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Who remembers this Anacin commercial from the early 1960’s? Even before that, I would insist on ‘doing it myself’ whether I had a headache or not. Also whether or not it might have been better to let someone else do it. Used to drive my poor husband nuts. I had to learn to do it myself after he fell ill and eventually succumbed to pancreatic cancer.

I had the standard hauling water, dog care, shopping. Hauling water   Plus care for our five acres of mostly level land. Not planted in anything that needed tending, fortunately. Since I’m not fond of mowing and prefer the wild meadow look to any sort of lawn, that particular chore went by the wayside. Since the aquafier had chosen to relocate, and the well was quite dry, water needed to be hauled once a week.

It’s not a horribly difficult chore though the tires do tend to lose air over time. And I’m not always successful with the gas station air pumps. In fact I have blown out a tire some time in the past. Even so I managed to get the trailer home and turned around, and changed that tire once the water was pumped out. Easy peasy.

the fender after straightening

Not so much this time. This time that tire tread blew high, wide, and handsome, winding around the tire and crumpling the trailer fender. Backing and turning became nigh on impossible. It was raining…again…and the driveway was turning into a mud pit.

Enter my neighbor’s brother. “Hey, Monica, let us take care of that. don’t stress yourself.”

Up pops that commercial. But you know what? To heck with I’d rather do it myself. I got out of the truck, handed over the keys and stepped back. He backed the truck up enough to pump out as much water as possible, so we could detach truck from trailer and all retreat out of the rain to our respective houses.

The next day I found my spare tire, and consented to let them change tires even though I’ve done so in the past (by myself!). We agreed to get together when we were all back from shopping. Except I returned to find the trailer tire replaced, fender straight, and the trailer pushed out of the road into the yard.

How cool was that?

Maybe I don’t have to always do it myself

I was getting ready to reveal more about the Great Water Trailer Debacle. Until James mentioned needing some attention for his new Dream story. As a charter member of Procrastinators of the Universe (we’re getting around to our first meeting) I said why the heck not? Take it away, James

What if you could see everyone else’s dreams?

Find out with the Dream Series by J.J. DiBenedetto! Book #9, FEVER DREAM, is out today!

What’s the story?

Dr. Sara Alderson isn’t used to her patients dying for no reason. When a young boy succumbs to a mysterious illness that defies all her efforts to treat it, she refuses to accept defeat.

After two months of questions, Sara has attracted the attention of powerful people who don’t want their secrets uncovered, and will go to any lengths to make sure they stay hidden.

Now, time is running out for Sara to unravel the mystery before anyone else falls victim to the illness. And before her career, her family and her freedom are taken from her by enemies she doesn’t even know she has.

Where can you buy it?

Amazon (Kindle or Paperback)

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble (Nook or Paperback)

Apple iBookstore

Kobo

AllRomanceEboo

Want to know more? Here’s an excerpt!

It’s one in the morning, and the last guests have gone. Other than the cleaning crew, Brian and I are the only ones left in the ballroom. I know we need to leave, but I can’t bear the thought of standing up and trying to walk out of the room, down to the garage and then to the car. I think my feet might literally fall off.

“You’re going to have to carry me out of here,” I tell Brian, and he gives me a wicked grin in return.

“I was planning on it,” he says, and he stands, takes a deep breath, and lifts me right out of my seat. I yelp and throw my arms around his neck as he carries me out of the room and over to the elevator, barely showing any strain at all. He has to put me down once we get to the elevator, though. “I need a free hand,” he says, hitting the “up” button. But the garage is – oh. I should have known.

“You booked a room.” He nods. “And you told my parents we wouldn’t be home tonight.” Another nod. It’s all part of the fantasy, I guess. He’s been imagining that he’s James Bond all night, and after a glitzy evening at the casino, James Bond doesn’t hop into the minivan so he can get home, walk the dog and collapse into bed. No way. He takes his conquest for the evening up to the five-star hotel room, where the champagne is already waiting. On ice, no doubt.

The bell dings, he ushers me into the empty elevator, and as the door closes, I feel my fatigue suddenly, instantly, drain away, and I’m all over him. I may not be a fan of those movies, but I know how they go, and it’s not as though I need much of an excuse to throw myself at my husband. By the time the door opens onto the third floor, I’m panting and extricating my hands from his tuxedo jacket. “You woke up in a hurry,” he says, panting himself, pulling his hand off the zipper of my dress, which is already halfway down my back.

