End of Month Monday

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Silver James

How can a month with only 30 days have five–count them FIVE–Mondays?!?!?!? Also how can September be over. It was just yesterday that school started, it was time for the state fair, fall arrived with a broken promise of autumnal temperatures. I do like that word. Autumnal. Doesn’t it sound just…cool?!?

So anyway. I took off the weekend which is why this post is late posting. So there’s that. There was 3-on-3 kindergarden soccer, naps, and sports.

Speaking of sports. It took them 162 games but my St. Louis Cardinals clinched the NL Central division. It took the help of the Colorado Rockies beating the Milwaukee Brewers while the Cards lost to the Chicago Cubs. Then yesterday, the Cards came on strong and beat the Cubs 9-0 while the Rockies fought the Brew Crew to a 4-3 win in 13 innings. Cards finished 2 games ahead. Next up, the league championship. Cards take on Atlanta Braves later this week. In college football, both OSU and OU won. OU remains in the top 10 while OSU moves into the top 25–finally! Yeah they, lost to Texas but just barely, and Texas is in the top 15. Anyway, the Coaches Poll has the Cowboys at #25 while the AP moved us all the way to #21. Go figure.

In other news, fall TV has started. I’m admitting to my newest addiction–The Masked Singer. This show caught my attention last year. See, all these celebrities dress up in the most AMAZING and elaborate costumes. And they sing. After the producer gives clues about their identity. Then the celebrity panel tries to guess who they are. The “contestents” go head-to-head and the audience and panel vote who moves on. Anyway, it’s cray-cray but fascinating. Last year, some big names “competed.” So there’s that to keep me occupied one night a week. Also, Ziva David has returned to NCIS. The character reappeared in last season’s finale. Which I haven’t watched. It’s on DVR. I was afraid it was some sort of fever dream suffered by Gibbs but turns out, she isn’t dead. Surely that isn’t a spoiler to anyone at this point. Anyway. I’m going to wait unti her story arc is over and then marathon watch. No gossip on how the show will handle Tony and their daughter. Also, Live PD. And Live Rescue, which has a new host. The show needs to hire me to be the Tom Morris version for Rescue. I’d fly to NYC every week for that.

Reading. Or listening in my case. I hate when a really hyped book falls short for me. I never know if it’s me or the book. Since most readers apparently love it (but I think it has more to do with the state of the world than anything) I’m gonna say it’s me. I was bored, disliked the protagonist, and the so-called twist fell flat. It came thissss close to a DNF. In more hopeful news, I’m almost finished with the “last” book in the Guild Hunter/Archangel series by Nalini Singh. It’s the only book that truly pissed me off. HUGE cliffhanger at the end and the newest release just dropped last week. Once I finish ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY, I can immediately–cliffhanger be damned–roll over to ARCHANGEL’S WAR.

That’s pretty much my world at present. Nothing earth-shattering. Nothing exciting. Just sort of floating along keeping my head above water wishing the dog days of summer would go chase squirrels or something. I’m hoping cooler temps will get me off my arse. We’ll see. The local weather crew says Thursday. 🤞 What’s up in your world?

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Friday Sinema: Med School Style

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Silver James

Who knew there’s a whole subgenre of song parodies geared toward med school?!?! That’s an hour of my life I won’t get back, even though I was rolling my eyes and laughing. In the mean time, ear worm ahoy! I dare you to click it! and have a great weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Knowing

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Silver James

I’m nosy. I eavesdrop on conversations in public places. I watch people. I want to know what’s going on. Why? Because I’m a writer. Writers are almost always students of human nature. We have to be. Yes, characters and stories are born in our imaginations but we need to “clothe” those characters and put words in their mouths–words that sound real, not made up. We need to tell stories that could be real, not made up. Even when writing fantasy or science fiction. Because our characters and our stories need to be relatable. Right? Right. So, I want to know! Except according to the Universe, that’s not really how it works. Or does it?

You’ll know when you need to know, Silver, and not a moment earlier.

That’s how it works when the answer you’re looking for depends on other events that must first settle, new players that need to be gathered, and serendipities that are still being calculated.

Silver, sometimes, not even I know, until I know.

But you will,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

In the meantime, Silver, keep dreaming, keep busy, and if you’re feelin’ it, happy dance.

When you stop and think about it, yes, this does make sense when it comes to writing. On several different levels. You don’t want info dumps–about character backstories or their motivation or their feelings. You want the reader to peel back the onion skin, so to speak, of a character’s personality, of their story. The same with the overall plot arc. The story has to unfold organically on the page. There’s a beginning, a middle, and an end. There are also turning points and black moments, climaxes and big reveals (and I don’t necessarily mean that in the sexy sense, though when writing romance, there should be those kinds too!). So yeah, I get the message, Universe. As a writer, I need to be a reader too. I have to write for the reader, and sometimes, I forget that. That’s what editing and revisions are for, right?

