Hot August Nights and a Monday

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Silver James

Hot August Night. That used to be one of my favorite albums by one of my favorite singers. Oh, the fantasies I had about Neil Diamond when I was young and foolish. Back when such things mattered to an angsty teenager, Diamond’s songs were the sountrack to my life. Now I’m just old and married for like forever. Sort of. I’ve spent over half my life with the same man. We BOTH deserve medals. 🙂

So, as you can guess, the temperate weather we enjoyed in July is history. August, with its heat and humidity, came roaring in like Leo the Lion that is most of its astrological sign. I first typed “her”, when referring to August, and then realized that Leo is a male lion so I changed the pronoun to it. August just feels…feminine to me. Maybe because Virgo arrives at the end of the month? Who knows?

I got writing done! In fits and starts but over 10K words for the week. I hit the word lottery big a few days and barely got the cost of my Scratcher back the rest. Still, forward progress. The good news is, some of the loose threads have been woven in and can be neatly tied off down the road. Yay. I knew those weird snippets/characters would play a part somewhere. Iffy’s been running with scissors again so sometimes, it takes awhile for all the ideas to reveal where they mesh.

Reading/listening was okay. Moving ahead on my relisten of the In Death series. I can always count on them. That’s what favorite series/books are important to me. Even in a reading slump, I can find an oldie but goodie to fit the bill. Did listen to one new book. I should have liked it a whole lot. I wanted to like it a whole lot. WRitten by a writing duo I enjoyed, set (sort of) in a world a previous series (one I enjoyed) is set, kick-ass women, super soldiers, in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world. All stuff that’s usually my catnip. But, this time out, I just didn’t connect and I was a bit underwhelmed. Others loved the book so it’s probably just me. Anyway, it came from the library so no big. Also had a new one from the library hit and I’ll be starting it ASAP. It’s an urban fantasy by a new-to-me author. The premise intrigues me: A former soldier turned PI tries to help the fantasy creatures whose lives he ruined in a world that’s lost its magic. It’s also from the library so no harm/no foul if I don’t like it. It’s reviews are mixed, but thought I’d give it a go.

TV and Sports? Eh. I REALLY mise LIVE PD and the Cards are still testing positive. Moving on.

Stormy is here today. He came for a few hours Friday–playtime with Big Daddy, lunch, a little school work with Jammie and then Baseball Boy was there to pick him up. BB had a meeting at the high school where he teaches. Schools are about to reopen and BB is in more meetings and class prep. So we have Stormy today, tonight, and tomorrow because he’s cute and sweet and his parents need the break! 🙄 Too bad it’s so hot!

There’s not a lot else going on around here. Life is pretty normal. I am taking Jake with me when I have to get out. He likes being with me and I like having him with me. It’s not like I get out a lot. I didn’t before the whole Covid thing but probably less now–or a least more curbside pickup errands than before. The main thing is that I’m in a tiny bit of a writing groove and considering I haven’t been in ages, this is the really big news. New books eventually. One this fall and two in February 2021 for sure. Hopefully, a seond one later this year but I’m not making promises. Depends on where my head decides to get off to.

So anyway, that’s my update for the past week and weekend. What’s up in your world? Big/small, good/bad, exciting/boring–I want to know! Here’s to a week filled with possibilities for all of us!

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Friday Sinema: Two Scotsman Walk into a Pub…

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Silver James

I have one word for you: KILTS! Okay, I have a few more words…MEN IN KILTS. I will be adding this to my DVR because…Graham McTavish! Oh, and Sam Heughan, too. Just watch the teaser. You’ll understand my delight! Have a great weekend. And cheers to men in kilts because…KILTS!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Places We Go

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Silver James

When you write fiction, your greatest talent is your imagination. Oh, it helps to be a wordsmith–the ability to form sentences that tell your story, but without that all important imagination, there’s not much of a story to tell. See, imagination creates characters. It tells you what their names are, what they look like, where they’ve been and where they’re going. It describes where they live and what goes on in their world. Imagination takes you from the introduction of time, place, and character and fills in all the words that follows whatever adventure you send your characters on. The Universe knows this.

It’s quite simple, dear Silver.

Wherever your thoughts can go, you can go.

And I’ll meet you there.

Wherever,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Life, Silver, is actually a “workshop” on how to take your thoughts to new places.

And that’s something else writers use: life. Their own and others. But the thing is, imagination and words take us places. And as we writers trip along, we take others with us. Our readers enjoy the trip, too. We hope. Isn’t that the whole reason for telling stories? And that’s what makes a writer–that urge, no, I take that back, it’s more than an urge, it’s a need to tell the stories our imagination plants in our brains. So, writers, where are you going today? And readers, where will your favorite authors take you?

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Wednesday Words: We Are the Champions

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Silver James

Another Hump Day, another prompt for #1lineWed. No technically “new” words but I feel like a champ for finding a snippet with meets the requirements. True story–I plugged in “champ” and the only hits I got was champagne. But! I discovered a place where I could add the prompt in the long form: champion. So go me! I got a couple of new words added to this scene, which happens in the beginning. Gen, our heroine in NIGHT WISH, is cat herding at a destination wedding. You can sort of figure out things from there.
****
Alyssa freaked. This was not unusual. I calmed her down. Calmed down Matt, her groom. Got Lyssie’s mother out of the bride’s room, got her father in. Threatened the best man over the rings, Matt’s hangover, and the toast he hadn’t written yet.

