Wednesday Words: Just a Minute

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Silver James

It’s tough to get back into the habit of things. I’m still debating the whole blogging 5-7 days a week thing and if so, what to blog about about, which is why this is a bit late. Back in the ol’ days, I’d write and schedule a blog the day before with a set time to go live. It is especially so when you are rusty when it comes to updating the website/coding stuff and you keep deleting text by mistake and there’s no way to recover it. I’ve about hit my frustration level. This is my last attempt…

Anyway….It’s Wednesday and wrote words last week–249 random words about a random character in a random situation. They were based on the #ThursdayThreads flash fiction prompt of *Only one minute remained.* The prompt rattled around in my brain for most of the day and then late in the day I finally sat down at the desktop and doodled out words. I almost didn’t post them but decided why not. They were words and they sort of told a story. Luckily, last week’s judge agreed and awarded me an honorable mention. I took it thankfully! So here they are, just intime for Wednesday Words. Buckle up, buttercups….

She did not want to be here. In fact, this whole situation was so far above her pay grade that she was within seconds of hyperventilating. To bad that wouldn’t help. Neither would running screaming from the room but it was a thought. A good one, to her mind.

A voice whispered in her ear. “You got this.”

“Nuh uh,” she mumbled. She so did not have this. Too bad, so sad, she was in too deep. A giggle, far too close to hysteria for comfort, bubbled up in her throat. Using a great deal of self-control, she choked it back. This was not the time nor the place to lose it.

“What were you thinking?…Oh, wait, you weren’t.” Had she said those words out loud. She glanced around from beneath lowered lashes that felt heavy and cumbersome. She rolled her head on her neck and then rolled her shoulders to ease the tension that had built up. Off in the distance, the strains of a familiar instrumental echoed. The scene from the Wizard of Oz where the witch’s guards marched and chanted shot into in her mind and almost unleashed that hysterical giggle again. She flashed on the close-up of the Cowardly Lion swatting at his tail as it twitched out from under the long uniform coat.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, she gulped. Only one minute remained.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. This would all be over in… She counted down in her head. Five. Four. Three. Two….

****

I have my suspicions of that this scene is about–like one of two things–but I’m curious about your thoughts. What do you think is going on? And, asl always, writers, feel free to take the prompt and run with it. All, PLEASE share your thoughts with me–about the character, what’s happening around her, anything that comes to mind. Happy Hump Day.

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Monday Reset

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Silver James

Are you ever tempted to just hit the factory reset button so you can erase everything and start over? Yeah, me too. Working on my optimism, I’m hoping this will be a tuna day. It’s starting off with a visit to my PC doc. I suspect she will fuss at me for not following up with a colonescopy and mammogram but trust me, I have my reasons! This appointment will also give me an opportunity to follow up about my shortness of breath, especially when bending over, and whether or not I can start donating blood again. During and after the surgeries, my blood chemistry was so messed up and my veins had been pricked to the point a bunch of them had collapsed. Still, people need blood and I was a dutiful donor every 8 weeks. Besides, I’m so skinny now I need some smaller sized free donor shirts to add to my tiny wardrobe of clothes that fit. 😉

In other news, had I previous mentioned that my driver’s license expired? I can remember going to get it renewed that last time and it seems like it was only a year ago, but evidently, it was way longer than that because I think that license was a four year. Luckily, I’ve only driven twice between it expiring and LG discovering it had expired. (He needed my DL number for a form and he noticed. 🤦🏼‍♀️) I decided to get a Real ID, not that I’m planning on flying anywhere (and regular ID is good until like October) but better to be prepared. Around here, you have to make an appointment, so we had to wait like two weeks. Anyway, I went last week, and now I’m waiting for the new one to come in the mail. It was actually a fun outing and the gal who did the paperwork was a hoot. Becaue I’m older than dirt, my license is free so she upgraded me to an eight-year renewal. I need to tattoo that to my forehead or something. 🙄 In the meantime, I have a paper temporary so I can drive legally and I’ll be able to vote tomorrow in our primary. Yay. And yes, I am a strong proponent of having to show a photo ID to prove who I am when voting.

