August 31, 2016
7:05 p.m.

There's nothing I hate worse than taking a child to the doctor, and that includes the four legged kids. I don't want them to ever be sick or hurt in any way.

That said, my grandpuppy Rex had to go to the vet today. He's been limping about for a couple of days and I was pretty sure he had something in his foot, but he would NOT let me check it out. Stubborn little wiggle-worm. Twelve pounds shouldn't be that strong!!

So off we went today, and I was right: grazon weed sticker in his paw. Poor baby!

Isn't that the ugliest thing ever? And it digs its way in. Ugh! 

Poor little dude had to be sedated, so he's a groggy pup tonight, just laying around sleeping. He looks all sad and punished wearing his lovely collar, but it has to be done so he won't lick the wound. It makes me feel so sorry for him!

He really has no idea how spoiled he is; I do not share my blanket with just anyone. 

He may be a little mad at me; I left him with strangers who gave him a shot, made an incision in his paw and left him feeling spaced out and sore. I don't blame him. But since that thing could have become very infected and made him sick enough to lose his foot or even die--he can be mad at me for a minute or so. We'll both get over it.

Get well soon, my little buddy, Rex!

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7:41 p.m.

I feel like I'm making good progress on my new book, which is partly based on my ancestors, but still fiction. I have learned so much about where I came from and so much about history in this part of the country while researching this book. 

I know it's a work of fiction, but I want to be historically correct wherever possible. I wish I could afford to visit a couple of places in person and really get a feel for them, but that's probably not going to happen, so research will have to do for now. Maybe by the time I'm ready to edit...

In the meantime, my novella is still available at Amazon. Here's the link: 

https://www.amazon.com/S23HF50-Subject-Human-Female-Age/dp/1534864067?ie=UTF8&qid=1467575814&ref_=la_B01H2HJBHQ_1_1_twi_pap_2&s=books&sr=1-1 

I hope you'll give it a try!

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9:45 p.m.

I'm a little worried that this little guy hasn't peed yet since being sedated. But he did have a small snack of tuna fish to take his pills. Now to keep him from licking his wound. He looks so sad in his cone of shame. 

I'm going to take my little buddy out and hopefully put hime to bed for the night.

Good-night!

August 13, 2016
7:34 p.m.

Oh man, there are days when all you want to do is go on a giant bitch-fest, and today is one of those days.

I can handle a lot, personally. I still haven't any idea what my medical problem is, just that I have one. I have too much month at the end of my money. I still need to level my house and get my roof fixed. But it's cool. None of those things make me want to kick my feet and scream or anything.

What does make me want to kick and scream is when bad things happen to my kids. I don't want bad things to happen to my kids. I want them to be happy and healthy and in a good place. Always. Forever. Amen.

I am pretty sure that I'm no different than any other mom. We would all rather suffer ourselves than see our children in any distress.

I feel so helpless right now. These are the times when I wish with all my heart that I had a car and money and POWER.

Kid number two is stranded in Kansas with a broken down car and three kids. Kid has had a horrible year--broken down cars, lost jobs, lost home. Now they're just trying to get here and start over. and BLAM! What the heck?!

And me? I can buy the occasional bag of diapers and send a buck or two, but basically--I am useless. It makes me so frustrated!

I want to be SuperMom and fix everything! Why can't I do that?

Honestly, it tests my faith.

I hate feeling this way, but sometimes I really wonder--why the tests? Why the trials? Especially since they seem to befall the people who are basically good and doing their best, while the evil just go on and on with their money and their power and nothing ever happens to them.

Okay, that's not a very nice thought, is it? I'm probably just asking for more trouble.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

Tonight seems like a good night to NOT think.

So I'll stop for now. I'll read a book, and pray for my kids. And pray some more. Etc.

Maybe you could help me out with that.

Thank you.

Good night.

August 6, 2016
11:46 a.m.


I was washing my hair, and while rinsing soap out of my face I opened my eyes and saw a gigantic spider.

How do I know it was gigantic? Because I could see it. I can't see worth a hill of beans without my glasses, and I don't shower with glasses on. But I clearly saw that spider.

I am not a screamer. Honestly. I am a gasper in most cases, and my "screams" are generally a loudly exhaled "OH!"

I screamed. My son and the doggies came running. They found me grasping a towel and dripping in the middle of the bathroom. I had jumped out, yanked the shower curtain closed and grabbed a towel in a matter of seconds.

"Jesus Christ, Mom!" my son yelled. "You scared the crap out of me! What happened?"

