Month: September 2023

Heard it in a Love Song

Yesterday, on my Facebook author page, I solicited love songs to be included in my current work in progress, Greed at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort. Since copyright laws prevent me from using much more than just the title, I suggested that the song be easily recognizable and might be enough to bring out all sorts of lovey dovey emotions.

I gave participants a lot of leeway when it came to the era in which the song was released. I’ve kept the timeline for the Happy Valley series fairly vague so as not to have to deal with politics or COVID or any other unpleasant topics. These are primarily feel good books. With occasional crimes. Maybe a murder in the one I’m working on. 😳

When suggestions began pouring in, I was delighted. So many great song titles! And a few odd ones—Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys, for one. Spoiler: It didn’t win.

In the end, I picked two song titles because I couldn’t decide on just one: Amazed by LoneStar and I Love How You Love Me by Bobby Darrin. The names of those who submitted these suggestions will be featured in the Acknowledgements section of Greed and I’ll send them a signed copy of the book.

I’ve held similar contests for my previous books, and never been disappointed in the results. Thank goodness for my little army of devoted readers.

Peace, people!

Droopy Drawers

I was at water aerobics this afternoon, following directions, jogging this way and that, throwing my arms in the air like I just don’t care. Then we did some kind of leg exercise and I had the odd sensation that I was wearing a skirt. I knew that wasn’t the case—I had on a tankini, one of those two piece suits that pretends to be a one-piece, and bottom half definitely did not have an attached skirt.

But the bottom was acting weird. I could feel the lining snugged up against my derrière, but the outer bit seemed to be drooping halfway down the back of my thighs.

I’d jump, the suit flapped. I’d swim, the extra material floated up like seaweed. When I exited the pool at the end of the hour we all had a good laugh.

I guess these bottoms are going in the dumpster, unless someone’s knows how to fix a pair of droopy drawers.

Peace, people.

I Prevailed. Eventually

This story has a happy ending, but at the time I wrote this, it sure didn’t look all that favorable for yours truly,

Okay, before I lose my mind completely I’m going to tell you I TRIED to write today. I really did. But I opened up my Word file for Greed at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort to find that my subscription to Microsoft Word had lapsed and that I needed to renew. I could READ my work in progress but couldn’t WRITE anything.

No biggie. Right?? WRONG. I could not remember the password for the account. And my phone number had changed since I set it up. I filled out a form, but couldn’t recall any previous passwords. I don’t think I ever had but the one.

I tried to chat with support through a new account I made just for that purpose, but after getting shuffled around six times I lost the connection and almost cried. Almost.

Microsoft sent me a note saying they couldn’t verify my information and to submit another form. Basically it wanted me to once again say I didn’t know anything it was asking for one more time. Like maybe I’d suddenly remembered an old password that I never had in the first place. Yes, I need a better password system. I know.

I filled out the form anyway only to get a message saying I’d used up all my attempts. Try again in 24 hours. So, if you hear a scream coming from the southeastern corner of the country, it’s probably me.