In the Midst of Monday

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Silver James

I have coffee. I shall survive. Now if I can just remember all the stuff I’m supposed to remember…

So. Writing. I was churning along last week and then on Saturday–still churning–I stopped. I needed to go back to make sure something I thought had happened had actually happened. I mean, I think things. Then I think I write them. But…sometimes I don’t. I just think I have written about the things I thought of.

Confused yet? Yeah, me too. Anyway. I went back. I had indeed included said thing. All was good. Until I realized that the chapter I’d started and was about 1/3 the way through was NOT the chapter in the story. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Nope, it should have been the NEXT chapter. Which meant I had to go back and figure WHY it was the next chapter and what should happen in the chapter that it was not.

Still confused? Yeah, me too. So, I quit writing but it was almost dinner time Saturday evening anyway and I decided to mostly take off Sunday to think about what should happen in that mystery chapter. I think I have it figured out so it’s all good.

My Cards are mostly on a win streak. Yay. No soccer until like August or something.

If you notice something about the site–like no more ads–that’s because I went paid. I had to in order to post the media files for Zoe’s songs last week. It was probably something I needed to do anyway.

Reference a comment about cops at the door. If you have the SOS button on your cell phone? It works. Trust me. LG’s cell was stuck in zoom. While I was trying to fix it, I inadvertantly hit that button. When the phone rang, I couldn’t answer it because STUCK IN ZOOM! Anyway, a few minutes later, the doorbell rang and we had two very polite officers on the front porch. I confessed to being old and clumsy. And why we didn’t answer the call back to confirm if there was a situation. They were very nice and didn’t laugh at me. I wouldn’t have minded. 🤦🏼‍♀️

The other “big” thing that happened was having the plumbers out to ream the discharge line for the sewer. It took two different crews and two trips and the second crew managed to get off the roof just before the lightning storm moved in. They were filling up the big hole in the back yard in a light rain and actually appreciated the cool down. Fun times, not! 🙄

Didn’t do much else. It’s hot. I’m ready to write today. I need more coffee. That just about sums it up. How’re things in your world?

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Friday Sinema: Timeline Cleanse

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Silver James

There’s nothing cuter than the original grumpiest of cats–especially a Momma Pallas with her new kits. Enjoy. And have a great weekend.

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Sailing

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Silver James

What’s that song we used to sing in rounds? Row, row, row your boat. Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, life is but a dream. As I think about it, especially in conjunction with today’s message from the Universe, I can’t help but think it’s a bit like writing. The message is about sailing rather than rowing. Either way, you have to work for it. Right?

Silver, living the life of your dreams is a lot like sailing.

You pick your destination, hoist up your sail, make minor adjustments while the journey is underway, and let the wind do all the hard work.

In other words, imagine the end result, do what little you can, make minor adjustments while the journey is underway, and let me blow your mind.

W-e-e-e-e-e-e!
The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. Of course, Silver, there are also a few other considerations. Like don’t think that just because there’s magic in life you won’t have to hoist up your sails or that doing so will instantly deliver you to your destination. Don’t assume that just because there’s no wind one day it’s a “sign” that something is wrong or that it won’t be there tomorrow. And, perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to pack your Ding-Dongs, cupcakes, and Ho-Hos.

There it is. When you start to plan a book, you know where you are and even if you are a pantser or a puzzler, you have a pretty good idea of your final destination. You do your prep work, ready for the voyage then you hoist your sails–or grab a paddle–and off you go. It’s a magical journey. Enjoy the ride. And don’t forget the snacks. And coffee. Lots of coffee. Readers, this goes for y’all too, but in living life. Go live it to fullest. With snacks, of course.

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Wednesday Words: No Answer

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Silver James

It is once again Wednesday which means it is once again time for new words. I have some. Sadly, the characters on the side quest are the only ones clamoring for attention. Since this is Ariel’s book, you’d think he’d raise a hand to volunteer occasionally. But noooo. Not the hero of his own book. Maybe I’ll focus on Bran. Ha! Maybe this will be Bran’s book instead of Ariel’s. That’ll teach ‘im. But first, the Thursday Threads prompt: *”I can’t get through to them.*” Boy, I know how that feels. Ariel. Ariel. Ariel. *delivered in the Ferris Beuller teacher’s voice*

****
Sade listened to the endless tone on her cell phone. The call never rolled over to voice mail. Giving up, she stabbed the end call button. Her expression betrayed her helpless feeling as she stared at Caleb. “I can’t get through to them.”

Calm as always, her werewolf partner shrugged. “Not surprised. The magic around here is thick enough to choke a dragon.”