“Well, I know what you were thinking, and I also know that no girl can resist James Bond, right?” By way of an answer, he leads me down the hall, opens the door to our room, picks me up again and deposits me on the bed. In seconds, he’s finished the job of zipping me right out of my dress, and his tuxedo is in an undignified mess somewhere on the floor. After that – there’s no more thought, just feeling, just his hands and his lips and his – his everything.

Interested in the books that lead up to this one?

The first five books in the series are collected in one Kindle Box Set, and it’s on sale this weekend for just $0.99!

What if you could see everyone else’s dreams?

Sara Barnes has just discovered that she can. And this gift – or curse – will lead her on an extraordinary journey.

Follow Sara as her newfound ability leads her into adventures she never imagined. She will hunt down a serial killer, investigate a plot to murder one of her teachers, unravel a conspiracy between a mobster and a corrupt politician and face off against her nemesis: a woman who shares her talent, but uses it to destroy lives rather than save them. And Sara will have to manage all that while finishing college, becoming a doctor and falling in love, too.

Here are the first five books of the Dream Series, along with bonus material created especially for this collection. Included in this set are DREAM STUDENT, DREAM DOCTOR, DREAM CHILD, DREAM FAMILY and WAKING DREAM. In addition, you’ll find the short story BETTY & HOWARD’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE starring Sara’s parents. But most of all, when you open this box of dreams, you’ll find romance, suspense, humor and plenty of heart…

Where do you buy it?

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

Apple iBookstore

Kobo

AllRomanceEbooks.com

Google Play

What about books #6, 7 and 8?

They’re all on sale at Amazon!

But I like to listen instead of read! What about audiobooks?

The first five novels and a short story are all available on Audible! And you can hear samples from all of them right here!

So who’s the author?

I was playing with my Great Water Trailer debacle, when James mentioned he could use some assistance. Since I’m going to get around to joining Procrastinators of the World, I thought I’d give myself another day. So you can read about his new book…and take a look at those scrumptious covers!

Well, technically, that’s a picture of his cat, Danny. Danny is much more phorogenic than J.J. is. But J.J. (James, really) is a pretty nice guy. He’s a native New Yorker, althoguh he’s lived in the Washington, DC area for the last 20 years. He loves the opera, reading, photography, science fiction, fondue, travel and the New York Giants. Oh, and of course Danny, and also of course his lovely and talented wife.

Where can I learn more about him?

At his website, on Facebook, on Twitter and at his Amazon Author Page.

Yikes, it’s been a while since we visited. I’ve been mumbling about what we can share, and intended to start off discussing the value of good neighbors, how I must learn how to accept help. Then I found this on NEPHEILE TEMPEST’s blog. You should check her out, she has a lot to offer!

Take a minute, well actually fifteen minutes, to listen all the way. Toward the end are some eye opening scenarios. He’s easy to listen to, you can wash dishes (or not)

Then we can decide what great career we’ll pursue

And tomorrow I’ll be sharing my great water trailer escapade…part deux

Search for your Passion

Yes, I really can tie these together! I’ll start with one of Chuck’s trademark Tell it like it is blogs. Wherein he not only tells it like it his but also tells it the way he darned well pleases. If you read Chuck before you know what I mean. If this is a firstie for you I strongly recommend putting down your drink and/or covering your keyboard.

THIS IS CHUCK’S BLOG revealing what we all sort of knew. None of us really know what we’re doing! Even more not many in a position to know better really know what’s going on! We hear this or that genre or sub genre is dead…until someone publishes that very genre to tremendous success.

Remember when Westerns were passe? Or when ‘no one’ would ever want to read, or watch “whatever” again? Yet along comes something catching our attention and we’re off to the races again.

Chuck points out none of us know what we’re doing. Not really. We’re just all kind of (or totally) faking it. But remember that wonderful TED talk where we were advised to ‘fake it until we become it?’ I’ve brought it up several times but I don’t think we can watch it too often. And by the way an author dog trainer friend (AMAZING IN BOTH AREAS!) just reminded me again, when she came across the advice in this talk. .

Let’s all just take a second to stand up, reach up and be what we were meant to be.

