Just Stopping By...

Um, happy day-after-hump-day.

I'm just stopping by to thank everyone for your prayers and good wishes during these past couple of weeks. I want to give you an update, share a happening, and offer some slightly overdue hump day funnies.

Just after my last post, Hospice told us to gather the family to say goodbye to my dad. I guess Dad was enjoying everyone's visits because he rallied and is still with us. We're treating every day as a special gift from God and, naturally, I'm spending as much time as I can with him, so my online activities will be limited for a while yet.  Please continue to send prayers and good thoughts for Dad and all of us who love him.

My dad, my brother, and me.

In between visits to Dad's, I managed to attend the Killer Nashville mystery writers' conference last weekend. It was great. Kudos to everyone connected with the conference. While there, I had an opportunity to share a couple pages of my book at a roundtable session which resulted in a request from an agent for the full manuscript. I'll admit it, I'm excited. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Should I even mention that just before Dad got sick, my beloved spouse and I contracted for some renovation work in our home?  I'm also juggling not being here to answer questions when I'm at Dad's and dealing with a house full of workers when I'm home. Oh well...

Okay, as promised - your hump day funnies.

I did a post with "dog selfies" a while back. How about this one?

Oh come, that's funny.

Little old lady joke (you know why I get to tell these).

A Highway Patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car and was astounded to see that the little old lady behind the wheel was knitting. Realizing she was oblivious to his siren and flashing lights, he lowered his window and yelled, "PULL OVER!"

 

"No," she yelled back. "It's a scarf."

Here's a good one to follow all that yelling.

 

Very, very true.

I like this next one.

THE  LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

 A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter.

Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't memorize the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.

On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was strangely calm. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, 

 

"The Lord is my Shepherd...and that's all I need to know."

 

Yup. That's about it.

 

And, of course, I wouldn't forget your "aw".

Check out these eyes.

I'm going to admit to a personal connection to this one. My Dad's dogs have always slept on the bed with him but he had to trade his regular bed for a hospital style one and the dogs don't understand. This is the expression I see on their faces. It's an "aw" every time.

Okay, that's it for today. A little late for hump day but hopefully you're racing toward a glorious weekend.

I'll do my best to answer comments here and try to visit when I can but if I don't make it to your place, I know you'll understand.

 

Take care.

 

 

Thought for Today: 

 

One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.

Thank You, Thank You, and See Ya.

I've got a mixed bag for my post this morning. 

First I want to thank all the new faces that stopped by as part of the BEST AND WORST MOVIE REMAKES BLOGFEST.  Especially those who joined me as Followers. I think I managed to return the favor to you all.

Thanks also to our blogfest hosts: Alex J. Cavanaugh, Al Diaz, Livia Peterson, and Stephen Tremp.  It was fun. 

Now I have to go back and pick up a thank you from last Monday.  Murees Dupé from Daily Drama of an Aspiring Writer gave me this lovely award. 

 

Thank you, Murees. 

 Of course this award comes with the usual set of rules, answer ten questions and pass the award on to ten other blogs. I hope Murees will forgive me but I'm only going to do half the award requirements. I'll explain a little farther down. 

First, the questions: 

1. Favorite color

This really changes with my mood, the season, etc. but I'll go with blue.

2. Favorite animal

I'm an equal opportunity animal lover (except for spiders) but I'd better say dogs since we have one in the family.  Wouldn't want her to get in a snit.

3. Favorite number

Hmm. Never thought of it. How about four - I have four grandkids.

4. Favorite non-alcoholic drink

Hot tea. But not Earl Grey - sorry Jean-Luc.

5. Favorite alcoholic drink

Pina Colada (I like that old song, too.  Do you know the one?)

6. Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook. I don't have a Twitter account. (Yeah, I know. Someday.)

7. Passions

Probably should say writing but to be honest, it's my family.

8. Prefer getting or giving presents?

I enjoy both but I think giving is more fun.

9. Favorite City

Toughy.  I love New York for the theater but I've got to go with Boston - home of my beloved Red Sox. 

10. Favorite TV Shows

During the winter season, I watch Castle, both NCISes, Person of Interest, and Elementary.  During the summer cable season, I like Burn Notice, Covert Affairs, Rizzoli and Isles, and Suits. 

 

 

Now, here's where I'm going to fudge on the rules. Rather than choose ten blogs to give this award to, I going to give it to everyone who stops by and would like to take it with them.  I'm doing this because so many of my blog friends have said they'd rather not receive awards because it makes them feel obligated to accept and spend time fulfilling the "requirements".  

 

If you visit my blog and leave a comment, you've brought me a little sunshine and I'd be delighted for you to take this award along with you.  If you have the time to answer the questions and pass the blog along to other bloggers, that's great. If not, feel free to accept it as my gift to you, no strings attached. 

 

Now for the last part of my post title...See Ya. I'm going on a cruise (Yea! Whoopee! Vacation time!) so I'll be about as far offline as I can get for the next couple weeks. Try not to get into too much mischief while I'm gone. I'll try to post on June 3rd unless Sophie is so traumatized over being left that I have to give her my undivided attention for a couple days, then it will be June 5th.

