Okay. At first, Simon and I were like…what? *head scratch* Then the intro, then…well, you just need to watch it for yourselves. I lived through the whole Boy Band™️era with Only. I even took her to a Backstreet Boys concert. And then I found this video. These guys are the modern Village People and I think I kinda love them. Have a terrific weekend!
I was a teen of the 60s and 70s. “We’re the best, beat by none, Sr. class of ’71.” It was a crazy time but we all lived and breathed by inspirational posters. Well, and rock/movie star posters. There’s one that I still remember. There was a graceful hand lifted toward the sky. A butterfly hovered on one fingertip. The caption read: If you love something, let it go free. If it comes back to you, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it never really was. I can’t tell you the number of broken hearts that poster got me through. It’s a thought that more often than not also turns up in some form in some of my books. When I opened a recent message from the Universe, it immediately came to mind.
No one loses anything, Silver, that doesn’t eventually come back.
Love, grins, and horseshoes –
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. And usually, Silver, it comes back bigger, better, and zippier.
In addition to the inspirational quote, it also struck me that the Big U might also be speaking to the hearts of us writers. I can’t speak for all of us but I can for myself and I know how some others feel. Writer’s Block is a real thing and it walks hand-in-hand with Imposter Syndrome. Neither is fun and both happen far more often than most of us like. Writer’s Block happens when we start to doubt our story. Imposter Syndrom happens when we doubt ourselves.
I don’t know of any writer who hates telling stories. Our imaginations are ingrained in our DNA. I have a meme that says “Anyone can be a writer, writers can’t be anything else.” Even when we think we can’t write, the ideas are still there nudging and pushing until we start writing again. This is the difference between my teen poster and the Universe. Writers don’t lose what we’ve set free. It comes back to us, for better or worse. The ideas, the characters, the compulsion to tell the story. It may take a while, and sometimes we might need to go look for it, but the desire will return bigger, better, and zippier.
This is a subject I know a lot about. I’ve been struggling for two years now, ever since the health situation that almost took my life. It’s been hard but the Universe’s message hit home this week. I’m waiting for the love, grins, and even the horseshoes. It’s getting closer. If I close my eyes, I can sense it hovering out there just out of reach. In the meantime, I’ve quit beating myself up if I don’t write and I celebrate when I do. There’s hope. And we shall survive.
Winner, winner chicken dinner! Yes, I won last week’s Thursday Threads. I admit that I had a bit of fun with the weekly prompt and will have more as I expand the scene. Here’s what the judge had to say: I loved the suspense and panic that Aisling brought to the tale. Who cares about what’s worse than rats, that was it time to pack the bags and go back. I loved it. The emotion was excellent and made me feel like I was standing next to them. Thank you, this was a joy to read. Color me all gooey! Are you wondering what the prompt is? It’s a short one but gave me so many ideas it took a while to pick one. Here it is: *”Just pay attention.”* This scene happens not too long after Ariel and Aisling meet and agree to…”investigate” the mysterious goings on.
****
Aisling stared down the long, dark tunnel waiting for her eyes to adjust. She glanced at the man standing beside her. “Are you sure about this?”
“Just pay attention. Watch your step. And…” Ariel’s voice trailed off.
“And what?” Pleased her voice didn’t quaver, she gave him a pointed stare.
“And whatever you do, don’t freak.”At her glare, he added, “How do you feel about rats?”
Choking on the saliva suddenly filling her mouth, she managed to squeak, “Rats?”
“Yes. These tunnels are part of Rochester’s sewer system. There’s no telling what actually lives down here.”
“Rats?” Aisling asked again, her voice stronger and far more strident.
“Yes. Rats. Plus other things.” He paused, added. “That might be worse.”
Eyes wide, she took two steps back putting more space between them. “What’s worse than rats?” She all but screamed it and her last word echoed into the distance. As the sound faded away, other noises took its place—the skittering of tiny claws and high-pitched squeals.
“No-no-no-no,” she chanted, then she turned and fled.
Ariel dropped his chin to his chest and sighed. He’d known this excursion was a bad idea but Aisling insisted on being included. Then he heard her scream. Sprinting, he arrived at the entrance just in time to duck. “It’s me, Caleb,” he snarled then glowered at the woman next to Aisling.
Aisling looked panicked. “You know these people?”