Oh, Popeye? I’ve thought about this segment so often during this discussion. It’s from 1935 and no I was not around then! But the irony is not lost on any of us

NO ONE really knows what the heck they are doing, we’re all just faking it. But we’re having a heck of a good time in the meantime! (It’s raining in our drought area…I can’t take much of anything too seriously!)

It’s Mother’s Day and in the dog show world in New Mexico, that means getting together with like minded enthusiasts for the High Desert Cluster. Meaning five shows, starting on Friday and going to Tuesday, with activities for pretty much everyone involved in dogs. At least those that can be done indoors. Since the weather can and does vary between “strip down it’s HOT” to “did I remember to bring extra coats?” being indoors can be very important.

This weekend has personal memories for me, related to my husband’s illness. And to my publishing successes…can life be any more complicated? Or any more real?

Of course there’s a song, one I feel is so appropriate, by two iconic singers.

Which one do you like better?

It is here

Sure enough, the High Desert Cluster is underway. And here’s my new book! Can I have just a short moment of self promotion?

Listed as Romantic Suspense, Honor is also about trust and second chances. Something we all need in our lives

Click on the (pretty!) cover to reach the Amazon page.

Have a wonderful Sunday with those you love.

Right off the top. I read it, voraciously. And I revel in every new author I meet who writes it. For writing, I do better at paranormal and fantasy. All that science is just…not my strength. Although no less a writer than Arthur C Clarke said

‘Magic‘s just science that we don’t understand yet

With which I absolutely do agree, though to some of us science is still more magic than reality. I can not create the science to propel my rocket ships. Andre Norton, my childhood writer crush, simply sent people from here to there in ships that could do that sort of thing. It worked for her, but now readers are asking for more science, however magic it might seem. We are, after all, a part of the Star Trek generation.

Except, no matter what readers might want, some editors seem to think that pesky science is going to get in the way of the romance, and readers won’t like that. Really? Readers who search shelves literal and virtual for SCIENCE Fiction ROMANCE aren’t going to want much science in their books?

Hmmm.

If these editors would take a moment to apply LOGIC to their decisions, they might wonder how many people would look for Paranormal Romance without vampires or shifters or immortals? Would that reader be coming back to that publisher’s books any time soon?

I’d been thinking in terms of talking about Science Fiction Romance soon, but was prompted by a rash of blogs discussing this very subject to do it now. Such as Heather Massey’s It’s 2015 and One Publisher is Still Trying… Referred to by Greta van der Rol in You Can’t Have Science Fiction Romance Without the Science Greta should know, she writes rollicking good Space Opera. Towards the end of her blog, Greta references two more articles. The second one has to do with female superheroes.

Yup, that’s tomorrow’s rant.

In the meantime, I’ve been trying to find a place to tell you about the SFR authors I’ve discovered lately. Writers who have stimulated my imagination and stolen my sleep. So I’ll just mention some of them here.

Greta van der Rol, yup. Her MORGAN SELWOOD perfected an engine that danced within itself and…well the science is beyond me, it’s better to read it, and get Greta’s take on where we as a species are going.

Laurie Green created not only advanced science but a chilling future world in INHERIT THE STARS

Kate Corcino came up with another possible future, where electricity becomes…something else SPARK RISING I suggest you read IGNITION POINT first. You’ll understand why.

And so many more, like ST MARY’S CHRONICLES, mixing science with history, insanity, and a cup of tea.

All of these, by the way, written by women, for anyone who wants a good read. Too bad some publishers are still not getting the message. Most of us really don’t care about the chromosomes of the writer, only about the book.

Do I have pictures for this blog? Hmmm. Here’s a lone pilot, searching for truth in the publishing world.

Airs Above the Ground?

Yes, Fire Dragon, this story is about you

Yes, I have this Fitbit. When I first heard about step trackers I was not truly impressed. Yeah, yeah, my friends walked all these steps, but they walked a lot anyway. But…the more I heard, the more I thought about competing. Not against anyone else since I’ve learned that’s a waste of my energy…but against myself.

The first tracker lasted maybe a month? It had been a cheap knockoff and I gave up trying to figure out the problem. In that brief period of time I realized my normal day’s walking was about 3,000 steps but I could bump that to 5,000 if I just parked further out from the stores. After a few more false starts I picked up that small Fitbit I talked about yesterday.