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Wednesday Words: Hello, Again.

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Silver James

Another Hump Day and time for #1lineWed over on Twitter, if anyone is inclined to play. Hello, Dolly! You had me at hello. Hello, again. Meet cute. Meet sexy. Hard to get into a romance until the hero and the heroine say hello. On that note, here’s a meet…scary? This snippet started as a bit of flash fiction but don’t ask me what story it will eventually tell. There’s a book here, though. I’m pretty sure of that. I just need to figure out what, when, where, who, why, and how. Easy peasy. In the meantime, say hello to the weirdness that is my head. 😉
****
Her clunky boots echoed in the tomb-like silence of the church. The stone floors were hollowed out by the weight of hundreds of years and thousands of parishioners treading this same path. Rows of flickering blood-red votive candles drew her like the proverbial moth. She felt more like that dead cat, as her subconscious reminded her,
Your curiosity is going to kill you!

Maybe. Maybe not. No time for a chastisement that came far too late.

“Why are you here?”

Her lungs seized, heart pounding as those words whispered across the back of her neck, leaving goosebumps in their wake. The question wasn’t asked by her psyche, but she considered answers. Why was she there? Redemption? Perhaps. Resurrection? No. Not that.

Movement caught her attention. She watched in fascinated horror as Stygian blackness coalesced behind a statue of some forgotten saint.

Who’s there!” She made her words were a demand rather than questioning. She waited a heartbeat. Two. When no answer came, she added, “I’m not afraid of you.”

“You should be.” The shadows morphed into the silhouette of a man.

Her heart hammered in her chest but she stiffened her knees and spine. “Not me.”

The figure chuckled, a sound both frightening and enticing. “Everyone is afraid of Death.”

That last word held weight, like a royal title. She was probably foolish for not showing fear. Still, that wasn’t her. Not anymore. She remained silent, forcing the being to speak again.

“Then who will save you?”

“No one. I’ll save myself.” She fancied the figure smiled at her bravado.

“Brash. Perhaps even admirable, but in the end, no one escapes.”

The man who stepped into the uncertain candlelight was too beautiful to be real. She fought the urge to hide her face, conquering the need when he laughed. Her scars had been won honorably. She wouldn’t disgrace them.

“It appears I’m too late. You’ve already been rescued from the—”

“Who are you?” she demanded, cutting him off.

“I have many names.” His smile amped up in wattage. “You may call me Starr.”

She knew then, who she faced. This night, she would dance with the devil himself.

“Hello, Lucifer.”
****
Writers, got any hellos for us? Readers, what’s your favorite meet cute?

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Tuesday Treats: Mini Pumpkin Spice Latte Cheesecakes

Posted on September 24, 2019 by Silver James

Yesterday was the first official day of fall. We all know that means it is officially Pumpkin Spice Latte season. And this recipe is perfect for fans. Enjoy it with plain coffee or your very own latte.

Total Time: 4 Hr.
Prep Time: 30 Min.
Cook Time: 3 Hr. 30 Min.
24 servings

Serve the flavor of fall with Mini Pumpkin Spice Latte Cheesecakes! Our pumpkin spice latte cheesecakes feature canned pumpkin, instant coffee and more.

What You Need
24 European-style cookies for coffee (speculoos cookies), finely crushed (about 1-3/4 cups)
1 cup sugar, divided
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2-1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided
1 tsp. vanilla
3 egg s
1 Tbsp. MAXWELL HOUSE Instant Coffee
1 cup whipping cream

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 325°F.
2 – Combine cookie crumbs and 2 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottoms of 24 paper-lined muffin cups, adding about 1 Tbsp. crumb mixture to each cup.
3 – Beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup of the remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add pumpkin, 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Stir in coffee granules until completely dissolved. Spoon over crusts.
4 – Bake 26 to 30 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 2 hours.
5 – Beat whipping cream with remaining 2 Tbsp. sugar in clean bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spoon into pastry bag; use to pipe whipped cream over cheesecakes. Sprinkle with remaining pumpkin pie spice.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – How to Pipe the Whipped Cream: Insert decorating tip in pastry bag. Fold down top of pastry bag about halfway, forming a cuff. Fill bag halfway with whipped cream. Unfold cuffed top and twist bag until it’s tight against the whipped cream. To pipe, hold bag firmly and squeeze from the top, keeping bag twisted closed to prevent leaking from the top of bag.

Tip 2 – Substitute: Prepare using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese.

My Tips –
Speculoos: What the heck, you say! This is a type of Belgian coffee and spice cookie. You can also use Biscoff cookies. You can find speculoos at Trader Joe’s and Biscoffs at Walmart.

