun. Did I mention I hated Mondays?

“Open the door, bitch.”

Stars zoomed around my head like in the cartoons but my brain decided it was time to think. I could unlock the door and not hit the alarm code. Or I could hit the panic button. Or…not. Had my employer paid the alarm company? I’d bugged him about that for two months now.

“Bitch! Door!”

I dug in my bag for the keys, managing to spill a bunch of stuff in the process. Not that I cared. The one with the gun was now pressed up against me and the barrel of the gun pressed into that soft indention at the base of my skull. A shadow flickered in my peripheral vision and then there was nothing around me. I checked the glass door for reflections. No. Wasn’t my imagination. The two men were gone. Poof. Like puffs of smoke.

A third man appeared, this one tall, muscular, and wearing an all-too-familiar vest. For a moment, my heart seized. Wizard? But it wasn’t. Another Nightrider. One I didn’t recognize. This one was younger, and his eyes held a boyish charm rather than Wizard’s dark desire. The guy shook his head and looked like he wanted to tsk at me. Really? I was not in the mood to be scolded by a biker hottie way younger than me.

“Seriously, babe. You need to find a better job.”

Did I mention I hated Mondays? They just aren’t conducive to good health. And he was so right that I couldn’t argue.
****
So that’s it. Hope you enjoyed. I am making progress so there’s that. In the meantime, what about y’all? Any regrets? Any “shoulda coulda woulda” moments you want to share?

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Tuesday Treats: Cheesecake Sandwiches

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Silver James

I’m a total goner for ice cream cookies. They rank right up there with Sonic Blasts in my summer dessert lists of favorites. Now, the idea of dipping half of a cookie in chocolate? And using cheesecake instead of ice cream? Oh, heck yeah! I’m all over that. 😉

Total Time: 3 Hr. 10 Min.
Prep Time: 10 Min.
Cook Time: 3 Hr.
10 servings

Those frozen cookie sandwiches you had as a kid are all grown up, with cheesecake filling and a dip of rich chocolate. Just like you, evolved for the better.

What You Need
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
20 chocolate chip cookies (2 inch)
1 tub (7 oz.) BAKER’S Milk Chocolate Dipping Chocolate, melted

Let’s Make It
1 – Beat cream cheese and sugar with mixer until blended. Stir in COOL WHIP.
2 – Cover bottom (flat) side of each of 10 cookies with about 2 Tbsp. cream cheese mixture; top each with second cookie to form sandwich. Dip half of each sandwich in chocolate; gently shake off excess chocolate. Place in single layer in airtight container.
3 – Freeze 3 hours or until firm.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Size Wise: With their built-in portion control, these cheesecake sandwiches make great treats!
Tip 2 – Fun Idea: Prepare as directed, rolling or lightly pressing edges of sandwiches in colored sprinkles, miniature chocolate chips, chopped PLANTERS Nuts, BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut or small candies before freezing.
Tip 3 – Creative Leftovers: Store leftover chocolate in refrigerator up to 2 weeks. To remelt, follow directions on label. Use as a dip for additional chocolate chip cookies, other varieties of cookies, cut-up fresh fruit or cake cubes.
Tip 4 – Substitute: Substitute 6 squares melted BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate for the tub of dipping chocolate.
My Tip – You can splurge by making home-baked-from-scratch cookies. Or use premade cookie dough. Any cookie that’s sort of soft works, and you don’t have to use just chocolate chip. Sugar cookies work too.

