Cell, Land Line or Both?

When I was getting ready for bed Thursday night, I checked the power on my cell phone, as I often do. I happened to notice I missed a call from my friend. I had spoken to her fifteen minutes before, but she got another call and was going to call back. In the meantime, she called my landline. I had wondered at the time why she did that, but didn't ask.

Apparently the call to my cell didn't go through, or maybe I just didn't hear it with the TV on.
It's a good thing I have both kinds of phones.

What about you? Do you use a cell, land line or both? Which do you like better, or does it depend? Please share.

Carry Out or Go Out?

The DH and I prefer carryouts for dinner. We rarely go out to eat. We call, place our order, pick it up and dig in. Carryouts are so much easier than getting ourselves all fixed up, driving to a restaurant, waiting to get seated, waiting for the food, waiting for the check, and figuring out how much to tip.

We do have certain friends that we do like to go out to eat with, but not that often.

What about you? Do you prefer carryouts or going out to dinner?

A Good Night's Sleep

Since I so often fall asleep on the couch lately while watching TV, then stumble upstairs in the dead of night, sometimes not falling asleep again for a while, this got me thinking.

What's a good night's sleep? If I get close to six hours, I consider myself lucky. If I sleep more, most of the time I feel dopey all day.

What about you? How much sleep do you need? What do you consider a good night's sleep? Please share.

My Favorite Person

I like reading books in the third person, though if a book is well-written, I'll forget my preference and read one in the first person. Why? The only thing I can figure out is although I like to identify with the characters, first person seems a bit too intrusive.

As far as articles and non-fiction go, first or second person are fine with me.

What about you? What's your favorite person? Please share.

ACMs and Twitter

Sunday night I watched the ACMs (Academy of Country Music Awards) Show while on Twitter. What fun, tweeting back and forth about the performers. It was like we were all at a party together, dissing or cheering for favorites, commenting on clothes, voices, you name it.

Twitter makes it easy to do this. If you enjoy something popular on TV, you'll probably find the topic in the right hand column there. You click on it and you'll discover everyone that's doing tweets on it.

For a few minutes, Twitter went Over Capacity. Must have been the ACMs that did it!

Anyway, I enjoyed listening and watching. You can catch my tweets in the Twitter box to the left. Just use its scroller.

And if you're in the mood for something totally different, check out my blog today about Killer Career at http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com

Are any of you country music fans? Did you catch the show? If not, what kind of music do you enjoy? Please share.

Today's Guest - JA Konrath a/k/a Jack Kilborn at Blog Talk Radio Books and Blogs

JA Konrath/Jack Kilborn with Morgan Mandel at a 2008 mystery authors booksigning, Barnes & Noble, Arlington Heights, IL.

I'm excited to offer my new guest, JA Konrath, also known as Jack Kilborn, or just plain Joe, at Blog Talk Radio Books and Blogs today, Sunday, April 5. Please tune in from 4-4:30pm Illinois time (Central Daylight Savings Time) at http://blogtalkradio.com/booksandblogs to listen to the show live. If somehow you can't make it at that time, by all means stop by that site where you'll find the player. You'll also find the player here in the left column not far down.



Not only is Joe the author of the Jack Daniels mystery series, he's also got a scary new book of horror out called Afraid.

Joe is also responsible for a great blog called A Newbies Guide to Publishing, a great reference tool.

Let us know if you plan to listen or, if you comment afterwards, tell us what you thought of the interview. Have any of you read one of Joe's books? Do you want to? Please share

Frustrated, Aggravated, Determined

Don't be afraid to tune in to http://blogtalkradio.com/booksandblogs this Sunday, 4pm Central Daylight Savings Time (Illinois time) for my special guest -mystery and horror author, JA Konrath a/k/a Jack Kilborn. Learn about his new release, Afraid. You can hear it live at that time from the above website or about 15 minutes later on the player there or in the left column here.


I'm frustrated and aggravated because yesterday I lost one of my most valuable commodities - Time. The law firm I work for deals in workers' compensation law, which pertains to injuries on the job. Not as many people are working. Those that are, don't want to rock the boat when they're hurt. It all boils down to the firm not getting much business.

