Like so many in the Midwest, our my county was hit by an ice storm this week. It started off as just a thin layer of ice, and it wasn’t too bad to get around. Then the rain came.

The temps were around 30 when it started and there was a fair amount of ponding on surfaces, namely driveways and sidewalks and roadways. Miserable crap to deal with, for when those ponds froze, look out.

But the worst problem as always was the ice piling up on the trees and powerlines. The weatherman kept saying this wasn’t going to be … Read the rest »

This year, I’m lobbing the lumps of coal at my IP. For this year, they have consistently provided me with : intermittent internet service, disconnected me at whim, reduced the measely kbs I was getting by on to a typical 25,000 receiving on a good day, and provided a laundry list of worthless excuses why my service is total crap.

They are the only “game” in Whoville. My IP sucks, knows it, and doesn’t give a flying fart. I am considering switching to yahell dialup. Or even AOL. God help me, it’s that bad. Yes, there is no DSL in … Read the rest »

I’m so sorry I haven’t posted anything lately, but my mother was in critical condition the past week, so I, for the most part, stayed by her bedside. I believe I’ve found a new definition of exhaustion married to worry.

Mom passed on the evening of 11-15-07, peacefully which was a blessing for her, and to those of us left behind. She was so much more than a mom to me: she loved to brainstorm ideas, loved to dig into a first draft, and loved the written word. But above all, she was my best friend.

I’ve no doubt she … Read the rest »

I’ve found myself singing Carrie Underwood’s latest hit, Love Is All That Matters. The overall message is uplifting, but I keep getting drawn back to one line — “Sometimes, that mountain you’ve been climbing, is just a grain of sand…”

That rings so true to me, and reminds me of a favorite saw of my dad’s — don’t make mountains out of molehills. Yes, he told me that many times, and though the lesson stuck, I’ll admit there have been instances where I perceived things to be bigger, or badder, than they were. It’s part of human nature.

Those seemingly … Read the rest »

I’m guest blogging about guest ranches over at Petticoats and Pistols on Saturday, Nov. 3. I used a guest ranch as the setting for my April 08 release, One Real Man. Drop by and say hi. I’m giving away an autographed copy of One Real Cowboy to one commenter.

And in case you’re wondering–Griffin’s Lair is done and off to editors today. My progress meter is caught in the NANO writing crunch, but GL IS done, but I couldn’t update my progress meter. … Read the rest »