I have a few soapboxes but I try very hard not to stand up on one and rant. My opinions are my own. Half the population will agree with me, the other half will not. C’est la vie.

I’ve finally gotten back into listening to books. I’m still way behind on my Goodreads challenge for the year but I keep inching closer. It helps that there have new releases in some favorite series and I’ve jumped back a few books to refresh my memory. For SciFi/Paranormal fans, Jayne Castle’s Harmony series is fun and if I thought Jake, Loki and Pete would get along with one, I’d love to have a dust bunny. IThe new release is PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES. For shifter/fated mates fans, Dannika Dark’s Black Arrowhead Pack series is one I’m enjoying. It’s a spin off from her Seven series and set in her overall Breed world. I have a JD Robb In Death and a Nalini Singh Archangle books on the TBR pile when I finish THE THIEF, which is the latest in Dark’s series and my current listen.

Getting back into “desk shape” has been an adventure. Sitting too long wrecks havoc on my arse, my legs and my back. I have no padding on the first, even with a foam pillow. The other body parts get stiff and achy. I stand up and hobble until things loosen up. I really am trying to get back in shape. My writing sister and I are doing a July challenge to get back to writing shape but the physical shape has got to be there first.

Spearking of writing, I’ve started at the beginning of the Boston Wolves, reading what’s already written. Thankfully, it’s not half bad. I did a flash fiction challege last week–#ThursdayThreads–and managed to score an honorable mention from the judge. Sadly, I have no clue about the character or what actually happened–the scene could be a wedding or a bomb. Yes, I am weird. Why do you ask? 😜

There’s nothing exciting to report in my life. I’ve reclaimed the duty of feeding the cats in the morning so LG can sleep in. I’m awake, thanks to my bladder. I’m slowly retaking the laundry back. We may have a tussle over the grocery store. LOL I used to go once a week. He goes a couple of times a week. I think it gives him an excuse to get out of the house and he’s been know to hit four or five differnt stores looking for stuff where I’d hit one and if what was on the list wasn’t available, I’d grab a substitute or just add it to a future list. He’s very literal with the list and there is nothing wrong with that. Don’t tell him that I get a bit of a giggle from the soft spot he puts in my heart.

I’ll try to be a little more consistent with my blogging. It would help me keep track of the days of the week but life is so…blah at the moment that there’s not much to write about. Add that to a general sense of miasma and lack of creativity…well, I can only whine for so long before y’all get sidk of me. 😁 Nn that note, I leave you with this…

So, dear readers, what kind of day are you having? Is it gonna be tuna or crunchy brown bits?

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Wednesday Words (Or lack thereof…)

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Silver James

I saw this meme the other day and identified with it immediately. When I’ve been in the ol’ writing cave of late–something that I’m trying to do every day in order to get back in shape*–I tend to check email, my blog roll, and then I just sort of…resemble this cat. Okay, it’s not sort of. I could be this cat. Those are my glasses and that is definitely the expression on my face. Who knew that you have to be in writing shape to get anything done. 🙄

That said, I have been doing some thinking and planning while staring out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of a hummingbird. There are lots of different symbolic meanings connected to the appearance of a hummingbird. At the moment, my favorites are that humminbirds signal that challenging times are over and healing can begin. The pretty little fliers can also mean joy, creativity, love, and good luck. The Universe knows I can use all of that! But to return to plans…I’m hoping to have the Boston Mafia book ready for release by Labor Day. First, I need to reread what’s already written so I’m reminded of character personalities, plot direction, and the tying up of loose ends. Given my current brain fog and inability to sit for any appreciative amount of time, this could take awhile. I’m hoping to actually get some new words and progress made on the WIP. Keep your fingers crossed. 🤞🏼

So, that’s the current status of things in my world. What’s up in your world?