So, on Friday the boss called us each in separately and laid out new rules. What pertains to me is my 4 day work week is history. Starting immediately, I'm now working 5 days per week, but only getting paid for 4. This hits me especially hard, since I barely had enough time as it was to write, promote, blog, and spend time with the DH and Rascal.

I know the economy is bad. At this point, I can't afford to quit my job. I don't see any point in looking for another one either. On the plus side, I still get to keep my vacation time and sick days, which total 23 days. I don't want to lose that, since it's almost summer and that's when we visit our cottage in Wisconsin. Also, I still have health insurance, and definitely don't want to lose that.

At this point, I know I should be grateful I have a job at all, but I'd already put in my time by working 16 years full time at the firm before getting the privilege of a 4 day work week. The irony of it all was yesterday was my 37 year anniversary of starting work there.


So, right now I'm stuck. Losing a free day each week means I don't have that valuable time any more to play catch-up. I have less opportunity to visit my friend's blogs and leave comments, less time to get a few of my own posts ready ahead of time, less time to concentrate on Forever Young, my work in progress, less time to finish my edits on Killer Career.

When I was called in, I'd almost hoped to be fired, so I could go on unemployment and get my writing life in order. That didn't happen to me, but it did to another secretary who was actually a good worker and depended on her 2 days a week to make ends meet for herself, children and husband. Realistically, if I'd been laid off, I couldn't afford living on unemployment, but I would have loved to have that extra time. It's such a valuable commodity.

Anyway, the bright spot is I'm over 60. Who would think that would be a blessing, but it is. When I hit 62, I'm going on social security and taking a 2 day job close to home. Until then, I'll tough it out, unless a miracle happens. I'm determined to get my books completed and published, because they're important to me. It will require more finnagling, but I'll manage somehow.

What about you? Has the economy affected you? If you're a writer with a full time job, do you have trouble getting writing and promotion done?

Olympics

The Olympic Evaluation Committee is in Chicago for six days casing out the city to determine if it's the best choice for the 2016 Olympics. Suddenly I see signage on buildings, buses, and streets everywhere saying We support the Olympics and other such messages.

I can't get into the spirit, though the signs are lovely, with their yellows and oranges. For one thing, I'm not a sports fan and usually don't watch the Olympics. For another, I'm still not convinced that somehow the taxpayers won't be stuck with a large portion of the bill, though Mayor Daley says otherwise. I don't live in Chicago, but I work there and grew up there. It seems the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Still, even if none of the expenses were borne by civilians, my chief concern is terrorists. It's happened before with Olympics and it could happen again. I've heard all the arguments about not giving in and getting on with life since 9/11, but I still don't like the idea of Chicago setting itself up as a target. Even with top security, I foresee problems.

Am I being too much of a scaredy cat? What about you? Would you like the Olympics in your City or town? Please share.

Cheese

Marvin Wilson practically dared me to do a blog on cheese, so I am. It won't be too long, since I'm asking you to hop over to my other post today. More on that later.

Okay, here's how you can apply cheese to characters in your books.

Sharp Cheese - A sharp-tongued, clever, sharp thinking person

Mild Cheese - A mild mannered person.

Spicy Cheese a/k/a Cheezy - Sexy, hot person.

Runny Cheese - A person all over the place, can't handle life.

CheeseHead - Wisconsin resident. (Don't get mad at this one. I happen to love Wisconsin. It's my second home where we have our summer cottage. Notice my sweatshirt in the left column of this blogspot.)

Can you think of other characters from cheese? Please share.

Also, if you never saw my post on initials, please check out my On Demand post at
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/

Thanks,
Morgan

Worms

Today is supposed to be worm day, so I thought it appropriate to blog about them. There are good and bad worms. After a rain, sometimes you'll see them crawling on the sidewalks. Those are good worms. The birds are happy to eat them. Fishermen love to collect them for live bait.

There's also creepy worms like maggots, that are really gross to look at.