Piping: You can use a plastic bag with the corner cut in lieu of a pastry bag. Or, I’ve been known to use my cookie press with a piping tip.

Y’all know the drill. CLICK HERE for all the nutrional details at My Food and Family. Celie Monaghan, the heroine of BLOOD & FIRE, A MOONSTRUCK WOLF NOVEL, is a pumpkin spice latte girl. These treats were a big hit when she was an EMT in Austin, Texas. Now it’s a favorite of her mate, Rhys Kendric, though the Alpha Wolf wouldn’t admit it if you held his feet to the fire. You can read their story for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription or grab it for keeps for $2.99.

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First Monday in Autumn

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Silver James

It’s the autumnal equinox. That means that today has approximately the same amount of light as it does dark and from now on, the days will grow shorter while nights get longer. As long as the temperatures cool off, I’m totally on board with this.

So there was a week and a weekend. I feel like I could type “Wash. Rinse. Repeat.” and end with “Y’all have a good week!” and be done. Because basially? That was my week and weekend. However, it is Monday so I’ll try to be briefly boring.

Sports: I don’t get the college polls. Any other team has a bye week, they don’t move in the rankings. OU has a bye? They drop a position. Really tired of the Big 12 never getting any respect. OSU played Texas and while it was a close game, Texas pulled off the win. Boooo! But hey, Army won! And my Cards swept the Cubs and cinched a spot in the playoffs. They play a series against the Diamondbacks and then back home for the final series against the Cubs. Now they’re playing to cinch the divisional championship.

TV: I’m hooked on Ken Burns’ history of country music on PBS. Fascinating. Also, LIVE PD is back! They’re no longer following the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, which is a bummer, but they are back in Tulsa so that’s cool. I keep thinking that there are some new or returning series I’m excited about, but none come to mind. Bummer. Oh! Ziva is coming back for a few episodes of NCIS. I’ll watch while she’s on. Sadly, I stopped watching because most of the stories seemed like either retreads or really stretching the boundaries of my credulity.

Credulity. That’s a fun word to say. Just sayin’…

Reading: I’m about half-way through my relisten of Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter/Archangel series. The newest book releases tomorrow. I’ll probably get interrupted before I get there, though. I have two holds at the library getting ready to drop. I’m #1 in line for G.A. Aikens’ THE BLACKSMITH QUEEN and #2 in line for T.M. Logan’s 29 SECONDS. Because there’s still a wait list behind me, I’ll stop to listen to them immediately.

Let’s not talk about writing.

So, that’s my boring news. Anything exciting iun your world?

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Friday Sinema: Tomorrow Never…Dies?

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Silver James

Okay. After yesterday’s post, I had an earworm and I figured the best way to get rid of it was to pass it along to y’all. So, in my infinite wisdom and kindness, I went to YouTube and used “Tomorrow” for a search term. And this came up. James Bond and the Queen. London Olympics, 2012. I watched and that earworm immediately became null and void due to the total WTFery of this bit shown as part of the opening ceremonies.

Corgis! The Queen! James Bond! What’s not to love? Have a great weekend. I’ll see y’all on the other side. 🙂

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Challenge

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Silver James

I’m not sure there’s a lot of musing I need to do about this very simple message from the Universe. Of course, I’m not sure that peace is all that great. Oh, in a great, global sense, sure. But personally? I worry about that stagnation will set in without some sort of challenge. Of course, a whole heaping load of challenges back to back to back to back can wear a body down and send them into a stupor that might make one long for peace. But that isn’t peace, it’s–to use an old word–surcesase.

Funny, huh, Silver, how some folks think that avoiding challenges will bring them peace?

As if the peace they now know didn’t come from earlier challenges that were faced, and mastered.

OK – not really that funny,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

The more challenges one faces today, Silver, the more “Whoohooo’s!” “Yeehaaa’s!” and “Holy Batman’s!” tomorrow.

Sometimes we need to get bloody and beat-up to fight for what’s important to us, to find the peace that is ours by right. In writing, this is call conflict. There’s internal and external conflicts. There’s conflicts between characters, between character and setting, between hearts–if you happen to write romance. Which y’all know I do. Today’s thoughts didn’t actually form until…today. I usually set up a post in advance but I’ve been in a fog this week for various and sundry reasons and none of them are peaceful. I’m tired. Ready to throw up my hands and demand surcease. But I’m too stubborn and the alternative doesn’t look all that attractive at the moment. I’m caught in a “circular argument.* At the moment, I need to write–for reasons. But at the moment, I have no motivation to write becasue…ALL THE REASONS. So I sit and stare at the screen and worry about the reasons–most of which I have no control over so I need to get over myself and do my job. Except there’s a certain security (or peace) in the stupor, so there’s that.

