Easter Monday

Posted on April 10, 2023 by Silver James

Wow. At some point last week while I was huddling in bed, I got notice from Worpress that I’d reached my 12th anniversary blogging on this site. My how time flies when you’re having fun, right? Thanks to all of you who have stuck around all these years and hello to the new folks. I hope I manage to entertain y’all occasionally.

Yess, I was MIA again last week. Lawyer Guy and I have been knocked on our arses by the crud bug from hell, ie. The Neverending Sick. It isn’t strictly influenza, Covid, Norovirus, sinus infection, spring cold, or stomach flu. It has elements of all: chills and sweats, muscle and joint aches and pain, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, nausea, diarrhia, loss of appetite and taste, and total exhaustion. And just when you think you feel good, it hits with a second wave because you had the audacity to do things like get out of bed and go to the grocery store. This second go-round, we pretty much just went to bed and stayed there. I’m currently typing this on Sunday around noon and as soon as I set the blog to post tomorrow morning, I’m headed back to bed to watch my Cardinals play baseball and nap. Oh, and to add injury to insult, I pulled an abdominal muscle (hard to get in and out of bed, sit, walk, or cough/sneeze–lol) sneezing and LG wrenched his back coughing. 🙄 We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

In other updates, we got a direct deposit on the insurance from where they totalled LG’s truck. As neither of us were really getting out to do anything, there was no big rush except…”new” truck! LOL We (ie. LG) got out twice last week to pick up Stormy at school. Luckily, he and Baseball Boy were both out of school for Good Friday. Anyway, we found a truck online that seemed like a really good deal so we went to look at it because several people had “favorited” it to look at. Yeah. That was a total bust. The “sales expert” on duty was the younger girl who answered the phone. And the truck had some serious defects. LG had found another on a lot cn the opposite side of the metroplex so we meandered that way because there are a lot of used lots along the 39th Street Expressway (a main thoroughfare in our part of “town.”)  LG spotted a truck on a very small lot next to what used to be (they closed due to the death of the owner) one of our favorite restaurants. The truck is a 2013 Ford F-150 4WD Platinum edition. It was at least $1K over what we could afford, but what a sweet ride! (And under 200K miles with a rebuilt engine). Anyway, the owner offered to drop the price $1500, which left us enough for excise tax, registration, and tag. It’s black and black with every bell and whistle a truck guy could want! Heated seats front AND rear, sun roof, electronic controlled split rear window, Nav and back-up camera, Sony speaker system, and more stuff that we haven’t figured out yet. It’s an amazing vehicle, especially for the price we paid so if you are every looking for a used car in the OKC area, let me know and I’ll pass the infor for Spanky’s Used Cars — We sell swell cars! (For you young’uns out there, that’s a reference to Spanky and Our Gang movie shorts which later appeared on early TV. Sadly, we’ve been too run down to just get in the truck and go play.

In better health news, my appointment with the optimitrist for the refraction (tests for glasses prescription) is set for Thursday. Yay! Hopefully, it won’t take long to get my glasses and I’ll finally be able to work on the computer for longer than about 10 minutes at a time. (Twenty minutes and I gt a headache). Once I can work steady again, I’m back to writing! This two weeks off has left me “hungry” to write.

Sadly, I spent more time sleeping than listening to books or watching TV so not much to report there. I am sooo far behind on my yearly challenge. Like 8 or 9 books, when I’m usually 8 or 9 books ahead. Ah, well. Hopefully, I get caught up. I did set aside the book I’d been listening to and started a “repeat offender” because there’s a new release this Tuesday in the series. I have 4 books to read to set up the new one. We’ll see how long that takes me. LOL

No promises on keeping to my normal blogging schedule. Some of the blogs take real brain poiwer and that, like energy, is currently at a premium. I will try to at least post something to keep y’all coming back. Anyway, I have over 200 blog posts on my own RSS feed of mostly daily stops and I can’t even wrap my head around that. Okay. I need to throw some birdseed out in the feeder, grab something to drink and head back to bed. Hope all is well in your worlds–that you are healthy, have good books to read/listen to, movies, music, TV, sports…whatever floats your boat. Right now, a fear a nap is floating mine. LOLOL Later, taters!