Anyway, unless you've been in seclusion lately, you probably know what this post is leading up to. I dare not say the name for fear it may go on the attack. A worm is supposed to slither across the Internet today, April 1, and attack computers. Because of the threat, I've scheduled this blogpost early, so I won't have to turn on the computer to make it appear. Whether or not I have enough courage to go online at all today, I'm not sure. You'll know if you see me.

It would be a great challenge for me to go cold turkey and ignore the Internet for one day, but I'm not sure if I can do it.

Since I wrote the above, I found out it doesn't matter if you're online today or not. It could attack you some other day. I may as well tough it out, so here I am again.

Okay, are there any brave souls out there who are reading this blog? If your virus protection is not updated, I suggest you do it right now. Comment first if you wish.

Spilt Milk

Don't cry over spilt milk. Everyone's heard that.

In fact, I have actually spilled milk. Depending on where it gets spilled, if you're not careful, it can leave a pretty sour smell, especially in weird corners of a car's carpet. Anyway, the best thing to do is clean it up and forget about it as soon as possible.

That applies to writing as well. I've received my share of manuscript rejections, as many authors have. That doesn't stop me. If the rejection contains constructive criticism, I follow the advise gladly and clean up my manuscript so it's ready to go out somewhere else.

What about you? Do rejections paralyze you, or do consider them challenges to progress as a writer? Please share.

Spoiled Milk

If you missed my interview of mystery writer, Rob Walker, on Blog Talk Radio yesterday, it's the first program in the player in the left column here.

Last week, as I swallowed a swig of milk at lunch, I realized it was sour. Since I was almost through eating anyway, I didn't request an exchange. I did go to the cashier, whom I know from eating at that cafeteria quite often, and I did get a refund. Still, the experience left me unsettled and wondering if I'd get sick.

To make an analogy, it's kind of like picking up a book written by a favorite author, starting to read it, then discovering it's not what you expected. In fact, it's so bad, you don't want to finish reading it. That kind of experience can make you swear off of an author for good.

Maybe you've learned more about writing since you began liking that author's work. Maybe that author is careless, riding the tide and pumping out books just for the bucks, not for the craft. There are lots of reasons for being disappointed in books.

What about you? Have you ever been disappointed with favorite authors? Or, maybe just a book that looked good, but turned out crummy? Please share.

Rob Walker is the Guest Today at Blog Talk Radio Books and Blogs

Today, I'm happy to host Robert W. Walker on my Blog Talk Radio Show. Rob's a great mystery writer, with many published books to his credit, and is also a great guy all around. He's also the Friday guy at my group blog, Acme Authors Link, at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com





We'll be talking about his books, including his new one, with the great cover designed by someone very near to him. He also has some news about his wife, Miranda's, author career.

So, listen in today from 4-4:15pm Central Daylight Savings Time (Illinois) at
http://blogtalkradio.com/booksandblogs.


Rob's website is http://robwalkerbooks.com



Are any of you mystery readers? Have you tried one of Rob's books? If not, which mystery authors do you like? Please share with us. Or,if you get a chance to listen to the show, please also comment.

Does Your Dog Tell You to Go To Bed?

If I'm up too late typing on my computer, Rascal starts whining and nudging my elbow. She's telling me it's time to go to bed. She won't go to bed until I do. She follows me to the hallway, then sits there and watches me climb the stairs up to the bedroom. She's not allowed to go up there herself, but she has her own little space complete with comforters, in back of the easy chair in what we call our TV room. If

Right now she's pestering me to go upstairs. What about your dog? What does it tell you to do? Or maybe you have a cat or other pet. Please share.

Recycling Blogposts

In this age of going green and saving things, it makes sense to do the same with blogs. After all, we spend a lot of time thinking of what to say and how to say it. Then the post comes out. If you're a daily blogger, it only lasts twenty-four hours before it's replaced.

Those hours on that particular day may coincide with a major news event, a weather happening, like a snowstorm or even a beautiful Spring or Summer day. Maybe life intrusions keep regular readers away from their computers. Whatever the case, the result is the same - an overlooked blog.