Normal days now end up around 5,000 steps. Add in dog classes, whether Agility or Conformation, and it can bump close to 8,000 steps. Without any real effort. Nice, but the initial

Getting ready to have FUN

goal is between 10,000 and 12,000 on a regular basis.

I started wearing that little tracker all the time. Last Saturday Fire Dragon and I attended an Agility trial. This particular organization emphasizes safety and FUN. Our kind of place.

Not only did I run with him in the class I also walked courses, went back and forth from set up (where my dog was cool and comfy) to the work area. Many times. In long sleeves which it turned out was NOT a good idea. I tend not to notice things like this while I’m with my dog, but later, oh myyyy…. And I still had to move crate and blankets and water back to the truck. In the meantime, Fire Dragon was already safe in the truck crate.

WOOT!!! GRASS

The judge was delightful and so patient. Although at one point

Contacts? We don’t need no stinkin’ contacts

he did mention “When I told y’all to have fun I might not have meant this

Next time, let’s try to both be going in the same direction, okay?

much fun.” And this was before he saw my red boy.

Isn’t it fun to make an impression!

LOOK AT ME, I AM THE FIRE DRAGON

Ummm, Mom, you still there?

At the end of the day, that Fitbit was pushing 11,000. Without (much) effort on my part. Thanks to the talented photography of  SHIRI HOSHEN, we have a record of this day to share with you. Now to keep that level of activity up every day.

I’ve seen this song referred to as a “Christian” song, and it certainly gives that impression. In fact I’m fairly sure it was written in that vein. I’ve always thought of it as a tribute to people helping people.

Perhaps some people help people to make themselves feel better. So what? Doesn’t that make everyone a winner..and don’t we all love winning?

THIS ONE

I started using a FitBit recently. Many friends have been using it for over a year, with wonderful, life-saving results. I tried a few knock offs,that only worked a short amount of time, then finally bit the bullet and got an ‘entry level’ version I can clip on anything. (I’ve been known to use my bra strap) and keep track of my activity…or lack thereof. I’ve picked up a few active Fitbit users as on line partners…we can watch each others progress, send words of encouragement, and keep on stepping.

When I receive the pictures from last Saturday, I can tell you about my first BIG day tracking steps. In the meantime, I was following a discussion about step tracking. Someone mentioned they had hit a credible number of steps. Immediately following was a comment: “that’s fine but it’s not aerobic,” as if to say ‘so what, it’s not going to do you that much good.’

Yeah, way to raise us up! I know from experience, it can only take one or two statements like that to stop someone cold. Yes, that’s oversensitive. But it’s also very human. If instead that commenter had said: “Good for you. Once you’re into that great walking routine are you going to add some kind of aerobics or weight work?”

Same concept, different phrasing.

Which one works better for you?

A to Z Challenges wants a blog about my experiences last month. I gained great insights into myself and what I have to share.

I have a fun blog planned for the first Fitbit day I hit 10,000+ steps…another great accomplishment.

But…it’s Sunday. A day to share memories and emotions. For starters, a singer Tom and I enjoyed…one of several story teller singers who eased our minds and inspired our creativity

Gordon Lightfoot

And this one…heartfelt discussion between a wanderer and a home body. How many of you have been one of these people?

And if we didn’t live it, by glory we write it. “California life alone is just too hard to live.” Oh, yes, it is. And not just in California

We’re expecting a couple days of rain. Magical words to we in the in High Plains

This is not a post about Spring and happy times. Yet it is. Nearly 300 women and children have been returned from Boka Haram. Mentally traumatized, physically debilitated they are not well. But they are back, and now they have a chance to recover. The story is not over. Families were torn apart and are not yet reunited. But it is a start.

THE STORY IS HERE, at least as much as has happened so far. There is still so much that needs to be done.

In contrast, HERE IS A STORY of a woman who saw a problem with the Sudan, and has developed assistance for the orphans there, and for the problem of human trafficking. This woman has been attacked, and survived to make a difference. Her goal is to help raise a generation of peace makers.

After the stories of hopelessness, of harm directed at others, of people choosing to go forth and cause trouble, or stay home and drink imported water, these stories are a ray of light.

What have you heard today to give you faith in people?