"Sp--sp--spider," I gasped, pointing at the shower. "BIG spider."

"It was probably just hair," he groaned.

"It was a spider. HUGE spider. I saw it!"

"How? You can't even see me right now." He handed me my glasses and I put them on. "How could you tell it was a spider?"

I wrapped the towel more firmly around me. "It was a spider," I insisted.

"Guess I'll kill it, then," he said, and reached for the shower curtain. He pulled it open, and...

and...

And who the heck knows?

I woke up.

I hate nightmares.

So...do I hope that he pulled the curtain open and found a humongous spider that totally justified my scream reaction?

Or do I hope he was right and it was just a clump of hair--or my own overactive imagination? (Nah, I'd never hear the end of it!)

I don't know. All I know is that while in the shower this morning I experienced a nightmare flashback and had an asthma attack that got my son on his feet and running to the bathroom to check on me.

Good grief!

I'm fine, by the way.

In the aftermath, it occurs to me that this is the first time I remember having a dream in which I could not see without my glasses. What's up with that?

I dream a lot. I can always see perfectly fine in my dreams. Does that mean I'm wearing my glasses in my dreams?

That can't be right. I mean, I sometimes dream that I wake up in the middle of the night needing to pee, and I get up and go to the bathroom. I don't put on glasses, and I can see just fine. Around the time buttocks meet porcelain, I really wake up and rush to the bathroom--but I grab my glasses first. You know, so I can see in the dark!

Does anyone else ever have this stupid dream, or is it just me?

Does anyone else put on their glasses, even though they're not going to turn on the lights?

It might be time for me to go do something else for awhile.

Guess I'll walk the dogs. Ta ta!

August 3, 2016
6:45 p.m.

I'm so bad. It's been half a month since my last post, and that was a sad post. I need to up my game, or something.

I barey recognize myself lately. Suddenly I am following politics and researching candidates. Suddenly I am investigating the sources of many political posts on Facebook instead of just scrolling past them as fast as I can. Suddenly I am very interested in the history of this country.

For example, I keep seeing posts claiming that this country was founded on Christianity. But it's not the whole truth.

This country was based on a Secular foundation that supports Freedom of Religious expression.

The Pilgrims came to the New World where they would be free to practise their religion. Those Puritans originally wrote colonial constitutions regarding a religious government, which would establish one true church as the country's religion.

The Founding Fathers changed all that when they penned the Federal Constitution, forever separating Church and State. They specified that the US government would not interfere with the People's right to practise--or not--their preferred religions.

Other Pilgrims arrived, after being persecuted. The Latter Day Saints emigrated due to the promise that they would be free to worship as they saw fit. So did the many Jewish people who fled persecution. People have come from all over the world to experience the freedom we have to worship as we please, or to worship not at all. To this day, there are colonies of Amish and Mennonite who are free to live among the other people of the US without fear that those others will force their beliefs upon them. So far, no government agency has forced them to buy cars and install electric lights. Conversely, no member of these societies has tried to force their neighbors to live as they do.

The United States is not a Christian Nation, it is a secular Nation that does not interfere with its citizens' religions.

I guess I'm just ranting about this because I'm tired of all the posts I see that have clearly been passed on by people who didn't bother to question whether it was the truth or not.

It reminds me of all the times the death of Jackie Chan has been reported, while he is alive and well.
At some point in the future--hopefully very far in the future--when he really passes on, I won't believe it.

Anyway, if you're still under the impression that this country was founded on Christianity, I suggest you read the Constitution. It was written the way it was for the express purpose of not establishing a single religion as THE religion, because of the past examples of religious politics in the old country.

Ugh, what has happened to me? I'm supposed to be happy and carefree and not care about this stuff.

I think tomorrow I will think about something else. For now, I'm going to take the dogs out and call it a day.

Cheers!

July 15, 2016
12:29 p.m.


This morning I learned of the sudden death of a very dear friend of mine. I worked with this woman for several years, and she was an example to live up to when it came to work ethics. She was a professional in all aspects, and more than willing to pass on her knowledge and skills to those who really wanted to learn.

She was also a fiercely devoted mother who raised her children to be strong, independent and unique. I know she was very, very proud of them.

I visited with her last month while I was in Wyoming, and I'm so very glad that I went. It would be terrible, in retrospect, to have been that close and not have seen her.

I'm stunned. I can't believe it. She wasn't old; she took care of herself. She took care of everyone, honestly. She worked too hard, certainly. But...I still just can't believe it.