The cure for such a condition is recycling. Consider posting your favorite blogposts on Facebook, Myspace, Ning, or maybe one of your group blogs, if you belong to one. First, be sure to update them. You wouldn't want to refer to a past event as if it were still coming up. If you think of better words or phrases, there's no law that says you can't include them this time.

When you're done editing and your post is up, you might be pleasantly surprised by the response it receives. You'll be glad it finally got the attention your hard work deserved.

Have any of you thought about or recycled blogposts? Will you try now? Please share.

Please Welcome My Guest, Children's Book Author, Donna Dumas

Donna Dumas was Born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Ripley, Tennessee as well. She spent her early years excitingly writing short stories and poetry as she vividly remembers telling them to her smaller cousins and close friends. Donna is a Maintenance Administrator for AT&T and the vice-president of their non-profit organization, the AT&T Pioneers. Her dream is to open a day care while she continues to write children books. Donna credits the love and joy of her son and her nieces and nephews adding to her ambition of living out those dreams. She now resides in the suburban area of Macomb County Michigan with her family and her dog Onyx.



Donna's Book - Hard Head Fred:

Seven year old Fred will stop at nothing! Almost anything can happen, and will, when he refuses to listen to his Mom. Modest Mom is spinning in circles as she attempts to deal with his stubborn behavior. She warns him not to do things that he somehow ends up doing anyway.

Sound familiar? What does Fred do when Mom says don’t? Will Fred's hard, hard, head cause him to have little accidents or even lose his cat Ned, or will he finally have a change of heart and listen to Mom and stop having such a hard, hard, head?

“Here kitty, kitty,” said Fred.




Truly Unforgettable by Linda31
Reader Rating: Barnes and Noble
See Detailed Ratings, March 11, 2009: "I recently purchased this book for my three year old son whose name is Fred. He giggled every time I read his name!"

Website http://www.authordumas.com/

Buy Link at Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Head-Fred-Donna-Dumas/dp/0982256043/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238035822&sr=8-1

Buy Link at Barnes and Noble at: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Hard-Head-Fred/Donna-Dumas/e/9780982256046/?itm=1

Catch Donna's new blogspot http://authordumas.blogspot.com.

Please leave a comment for Donna about her delightful book.

Young and Old

Now that I'm up in years, 60 of them, actually, I wonder if maybe I should be reading books about people in my age group. If I do that, though, I'd be identifying with the characters and admitting to myself I'm not as young as I used to be. Is that a good or bad thing?

Sometimes I wonder. On the one hand it's fun to pretend I'm young again, yet on the other hand, it's also fun to read books featuring characters I can relate to.

What about you? Which do you prefer? If you're young, do you care if the main characters are older, or vice versa? Can you name some books you particularly enjoyed that are about older characters? Or about characters younger than you? Or, maybe you've written one?
Please share.

Critters

Critters are everywhere. Some I can easily spot. Others are not as noticeable.

A few years ago, on the way to the commuter station, I saw a possum walking by the side of a house. About a week ago, I was about to let Rascal out when I smelled the distinctive odor of a skunk wafting from the area of the patio. Fortunately, all was clear by morning.

Last Thursday, when I was walking Rascal, I stopped to talk with a neighbor who was walking her collie. That's when I learned she'd met up with a coyote not far from my house. It followed her and her dog a few blocks, but didn't get real close. Now, everytime I go out, even for a few minutes, I make sure the latch is down on the backyard gate. Though I believe Rascal would be a good match for it, I wouldn't want one to take the chance of one of those critters making its way into our yard.

Of course, we also get our fair share of squirrels, which are so common I don't pay as much attention to them. Then there are the birdies of various types and sizes. Lately the variety of bird songs in the morning are increasing, a sure sign of Spring.

I'm thinking it would be a good idea to incorporate a few of these critters into my books to flesh out area descriptions.

What about you? What critters are around your neck of the woods? Do you include any of them in your books, or maybe you remember reading a book with a critter or two in it? Please share.