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Friday Sinema: The Power of the Puff

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Silver James

April Fools! And this video is perfect for the day. No, serously…

Way back in the dark ages when I was in school, there was a tradition in school called the Powderpuff Game. The cheerleaders and select members of the pep squad suited up in football gear and played a football game. The football players wore cheerleading and squad uniforms and thus, roles were reversed. It was a lot of fun and made for some serious laughs when it came to the cheers. Some of us took the game seriously though, and PLAYED football! Fun times. Well, for today’s bit of fluff, this school has taken the ideal of Powderpuff to a whole new level. Kudos to the boys for being both gutsy AND talented! I hope you have as much fun watching as I did. Cheers to the weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: It’s Alive–Sort of

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Silver James

Yes, I’ve been MIA. To let you know how ugh I feel, I went 72 hours with a cup of coffee. Yes, seriously. LG caught something and his started last Friday night with severe chills. I mean, like teeth-chettering, hand-shaking chills. Saturday morning he had a fever so he stayed home while I went to Stormy’s soccer game.

Sunday, he was still down and I was okay.

Monday, He was slightly better and I was down. Tuesay was much the same. Wednesday, I had to get to grocery. I mean we were out of anything remotely edible. Not that either of us were particularly hungry but still. I managed to remain upright and even fixed soup and grilled cheese sammiches for our dinner last night

Today? I’m back to wishing I was still in bed–which is where I’ll be once I clear off computer stuff. Besides, It’s OPENING DAY for MLB and my Cards open at home. Hello, Clydesdales!

Anyway, this crud is curddy. Alternation chills and sweats, sinus drainage and sneezes, which leads to chest congestion, aches in both joints and muscles, lack of appetite and and other discomforts. It’s not the flu or Covid but I almost wish it was because ther are real meds available for than. Anyway, that’s why I haven’t been around. I’m mending but it’s slow slogging.

Hope y’all are healthy! Stay that way.

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Lion Like a Monday

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Silver James

This is the last Monday in March and this year, March reversed things–sort of. It kinda came in like a lamb and is trying to go out like a lion–especially in the southeast. Terrible storms in Mississippi and Georgia over the weekend. Anyway, March is on the way out, April and the Fools will be her soon, and Easter follows.

The end of March also means Opening Day! Yayayay! My St. Louis Cardinals open up at hom against the Blue Jays on Thursday, March 30. Busch Stadium puts on a whale of an opening dfay ceremony and I’ve been known to DVR it if I was going to be out of pocket. The Budweiser Clydesdales make an appearance, along with the Cards’ Hall of Famers, and the starters are all deloivered to homeplate to line up for the national anthem. Cool stuffs right there.

In other sports news, Stormy’s soccer team won 4-0 and he received one of the Players of the Week awards because he assisted in all four goals and used teamwork (which was the inspirational word of the week) to help his team score. It was a beautiful day–shining sun, no wind, and temps in the 50s but warm enough with a jacket and sitting in the sun. It was a nice way to end the week of his birthday. No party this year because they took him to Ireland, Wales, and England. My OSU Cowgirls swept the 3-game weekend conference opener against the Baylor Bears. They’re still #2 in the rankings.

On the downside, LG was in a wreck on Thursday. It sounds like the insurance company is considering totally this truck. 😞 Evidently, while the damange doesn’t look too bad on the surface, there’s enough that it might be cheaper for the insurance company to total it than it would be to repair. That, of course, leaves us in a bind of having to find a replacement truck for whatever they give us because making a car payment right now? Not happening. Sadly, the semi that forced him off the highway didn’t stop so there’s no way to get more from that insurance carrier. On the good side, he wasn’t hurt beyond being a little stiff and sore.

I’m still waiting on an appointment for my refraction so I can get the eyesight corrected. Once I can see close up, I can get back to serious work. This whole worki-for-5-minutes-get-blurry-eyed mode sucks hind tit.

Life is a bit on hold. This having one car thing is an adjustment so I’m not sure if I’m going to Wallyworld today or tomorrow. It depends on LG’s commitments and places he needs to be. It’s way early and he’s snorting away so I’m not waking him up to ask.

So that was my up and down week. Hopefully no rollercoaster this week. How was your weekend and what’s on your agenda for the week?

