Thanksgiving Project – Rain, Rain

Halloween will be a wet one for all the kids around here. Fortunately, our town has Boo in Bluffton in the City Gym. Nice and dry there.

It has rained fairly hard all day long. Actually, it started in the night. So, I decided to grab a quick lunch and go down to our River Greenway to sit in my car. I intended to read, but instead reclined my seat and listened to the rain falling on the roof of my van. So peaceful. And now I’m listening to it rain outside. It is a hard downpour now. But we needed some rain (all the leaves are off the trees now it seems). Now if it just keeps it up until time for me to go to bed. That should lull me right to sleep.

The other thing I’m thankful for today is my cousin. I’ve mentioned before that I have about 45 cousins on my mom’s side of the family. Now keep in mind that my parents were married 55 years and my dad left his family in Ohio to be a part of her family. Since my mom died a little over 19 months ago, my dad has been visited by my mom’s brother, my uncle Max. And my cousin Margie. That’s it. No one else. Dad can’t exactly run around visiting anyone himself and they all know that. I ran into a cousin the other day who said, “I really should go see your dad”. I replied with “yes, you should. Everyone says they should and none of you do it. It is shameful.” I’ve decided that I might as well speak my mind. And I know they would all show up at the funeral home. That doesn’t really do a thing for people. And when the time comes, I guarantee you that I will speak up. If that’s at the funeral home and I get ex-communicated from the family, so be it.

Okay, I got a little off track. So, I was talking about what I’m thankful for. I’m thankful that my cousin, Jenny, who is here to see my uncle Max (her dad) made an extra effort to go see my dad at breakfast this week. When my dad told me, it made me cry. It is nice to know that not everyone is so self absorbed.

So, I’m thankful for caring family. I’m thankful for all this rain. I’m thankful to be home. I’m thankful tomorrow is Friday.

What are especially thankful for today? Is there an older family member (or neighbor or friend’s parents) you should take a few minutes to go visit? Really. Make someone’s day. Go out of your way to show a small kindness. You will be blessed and they will feel special.

No Halloween is Complete without this Music Video

I haven’t watched this entire thing in a really long time – well worth the few minutes – enjoy!

Legends of Windemere

Melissa Janda beat me to posting this, but I’m still doing it.  Monster Mash and Ghostbusters are great songs, but this one changed the game.  It is a movie of a music video and I never tire of it.  Great singing, great dancing, and Vincent Price makes this epic.  I recommend everyone take 15 minutes of their time to watch this from beginning to end.

Thriller by Michael Jackson

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The October List

I almost never read reviews about books. I use book reviews to give me book suggestions though. I think reading is so personal. But I made the mistake of looking at a couple of reviews before I read The October List. It didn’t deter me, but I think it may have influenced me a bit.

Jeffrey Deaver is one of my favorite authors. I think he is a master at plot twists, surprises and storytelling. This book was full of all of that. Written in a backward story wasn’t as hard to follow as some reviewers seemed to think it was. Just when you think the surprises and twists are done, here comes yet another one.

This backward story concept by itself is pretty interesting. You do have to pay attention. Once I figured that out, it was easy to follow.

I recommend this book. It was entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat. Really, this was very good. Read it!

Thanksgiving Project – Travel

What an eventful day.

* My meeting concluded so I headed to the airport. The shuttle driver seemed to think he was in training to be the next Jeff Gordon. I swear the van was on two wheels going around some of the corners.

* Lunchtime. I ordered the cheeseburger, cooked medium. It took an unusually long time to get our order, but when it came it looked really good. Glad I cut my burger in half though. It was raw (barely even warm) in the middle. They fixed it, but by then I had lost my appetite.

* I had about a three hour wait for my flight. Time to charge my phone. Yay! So I found a charging station but couldn’t find a seat. No problem, there was a man sitting alone quietly. So I asked if he minded if I took the chair at his table. He snapped at me and asked “can’t you see I’m on the phone?” Uh, no I couldn’t. Everybody has earbuds in their ears, how was I supposed to know he was listening to some long winded person????? I didn’t even wait for another response. I just sat down with him. Tough. Being nice doesn’t cost a dime. But some people act like it costs a bajillion dollars. Totally not necessary.

* Plane is finally ready for boarding. They announced they needed people to do gate checking of their carry on bags. I’m a nice person and like to get along so I said, sure, why not. Well, two reasons I shouldn’t have. First, now it would have to be picked up at baggage claim. Any other time I’ve done that, I get it when I get off the plane. And second, when I got on board, the overhead bins were not at all full.

* Plane finally takes off. The pilot’s first words are “ladies and gentlemen, this is going to be a rough flight. Please stay in your seats with your seat belt on for your safety. The beverage service will be suspended for awhile.” And he wasn’t kidding. It was one of the most turbulent flights I’ve ever been on. I was beginning to worry I was going to need the barf bag. My stomach was doing flip flops with every bounce of the plane.

* Yay! Plane is landing. Of course that meant turning off my kindle at a really good part of the book (and I was at the 90% point too!). So, I looked out the window. All I could see were clouds…lots and lots of clouds. In fact, I couldn’t see any ground until seconds before touchdown. Foggy and overcast.

* Carry on bag retrieved finally. Got on the shuttle to get my car. It is amazing to me that people don’t pay attention to where they parked when they originally left. Three other people on the shuttle. First lady says, “I think I’m in B62. If not, she could walk”. But she got off somewhere else. She had quite a long walk I noticed…the shuttle stopped three times after dropping her off before I saw B62. Then these two guys got off. They said “I think we should go to shelter 13. Or maybe it was 15. Do you remember where we parked?” Seriously people, pay attention. Or if you think you might forget, WRITE IT DOWN!!!! I put it in my phone.