*Yes, LG had moved my desk chair into the bedroom so I would get out of bed and sit up for the majority of the day as ordered by the PT folks. Thing is, I sat back in it, usually with my feet up on the bed. And I napped that way quite offen. Now that my chair is back at my desk, there is no prolonged leaning back or napping. In order to work on the computer, I have to sit forward. This leads to back fatigue and leg stiffness if I don’t get up and walk about to loosen up every 20 or 30 minutes. This creates a certain lack of focus. LOL

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Friday Free-For-All (It is Friday, right?)

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Silver James

First, I truly hope that everyone who has seen bad weather is safe and sound. Oklahoma has had it’s share but we’ve dodged the bullet so far. *knock wood* Y’all stay safe out there!

Second, yes this is me and yes–sadly–I very closely resemble this pic, hence this cat is now my spirit animal. I’ve lost a third of my body weight and appetite has been an issue when it comes to regaining pounds..

In other random thoughts and news, for the first time in my life, I actually feel my age. And it sucks.

Depression is a bee-otch. It also sucks.

Despite the above, I am making progress. I’ve been up and sitting for some time now. LG moved my office chair into the bedroom because at that time, walking even to the bathroom left me short of breath with zero energy. Even though I was sitting up (something both the doctors and the PT folks said I had to do) I would often fall asleep in the chair–I mean like morning, afternoon, and evening. Today, I moved the chair into my office. Lots of procrastination and laziness involved, along with a dollop of that D-stuff. Anyway, I spent half of yesterday at my desk. I did a little on-line catching up but most of the afternoon was spent sorting, matching, dealing with, and paying medical bills. This also sucked.

That’s part of the D-stuff. The deductibles had to go onto credit cards and the interest each month is close to $100 on both of them. My book sales are in the dumpster–gotta write and publish to keep the sales up. My Amazon deposit this month was $50. Our reserves are gone and we’ve cut back on everything. I thought about doing a Go-Fund-Me thingy but was embarrassed and then the weather hit and there’s a whole lot of people with bigger problems than we have. We have a roof over our head and many don’t. I hope to have the Boston Wolves book out by summer’s end but no guarantees. The surgeon, and my new primary care doc, both said it could be July before I’m back to 100%.

In other, happier–for me, anyway–news, both my OSU Cowgirls and the OU Sooners made the Women’s College World Series. Both also got host sites for the Regionals and Super-regionals. LOTS of softball to watch makes me a happy camper.

In TMI news, due to my massive weight loss, have neither butt nor boobs. Sitting is a literal pain (thank the Universe for a memory foam cushion!) and no one makes a padded training bra in my size. Also the new PC doc wanted me to get both a mammogram and a colonescopy. Her scheduling clerk called about a week after I first saw her, which was three weeks after I got home from the hospital. One, I am soooo not ready for anyone/thing to go prowling around my intestines again. Two, I no longer have enough up top to get mashed. Trust me, if there was a lump, I’d be able to feel it! That said, I highly recommend both tests for folks. Much better to be safe than sorry.

Sadly, I didn’t read or listen to a book for a long time during all this stuff. I did finally start last week. I listened to a humorous paranormal romance that was fun. LOVE BITES by Cynthia St. Aubin. She’s an unemployed and newly divorced art history major. He owns an art gallery/antique store in a Colorado tourist town. She’s human. He’s…well…not. And he hires her to be his assistant. There’s also a hunky detective and some murders. Anyway, something different. There are 2-3 more books in the serie. I haven’t checked them out yet. Once that book broke the reading dam, I moved on to the newly-released dramatized version of Ilona Andrews’s MAGIC SLAYS followed with the dv of MAGIC GIFTS. I’ve read and listened to both books numerous times but the Graphic Audio version are awesome. I still have a Nalini Singh Archangel/Guild Hunter book, and a JD Robb In Death in the stack. Oh, and a Dannika Dark new release.

And, sadly, that’s about the sum total of my life at present. I feel a bit like Rip Van Winkle. I missed seeing spring unfold out my office window. My driver’s license expired–not that I’ve been driving. 🤣 Most foods are finally starting to taste right but my stomach still can’t hold what used to be a normal meal for me, hence my inability to gain weight. I HATE looking in a mirror. All I see is bones. Not a good look for me.