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Friday Sinma: Polka Party

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Silver James

Catchy tune. Crazysauce effects. And a cat with rhythm. This has no purpose but sheer, inane fun. I dare you to sit still. Me? I’m imitating both the cat and the girl. Also, I love how the people in the background just ignore everything. 😉 TGIF and have an awesome weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Yep

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Silver James

I don’t always keep the messages I receive from the Universe. More often than not, I read them, thing, “Huh!” and delete them. Then there are the ones that click on the light bulb and I’m like, “Oh heck yeah!” Sometimes that kind of message is personal and sometimes I feel the idea is worth sharing. Then there’s the messages that hit me like a brick when it comes to my writing. Those definitely get shared. Like this one, which popped up in my inbox yesterday. I read it and thought to myself, “Self, doesn’t this pretty much explaing both why you write and why you read?” And myself replied, “Yep.”

Would it be as much fun, Silver, if you never stopped laughing? If there were never any clouds? If you were never challenged? If you were never alone? If you never heard the whole truth when it hurt? If you always knew what would happen, what to do, and where to go?

Or would you be like, “Beam me up, Bro!”

Yep,
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. Relish the quiet, Silver, enjoy the mysteries, and welcome the whole truth.

Writers, isn’t this pretty much our basic process? I mean, seriously, who wants to write a book with no conflict, cloudy skies, no action, no adventure in whatever form. And conversely, as readers, we’d be bored to tears. I’m reminded of something Jerry Seinfeld once sait about his sitcom–“It’s a show about nothing.” Cavveat, I was not a fan but that comment stuck with me because tye truth is, if we write about nothing, if nothing happens, if the characters never discovered the truth, then neither does the reader. Today, I’m saying, ‘Yep!” I’m going to relish the quiet and remember to include some quiet times for my characters. I always enjoy the mystery shall continue to incorporate it, and yeah, by the end of each book, I want the truth of those characters and their story to come out. That’s my goal. What’s your goal today?

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Wednesday Words: Who’s Asking?

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Silver James

Midweek means words. It is Wednesday after all. I have new words. They aren’t fancy but they do move the overall story along and this scene happens closer to the end. I’m getting there. Slowly. Not very surely, but progress. So, what’ our #ThursdayThreads inspriation for today? This intriguing prompt:”Most of you never ask.”
****
Cory’s gaze flitted around the table and, like a butterfly fluttery across a spring meadow, landed on everyone’s face. They were flying home in the morning and this evening would be the last time they’d be with the children and Petro. She couldn’t shake the melancholy that shrouded her. The weather, a cold drizzle, matched her emotions perfectly.

She smiled ruefully as Duke squeezed her hand. He knew. He always knew what mood she was in. Her mentor had warned her when she became a member of Doctors Without Borders. He’d been right. She cared far too much. Even though these kids had only been in her care for a matter of days, she’d come to love all of them.

Conversation buzzed around her. The team was excited to get back to the USA. They’d been cold, wet, and miserable for a couple of weeks and the idea of lying in the sun on the beach in Key West appealed to them all. She understood the sentiment. She was homesick too but at the same time, she worried about what would happen after they left.

Sunk deep in her thoughts, she startled when Duke’s arm circled her shoulders. When had he stopped holding her hand? She turned wide eyes on her husband.

“You must be a million miles away, princess. Kin asked you a question.”

Blinking to focus, she said, “Sorry. What did you ask?”

“Marishka,” Kin said. “When would she be able to travel?”

“With the right transport, probably now. The infection is under control and she’s responding well to the chemo infusions.”

Kin and Meg exchanged looks, but Dom spoke up before she could question what they were thinking about.
“Whose ready to go home?” The cocky pilot raised his hand. “There’s a beach towel with my name on it.”

That spurred more lively conversation. Cory returned to her somber head space but one question caught her attention because its answer had been the root of her contemplation. Unable to identify who’d asked, she responded. “What?”

Loch was who answered. “What’ll become of the kids? After we’re gone, I mean.”

And there it was in a nutshell yet his inquiry still caught her off guard. She thought she’d been the only one worried about the kids. Despite all their missions, she’d never once heard any team member ask about the consequences of their actions or what would become of those left behind.

“Most of you never ask what happens next after a mission. Why now?”

“Because these kids are important,” Kin said.