Okay. See what I mean? Anyway. There are links below for a more precise explanation. Me? I need to get on with my day and see if I can actually get something done. FYI, y’all have been warned that the inside of my head is a scary place. What about you? What’s it like inside your head?

*aka a “circular reference” and or “circular reasoning”, depending on the application. I most often encounter the first dealing with spreadsheets but spend a lot of time headdesking due to the second when I’m writing. And you’ll notice I did not say “former” and “latter” because I can never remember which is which and always have to look it up and figure that everyone else has the some problem so I just call it what it is.

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Wednesday Words: Far From the Madding Crowd

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Silver James

It’s once again time for snippets and bits of words based on the #1lineWed theme. This week, words are being CROWD sourced and you know what they say, two;s company and three’s a CROWD. This bit started as a flash fiction challenge with the prompt “a fragile thing” and it was written shortly after the massive fire at Notre Dame. It’s a short one today because I haven’t expanded it but it is/will be the basis for a chapter in the next Penumbra Papers book.
****
Sade stood on the bridge over the Seine leading to the island where Notre Dame Cathedral stood encased in a steel skeleton, it’s steeple lying where it’d crashed. The fire, while devastating, hadn’t been catastrophic—at least not to the gargoyles. Roman, gargoyle sentinel, stood on her right. Nikos, Drakon of the Kholikikos Dragons stood on her left. One gave off the chill of carved granite, the other the heat of a volcano.

“Magic is a fragile thing,” Nikos said. “Like a human life.”

“But Magicks aren’t.” Bitterness shaded Sade’s voice.

“You are formed by the fires of your desires and longings, Sade.”

“Bullshit.”

“You aren’t exactly human.”

She opened her mouth to scald him, but Roman’s soft admonition stopped her, “He’s right, Lady Sade. You are driven by your viewpoint, by perceived injustices. You ingest it, push it deep, and then, when nothing makes sense and you are going under, drowning in the swirling brew of emotions, you explode.”

Excited shouting and laughter and what sounded like cannon fire captured their attention. A mob tumbled down the Qual de Conti and cascaded around the corner to dance along the Boulevard Saint-Michel toward the Eiffel Tower. A cannon fired again, the shell exploding above the crowd, raining pink powder down on them.

“Yes.” Nikos pointed to the throng. “You look just like them when you detonate, all pretty in pink.”

“You take that back!”

Nikos never saw her fist. Through a busted lip, he said, “I rest my case.”
****
What about y’all? Writers, have any crowded words to share? Readers, who else had Hardy’s “Far From the Madding Crowd” as required reading in high school English?

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Tuesday Treats: Tex-Mex Spaghetti Squash Boat

Posted on September 17, 2019 by Silver James

Total Time: 1 Hr.
Prep Time: 30 Min.
Cook Time: 30 Min.
Servings: 6 (1/2 cup each)

Think twice-baked potato, spaghetti-squash style! Mexican cheese, veggies and tender squash strands form a flavorful filling for a halved squash shell.

What You Need
1 spaghetti squash (2-3/4 lb.)
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA
1/3 cup finely chopped red pepper s
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 400°F.
2 – Pierce squash in several places with tip of sharp knife or fork; place in shallow microwaveable dish. Microwave on HIGH 10 to 15 min. or until squash is softened, turning every 5 min.
3 – Cut squash lengthwise in half; remove and discard seeds. Scoop squash strands into large bowl. Add cheese, peppers and onions; mix lightly. Spoon into 1 squash shell; place in shallow baking dish. Discard remaining squash shell.
4 – Bake 28 to 30 min. or until heated through, topping with bacon for the last 3 min.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Food Facts: Young early-season squash can contain a lot of water. For best results, drain the scooped-out squash in a colander to remove excess water before mixing it with the cheese, peppers and onions as directed.

Tip 2 – How to Keep the Filled Squash Shell Upright: To keep the filled squash shell upright in baking dish, form a sheet of foil into a ring, then place around bottom of squash to stabilize.

As always, CLICK HERE to head over to My Food and Family for all the yummy details. When you have kids, sometimes it’s hard to get them to eat veggies. Now that Lightfoot and Liz have Micah and he’s growing up, Liz has to get creative to find ways to get her “men” to eat healthy. She’s managed to convince Micah that spaghetti comes from squash. She’s been known to throw in grilled chicken or thin-sliced steak for her carnivors, in addition to the bacon. If you want to read their full love story, check out MOONSTRUCK: SECRETS, and get the bonus of Mac and Hannah’s story, along with Liam’s birth. Or, you can read the gist of Lightfoot’s and Liz’s story in BAD MOON for free if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription. Just click on the book cover or the titles to zip on over to the buy links.

What about y’all? Veggies or no? And have you ever tried spaghetti squash? It surprised me and is pretty yummy.

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