Sade beat him to the introductions. “Agents Sade Marquis and Caleb Jones, FBI. And you are?”
“Aisling Goodnight. Librarian.”
****
Sadly, I think I may have used that last line before. I’ll have to look for it and if I have used it, figure out the context because…frankly…I crack a smile every time I hear Aisling say that in my head. I can just see her chin jutting even as her glasses slide down her nose and she pushes them up. Never underestimate a librarian! Hope you enjoyed today’s snippet, readers. Well, you writers too. Hope you can find some inspiration in the prompt. Would you go explore tunnels under a city?
Today’s recipe is quick and easy and just hits the spot if you are a chocolate chip cookie fan but want something just a little different.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Rescue Moon Pie
Prep Time: 15 miutes
Bake Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
1 (9-inch) deep dish pie pastry unbaked
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup pecans or walnuts chopped
vanilla ice cream to taste, for serving
Directions
1 – Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2 – lace the pie shell into a pie plate.
3 – In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs on high speed until they are foamy and pale in color.
4 – Beat the flour, the granulated sugar, the brown sugar, and the vanilla into the egg mixture until it is combined.
5 – Beat the butter into the sugar mixture until it is combined.
6 – Stir the chocolate chips and the nuts into the filling mixture.
7 – Spoon the filling into the pie shell.
8 – Bake the pie until a knife inserted halfway between the edge and the center comes out clean, about 55 minutes-1 hour. Tent the pie with foil if the crust begins to brown too quickly.
9 – Cool the pie on a wire rack.
10 – Slice and serve warm with the ice cream.
As Dana Peterson is quick to agree, sometimes a girl just needs chocolate chip cookies but she doesn’t always have time to make, scoop, bake, scoop, bake… She tumbled across this recipe and realized how simple and quick it is and it comes with all the mouth-watering rewards of a soft, warm chocolate chip cookie. As a bonus, her mate Hawkins “Hawk” Greenwood always makes sure that she has plenty of ice cream to go on top. And yes, Hawk has been known to eat one or two slices himself. Hawk rescued the former anthropoligist and prep school teacher from a Mexican drug cartel. Their hair-raising adventures are recounted in RESCUE MOON. For those of you who have read it, maybe it’s time for a reread and if you didn’t leave a review the first time, maybe now? If you’re new to the Moonstruck world, this one stands alone even though familiar characters pop up on cameos. Interested? Just click on either pic or the title and you’ll be whisked away to Books2Read where you can find your preferred on-line bookseller. Now tell me…who doesn’t love chocolate chip coookie anything?
Wait! What?!!? This is the last Monday in April? Noooo. How can that be? April is almost gone and May is just around the corner? But…but…!!!! Wasn’t it just March last week? *sigh* I’m so not ready.
May. That means Mother’s Day is just around the corner. End of school. Only’s granduation. Again. For the 4th time. Story for another day. Softball: conference championships, regionals, super regionals, Women’s College World Series. Okay, that last one is more June-ish.
We had weather last week. Not *here* so much as in the state. Storm chasers got some incredible footage. Amazingly, the F4 that hit Enid missed the Air Force base but hit a housing subdivision. Ten people were injured, none seriously, and no casualties. Those house are GONE! But the people in them all walked out after the storm. Granted, some needed a little help from the neighbors to remove debris from their storm shelter doors. I’m calling a miracle. As for us, the storms were north and south of us. We got a little rain but sure could use more!
Writing. I actually did some. And there will be winning words come Wednesday. Remind me, though, to never set a book in a place that I know basically nothing about and the geograph;y/topography is all cattywampus! Normally, I can use Google Sttreet view to “motor” around and get a real sense of place. Rochester (the setting for Ariel’s Damn Book)? Yeah, not so much. The river runs north! The downtown library, where much of the action takes place) is on the wrong side of the river based on the photos, which has my spatial sense ALL screwed up! It’s crazy! See, I’m weird. If a local is reading one of my books, I want them to recognize their home turf. And trust me, I can read a map. And normally, I can “drive” using Google Street like a pro. *sigh* This book hates me. *bigger sigh*
In sports, it was a good weekend. Stormy’s soccer team won 6-2 on Saturday and then played out of town on Sunday and won 6-0. Yay! My Cowgirls sweot Baylor 3-0 and the Sooners were 3-0 against Georgia. All games were televised so I had lots of softball to enjoy. Big YAYS all around!