* 2 ½ hour drive home. But I’m glad to be back there

Today, I’m thankful my plane didn’t fall from the sky (even though I started to wonder about that a couple of times). I’m also thankful I know where I leave my car. And I’m really thankful to be home and that I get to sleep in my own bed. Plus, now I can finally finish that book (review tomorrow).

Four eBooks for 99 Cents Each!

Legends of Windemere

This is the Eve of All Hallows Eve, so I should be talking about horror and pushing my horror novella.  Instead, I’ve realized that not everyone likes to be scared.  After all, not every child dresses up as a monster.  So, take a look at this four eBooks that are 99 CENTS each!!!

Catalysts(Horror Novella)

When trapped in an elevator together, Jeffrey and Darla learn that misery doesn’t always love company. With the screams of death and chaos echoing from outside, they find themselves slowly slipping into a world of fear and darkness they may never recover from. All the while, something is terrorizing the convention outside and turning the guests and celebrities into psychotic monsters.

 

 

Legends of Windemere: Beginning of a Hero (High Fantasy)

Take a step into the magical world of Windemere where history is forged by brave adventurers.

Luke Callindor was born into Windemere’s…

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Thanksgiving Project – Too much of a good thing

Too much of a good thing…is still too much. I’ve been wined and dined the past two days. Not low cal food and too much besides.

I crave my routine as boring as it may be. I know that I gave either a bagel or a bowl of cold cereal for breakfast. I know that I will either have lunch that is work related or grab a quick sandwich and go somewhere and read. I know that I either get a small dinner or just crash. I know I have plenty of time before bed to read.

But these past two days have been the opposite. Buffet breakfast. Snack mid morning and mid afternoon. Not a horrible lunch, but too much food. Way too much for dinner. And dessert. I never eat dessert. Last night was a filet mignon. I passed on the chocolate lava cake though. Tonight was steak with jumbo grilled shrimp and crab cakes. I just don’t eat this much food. It was all delicious though. But I’m still miserable.

I’m thankful I don’t get too much of a good thing at home. I’m content just having popcorn for dinner.

Meeting is over at noon tomorrow. Flight doesn’t leave until 4:30 so plenty of time to sit in the airport and read. I should land in Indiana at 6:30. Then the two hour drive home. Believe me when I say, I will be very thankful to be home. Back to my dull boring routine.

Remember to get Catalysts for Halloween!

Legends of Windemere

Your daily reminder to pick up a copy of Catalysts for Halloween!  This new horror novella is a gripping scare for 99 cents.  Be sure to search by the book title and author name, so more people will learn about it.  This is how books end up on the ‘Also Bought’ and ‘Also Viewed’ lists that you see on product pages.

Don’t forget to search Amazon for more of my books such as the Legends of Windemere fantasy series and Bestiary of Blatherhorn Vale, each one for 99 cents.

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Thanksgiving Project – Perks

So, I got up at 4:30 am. Who gets up that early? There out to be a law against that for people who don’t go to bed until midnight or after. Made the drive to Indianapolis to the airport. Checked in and headed for the security check. I barely got into line when an agent asked if I had precheck on my boarding pass. Instinctively I looked down at my boarding pass, even though I knew I had not paid for that service.

Well, lo and behold, the airlines authorized some passengers to go through the precheck line. And I was one of the lucky ones. While I was walking up to security I remembered what a pain it is to take off boots. Just one more reason I love my flip flops. Unfortunately, I was wearing cowboy boots with lots of metal and still had to take them off. But I didn’t have to take off my sweater, didn’t have to remove my little bag with liquids, and it was a really short line.

Today I’m thankful for that little perk. Now, if they would just give me a free upgrade to first class 😉

Thanksgiving Project – Choo Choo

Today has been a great day. I wasn’t able to sleep in – but I still just laid in bed until 8:00 am – and for me that is almost as good! Then I spent the morning packing for my trip, straightening the house up, and getting chili in the crock pot.

THEN, time for me to sit and read 🙂 and smell the chili (which made me very hungry).

A friend stopped by with a Blackberry pie that I bought from her sorority (I’m saving it for Thanksgiving). Then off to meet my cousin and her husband at the local winery. We had a very relaxed afternoon. Plus, they had a new pomegranate blueberry wine that they had added mulling spices to – it was very very good. A great treat for a cool fall day.

Then off to my friend’s house to get my shot this week. On my way home from her house I saw all these cars stopped at the various roads heading across the train tracks. Then I remembered – the steam locomotive passenger train was making a couple of runs this weekend. So, I pulled over and just as I was getting out of my car, I heard the train whistle. I ran (literally) up next to the track so I could see it. The sun was in my eyes so picture taking was very difficult. Plus all I had with me was my phone. But I think under the circumstances, it didn’t turn out so bad.

Today I have so many things to be thankful for – but I’m so glad I was able to see the train in person (I’ve seen videos and pictures on Facebook). And it was a relaxing day – ahhhhh!

(The alarm is set for 4:30 am tomorrow so I can head down to Indianapolis to catch a flight to DC – three days of meetings – then should be home again by 9:00 pm Wednesday night – I need a new travel agent – this one chooses stupid flights!)

Weekly Prompt: Sunday October 27, 2013

Here is this week’s prompt. Have fun with it!