As is my SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), CLICK HERE to check out all the nutritional info over at My Food and Family. So, y’all know there’s a running joke about Hannah being a bad cook… “Excuse me? Running joke? Hannah’s lack of culinary skills is no joke. It’s serious! God knows I love the woman but seriously, she needs to stay out of the kitchen.” This is me rolling my eyes at Mac –> 🙄 I was going to say that even Hannah could make these treats but I’ll reserve judgement. At least until Mac vacates my head space. In the meantime, the heroine who introduced these yummers to the mates happens to be Leigh Daniels, former arson investigator, from NIGHT FIRE. With a sweet tooth and a killer schedule, Leigh learned to make these on the fly. The other Nightrider mates AND the kids love these things. The Wolves? Well, you can twist their arms and they’ll eat one or two… “Or a dozen!” Leigh yells in from the other room. So there you go. Everyone loves these things. If you haven’t read NIGHT FIRE, it’s available lots of places. The cover pic or title links click you over to a univeral page listing all the on-line stores where you can grab a copy. And if you have a copy, now might be a good time to reread it. Just sayin’. So, big question. Do you like “stuffed” cookie sandwiches? 🙋🏼‍♀️

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Is Monday Over Yet?

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Silver James

My get up and go got up and went. This is one of those days, and likely one of those weeks, where there won’t be enough coffee in the world to get me jumpstarted. Ah well. Such is life. Of course, even that beats the alternative.

Okay. There was a week and a weekend. Stuff happened. Other stuff didn’t happen. Where to begin?

Baseball is back. Yay! My Cards are off to a decent start with their opening homestand against the Pirates, up 2-1. I’m not a fan of mixing politics and sports so I’ve learned not to tune in until after the start time. I might miss the first few pitches but I can live with that. It’s baseball. In T-ball news, Stormy had a good game last Monday. The head coach was on vacation so Only was left in charge of the team. She did good, but she’s always been a great coach. Tonight is their last game. They’ll get their medals and then go on to something else until next spring.

In reading news, I listened to a book that went on my Best Books of the Year list: Heather Webber’s SOUTH OF THE BUTTONWOOD TREE. This is a sweetly poignant book full of southern small town life and secrets. It’s magical like moonlight on magnolia blossoms. There’s a touch of romance, second chances, magic, and family. Did I mention the magic? This book is southern magical realism at it’s best. I was sniffling and wiping tears, all while smiling. Yes, there were sad parts and some scary parts, but mostly the words just touched my heart so much I teared up. On the flip side of that, I finished up Shelley Laurenston’s Pride series and rolled over into her Honey Badger Chronicles series. Bears and honey badgers. What’s not to make me laugh?

TV is mostly…not. I’m oddly drawn to shows like “Strange Evidence,” “What on Earth,” “Paranormal Caught on Camera,” and “Mystic Britain.” Anything to avoid reality. Except I totally miss “Live PD” and evidently, A&E’s ratings are tanking since they canceled the show. Serves them right. Moving on. It’s Monday. I don’t feel like ranting and it’s not fair to subject y’all to one.

I did get some writing done. I’ve added a couple of chapters and a few scenes. Not enough but it’s progress. I don’t know why NIGHT WISH is so hard to write. Oh, the heroine did insist I give her a name change. I originally called her Jennifer “Jen” Hall. Nope. Yesterday, she got stubborn on me (after I kept typing Gen instead of Jen), and informed me that her name is Geneva “Gen” Pruitt. Okay. Who am I to argue. A little seek-and-find to change her name in the 24K words already written and it’s all good. I keep stopping and reading through the scenes I’ve already written, all in an effort to figure out where they go in the whole scheme of things. I have a few that I’m scratching my head over that will probably end up on the cutting room floor as they say.

So, that’s pretty much my life to date. We’re still healthy and hiding out unless we have to get out in the world. I’m learning to feel less guilty about naps and not working on WIPs because my brain refuses to brain. As long as I add words each week, s’all good, right? And write? I think so. Anyway, new week. Either the world will bring the same ol’ same ol’ or something news. Crossing fingers for something new. How are things in your neck of the words? Or worlds? Depending on whether you’re a writer or a reader. 😉 Let’s hope this week brings lots of new possibilities!

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Friday Free-For-All

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Silver James

It’s Friday. Or is that Fri-yay! Anyway, we’ve survived another week. I wanted to share these fun linky-dinks because they all made me smile, or laugh, or go awwwww. I promise if you click through, you’ll end your week on a bright note. Grab the beverage of your choice and take a quick break!