Please Welcome My Guest, Author Kimberly Elliott

About the Book:

A wonderful read for all parents, teachers, counselors .... we need to open our eyes to child sexual assault and help put a stop to this silent epidemic. The sexual abuse of a child creates a devastating family crisis. Parents want to know what to do and say to help their child but they also want to know how to respond to and heal their own emotional turmoil. As a parent, you need to know it's okay and natural to act with disbelief and denial.

This is my story, a mother's story, about the abuse of my daughter and my struggles to over come. I thought I could trust my family members. I thought I knew and could trust the legal system. I was wrong. As a parent, I couldn't find help for ME...what to expect on this journey with my daughter and her recovery. I didn't know how much pain I would suffer as well. This is my story and my struggle toward recovery. Some how, some way, I hope it gives you hope for your journey as well.

About the Author:

As a National Sales Leader in the Pharmaceutical Industry with 18 years experience, author, entrepreneur, professional speaker & Nationally Certified R.A.D. (Rape/Aggression/Defense) trainer, Kimberly brings a unique depth of knowledge and sensitivity to her specialties of: Advocacy for Change in the Medical Industry and Personal Self-Defense and Anti-victimization Education.

She gives readers & audiences powerful insights into the Pharmaceutical Industry. She has been featured in the British Medical Journal and has been a guest on numerous National Radio Programs.

As a victim of crime herself, she is also dedicated to providing workplace, personal, and field staff safety training classes to senior executives, management, and employees of a vast array of private businesses and corporations, professional organizations and associations. As a R.A.D. trainer, she also trains teachers, parents and children in school districts nationwide in personal protection and awareness. This is done by teaching simple mental and physical techniques and strategies individuals can use to avoid victimization in their daily lives. Her safety programs have yielded positive, immediate and long lasting outcomes.

Her behavior based anti-victimization presentations will shape & change the attitudes of your employees. This in turn will help you change portions of your safety culture and liability! Her combination of warmth and sensitivity along with her expertise, substance and inspiration, invigorates and energizes people to take action in their personal lives.

Kimberly focuses on the needs of each client, customizing her message to each group she addresses. She speaks around the country to Corporations, Associations and Consumers about personal safety and the need for health care changes in the U.S.

Kimberly’s diverse clientele include: YMCA, Bryan-Cave Law, Anheuser-Busch, New Frontier Bank, Bonneville Radio Group, Catholic Health Association, SCI Engineering, Jefferson Smurfit, Ronnoco Coffee, Coldwell Banker Realtors, Maritz, MO Nurses Association, US Bank, Prudential and a host of other household names, educational institutions, churches and non-profit groups.

Kimberly lives happily in Missouri with her amazing husband, two spirited children and a “zoo” of animals including a Newfoundland , three cats and a rabbit. She enjoys traveling, swimming and reading.

Here's what she has to say today:
18 months ago, with the disclosure of the sexual abuse of my young daughter, I came as close to “living hell” as I’d ever care to embark.

We have been to the bottom, risen up and been pushed back down again as we’ve cycled our way through recovery. Yes, each step along this journey has made me stronger; it’s definitely given me thicker skin and a new view on life and people in general. None of it has been easy and I’ve lost many meaningful relationships along the way.

Has it been worth it; this fight, this journey?

Most definitely. My children are the ultimate gifts that God has entrusted into my care.

So as a parent, a secondary victim to child sexual assault (CSA), how do we survive, let go, move forward and begin to thrive again?

That has been my greatest challenge.

It seems as though the moment I have it “all figured out” and life begins to move in a positive direction, I step on a new land mine and I’m back at square one yet again.

I realize, desire or not, I have been called to take this journey and I have to trust the future isn’t limited by what I see right now. That there is so much more waiting out there for me.

I understand that the joy in life isn’t guaranteed. I realize there will be typical ups and downs and these events are what makes the journey exciting and worth experiencing. I definitely, from the first wail from my daughter’s determined lungs, knew child rearing wouldn’t be easy. Yet, never in my wildest dreams or nightmares, was I able to prepare for the deep grief that CSA brought into my family’s or my life. No one can coach us on how to deal with a pain that shatters a heart so deeply. Those who casually say “Aren’t you over that yet?” don’t understand.