I got everyone down the aisle to the strains of Pachebel’s “Canon in D.” Lyss looked stunning. Matt just looked stunned. They each said “I do.” They kissed. The background of St. Luke’s Chapel was perfect. The Grand Ballroom at the Elms was perfect. Everything was perfect.

Except all the bridesmaids were married to the groomsmen. Well, except for Doug, Matt’s best man. And he’d brought his significant other, and boy oh boy but she was definitely significant. Supermodel tall, legs that went from here to there, magnificent hair, magnificent face, magnificent—and very perky—boobs. Yeah, she had it all going on and despite the wedding protocol, when the dancing started, Matt led Lyss to the floor and she melted into his arms. Her parents and his joined them and there was some trading around of partners—Lyss with her dad, Matt with her mom and then vice versa with Matt’s folks. Then the wedding party was to join them in the dance but Doug led his SO to the floor. So there I stood—the last BFF standing, the full-figured, klutzy sidekick, the designated driver, and healer of broken hearts with tequila shots. Sticking out like that proverbial sore thumb.

I didn’t miss the looks. Would have been hard not to see the expressions on people’s faces as they watched me. Pity. Embarrassment. Humor—the kind where they were laughing at me, not with me. I was a champion when it came to ignoring this sort of thing.There I stood in my fuchsia—what the heckin’ color was fuchsia anyway but freaking-ugly pink with a side of purple—dress with ruffles and lace and gussets and bows that took two people to get the back done up. Buttons. No zipper. All the other bridesmaids wore champagne pink that looked more the color of taupe, sleek and frou-frou free. My dress was meant to compliment the bride’s. Yeah, right.

My place card on the head table had been moved to accommodate Ms. Significant Other. Not that I cared. Much. My dress was hideous. I wouldn’t want me in the candid wedding pictures either, and there were bound to be plenty of the table with the bride and groom. Snagging a flute of champagne as a waiter walked by ignoring me, I faded back to the edges of the party. My job was done. This was a destination wedding at the historic Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, which was just northeast of Kansas City. The hotel and grounds were beautiful. And perfect because Alyssa’s wedding had to held in the perfect place. Everyone was staying at the hotel or nearby. There would be a farewell brunch in the morning before Lyss and Matt headed to the Kansas City airport to start their Aruba honeymoon. I just needed to stick here at the reception long enough to make the maid of honor’s toast. After, I could fade into the woodwork and go hide in my room with a good book until tomorrow and the brunch, when I’d have to make another toast.

Yeah, about that.
****
The good news is that I’m writing. I got about 2K words on Sunday, 2400 words on Monday, almost 2K yesterday. I’m not holding my breath but I’m hoping for an end-of-month finish with the first draft. In the meantime, writers, do you have any champ or champion words to share? And readers, since the Olympics got postponed, who is your favorite Olympic champ?

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Tuesday Treats: Southern Sweet Chocolate Pie

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Silver James

There’s nothing like chocolate and pie to make me smile–and drool a little. Add in a good Southern recipe and I’m soooo there! And to top things off, pecans! I ❤ pecans, and they are totally a Southern cooking staple.

Total Time: 5 Hr. 20 Min.
Prep Time: 20 Min.
Cook Time: 5 Hr.
10 servings

Enjoy a taste of the South with this luscious Southern Sweet Chocolate Pie. As a plus, this creamy deep-dish pie is topped with flaked coconut and crunchy pecans before baking.

What You Need
1 pkg. (4 oz.) BAKER’S GERMAN’S Sweet Chocolate
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 cans (5 oz. each) evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/8 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 frozen deep-dish pie crust (9 inch), thawed
1 cup BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 375°F.
2 – Cook chocolate and butter in medium saucepan on very low heat until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; gradually add milk, stirring constantly until well blended.
3 – Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in medium bowl. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Gradually whisk in chocolate mixture. Pour into crust; sprinkle with coconut and nuts. (Filling will almost completely fill crust.)
4 – Bake 45 min.or until top is puffed and browned, covering pie loosely with foil after 30 min. (Filling will be soft, but will set while cooling.) Cool 15 min. Refrigerate 4 hours.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Size Wise: Since this indulgent special-occasion dessert makes 10 servings, it’s the perfect dessert to serve at your next party.

Tip 2 – Make Ahead: Prepare, bake and cool pie as directed. Wrap tightly; freeze. Thaw in refrigerator before serving.

Tip 3 – Note: If you instead have a 12-oz. can of evaporated milk on hand, just measure out 1-1/3 cups of the milk for use in preparing this recipe. Refrigerate the leftover milk for other uses, such as adding to coffee, smoothies or cereal.

If you want all the details, click to head over to MY FOOD AND FAMILY. As y’all know, most of my heroines can cook, with the notable exceptions of Hannah and Sade. Occasionally, I have hero who cooks and not just searing or smoking meat out on the BBQ grill. Today’s recipe comes from Oswald “Bear” Berwyn, the massive ginger bartender at Mother Goose’s bar in Key West, Florida. Bear happens to also be a Wolf and an adjunct member of the Hard Target team. DOUBLE CROSS is the first book in the series and you can read it for “free” with a Kindle Unlimited subscription or you can buy it for $2.99 to go on your keeper shelf. FYI, this happens to Mother’s favorite dessert and the team doesn’t like to share when Bear makes one. They’ve been known to trample each other when they discover Bear’s made this pie. 😉 Just click on the cover or the title to head over to the ‘Zon to grab your copy.

What about y’all? Chocolate pie a favorite? And are you surprised a dude like Bear cooks?

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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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