THIS ONE made me laugh and roll my eyes at the same time. Maybe some of these “guys” could be cover models for some of my books… 

Okay, THESE CATS get equal time for posing like pin-up girls. 

I have to admit, I’ve been tempted a time or ten to write book dedications LIKE THESE. 

I don’t get–or TRUST!–TikTok but when something like this shows up in my Cheezburger feed? Y’all know how awful my sense of humor is. This totally made me gigglesnort: TikTok users recreating a scene from The Princess Diaries USING THEIR CATS! Y’all will know exactly which scene it is the moment it starts.

LEGOS! At the San Antonio Zoo! Talk about cool animals. 😉

See, not too many links and when you click, a new tab in your browser should open so you don’t have to flip back and forth. I’m glad to see the end of this week, even though I don’t really have plans. Except…BASEBALL! Have a good weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Symbols

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Silver James

This has been a long week and it’s only Thursday. When things get dark, I tend to look for signs. And lo and behold, the Universe decided to toss me one. Of course, it’s not really telling me anything I didn’t already know but hey, the reminder is appreciated all the same. Because sometimes, we need to be reminded. I too often lett what’s out there *sweeps hand out* affect what’s in here. *taps head* This is something I need to work on, according to the Universe.

Pssst… Hey, gorgeous! Want to know a secret?

Everything in your life is a symbol, Silver.

A reflection. A clue. A reminder.

Of what you understand, and of what you don’t, made manifest.

Look to the beauty for truth. And to what hurts, for its beauty.

Your biggest fan,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Oh, yes indeed, Silver, life is fair. As fair as it is beautiful. Though this can’t always be seen from too close, in terms of either time or space.

And isn’t that the crux of things? That sometimes we’re too close to really see? That old saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees” is oft-quoated for a reason. It’s time to look inward and focus outward. Or look outward and focus inward. Whatever works. As writers, we need to remember to look for the truth in our words, to find the beauty in our stories, no matter how hard those words are to come by, no matter how difficult it is to create. As I said above, I’ve got to shove away reality and retreat into the worlds I can control and dream and create. Because my words will affect other people, and I need to be mindful of that. Gah! I totally dislike that word. Mindful. 🙄 The morning traffice reporter usees that word every other sentence. But in this case, I can’t think of one that works better. So I’ll be mindful of my words. And hopefully, my words will be mindful of me. What about y’all? Are you too close to see the whole story?

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Wednesday Words: Crash and Burn All Over Again

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Silver James

When I discovered this week’s #1lineWed prompt, I was really tempted to pull something from one of my books. CRASH AND BURN is a good one but then I realized that I had the theme in my current WIP, NIGHT WISH. And since I’m trying to tease y’all into getting excited about reading it this fall, I figured I give you a totally new–and first draft–snippet. The scene is mostly self-explanatory.
****
Jen
I knew he was too good to be true. Wiz was…well…everything. Handsome. Rugged. Sexy. Funny. All male. Did I mention sexy? And never to be mine. Because I was none of those things. Okay, none of those things in the female version. I was plain—unless I spent way too much time on hair and makeup. Wimpy and out of shape. I’d never be anyone’s idea of a pin-up girl.
Did I mention dull? That’s another word often used to describe me. Definitely not sexy or hot. I knew this was a train wreck waiting to happen and that train not only derailed, it plowed right through the station.

“Babe?”

Looking up, I discovered Wiz standing about four feet away, watching me in that intently focused way that made me feel like we were prey and predator. He still wore that other woman’s lipstick on his mouth and neck. I lifted my chin. I might not be a skinny-ass size zero but I had my pride.

“Jen, it’s not what you think.” Wiz reached for me but I backed away.

“Maybe I would have believed you, but you didn’t even take the time to wipe away the evidence.”

His lids hooded his eyes, but for a moment, I swore I caught a flash of feral red in them before he shuttered his expression.
“I’m an idiot,” I admitted, my heart crashing to earth and burning up in flames of embarrassment. How could I be so stupid? Preparing for the inevitable, I let him off the hook. “Believing someone like you would want to hook up with someone like me? Not happening. Our worlds are too different, Wiz. So no hard feelings, okay?”