Would you believe that I haven’t had a cup of coffee since December 27 (the day I went to the ER)? I’ve had the rare mocha frappucino from Starbucks, but even they tasted…off. Just a bit, but enough. I’m almost afraid to drink coffee because it might taste funky and I won’t want it any more. Yes, I am weird. Why do you ask?

And on that note, I will let you all return to you regular daily routines. I’m sorta back though I likely won’t be posting on the daily schedule I had before. We’ll see. For now, it’s enough that I’m actually at the desktop, typitty-typing away. I hope all of you are well and happy and getting along in the world. If anything has happened in your lives, PLEASE TELL ME!!!! Rip Van Wrkinkle here!

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Stayin’ Alive

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Silver James

Have I mentioned I still hate Daylight Saving Time?

I’m home and recuperating. This time around is is longer and tougher for…reasons. I don’t remember what I said in my previous update so I’ll sort of start at the beginning of this last round. On, Friday, Feb. 23, I went to what was supposed to be my last appointment with the OBGYN and release. Except things weren’t right. Constant pain, inability to eat or drink, vomiting. He agreed, send me for X-rays with the caveat he migh admit me back into the hospital. We’d been home 25 minutes when he called. After consulting with a general surgeon, they wanted me back in hospital.

Going conservative, they filled me full of IV drips–antibiotics, nutrition, blessed pain killers–with an occasional hit of an opiod. I did not improve. On Monday, the 26th, I was preppoed for surgery. Laprascopy small first, then larger if necessary, then fully opening previous surgical site in needed. I went into the OR about 8 pm and came out just after midnight. Yeah, they had to go major league. Turned out there was an abcess, lesions, and a section of the small intestine that had grown together. The surgeon performed a small resection on that part and pathology reported a second abscess that was all but blocking the intestine. One lesion covered the top part of the colon, another was trying to strangle a part of the small intestine and there were others that had to be excised.

I spent a total of 12 days in the hospital. Including my birthday. The good news is that I’m pain-free. This is a miracle. The bad news is that I’m still have a few minor GI issues. Food remains problematic. My tastes buds are once again borked so that food tastes just a little off and is therefore unappealing. I have to eat to regain strength and energy–both of which is at a premium. Which is why I’m just now getting around to this since I’ve been hom since Monday. A good that tastes normal one day is yucky the next. This too shall pass but man, I am soooo ready to get back to normal. Patience.

Anyway, thanks for all the prayers and good thought and friendship. All is much appreciated. Love and miss you guys!!!! I shall return, just no timeline yet.

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Thursday Thoughts: I Has Them

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Silver James

Thoughts. I has thoughts. Mainly because I haven’t been doing much of anything besides laying in bed watching mindless TV and musing. Thus, when I came across the meme, it #MadeMeLaugh while also being far too true! 🤣

I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t cracked a book (real, digital or audio) since I went to the ER. I mean, I go through like 250 books a year in normal times. I’m way behind and really need to find something to spark my imagination because if I’m not reading, I’m usually not writing. 😟.

Weight. I think about this too because wow. I haven’t weighed this little since before Only was barely a twinkle in the eye. At this rate, I might could fit in that size 3 wedding dress–if I still had it. (That’s a long story and not worth the angst to repeat.) Anyway, who knew that I–who have fought weight all my life–would have trouble putting weight ON?!!?! Not that I’m actually complaining. I do think I’m a little too thin because bony is not a good look.

Writing. Nope. I haven’t typed a word of fiction since December. I have hopes to change that today. It’s Thursday, which means the #ThursdayThreads flash fiction challenge. The words might not be for the Moonstruck Mafia book but hey, words! My goal is to answer the challenge today. Baby steps, just like rebuilding my physical strength and energy levels.

