Wednesday Words: Winning

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Silver James

It’s Wednesday. We are almost half-way through February. I’m wearing flipflops instead of thick socks and fuzzy slippers. The world is topsy-turvy. But I have coffee, a prompt, and new words to share. No win, place or show in the Thursday Threads challenge last week but that’s okay. Instead, I got words that have thrown a complete wrench into the dang book. Dang it. I’ve considered turning this mess over to AI to finish writing but truthfully? It would break the hive mind. *bwahaha* Today’s word require explanation but I have none. You’ll just have to figure things out for yourself. And the prompt? A simple–yet profound–one: *”She always won.”*

****
The two women, one a fae queen and the other a human FBI agent, squared off. Ariel managed two steps before Caleb snagged his arm and hauled him backwards.

“You may be older’n dirt and you may think you know all about women seein’ as what you do for your king an’ all, but I’m tellin’ ya, you do not want to get in the middle of this.”

“Just what is it you think I owe you, human?” Arrogance dripped from every word Titania uttered. “In truth, I believe you should be the one owing me. After all, I refrained from wringing your scrawny neck.”

Sade’s eyes turned to shards of green glass. “I. Was. Four.”

The Fae Queen made a poo-pooing noise.

Briefly closing her eyes, Sade grabbed her patience with mental hands and hung on tightly. Still, she couldn’t resist a jibe. “My patience was already tested this morning, your majesty. It came back negative so don’t push me.” There. That was polite. “You will tell me what the…” She paused, brain scrambling away from the curse words she wanted to use then continued from where she’d left off. “Flippity flaming flapjacks is going on. You and the King are up to your chinny-chin-chins in this.”

“It is Fae business.”

Before Titania could react, Sade had her in handcuffs made of cold iron. “Wrong. This is my realm, so my business. You are under arrest for crimes against humans.”

Titania sputtered while trying to magic the cuffs. Sade smiled. She’d learned and now she always won.
****

Yes, the story is off the rails. This is Ariel’s story and this this “side quest” has popped up and Sade is being incredibly stubborn about wanting to hog page time. We’ll see. In the meantime, writers, you have your prompt. Go forth and be inspired it it will help. Readers, have you won anything lately?

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Tuesday Tidbits: Hits and Misses

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Silver James

As predicted, the Super Bowl was boring. I did care who won but it would have been nice to have some real football shoved in there between the commercials. I didn’t actually time the difference but I’m pretty sure that for every 2 minutes of football, there was 5 minutes of commercials. For the most part, the commercials were utterly forgettable. Or boring. Or full of self-righteous virtue signalling.

There were 119 commercials from the start of the pregame singing through to the after-game talk. The numbers broke down like this:

  • Pregame/Intro: 17
  • First Half: 44
  • During Half-time: 20
  • Second Half: 33
  • Post Game: 5

I did NOT see the commercials during the half-time show. We switched over the alternative presented by TPUSA because Brantley Gilbert and Lee Brice! They are favorites. The weird funny bunny dude? Not so much. Anyway, I missed a couple of commercials I might have liked, based on the company involved so at some point, I may go back to watch them on YouTube or something. In any case, I watched almost a hundred commercials. There are 13 that I can remember the next day (as I’m typing this on Monday). My top 2 favorites are listed first. After that, they are listed in the order they appeared.

  • Budweiser Clydesdale and Eagle
  • Lay’s Potato Chips “Last Harvest” (It’s your farm now…)
  • State Farm Ins “Bon Jovi Living on a Prayer”
  • Toyota “Go farther, kids!”
  • Michelob Ultra “The Mentor” (Kurt Russell, y’all!!!) Ok, yeah. Big crush there.
  • Pepsi “The Choice” (Coke polar bear defects)
  • Redfin “Neighbors” (new family moves in, doesn’t “fit” until they do-a little preachy but I liked it
  • Dove “Girls Sports”
  • Pringles “I need a man” (so she builds him out of Pringles chips…)
  • Xfinity “Jurassic Park take 2” (funny and great use of AI, just sayin’)
  • Alexa-1 Chris Hemsworth “what can go wrong” Funny AND Chris Hemsworth!
  • Red Bull Dogs in Love
  • Hellman’s Mayo Neil Diamond is in the house, sweet Caroline!

That’s it. Those are the ones I enjoyed and would consider using/buying those products. There were more than many that had LG and I staring at each other and mouthing WTF?!!? A few stand out but I’m not listing them. They don’t need air space from me. So there it is. That’s my list. Any you agree with? Disagree with? Want to add?

