Category Archives: random thoughts

Dec2

Memorial Service

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I attended a very nice memorial service today for a man that I had met a couple of times but never really spoke to as he was the father of someone I know. It was a service that the man planned himself. He was 91 and he knew he would be leaving this world sooner rather than later. It was quite moving to hear the music and the Bible readings that he chose himself.  What an amazing gift to give your family and friends.

The good news is that since I was a mere acquaintance, I didn’t have to hug anyone so the empath in me is grateful that there is no depression, headache and angst. Being an empath is not fun when the environment is full of sadness. I was able to shield today and that makes me happy. I hope one day to be able to shield at will.   I’m not too sure that’ll ever happen but a girl can dream, right?

Nov28

My Nephew and His Wife- In Italy

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Aren’t they cute? He’s in the Air Force and stationed in Aviano. This was their first Thanksgiving away from home.  She cooked and they had a lovely snow.  We missed them a ton.

Nov27

Thanksgiving

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I hope everyone had a nice holiday and if you ventured out on Black Friday, that you didn’t get trampled to death. I went to a couple of places- un-mall like.  Found some wonderful holiday spirit and some not so wonderful spirit as well. The woman that checked me out at Barnes and Noble was quite nice.  The one that checked out my mother was a royal witch. Considered reporting her to the manager, but decided against it due to the effort it would take. When we left the store, it was pouring rain. An unknown man offered to escort us to the car with his big umbrella. Big grin for him!

Then, of course, the parking lot people. Geez- the battle for spaces can be intense! People stealing spaces, making faces, flipping off other folks and other various gestures.  I noticed the mall parking lot as we cruised by was insanely packed. They were parked on the grass, the curbs, etc. It was crazy. 

My son is home from college for the weekend and it’s been fun hanging with him.  Luckily, he gets out of classes pretty soon and will be home in less than 3 weeks again.  

Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend!

Nov16

Rocky Racoon

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There is an old Beatle’s song called Rocky Racoon– sung by McCartney. The whole song is a riot but one line in particular cracks me up every time I hear it. Being a writer that has had to change the name of a character in mid stream, I can totally relate to the line Macca wrote “Her name was Magil and she called herself Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy.”  That is just such an awesome line.

My recent WIP has a heroine named Joanna. Her brother calls her Jo. Her name didn’t start out as Joanna and she fought  me for every word.  She started out as Capri with a nickname of Cappy. Once she let me know her real name, I was able to move on with a better flow to the story.

So, here’s my line with apologies to Macca’s line: “Her name was Joanna and she called herself Jo, but her writer knew her as Capri.”  It doesn’t fit the tune as well as the original line, but you get my point, right? Gotta go with the flow sometimes and name them what they need to be called.

Yeah, the song isn't about a real raccoon, but what the heck

Nov14

Interesting New Songs I Like

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I went with one of my friends that is a ballroom dancer to her showcase last night. It’s where the dancers show their moves in an exhibition arena. It’s always fun and she does a wonderful job.  I have found that my favorite two dances are the Bolero and the Cha Cha.  I love to watch a sexy tango and Emmy certainly did one last night but the cha cha is such a happy step and the bolero is just so beautiful, I think they are my favorites at this moment.

One of the Boleros that Emmy danced to was a song called Moonshine Child. It is sung by Robben Ford and it’s an awesome blues song. It’s gonna be on the next sound track I do. I always prepare a playlist of songs that fit the current WIP.  This song is a tale of love lost so it’ll fit a romance novel- no matter what I decide to write since there is always the “Black Moment” when all seems lost.  One of the phrases in the song is if I could make you want me again..   So it would definitely fit.

The other song I heard that I loved is by Bitter:Sweet and is called The Mating Game.  They played it twice and I think one of the dances was a swing and the other was a samba. I could be dead wrong, but I enjoyed both the song and the dances.  

You can listen to snippets of both on Amazon.com or can order each at I-Tunes for 99 cents. They’re great.  Enjoy!

Oct8

Watching CSI NY

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Anyone else unhappy with Sela Ward’s character? I’m getting a vibe about her. She’s up to something. Not sure what yet but I don’t believe she’s a “good guy.”  I guess we’ll see as the season progresses. Anyone else getting a vibe about her and her possible nefarious nature?  There has to be a reason she left the FBI. Why give up a federal position for a NYPD crime lab job?  Gotta be a story there and probably not a good one. 

NY City from atop the Empire State Bldg

Aug20

80 Years Old and Still a Beautiful Man

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Can it be? He’s 80?  WOW.  He’s still a beautiful man. Love him. Even my sons think he’s beautiful.  Enjoy this photo of him- he placed third in Mr. Universe in 1950. What a speciman!

Sean Connery

Aug15

weekend fun

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I spent the weekend with a group of friends. We scrapbooked and had a grand time. These are some awesome ladies. The funny thing is most of us would have probably never met or forged the bonds we have without the craft of scapbooking. I’m a lawyer, we have a nurse, an engineer, a number of civil service employees, a couple of retirees, a business owner and a county executive.  A very eclectic mix.  We have so much fun- we let our hair down (so to speak) and laugh, laugh, laugh.   We ate seafood last night and had a blast.

We also love and care for each other. We love each other’s kids and families- some of whom we’ve only met in the stories and pictures.  It’s a wonderful support system.  I’m proud to be a member of the Scrapping Duchesses of York (so named as we used to meet at the York Rite Temple).

Duchess of York 1920s

Jul30

RWA Conference

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The conference is going great. Having a nice time but serious lack of sleep may do me in.  I’m going to want to crash when I get home on Sunday but I gotta return to the real job on Mon and I know it will be chaos as I have not had time to check my personal email very much and haven’t checked the work at all.  So, feeling the impending doom!  LOL! 

Have found two agents that I was impressed with on the agent panel for the PRO retreat. Gonna query them when I get home. One of them is the partner of my friend Katie’s agent so I’m gonna talk to Katie and get some opinions. I know Katie loves her agent. 

Have made some pictures but forgot my little device that hooks to the computer so I can’t post pics til I get home.  Adieu!