I’m still listening to Larissa Ione’s Four Horseman/Demonica series. I’m currently on LETHAL RIDER. It’s been a long time sime I read these books and their fun but I don’t feel a pressing need to just binge a book. Which might be why I’m getting work done on Ariel’s Damn Book.
Not much else happened and not much planned for this week. What about y’all? Anything good, bad or indifferent to allow?
Social media creates all sorts of challenges to get clicks. Well, I clicked on this bait and it was soooo wroth it! I laughed. First, I’ve always loved the song, from way back when COPS was first a thing. Add in wives and husbands, siblings, and…well, just wait for the last one! Hope you’ve had a good week and I hope I’m giving you a grin to start your weekend with. Have a good one!
I have a meme that says: I don’t need an inspirational quote. What I need is a freaking cup of coffee. I’m thinking we’ve all be there a time or ten. I know I have. Still, I collect memes for inspiration, because they made me laugh, and for other uses. I’m not exactly sure where I came across Tut, but it’s been years. Every day, I get an email from the Universe. Some, like memes, get saved and I share them here. Some, like memes, I roll my eyes and delete. Some make me smile. Some make me think. Today’s message is…just because.
Now repeat after me, Silver:
“I AM… ANYTHING I choose to be.”
Now choose…
Tallyho,
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. This one, Silver, reminds me of when I chose to be you.
I choose to be a writer today. I also choose to be more positive. i.e. My mantra shall be “I am positive that I am a writer and a good writer.” What about y’all? Who do you choose to be today?
Once again, I have to admit to not many new words but I do have some to offer for today. No winning in last week’s Thursday Threads but that’s okay. I do it for the inspiration. Winning is just a perk. Today’s prompt comes from my last winning entry, and since I try not to continue a previous scene, here’s a new one. This happens soon after Sade arrives in Rochester. She’s checking into her hotel when a familiar face. Oh, and before I forget, the prompt is: *”Do you know something I don’t?”*
****
Sade sighed mentally, rolling her eyes skyward in a why me expression. “Well, well, well,” she said. “Why am I not surprised?” The dragon in human guise smiled and she immediately thought of the very wise advice: Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
“Fancy meeting you here, Agent Marquis.”
Beside her, Marcella sucked in a breath. She couldn’t blame the other agent. The dragon did have a way of tweaking female hormones. “Agent Lloyd, may I present Nikolas
Constantine, Drakon of Klan Kholikikos.
“D-d-dragon?” Marcella finally got the question out.
“Yes. Why are you here, Nikos? Do you know something I don’t?”
“I might ask you the same, Sade.”
“Well, gee. I mean with Rochester being a null space when it comes to magic yet a high-ranking fae and the chief enforcer of a dragon klan are both right in the middle of things. My spidey sense is tingling.”
“Null space?”
“Yeah, no magic.”
“Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Seriously? All you magicks say that. Or imply it because none of you have claimed
Rochester.”
“It’s wild magic.”
“Excuse me?”
“The magic here is wild, uncontrollable so we avoid the place.”
“Then why is Ariel here?”
“That, my dear Sade, is the question of the day.” His eyes flicked beyond her. “Shall we ask him?”
Sade turned, noted the guilty look on Ariel’s face. “Well?”
He held his hands up in surrender. “It’s complicated.”
“So are dead girls.”
****
Writers, grab the prompt and write if it hits your fancy. Readers, do you like secrets in books? Yeah, yeah. Lame question but I’m actually typing this on Monday and well…it’s Monday! Hope y’all enjoy.
Who doesn’t love coffee cake? Especially when there’s chocolate invovled? This recipe creates a soft, moist cake full of flavor and perfect for a morning coffee break, midnight snack, or breakfastt.
Cinnamon Coffee Chocolate Chip Cake
Prep time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 40 Minutes
Total time: 55 min
Serivings: 6-8 slices
Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons instant coffee (dry, not liquid)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup chocolate chips
Let’s Make It:
1 – Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a round cake pan by greasing and flouring.
2 – In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and coffee together.
3 – In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the sugar with the butter until light and fluffy.
4 – Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing in between.
5 – Mix in the vanilla.