 

See ya!

 

Or should that be Sea Ya! 

 

(Get it? Cruise...ocean...sea. Oh, I'm sorry.) 

Joke of the Day:

On our vacation we spent some time in Louisville, and my wife and I were arguing whether it is pronounced “Louie-ville”, “Lou-i-vulle” or “Louis-ville.” 

I figured we could find out for certain when we stopped for lunch. As we stood at the food counter, I asked the young man, "Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are, very slowly?" 

He looked just a little puzzled, but he leaned over the counter and said, "Burrrrrrgerrrrrr Kiiiiing."

Thank You's and Blogfests and Funnies, Oh My!

Happy Hump Day

My hump day post has to serve as a multi-purpose blog this week.  

First, I need to thank everyone for their good wishes on the release of Flights of Fiction on Monday, especially those who ordered a copy. I really appreciate your support.

For those who asked about an e-version, Flights of Fiction will be available in e-format in early May. I don't have an exact date from the publisher but I will certainly make an announcement here as soon as I know. 

Next I want to tell you about a very cool new blogfest from the Ninja Captain, Alex Cavanaugh, and friends.

I love one day blogfests (no A to Z challenges for this kid), especially when movies are involved. This one should be lots of fun. Get the details and sign up here.

 I also want to mention that I'm going to be off line for the next week. I'm going on a little vacation with some dear friends.  I'll be back with you on Friday, April 26.  Try to stay out of trouble while I'm gone. 

Now for your hump day funnies.

 Here are some actual label instructions found on consumer goods. 

On a Sears hairdryer -- Do not use while sleeping.

 (but that's the only time I have to work on my hair.) 

On a bag of Fritos -- You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.

 (the shoplifter special?) 

On a bar of Dial soap -- "Directions: Use like regular soap."

 (and that would be?) 

On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding -- "Product will be hot after heating."

(huh?)

 On packaging for a Rowenta iron -- "Do not iron clothes on body."

 (but wouldn't this save me time?) 

On Nytol Sleep Aid -- "Warning: May cause drowsiness."

 (well, I certainly hope so)   

 On a Japanese food processor -- "Not to be used for the other use."

 (now, somebody out there, help me on this)  

On an American Airlines packet of nuts -- "Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts." 

 (oh, good grief)

 On a Swedish chainsaw -- "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."

 (Oh my Lord..was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)

Oh, don't worry, I've got your weekly "aw".

How about this one?

I know you said it.

 

Okay, that's it. Did we get you over the mid week hump and on the slippery slope to the weekend?  Good. Did you have a favorite?

 

Take care. See you next Friday. 

Thought for the Day:

I'm praying for my hometown of Boston and for everyone affected by yesterday's tragic events.

 

Thank You

Monday: Mystery, Murder, and Manuscripts

...and Memorial Day

Okay, it's Monday and Mondays are reserved for...well, you know.  But it's a holiday.  A rather important holiday. So I'm making an exception and sharing the following.

 

I went to church Sunday morning, as I usually do.  At the end of the service, our Pastor directed the congregation outside where he led us in a short Memorial Day ceremony.  It wasn't a big production.  A small color guard of Scouts lowered the flag to half-staff accompanied by the playing of Taps, and we all sang America the Beautiful. 

 
 
 

But reflect a moment.

The freedom to worship in the church of our choosing.

 The freedom to stand in the sunshine and honor our flag. 

The freedom to sing songs of praise for our country and afterward to leave there and go wherever we wanted.  

Freedom isn't free. 

Someone picked up the tab.  

For us.

We need to remember.

We need to say thank you.

 
 

"A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to and including my life'."

 

 

Thank you.

 

 

Groaner of the Day: A sailor was caught AWOL as he tried to sneak on board his ship at about 3:00 am. The chief petty officer spied him and ordered the sailor to stop.

Upon hearing the sailor's lame explanation for his tardiness, the officer ordered the sailor, "Take this broom and sweep every link on this anchor chain by morning or it's the brig for you!"

The sailor began to pick up the broom and commence performing his charge. As he began to sweep, a tern landed on the broom handle. The sailor yelled at the bird to leave, but it didn't. The lad picked the tern off the broom handle, and tossed it out of his way. The bird left, only to return and light once again on the broom handle, and was once again tossed overboard.

The sailor went through the same routine all over again, with the same result. He couldn't get any cleaning done because he can only sweep at the chain once or twice before the blasted bird returns.

When morning came, so did the chief petty officer, to check up on his wayward sailor.

"What in the heck have you been doing all night? This chain is no cleaner than when you started! What have you to say for yourself, sailor?" barked the chief.

"Honest, chief," came the reply, "I tossed a tern all night and couldn't sweep a link!"

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

I just want to thank you all for visiting and commenting during the past year.  It's been fun sharing things with you.

Wishing all my friends a 

Joyful and Blessed Christmas,

Happy Holidays

of every kind,

and

 the Best of Everything in 2012.

Merry Christmas.

(No groaner today.  Consider it my Christmas gift to you.)