Category: Commentary

Emerging

I’ve been sick with a nasty cold for almost a week now and finally I feel like I’m almost human again. Studly Doright was sick, as well, only his illness was due to a change in medications. We made a fine pair for the Thanksgiving holiday.

While everyone else was chowing down on turkey and dressing, pumpkin pie, and that wonderful canned cranberry sauce, Studly and I were heating up canned soup and having Mucinex for dessert. Yum, yum.

Of course he felt well enough to play golf on this Saturday morning. As he left, I brandished my raised fist at him, saying, “Okay, if you get sick again I am NOT taking care of you.”

He just patted me on the head and laughed before leaving.

I can’t imagine why he wasn’t intimidated.

Okay, the photo is motivation to get myself back into the world of the living. It’s going to take a lot of work.

Peace, people.

Oh, Happy Day!

Wedding at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort is now available on Amazon for Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and in paperback form. Yippee!

I’m going to celebrate the launch of this, my third book, by staying in bed with a cold. I’ll toast with hot tea instead of champagne while enjoying eucalyptus cough drops instead of canapés. But by golly, I’m celebrating.

http://Wedding at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M544HFH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_5W8S3SZE1ZZPY3C0VDEK

Peace, people.

Any Day Now

GUESS WHAT?! The sequel to Mayhem at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort should be out on Amazon one day this coming week. Yay!

I apologize for being so vague, but once the book is uploaded to Kindle Direct Publishing it might not go live for a few days. My editor, Rachel Carrera, and I plan to upload the book, Wedding at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort, sometime tomorrow (11/22/21) if we can get our schedules synced.

How am I feeling, you might ask? Excited and anxious. The first novel has done so well, and so many readers have asked about a sequel, that I feel the pressure. It’s a great feeling. I just hope readers will enjoy Wedding as much as they did Mayhem. I know I had a blast writing it.

If you haven’t yet read book one in the series, here’s the link: http://Mayhem at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PDRH2Q9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_4RXBPAX4BJN8GYY1ABRW

Peace, people!

Finally

Well, it was bound to happen, I finally did something so stupid that I don’t want to write about it. Let’s just say that depilatories, even the gentle ones, don’t belong on some portions of the anatomy.

Peace, people.

Waltzing

When it comes to dancing, it’s hard to beat a good waltz. I learned how to navigate a waltz with my high school and college friend, Roy. Even though I believe he was gritting his teeth every time I pulled him onto a dance floor, times when he could have been dancing with a more capable partner, he never turned me down. Roy was a good man, and I doubt I’ll ever have the pleasure of dancing with a better dancer than he was. I hope he’s waltzing in heaven.

So, back to waltzes. I’m not talking about a Viennese waltz; although, I think I’d enjoy that, too. I‘m referring to the country version of the dance. Songs like, “Love on a Hot Afternoon,” and “Waltz Across Texas.” There’s just something about that three-quarter time that makes me need to get up and move.

There are two waltzes on my playlist now, one older, one newer, that give me great pleasure. My cat, not so much, as she acts as my reluctant, and often dangerous, dance partner. She doesn’t like it when I try to lead. She’s light on her feet, but those claws are a real menace. Trust me—you do NOT want to step on her toes.

The older waltz is “Alibis” by Tracy Lawrence. https://youtu.be/chdGKsc2UGM.

Tracy Lawrence

The newer one is “Sunrise Tells the Story,” by the band, Midland. https://youtu.be/tVxJhq6M9Jo

Midland (also the name of a Texas city.)

I don’t know what it is about a waltz that gets me every time, and maybe I’m better off not over analyzing it. I should just relax and let someone else lead me around the floor.

Peace, people and one, two, three, one, two, three.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like…

I’m not ready to say the C word, (That’s Christmas, you filthy animals) but I couldn’t help but notice that the Yule time holiday is taking over before Thanksgiving 2021 is even in the books.

Esposito’s in Tallahassee goes all out on holiday displays, and I had no choice but to take a few photos.

Look what I found dozing among the tree skirts and stockings. Neither creature was stirring as shoppers invaded their space.

I’ll have to make another visit as I begin to get in the mood for that holiday.

Peace, people!

E.F. Hutton Ad

As an addendum to my earlier post, here are a couple of actual E.F. Hutton advertisements.

https://youtu.be/1tG-g-TfBww

This one is cute.

https://youtu.be/q7A-hbeIYfk

The ads must’ve had a pretty good run, spanning at least a nine year period.

FYI, this post is in no way an endorsement of E. F. Hutton, but I did like their commercials.

Peace, people!

When I Talk, People Listen (Whether They Want To Or Not)

Remember the old E.F. Hutton commercials? They usually featured a collection of well-heeled folks standing around at a cocktail party or gathered ‘round a campfire chatting away until someone in the scene said, “Well my broker is E.F. Hutton and he says…” Once those words were uttered, all conversation ceased and everyone leaned in to listen. I kind of have the same effect on people. I might just be the new E.F. Hutton.

Last evening I decided to stop by Sweet Pea Cafe for dinner. Studly Doright was out of town and I had an appointment that ran late. Sweet Pea was on my way home and I knew there’d be a friendly face or two to say “hi” to before I went home to the cat.

The place was hopping. As I entered the cafe to place my order there was a group of college-age women ahead of me. They were so lively. So spirited. So indecisive when it came to ordering. One of the young ladies noticed me and said, “Why don’t you go ahead?”

I knew exactly what I wanted and apparently I spoke loudly enough that everyone in the place, and on into the next county, knew my order, as well. Literally everyone stopped talking when I ordered. I’d have quipped something about being in an E.F. Hutton commercial, but literally no one in the crowd would have gotten the reference.

I have this uncanny ability to become a human megaphone at times. Studly Doright always knows just what to say to tone me down when my volume gets turned up: “Shh!” I sure could’ve used him last night.

PEACE, PEOPLE!!!

Careless

No one has ever accused me of being a perfectionist. My mother had perfectionist tendencies and I try so hard to be like her. But even when I believe I’ve dotted every i and crossed every t, a few will rear their undotted and uncrossed heads and I’ll realize I’ve fallen short again.

This is one reason why I’ll never be tempted into a life of crime. I know I’d never be able to pull off the perfect heist. I’d be the thief who’d leave a business card with my name, phone number, and address at the scene of the crime—probably with a map and bright red x to mark the spot. I’d use fingerless gloves and my prints would show up all over the place.

Is there a MasterClass in the art of perfection? if so, I’d likely screw up the instructions. Pour me a beer; I’m feeling inadequate tonight. #Revising

Peace, people.

Broken People reblog

This poem came up in my Facebook memories today. I’d completely forgotten about it, but I think it has merit. As I recall I’d written a part of the poem, but felt like it was half-baked. Days went by and I had an epiphany that allowed me to continue the thoughts that first compelled me to write this. Now I’m not certain if this is two poems or one poem in two parts. I just know I like it. Maybe you will, too.

https://nananoyz5forme.com/2015/11/12/broken-people