6 – Add half the amount of flour mixture to the wet mixture and start to mix together.
7 – Add half the yogurt and mix then add the remaining half of flour mixture and remaining half of yogurt. Continue to mix until everything is combined.
8 – Fold in the chocolate chips.
9 – Bake for about 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly before turn out of pan. Ice and enjoy.
Icing (if desired)
1¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons milk or water
1½ teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons corn syrup optional
Make It:
1 – Sift together the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
2 – Add the milk, then mix in the vanilla and corn syrup to make a smooth glaze. If the glaze is thick, add a little extra milk to loosen to a pourable consistency.
3 – Pour over slightly-cooled cake, alowing it to drip down the sides
Tips + Notes
1 – Don’t skip the sifting – this will save you the headache of a lumpy glaze.
2 – To make a nondairy glaze, use water in place of the milk.
3 – For a deeper color and flavor, use dark cocoa powder. (Toll House makes a “rich deep choclate)
Today’s recipe is brought to you by BLOOD & FIRE. Celina Monaghan will do anything for her father and his pack—well, almost anything. The idea of an arranged marriage to a strange Wolf in this day and age has the feminist side of this Dallas Fire & Rescue EMT reaching for her go-tos: coffee and chocolate. What could be better than a combination of the two, with a dash of cinnamon for spice? Luckily, lone Wolf Rhys Kendric will straighten things out. If she ever gets over being mad at him for pretending to be…well, that might be a spoiler. You’ll just have to read the book. In the meantime, Celine will be enjoying her cake. You can click on either the title or a pic with cover to head over to Books2Read to find your favorite on-line book seller.
I’m always sluggish on the 20th of April. Those of you who know me understand. For any new folks, a short explanation. April 19th is a tough day here in my home state. At the time, I worked with the airport fire department as a forensics and technical officer. I was one of two internationally certified fire photograhers in the state. I was at home, after pulling a 24-hour shift. My dogs alerted, heading to the sliding glass door that faced southeast. The the door rattled and the sound hit. I though a plane had crashed. I turned on a local channel and grabbed my go bag. I got back to the TV just in time to see the station’s helicopter circling a building downtown–the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Initial reports indicated it was a gas main. I’d also volunteered with OCFD and knew photos would be vital. I sent a message via pager text to Lawyer Guy (in Tulsa for a hearing), loaded up and headed to downtown. We lived about 14 miles from there. I made it in 10 minutes. About half-way there, my pager went off telling me to get there Code 3. I found an out-of the-way place a bout 4 blocks away (where peripheral damage started) to park and hiked in. It was bad and it got worse. It’s been 31 years but the memories are still as vidid as they were the day it happened. Each passing year, it gets a little easier but I always feel hung-over and tired the day after. I don’t seelp well for a couple days before and a couple more after. Weird things trigger the PTSD. Anyway…
Life goes on and I had to people last week. Several times. 😧The public survived.
I wrote very little. People and Real Life need to just…take a hike. I will have to people one day this week that I know of. Not sure of LG’s schedule. He’s why I have extra peopling sometimes. Long story.
Stormy had an out-of-town soccer tournament. They went 2-1 and were tied for a spot in the finals. Score differential put them into the finals. Only says they played hard and it came down to penalty kicks to break the tie and his team won! Wowser and congrats to the team goalie for blocking all the balls! This is their first tournament win. They’ve come in second a couple of times but never first! My OSU Cowgirls won Bedlam by beating #1 OU Sooners on Wednesday. They played Arizona over the weekend and took 2 of 3. OU took 2 of 3 from Arkansas. Rankings will be interesting when the come out. We’re also getting to watch Cardinals games again and they seem to be winning mostly. Yay.
I’m a bit behind on my reading challenge. I’m currently listening to Larissa Ionen’s LETHAL RIDER, which is book 2 in her Four Horseman series/8th in the over-all Demonica world. It’s been years and it’s fun to “reconnect.”
Not much else going on in my world. We had rain and storms Friday and Saturday. Sunday was beautiful. Today’s not too shabby. I like no HVAC usage. It can stay this way until…like…the 4th of July. As for the rest of this week, peopling at least one day with stuff this coming weekend that I’m not sure we’ll do or not. And, once again, I have hopes of new words. We shall see. How’re things in your world?
NEW RELEASE
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Silver James 