Blogging. Which is a form of writing. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought too because, while lying there watching mindless TV, it occurred to me that I might have fallen into a bit of a rut. I marked my days off–and kept track of the days of the week–by my blog. Monday was the weekend follow-up and look forward. Tuesday meant food and books. Wednesday was snippet day. Thursday dealt with deep thoughts about life and writing lessons. Friday was…whatever caught my eye from videos to music to off-the-wall thoughts. While I took the weekend off from here, I continued over on my FB page with #ShirtsOff Saturday (sexy dudes) and #SundayMorningCofee with funny coffee memes and “deep” thoughts (of which many were pretty shallow! LOL) Anyway, I started to wonder. If I feel like I’m in a rut, how do my readers feel? Would you like to see something different? If so, what? I’m open to suggestions because I need all the help I can get! Or are you “old skool” and happy with things the way they are? If my brain was working right, I’d figure out how to insert an interactive poll and let y’all vote. Please speak up either by leaving a comment here or on my FB page. I really do value what you think.

I’m going to finish on a sad note but with an anecdote that will hopefully leave you with a smile. We lost a legend this week when Toby Keith died from stomach cancer. He fought the good fight with grace and dignity for 18 months. He was a fixture here and a truly wonderful man. The things he’s done for charity–especialy children’s cancer and veterans, for OU sports, and just people is amazing and largely unknown by the world at large. I had the honor of meeting him once and he was as real and nice and authentic as everyone says. His passing has left a huge hole in the heart of Oklahoma and country music. Now, here’s the smiley part–I hope. His first big hit was “Shoulda Been a Cowboy.” There’s a story behind it. Toby and some friends (one of whom was an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper) were up in Kansas on a hunting trip. After being out in the field all day, they came back to town and stopped at the local watering hole, still weathing their camo. Folks were dancing to the juke box and a young lady caught the trooper’s eye. He announced that he was going to ask her to dance. Toby said, “Dude, you’re in hunting clothes and stink. She’s gonna turn you down.” “Nope,” said our trooper. “She’ll dance with me.” Yeah…no. She turned him down. A bit later, they noticed her on the dance floor with a man in jeans, boots, and big belt buckle. Toby says, “You shoulda been a cowboy.” And in his words, “My brain went DING DING DING!” They soon went back to their motel. Toby grabbed a pad and pencil and sitting on the edge of the bathtub, he wrote “Shoulda Been a Cowboy” in TWENTY MINUTES! And since tomorrow is Friday, here’s the video–early–just for fun!

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What Day Is It?

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Silver James

Did you ever wake up and have no clue what day of the week it was? 🙋🏼‍♀️ Yeah that’s pretty much been me since this whole thing started. It’s Groundhog Day. That means it’s February 2nd. LG put the trash out for pickup which means it’s Friday. Would you believe that I didn’t put up my new 2024 wolf calendar up until today? Goes to show how little time I’ve spent in my office this past month and days.

Anyway, an update. I’m having more good days than bad days but I haven’t reached the point where I get up, do my regular morning stuff, go to the office to sit at the computer and do my usual daily stuff. I do get up at my usual sixish time to feed the cat critters and let Jake out and back in. Then I’m usually back to bed to rest. Some days I just stay there. Other days, I manage to get up and do some things. I made a trip to Wallyworld this week. LG went along and helped. I’m also cleared to drive and did that the other day–a short trip to Ace Hardware for bird seed. The nice folks there loaded up my cart then my car because I’m still on a 10 lb. lifting restriction. I had to go back to bed after each of those excursions.

In other news, the taste buds are finally starting to return to normal. That’s a yay. I’m also trying to fix dinner again. There for awhile, I wasn’t eating much of anything and LG was scrounging. Tonight, I’m doing a Cajun “boil” (which is actually done in the oven and is easy) with shrimp, corn, potatoes, and smoked sausage. I’m really trying to watch what I eat. While I’m probably too thin after losing 40 lbs., I don’t want to put that 40 back on.

Not up to working yet. I can sit at the keyboard for about 30 minutes at a time and then I need to lay down. All the rearranging in my middle hasn’t quite settled into place yet. Still beats the alternative! And on that note, I’ll end here. I need to do a couple of things before I can grab my morning nap. Then it’s lunch, afternoon nap, and dinner. Life is so exciting around here. 🙄 Have a great weekend. 🤞🏼 I get back on a more regulart track next week. I miss y’all.