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Super Bowl Monday

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Silver James

I totally need LOTS of Monday Morning Coffee today. Yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday. We didn’t do anything special. I was only watching for the commercials. I’ll put together my annual Best Commercial List later and post it tomorrow. As you might guess, I’m typing this before the game. I’m hoping I can stay awake for the end of it, even though it starts/started about 5:30.

Saturday night was a bad night. I was up six times. At 4 a.m., my left knee and hip decided to cramp. I took a potassium pill and some acetominiphen and spent 20 minutes walking it off. My knee finally popped and the muscles around my hip/low back stopped seizing so I could at least lay down. The boyz were good to me. They let me sleep in to 7:15 before they insisted that I get up to let them out. I didn’t get a nap which means I’ll be lucky if my eyes are still open by 8 p.m.

In other news, we went truck shopping on Saturday. LG found one he was interested in and it was a 2-hour drive roundtrip. Turns out, the truck he wanted to look at was at a different branch (in a different town) of this particular dealership. Where we were only had one that more or less met our needs. It had a few drawbacks–no side rail/step, a rip in the driver’s seat leather, and a literal rip in the sheet metal around the door handle of the rear door. Other than that, it was great–newer and fewer miles than we expected. The thing is, the cost of those repairs. FYI, on a 4WD F-150, I can’t climb into without the step. LG really liked the salesman, who is going to checkout the truck we were originally interested in and will see about getting it sent over to the “right” dealership. We’ll keep looking.

We took both dogs with us and surprisingly, Toby did quite well. He only tried to crawl into the front seat once–I managed to block him before he could get a foot up. He actually laid down and napped for the hour+ we were at the dealership. Big yay! There’s hope for the PITA Pup, yet. Jake, as always, was an absolute gentleman.

I listened to the new release in the In Death series by JD Robb, STOLEN IN DEATH. It is all kinds of awesome! It’s a favorite series but I’m not such a die-hard fan that I gush over every book. There are some I didn’t like as well as others. There are some that felt uneven in the story and writing. There are some that are freaking outstanding. This one falls into that category. I didn’t see a lot of the twists coming. All in all, it was a most satisfying listen.

Very little writing went on. Real life intruded. That’s been happening a lot lately. Oh well. I did get some new words and I did some serious thinking about the direction of the book. It sort of went off the rails but I think I know how to reroute it without losing much–if any–of the words already written. Adjustments to the time line should take care of things. We’ll see.

Nothing exciting planned for this week, unless we make another road trip for truck shopping. I’m resigned to playing things by ear instead of making plans. I’m in a book slump again. Nothing new on my wish list for awhile so I’ve opened an old favorite with many rereads to give me something to listen to until something else catches my eye. I’m at 20 books on the year, so 5 books ahead of my goal for the year. Anybody reading something awesome? Doing something awesome? Planning something awesome? I’m open to suggestions.

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Friday Sinema: Dance Party

Posted on February 6, 2026 by Silver James

Okie dokie, karaoke. This vid is bit (okay a lot!) longer than I usually post. Also, there might be interruptions for ads because…well…nothing is free anymore, not even YouTube. If an ad does crop up, simply wait a few seconds then look for the <skip ad> button on the lower right-hand side of screen and click it. As the old-timers know, I love dance. I love musicals. I love old movies. This video hits all my buttons. I would have assigned different places to a few of the scenes but for the most part, I agree with the selections. Chemistry indeed! 🫠 Have a great weekend, all!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Happy Dance

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Silver James

For some reason, I woke up with the song “I Feel Like Dancin'” in my head. Weird, right? It’s Thursday and I should be headed out to Wallyworld. Somehow, I don’t see me dancing down the aisles. Then again, I’m trying to decide if I can put it off until next week. I’ll need to check my list to see…oh. Never mind. Yeah. I gotta hit the WW today. *sigh* 😮‍💨

And since it’s Thursday, I will be writing later this afternoon. I like Thrusday for that very reason. Maybe that’s why I’ve also assigned it as WW day. New words are always good and yes, I’ve actually managed some this week. Today’s message from the Universe is short and sweet.

Yes! Silver, you can have it, do it, and be it!

But it’s not going to visualize itself.

Whoa!
The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. Dream it, Silver, show up, happy dance.

Those instructions are pretty simple. So, I shall drag my feet to Wallyworld while dreaming up new scenes. Then I’ll show up at my desk once I return and translate those dreams into words, after which I will happy dance. Sounds like a plan. What are your plans today?