“Careful, wolf.”

Sade watched, fascinated as two thin tendrils of smoke curled around the words spoken by Nikos.

“I rest my case. You have flames in your eyes, Nikos, and are literally a breath away from spitting fire.” Caleb glanced at Sade. “It’s a miracle you have cell service.”

Sade pushed hair off her face and turned into the rising wind. The storm continued brewing. Black clouds churned, pierced by lightning and heralded by thunder. “We have to do something, Caleb. Ariel’s in trouble.”

“I’m open to suggestions.”

She glanced at the dragon. Nikos still struggled for control. She flashed a telling look at her partner.

Caleb shrugged again. “Wild magic. That’s my guess.”

“Wild magic?”

“Yeah.” Caleb then explained. “Like, the magic that runs with the Wild Hunt.”

“Why do I get the feeling you just capitalized that term.”

“I did. I know you’ve heard of the Wild Hunt.”

“You mean…” Sade blinked. “No. Seriously? Like in the fairy tales? When the Fae courts run amok through the world?” Her gaze darted between both men as they nodded. “We’re fucked.”

“We are indeed,” Nikos agreed.
****

There you have it. Details are coming out but not fast enough to suit me. Anyway, writers, as always, steal away. Readers, have you heard of the Wild Hunt? What do you think it means where Ariel is concerned?

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Tuesday Tidbits: Billionaire Country Music

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Silver James

Guess what!?! I have music! Let’s visit Memory Lane. Several years ago, I wrote the lyrics to two songs for BILLIONAIRE COUNTRY. Runaway bride and single mom, Zoe Parker has Nashville aspirations. She meets Tucker Tate, who’s brother Deacon is a mega country star. And a bunch of stuff happens. Anyway, I wrote the lyrics for two songs in the book. The first song “We Can’t Be” went on to be a hit for her. The second song was written for the HEA at the end of the book. Luke Franklin, who is also an author and tech guru (IMO!) offered to set the lyrics to music and voice using an AI program he has. Y’all, when I first heard the songs yesterday, I sat here with tears in my eyes, grinning like an idiot. He made two versions of each song and I leave to y’all to let me know which one you like the best.

First up, “We Can’t Be” version 1:

Next, second version of the same song:

Next up, we have “This Day” version 1:

And finally, “This Day” version 2:

There it is. What do y’all think? Is Zoe ready for Nashville? I certainly thank so and I can’t thank Luke enough! He took time out of his busy schedule to offer to do this and then do it. I’m blown away. And okay, if you hate them, you can say that too. You won’t hurt my feelings. But for me? He nailed Zoe’s voice and while the versions are slightly different, he nailed the theme and emotion of each one. Hope you enjoyed listening…

And if you’ve never read the book, why the heck not?!?! CLICK HERE or on the cover up there and go forth to buy and read!

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Monday Meanders

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Silver James

Well, I sort of had that on my BINGO card. B2. Check. I0. Check.

In other news, it’s hot. And humid. Which is typical for Oklahoma this time of year. Yesterday morning, I glanced at my weather app. At 9 a.m. it was 79 degrees with 79% humidity. That’s just ridiculous. Oh, and Great Britain is under heat advisories. Sunday they had a high of…79. No comment. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I’m not going to talk about the iPhone SNAFU and the cops at the door.

I made pasta salad this weekend. I make LG eat it every couple of weeks in the summer. There’s always leftovers for my lunch or those nights when it’s: “What sounds good for dinner?” “Nothing really.” “Are you hungry?” “Not really.” “I guess we’re doing every man for himself.” “Works for me.” I do try to make it sort of healthy. I use the tri-color “veggie” rotini, celery, black olives, julienne carrots, rotisseri chicken (I buy it “fresh/premade” at Wallyworld, and then red wine vinegerette dressing. Oh, and shredded Parmason cheese. MmmMmmm good.

I’m listening to IT TAKES A PSYCHIC by Jayne Castle. I love her Harmony series. Especially the dust bunnies.

Do y’all remember that I wrote two “songs” for BILLIONAIRE COUNTRY? Well, I did. I “met” a guy in a writer’s group on X and for fun, he got a trial of an AI music thingy and wrote some songs for fun. He’s volunteered to take my lyrics and “record” them. Fun stuff, huh? Yes, I’ll share when I get them. No timetable.

Not much else happened this weekend. Well, the Thunder and Pacers played game 7 for the NBA chapmpionship. As I’m typing this (Sunday evening) no clue who won. I’ll be asleep before the game ends so will wake up to the news. Hope it’s good. On that note, hope y’all had a good weekend! Cheers to a good week for us all.