Annette Haney, you were a great friend, a great parent, a great person. You will be so missed. Fly high, my friend.

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2:00 p.m.

So, I'm sad. I guess it's as good a time as any to remind everyone that everytime you see someone you love, remember to say "I love you," when you part, because you might not get another chance. We are not promised tomorrow, so make the best of each day you're given. Make your plans, certainly. Save your money, map out your future, BUT--don't forget to make the best of today. JUST IN CASE. Let those you leave behind say you had a great time the day before you left them.

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I think I've gone as far as I'm going to go for now. I just want to sit here for awhile and remember my friend.

Make it a great day! And just so you know, I love you.

July 3, 2016
4:21 p.m.

Well, once again Independence Day is near, and I am freaking out because I really am not a fan of the celebration.

Look, I'm as patriotic as the next guy--maybe even more than the next guy. I'm grateful to live in this country.

I never turn my back on the chance to eat a good barbeque dinner and spend time with family and friends. I even enjoy a well-organized fireworks show every once in a blue moon. Pyrotechnics are impressive when done right.

Unfortunately, this is generally not the way I spend the holiday. I usually spend it cowering in fear that one of my less-than-sensible neighbors is going to set fire to my house with their illegal fireworks. I also spend it worrying about any of my loved ones who might have to be traveling, because along with the barbeque, a lot of these celebrants are going to imbibe a lot of alcohol and then drive.

So...not a fan of the 4th of July.

Please do me a favor, everyone. If you're in an area that doesn't permit fireworks, follow the rules and be safe!

If you are allowed fireworks in your area, please use them safely. Be careful.

Take care of your pets. More pets are lost on July 4th than any other day of the year.

Don't drink and drive!!

None of what I have said here requires more from you than just using common sense. I know it's in you. Don't make me beg.
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 Ha ha. It just rained enough to make me go turn off the water. Guess I'll go turn it back on. That turned out to be a big ole tease!!
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Anyway, I know I sound like a big old grouchy grump who hates holidays, but I just want everyone to be safe. So fire up the grill and toss those salads, eat to your heart's content and visit with your loved ones. View a professional fireworks display--or stay inside and watch a good movie. Just have a safe and Happy 4th of July!!

How I came to write S23HF50.

June 30, 2016
11:45 p.m.

I wrote this little book last year, because I was challenged to do something science fiction-like. But, me being me, it really is about a woman who loves her family.

You see, I like a challenge as much as the next person. But as soon as I was asked to think of science fiction, I thought of abduction. And once that crossed my mind, I found myself in a "what if?" state of mind.

What if some strange set of circumstances took me far away from my family? What if there was no way to escape, and no way to communicate with them? How would I react? How long would I last before I went crazy or killed myself?

This brought to mind a lot of other scenarios, but I was grateful to have been presented with a science fiction challenge for this story. It was safer to explore this as an alien abduction, you know? The other course would be to examine an abduction by a human, and God knows that couldn't turn out well.

So I jumped into Beth Ann's shoes and explored the possibilties. Then I jumped into the aliens' shoes to try and figure out why...

I had some fun writing this, I'll admit it.

The book is available now at this site:https://www.createspace.com/6368727 It will soon be available as a paperback on Amazon. I hope you'll give it a try.

Of course, now comes the hard part: convincing you lovely people that it's worth giving a chance. And I'm not great at the self promotion thing. So I'm just hoping for the best, because once it was done, it was probably going to sit in my computer's document files forever if not for my son encouraging me to try this.

Come what may, thanks son!
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July 1, 2016
12:18 a.m.

Oh my gosh, it's July! Where has the time gone? Year's half over already!

It's raining out, and it smells really good out there. I know my roof is suffering, but I can't seem to care about that right now. I just want my lawn to get a good soaking, because it has gotten really dry really quickly.

Over the next few days I will be working on keeping my lawn wet, because apparently I live in the same neighbor as a few idiotic people who think lighting fireworks in city limits is a good idea.

There are rules, regulations--heck laws--in effect here that say they can't do it, but it's the same thing every year, and I live in dread that some damned fool is going to set my house on fire.

Yeah, it's a house with problems, but it's mine, and speaking as someone who has already had a home burn down, I do not want a fire!

No offense to the good old USA, but I am not fond of the 4th of July.

Rain all you want out there--I've got buckets!

Plus, my rose bush is really big this year! Hurray, rain!
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I'm going to watch some Walking Dead and then go to bed. You'd think it would give me nightmares, but I'm tough, man!

Good night!