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Wednesday Words: More Games

Posted on February 4, 2026 by Silver James

As I mentioned on Monday, I didn’t really write last week because I was judging the Thursday Threads challenge. I’m also going to admit that I cheated a little. More about that in a moment. First, the prompt is: *He hated these games.* As to my cheat, the following snippet is a scene I’d roughly sketched out and planned to get back to and “fill in the blanks” so to speak. As it turned out, the prompt fit in fairly well, with only the addition of a letter to the phrase. And also, it’s longer than 250 words. Good thing I’m not being judged for the challenge, right? Anyway, I’mma just gonna drop this here and let y’all play with what you think might be going on. I’d waggle my brows and look smug but y’all can’t see me.

****
Aisling lay still, but for her eyes as she searched the darkness for what woke her. She heard it again—a sharp tap of something hard on glass. Someone—or something—was at one of the turret windows. She slipped out of bed and crept closer. A misshapen shadow was silhouetted against the curtains. She inched closer and pressed her cheek against the wall so she could peek from behind the drapery. A huge black bird sat on the roof. Was that a crow? Her eyes widened. Not crow, raven. Poe’s poem almost spilled out of her mouth but she caught herself, as did the raven apparently. He turned his head and beady black eyes stared at her. He all but glowed in the soft halo the street light cast.

The bird’s beak moved and words came out. She gasped, then covered her mouth with her hand as she strained to hear.

“Beware,” the raven said. “The Wild Hunt is looking for you.” The bird cocked its head, looking away. A moment later, it vaulted into the air on a powerful downsweep of its wings.

Aisling pulled back the curtain but could see nothing—not in the sky nor along the street. She glanced at the clock next to her bed. It flashed 3:33 at her, like there had been a power outage. Dropping the curtain, she scurried back to bed, crawled in and pulled the covers over her head. Birds did not speak with human voices. Nor did ravens fly at night. At least she didn’t think so. She’d have to look that up when she got to work in…no. She would not look at the clock again. She closed her eyes. She hated these games, had ever since they’d haunted her childhood.
****

So there it is. I have every intention of filling in some more blanks this week. Next scene up is a dream that Aisling is going to have. But…is actually a dream? Or…something else? *bwahaha* Writers, if you feel inspired by the prompt, write. Readers, how do you feel about dream sequences in books? Are they a yay or a nay? Inquiring writers want to know!

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Tuesday Tidbits: Nuttin’, Honey

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Silver James

It’s Tuesday. Who else celebrates Taco Tuesday? Today, I’m thinking that maybe it should be Tequila Tuesday. I mean…it’s gotta be after noon somewhere, right?

Okay, I’m kidding. Not about tacos but about the tequila. I honestly can’t remember the last time I drank a margarita. In fact, I have a frozen margarita pack thing in the freezer that LG bought me as a joke like…I don’t know…a few months ago? It’s still in the freezer.

Have I mentioned that I collect pun memes? I can’t help myself. And yes, that includes “dad jokes.” There’s a dude I follow on X who is really into puns and bad dad jokes. I always try to hit him back with on from my collection.

To finish off today’s tidbits, I leave you with some things that keep me awake at night. If you have answers, drop them in the comments.

What was the greatest thing BEFORE sliced bread?

Why is bacon called bacon and cookies called cookies when you cook bacon and bake cookies?

And finally, the question isn’t who let the dogs out, it’s who let them in?

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February First Monday

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Silver James

It’s a new month. And Ground Hog Day. I hope that doesn’t mean that we’re going to have to keep reliving Monday all over again once the day is done. Did whatever animal is used to prognosticate the coming of spring in your part of the world see it’s shadow? It’s still dark outside so I have no clue. Forecast is for sunny so I’m betting whatever critter the OKC Zoo is using this year will see its shadow so we’ll get six more weeks of winter. Or we won’t. 😉

So, last week was the big snow storm. We had 2 days out the past 8 where the temp was above freezing so there’s been some melting, except where there’s shade or on the north side where the sun doesn’t reach. The good news is, warmer temps all this week. Yippee!

Despite the weather, I still have to people. And adult. The older I get the more I really dislike having to do either or both of those things. On the good news side, my appointment to get squished went off easy peasy and the results were negative so big yay there. I’m good to go on all 3 lab tests.