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Friday Sinema: Southern Cookin’

Posted on June 20, 2025 by Silver James

I can’t decide if I want to redo my kitchen or not. What do y’all think? Have a great weekend! Stay cool, dry, safe, or simply enjoy, depending on whatever the heck Mother Nature is throwin’ at’cha.

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Make-Believe

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Silver James

Today’s message from the Universe caught my attention as soon as I opened it. I have a meme that starts out “I am a writer…” and mentions “I live in my own strange fantasy world.” It says some other stuff but that’s the gist of it in regards to today’s post. I am a writer and this is pretty much what writers do. Once again, the Big U is right on target.

Turn the jungles of time and space into a patio garden, Silver…

By realizing that their many mysteries actually conspire on your behalf.

Hoe,
The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. You live in a make-believe world, Silver, where you can believe as you like.

Translation: Jungles of time and space equals our imagination. The patio garden is our WIP. The characters, setting, and plot are conspiring to help us develop the story. When he hoe, we grow words. The Big U left out weeding, but that comes once we’ve propogated that secret garden of a WIP. Weeding equals editing. And yes, we live in a world of make-believe. Readers, you can just take this one at face value, no real “analysis” needed. On that note, what garden will you grow today?

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Wednesday Words: Storm Dragon

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Silver James

Happy Hump Day. Happy Wednesday Words Day. We’ve had storms for like 12 of the last 17 days or something. One of the weather gurus mentioned this early this morning but I was still mostly asleep. Anyhow, last week’s Thursday Threads prompt was most apropos for the weather then. And now. Storms again last night. Nikos and I are going to have a come-to-Jesus meeting if this keeps up. Anyway, when I saw the prompt, I knew immediately this was a scene for our favorite dragon. And the prompt is: *”This is no ordinary storm.”* Here ya go…

****
Sade clutched the tree and shouted above the wind. “Do something.”

“I’m a dragon, not a weather witch.” Nikos braced, leaning into the gale.

“Well, do something dragony!”

“Like what? Breathe fire? Sure, let’s burn down this park along with half the city.”

“And you call me sarcastic.”

Inexorably, the tempest forced Nikos backward. He snagged Sade’s tree with one arm.

“This is no ordinary storm.”

“What was your first clue, Sherlock?” Her arms still around the trunk, Sade slid to a crouch. “Can’t you…I don’t know. Turn into a dragon and fly us out of here?”

He stared down at her and she’d swear later that she saw flames in the depths of his silvery eyes. “These are hurricane force winds. My wings would snap like matchsticks.”

“Well, can’t you poof us out of here?”

“Poof.”

“Yeah. Poof. Dematerialize. Jump from here to there. Teleport. You know what I mean.”

“Have you learned nothing about magic, Sade?”

“I know that the damn Fae bounced me from realm to realm like I was a ping pong ball when I was a toddler. Gargoyles can do it. Why can’t you?”

“I didn’t say I couldn’t but I repeat, this is no normal storm. Can you not smell the magic in the air?”

“You mean like…ozone?” Sade inhaled deeply. The odor crinkled her nose. “What the everfucking hell is that smell?”

The wind died in the middle of her exclamation.

“Why are you yelling?” Ariel stood behind them, looking perplexed.
****

There you have it. Just a bit of magical mystery in the middle of somewhere in the book. I’ll figure out where and why eventually. All I know is that Bran’s mistress is not a happy campter. Readers, I hope you enjoyed. Writers, take the prompt and run if you want. Me? I’m back to work scratching my head, staring out the window and drinking copious amounts of coffee trying to get this mess to make sense. Happy Hump Day. Oh. I said that already. 😉

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Tuesday Tidbits: A Little O’this, a Little O’that

Posted on June 17, 2025 by Silver James

Once again, I’m sans a recipe. I’ve got a few tucked back but I’m just not inspired. Which sucks, especially since it’s spilling over into my writing. As a friend often says, I really need to get over myself and just write the damn thing.

So, tidbits. Here are some things that pop into my head from time to time. Answers. In search of some.

Is a left-handed compliment a right-handed insult?

The news said that someone was stealing tires from police cars. I bet they are working tirelessly to catch him.

Don’t joke about wine running out. That’s Gallos humor.

What do you call a bird who drinks too much? An owlcoholic.

One more and then I’ll go away. Promise.

Why do dogs float in water? Because they are good buoys.

Thank you. Thank you. There’s a tip jar by the door. We’ll be here all week. Have a great Tuesday!

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