“Exactly,” everyone chimed in.
****
And there you have it. Writers, feel free to beg, borrow, or steal the prompt to get new words. That’s what Wednesdays are for, right? Right! And readers, what a question you never ask?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Chicken Soup Books

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Silver James

Yesterday was crazy! I was home early in the morning, for a little bit around noon, and then got back from the doctor’s and LG errands a bit after 5 p.m. By that time I was pooped. It was dinner and baseball and early bed.  So, I’m having to think on the fly. Y’all have no ideqa how hard it is to pair food with a book. Then I have to play around with making a graphic because…hey! Pictures! And do the coding for the links and all that there technical stuff. LOL Today, I’m doing a quicky.

Two questions:

  1. Trending snack food in your house (espeically if nibbling while reading):
  2. Your favorite “chicken soup” book (you know the one you always pick up for a comfort read or to just read because you’re in a slump and you know this ONE book will satisfy you):

My answers:

  1. Fritos and Dean’s Onion Dip, Hey, Fritos are made from corn–a vegetable! And onions are good for you and sour cream is a cousin to yogurt and yogurt is healthy so I’m eating a healthy snack. Sh’up. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
  2.  NAKED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb. I truly don’t know how many times I’ve read this book. More than 10. Maybe more than 20. It’s the book that kicked me out of my depression way back when and got me writing again. It’s always the book I reach for when I’m slumping.

And there you have it, the abbreviated version of TT&T. Now ‘fess up, y’all! Treats and titles. What are yours?

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Monday Once More

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Silver James

It’s Monday. What does that keep happening? Of course, if you stop and think about it, NOT having Monday roll around would be a bad thing. Happy First Day of Spring! You can’t prove that it IS Spring by the weather here. Saturday night was a hard freeze, Sunday was barely into the 40s, and today? Who knows? The forecast says mid-50s, with a chance of rain overnight. We’ll see. First thing, though, is my Wallyworld run. Gotta stock up for the week, doncha know.

I’m still not doing much in the way of “work”–ie. writing. My vision is still settling on a “setting.” Sometimes, I can see the smaller print on the Tv from across the room and my borrowed readers work for my phone, computer, and menus. Other times, I can only see the medium letters and I have to add a magnifying glass to read the fine print up close. I have a follow-up appointment this afternoon and hopefully I can get some “closure.” I need to get back to work and right now, I last about five minutes reading on the computer before my eyes water. Even with the touch-screen that allows me to increase the size. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

The Kids got back from their spring break trip to the British Isles late last night. I don’t have all the detailsw but I think they had a good time in Ireland, Wales, and a little bit of southern England.

In sports news, my Cowgirls are currently #2 in the national rankings and they swept the tournament they played in over the weekend, winning all four of their games. They play North Texas on Wednesday and then start Big 12 Conference play this coming weekend against Baylor. Sadly, Puerto Rico lost to Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, but the USA came back with a rocking grand slam from Trea Turner to beat Venezuela Saturday night. Last night, they played Cuba. If I don’t fall asleep, I’ll update the score after the game. If I do, well, I edit this. As you can see, I edited this. LOL I did NOT fall asleep. Amazing game! USA won 14-2 over Cuba. Now they play the “unicorn.”wait to see who they play in the finals–Mexico or Japan. I do love me some good baseball!

In reading news, I’m still listening to Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards/Gargoyle Queen series. That’s plural. CoS is a trilogy and GQ is a spinoff trilogy. Newest book released last week and I’m about halfway through the second book so will be starting the new one soon.

Not much else going on in my world. I feel like Life is kind of on hold. I saw a LOL cat meme the other day and actually laughed out loud before I realized there’s probably a whole bunch of people who wouldn’t get it. You’d have to be familiar with “Laugh In” and Ernestine the Telephone Operator. Anyway, that’s how I feel about Life these days–“Is the party to whom I am speaking?” What’s up in your world?

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Friday Sinema: A Little Bit Irish

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Silver James

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. I think we’re all a bit Irish today. Luckily, I actually am part Irish–according to my DNA. Way back in the day, Only and I went to see Riverdance (with Michael Flatley) when they were on tour back in the 90’s when RIVERDANCE was such a phenonemon. The performance was magical and it was such an awesome mother/daughter bonding experience. There’s a new tour going around this year and yes, I’ve been tempted to check for tickets but haven’t. Instead, I found this video that explains the origins of Riverdance. Who knew? And what’s more fitting to feature today than this video? May you find your pot of gold today!

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