Friday, I ventured out again to hit Shoe Carnival to use my Christmas gift card from Howie Mandel*. I found a pair of Sketcher Bobs slip-ins on sale so I still have some $$ on the card. Yay. The shoes are comfy and look cool. They’re wasable, vegan, and look like suede. Then Jake and I hit Wallyworld. There is a reason I hit WW early in the morning. ALL special Wallyworld people were out and about. I should have been prepared because as we were heading into Shoe Carnival, a woman coming out stopped to ask about Jake. Ten minutes later, I knew all about her 6’7″ husband (she was maybe 5’3″ in her boots), his lack of desire to get exercise and some of his eating habits. In WW, a helpful woman tried to get me to try EVERY flavor of the Clear American sparkling water. I drink the key lime flavor. It is the ONLY flavor I drink. She also really wanted to pet Jake but he skirted around her and got behind me. Then there was the older lady who needed a learner’s permit to drive the motorized cart. Her husband was trying to direct her. She was…hefty and he…looked like a garden gnome. Anyway…

So, I finished off the dramatized adaptations of the first Hidden Legacy trilogy by Ilona Andrews because the 3rd one released last week. Yay. Enjoyed them. Then I listened to Dannika Dark’s THE PROTECTOR, the latest release in her Black Arrowhead Pack series. I got a little teary-eyed a time or two so good book. Currently, I’m doing a rather haphazard bounce through some of the lastest J.D. Robb In Death books. The new release drops tonight. It’s like #62 or something. And yes, I have been known to marathon the entire series. Of late, though, I just go back a book or two to remind me where we are in the time line and what’s going in the world of Eve Dallas. I’m currently listening to FRAMED IN DEATH, which is the book just before STOLEN IN DEATH which is the one that drops at midnight.

We missed Stormy’s soccer game Saturday. Partly due to the frigid temps but also due to some stuff LG had to deal with on the phone. His team won 12-1 so YAY! But we’re a bit bummed we missed the excitement. Only says he played well. I’m starting to wonder if we might be jinxes because the last couple we’ve attended, they lost and they seem to win when we aren’t there. 🤔

Not much else going on. If I want new words for Wednesday, I’ll need to go all BICHOK** to get them. I have the prompt. I just didn’t write for Thursday Threads last week because I was the judge. I’ll come up with something, which means I should get this posted and then get off the internet and write. I’ll get right on that after one more cup of coffee. How are things in your neck of the woods?

*Long story short: At Christmas, we make up the “gift giver” based on what’s in the package. For instance, we gave Only a set of scented markers (off her Xmas list!) and they were from Picasso. LG knew I wanted Sketchers, hence Howie Mandel, since he does commercials for the brank.

**Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard.

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Friday Sinema: South vs. Midwest

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Silver James

Okay. It’s (not) A Southern Thing but these two gals are just as funny. Considering how far south Winter Storm Fern (again, WhoTAF names a winter storm freakin’ Fern?!!???), I figured this video is worth the giggle as you watch. I think we can all relate. Here’s hoping the weather is more normal for us al. Have a great weekend and stay warm!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Worlds

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Silver James

The various processes involved in writing probably don’t matter as much to readers as it does to writers. And it might not be interesting but from time to time, the Universe drops in with an idewa that is also something of a reminder about the whole writing thing. It is also a bit of a guide to the difference between the “breeds.” There are pantsers and plotters and plantsers. And then there are puzzlers like me. Pantsers write “by the seat of their pants.” They get an idea, put words on paper (figuratively speaking because most of us work on computers these days) and tell the story as it occurs to them, ie. they make it up as they go. Plotters get an idea, outline, plan, and plot everything, writing from start to finish in an orderly fashion because they already know what is going to happen. Plantsers are hybrids. They plot but aren’t afraid to detour if a new idea pops up. And then there’s me. I write like I’m working a jigsaw puzzle. Anyway, this what the Universe had to say that got me off on this tangent.

I know a lot, Silver.

But what I couldn’t possibly know is what YOU will think next.

And for those very thoughts worlds will be born that even I could not have brought forth.

Thanks from everyone, everywhere, always –
The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. No pressure, Silver.

Ha! No pressure? That’s easy for the Big U to say. But see, this why I think it is more fun to be a pantser (which I was in the beginning) and a puzzler. We shape the world as we go along. We color outside the lines. Don’t get me wrong. I am NOT putting down a plotter. They have very orderly minds and that’s to be admired. It’s just not me. I’m like that meme–mah brain iz like teh internets. Der are 33 tabs open, 6 are glitching and where teh heck is teh music comin from? So, let us see what worlds–and words–will be born and/or brought forth today. What world will you conquer today?

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