This much I will tell you about grief from CSA: If there was ever a second, or a moment, when you suspected or knew you had been betrayed at the deepest level by someone you adored and a splintering pain began to shred your heart, turn your world grimly unbearable to a point where you would consciously choose denial and ignorance about the betrayal rather than feel this way…that is one-millionth of what it feels like at the moment of disclosure.

On May 1st, at my daughter’s disclosure, I felt a searing pain in my heart. It was physical – I swear it was. If you are called to enter this world of CSA, there is no turning back. We are not allowed to refuse that call. It is like nothing else, with the possible exception of the pounding waves of the ocean. To the untrained casual eye, each wave looks the same. It is not. No two are the same.

As I examine, the up and down, emotional, inner-turmoil I’ve been struggling with recently, I’m reminded of the tug-of-war game I play with our new puppy. She has a long, blue, rope doll she loves. She brings it to me with her tail wagging.

I pull.

She pulls.

I pull it out of her mouth. She grabs hold again and shakes and shakes and says grrrrrr. The harder I tug, the harder the puppy pulls. Finally, I just let go. Then she comes right back again, for more.

I guess what I’m trying to say here is I have never successfully treated or solved one problem in my life by obsessing or controlling. I’ve yet to accomplish anything by worrying. And manipulation has not wrought one successful outcome. The best possible outcomes seem to happen when I let go. That doesn’t always mean I get my way. But things work out and, ultimately, the lesson becomes clear.

As a parent dealing with the aftermath of child sexual assault, I forget there are so very many things that are outside of my realm of control. I want to continue to cling to the past and the way it used to be – because it’s comforting and comfortable. I want to believe in the legal system the way I believe it should be and should function.

Unfortunately, there are certain events that we may never be able to accept fully. What can be accepted, though, is that we are required to live with this pain, hurt and loss and find a way to move on. There are many days that I have to remind myself to stop asking “Why?” but rather ask “what” the lesson is.

I guess this is all a part of being a “work in progress”.

Through disclosure, life as I had known it disappeared. I don’t know why I’ve received some of the blessing I’ve been given; I don’t know why some of the sorrow has come my way. All I can do is trust that whatever comes my way, there’s a lesson at hand. I didn’t bargain for this but my spiritual journey has begun. I’ve surrendered to the experience and I do believe something as broken and scraggly as I am right now can be brought back to life again.

The first step to acceptance, healing and recovery is the hardest. Sometimes it’s the second step that gets you. Getting information, support, and encouragement is helpful. Necessary too. But life is meant to be lived.

What I can honestly say to you is: “It’s going to be difficult, harder than you can imagine. It’ll take time. But you can do it! You’ll come through.” No matter what path you’re on, others have walked it before you, and some will follow you there. Each step you take is uniquely yours, but you are never, never alone! That is the message that I truly hope I can leave with everyone who chooses to read “Shattered Reality”.

- Kimberly Cheryl ; Author, Shattered Reality

Amazon Link:http://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Reality-Kimberly-Cheryl/dp/1440404593/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237684501&sr=1-1

Website:http://www.kimberlycheryl.com/

Please leave a comment to welcome Kimberly.

Pet Expo at Arlington Park Pics

The DH and I wore out our legs walking around at the Pet Expo at Arlington Park on Saturday. All kinds of critters there, but mostly dogs. Very heartbreaking to see so many dogs available at rescue organizations, lots of them purebreads. The economy is really hurting these poor dears. We would have loved to take some of them home, but Rascal is enough for us to handle. Anyway, enjoy the pics. Do you have a dog or cat or an exotic pet? Please share

Reminder: Tonight at 9pm Central Daylight Savings Time I'll be interviewing L. Diane Wolfe, Author of Overcoming Obstacles With Spunk. Tune in to Blog Talk Radio. For more info, go to http://blogtalkradio.com/booksandblogs.