Patchwork and Stopgap and Makeshift, Oh My!

Hi. As I mentioned last week and the one before, I'm juggling a bunch of upgrades. I've got a new PC with a newer operation system (Windows 7) and I'm trying to convert to later versions of most of my software.  I also want to launch a new website which would include my blog, and make a decision about "branding."

I'm making progress. We're talking about a pace somewhere between snail and sloth, but still moving forward. Unfortunately, the world isn't waiting for me to catch up so this week I've been doing patch work. You know, spreading a little fresh asphalt on the pot holes until I can re-pave the road.

Did you notice I played with the layout of this blog page? For one thing, I moved the "About Me"  a little closer to the lead and changed the text. I've decided - my love of gruesome murders aside - that I like making my blog buddies laugh. So for now, I'll be going back to funnies. I just need to settle on a schedule.

I also gave my website a little once over. It's still "homegrown" and I know it looks it but if you want to pop over and check it out, I'd appreciate your feedback on what, if any, of the content I should keep in the new site. You'll probably need to view it on your computer. I haven't figured out how to make it behave on mobile devices (looks great on my phone, overlapping text on my grandson's).

I don't feel too bad about the mobile device formatting issue because I happen to know New Zenith Magazine was having the same problem with their splash screen. Looks great on a PC though. Don't you love the cover?

Why am I talking about New Zenith Magazine, you ask? Well, in addition to their just-released first digital issue (print version to follow), NZM offers a mini-web issue for free. You can check it out here. And if you do, you'll discover the second story from the top is "The Mark" by yours truly. I hope you'll give it a look.

Okay, this post is running way too long so here's one funny to hold you over until next time.

A police officer called the station on his radio.

He said, "I have an interesting case here. An old lady shot her husband for stepping on the floor she just mopped."

The station responded, "Have you arrested the woman?"

He answered, "Not yet. The floor's still wet."

Well, would you risk it?


And how about an "aw" for these good buddies?

Now this is a little embarrassing since I'm just getting back to blogging, but I'm not going to be posting next week. On Thursday, I'm leaving for the Killer Nashville mystery writers' conference. I've done this one before and it's great. But as soon as I get home from Nashville, I'm leaving for West Virginia with our church's Disaster Recovery Team to help with the re-building after last spring's floods. So please look for me the week of the 29th. I'll have some funnies for you, I promise.



Thought for Today:

P.S. I loved that so many of you jumped right in last week on "Jeremiah was a bullfrog..."

Microsoft Hates Me

I had a different post in mind for today. For one thing, I planned to post it bright and early this morning. Obviously that didn't happen.

I've spent the last several days locked in mortal combat with my new computer, a brand new installation of Office 2013, and Microsoft's product activation system, which refuses to activate the product.

Since Friday, I've been to a hundred and seventy-two websites (okay, I wasn't really counting), have followed numerous different instructions for "resolving this issue", have uninstalled, rebooted, run disk cleanup, rebooted, re-installed, and rebooted so many times I know the steps by heart.

Right now I'm waiting from a vendor support callback promised by very nice young lady in India (if I recognized the accent correctly). I'm only semi-hopeful since she was having trouble with the difference between an eight and a nine in my area code. And she promised a ten minute return time and it's been forty.

Naturally, my eldest is taking advantage of the situation to remind me of the virtues of Mac's over PC's... while I'm staring at my brand new PC. Not helpful.


I was delighted to have so many friends drop by to say they hadn't forgotten me while I was off wandering in the wilderness (or hospital corridors or wherever).  And since several of you said you missed my funnies, how about instead of my planned post I offer these:

Do you think I should take my computer to these guys?

They have very convenient office hours.

 That even beats the Beatles. 

(Eights days a weeeek.)

This isn't connected to anything but it made me laugh.

And it's been a long time since I shared an "aw". 

Will this do?

 

 

Yeah, it worked for me, too.

Hey, while I was working on this, I got that call back. Got a new product key from the vendor. Did the whole uninstall, reboot, re-install thing again but this time - Alleluia and Amen - the Microsoft Mama Ship accepted her brand new bouncing baby Office installation. I have been activated!

Now I just have to finished transferring my files, set up Outlook with my multiple e-mail addresses, reconfigure my home network, move the old PC to the extra bedroom, set up my new PC where it belongs, learn a whole new version of Office and...oh yeah...I also bought Scrivener. Gotta learn that, too. It's going to be an interesting week.

I'm going to stick with posting on Monday's for a bit while I'm figuring things out so please look for me next week.

Have a great week!

Riddle for Today:

  Sing it with me!

 

Are you still here? Anybody? Anybody?

Yeah, I know. May 2015 to August 2016 does NOT qualify as "two or three weeks".

What can I say? I just wanted to get this project finished and that one started and these couple of things organized. And then there were a couple health issues and family matters and one harrowing 911 call followed by lots of initials like ER, O2, ICU, and finally PT (beloved spouse tried to scare me to death but he's much better now). 

So I decided, since I'd been gone so long already, this was the perfect time to build a new website - mine is dying of old age - and incorporate my blog into it. But I ran into technical difficulties so it's not ready to launch. 

I also wanted to re-think my content. I loved doing the Hump Day Funnies but is that the best "brand builder" for someone who writes mystery and suspense? 

Bottom line, I've been chasing my tail for a year...and I miss everyone. So I'm back. This isn't the new improved me. It's not exactly the old regular me either. I guess this is the new figure-it-out-as-I-go-along me. 

It will take me some time to make the rounds and say hi to everyone but if you happen to see that I'm back, please leave a comment so I can start getting re-connected. 

And if I seem to be having trouble with my direction, it's not my fault.

I'm just following the signs

 

 

Seriously.

 

 

I do have a couple things to share with you but not till I've had a chance to say hello. 

I hope you're all still here.

LD

 

Thought for today: A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.