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Benign Intervention

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Silver James

Prayers work! Thank you for all of yours! Quick update because energy is at a premium but I wanted to share the news. Surgery went off without a hitch but for the “alien baby.” More about that in a minute. Good news is that all pathology came back negative. NO cancer! I’m on the road to recovering from the surgery which seems like it should be easier that it is. LOL I’m on the laptop which is being squirrely so forgive any typos. Anyway, I have a big ol’ gnafly scar with stitches and staples (which come out a week from tomorrow–YAY) and I’ve lost 30+ pounds (which creates its own set of problems. LOL). Part of the weight loss is due to inability to eat, loss of taste due to general anestesia, and shrinkage of stomach. Sadly, I have no “pants” that fit other than my pjs and I can’t wear them to the doctor appointments I have next week. Ah well. The other part is due to the “alien baby.” If you are squeamish, stop after my moment of begging. If you are curious, keep reading.

Begging. I’m not good at this and it makes me really uncomfortable but I’m basically getting by on SSA benefits. Medicare won’t cover everything and I’ve already put the 4-figure deductible on my credit card. Please go buy one of my books. If you already own them all, buy one and gift a friend who might enjoy it. If everyone who follows me on social media did this, I’d be in the black with maybe enough left over to buy a new pair of jeans. LOL Jiminy but asking that leaves a bad taste in my mouthl. Moving on…

Alien baby. The tumor on my right ovary was 14x16x24 centimeters and weighed 10 POUNDS. Yes, you read that right. TEN FREAKING POUNDS! The doc took pictures. It was gnarly and took two hands to hold. The nurses told me that it wouldn’t fit in the specimen bucket they send to the pathology lab. One of them had to get a placenta bucket and it still spilled over. Yeah, yeah. TMI but I find that hysterically funny and things to laugh about have been few and far between so far this year.

Wow. It took me an hour to type this. I need a nap now. Again, HUGE thanks for all the prayers, healing thoughs, and good vibes sent my way. Y’all are the very, VERY best! I’ll touch base as energy allows. One last thing, I’m blessed that LG is my life partner. He’s been a rock star! ❤ you all!

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Life Happens

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Silver James

I didn’t plan on disppareaing but life happens when you least expect it or are prepared for it. Quick update before I head back to bed because enenrgy is at a premium at the moment.

On December 27, I woke up, started my day feeling fine. Within an hour, I was doubled over with the worst abdominal pain I’ve ever exprienced. LG got me to the ER at a nearby community satillite hospital. After two different kinds of CT scan (a stand-up like an X-ray and then the maching thingy laying down), the doc came in to say that I had–her words–“A tumor over mu right ovary about 16×14 centimeters in size. There is a possibility it is ovarian cancer.”

She referred me to a specialist in the same hospital system and his staff got me in on January 5th–something of a miracle that it was so quick over the holidays. I spent the intervening days in pain and trying to eat and drink water. This “alien” has played havoc with my digestive system and I’ve lost 15 pounds. Hellava way to get down to a weight I haven’t seen in almost 20 years. Anyway, I really like the new doc. He was very hopeful and thinks the mass might be too large to be cancer but won’t know for sure until after pathology tests are run. I’m scheduled for major surgery for this Thursday morning. He’s yanking out the mass and a bunch of “out-of-warranty” parts I don’t need at my age. Tests will be run on those parts and then we’ll see what the plan is. In the meantimes, I’m conserving what little energy I have, trying to get what sleep I can, enjoying the few pain-free moments.

I’ll be in hospital a couple of days and then mostly out of commission for 6-8 weeks. LG has been an absolute rock during all this stuff and I’m lucky to have him. Not sure when I’ll sit down at the computer again to write but I will try to check in as I can. Thank you all for sticking with me. Getting back to writing is a main goal because I don’t want to disappoint y’all–or my charachters. LOL Anyway, prayers and good thoughts appreciated. ❤

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Friday Free-For-All

Posted on December 29, 2023 by Silver James

Have a safe and sane New Year’s “weekend” and especially on New Year’s Eve. I’d like to keep y’all around in the new year. Yeah?

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