He just stared then ground out, “Not okay. You’re mine, Pink.”

“No, I’m not.”

He kissed me breathless, and I crashed and burned all over again, but in a totally different way.
****
And that’s it, boys and girls. The good news is, new words are coming. Also, there’s a reason he calls her Pink. You’ll find out one of these days. In the meantime, writers, any crashes or burns to share? Readers, are you fascinated by train wrecks of the romance kind?

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Tuesday Treats: Mile-High Peanut Butter Pie

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Silver James

Two of my favorite flavors–separate or apart–is peanut butter and chocolate. Chocolate peanut clusters are my Kryptonight with Reeces Peanut Butter Cups coming in a close second. Anyway, for a summertime dessert, this one is hard to beat if you happen to approve of my flavor addictions. 😉 

Total Time: 3 Hr. 45 Min.
Prep Time: 20 Min.
Cook Time: 3 Hr. 25 Min.
12 servings

Enjoy this tasty peanut butter pie made with chocolate pudding, vanilla wafers and COOL WHIP. Mile-High Peanut Butter Pie takes only 20 minutes to prep.

What You Need
35 vanilla wafers, finely crushed
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding
2 cups cold milk, divided
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided
1/2 oz. BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 375ºF.
2 – Combine wafer crumbs and butter; press onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate. Bake 10 min.; cool.
3 – Beat chocolate pudding mix and 1 cup milk with whisk 2 min. (Pudding will be thick.) Spread onto bottom of crust. Gradually add remaining milk to cream cheese in large bowl, beating constantly with mixer until well blended. Add dry vanilla pudding mix; beat 2 min.
4 – Reserve 1 Tbsp. peanut butter. Add remaining peanut butter to vanilla pudding mixture; beat until blended. Gently stir in 1 cup COOL WHIP. Spread over chocolate pudding layer to within 1 inch of edge. Top with remaining COOL WHIP.
5 – Refrigerate 3 hours. When ready to serve, microwave remaining peanut butter in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 15 sec. or until melted when stirred. Melt chocolate as directed on package. Drizzle peanut butter, then chocolate over pie.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Variation: Prepare using reduced-fat vanilla wafers, fat-free milk, PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, reduced-fat peanut butter, COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping, 1 pkg. (1.4 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Sugar Free Instant Pudding and 1 pkg. (1 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Sugar Free Fat Free Instant Pudding.

Tip 2 – Substitute: Substitute 1 pkg. (3.3 oz.) JELL-O White Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding for the vanilla pudding.

Tip 3 – Peanut Butter Trifle: Do not crush wafers. Place half the wafers in 1-1/2-qt. bowl. Prepare pudding mixtures as directed; spoon in layers over wafers. Top with remaining wafers and COOL WHIP; drizzle with melted peanut butter and chocolate.

In addition to the nutritional information, there’s a how-to video so CLICK ON OVER to My Food and Family! This is such a popular recipe among my characters that they were all raising their hands to be picked. That’s when they all moved out of the pregnant lady’s way. Lainey Walker, the heroine of NIGHT MOVES, and mate to Hollywood Hilton pointed out that she craves this pie like damn and whoah and she can make it all be herself without help, even while “sticking out so far I can’t even belly up to the bar, much less the kitchen counter.” Notice Hollywood standing over in the corner all but doubled over with laughter, hand clamped tightly over his mouth. Also notice that Lainey is totally ready for motherhood as she raised her twin little brothers and therefore has eyes in the back of her head. Watch her pick up the granite rolling pin she uses to crunch the vanilla wafers and bean Wood with it. Good thing Wolve’s have hard heads, right? Anyway, you can read how they med in NIGHT MOVES and watch for the next chapter of their life coming as a side story in NIGHT WISH (coming this fall!). Just click on the cover or the titles to head over to buy your copy from your favorite on-line store if you don’t have one already!

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